I have been working on transcribing all my father’s letters (hundreds of them) to my mother when he was away during WWII in the Army, off and on, from the time they were married in 1942 until
he came home from Europe the end of 1945.He was already a lawyer, when he entered active duty in 1941, and when he went to France on 1944, he was assigned to the Claims Service, settling claims by French civilians against American soldiers, such as killing
a farm animal in a traffic accident. They did not pay for combat damage or claims by collaborators.
When the war in Europe ended, 80 years ago this week, he was in Reims, and below are two letters he wrote to my mother:
Editor’s note: Germany surrendered unconditionally to the Western Allies and the Soviet Union at 2:41 a.m. French time on May 6, 1945. This surrender was formally signed in Reims, France, on May 7th, but the news
was already breaking on May 6th.
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Tom to Cecilia, May 6, 1945
Day before yesterday, I received three big fat letters from you, in one-two-three order: 41-42-43, of Apr. 19-22-23. Sure was fun reading them. Let me correct your impression that I had a “change” in assignment.
My being named Liaison officer means only that I am the agency through whom various cases and claims are transferred to the agencies of the French gov’t, for their investigation and settlement. The agreement between the US and France was made on 15 Feb., but
did not go into effect until 10 April. The way it actually works, as far as I am concerned, is that all the claims arising after a certain date within a designated area (which my team would ordinarily handle in the usual manner) are transferred by and through
me, to the various agencies of the french. So far, it has been a purely mechanical operation, of my listing of the claims on my docket sheet, and either mailing or carrying them to the french offices. I am still a member of Claims Team 6816, with all my ordinary
duties. As far as the future, that is difficult to say. Right now, there is no indication that the team is going to move, but that is an ever-present possibility. If it does, it may be that I will stay behind to continue exclusively as the liaison officer.
If so, I do not think my duties will be onerous, but there will be always enough to keep me occupied. I don’t see that it will make much, if any, difference in what will happen after that, and other things being equal, I would rather stay with my outfit. But
I am just waiting, and will take what comes.
Thinking along these lines, your remarks about changing to JAGD are worthy of discussion. In the first instance, now that I have attained a majority, in true human nature reaction, all that has gone before
is largely forgotten. My pleasure at being a major obscures my former disappointments. But, for sentimental reasons, I am still quite proud of my rifles, and consider myself an infantryman yet, even if no one else does., and even if, in point of fact,
I am not one, anymore, form the viewpoint of know-how of infantry in general. Too, I have nothing (or nearly so) but dislike and contempt for the JAGD as such. Perhaps I should modify that, and say that I have nothing but contempt and dislike for those members
of the JAGD that I have been associated with, in the Claims Service. There can be no doubt that those boys have feathered their own nests, and that considering the JAGD officers as a group, they have done better for themselves, or rather have done better by,
than have officers of other branches of the service. JAGD is the largest single branch represented in the claims service, which incidentally, is logical, and has nothing wrong with it per se. if I were to stay in the army, JAGD is the last branch I would want
to be in, and I’m damned if I’m going to suborn myself now, by trying to get into it, merely because it might prove advantageous to me in a material way. I realize that this itself
not a material, or smart way to look at it; but I figure that I have gotten as much out of the claims service as I can, by having been promoted; I will continue to do my work well, or that is my job, but I have no liking, personally, or professionally.
The truth is, that in my judgment, the Claims Service largely stinks, not so much in its conception, as in its application, and in the people who run it. That is just the unfortunate circumstance that I am confronted with, and I must bear with it. If I
should stay in the army, it will be, the “powers” and my own efforts permitting, and an infantryman, or not at all.
The thing of it is that I now have too much rank to have much chance to get into the kind of infantry work I most like, i.e., troop duty. In the first instance, after investigation, it is, I am convinced,
practically an impossibility, for me to be sent back to the infantry proper. In the second place, if I were to be so assigned, I would, in all likelihood, wind up behind a desk, as an administrative office of some sort of, perhaps even more likely, as staff
judge advocate, or trial judge advocate of a general court martial, neither of which I would relish, although I would not object, or a time, to having some court martial experience. So it appears, in the light of my qualifications, as reflected by my work
for the past year, that troop duty is pretty much out of the question. In any case, I have no intention of getting into the JAGD. I have enough pride (justified or not, is another question), to think that I am a better man and a better officer than any one
of the JAGD’s over here who are presently and potentially occupying the seats of the mighty … Progressing to the question of possible future duty over here, I think it is not unlikely that some of us will end up in the military gov’t set-up here. Unless, as
far as I am personally concerned, I stay here as Liaison officer for some time, I honestly don’t see how this Claims service presently operating, can last much longer. The french have taken over at least half of our work, and will probably taking over the
rest of it in a matter of months. The possibility of claims work in the CBI is present, but I think this unlikely. Then there is this considerable number of lawyer-officers over here, with not much to do. I think it is likely that some of us will be tagged
for military government work . I am hoping not. I don’t look forward to it with pleasure. I have written, in my desk, now, a letter of application for Ft. Benning school … I am going to shoot that letter in. If it should by any chance get through, then I will
finally get to go to Benning, and will look be back in the infantry … then, if I should decide to stay in the army, that will be to my advantage. For the present, though, the word is “wait and see.”
Then speaking of what I am going to do after the war, the more I have mulled it over, the more I am thinking that I will return to F’ville, and start again in the law. I am not kidding myself that it will
be easy. It will be damned hard, and we’ll have some mighty slim times. Frankly, I’m scared of it. After five years of good pay, and not knowing, almost literally, where your next dime or meal is coming from. For I am a coward, and that is one way to prove
that I’m not. The only question I have about you and Tommy, and I don’t question your willingness or ability, to go through hard times, I do question
my willingness to let you do it. So, again, it’ “wait and see.”
You mentioned having some boxes to send, and sending them as soon as you get requests. Honey, I don’t know what in the hell to request. I don’t think of anything a specifically and, right now, and you made
fun of me for requesting things jigs and blank spaces for you to fill in … so I don’t quite see how I am going to request anything. Anyhow, please send me those boxes you have ready, and I’d like some nuts, candy, crackers, sardines, popcorn, soap, hair lotion,
plum pudding, fruit cake, and whatever else it is you have ready o send. (It’s OK, Postmaster, this is an official request) …
Of course, Celia, you understand I am not actually requesting these named items; I just make a general list so you can show it to the postmaster, and get your package mailed. OK?
It surely is pleasant to hear how much you enjoy being at Eureka, and how nicely you all are getting along. I am laughing at myself, since my lecture to you on Papa’s reaction to Tommy being spoiled, after
reading that Papa is (or would like to) spoiling him himself. As far as staying at Eureka is concerned, stay as long as you like. I know that the folks will be glad to have you. At the same time, it is true that a welcome (however much of a real welcome
it is) tends to remain ever-fresh, if it is not worn out. Get Mamma (or Kathleen) to tell you about “Uncle Murn” (Marion), who came to spend a week and stayed 30 years. As for the rest of the summer, and staying at Lake Lucern, I’m still going to leave that
up to you. Really, the only point in going there, or any such place, is just to get away by yourself for a complete relaxation. As long as one is content and happy in a given place, there seems to be no reason for changing. Of course, it will be expensive.
Two weeks at $60 per, is $120 … split three ways, this is $40; throw in food, and all the miscellaneous, and it will probably run each of you $75 worth, for two weeks; now if the proposition is initially desirable, as best one can decide, and if the fun and
relaxation is sufficient, then it is certainly worth it, even at twice $75. On the other hand, if you do not particularly want to do it, when the time comes to o it, and if you don’t especially enjoy it, then it is not worth it, even if it I free. See the
idea? Helpful ain’t I? Do what you want to, Bud … it’s OK with me all the way. As for where to pass the summer, in general, there is no question in my mind but that it will be more comfortable in F’ville or Eureka (especially the latter) than it will be in
Batesville … “Twill be cooler (or, less hot), and just about as congenial. I’m sure you can play tennis at the Univ. tennis courts; and either at Eureka, or with Frances in F’ville. I believe you can be as informal and lazy as you want to be, and put your
feet on chairs and strew things around, with a bit of freedom than you could at Batesville. Your mother, bless her heart, is a wonderful woman, but she has a passion for neatness and order in her home which is entirely admirable and justified, and which must
be observed by those staying there, but it becomes a bit wearing, constant to have to keep this in mind. I ain;t the neatest person in the world(no, don’t deny it, you know it’s true), and I sorta like to flop and sprawl once in a while. Then, too, if, as
is likely, you are to be at Batesville next fall and winter, it will give your folks a rest from you and vice versa, so they will be all the :”gladder” to have you back. My Lord, we could go one and on with this, couldn’t we, and never get much further along
… so there it is.
Don’t recall, offhand, the “amusing bit” from S&S that I did not enclose… may have been the piece about the unmentionables that Betty Grable & Co. did
not wear.
I’m not surprised that dad King put a ban on drinking. I think he has been rather tolerant all along, for only a damn fool would not have known that it was going on, supposedly surreptitiously. Well, I am
in complete agreement on with him. It’s his home, and he’s the boss whole you all are there. I would not expect a man of his caliber to compromise with his conscience and convictions, so mind you that you observe his rule strictly. As long as you take your
beer on your own time, away from the house, that is your affair, and I think he will not attempt to deny that. But don’t come home drunk (joke), for that will make it his business.
Yes, the lad picks queer times and places for his naps. To tell the truth, I have damned near gone to sleep on the Johnny more than once, myself (is that what Tommy’s “duck” is?). As for the long nap with
the carpenter’ serenade, I have a theory that: Have you ever been honesty sleepy, and not been able to go to sleep right away, because things were too quiet, and for some reason, your thoughts were too active? Well, I have, and lots of times, if I can hear
a little life going on around me, or talk casually with someone for a few minutes, I find that I go right off to sleep. Maybe, with Tommy, he being just a little feller, he subconsciously wants to be reassured that he
isn’t being left alone and forgotten … so that when the workmen started pounding; he was instantly reassured and went right to sleep. What do you think of that? Was much amused by your picture of him walking up and down with his hands behind his back.
Can’t help but endowing him, in my mental picture, with more adult actions, expressions, and gestures than he actually had.
The ”Pendergast” girl’s name is “Pendergrass;”and she is a pretty girl, and a very nice girl. Her husband is Barkley Eddins,[1]
with whom I was quite thick and friendly at one time. When I was a young bachelor lawyer in F’ville, we played golf and ran around together quite a bit … I’m glad you are wearing your hair up. As you know, I have always liked it that way, and I still think
that it is less trouble for you that way, and so much cooler in the summer. Ho about a picture? … I am not apprehensive about the food supply at home, but I am glad to know that you have been eating heartily and have been getting enough. I have learned over
here that one can get everything he needs in many different ways. We have not had to do without meat much at all, but we have had to do meat substitutes that I ordinarily do not like at all, and used never to eat … such as the various types of preserved,
or cured meats … weinies, salami, and the like; and we’ve had, and I’ve eaten, a great deal more cheese than I ever did before … it being an excellent meat substitute. Of course, we have ever with us powdered eggs, and I’ve eaten them with gusto, though I
don’t like them. As a matter of fact, my eating tastes have become quite catholic. My basic preferences are unchanged; I’ll still take a good beefsteak any day … but my vegetable intake has greatly increased, both in quantity and variety. And I suspect that
my general health and condition are better for it, too. Celia, you have no idea how it pleases me to hear you are good and hungry, and are eating lots. Do hope you keep it up. Lately, we have had plenty of fresh eggs here. About every two weeks, we go to a
QM ration breakdown point, and get a few odds and ends of rations that come out of broken case lots, and that are not readily distributable to large units. As a result, we have been able to have breakfast here at our quarters several times a week; we have
fresh eggs, coffee, bacon, fruit juice, and the like. It makes it a lot nicer to get up in the morning and go downstairs to breakfast than go to the regular mess and eat on the “wholesale” plan.
When I visited Pinck, he outlined his plan of action for immediately after returning home. I touched on it briefly in my last letter, respecting you and me. I rather like it so will elaborate on it. Pinck
says, sez he: What I want is to have Carol meet me someplace, by herself, and the two of us be together for a while. I am extremely proud of, and interested, in P3, but actually, and naturally, in a way, he doesn’t mean a hell of a lot to me, never having
seen him, and been around him. My folks and Carol’s folks, are probably going to build something big out of my first meeting with my son … and after all, he’ll just be a little boy that I’ll have to get acquainted with, as just another grown person. So, I
want to get the lowdown on him, and be with Carol a while, then spend a little time with our respective folks, and the three of us take off for a while …what do you think of that? In a lesser degree, my relations with Tommy will be about the same; and I do
want to be with you for a time, without Tommy along, either just after I get back, or shortly thereafter. Would like to have your ideas on the subject. (P.S) Pinck says he has no idea when he’ll be getting home.
Well, old Bud, it’s along about the middle of the afternoon; I’d better go to the office, and check to see if anything gives. I had a swell sleep last night (We didn’t have any party or drinks). Hope there
will be some more mail from you. Oh yes, I got a fine package from you, with crackers, and liver and olive spread and nuts in it, … mighty fine. I’ve never seen that liver spread before; it’s right good, and the cashews are delicious. Also got a package from
our Aunt Florence, (a Xmas package senet 9249) … had of all things, a package of V-mail paper in it; can of popcorn, two cans of something I have not opened, a big bar of soap, and some candy; also two handkerchiefs, a tie and a pair of socks. Was certainly
thoughtful of her, but kind funny too, because nearly everything in it is so easy to get over here, and I didn’t need any of it.
Must run now, honey. Won’t even try to tell you how much I love you today, and how I love your letters. You’ve had a wonderful time in NW Arkansas so far, and I want you to keep on having a good time, and
do what you wish to do, within reason and the permissible circumstances. Take care, sweetheart.
Tom
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Figure
70 – May 9, 1945, edition of the Stars and Stripes
I’ve been trying to think of some good way to mention the end of the war in Europe, and how we all felt. Naturally, it was all very calm and anti-climatical, since we all knew it to be true before it was
officially announced. As a result, there was no spontaneous demonstration, although there was plenty of racket and carrying on. Our little group had our most fun and celebration Monday night. Flags had broken out all over town. When we got home from the office,
our little quiet side street was gaily decked with U.S., French, British, Russian and Chinese flags. All our neighbors were looking out the windows and talking to each other.
Mr. Johnston, our warrant officer (“junior”) threw an orange down to one of the kids in the street, and in a twinkling, the show was on. For the next 30 minutes, we tossed out oranges, cigars, candy, cigarettes,
gum, etc. ‘Twas really great fun, and made us all feel quite like Santa Claus. Nor was it a case of casting our pearls before swine. One man came out with a little bit of a girl in his arms. So I took an orange down to the street and gave it to her. Also one
to a timid looking little boy standing by, who had not caught any of the others we were dropping from the windows. Pretty soon, the little boy came over to our house. He turned out to be the son of the man with the little girl, and he brough with him an invitation
for us to come over and have a drink with his father and mother. So we all went over and he popped a couple of bottles of very good champagne and followed that with some 3 star Hennessee cognac. There must have been 12 of us around the table, and of course
we had to toast each other’s health, “a votre sante,” – and “a Roosevelt.” The glasses and goblets were lovely – plain thin glass that rang like a bell – and some medium size ”brandy snifter” type glasses or the cognac. This man had a number of very good (I
thought) paintings on his walls. This is one thing I have noticed in nearly all the French homes I have visited – lots of oil paintings – apparently the ready-sale painting business is a good one over here. At home, most houses have prints, or a very conventional
“commercial art:” type picture on their walls, and only a few of those. Here, it‘s different. He also had two unique items: a pair of lamp stands made of parts of an old wooden cider press. The base was a solid block of wood with the spigot hole in its side;
the upright was the turn-screw portion, also cut from a solid piece of wood – all home made. They were not pretty, but most interesting.
Well, along about midnight, all the boats and ships in the dock cut loose with their whistles. There were scattered shots, and skyrockets, just like a combination of New Years and 4th of July.
I ventured downtown, and the main streets were a sold mass of people, singing, dancing and just hollering. Very few soldiers were in evidence – all passes had been cancelled for the night and following day. This, of course, put a damper on things for the military,
but it was probably a good thing.
Tuesday, we didn’t work to speak of, but did go to the office. In the afternoon, the French put on a bit of a parade – the town square was jammed. Then later, after supper, a goodly portion of the U.S. troops
in the area put on a parade. And that was that. Today and tomorrow, have been authorized as free time for half our officers and men, and next week the other half will get 2 days off. There is no place to go, so nothing I want to do. Probably am going to sleep
late tomorrow, because I have more or less “held the fort” at the office for the last 3 days.
Think I will get a bath tomorrow after I get up, and then have a combination breakfast and dinner with eggs and can of your hot tamales – Oh yes, the packages came, and was mighty glad to have it. As you
know, I like chili and hot tamales any time of year.
Well, that’s about all. Not much point in talking about the end of the war. Mighty glad about it, but it makes no immediate difference to me as far as my work is concerned and probably will not affect the
future course or duration. So, I’ll sound the old precaution and warn you not to expect any sudden return or preparations for return. We’ve still a big job to do, with lots of work and a long time required for it.
Anyway, I sure do love you, Celia, and think about you so much. I believe, in fact I know, that I have come closer to you in these past months by reason of our separation – In this case it is certainly true
that absence makes the heart grow fonder.
Take care old sweet, and tell Tommy his daddy loves him and will be mighty glad to see him and his mother.
Tom
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