Letter from Clarence Williams to Gretchen Williams, September 6, 1945

The rumors are flying thick and fast again today honey, especially since reading the latest Stars & Stripes. According to the article, no men will be sent overseas from the states that at present have 45 points also no man will be sent if 34 or older and has one year of service. I don’t know what effect that will have on we fellows already over here. If true I think I should get to return when I am 34 in Dec however the guy overseas always gets screwed on such a deal. I read also where some Senator has asked for legislation to release all married men as quickly as possible but whether anything happens remains to be seen. I get so damn mad every time I think about this deal of discharge by point system that I don’t care whether school keeps or not. From all appearances, at best it looks as though it will be   at least another six months for me before getting to the states. Of course I know nothing definite and it is only a guess. When I returned from my trip I could hardly recognize our company. We have eight or ten new fellows, most of them came from the 11th Armored Div. Cap’t Benton is again our C.O. replacing Cap’t Martin and some of the boys have left. One fellow by the name of Leo left for Chicago on emergency furlough, 1st Sgt. Hall left on points and we have about 4 or 5 that are over 38 who expect to leave soon. Also have quite a number over 35 that have over two years in the Army and are now eligible. I have fully decided that if they keep me here for A of O they will have to tie me. My points are below the average in the company at present with 35. I think there are two fellows who have fewer than I so you can see where I stand. Most of the single men have been in for a longer period of time and practically all the married men have at least one child. The awarding of decorations   turned out to be a farce. The first few we sent in went straight thru but I guess the Div decided they had awarded enough consequently the many fellows who actually deserved them (much worse than some who received them) will not get them. Thats the way the Army operates however and awards and decorations turned out to be a joke. Many of the litter bearers right up with the infantry were turned down while most of the fellows in Hq’s and Hq’s Dep. — 60 miles behind us, received them.

In one of your letters you inquired about the meaning of Category I. Groups in that category are supposed to be Army of Occupation however I find now we are not in that group but still in Category II which means redeployment. No one can say what the division may wind up as because we are constantly sending fellows out and receiving new ones in return. The company   isn’t doing a damn thing at the present time except biding time. Guys who are sure of going home shortly won’t do a thing for which I can’t say I blame them. They do try to have classes in school on certain subjects but no one has interest in them and instructors are practically impossible to obtain. Guess I have rattled on enough about my gripes but I am really fed up with the present set up. Now perhaps you can understand why there was no cheering in the station at Munich when the president announced the Japs had surrendered. Most of the fellows felt it would make very little difference as far as they, personally, were concerned.

The weather here today is chilly, cloudy and gloomy. It was quite nice yesterday until in the evening when it started to rain some. I am gradually   getting my things straightened around and getting my clothes in order after the trip.

Jessen told me today that they were planning to change jobs with Bob Cloud and me putting him in the station and me as co. clerk. If they do, I am going to raise hell as you can never get your work done in that place. I am just waiting for Lt. Hunter to tell me about it and if they make me go — I will ask for a transfer to Personnel again. Even that would be easier than the job as Co. Clerk. If for a week or two I will do it otherwise they can take my two stripes and jam them.

Well honey I guess thats all the rubbish for today. Bye for now —