put them in a burlap bag, and went back. The fruit was rotten, filthy, and partially frozen, yet to the famished soldiers, it tasted amazing. Later on in the day, Pfc. Saba discovered some dried veggies and cereals in an old barn. Each man was given a teaspoon of the stew that had been prepared. Every morning about daybreak, artillery — Allied and enemies- would fall into Fox Company's makeshift defense area. Nightly, two-man patrols were sent out to contact friendly forces, but although most of them got through safely, no one ever returned. Over half of the guys had trench foot, and their condition only deteriorated as time went on. The injured men had to crawl to their posts because they could not walk there. They could not put their shoes back on after taking them off since their feet were three times the size of the typical person's. To make matters worse, it was freezing, and no fires were authorized due to the possibility of enemy detection. By the fourth day, virtually every man had trench foot, and several were in excruciating pain and crying nonstop. A friendly patrol sent by Battalion C.P. in the late afternoon of December 19th came across Fox Company. T-Sgt. Wilbur Horst and Pfc. Ivan E. Eikenberry volunteered when Captain Sharp called for two volunteers for another patrol on the fifth day, December 20. In Battalion C. P., another patrol was forming in the meantime (then) T-5 Charles L. Chignoli, having heard the conversation, offered assistance and requested that a litter squad join the patrol. T-Sgt. Wilbur Horst arrived at Battalion C. P. and reported the hardships and problems the soldiers were facing. Horst then led a patrol toward the beleaguered Kesternich garrison, including Lt. Priener, 1st Sgt. Scurlock, T-5 Chignoli, and a litter squad. The patrol reached Fox Company at around 01:00. Early on December 21st, a delighted but devastated Fox Company withdrew to Simmerath. The division had this to say about the heroic action of Fox's men: "The courage with which these men continued to fight for six days without food, water, or communications until rescued is a tribute to the tenacity of 78th doughs." Casualties The 310th Infantry Regiment lost a total of 542 soldiers over the span of 8 days of combat, as follows: killed 63 enlisted men and 6 officers. 96 enlisted men and five officers were wounded.