Man i have searched for this book for almost 10 years. I read it so long ago. Heres all the info i can give you:

There was a black soldier in the story that died from hitting a burried explosive with a shovel while digging a rathole. He had three girlfreinds who would write him letters.

another guy's name was shadow or ghost or something because he was really quiet. He died while they tried to retake some hill and the main character had to run and pick up his LMG while being shot at.

the soldiers started a competition of sorts with the enemy sniper where they would hold up a helmet on a stick and when the sniper missed, they would wave a flag.

The soldiers also would sing a song and dance in the center of the hill then run into cover when the enemy would mortar them.

there was a soldier named "doc" or something. he ended up blind.

The main character ends up becoming a firefighter after the war and has a family.

i cannnoottttt find it.