Letter from Clarence Williams to Gretchen Williams, September 13, 1945

Well honey I didn’t get many letters written yesterday after all, I just couldn’t seem to get in the mood. After writing you, I did drop a few lines to Ada at the store since it has been a long time since I wrote her last. I like to hear from her occasionally as she gives me the low down on the happenings at the store. This morning I managed to get a letter written to Mr. Mullen as I thought he would like to hear from me.

According to the S & S today some of the congressmen are beginning to raise hell with the War Dep’t in an effort to get the men discharged faster. I am hoping at the same time they decide to lower the age bracket as that seems about my only chance at an early release. I think you should discontinue your bond buying and believe you have a good point. If they had less money for operating perhaps they would cut the number to a minimum. The more I read about their changing of the discharge system, the madder I get. I am beginning to think the S & S is a big propaganda sheet. Every day I read the damn thing my morale drops to a new low if such a thing is possible. Every other country considers age a big factor   in their point system but not ours, we have to be different so as to really screw things up.

I learned a new card game last night called “Casino”. Perhaps you have played it before but I hadn’t. It is very simple and is a lot of fun. The fellows have been playing it a lot and if we must be here this winter we’ll need to know plenty of new games or else will be batting our heads against the wall. One of the boys went out and brought in a truck load of wood. Miller stopped some Heinies going by with a buzz saw and took care of that little job in a short time. It is cool enough here now that fire in the morning and evening will fell welcome.

I read in the paper about the big fuss created by the 86th and 95th Divisions but apparently it didn’t accomplish much. I cant say I blame them as I believe there must be plenty in the states who could have gone in their places and fellows who had not previously been overseas in action. It would be different if the war was still in progress. Guess perhaps it was a break for us not to go first however some of the next like 20th Armored for instance will probably get a good deal. They supported our div near the end of this war, that is about the last five days, and that was all the action they saw.

They shipped for the states the latter part of July and I doubt if they go to the Pacific even tho they were probably headed in that direction when the war ended!

Honey, I would really be happy if I thot I would be home for sure by our wedding anniversary. I accept your promise of a big night and honey I will promise you the same in return. Ha!

Regarding Cap’t Martin censoring my mail, he was very much G.I. especially when he first joined our company. I jumped him about that portion of the letter you sent me and also read the part of your letter referring to him aloud. Cooper & Insull did the same thing as their wives were also complaining and from then on I think he relaxed a little. We used to rub it into him plenty.

I am glad Mr. Mullen also stated Joan was to take his store when I returned. I hope now he doesn’t decide to retire until I can get back. I thought perhaps when John had mentioned it before it may be one of his own ideas. Bill should make a good instructor for jungle warfare but I would imagine that will be plenty boring to him. I hope Vic’s unit doesn’t have to occupy but being one of the newer ones in that theater no doubt they will receive the assignment. As yet, I havn’t read where the 6th has been given an occupation role. I really don’t believe there will be much danger attached to occupation over there however of the two, I certainly prefer   being in this theater where people are at least supposedly civilized. Personally I don’t believe Luana has any worry about treachery from the Japs, actually if it were me I would worry more about the possible diseases to be contracted.

Honey I have several more postcards to send you and also some minor things for our scrap book I have picked up here and there. I think I shall place some of them in envelopes by themselves and send them home as I am afraid they will make my letters overweight.

Well darling its time to eat again so I must close — Bye for now —