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.

Sons in Company Father Commanded in World War 1

When Albert Kaufman was a little boy in LaGrande, Oregon, his dad used to tell him stories about World War I, and how he led 'A' Co. of the First Division's 18th Regiment. Years later and shortly after Pearl Harbor, Albert's brother, Jack, somehow managed to join 'A' Company in that same 18th Regiment; later to be killed in action in the Tunisian Campaign. Today, Albert is a first scout in the 3rd platoon of that same 'A' Company, 18th Regiment; having joined the outfit a few weeks before V-E Day.

During the last war, Kaufman, Sr., joined the 18th Inf as an officer reinforcment and was handed the assignment of leading 'A' Company; the Oregon doughboy won the admiration of both men and officers by successfully and fearlessly leading them in combat for some 14 months. The end of the war found him elevated to the rank of captain and well decorated for his exploits on the battlefield.

Captain Kaufman returned to the states, and with discharge papers in his pocket, he took up his former occupation-ranching in Oregon. He never forgot the hellish days under fire, but the name of the Fighting First Division and its famous 18th Regiment was always a source of pride when relating war stories to his family.

Several months following Pearl Harbor and the subsequent declaration of war, Rancher Kaufman's eldest son; Jack, enlisted and joined the same company his father had commanded in the last war. Jaack landed with the 18th at Oran in November of '42 and during the two campaigns, Algerian and Tunisian, distinguished himself as a fighting son of a fighting officer. It wasn't long before Jack was promoted to platoon sergeant and in the famous battle at Long-Stop Hill he was cited with a Silver Star for gallantry in action. It was one of the tragedies of war when Jack was killed by a German sniper bullet a few days before the end of fighting in Tunisia.

Albert, the youngest of the Kaufmans, came into the army a few months before his brother's death, and acceding to his father's wishes, he remained with his quartermaster outfit that was soon to come over seas. Stationed in a Comn Z unit back in France, Albert was unhappy and continually thought of his brother and the military history of his family. The only consolation was in the fact that his parents weren't worrying, but when the need for infantry reinforcements became so great that Comn Z was called upon to supply the necessary manpower, Albert saw his chance.

He promptly set about to find a way to the 18th Infantry. He talked to majors, colonels and even a general, giving them his family history and emphasizing his great desire to join the 18th. His efforts were finally rewarded by the granting of this request.

Kaufman joined 'A' Co. during the rapid sweep east along with the 3rd Armored's C.C.A. and was present for the fighting in and around the Elbe River city of Dessau, some of which was equal to the more rugg d engagements the regiment has played a part in. According to his platoon leader, T/Sgt. Robert I. Parfitt of Tamaqua, Pa., young Kaufman has the makings of a first rate combat leader and should make his combat Dad right proud.

One thing is certain, by the time Kaufman returns home, and it comes to telling combat stories, the private should be able to make the captain sit up and listen.