Letter from Clarence Williams to Gretchen Williams, April 4, 1945

My second letter to you today but just received three more from you and the package of food from Muskogee so thought I should write again and let you know, Also to thank you for the box. It contained the note, brownies and sausages. Havn’t had a chance to eat as yet but boy do they ever look delicious and I know they will be. As I stated in my previous letter we are now on “K” Rations only which is similar to a small box lunch. It is made in three types, breakfast, dinner and supper. The main difference is the canned products. The breakfast contains cooked eggs (powdered) and ham, the dinner, cheese, and the supper canned crackers, a fruit bar or small candy bar, powdered imitation fruit juice or coffee (imitation), one stick of gum and four cigarettes. They taste good for a few days but soon get very tiresome. I have really been giving my little stove hell the past few days as we find eggs to boil here and there along the route. Some other boys even   manage to find chickens and potatoes for frying. Its truly surprising the things you can find over here.

Honey if I stated gold star in my letter to you it was an error as it was a bronze star. Perhaps that will clear up things for you. Decided I didn’t like that pen so will use my own.

You mentioned your Dad’s arm bothering yet. I hope he didn’t fracture the elbow. He must have had quite a hard fall.

I hope Charley manages to get his release and there is certainly no doubt as to him deserving same. Think the Red Cross could get it for him or at least start proceeding. Omaha Cold Storage could also help a lot by requesting. I saw one that serves in Personnel that included affidavits from the boy’s mother, his employer, the local pastor, Red Cross and one from the Commander of the Local American Legion Post. He was granted the discharge.

I was sorry to hear of the Hotel Gedney burning I planned on stopping there when next at Independence. I don’t think I will ever forget the ballroom Dorothy and Charlotte slept in.

Regarding the old Sol game, I tried one nite while on C2 for about an hour and never won so quit. Guess I need your moral support. I hope you have better luck next time.

We captured our first prisoner yesterday. A German came in dressed in civilian clothes with a leg injury. Upon questioning we found he had been shot and was treated by the German Army doctor. He said they sent him to a hospital but before he arrived the Americans had captured same. I guess he got disgusted and went home and changed clothes. Any way he’s a prisoner of war now.

I was glad to hear you finally received the dicky. I wasn’t much but about the only thing I could find in France. Didn’t know whether you could even wear the thing or not but it was some thing from over here. All we hear since coming into Germany is no looting, and no fraternizing. We can’t buy any thing so guess I can’t send anything as a gift from here.

Well darling I must close and get to work again. Bye again for now.