American Valor Quarterly Issue 3 - Summer 2008 | Page 22

General Goodpaster speaks at the World War II
Veterans Committee’s annual conference.
General Goodpaster spoke at every conference
during its early years, lending his prestige and
credibility. Seated next to him is American
Veterans Center president, James C. Roberts.

of his own: “There
must be, within our
Ar my, a sense of
purpose and a
dedication to that
purpose. There must
be a willingness to
march a little farther,
to carry a heavier
load, to step out into
the darkness and the
unknown for the
safety and well-being
of others.” That is
the soldier’s task.

Monday 25 December 1944 (Christmas Day): “Three days earlier,
we had five officers in the company; now we are down to only
one, Lieutenant Green.” “At this point, our company is down to
less than 100 men, and our daily casualties are from 15 to 20.”
Tuesday 26 December 1944: “Only five men are left in our squad
today, but we are the biggest one in the platoon.”
Wednesday 27 December 1944: “We received five replacements
in our squad, doubling its size.”
Thursday 28 December 1944: “Our platoon is down to around
20 men, loosely grouped into three squads.”

Friday 29 December 1944: “We moved up to the paratroopers
and talked with them for a few minutes. We were impressed by
One of General Abrams’ favorite sayings was that “people are how much more rested they