Pvt. W.D. Johnson Jr. 34945847
F. Co. 16th Infantry
APO # 1 c/o Postmaster
New York, N.Y.
Nov 15, 1944
Belgium
Dearest Mother and Dad:
Recently, Mother, I have received letters from you postmarked Nov 1,2,13,and 18th and Dad your letter of Nov 20th was received and very much appreciated. You all have certainly been good about writing and you can really be sure that the letters are thoroughly appreciated.
You will notice that I am in Belgium at the present time. Our outfit was pulled back here for a rest and rumor has it that (piece of letter torn out) possibly until the (piece of letter torn out) which I hope. If true, we will be here Christmas which is a swell break.
We are billeted in private homes and are very comfortable. We have cots to sleep on and a stove in our room. This old Belgian couple we stay with does everything possible to make us comfortable. My rusty French is improving and I’m able to talk to the people pretty well. The old man here bought me a French-English book (at my request) and I’ve gotten to where I can understand a great deal of what they say.
We have been in quite a lot of snow lately. Forgetting the discomforts of the snow it has really been beautiful. Save for the war, this trip would have tremendous scenic advantages.
Dad, I was really proud of my picture of Mother which you cut from the paper. I appreciate your sending it.
Mother, you can really be proud of your Red Cross work as they do a world of good for the soldiers. I think that I wrote Louise that I received a Red Cross kit bag. It has surely come in handy and was very nice. The kit came from some Chapter in North Carolina. I’d be mighty proud of those service stripes.
Louise writes that Julie refers to me every now & then indicating that she thinks of her Daddy now & then. It makes me feel good as I would hate for her to forget about me.
I’m glad you all had a use for one of our chairs. I think you know that you can use any of the furniture that you want. It’s much better off in use than just stored as it is.
Mother, you asked me about praying. I guess most of us over here pray or if a fellow doesn’t already know how he soon learns. You soon realize in a business like this that forces far beyond human power to control are at work. It surely makes a fellow think. In fact I’ve done quite a bit of philosophizing since I’ve been up here. The old peace-time sense of values gets quite a jolt, and you wonder how you ever failed to (piece of letter torn out) se of values. (piece of letter torn out) terday and forget to acknowledge that she had told me my pictures were as much of a success as possible considering the subject. I’m glad you all like yours.
Mother, you asked me about a diary. I agree it would be interesting (and then again may be not) to go back and read of these events, but diaries are not permitted. In event of capture by the enemy diaries of times would give valuable information to the enemy. So we are asked not to keep diaries if any kind or any notes or memos of places or dates. Besides we don’t have time.
You asked about my Co. clerks job. No, I’m not Co. clerk here – just a rifleman. This Co. has a clerk already, but even if they didn’t have one I doubt that I would get the job as I’m not classified as a clerk now. Besides the C.O. doesn’t know anything about me or my background. But the job I’ve got is okay and it doesn’t make a lot of difference.
I never realized that Continental Europeans wore sabots but they actually do. Both children & adults go clomping around in them and I saw an old man wearing them today and riding a bicycle. It looked like a clumsy arrangement.
Please send me Macey’s address as I’m not sure just where he is now and I want to write him while I am here. I have Rip’s.
I hope both of you have recovered from your colds and are fine now. This won’t reach you till after Christmas, probably, but I’ll be thinking of you all Christmas & hoping you have a nice one. Thanks again for your wonderful letters and keep them coming and here’s worlds of love to you both.
Always
David