David Joy Wright(1922-1991)

Wright Branch

Smith Branch

Based on the provided image content, here is the transcription:

David Wright, 1940

David Joy Wright(1922-1991)

Born: July 3rd, 1922 in Northampton, MA to David Sanders Wright(1887-1967)-W2 and Florence Edna Smith(1892-1937)-W3
Married Rita Mary McFarland(UNKN-2015) on July 9th, 1950 in Quincy, MA
Died: January 14th, 1991 in Natick, MA

David was in the army during World War II from August 16th, 1993 to October 10th, 1945. He was captured and spent time in a German prisoner of war camp. He and his wife had six children.

This battle david was captured in"Battle Biographies" by T/Sgt Dick Loomis and T/Sgt Chuck Voorhis, featuring the 95th Infantry Division.

Here is a transcription of the text:

95TH INFANTRY DIVISION

They call this outfit the "Bravest of the Brave," high praise, richly earned in combat. Activated at Camp Swift, Texas, in July '42, the 95th rehearsed for the big show in the chigger-infested wastelands of Texas, the swamps of Louisiana, the deserts of California and the mountains of West Virginia. Training was plenty tough, but a tea party compared to the first big combat assignment—Metz. The Metz drive started rolling on 8 November '44 with separate pushes by the 2d and 3d Bns of the 377th Inf, which wiped out the Nazi pocket extending east of Maizieres to the Moselle. For a week, elements of the division plowed through mine-sowed fields under a rain of mortar fire, blasting at Germans deeply dug-in in thick-walled farmhouses. Meanwhile, the 1st Bn, 377th, was crossed the flooded Moselle at Uckange under heavy fire, made a bridgehead on the high ground of the east bank. But a flood, the worst in 29 years, threatened the Yanks food and ammo supply, and the isolated troops had to be supplied from the air by divisional artillery liaison planes, which made 104 trips the first day. By 12 November, the Moselle had subsided enough for supplies to be transported by assault boats. Next-day the rest of the 1st Bn crossed to the east bank, pushed on to and captured Bertrange and Imeldange. Then Nazi infantry and armored reinfor1cements cut off the Yanks in the two towns. After two days of savage fighting, the pressure was relieved by Task Force Bacon.

Another chapter in the Metz drive was the Thonville bridgehead operation by the 2d Bn, 378th Inf. They swarmed across the swollen Moselle, captured Ft St. C. and the much tougher, high, hard-to-get-at Ft D'Elange, all in three days. Then they became part of Task Force Bacon together with the 1st Bn, 377th Inf, the 95th Rcn Troop and Co D, 778th Tk Bn. There followed a smashing drive from town to town down the east bank of the Moselle to Metz. Resistance was tough, but one obstacle after another was cleared. With Metz in sight, the division felt sharp. Part of the 377th got to Sansonnet, a Metz suburb, on the night of 17 November. At 1000, 18 November, elements of the 377th poured into Metz. The battle of snipers was on.

March 30th, 1945

Heppenheim Prison Article (Page 1)

Congress Rages At Nazis' Brutal 'Horror Hospital' WASHINGTON, March 29 (ANS) -Congress reacted angrily today Eur 5to the disclosure that American soldiers had died at a prisoner of war camp in Heppenheim, Germany, as the result of brutal treatment imposed by a sadistic Nazi commander, who let them perish of starvation and medical neglect. [Conditions in the Heppenheim hospital al were described in a di patch yesterday by Stars and Stripes correspondent Ed Lawrence, who said that surviving Yank captives attributed their inhuman treatment to a Wehrmacht surgeon who "hated Amer-icans' guts." Prisoners of other nationalities were reportedly well treated. Some members demanded that the U. S. protest immediately what le they termed an outright violation (Continued on page 8) SASNA NEAR MAR 30, 1945

Certainly. Here is the transcription of the provided file content, "Heppenheim Prison 2nd Article.pdf":

Thursday, March 29, 1945

Wounded American PWs, Starving and Filthy, Reflect Wehrmacht Surgeon's Hatred

By Ed Lawrence , Stars and Stripes Staff Writer

WITH SEVENTH ARMY, East of Rhine, March 27 (Delayed).

A tow-headed 19-year-old American dough looked at the piece of chocolate and wept6. Through fever-parched lips, he revealed the brutality of a Wehrmacht surgeon who "hated Americans' guts." "The Germans just left us here to rot," he said.

Lying in filth and covered with dirty bandages, the 250 Americans rescued by the Seventh Army were too weak to leave their beds. One man managed to hobble over to a window, shouting his welcome weakly. Someone across the room whispered that the soldier munching his first chocolate bar in months had no hands or feet1

"We dreamed of K rations and C rations. All we ever talked about was food. Some of the guys used to make up menus of all the things they like to eat, like strawberry shortcake with mountains of whipped cream," said one man12.

But the Nazi doctor had starved them while a storehouse in the basement held boxes of food and bandages from the American Red Cross Chapter in Detroit, Mich. The men rested on soiled rags They had endured the bitter cold of winter, lying under two thin blankets. Many were naked because they had traded clothes for cigarets and bread16.

"We wouldn't have minded the cold, if we had had enough to eat," said the tow-headed kid17. "But they didn't give us much. They fed us one leaf of bread and a bowl of potato-peelings soup for ten men at dinner and supper. Once a week we got cheese or boiled carrots," he added

who, like themselves, were prisoners. "Once I saw a movie," said a soldier with long-matted hair, "about a Joe called Dr. Wassel. Did you see it? Well, the major is our Dr. Wassel."

The tow-headed youngster growled weakly, "That sonuvabitch of a Nazi doctor starved us. D'ya want my idea of a real war criminal? He's downstairs now. I hope they hang him."

"The men in this hospital have a different slant on how to treat German prisoners," said a skinny second lieutenant. "The guards here tortured us with stories of how much food Jerry PWs were sending to their families from the mess halls in the States."

THE T Re div

The men revealed that the Serbian, Polish, French, Italian and Moroccan prisoners at the hospital were well treated and cared for. But Americans got nothing.

Marzis Murder

The year burg five O

The captured doughs reserved a special reverence for an American major and lieutenant of the medics. These two men, although starving with the rest, labored ceaselessly to keep the 250 American doughs alive. "We wouldn't be here if it weren't for them," the Americans said unanimously "They'd slip us morphine and would visit us every night trying to cheer us up." 4

The young soldiers, matured beyond their years, with bearded faces and emaciated bodies, spoke tenderly of the American medics

march 30th, 1945

Heppenheim Prison Article (Page 1)

THE STARS AND STRIPESVOL NO. 64NANCY EDITION FRIDAY, MARCH 30,1945

(Continued from page 1)

German Hospital Angers Congress

of the Geneva Convention on the treatment of prisoners. called for strong action against "war criminals" such as those responsible for the Heppenheim atrocity.

There was no immediate comment from the State and War Departments, which apparently were awaiting an official report but it was expected that representations would be made as soon as the official report was forthcoming.

The Geneva Convention provides for medical treatment of prisoners and food rations equal to those fed the capturing army.

Persons familiar with the conditions in enemy prison camps, said here that the Heppenheim case apparently represented the exception to the rule and that up American prisoners generally have bank been treated by the Germans in accordance with the Geneva Convention.

The major complaint has been insufficient food. The situation is said to have been aggravated by said a growing food shortage in Germany

The flow of Red Cross packages of and German rations in prison camps has been interrupted by a German transportation chaos resulting from the swift Allied offensive.

The Red Cross reported that 250 trucks had been assigned to carry prisoner of war supplies to Americans and Allies in Germany andits that another 100 would be shipped from this country next month

enlistment Branch: Army

Enlistment Date: August 16th 1943

Discharge Date: October1 10th, 1945

letter his father received about his being released from the pow camp

Northampton, Mass Apl. 11-45 8 P.M.

Dear Bud:

This has been a great day around here. Dave brought in the V mail, we had to use a glass to read teh address but we got it. We damn glad the Germans didn't get you they are bastards. Lu is in France + might get yo see you if you write him, I'll send you the address to-night. He is still LT.L.S.G. 05 39 857. Co B. 20th JK Bn. A.P.O. 444. N.Y. Your folks are all well. I saw Carol yesterday she was looking for news and couldn't find her father so luckily we had it. The card written from Camp A12 on Feb 2nd came first, then the letter written in December was delivered to Catherine in Washington, the army was checking on it to be sure you were you. Then the short letter yesterday saying you were in France And to-days V mail completed the record. 140 days is a long time to-be cooped up as gran-says or whether they feed you. Charlie is in Germany, probably O.K. in his jeep. Your Uncle was sick for a while but is better now, he is O.K in fact. Catherine married a Navy J.g. Lt. a few weeks ago, we went to the wedding. Trushan is on a cruiser the Amsterdam + was home a few weeks ago. Puff is in Camp Thunder Mo. waiting to move, he is a medic now. He was home in January. George is O.K. he talks occasionally but Carol almost a pal of mine, she was positively beautiful at Catherine's wedding, she wore a pink gown, lacy + slim, after the wedding I spent an hour talking to Major Smith about you + his son who was + maybe is a prisoner of the Germans. We haven't passed a day without thinking of you, Lu said he sat down + cried when he heard of it in December, so you see that was once when [ILLEGIBLE] Family failed the great S.S.S. There are several cats and about two weeks ago I sat on one. It was the night we heard about you first, the day the card from [ILLEGABLE] I worked late at the store so I stopped in at your home at about 10 P.M. Bud you would have busted. Harry Fiff sent in a bottle of wine + someone set Uncle one so the two bottles were on the table, I sat on a cat. Uncle uncorked the bottle, Caroll put cherries in the wine, I don't know why and we all drank to Bud, a quart if you please, Then Dave + I fought the other war for a while, Uncle went to bed, Caroll went upstairs, I groped my way home + I guess Dave drank the other bottle himself. Enclosed is a pet picture of mine - The Connecticut Valley from Mt. Nonotuck. It is all here, not green yet but will be, get your one way ticket back here and then we will try to keep Europe in Europe aa+ Asia in Asia and let Northampton enjoy the Valley. We (the Chamber of Commerce) have had 50 pictures The school, churches, shops + main street made to send to the boys but I hope you will see it yourself soon.

So we hope you improve, get back some weight, + strength and we will see you soon.

3 or 4 of my letters came back, I'll give then to you when you get home.

Don't bother to write me but use the paper if you need it for Dave, he tells me anyway.

Ed Gare Jr

I spent many evenings at your home this winter, Your Father is a great man, they don't make any better ones.

DAVID WRIGHT, JR.,

ALIVE AND WELL

Everyone, and there are thousands in the entire Valley who know and admire Coach David Wright, will rejoice with him in the news that his son, David, Jr.,has been reported alive and well, even though it be as a prisoner of war in Germany. A fine, quiet boy, he was interested in all sports both at N.H.S. and at Massachusetts State college. He was a member of the football and basketball teams of both schools. His father never allowed himself to think his boy wasn't alive, and always felt that he would come home again.

V Mail from David J Wright to David S Wright April 3, 1945 from US Army Hospital in Paris, France. This was written six days after he was liberated from a prison hospital in Heppenheim, Germany and three days after being sent to Paris.

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Paris April 3

Dear Pop,

I think I can now tell you a little more about my general situation and prospects. I wrote one letter a few days ago but this one may arrive first. I was recaptured by the American army on March 27 at 10:40 AM after being a prisoner for 140 days. When I was first captured I had a bad case of trench foot and was sent to a German Prison Hospital. My feet did not heal completely due to the living conditions and diet. I am now in an American hospital in Paris and being treated for malnutrition and general weakness as well as for trench foot. I lost the middle toe of my left foot and part of the second toe of my right foot but this will not affect my walking. I’ve lost 40 or 45 pounds but the way they are feeding me now it won’t take long to regain it. You can write to the above address but I can’t be sure of being here to get it. I am anxious to hear from you.

Bud

Note: Paris in the V Mail was blacked out by the censor and location was usually censored out of any communication. At this time, the war in Europe was still going on. The Germans did not surrender until May 8, 1945. This was over a month later.

Transcription of handwritten letter from PFC David Joy Wright to his father, David S. Wright written on April 30th, 1945, from U.S. Army General Hospital, Camp Buckner, N.C. He was captured during the 95th Division’s drive on Metz, France on November 14, 1944, sent to a prison hospital for trench foot (frostbite) and had a toe amputated while there. He was liberated on March 27th. So, this letter is about one month after his liberation, and he is back in the United States.

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April 30, 1945

Dear Pop,

Kate called me up and said you and her might come down around the 15th of May. I’d be glad to have you come if you want to, but it isn’t at all necessary on my account. It ought not be too long before I get a furlough probably 30 days or longer. If you should decide to come down, I can probably get a 3 day pass at the same time. Let me know what you decide and if necessary, I’ll try to find out about the best places to stay. It would probably be a good vacation for you.

I’ve gained back about all of my weight now but don’t get enough exercise to get as strong as I was. My feet are coming along good. There is only one small spot that needs bandaging and that is pretty nearly healed. They are still sore but I think that is because there is so much new skin and that they will toughen up when I get to doing more walking.

When I said that I was slightly injured, I was referring to my feet. I didn’t know how much detail I’d be allowed to give and I wanted those cards to get through.

I’ll tell you a little about my experiences here and you can find out the rest when you see me. I was captured Nov. 14 somewhere north of Metz on the Moselle. Most of our battalion was captured at the same time. I was sent to a prison hospital at Heppenheim with about 20 others and got there Nov. 21. The hospital was run by French prisoners except for the food. The doctors were French and Italian, and the patients were just about everything. I had my toe cut off about the middle of December by a French doctor. He did a good job because it is hard to notice that the toe is gone. In January a lot more Americans came to the hospital and a couple of weeks later two American doctors. Most of them were captured during the German attack in December. We were finally liberated March 27 and flown to Paris March 31.

Aside from being hungry and cold and bothered by lice, we didn’t have such a tough time. We worried a lot about the bombing because we were near Mannheim which was hit quite often. The P-47’s strafed a couple of trains close to us but the worse that ever happened to the hospital was a few broken windows.

As you might expect, I have a lot of spare time on my hands, so I’ve been doing a little studying. If I find that I am going to stay in one place for very long, I am going to try one of the army correspondence courses. If you come down, I would like to have my two surveying books and my drawing set.

They have a good library here but I haven’t found those books there.

If you get any other addresses, you can send them. Apparently, Roy Seely is still all right. There were quite a few fellows at Heppenheim from his division, the 42nd, and they said that his regiment had had a pretty tough time.

Bud

Transcription of V-Mail letter from David J Wright to David S Wright dated November 4, 1944. This was four days before he assaulted across the Moselle River (Nov. 8) as part of Operation Cassanova, which was designed as a feint to draw German forces away from the main attack on Metz. He was captured six days later with the rest of the battalion on November 14th after the Moselle has swollen to its highest level in 29 years preventing reinforcements.

Dear Pop,

I got paid yesterday and will probably send some home soon. I’d like to get some things here to use as Christmas presents but don’t see much chance of it.

John Lord is in France now in the 45th Division. He was in Italy as an infantry replacement. I don’t know how he got from one place to the other or how near to me he is.

I can tell you know that I’m in the Third Army but can’t say where. If you know the approximate location of the Third Army, you know my approximate location also.

We had a chance to get showers and clean clothes yesterday. It was the first shower we had had in some time. The building we took them in had a swimming pool. It was part of a school or college near here.

Transcriber’s note: Soldiers could not reveal their locations per Army censor rules. This was part of operational security so the enemy could not determine units based on captured letters. Per the regimental history (377th infantry), at this time, they were located near Betrange, France crossing the Moselle River to Uckange, France. These are near the French city of Metz.

From Wikipedia

V-mail, short for Victory Mail, was a hybrid mail process used by the United States during the Second World War as the primary and secure method to correspond with soldiers stationed abroad. To reduce the cost of transferring an original letter through the military postal system, a V-mail letter would be censored, copied to film, and printed back to paper upon arrival at its destination. The V-mail process is based on the earlier British Airgraph process.[1][2]

V-mail correspondence was on small letter sheets, 17.8 by 23.2 cm (7 by 9+1⁄8 in), that would go through mail censors before being photographed and transported as thumbnail-sized image in negative microfilm. Upon arrival to their destination, the negatives would be printed. The final print was 60% of the original document's size, creating a sheet 10.7 by 13.2 cm (4+1⁄4 by 5+1⁄4 in).

According to the National Postal Museum, "V-mail ensured that thousands of tons of shipping space could be reserved for war materials. The 37 mail bags required to carry 150,000 one-page letters could be replaced by a single mail sack. The weight of that same amount of mail was reduced dramatically from 2,575 pounds to a mere 45." This saved considerable weight and bulk in a time in which both were hard to manage in a combat zone.

Transcription of V-Mail letter from David J Wright to David S Wright dated Oct 18, 1944.

Dear Pop,

Its been quite awhile since I have been able to write you. I can tell you a few things that I have done since my last letter. I visited the ruins of St Lo and rode around the town. They fought quite a battle early in the invasion. I have also been to Versailles and in the suburbs of Paris. I got a little ways up into Belgium near Luxembourg. I picked up a few souvenir coins at various places. They’ll trade anything for American cigarettes and candy.

I am now eligible for membership in the 40 and 8. It was pretty crowded but we got along all right.

Transcriber’s notes: St Lo was the French town was the site of the Allied breakout from the Normandy beach head. It was heavily bombarded prior to the breakout.

The 40 and 8 refer to the French railroad cars that were designed to hold 40 men or 8 horses and was a primary means of transport for troops in France at the time.

Transcription of David Wright Obituary

David Wright, veteran, scoutmaster, engineer

NATICK – David Joy Wright, 68, died unexpectedly Monday, Jan. 14, 1991, at Leonard Morse Hospital in Natick.

He was born in Northampton, son of the late David S. and Florence (Smith) Wright.

Mr. Wright was the husband of Rita (McFarland) Wright. He graduated from Worcester Polytechnic Institute in 1946 and was a professional engineer until his retirement in 1988.

He had lived in Natick for the past 40 years, and before that, he lived in Boston. He served in the U.S. Army during World War II with the 377th Infantry, 95th division. He was a prisoner of war in Germany and received the Purple Heart.

Mr. Wright was a member of the 95th Infantry Division Association and worked for the Boy Scouts for 25 years. He was the scout master of Troop 4 of Natick. He was also a member of the Appalachian Mountain Club, and of the Disabled American War Veterans.

Besides his wife, he is survived by one daughter, Ann C. Calcaterra of Fitchburg; five sons, Frank A. Wright of Ivory Coast, Africa, Bruce P. Wright of Rowlett, Texas, Roy A. Wright of Natick, Neil C. Wright of Framingham, and Glen R. Wright of Marlboro; two brothers, Charles Wright of Wilmington, Del., and George Wright of Pelham; two sisters, Katherine Wright of Albuquerque, N.M., and Carol Putnam of Marietta, Ohio; and four grandchildren.

Funeral services will be held Thursday at 11 a.m. from the John C. Bryant Funeral Home, 56 Pemberton Road, Cochituate. The Rev. Steven M. Seminerio, minister of the Community United Methodist Church, will officiate. Burial will follow in the family lot in Dell Park Cemetery in Natick.

Visiting hours at the funeral home will be Wednesday from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Donations in Mr. Wright’s memory can be made to the charity of the donor’s choice.

Is there anything else I can help you with regarding this text?

Catherine and David Wright, 1922

David Wright, Betty Bradbury, and Catherine Wright, abt 1923

David, Catherine and Charles Wright, 1924

Charles, David, Catherine and George Wight, 1928

Wright Family, 1928

David Wright and Unknown, 1932

Possibly David Wright, 1932

Wright Family, 1932

Caroline, David and Cat Wright, 1934

Wright Kids, 1934

Grandpa and Grandma Smith with 8 Grand children, 1934

Wright Family Christmas Photo, abt 1937

David, Florence and family would have experienced the flood that took place in the Connecticut River Valley in the spring of 1936. Here are some pictures of that flood.

Catherine, Charles and David Wright, 1924

Catherine, Charles, David Wright and Florence Smith, 1924

David and Catherine Wright, 1924

Catherine, Charles and David Wright, 1925

Charles, Catherine and David Wright playing in a sandbox, 1925

Car at 306 Maple St, abt 1923

Catherine McCann Smith, Catherine Wright, David Sanders Wright, David Joy Wright, Florence Smith Wright and Merrick Smith at the 306 Maple St house in Great Barrington, MA, abt 1923

David, Charles and Catherine Wright, 1925

Charles, Catherine and David Wright, 1925

Unknown, Catherine, Charles and David Wright, abt 1925

Wright Family Kids, Northampton, MA around 1930

Letter from Ed Garee Jr. to David "Bud" Wright

Northampton, Mass Apl. 11-45 8 P.M.

Dear Bud:

This has been a great day around here. Dave brought in the V mail, we had to use a glass to read teh address but we got it. We damn glad the Germans didn't get you they are bastards. Lu is in France + might get yo see you if you write him, I'll send you the address to-night. He is still LT.L.S.G. 05 39 857. Co B. 20th JK Bn. A.P.O. 444. N.Y. Your folks are all well. I saw Carol yesterday she was looking for news and couldn't find her father so luckily we had it. The card written from Camp A12 on Feb 2nd came first, then the letter written in December was delivered to Catherine in Washington, the army was checking on it to be sure you were you. Then the short letter yesterday saying you were in France And to-days V mail completed the record. 140 days is a long time to-be cooped up as gran-says or whether they feed you. Charlie is in Germany, probably O.K. in his jeep. Your Uncle was sick for a while but is better now, he is O.K in fact. Catherine married a Navy J.g. Lt. a few weeks ago, we went to the wedding. Trushan is on a cruiser the Amsterdam + was home a few weeks ago. Puff is in Camp Thunder Mo. waiting to move, he is a medic now. He was home in January. George is O.K. he talks occasionally but Caroll almost a pal of mine, she was positively beautiful at Catherine's wedding, she wore a pink gown, lacy + slim, after the wedding I spent an hour talking to Major Smith about you + his son who was + maybe is a prisoner of the Germans. We haven't passed a day without thinking of you, Lu said he sat down + cried when he heard of it in December, so you see that was once when [ILLEGIBLE] Family failed the great S.S.S. There are several cats and about two weeks ago I sat on one. It was the night we heard about you first, the day the card from [ILLEGABLE] I worked late at the store so I stopped in at your home at about 10 P.M. Bud you would have busted. Harry Fiff sent in a bottle of wine + someone set Uncle one so the two bottles were on the table, I sat on a cat. Uncle uncorked the bottle, Caroll put cherries in the wine, I don't know why and we all drank to Bud, a quart if you please, The Dave + I fought the other war for a while, Uncle went to bed, Caroll went upstairs, I groped my way home + I guess Dave drank the other bottle himself. Enclosed is a pet picture of mine - The Connecticut Valley from Mt. Nonotuck. It is all here, not green yet but will be, get your one way ticket back here and then we will try to keep Europe in Europe aa+ Asia in Asia and let Northampton enjoy the Valley. We (the Chamber of Commerce) have had 50 pictures The school, churches, shops + main street made to send to the boys but I hope you will see it yourself soon.

So we hope you improve, get back some weight, + strength and we will see you soon.

3 or 4 of my letters came back, I'll give then to you when you get home.

Don't bother to write me but use the paper if you need it for Dave, he tells me anyway.

Ed Gare Jr

I spent many evenings at your home this winter, Your Father is a great man, they don't make any better ones.

Daily Hampshire Gazette, Wednesday, April 11, 1945

D.J. Wright In A French Hospital Now

Had Been Taken Prisoner by Germans After Being Wounded. Family Now Gets Letter Written by Him

Coach David S, Wright of Northampton high school had the great pleasure yesterday of receiving a letter written by his son, David J. Wright, who was first reported missing in action in the European war front, but who was later reported liberated from a German prison when the great surge by American Armies swept the Germans back. He was then transported to a French hospital.

The letter, written by his son, was in his own handwriting and said he was coming along well now, after being wounded in the advance of the Allies five months ago. It was after being injured that he was taken prisoner. Everyone will rejoice with Couch Wright and his family and hope for his boy's speedy recovery and a return to his native homeland.

T.F.F.

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