F Company was an infantry company in the United States Army's 78th "Lightning" Division's second battalion of the 310th Infantry Regiment. The company was called Fox, which was the sixth letter in the phonetic alphabet used during World War II. The Company participated in three major campaigns: Rhineland, Ardennes-Alsace, and Central Europe. "Combat Diary for Company F, 310th Infantry, 78th Division," a 1945 book written by its members, recounts the wartime experiences of its members. History On March 9th, 1944, the first Fox Company men arrived at Camp Butner in Butner, North Carolina; on March 27th, 1944, Fox Company then headed to Camp Pickett in Nottoway County, Virginia. Pickett was surveyed in late 1941 for its land, water, and other resources; by the end of 1942, more than 1,400 buildings were constructed and being used, including approximately 1,000 enlisted barracks and 70 officer's quarters. Here at Camp Pickett, Fox Company was trained and prepared for combat by Captain John H. Sharp. Composition Fox Company was composed of a Company Headquarters, 3× Rifle Platoons, and a Weapons Platoon. Fox Company left the United States with 189 men; 454 men men are listed as having belonged to the company by the war's end, due to transfers and replacements. 53 men were killed in action, and 164 wounded in action. . With a 47% casualty rate throughout their 125 days of combat. "My Buddy" By Sgt. Howard R. Barnes He was a buddy tried and true; why he died, I wish I knew; On bivouac in rain or shine, His presence helped to pass the time. Then overseas they said we'd go, Accepted facts we knew them so; What was to come, sure it was bad, But we'd get through, we always had. Then we were off to POE, In New York, for one last spree, We were but young men off to war, Our nation's life, our families' core. Our first boat ride we then began, We both enjoyed the voyage some: Then thoughts of why engulfed our brains, And we became scared kids again. Next came England with its pubs; We waited, and also cut the rug: Then off to France we all did go, Thanksgiving spent in mud and snow. Next, we boarded railroad cars; We crowded in underneath the stars; Belgium ended this long jaunt, Just twenty miles behind the front. We jumped when buzz bombs came our way.