Letter from Clarence Williams to Gretchen Williams, June 17, 1945

This has been a very happy Sunday for me first of all because I received four letters from you first thing this morning. Also received one yesterday which as yet I havn’t had a chance to answer. You see we went on a little tour of Innsbruck after I returned from Bn Hqs and we didn’t get back until about 9:30 last night, tired and wet as it rained most of the time, so immediately went to bed. While in Innsbruck we took the cable car mountain trip, I didn’t go all the way to the top but some of the boys did. First you go by a cable operated street car to the first landing. It doesn’t look very steep in the picture but is practically straight up and down. You can see the cars in the lower center portion of the picture. From there you ride about four miles on a cable car that rolls on a cable high in the air. Then if you wish you can go on to the top by another car of the same type. Some of the boys who went all the way up said there were many people up there on skis. At the center landing, the 103d Div use that hotel as a rest center for their boys but of course other GI’s are welcome and they fed all the boys last night. Innsbruck is quite a picturesque old city and looks very pretty   from up on the mountain. I have a few pictures on post cards which I shall send.

We got up late this morning as breakfast wasn’t until 8:00. After eating, Stern and I went to visit an Austrian barber shop and believe it or not, I got a hair cut and shave for 1 1/2 marks. In American money that totals the huge sum of 15¢. I told Stern I thought I would go there for a shave every day as it was almost worth a nickel. Ha! After returning from the barber shop I made out my A & D Report and then it was time to eat. After chow we had church so the day has gone very fast so far. Now I have nothing to do but write my honey so I am going to write you two letters, first to make up for not writing yesterday and secondly because I cant possibly get all I want to write in one letter.

Regarding my ankle darling, I am that disgustingly healthy guy I guess as it is practically okay again now. I still favor it a little just to be sure not to turn it again but it is almost well now.

Honey after reading your letter of June 2d about living at home, I was furious over the deal. I’m so happy you now have a place to yourself and am also so very glad you wrote me of your troubles and illness. I surely   hope you are now feeling much better and believe you must be from the tone of your letters. Honey your troubles are my troubles and I wish you would write me of them. Please let me know hereafter. Have you had any more fainting spells recently? I can certainly understand your wanting to move now and had I known before honey, you know I would even have suggested it. Anyway, as you say honey, now I can see what the Apt. means to you.

Honey, you asked about our shoulder patches, we had to sew them on immediately after arriving over here and have worn them ever since. As I remember we sewed them on at C.P. #2 near Marseilles, either there or when I was at Cirey, I have forgotten. You do wear them in combat, for why I don’t know.

It seems my mail must be coming through much better here of late since many of your letters mention receiving letters and pictures. Has the money order arrived as yet?

Regarding the point system and my points, I have two battle stars and have been recommended for the Bronze Star Medal but don’t know whether it has gone through. If it does, the three will total 15 points so you can figure the rest by the months. Two points for each month overseas or since we left New   York on Jan 6th.

Oh yes, I meant to tell you, we hear we are to get a new Rainbow patch. I understand it is to be a full rainbow (instead of a half) on a dark blue black ground with 42 in gold numerals beneath the rainbow. I havn’t seen them yet but some of the boys say they have. That sounds like Hollywood Harry doesn’t it? Always something flashy.

Honey I really don’t know what to tell you about a meeting place if and when we do get back. At present I am almost sure of being here for a couple more months. When we do come back, I don’t know whether they turn us loose in the East or keep us in the unit until we arrive at some particular camp. As you say, I don’t know of any place except some place large as Chicago, or Cleveland and don’t even know what towns would be on direct route. They may even hold us as a unit until we arrive at some camp in the middlewest. You might pick out some spot just in case we are released in the East and then as soon as I arrive perhaps I can call by phone and let you know definitely, the Army’s plans for me.

Well darling, I must close this and go take a shower while we have some hot water. I will write another letter after I shower.