J. D. Says Hello
Somewhere in Italy.
January 14, 1944
Dear Rich: Our news is very limited so this won’t be much of a letter.
Just had a good chat with Roy Knight. I see him nearly every day. Saw Lawrence Larson yesterday, the first time for a couple of months.
The Elgin Echo is coming through O.K. Thanks again for sending it.
This writing by candle light isn’t so good, but will have to do until I get back to good ole U.S.A.
Here are some more foreign coins to add to your collection. Here is a 1.5 and a 10 lire currency which has the same value as ours, one lire is the same as 1 penny and so on. Here is a Morocco 5 franc, a Tunisia 5 franc, and an Algeria 20 franc. 75 francs is equal to a $1.00 in American money.
Tell everyone hello, for me.
Your friend, J. D. Shaffer.
Thanks for the currency, J. D. You’ve started a nice collection for me and I hope to add to it from other countries. Rich.
Source: Elgin Echo, Elgin, Iowa, February 3, 1944
Word was received by his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Shaffer, that S/Sgt. J.D. Shaffer is "hale, hardy and healthy and doing a fine job." The card was written by Capt. R.M. Webber in the Mayor General hospital, Galesburg, Ill., who was his officer and with him in many campaigns. S/Sgt. Shaffer was with the first infantry to enter Rome and is still stationed there.
He has been awarded the Silver Star for gallantry and previously had been decorated with the Purple Heart.
Source: The Fayette County Union, Thursday, August 24, 1944, pg. 4
Iowan Given Silver Star for Heroism
Washington, (AP) - Award of the silver star to S. Sgt. J.D. Shaffer, West Union, Iowa, for heroism displayed Nov. 4, 1943, in Italy, was announced Friday by the war department.
When the infantry company which Shaffer's field artillery battalion supported was halted by severe enemy fire, Shaffer advanced ahead of the infantry across 100 yards of open terrain with a 65 pound radio to establish an observation post only 150 yards from the enemy position, the war department said.
Source: Mason City Globe Gazette, Saturday, October 21, 1944, pg. 6
J. D. Shaffer was born Oct. 19, 1912 to Israel Francis and Elizabeth Richards “Bessie” Shaffer. He died Dec. 15, 1990 and is buried in Biloxi National Cemetery, Biloxi, Mississippi. Maj. Shaffer served with the U.S. Army in World War II and Korea.
Source: ancestry.com
