Letter from Clarence Williams to Gretchen Williams, July 3, 1945

Well honey, tomorrow is the 4th of July but one would certainly never realize it over here. It is still raining like the devil yet tonite and colder than hell. I built a fire in my room just as soon as I got home and believe me it has really felt good. For a while today the rain falling looked almost like snow in the air but of course it was melting before hitting the ground.

Guistolise and Drake have a big electric percolator in their room and so we managed to have coffee every evening before going to bed. It is ten o’clock now and I just came up from their room as we were drinking coffee and telling war experiences. We are beginning to wonder what we shall do for fuel this winter if we are here that long. We are using seven bedrooms and every room has a large tile stove built in. The saddest part is the fact our woodpile is getting pretty small. I am very much afraid that one of these days we shall have to go on a wood gathering detail. I heard today that we would be here until February, another rumor of course so don’t take too much stock in same. Perhaps if you see Richard   Reed, he could give you some definite information if he is yet with SHAEF - Hqs. At least he should be in position to find out.

So you are losing your bed partner now that Dorothy is coming home. Honey if I ever get home I guarantee you will never be without one as I’ll never let you out of my sight even for one whole night.

Regarding your packages, I havn’t received your last one as yet as I have never received the potato chips. I guess we will be here plenty long enough to receive more so if you can find some thing to send I will appreciate any thing. As I stated previously, the last cheese you sent (4 boxes) came through in swell shape and was really delicious. I still have one box of that left. In case you think you might locate some thing to send I will stick a request on the end of this letter.

I almost forgot to mention, tomorrow being the 4th, Gen. Collins declared it a holiday so the offices are closed however Sgt. Stacy and I are C.Q.’s for the day so it really won’t be a vacation for us. We were supposed to be on this coming Sunday so decided to take it on the holiday instead. Probably won’t be much work to do but since we can’t lock the door there must be some one   stay there to be sure every thing is okay.

You asked about the Bronze Star Medals, I have been recommended for same but don’t know as yet whether it has gone through. That was what I had reference to when I said I had a possibility of 5 more points. If I get that I will have the complete sum of 32 as we have now officially been given the second battle star. My how those points pile up. Ha!

Well darling it is now 11:15 so think I shall turn in especially since I must go to work tomorrow. I’ll surely be thinking of you and hoping you have a pleasant 4th.

Please send a box of food