Phillip (Phil) Caccavale's interview is significant for a number of reasons. At the time he enlisted, he was representative of middle class America, and the Division with which he served was one of the most decorated of the War. He survived as one of only five original members of his unit, he was awarded the Bronze Star for valor as well as two Purple Hearts, his observations on the horrors of war have, over the years and alongside his wife's, been shared with schoolchildren when they study W.W.H., and his insight into what constitutes "disability" (he received a disability discharge) is something that serves as an inspiration to all.

Not unlike other veterans, Phil passed quickly over his enlistment in 1942 and his training in Spartanburg,

SC (where he coincidentally met and dated his wife-to-be before her entry into the WAVES). He had attempted to enlist in the Marines, but was rejected because he was colorblind. When inducted, he was asked if he would have any problems fighting in Italy (being of Italian descent), to which he replied no. After finishing training, his unit was shipped out to North Africa via a painfully slow 14 day ocean

crossing, most of which he spent below deck seasick. They arrived in North Africa just in time to miss most of that campaign, and were retrained for amphibious landings in Tunisia and Sicily.

Whatever action they missed in North Africa was offset during the next three campaigns. Phil was a

member of the 30^th Infantry, 3^rd Division. That division recorded more deaths and casualties than any other Army division by almost 2-1. One of the best trained groups in Europe, in one of their first marches they had to cover 45 miles in 36 hours, and be prepared to fight when they arrived. During that time alone, they were in the field for 45 days.

To give the reader but a sample of the conditions in which they fought, the weather was cold and wet. Phil had two pair of socks which he tried to change every day (not washed, mind you). One day toward the end of that particular field stay, while changing his socks he realized he had frostbite, so had to be hospitalized. Think about it; you're not even aware your feet are that cold

Phil shared stories of what it took to keep his unit supplied. Unlike today where there are highways to

anywhere, all supplies had to move along rudimentary roads (at best) by mule, something most would view as primitive by today's standards, He also dwelt on the closeness that developed between the members of his unit, an experience very few can relate to in today's society. He uses the phrase, "We're here for one another" to describe that closeness.

To give the reader some insight into the physical side of what they experienced, Phil was 5' 10" and weighed 135 lbs. As the BAR (Browning Automatic Rifle) man, he had to carry the 31 lb. rifle, an additional 31 lbs. of ammunition around his waist, plus his own personal gear wherever they went, which was usually over mountains.

During most of this time, their only break was when the mail arrived. Coming from a large family and Italian community, Phil always had something to read. Eating was another matter. As long as you liked C-rations, you were fine.. .but who did? For example, during one stretch, the cans of rations were immersed in hot water. As you passed by, you were given one heated can containing either vegetable soup, hash or beans. That and a biscuit and piece of candy was your meal. Things got so bad that he and his friends chipped in and bought and slaughtered a cow and some fresh vegetables, which after having the cow inspected, they ate. One night in a farmhouse, they opened a box of food and, in the dark, began eating it. They later realized they had eaten raw bacon.

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