Sunday 11 June 1944
Coast of France
Dear Mom, Pop and Don:
Just a few words to let you know that I’m still okay—Thanks to your prayers and the good Lord watching over me—All my crews came through in fine shape and are in good spirits—I haven’t a complaint because I’m getting plenty to eat—hot food three times a day and full rations such as candy, (illegible) gum, matches, toilet articles every two days—Uncle Sam is really taking care of his sons in this invasion.
I know you are anxious to hear about the invasion, but I will tell you when I see you—France looks no different from any other place—green grass, trees, sunshine, and people—I went sightseeing yesterday and saw many interesting sights—One, was the prison camp—If these soldiers are the supermen of Hitler, then I’ve been misled—most of them are kids sixteen to nineteen years of age and a few old men too old to be in the army. Most of them were Poles, Russians, Frenchmen, and other nationalities—few were pure German. I don’t believe that these men are Hitler’s first line troops because they look pretty sad and their fighting isn’t so good.
If you smell real hard, you can probably smell me all the way from home—I haven’t had a bath in a week and haven’t washed my face but once—I don’t expect to change clothes for a few days yet—See, I sleep, eat, and live on my boat and it isn’t equipped for washing, etc. (we are equipped with a bucket however). Things are getting better organized now however and I think I’ll be able to go aboard a ship in a day or two and really get clean—with a hot shower, clean clothes, and a shave—
Better close for now—about chow time—will write more soon—
Love you all, Stormy