Cherbourg, France

May 17, 1945

My dearest wife:

The censorship stopped all together today, but you know me, I never do say much about the army. I guess I should write you a sexy letter, but I can’t, as it doesn’t seem to bother me anymore. I know that I can get along with out it. Anyway what else can I do.

When I went to the east coast, I was at Camp Shanks in New York, about 30 miles from New York. We were there about four days and then sailed from New York on the 11^th of Feb. I did want to go home very bad but we didn’t get any passes, and I guess I could have made it. We had a nice trip with only a few rough days. I can’t see why some people spend good money to come over here. I wouldn’t pay a nickel to take a trip over here again. And to my surprise, I didn’t get seasick at all. We landed at La Howe on the 24^th of Feb. and from there to a camp called Lucky Strike. When we picked up all our equipment we came to Cherbourg. The company had the job of unloaded all types of vehicles from the ships and taking them to a lot, and gassed and oiled them so they could be run away. After the ships stopped coming in the men ran convoys up into Germany and had some good times. I happened to be left out on all the trips. You know me, that’s the kind of breaks I get. We are living in a large building, and have things looking pretty good. We are now making a gym and a basketball floor in a large vacant, building. We are right by the water. Ten to fifteen feet from the Supply Room door is the water, it is a basin, where ships tie up. We are in an area called the arsenal. It’s mostly navy. They also have P.T. boats here, the first ones I have seen close, in fact, Ree and I went all over the engine room of one, they are swell. We hope to be here for awhile, but you know how things are, one never knows.

I just happened to think, if I had you here now, I bet I could make you melt like a piece of butter. I have a fine joker here, some of them may be a little dirty, but I thought you might get a kick out of some of them, especially your mother. She will probably take them to club.

I love you my dearest and wish I could be home with you more and more every day. I love you, I love you, I love you, I guess I must love you.

Your very lonesome husband,

Pres.