(Page 1)

Army of Occupation

Meisenheim, Germany;
Feb. 23, 1919

Dear Editor:-

We are writing this to you in hopes that it will be given publicity, thru [sic] medium of your publication. 
So that the public may be enlightened as to what a gold service stripe means to the men over seas.

it seems that the Government is going to abolish the wearing of gold service stripes as a distinction 
for men who have served

(Page 2)

[no text]

(Page 3)

2

the flag overseas because of the envy of those unsophisticated soldiers who were in the camps in the 
states. While we were enduring untold hardships overseas. While they were going on week end [sic] 
leaves we were risking our lives on a troop ship. While they were riding in passenger coaches, we 
were riding in cattle cars towards the front.

While they were eating the best of chow, we

(Page 4)

[no text]

(Page 5)

3

were sometimes half starved, and had to risk our lives just to get enough to applease [sic] our hunger. 
And while they were facing a harmless rifle range, we had to face death in the form of a raging hell 
from the enemy.

And while they were sleeping in good sanitary beds, we were sleeping in the open on wet ground, or in 
dugouts infested with rodents. And when they took a bath and changed clothes,

(Page 6)

[no text]

(Page 7)

4

we had to do without and become filthy and lousy with cooties, because there was no opportunity to 
bathe or change clothes.

While they were quenching their thirst with ice cream and soda pop, we had to take chances with stagnant 
water from a shell hole, which might have been poisened [sic]. While they were in a quiet camp, we were 
under fire of machine gun bullets, gas and high explosive shells. While

(Page 8)

[no text]

(Page 9)

5

they had the convenience of light at night we had to be satisfied with total darkness because of 
exposure to the enemy, if we had even as much as a match light.

And now that the war is practically over, they are back again at their home firesides, while we must 
stay over here in the enemies [sic] country until peace is assured.

And in spite of all these things, they would deny us the privilege of wearing a

(Page 10)

[no text]

(Page 11)

6

gold stripe as a distinction for service overseas for the flag of the U.S. which helped to make the 
world safe for democracy.

I hope from this that the general public will realize that the gold stripe stands for hardships which 
have to be experienced to be appreciated, with no animosity toward those who did not have the opportunity 
to get over to the hell that was.

I remain yours respectfully,
Pvt. F.C. Reuben M. Jepson,
Co. L. 4th Inf.,
American E.F.

(Page 12)

[no text]

(Page 13)

R.F. Jepson,
Green Castle, Mo.
R.#1

The Kirksville Daily Express
Kirksville,
Mo.

(Page 14)

W.W.I. 97.47