Walt Larimore

February 21, 2024

February 21, 1944 – A teenage WWII hero arrives at his new battalion on Anzio

In the middle of February, the weather turned rainy, and the wind was sharp and ice-cold. Phil and the other men were a miserable bunch, and […]
February 20, 2024

February 20, 1944 – A teenage WWII hero arrives at his new unit on Anzio

Phil was one of 182 men (17 officers and 165 enlisted men, including men returning from the hospital) who received slips indicating they would be replacements […]
February 19, 2024

February 19, 1944 – A teenage WWII hero ships out to Anzio

On February 19, 1944, Phil received his orders to report to the 30th Infantry Regiment on the Anzio Beachhead. Late that afternoon, he hopped aboard a truck […]
February 18, 2024

February 18, 1944 – A teenage WWII hero rides a master dressage stallion — Magellan

Phil returned the next day and began instruction with the master and one of his apprentices, Antonio, who was bilingual. “He wants you to mount one […]
February 17, 2024

February 17, 1944 – A teenage WWII hero meets a dressage master

After arriving on the docks at Naples, the ever-present Army 6×6 trucks were waiting to take Phil and the other second lieutenants to the Replacement Depot, […]
February 16, 2024

February 16, 1944 – A teenage WWII hero’s future units pinned down on Anzio

On February 16, 1944, the Germans had completely surrounded the Allies that were pinned down on the Anzio Beachhead — which the men quickly named ‘The […]
February 15, 2024

February 15, 1944 – A teenage WWII hero ships out to Naples

In Oran, Phil was among 200 infantry lieutenants who boarded the Highland Queen, a small British steamer bound for Naples, Italy. He was part of a […]
February 13, 2024

February 13, 1944 – A teenage WWII hero rides a train to the war

Orders were issued for 1,000 men, including Phil, to board narrow-gauge railroad cars for a three-day train ride across Morocco and Algeria to Oran, a major […]
March 11, 2024

March 11, 1944 – Hospitalized on Anzio with malaria

After dinner that evening at the field hospital on the Anzio beachhead, Second Lieutenant Phil Larimore, who had been hospitalized with malaria, felt well enough to […]
March 10, 2024

Should one pray for healing only versus seeking medical care only?

In my over 40 years as a physician, I’ve had to counsel many patients who have a deep religious faith who wrestle with choosing praying for […]
March 10, 2024

March 10, 1944 – Dad comes down with malaria

The Anzio Beachhead quieted down and took on the characteristics of garrison life. Because Phil and his men spent a lot of time in wet trenches, […]
March 9, 2024

March 9, 1944 – Letters home from the Anzio beachhead

After a long-night’s work, from dusk to first light, on the Anzio beachhead, Dad and his A&P platoon would head back to Regimental Headquarters for breakfast […]
March 8, 2024

March 8, 1944 – Trenchfoot and the smell of death at Anzio

A doom like quality surrounded the Anzio beachhead, and misfortune seemed to loom everywhere for the Dogface Soldiers. One of the most common occupational hazards was […]
March 7, 2024

March 7, 1944 – Rest Camp on Anzio

80 years ago today, my Father got the good news that he and his men were heading for a few days of R&R at at a […]