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

Well darling another week has passed and still no information as to where we might be going. I am quite sure now without a doubt that if we are latter going to C.B.I. it will be by way of the States. My reason for that thinking is the fact we are now being issued Eisenhower Jackets which are strictly for dress. Your slipping from the newspaper may have had reference to us because we are definitely going into Austria either today or tomorrow. However, as I wrote a few days ago, I believe we will be in the states within two or three months. Lupa told me that and if you will remember he is in position to find out the correct information. I am hoping we don’t have to move today as it is really disagreeable outside. It rained all night and is still misting this morning. The clouds are coming down thru this valley and are practically rolling along the ground. The mountains around us are barely visible today.

We went to Kufstein, Austria yesterday to play ball with Co. “D”. We were beaten 11 to 4 which wasn’t so good. As I wrote yesterday I am now sports reporter for our company so had to write up a story concerning the game. Can you imagine me in such a job? Ha! Anyway I wrote the article and gave it to Sgt. Hall. He said it was very good and sent it on to Bn Hqs. It was very hot yesterday so after returning from the game we tore over to the pool and went swimming. The water was really swell slightly warmer than usual so we stayed in about 1 1/2 hours.

I received two letters from you yesterday, May 31st and June 1st, so was very happy.   The one was written on the snitzy stationery of Charlotte’s. Pretty fancy I should say.

I was glad to hear you had a beautiful day, Memorial Day, usually it winds up raining or with with high winds. It was also nice you had the use of Walt’s car. Charlotte had written that he was now some place studying tire retreading. Your mention of the coke and also the strawberry short cake really made my mouth water. You know they say you can find Coca Cola every where but to date we have never seen one. Boy what I wouldn’t give for a good cold bottle now and then. Of course we do have that red champagne occasionally. Ha! Sgt. Bell, Sgt. Harris and myself drank a quart last night. It was ice cold and I believe some of the best we have yet managed to locate.

I saw in the June 7th edition of S and S where you really had a cold spell in early June. Stated there was snow in Minnesota and many low temperatures including 38° at Des Moines. It apparently has been a very unusual spring in the states.

So Viola was operated on, on the 31st. I certainly hope she comes along okay and that they find nothing seriously wrong. I can imagine how she would hate having her head shaved since it takes so long to grow out again. Zelnick, the kid I wrote you about being injured at Dachau, came back from the hospital yesterday. Said they took 17 stitches on his head but the scar is hardly noticed now.

I received a grand letter from Jake last night. I had written him previously about visiting Dachau and a few other places. He started off by saying — "Yours has been the best written and most interesting letter received from all the boys in the services. I have shown this to literally hundreds of   people and it has created quite an impression.” Then he goes on to say what he thinks about Germany and what should be done with the country. In ending, he states — “We hope you are coming along fine and that you will be back at J & R soon. We assure you that we have a job waiting for you, and with best regards and wishes, I am” — Needless to say it really made me feel good to get such a letter from him. After I answer same I will send it on to you. I think it pretty swell of him to try and correspond with the boys. I don’t know whether he does the same with all the fellows but he has written me more than all the others from the Company.

Well darling I must close and get to work. They are starting to load the trucks so looks as though we are moving today. Bye for now.