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Note: LETTERS FROM HOME DURING WORLD WAR I:
Letter #1 June 23, 1918 Camp Dodge Iowa Dear folks I thought I would write a few lines to let you know that we got here all right we landed in Des Moines at 5:30 in the morning but by the time we got out here to the camp it was after noon there is 9 of us in this same tent I don't know for sure where I will be yet because we haven't been examined I am getting along all right we got to go to the moving picture show last night well I guess that is all for this is all the time I have got now Yours truly Gus My address is PVT. Gus Diehm Company 38 10th Battalion Depot Brigade Camp Dodge, Iowa Letter #2
ARMY AND NAVY YOUNG MEN'S CHRISTIAN ASSOCIATION "WITH THE COLORS" we will be down here in these tents about two weeks yet after that we will have a pretty good place to eat and sleep the only place we have to eat now is on the ground we are going to have chicken for dinner the best meal we have had yet was the day we eat in Lincoln it sure was swell say you might send me the sun you said something about sendi that watch say I got one in Lincoln the other day well I guess I will have to ring off because the mail goes off in 5 minutes well tell every body Hello for me be sure and tell Paul to rite say he hasent been reclassified has he have you heard any thing about the next draft if you find any thing about who has to go tell me in the next letter truly yours G. D. Co 38 10th Battalion 163 D. B. Camp Dodge Iowa Letter #3 it sure looks queer that they put frank crile in class two the people that is visitors sure are flocking in this after noon some of charlie masons folks came about noon say about them pictures I was telling about the other day I dont think I will get to see that fellow because he has moved clear up to the north end of the barracks but as soon as I get a chance I will have them taken and send you some I would have them taken this afternoon if I could get out of here well I think that is all for this time well dont rite or come up till you hear from me again understand tell all the fokes Hello with Love from Gus Letter #4 but I guess out of town folks can get in any time for a while ott Satoff was up yesterday morning he brought that Aug Rathe up to get in for treatment but guess he didint get in as I inquired last nite the buss leaves town every hour on the hour and leaves on the half hour so you could be out for one hour well you can figure that out yourself as you know your train leaves at 1.20 or so so you must do according well I if I ?? close maybe can tell you more when I see you must find a knife to sharpen this pencil they wont let us keep a knife I guess they think we are dangerous well dont work too hard and tell me the news with Love Gus Letter #5 ON ACTIVE SERIVCE with the AMERICAN EXPEDITIONARY FORCE Nov. 29, 1918 Belgium Dear Folks well how are you getting along by this time I am still well and hope you are the same when this reaches you I guess that will be about xmas well I just commenced getting my mail got 4 letters this morning and 6 the day before yesterday and that was the first I got since I have been over here the latest one was sent Oct. 24 well I sure was glad to hear from home and that you were all well well you asked whether I had seen George and Burg Yes I saw them about the last of Sept you know they were in the machine gun Co and they did not get transferred the same time that I did so I don't know their address or any thing about them. well how is the Spanish flu coming by this time I guess it must be pretty bad in the U.S. but hope it is about over with by this time well there hasn't been of it around here lately it was pretty bad when we first got over here there were about 70 in our company had it at one time but I did not have it and hope that I don't get it for this is no place for a sick man well yesterday was Thanksgiving and suppose you had a big feed sure would like to been with you well I suppose you know as much about the peace talk as I do and I think it is over with all right it sure sounds different then it did 3 weeks ago well I was up to the front twice and that sure was enough for me. well I suppose you're wondering when I am coming home I sure would tell you if I knew well you want to tell Erma and Doris to feed them chickens good Anna said in her letter they had some little chickens and the kids said they're going to feed them good so they would be big enough to eat when I get back. so Paul an Rob did not find any place out west when they were out and has gone to work in the garage well you tell him he better get a place and farm for himself and be his own boss tell him that there is nothing like it because I know from experience well how is papa getting along anyway and is he still working if he is tell him he better quit it and take life easy say have you heard anything from Will Soltaff and them other boys that stayed at Camp Dodge well I am glad that Julia is having such good luck with the Ford I guess she will have to teach me when I get back well I will have to quit for it is time for retreat well goodbye and write soon and be sure and enjoy yourself xmas I will try too address Gustave W. Diehm Co. G. 361 inf - a. p. o. 776 A. E. F. OBITUARY:
GUSTAVE WILLIAM DIEHM FUNERAL HELD SATURDAY Gustave William Diehm was born June 23, 1892 and at 11:25 A. M. Dec. 10, 1936 he closed his earthly mission here, leaving behind many relatives and friends to mourn his going, at a young age of 44 years 5 months and 17 days. Gus as we all knew him was born near Adams, Nebr. and spent most of his life in this community receiving his education here. He spent some time at farming but the last number of years lived here in Sterling. When a child he was in the Catechism class and was baptized in the Hopewell church.
In 1918 he heard his country's call to arms and on June 21, 1918 became a Private in Co. I, 361 Infantry. He spent less than three monts in training and on Sept. 3, 1918 sailed for France. He left France April 28, 1919. This service he saw in France for his country in a war to end wars was indirectly if not directly the cause of his death. He leaves besides his aged father Ferdinand, one brother, Paul Diehm of Table Rock, three sisters Mrs. Robt Hillman, Bayard, Nebr., Selma, who teaches in Plattsmouth and Julia who teaches in Columbus. His mother past away to the better world in 1922. Gus was a real friend in time of need, helpful to those around him.
Funeral services were held at the Methodist church Saturday afternoon, December 12 with Rev. J. A. Runnels officiating.
Taps were sounded at the close of the service. --------
CARD OF THANKS --------- We wish to express our sincere appreciation to the friends and neighbors for expressions of sympathy and floral offerings and also to the American Legion and the American Legion Auxillary for the kindness during the last sickness and at the burial services of our dear son and brother.
Ferdinand Diehm and family
GRAVE STONE
GUSTAVE W. DIEHM NEBRASKA PVT. 361 INF DECEMBER 10, 1936
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