Happy In The Army
Ralph Hagedorn, writes from army camp, thanking the Legion for the Monitor and expressing his delight in keeping up with happenings in the "old home town".
He adds that he likes army life fine, now and enjoys his work. He states he now weighs 182 pounds.

He says the only thing he'll miss this winter will be bowling and although they have a wonderful alley, work interferes too much to be able to bowl.
He extends a wish for a "Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to all his friends.

Ralph has visited a number of the beautiful churches there. He states the people are very religious and take an interest in the churches.
Recently he attended a dance in one of the larger cities, while on pass and found plenty of blondes and a few redheads. The girls were all good dancers and of course the boys had a good time.

Ralph would like to get in touch with other Manning boys stationed in Australia. He sends his thanks for the Monitor and extends seasons greetings to his friends and sends thanks to those who sent cards.

Manning Monitor article------ 1944

Ralph Hagedorn Writes
Members of the Progressive study Club have written letters to Manning boys in the service. In reply to one received by Ralph Hagedorn, he writes the following: "I am located somewhere in the South Pacific, but it would take you six months to guess where I am. I left Australia and had a boat ride; was ill only the first day. Where I am now, the rainfall averages 43 inches a month. It has rained every day since I have been here. If I want water, all I do is hold out my helmet. The water is cool and refreshing.
There are also mountains here, one is 8000 feet high.

The natives here are of the Angan race and are as black as the ace of spades, have, few teeth and speak good English. I have had a long conversation with one and find him quite intelligent. I have seen only one female and she wore a grass skirt, only. The natives love to smoke. They all seem to be good workers. While in Sidney, I had a lot of fun dancing and I visited a great many churches. We usually attend church in the morning and then visit other churches in the evening in nearby towns. I have visited many churches in the coastal cities.
This is one thing that the army has taught me, to be faithful in church attendance and I am proud of it.

We work hard here, sometimes in mud ankle deep. Things are not always convenient and are unpleasant, but I have not found it too bad. After work we can bathe in a cool stream and then have our supper. We usually have hash, fish and vegetable stew, all out of a can. We have no fresh fruit, meat or vegetables, but we are thankful for what we have." The letter was dated March 7th.
Ralph seemed very pleased to receive his letter. It might be a very nice thing if more people would take a few minutes to write to some boy out there where a letter means so much.
Decide on some, boy to whom you would like to write and if you don't have his address you can get it at the Monitor office,

Manning Monitor article------ 1945

Ralph Hagedorn Receives Purple Heart Award
Pvt. Ralph Hagedorn, son of Mrs. Anna Hagedorn, has been listed as wounded in action in the Philippines and is the recipient of the Purple Heart award. A story of the accomplishments of his division follows:
With the 24th Infantry (Victory) Division in the Philippines. Private First Class Ralph H. Hagedorn of 921 Sixth street, Manning, Iowa, and his buddies in the First Battalion of this Victory Division's crack 34th Regiment have helped write another stirring page in American history in one of the most bitter offensive actions in the campaign to free the Philippines.
With their battalion far below strength after 21 days of hard fighting, they drove deep behind enemy lines, over back breaking, muddy mountain trails to seize and hold a ridge to deny the Japanese commanding positions facing our main forces in a crucial valley.
For more than three weeks they clung to the ridge against great odds. They beat off 27 savage attacks, many by superior enemy forces, same in darkness of night during torrential rains.

They killed 825 Nips, more than one per man for the battalion. Artillery and mortar shells, hand grenades, rifle and machine gun, fire kept them law, day and night, in soupy mud of rain drenched' foxholes. Hot, spent shell fragments, showered down on them.
Ammunition and food supplies often were delayed when carrying parties had to fight off the enemy to reach the ridge. Muddy, slime coated weapons frequently failed to function. At times they met the attacks head on in furious hand to hand combat to save dwindling ammunition supplies. Acts of individual heroism became commonplace.
Many men of the battalion became ill with colds, dysentery, foot ulcers, fever, but they continued to fight. They knew not a man could be spared, who could carry on.
When a relief unit was sent to the ridge, they closed their part of the mission by leading an attack to drive the Japs from strong positions near the perimeter.