PVT William James Gould had done pre-med at UCLA before leaving for military service in January 1944. He was a Combat Medic in the 330th Infantry Regiment, 83rd Infantry Division, Company A. The 83rd Infantry Division landed on Omaha Beach on 19 June 44, took up defensive positions and attacked heavy opposition around Périers on 4 July. July 9 in Saint-Eny. The division regroups on July 15 on Ays. The division renewed its attack on July 26 as part of Operation Cobra. After consolidation the division reached the fortified town of St Malo with the 6th Armored Division. They began the Battle of Saint-Malo the same day and pushed back the German defenders on the strong points of the Citadel and Dinard on August 9 by combined assaults. William Gould was part of a medical detachment, his body was found in a burnt bunker with 4 other American soldiers. He fell during the fighting for the capture of St-Malo, Paramé sector. He was just 20 years old. The letter was written by him while he was in Camp Fannin, Texas which was an Infantry Replacement Training Center. The letter was written on May 14th 1944. It reads: “Camp Fannin Sunday PM Hiya folks, Well, I'm back in civilization once again and time is swiftly rolling by. This is going to be a short snappy letter as I'm on K.P. tomorrow and have to get a little sleep. I'm sorry I wasn't able to phone this morning, but when I woke up it was 8:00 and I immediately put my call through. The operator said I'd have to expect a 3 hour delay so I just decided to forget about it. Will you send me 20 dollars for my trip home? I'm not sure how or when I'll be coming in but I'd better have the dough just in case we move on short notice. Send the money in cash, insured as you did last time and everything will be hunky-dory. I had a swell meal at Jimmie's today and saw a couple good shows. Now I think I'll get a little sleep and I'll be alright again. I'm writing this with pencil as some so and so swiped my pen while I was out on bivouac. Well, that's the army for you. There was a great deal stolen these last few weeks and I'm watching things pretty carefully. I'll write to you as soon as possible and I've received your swell box. Don't send anymore food unless ordered please. Have a 2-hour problem tomorrow and Tuesday so don't be surprised if you don't hear from me for awhile. With all my love, Bill” Pvt Gould is buried at the Brittany American Cemetery in France. He was awarded the Purple Heart, World War II Victory Medal and the Combat Infantryman pin.
