Letter From Stanley
Polishing his Discharge Button
November 4, 1945. Stanley writes a letter to Dad from home in Albany where he reports everyone is “in a pretty good state of health.” He apologizes for not writing sooner, explaining that he has “been running around looking for a job here and there.” Among the many companies he’s applied to are “The New … Continue reading
I am Now a Civilian
October 26 and 30, 1945. Stanley has been officially discharged and is writing from home where he exults, “Yes sir brother, I am now a civilian.” As the situation was when Stanley had his 30 days R&R after getting home from England, he acknowledges that it will be his duty to keep up the correspondence … Continue reading
I’ve Made the Grade
October 13, 1945. Stanley writes a letter to Dad from the Orderly Room in Abilene, where “it is sort of quiet.” He details some of the benefits of working in the Orderly Room, specifically, “I have been here almost two months and I have only stood one inspection and the rest…I’ve been working on the morning … Continue reading
Nothing to do Here
September 30 and October 4, 1945. Stanley writes two more letters to Dad from Abilene where he is experiencing “a sudden change in the weather”. He relates that “It sure was cold last night,” and that “the gas stoves are going in the barracks full steam ahead…” There does not seem to be much for … Continue reading
We Had a Hearty Laugh
September 22 and 27, 1945. Stanley writes two letters to Dad from Abilene where he is “feeling the best he can in the heat, deep in the heart of Texas.” It seems that he is spending his time either working in the orderly room where most of the time “it is kind of quiet” or … Continue reading
Days, Weeks, or Even Months
September 12 and 16, 1945.Stanley writes two letters to Dad from Abilene. He notes receiving one of dad’s letters, “which was not censored” and observes that, “It will be three years in the Army for me the last day of the month and three years since the last we saw each other.” Commenting on Dad’s … Continue reading
Plenty of Fresh Milk
August 20 and 25, 1945. Stanley writes two letters to Dad from “the heart of Texas,” Abilene. He writes that they left Sioux Falls on the 16th and arrived in Abilene on the 18th, traveling the entire way in air-conditioned Pullman cars. They had a dinner stop in Kansas City for “a meal…at Fred Harvey’s restaurant,” … Continue reading
Sent Far and Wide
August 14, 1945. Stanley writes a letter to Dad from Sioux Falls, South Dakota. At this point it is unknown if Stanley is still with the 401st Bomb Group as in previous letters he alluded to the 401st being broken up, for the most part. He is sure that he “will not stay on this … Continue reading
How I Miss it All Now
August 8 and 11, 1945. Stanley writes two letters to Dad from Sioux Falls, South Dakota upon the end of his 30 days R&R home in Albany and his return to service. He details, “I got back to Ft. Dix Fri 3, Aug 45 about 4 P.M. Sure had a good time at home and … Continue reading