Awful quiet today, nothing to do. We got paid this afternoon and of course the games all started. We played ball this evening with the 36th Field Artillery and won 4 to 2. There was close to $200.00 bet on the game. We played a little poker and then I went to bed.
Dear Mother & Dad,
I have just arrived home from Mass so while I have a little time before chow, I thought I had better write home. There is nothing to write about as usual, but we did get to go two a show last night. It was too silly to be any good so I didn’t enjoy it very much.
We play cards most of the spare time we have, and that’s after dark. We play in our dugout. Pinochle is the favorite game at the present.
Had a big mail call last night and I hit the jackpot. I received 12 letters, not bad, eh? The only trouble is now that I will 
have to answer them. Had a letter from Rita, and she still thinks you and dad are tops. She’s a swell girl and I like her an awful lot but whether she will make a wife for me we will have to wait for some time after I get back to be sure. Right now I am only interested in getting back.
Well I didn’t get to finish this till after chow and also a formation. We received our “Good Conduct” medals this afternoon. Some day I will send my campaign ribbons home. We have about four bronze stars coming on our campaign ribbons. We are the only division in the U.S. army that holds that honor.
We have a ball game to play tonight. We are playing a 
quartermaster outfit. Maybe we will win and maybe we won’t, but at least it will be fun playing. I think after the war is over I’ll give up playing ball, and devote myself to be a home loving citizen. Of course Harold, Ormond, and I plan on taking a trip but after that I’m through. By by and I love you both very much.
Your Son,
“Chick”
Went to mass this morning and communion. Came home, wrote a few letters and went to chow. We had a formation today and received our good conduct medals. Wrote some more letters and after chow went out and played a ball game. We won 2 to 1. Not a bad game. Played Pinochle and went to bed.
Nothing new happened today. It’s getting monotonous doing nothing all of the time. Wish the landing would soon come off so we might be able to move. We went to the show tonight but it wasn’t very good. Had a big mail call. Read my mail and went to bed.
Had to make a few trips over to the Battalion today. Outside of that there was little to do. We played a ball game with the 36 Field Artillery tonight and won 8 to 3 – not a bad game. Played cards and wrote a letter. Pretty quiet around here, so something must be going to pop soon.
Dear Mother & Dad;
What do you know Snook was down to visit me. We spent the whole afternoon together. Funny part of it was I had a few jobs I had to do so I put him to work. He said he wasn’t coming down to see me anymore, ha, ha. We got out all the old pictures and got a big kick out of looking at them. I was over two see him the night before and didn’t expect him down as soon. Well we made us a shower today. Pretty crude but it serves the purpose. We have the battalion shower system set up but you get so dirty walking back that it doesn’t do you any good to walk over. Now we can take a shower whenever we get time. Guess that is all for now. Had a letter from Pat Smith and she thinks you and dad are tops. Bye bye, & I’ll write soon
Your Son,
“Chick”
Didn’t do much this morning, but in the afternoon Paul Bowen and I built us a shower. It is really swell and it saves us a walk over to Hg Co. all of the time. Wrote a few letters and went to bed.
Had another air raid last night. You can count on Jerry being over every other night. He used to come every night for a while but he doesn’t come over like he used to. I was in bed but one of the fellows up outside said they saw two planes go down in flames. Snook came over this afternoon, and I put him to work, poor kid. We had a swell visit. Even went for a ride in a 2 ½ ton truck. We played cards tonight and I wrote a couple of letters.
We worked pretty hard all day today, loading the tractors with wood, issuing out clothes etc, etc. We played Hg. Co. a ball game and it was a slugging fest. We finally won 7 to 6. I got 3 hits and a walk in 4 trips to the plate. Pretty good for me as I haven’t been hitting at all. Melgard & I and Weichert played till bed time and then I went to bed.
Dear Mother & Dad;
I have quite a few letters here before me, so I will answer all of your questions. They are dated March 20, 24, 26, 30, April 1, 3, 5 7, 8, 10, 11, 13, 15, 17, 18.
It sure is a shame about Margaret Trees. Funny she always seem so full of life, and always ready to have a good time. Listen mother, don’t worry about falling behind in your writing. You do a swell job. I received the four rolls of film the other day thanks a lot. My camera is working again now so maybe it will hold out. The marshmallows that you had sent before were all in good shape. Poor Charlie, I’m afraid it was 
a lucky thing that he didn’t get sent overseas. I had a letter from Ray the other day. He said they have it pretty tough but I think he will make it Okea. It’s too bad about Mr. Chick. But I guess that’s life. Yes Ernie Pyle was here for a while but wasn’t over to our company. He was with our company in Sicily though. ha ha. So you let dad fool you the first thing on April fool’s day, pretty good. Betty McCole and Pat Smith are two swell girls. It’s a shame I didn’t date them while I was home. They both write pretty regular. I’m afraid Rita will have to go some if she wants to hang out with me, when I get home. It’s funny how the letters come, but so long as they get home all the better. Yes mom I wish they would hurry that 
invasion up myself. We are all sweating it out. Don’t count too much on me coming home so soon. The percentage is so low that it will take sometime before I make it. But the war can’t last much longer. So you are starting your spring cleaning. You always did keep the house and tip top shape. So you and dad celebrated your 35th wedding anniversary. It’s a long time to be married, but as long as you are happy that’s all that counts. Yes mother, the mail comes much faster from England then from here. Ours goes from Anzio to Naples, from Naples to Africa and then to the U.S.. Where Bud’s came from England to U.S. Quite a difference. It will be sometime before Ray goes overseas. He has a lot of training to go through. I’ve also received a Easter card and birthday card from you also some comic books.
Say dad when are you going to write me a letter. You never did write and tell me how you made out up at the store in your usual pools, ha ha. Who won all the money. Bill told me in his last letter that you were out planting grass seed. I bet you will have that lawn of yours and tip top shape.
I know there is not much to my letters but really there is nothing to write about here. We have been getting good food such as fresh meat, eggs etc. etc. Believe it or not, we even had beer. Ha ha. I can remember the last time I had a beer and I doubt if I ever for get it. That was at Massina and it was deep enough to swim in. We get to see a show twice a week now which is quite a treat. We have three large tents put together to form a theater. So far the show’s have all been good.
I haven’t seen Snook for some time now, but hope to get over in the near future. We still play ball of an evening and it helps you to take your mind off of the war. Well we are authorize four bronze stars for our company’s ribbons. More than any other division in the U.S. army. Guess this is all for now, Goodbye to you both and I love you from the bottom of my heart. Keep praying and someday I’ll be home.
Your Son,
“Chick”
