“Father, I write you a few lines to let you know I am safe. I have some bruises but overall I am in good health.

I must confess to you, I have committed a heinous crime. I killed a child in uniform. I live day to day, minute to minute with this guilt. After I killed him, I held his little body and cried.

I joined the army to become a man, and now I have become a murderer. What shame! The other soldiers say, ‘Better him than you!’ But my guilt and shame resides. I suspect they are right, but I close my eyes and feel his small body in my arms again and again!

God, release me from this pain of guilt! I fear you will not recognize your son. I do not recognize him. I still remain your loving and faithful son. (Redacted)”

– Anonymous Iraqi Soldier. Iran-Iraq War, 1981.

This letter was submitted to me by the brother of the soldier and has requested his identity remain anonymous.

This story was documented by Battles and Beers. Every soldier has a story, and every story deserves to be told.

This story and hundreds more like it are now available in my book “What War Did To Us” Now on Amazon!