Company "D" - 351st Infantry, 88th Division, AEF

Somewhere in Dodge the company with lots of “pep and vinegar” was formed.

Officially it was known as “D” Company. Right up the ladder it climbed and registered for a permanent seat on the top rung thereof, which it has occupied ever since.

A better company of men never existed, although it is admitted that this regiment is made up of just such companies. The “go-get-'em’’ spirit of the company has ever prevailed; the victors in the first regimental field meet, the honor company in the first ceremony of the escort of colors, such things as these might well be expected of the “cockiest” company of them all and they never had it taken out of them.

Every man in it has always been for “D” Company; only one political party ever existed in “D” Company and that was the one for the company. We lost as many men as any by transfers, they disliked to leave us no more than we did to see them go, but the remainder never said “Fail.” We always came back stronger than ever.

We came to France to do our best and did it; we saw that any better could not be done; we conquered everything, including the "tin,” except that strong desire now that we want to go right back to the states.

And here’s to “D” Company, always the company of the regiment, may its men always be the men for they were the “D” men.

Edward F. Kovar, Jr.,
Captain “D” Company.
Houdelaincourt, Meuse, France,
May 9, 1919