Letter from Clarence Williams to Gretchen Williams, July 18, 1945

Boy do I feel bad today and I think practically everyone in the company feels the same way. Even the officers, rather some of them passed out along with a few of the enlisted men at our party last night. In case this letter arrives before my last one, I will mention again that it was Cap’t O’Brien’s going away party. The party didn’t break up until 2:00 AM and I never saw so much and so many different types of liquor. I think that is the first alcohol I have drunk since our good old spiked beer parties. I mixed it with grape fruit juice and it tasted pretty good.

Miller was supposed to be on C.Q. last night but this morning the guards couldn’t awaken him consequently he didn’t wake the cooks so we had no breakfast. We did have a slice of bread and jam and plenty of coffee about 9:00 AM.

I think you girls have a good idea on the commissary ration cards and I hope you can manage to get one. There are probably several items they have available that cant be found in the stores. I do know the one at Gruber used to have a good assortment of meats so perhaps you   could find something in that line you may like. I hadn’t even thought of that as a way of getting cigarettes.

I helped Bob again this morning and this afternoon Insull, Harris, Jessen and myself went swimming again. I am getting almost as black as a negro now. It makes my gray hair look white with the dark background.

Well honey I wish you were here to help me as I have plenty of sewing to do again, 5 sets of Tee 5 Chevrons. I found out today for sure that I got it. I was a little surprised in a way even tho the boys (NCO’s) told me they had recommended me and Cap’t O’Brien told me he had also, the company was informed that the Bn was over strength on Cpt’s and Tee 5’s. In fact they told me at first that it was refused for that reason however I heard that Mr. Tollefson went to bat for me and the Bn C.O. okayed same. I was recommended for Cpl but being overstrength he finally got me the Tee 5. Personally I didn’t care which I received but it means about $15.00 per month. more money and I can send more home to you.

Insull the lucky guy won the next furlough to England and leaves the   23rd of this month. Naturally he was very happy and plans to make the trip on up into Scotland. I am still hoping I am lucky enough to win one soon. They now have furlough open to Switzerland as well as the Riviera and England however believe I prefer the deal to England.

You mentioned in one of your letters about them clamping down on civilian traveling. I have read several articles in the Stars & Stripes about arguments regarding shipping PW’s by Pullmans while our troops enroute to the Pacific got chair cars. According to our article one argument started in Omaha. Perhaps you read of them as most of the trouble was apparently on the U.P. Railroad.

We were just notified there was no mail again today, thats the 2d day in a row so I should surely get some letters from you tomorrow.

Well darling guess thats all for today and I must get started on my sewing bee now.