Letter from Clarence Williams to Gretchen Williams, January 9, 1945

Well darling we are still coasting along on the high seas. Has been very smooth sailing today and would seem like a pleasant cruise if it wasn’t for the crowded quarters, chow and army regimentation. We eat only two meals per day and you get hungry enough to eat anything they serve which is what we usually get. In many ways the trip has been very disgusting. We were told we could buy candy and cigarettes on the ship at reduced prices to be exact we were quoted 45¢ per carton. Now we find we can’t even get to ships store but must send one man for the entire Co and if lucky you get one pack of cigarettes per day. So far I have had 2 packs. I am very glad I brought some from our last station or I would be S.O.L. That’s enough about the army —

Played some cribbage this afternoon with Joe. First I have played since I can remember and really enjoyed same. Couldn’t help but think of some of the games Pop and I used to have at noon lunches. Remember?

We all received a gift from the Red Cross in New York on the ship today. It was a cloth toilet article bag and mine contained writing paper, pencil, envelopes,   a soap dish with a small bar of ivory, a mystery story, pack of razor blades, pair of shoe strings, 2 packs of Chesterfields, a sewing kit and a piece of candy. Pretty swell of them don’t you think?

Gee honey, I can hardly wait until your letters start coming thru again. You have no idea how much they mean to me. This is about all the news I can think of at the present time so will close for now. Give my regards to all the folks there and I hope they are all well and okay. Also hope by this time your dental work is completed without your suffering too much. Always thinking of you and —