Letter from Clarence Williams to Gretchen Williams, September 14, 1945

Well honey I received one letter form you last night — Sep’t 5th. Several of the boys received them for the 6th and 7th so I am looking forward to receiving those tonight.

I am inclosing a little clipping from the Stars & Stripes which is the best rumor in my favor that I have yet seen. I hope it is true and that it happens soon, believe me, I will lose no time in making my application for release. We are losing five men tomorrow on points, all over 70, they are Cooper, Barnes, Liechtenstein, and two new men that came to us from 11th armored, Guerra, and Boyd. They expect to be home shortly after the first of November. Gee how I wish my name was on that order.

Few of us went to Salzburg last night and saw a swell stage show. It was “Concert In Living” so consisted mainly of the new hit songs with a good dance band. There was also a chorus of about 15 girls and 15 boys, all Americans that sang “Deep Purple” and “White Christmas.” It was a very good show and I enjoyed it a lot.

Honey, believe it or not I came almost being a school boy again today. The division has opened Rainbow University at Zell Am Sea and letting boys with low points attend. When I   returned from England, I checked the list of subjects and found they had a course in advertising and credits & collections which looked pretty good to me. We also had to choose alternates so I took accounting and Business Law. Well to make a long story short, for some reason they cut out both advertising and credits leaving only the alternates. I decided it may mean missing a furlough to Switzerland and other places so wrote a note to Cap’t Keating asking him to cancel my application because of lack of interest in the subject available. I was then informed I had to go because I had signed up for the school and today at 10:00 AM the orders came for me to report at Bn C.P. by 2:00 and to bring every thing with me. Its 60 miles from here and a good two hour ride and I had to shower, shave and pack in the other two hrs so really had to move. Well I went to the C.P. and met Sgt. Weiser and Lt. Greene in the doorway. Weiser asked if I had come to go to school and I replied, yes, it looks as though I am to get an education without wanting one. Lt. Greene (who is really a swell guy) told me he was one of the instructors and said if you don’t want to go just go over to the school and tell them. Well I rushed right over and got my name off the list so tonight I had to ride all the way back and unpack again. Now I’m sweating out the drop in ages for discharge and a furlough to Switzerland. Actually I think the trips are more educational than the school, especially for some one my age and I know I couldn’t get interested   in studies for thinking of home.

Honey in one of your letters you asked about my size in socks, it is 11 or 11 ½ but really I have plenty of them as well as underwear.

Sounds like you guys had quite a time with Marilyn at the house that weekend. It was nice of Stella to do our curtains for you, doesn’t sound like her. Was also glad to hear Deb was bidding on a day job and hope it pans out. Personally I think it would be worth taking less money and to have the evening at home. Maybe its because money over here isn’t worth a damn unless you can get furloughs, you can’t possibly spend any thing.

Honey, I am inclosing the two money orders, totaling $95.00 and will send another for $50 next payday. You can apply it on your coat, buy yourself something else or use it as you see fit.

Well darling its 10:00 P.M. and I’m really tired after all my moving today so think I will turn in — Bye for now and lets hope the inclosed rumor turns out to be true.

P.S. Watch your endorsements on the M.O. — one is Gretchen K. and the other Mrs. C.O. —

Bye again honey —