“OVER THE TOP” – when soldiers were ordered to jump out of their trench and confront enemy fire head-on in the open.

On April 3, 1919, Mrs. Lena Sofolo received a letter from one of her son’s fellow soldiers who was the first to reach Stanley before he died on the battlefield in France. Most of us can only imagine her feelings upon reading this letter:

Dear Mrs. Sofolo:

You want to know how your son died and his last words. I will tell you the story of how I happened to get acquainted with your son. September 29th, when the 107th Regiment went over the top my regiment, the 106th was behind the 107th; in other words we were moppers up.

Three hours after the attack the field was full of enormous sights, all American troops in a mob formation, most of our officers were picked before they went over and so the story goes. After we got in the German trenches after they retreated, I met the unfortunate Stanley severely wounded. He had a machine gun bullet wound one inch below his heart. He asked me to help him. I was the only one around that side with him. I took off his shirt and bandaged him up. I tried to give him a drink of water. My canteen bottle had four machine gun bullets through it and I could give him no drink.

I questioned as to where he came from and how long he was lying in the place I found him. He told me only two hours and he was getting very weak. Then he gave me his wallet and photo which I had no time to look at and he said to give or send to his people. I put Stanley on my back and I went 50 yards. I was running very fast for the first aid station, 2 miles behind the line, but he stretched out on my back and I could get no other word from him.

He died from loss of blood. If he could have received quick medical treatment perhaps your son would be home now.

Mrs. Lena, I haven’t answered your letter that I received. I just gave it the once over and I was so glad that I received your letter, so please when you receive this letter try to write to me about what you wrote in the last page of the letter I lost. These are the photos and the wallet that I received September 29, 1918 from your son, Stanley. I wasn’t much acquainted with him but a few hours.

Having nothing else to say, I send you all my best regards and let’s hope we make better acquaintance when I get around Illinois. I remain

Stanley’s friend,

Salvatore Scarandino

1 Rivington St.

New York City

CPL. Stanley Sofolo