Letter from Clarence Williams to Gretchen Williams, September 23, 1945

Honey I must apologize for not getting a letter off to you yesterday but I really worked my little old “fanny” off, in fact I started at 7:30 yesterday morning and didn’t finish until six last night. Morrison, one of our drivers, had just returned at six from Italy with a load of liquor, “for medicinal purposes of course” and practically everyone including myself had a bottle. As I wrote previously, nine of the boys are leaving soon so naturally a celebration was to be had. I guess they drank to their happiness and the rest of us to our misery anyway every one proceed to get drunk and I do mean drunk. Well you know me, I got sick and thru up all but my toes and then went to bed. Needless to say I had the little blacksmith in my head this morning. I think that’s the first time I have had a hangover sine being over here. Since breakfast I have felt some better.

There was no mail again last night but I did hit the jackpot again today. I received your letters of the 15th, 17th, 18th, and 19th so another one came thru in four days. Its swell to receive them that way because I read about some of the things you had mentioned and it seemed only a couple days back. Apparently my letters are starting to come through to you again so you should receive quite a number. I wrote two on several days after returning until I could tell you   about our trip so there should be quite a few on the way even yet. Mail must be a lot slower going back than it is coming over.

The weather here has been cool and cloudy all day and it has just now started raining again. It looks like one of those good old weekly showers and I don’t mean once a week.

Well honey it looks as though I may make 1st Sgt yet, Ha! One of the boys just told me I have been recommended for Sgt. in the station platoon and that perhaps soon I would be up for Staff Sgt. The only good point I can see about the deal is the extra money involved. The pay for a Sf. Sgt. runs $117.60 so I could really send money home. If I do get that later it will be in Supply as Mireles is to be transferred out in a few weeks. Lt. Hunter asked me yesterday if I would like the job and I told him sure so long as I had to be here anyway. We received a note from Bn Hqs last night for me to report there today to replace Watson who is to be Personnel Sgt. Major. Naturally I didn’t want to go because of these ratings coming up so the 1st Sgt sent a note back saying I had to be here at present. Actually it was true as with Bob gone now, I am the only one in the Company that knows how to make out the field sheet.

According to the Stars & Stripes today, all men with less than 45 points are definitely destined for Army of Occupation. My only hope now is for a change in age or the two year low going into effect. I believe the only thing that can get me home before spring or summer will be a   change in the age bracket. As I stated before I think the division will be here indefinitely however we still hear rumors of shipping in Feb.

I was glad to hear Deb got the day job he bid in for, bet it seems strange for him to be working days after all this time on the night shift. I imagine their work will slacken some now with less stuff coming overseas.

Have been wondering if Mary Wheaton mentioned whether Fran was still in the 1st Div. I suppose he is in the same fix I am, with few points & worked enuff to do any good. I heard the first was going back to the states but havn’t seen anything in the S & S about it as yet.

Honey your mention of swell weather over there for smooching made me wish you were over here. The nights here are always cool and oh — if you were only here. Honey, I’m loaded for bear — if you remember the old story and that is a threat — Ha! One of the guys said he was going to get his wife some dark glasses so she wouldn’t get color blind looking at the ceiling. That goes for you too honey, think I better do the same.

Well sweet thats about all the news for today so will close — Bye for now —