Usually the simplest explanation is the most likely. B and E are certainly just a smudge apart.
One other note, I mentioned that a medal was found at his old home place that reads Co B 7th Battalion, or something like that. Is that the kind of thing most likely produced after the fact, possibly for a reunion or other event? Is that a common artifact? A relative says she has a picture of it, but not sure who is in possession of the actual medal.