Letter from Clarence Williams to Gretchen Williams, September 25, 1945

Another day of rain and snow, rain in the valley and snow in the mountains. Miller and I went down for showers this morning and while there were talking to some of the infantry boys who are guarding prisoners cutting wood in the mountains. They stated there was three to four inches of snow this morning and it was still falling. I have a fire here in our room right now to take the chill off and believe me it feels plenty good. I’ve got to dig my overcoat out of my duffel bag and see if I can locate a place to get it cleaned and pressed. One of these days the snowballs will be hitting us in the rear and I won’t have it to keep me warm. Honey I got an idea that wool muffler or scarf and the helmet will come in plenty handy now even if I didn’t get to use them much previously.

Well honey, I got the Sgt. rating which means after this month I can send you $70.00 per month. This month I will only be able to send $60.00 as I should draw about $55.00 and can only send an additional 10%. Anyway I should easily be able to pay for your coat before Xmas. I was so glad you liked the idea of it as a present because if I shouldn’t get to Switzerland or someplace else, it would be an impossibility to get any gifts for you. Anyway I should like to get the coat for you and then if I get the chance would love to send you something from over here also. Money over here is the   least of our worries and isn’t at all hard to get. I sold 7 candy bars to a Yugoslav soldier last night for $1.00 ea. We got 16 of them in our last ration so felt I had a few extra. I don’t even feel guilty about making a few extra dollars over here as feel we are entitled to make up a little for what we have lost in salary in the states.

Sounds as though you had a swell weekend with the Olsen’s. You must have really been on the go to do all the things you did. You mentioned Ernie being on vacation and that he had to go back to school, what is he doing or where is he working?

So Otto is finally home, the lucky guy. I’ll bet it still doesn’t seem real to him that he is actually out of the damn Army for good. I can understand his digging his clothes out immediately after wearing Army clothes for such a long time.

I was very interested in the clippings about Al Brown. He must of had some horrible experiences during that long period of time. I’m surprised he still has his health.

We went down last night and saw Ernie Pyle’s picture, “Story of G.I. Life”. It is certainly true to life and brings back memories of many things that happened during combat.

Honey I received the two $5.00 bills you mailed — thanks a lot. American money is good most any place in the world and I’m hoping I can use it in Switzerland if I’m lucky enough to go.

Well sweet guess thats about all the news so Bye for now —