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AMERICAN Y.M.C.A.
ON ACTIVE SERVICE
WITH THE
AMERICAN EXPEDITIONARY FORCE

Oct 7 1918

My Dear Frances.

Well probably you will be surprised to heard [sic] that I got any [illegible text] but it wasn't much 
just a cut from shrapnel on my right hand between the last two fingers and a tiny scratch on the back 
of the neck I had my pack on with my mess kit in it and the mess kit was completely demolished. probably 
kept the pieces from going into my back. I consider my self [sic] lucky to not be hurt any worse for 
the way Futz was throwing over shells and machine gun bullets

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was a fright. I think machine guns and artillery was all he hard [sic] for I never saw a german carrying 
a rifle.

The germans sure had things fixed where we saw them out. Had nice stone dug outs [sic] with electric 
lights and big cushioned chairs and all kinds of seats and drinks and the boys had quite a feed. Well 
girlie its [sic] kinda hard to write with a stiff hand and Ill [sic] close for this time

[illegible text] Ever

Roy E Fickel Roy
Co c 139th Inf
A.E.F.

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Mech Roy E Fickel
Co C 139th Inf
A.E.F.

AMERICAN Y.M.C.A.

U.S. MILITARY POSTAL EXPRESS SERVICE
[illegible text]

Miss Frances Hoag
Kirksville
Mo
U.S.A.

A.E.F. PASSED AS CENSORED
A.2136

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W.W.I.77.47