This is the story that needs telling. It happened during the 71^st Fighter Squadron's short stay in war-torn Sardinia (~Oct-Dec 1943). The civilians were very short of food and found our garbage line a place to get a square meal. Even the all mighty M/Sgt Grattan could not resist the temptation to take an extra portion and leave plenty for a hungry soul to retrieve from his hiding place behind a tent.
Here the story gets a bit tainted by time but it is one I like to believe and very near the truth.

This orphan girl carrying her very sick little sister was found in the line. I choose to call her Carol now. She was taken to the Medic's tent for aid. Here it gets a bit confusing but we believe her little sister died. Next the maternal instinct of generous GIs took over and found a family in Quarta St. Elena (spelling?) named Dentoni to care for Carol with the generous help of food and what clothing we could furnish and which could be remade to fit this little girl.
Names I remember in this project (and there are others now forgotten) are: Jack Downer, Alfred Garcia, Eldon Vaughn, and Bobby Graham.

The war moved on. We left for Italy and eventually back home. Jack Downer, a radio man from the 71st (now deceased, as is Alfred Garcia) eventually wrote this family and contacted Carol, who is now married and with a family of her own. This is a pretty story with a happy ending. The pictures below are a few that have survived. (Click on photos for enlargements)