Thanks much for the reply!
I got if figured out today while I was reading through the pubs waiting on hold to talk to the IRS, again. I never did get to speak to the person I needed as I was disconnected twice during (lengthy) holds. But it gave me plenty of time to read.
From Pub 1090a Page 30
When Can You Withdraw or Use Assets?
You can withdraw or use your traditional IRA assets at any time.
However, a 10% additional tax generally applies if
you withdraw or use IRA assets before you reach age
591/2.
Note. If you timely filed your 2023 tax return without
withdrawing a contribution that you made in 2023, you can
still have the contribution returned to you within 6 months
of the due date of your 2023 tax return, excluding extensions.
If you do, file an amended return with “Filed pursuant
to section 301.9100-2” written at the top. Report any
related earnings on the amended return and include an
explanation of the withdrawal.
I did make the actual contribution in 2024 (before April 15th) but for 2023 return. No doubt that's what they meant; any contribution made for 2023 can be removed within 6 months of the due date of the 2023 return, but had it been expressed as I just did, it would have been clearer.
It's interesting too that they make you remove earnings for the Traditional IRA along with the contribution. Removing earnings for Roth makes sense but for the Traditional IRA it's all going to get taxed in the end anyway.
It's also interesting that the earned income is to be reported on the 2023 amended return.
