We had a lot of work to do around in the Supply Room today. In the evening Mel and I went for a little walk around town. Came home about 10 pm and went to bed.
Your Son, ‘Chick’
June 8, 1944 – Thursday
June 7, 1944 – Wednesday
Worked around the supply room all morning. Traded cigarettes for Cognac & wine. Sold one carton of cigarettes for $10.00. People sure want cigarettes. Was going to take off but we are moving tonight. We are in a big park and it is a beautiful place. We left at six and got to the new area at 7:00 pm. We are in big Italian marble barracks. They are really beautiful. Jerry was over about 10 pm and tried to bomb out the bridge. We could hear the bombs whistle down.
June 6, 1944 – Tuesday
We left for Rome and the Company early this morning. While in convoy a British fellow told us that France was invaded this morning. Everyone went wild. We tried cutting in on the convoy and a tank hit us. Little damage was done. When we got to Rome we didn’t care whether we saw the company or not. We went all over the city and stopped at every tavern or bar. We finally ran into one of the officers so we went out to camp. I took off after dinner and went to town. Cushman and I was all over the city. Went to see St. Peters, but it was closed. Bought quite a few presents and started home about 10 pm. We got lost in the park and wandered all night. We went to a nice hotel but it was full so we just flopped down in a chair and went to steep. We got out to the company about 7 am.
June 5, 1944 – Monday
Found out that the company went into Rome last night and were the first troops in. They accounted for over 200 prisoners. We took off with the Command car today and wound up in Apsini It was a beautiful little town up in the mountains and was untouched by war. We had a nice time but got caught in a traffic jam coming back to camp. I even saw John Murray. When we got back to camp the company was gone.
June 4, 1944 – Sunday
Today my mother was Confirmed, and me, I can’t even go to mass. We are really near Echelon. The company was supposed to have went to Rome last night in a commando raid No news of yet. Played cards and listened to the radio.
June 3, 1944 – Saturday
From all reports they should be in Rome soon. Our Company’s mission is to be the first troops in Rome, along with the Recon and A Company of Infantry. It’s going to be rough and I’m glad I’m back here. Played cards and listened to the radio. That’s about all for today.
June 2, 1944 – Friday
Jerry was over again last night and along with dropping personnel bombs and also strafed. The company left this morning. We listened to the radio and played cards. Stegall, Mel and I went up to a mountain town to see if we could find some wine. The town was really high in the mountains, but the same old story, the Germans took it. We did get a couple of gallons. Listened to the radio and went to bed.
Letter Home – June 1, 1944
Dear Mother & Dad
Just a line to let you know that I am Okea. Sorry that I haven’t the time to write more often, but you know how it is. The weather is nice and cool, I expect it to get hot, but it stays just the same. Makes it nice for sleeping out in the open. How’s everything going at home. Mail is a little slow at the present but one of these days I should get an armful. Well Dad, by the time this gets home “Dads” day will have passed by. Next year let’s hope and pray that we will all be together again. Good bye and say hello to everyone for me as I will not have time to write to anyone. By By
Your Son,
“Chick”
June 1, 1944 – Thursday
Well, Jerry was over last night and what I mean he was over. He dropped personnel bombs all around. The company is packing up and getting ready to move out. They have a special mission to perform and no one knows what it is as yet.
May 31, 1944 – Wednesday
The company was relieved today. Not much to do. We equipped most of the fellows that had lost equipment. That’s about all for today.
