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While waiting for someone to come in and pick us up we all
began tiring so one by one the fellows were climbing on the raft
to rest. Soon it began sinking and I yelled for them to get in
the water and hang onto the raft. After they realized what was
happening they all got off and the raft again rose to the surface.

We were all very happy indeed, when we saw a destroyer, the
U.S.S. Butler coming in to pick us up. They sent small boats out
for us and picked up the men who were floating around singly and
with life belts only. They made two trips to our raft and after
they took the first load away I was able to sit upon the edge of
the raft and rest along with some of the other boys. That was the
most welcome rest I ’ve ever had; sitting on the edge of a life raft
in the English Channel on a foggy day with shells falling all
around, a broken knee and almost freezing. I sincerely believe
that was the coldest I have ever been.

When the boat came alongside again to pick up the rest of us
they pulled me into the boat and I just rolled over and lay just
as I fell. When we pulled alongside the ship two of the ship’s
crew carried me up the cargo net that was hanging over the side
and down to the forward mess hall where the doctor was. I was so
glad to get aboard that I dind’t think much about medical atten-
tion so I told him where I was hurt but to take care of the more
serious cases first because all he could do for me was to dress
the wound on my head and that wasn’t hurting by then. They put
me to bed in the mess hall and gave me hot soup, coffee, tea and
cigarettes.

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