The Decoy Doughboy

Souvenir Edition -- Printed in Czechoslovakia

May 23, 1945. -- Publishes by and for the men of the 18th Combat Team. -- First Infantry Division, U. S. Army.

Best "Freak Shot" Story in Decoy

Top freak accident since the Rhine crossing on March 17th was one concering Pfc. Arlie Johnson, a B,A.R. man in ‘F’ Company.

Attacking a small village, an incoming artillery and mortar barrage kept the assault groups close to the ground, ducking the flying shrapnel. Johnson and his automatic rifle were in the forefront when enemy machine-gun fire opened up in their vicinity. . . . And a bullet from a "rattlesnake" found its way straight down the barrel of Johnson’s B.A.R.

The cartridge melted against the rifle’s bolt, welding into the bolt face. Pulling back the operating handle the Missouri dougboy found the melted round sealed to the bolt. Not willing to push his luck too far, he got himself another weapon.