Letter from Clarence Williams to Gretchen Williams, May 30, 1945

I just awakened from having a nap and as yet my mind isn’t too clear but perhaps I can think of a few items of interest for you. I received your letter of the 22nd this morning and hope to get another when I pick up mail this evening.

Some of the boys returned last night from their passes to Nancy, France where the 15th Corp has their rest center. They were really worn out, the entire trip is almost 500 miles (both ways) and they rode the total distance by 2 ½ ton trucks. Personally, I don’t think it would be worth that much to me. Cap’t O’Brien went along and he had the same deal. He said the main enjoyment he had while there was the good food. Stated it was GI food but prepared by French chefs and that it was truly delicious. We really cant complain about our food here now, we had baked chicken for dinner this noon and I had a leg, a thigh and part of a breast which was very good. One thing we havn’t had for ages that would surely taste good is boiled weiners. When they start coming through we will probably have them every day for weeks. I have been wondering how you manage to get along on your points but suppose you eat enough   meals out to get by okay. From articles in the Stars & Stripes, it seems if about ½ of the meat shops in the states are closed.

This being Decoration Day, I suppose every one is out prettying up graves. We have had a beautiful day here and I hope it was as nice over there. The cemeteries over here are very well kept and the graves are always covered with flowers, some that I have never seen before however I have been many geraniums and quite a few peonies and pansies.

Insull, Cooper and Cap’t Martin went out today on a de-lousing mission some where in Austria. It must have been a refugee camp as their orders stated they were to de louse forty men, their clothes and bed clothes each hour. Sounds like a production line doesn’t it?

Had to take time out for chow and just got back. I’ll have you know we had sliced fresh tomatoes tonite, can you imagine that. Of course we also had that delicious, delectable pork luncheon meat (listed on our menu as such) commonly known as Spam.

Honey I hope your dream comes true about returning home soon. Honestly, I am getting so homesick for you, I’d be willing to go any where just to see you for 30 days. Even if we have to go to CBI, I think the time is nearing an end in that theatre and we wouldn't be gone too long. The rumor today was that some one at   the rest camp heard over the radio that the 42nd was headed for CBI by way of the states. I don’t know how authentic that is but I am not believing any thing now until I see official marked on the orders.

I am glad to hear you got your moving job completed and it was nice of Louisa to fix you a box of food items. All those things will come in handy. I can just picture your clothes line in the bath room honey. See maybe you shouldn’t be so clean. Ha!

Well darling, I must close and leave for Clearing to pick up the mail but I wanted to write early today so as to take it along with me and get it on its way.

I am inclosing a picture of the boat that took us over to the castle on the island in the Chiem Sea.