Cowley home on Martha's Vineyard with a message for
President Obama
Saturday, August 21, 2010
Wednesday, August 18, 2010
November 15 - 29, 1944
Pvt. E. Cowley 42025054
1st BN HG CO 301 Inf
APO 94 c/o PM NY, NY
The Cowleys
35 Woodside Ave.
Buffalo 20, N.Y.
Nov 15 1944
France
Dear family,
Has been a couple days since I last wrote so guess I owe you a long letter. Am feeling fine and; hope everyone at home is well. Haven’t received any mail for a few days, but I think this Christmas rush has a lot of my mail tied up someplace and; it will probably arrive in bunches.
Have been preparing a little box to send home, it isn’t much of anything but maybe a few little souvenirs you might enjoy. Have Peg’s little gift in the box also. You will find an issue of “The Stars and; Stripes” our ETO newspaper. They come out every day but we usually get them 2 or maybe 3 times a week if we’re lucky. Pretty nice little paper, strictly for G.I.’s Also am sending a few articles from our “K” ration, 3 packs of smokes (we get one in a ration), a concentrated candy bar, from the “Supper” ration, which I’d like you to taste. It has 3 small sections; for Dad; for mother and; 1 for Peggy Lou plus the empty wrapper (also for Peggy) Also from the “K” rations I’m sending a special type of paper which I have become very familiar with since landing in France. (and how) Another thing which I have not been able to send in letters is a few foreign coins. You will find 84c worth of foreign exchange in Francs and; Pence. Have room left for 6 German insignias. There are 2 insignia of the “Luftwaffer” or German air corps, 3 of the German Navy and; one Epaulet of a German “Unterofficier” or Buck Sergeant as we call em. They will be nice to hang up on Peggy’s banners in her bedroom or whatever you want to do with them. Could put a couple in the “book” if you’d like to. Sorry I won’t have room for anything else but hope you get a kick out of the little box. Don’t intend it as any sort of Christmas present as I surely would send something nice & more personal & always the best. You remember I always bought pretty good stuff at Christmas ex. “Richard Hulnut” compact which I picked out & mother paid for: What a deal that was hey! Was thinking I might send “Doc” Hartnett some money & have him bring presents over to you on Christmas but realized that wouldn’t be right so decided to let the presents go & until I can hand them to you in person & get a little kiss. Don’t want “Doc” collecting kisses on my presents!
Glad to hear Doc stopped over, know how much you like to see & talk to him. Will have him stop over every once in a while. Know he likes Ballantines too. He is a funny kid. Tell you when Harry, Doc, Kenny & myself went out we had a riot. They’re a great bunch of fellas & right now they’re pretty damn good soldiers, I bet. We’l have some great times after the war! Harry is just as comical as Doc only he’s more reserved & I sure am glad you & Lil are sending him a Christmas package. He’l really appreciate it! Thank Lil for me! I think she’s grand! We’l have a big get together when we get back. The Dragons & families plus the Crowley’s & Doug. That will be quite an honor (although the “Bachelors” wouldn’t agree) for Lil, Connie & Doug to be invited to a “Dragon Jamboree” & who can tell they may get “Honorary Dragon Certificates” which is one step higher that the Congressional medal, the Victoria Cross & a months gasoline coupons combined. Sure hope that day will come soon, but am afraid it will just be a dream for a couple or more years to come.
Wrote a letter to Bette Bailey couple days ago, 1st letter since leaving McCain although I did sent her a v-mail about a month ago. Am now writing to girls in Mississippi, Tennessee, Illinois, Ohio & Bette McCarrows on Crystal Ave. Haven’t heard from my old girl friend “Mairsy” but I guess she probably hasn’t received my missile as yet, will bawl her out anyhow. How is the Crowley’s dog? Carry his (or is it her) picture with me all the time. Dad & Connie are also in the picture.
Aunt Peg handed me quite a subtle insult in her last letter. Hope it wasn’t intentional! She wrote that she had bought a new leather waste basket to match my leather picture frame. I caught the jest immediately. It has to do with those matching quizzes. If the basket matches the frame, the waste in the basket matches whats within the frame. I don’t like that kind of funny business so I don’t look like a Barrymore but I look like my father so you argue from there Dad. She really insulted the whole family if you stop to figure it out but seeing I always thought she was pretty swell I’ll let it pass this once.
Am amazed at Rhoda wanting to marry that joker. Thought she was strictly a “Dragon moll” She hardly knows the guy as he’s been guarding the Polar Bears in Newfoundland or someplace like that for years. Its ridiculous!!! Doc told me the cottage he picked out had 3 ice boxes for “You know what” Did he mention the ice boxes to you or was that why Peggy was listening so closely? I wrote & told him it sounds pretty good to me renting the 3 ice boxes with a cottage around them for added convenience.
I don’t intend to do a thing but rest when I get home. Will enjoy working around the house instead of the barracks or the field for a change, so you can start lining up jobs for me. Think Doc would make a very good announcer & sure hope he makes good. Can’t see where anything would deny him success as he’s got the personality & that’s 90% of the battle. By the way has Clarence ever been down to the house? I’ll tell him to stop by as I think you’d enjoy seeing him. Well, this paper is ripped in half so I shall be saying so long for a day or two. Haven’t had the chance to get to church or communion in the past couple months but am in the state of grace always so don’t worry.
Your loving son, Eddie
A.S.H. 42025054
Pvt. E. Cowley
1st BN HG CO 301 INF
APO 94 c/o PM NY, NY
The Cowleys
35 Woodside Ave.
Buffalo 20 N.Y.
War & Navy Departments
V-Mail Services
Official Business
Nov 19, 1944
‘Tis France!
Dear folks,
Wrote a v-mail home yesterday – All in French. Guess you’l have to get Mrs. Lunquist on the ball. Thought you might get a kick out of it even thou you couldn’t understand it and doubt whether any one but myself can. Wrote a letter to Miss Mulholland today and thought I’d better write home again in English. I’m feeling quite well & received package #3 y two days ago. Will send home that little box I promised you tomorrow if possible. Haven’t has any mail for 4 days but neither has anyone else gotten much to speak of. Think they dump it in the ocean on the way over. Things are fairly quiet at the present and I hope the damn war ends soon. Glad to hear your getting my war bonds, one every month you know. Hope everyone is well and enjoyed Thanksgiving. Say hello to all the family for me and save me a bottle of Ballantines. Almost 3 months since I’ve tasted beer of any kind. Am losing a little cross fat. Hope to hear from you soon.
Love to all,
Eddie
A.S.H. 42025054
Pvt. E. Cowley
1st BN HG CO 301 INF
APO 94 c/o PM NY, NY
The Cowleys
35 Woodside Ave.
Buffalo 20 N.Y.
War & Navy Departments
V-Mail Services
Official Business
Nov 22, 1944
France
Dear folks,
Received 3 v-mails from home yest, Nov 4, 8, & 9. Glad to hear everyone is feeling well again at home. I’m still the same, healthy as ever. Did Dad understand those problems I sent him, surely thought anyone that anyone who went as far in grade school as he did would be able to figure that tough one. Don’t think Jack Tubridy escorted us, matter of fact he couldn’t have. Nice knowing Dad received his letter & glad to hear he will answer it. Can’t understand what happened to my money orders, maybe they were lost. Sent them the 1st week in Oct & you haven’t acknowledged them yet. Have another to send home soon. have your little pk. All wrapped & waiting for the official O.K. – Peggy seems to be doing very good in school, hope she keeps it up. Thought she would have seen some plays by now but haven’t heard. Make sure she has all the money she needs as you’l get plenty from me every month. How did you like my “French letter” bet it was quite a shock. I’ve probably been a lot closer to Jack O’Mara than he would think but a meeting at the present is impossible. Received my combat Infantry badge (blue with a silver wreath) but can’t send it home as planned. Guess they figure the Germans won’t know we’re fighting if we don’t wear our little badges.
Lots of love,
Eddie
A.S.H. 42025054
Pvt. E. Cowley
1st BN HG CO 301 INF
APO 94 c/o PM NY, NY
The Cowleys
35 Woodside Ave.
Buffalo 20 N.Y.
War & Navy Departments
V-Mail Services
Official Business
Thanksgiving! 1944
France,
Dear folks,
Well today is Thanksgiving back home & I sure do wish I was with you to celebrate like we used to. Its just another day over here which brings us that much closer to the time we start for the states. Imagine after 2 more Thanksgivings we should be on our way home, its gonna be a long time to wait but believe me its something worth waiting for. Think the cooks have got some Turkeys for us so we haven’t a thing to complain about! Wonder if Peggy is going to the football game today? You don’t have to worry about me buying any green pants on my future shopping spree, although I’m not gonna be denied a thing I want & will have plenty of each to back up my orders. Should have close to a thousand in the bank. See where I’ll be able to get all my tuition free for nothing plus 50$ per month maintenance. Of course I won’t be entitled to the mustering out pay but 50 a month plus 3 years sounds pretty good to me. Am hoping I will be interested in school when I return but am quite sure I will be probably more studious than ever. Of course the kids will all be different from the old crowd & I’ll be older than most of the kids quite a bit. Should work out allright I imagine.
Fighting is very bitter in Germany now, this unusual surrender is extracting a terrific toll in lives. Looks like the Germans intend to fight for every inch of ground. Fortunately we haven’t got it bad at all right now so you needn’t worry about me at all. The mail is miserable lately due to the Christmas rush and we get 1 or 2 letters a week. Everyone at home owes me a letter so I haven’t been doing much writing except to home. How’s everything on Woodside, have the Grens caused much trouble lately? Asked Clarence to drop in on you one of these nights. He’s enrolling in Syracuse this Jan. I hear. How’s Bette McCarrows & Mairsie? Will have 4 months over seas soon. Time sure drags over here, months seem like years. When is Peggy going to start going to the shows? Think I will join the dramatic club at state when I get back, was quite a success in grammar school ha!ha!. Read “Good Night, Sweet Prince” the life of John Barrymore by Gene Fowler, very good! Think I’ll just go to bed & sleep when I get home, of course I will have to dig a foxhole in the back yard (force of habit) first. Well, take good care of yourselves & I’ll do the same over here. Hope I hear from you tonight.
Love to all,
Eddie
A.S.H. 42025054
Pvt. E. Cowley
1st BN HG CO 301 INF
APO 94 c/o PM NY, NY
The Cowleys
35 Woodside Ave.
Buffalo 20 N.Y.
War & Navy Departments
V-Mail Services
Official Business
Nov 29, 1944 - France
Dear folks,
Today I was the proud recipient of 4 letters from home. We were given our back mail from Oct. Just found out about Peggy being in the drum corps, which I think is very nice. She had better be a snappy marcher as I can be awful mean when I drill someone. Was very sorry to hear those wise guys try tried to spoil Peggy’s party. Guess they think they’re big shots with all the boys away. Believe me they wont look so big when we get home. Maybe, if Peggy behaves, I’ll let her sorority have a party for my boys. Kinda think they’d go for Doc, Sunny Whiteford, Bob DeWitt, Bob Humphries, Jack O’Niel and the rest of the gang, how about it Peggy? Makes me feel great to know you think about me so much but I just happened to think is you sent me to the store for an Amer. Flag now I’d probably come back with a qt. of beer and whats more Dad wouldn’t be mad at all. Swell to hear I’ll be able to stay out till two o’clock, maybe I’ll turn the tables and make Dad come in at 10? Eisenhower and myself are running the war pretty well now and somehow or other I have a feeling that Germanys collapse isn’t too far away, Jan . perhaps. Keep praying though as 2 months or so is an awful lot of minutes and seconds on this side of the pond. I feel fine and even have a wave in my hair. Think those fireworks would be quite a vacation to me now, wouldn’t you trust me with a roman candle? Give my regards to the Riordans and don’t forget to take good care of yourselves.
Love to all,
Eddie
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
From the Hit Parade 1944 G. I. Jive
1st BN HG CO 301 Inf
APO 94 c/o PM NY, NY
The Cowleys
35 Woodside Ave.
Buffalo 20, N.Y.
Nov 15 1944
France
Dear family,
Has been a couple days since I last wrote so guess I owe you a long letter. Am feeling fine and; hope everyone at home is well. Haven’t received any mail for a few days, but I think this Christmas rush has a lot of my mail tied up someplace and; it will probably arrive in bunches.
Have been preparing a little box to send home, it isn’t much of anything but maybe a few little souvenirs you might enjoy. Have Peg’s little gift in the box also. You will find an issue of “The Stars and; Stripes” our ETO newspaper. They come out every day but we usually get them 2 or maybe 3 times a week if we’re lucky. Pretty nice little paper, strictly for G.I.’s Also am sending a few articles from our “K” ration, 3 packs of smokes (we get one in a ration), a concentrated candy bar, from the “Supper” ration, which I’d like you to taste. It has 3 small sections; for Dad; for mother and; 1 for Peggy Lou plus the empty wrapper (also for Peggy) Also from the “K” rations I’m sending a special type of paper which I have become very familiar with since landing in France. (and how) Another thing which I have not been able to send in letters is a few foreign coins. You will find 84c worth of foreign exchange in Francs and; Pence. Have room left for 6 German insignias. There are 2 insignia of the “Luftwaffer” or German air corps, 3 of the German Navy and; one Epaulet of a German “Unterofficier” or Buck Sergeant as we call em. They will be nice to hang up on Peggy’s banners in her bedroom or whatever you want to do with them. Could put a couple in the “book” if you’d like to. Sorry I won’t have room for anything else but hope you get a kick out of the little box. Don’t intend it as any sort of Christmas present as I surely would send something nice & more personal & always the best. You remember I always bought pretty good stuff at Christmas ex. “Richard Hulnut” compact which I picked out & mother paid for: What a deal that was hey! Was thinking I might send “Doc” Hartnett some money & have him bring presents over to you on Christmas but realized that wouldn’t be right so decided to let the presents go & until I can hand them to you in person & get a little kiss. Don’t want “Doc” collecting kisses on my presents!
Glad to hear Doc stopped over, know how much you like to see & talk to him. Will have him stop over every once in a while. Know he likes Ballantines too. He is a funny kid. Tell you when Harry, Doc, Kenny & myself went out we had a riot. They’re a great bunch of fellas & right now they’re pretty damn good soldiers, I bet. We’l have some great times after the war! Harry is just as comical as Doc only he’s more reserved & I sure am glad you & Lil are sending him a Christmas package. He’l really appreciate it! Thank Lil for me! I think she’s grand! We’l have a big get together when we get back. The Dragons & families plus the Crowley’s & Doug. That will be quite an honor (although the “Bachelors” wouldn’t agree) for Lil, Connie & Doug to be invited to a “Dragon Jamboree” & who can tell they may get “Honorary Dragon Certificates” which is one step higher that the Congressional medal, the Victoria Cross & a months gasoline coupons combined. Sure hope that day will come soon, but am afraid it will just be a dream for a couple or more years to come.
Wrote a letter to Bette Bailey couple days ago, 1st letter since leaving McCain although I did sent her a v-mail about a month ago. Am now writing to girls in Mississippi, Tennessee, Illinois, Ohio & Bette McCarrows on Crystal Ave. Haven’t heard from my old girl friend “Mairsy” but I guess she probably hasn’t received my missile as yet, will bawl her out anyhow. How is the Crowley’s dog? Carry his (or is it her) picture with me all the time. Dad & Connie are also in the picture.
Aunt Peg handed me quite a subtle insult in her last letter. Hope it wasn’t intentional! She wrote that she had bought a new leather waste basket to match my leather picture frame. I caught the jest immediately. It has to do with those matching quizzes. If the basket matches the frame, the waste in the basket matches whats within the frame. I don’t like that kind of funny business so I don’t look like a Barrymore but I look like my father so you argue from there Dad. She really insulted the whole family if you stop to figure it out but seeing I always thought she was pretty swell I’ll let it pass this once.
Am amazed at Rhoda wanting to marry that joker. Thought she was strictly a “Dragon moll” She hardly knows the guy as he’s been guarding the Polar Bears in Newfoundland or someplace like that for years. Its ridiculous!!! Doc told me the cottage he picked out had 3 ice boxes for “You know what” Did he mention the ice boxes to you or was that why Peggy was listening so closely? I wrote & told him it sounds pretty good to me renting the 3 ice boxes with a cottage around them for added convenience.
I don’t intend to do a thing but rest when I get home. Will enjoy working around the house instead of the barracks or the field for a change, so you can start lining up jobs for me. Think Doc would make a very good announcer & sure hope he makes good. Can’t see where anything would deny him success as he’s got the personality & that’s 90% of the battle. By the way has Clarence ever been down to the house? I’ll tell him to stop by as I think you’d enjoy seeing him. Well, this paper is ripped in half so I shall be saying so long for a day or two. Haven’t had the chance to get to church or communion in the past couple months but am in the state of grace always so don’t worry.
Your loving son, Eddie
A.S.H. 42025054
Pvt. E. Cowley
1st BN HG CO 301 INF
APO 94 c/o PM NY, NY
The Cowleys
35 Woodside Ave.
Buffalo 20 N.Y.
War & Navy Departments
V-Mail Services
Official Business
Nov 19, 1944
‘Tis France!
Dear folks,
Wrote a v-mail home yesterday – All in French. Guess you’l have to get Mrs. Lunquist on the ball. Thought you might get a kick out of it even thou you couldn’t understand it and doubt whether any one but myself can. Wrote a letter to Miss Mulholland today and thought I’d better write home again in English. I’m feeling quite well & received package #3 y two days ago. Will send home that little box I promised you tomorrow if possible. Haven’t has any mail for 4 days but neither has anyone else gotten much to speak of. Think they dump it in the ocean on the way over. Things are fairly quiet at the present and I hope the damn war ends soon. Glad to hear your getting my war bonds, one every month you know. Hope everyone is well and enjoyed Thanksgiving. Say hello to all the family for me and save me a bottle of Ballantines. Almost 3 months since I’ve tasted beer of any kind. Am losing a little cross fat. Hope to hear from you soon.
Love to all,
Eddie
A.S.H. 42025054
Pvt. E. Cowley
1st BN HG CO 301 INF
APO 94 c/o PM NY, NY
The Cowleys
35 Woodside Ave.
Buffalo 20 N.Y.
War & Navy Departments
V-Mail Services
Official Business
Nov 22, 1944
France
Dear folks,
Received 3 v-mails from home yest, Nov 4, 8, & 9. Glad to hear everyone is feeling well again at home. I’m still the same, healthy as ever. Did Dad understand those problems I sent him, surely thought anyone that anyone who went as far in grade school as he did would be able to figure that tough one. Don’t think Jack Tubridy escorted us, matter of fact he couldn’t have. Nice knowing Dad received his letter & glad to hear he will answer it. Can’t understand what happened to my money orders, maybe they were lost. Sent them the 1st week in Oct & you haven’t acknowledged them yet. Have another to send home soon. have your little pk. All wrapped & waiting for the official O.K. – Peggy seems to be doing very good in school, hope she keeps it up. Thought she would have seen some plays by now but haven’t heard. Make sure she has all the money she needs as you’l get plenty from me every month. How did you like my “French letter” bet it was quite a shock. I’ve probably been a lot closer to Jack O’Mara than he would think but a meeting at the present is impossible. Received my combat Infantry badge (blue with a silver wreath) but can’t send it home as planned. Guess they figure the Germans won’t know we’re fighting if we don’t wear our little badges.
Lots of love,
Eddie
A.S.H. 42025054
Pvt. E. Cowley
1st BN HG CO 301 INF
APO 94 c/o PM NY, NY
The Cowleys
35 Woodside Ave.
Buffalo 20 N.Y.
War & Navy Departments
V-Mail Services
Official Business
Thanksgiving! 1944
France,
Dear folks,
Well today is Thanksgiving back home & I sure do wish I was with you to celebrate like we used to. Its just another day over here which brings us that much closer to the time we start for the states. Imagine after 2 more Thanksgivings we should be on our way home, its gonna be a long time to wait but believe me its something worth waiting for. Think the cooks have got some Turkeys for us so we haven’t a thing to complain about! Wonder if Peggy is going to the football game today? You don’t have to worry about me buying any green pants on my future shopping spree, although I’m not gonna be denied a thing I want & will have plenty of each to back up my orders. Should have close to a thousand in the bank. See where I’ll be able to get all my tuition free for nothing plus 50$ per month maintenance. Of course I won’t be entitled to the mustering out pay but 50 a month plus 3 years sounds pretty good to me. Am hoping I will be interested in school when I return but am quite sure I will be probably more studious than ever. Of course the kids will all be different from the old crowd & I’ll be older than most of the kids quite a bit. Should work out allright I imagine.
Fighting is very bitter in Germany now, this unusual surrender is extracting a terrific toll in lives. Looks like the Germans intend to fight for every inch of ground. Fortunately we haven’t got it bad at all right now so you needn’t worry about me at all. The mail is miserable lately due to the Christmas rush and we get 1 or 2 letters a week. Everyone at home owes me a letter so I haven’t been doing much writing except to home. How’s everything on Woodside, have the Grens caused much trouble lately? Asked Clarence to drop in on you one of these nights. He’s enrolling in Syracuse this Jan. I hear. How’s Bette McCarrows & Mairsie? Will have 4 months over seas soon. Time sure drags over here, months seem like years. When is Peggy going to start going to the shows? Think I will join the dramatic club at state when I get back, was quite a success in grammar school ha!ha!. Read “Good Night, Sweet Prince” the life of John Barrymore by Gene Fowler, very good! Think I’ll just go to bed & sleep when I get home, of course I will have to dig a foxhole in the back yard (force of habit) first. Well, take good care of yourselves & I’ll do the same over here. Hope I hear from you tonight.
Love to all,
Eddie
A.S.H. 42025054
Pvt. E. Cowley
1st BN HG CO 301 INF
APO 94 c/o PM NY, NY
The Cowleys
35 Woodside Ave.
Buffalo 20 N.Y.
War & Navy Departments
V-Mail Services
Official Business
Nov 29, 1944 - France
Dear folks,
Today I was the proud recipient of 4 letters from home. We were given our back mail from Oct. Just found out about Peggy being in the drum corps, which I think is very nice. She had better be a snappy marcher as I can be awful mean when I drill someone. Was very sorry to hear those wise guys try tried to spoil Peggy’s party. Guess they think they’re big shots with all the boys away. Believe me they wont look so big when we get home. Maybe, if Peggy behaves, I’ll let her sorority have a party for my boys. Kinda think they’d go for Doc, Sunny Whiteford, Bob DeWitt, Bob Humphries, Jack O’Niel and the rest of the gang, how about it Peggy? Makes me feel great to know you think about me so much but I just happened to think is you sent me to the store for an Amer. Flag now I’d probably come back with a qt. of beer and whats more Dad wouldn’t be mad at all. Swell to hear I’ll be able to stay out till two o’clock, maybe I’ll turn the tables and make Dad come in at 10? Eisenhower and myself are running the war pretty well now and somehow or other I have a feeling that Germanys collapse isn’t too far away, Jan . perhaps. Keep praying though as 2 months or so is an awful lot of minutes and seconds on this side of the pond. I feel fine and even have a wave in my hair. Think those fireworks would be quite a vacation to me now, wouldn’t you trust me with a roman candle? Give my regards to the Riordans and don’t forget to take good care of yourselves.
Love to all,
Eddie
From the Hit Parade 1944 G. I. Jive
Saturday, May 8, 2010
October / November 1944
A.S.H. 42025054
Pvt. E. Cowley
1st BN. HG. CO. 301 INF
A.P.O. 94 c/o P.M. NY, NY
The Cowleys
35 Woodside Ave.
Buffalo 20 N.Y.
War & Navy Departments
V-Mail Services
Official Business
Nov. 1, 1944
Dear folks,
Haven’t written in a couple days so I thought I’d drop you a v-mail to let you know that I’m feeling well. Not too much activity lately so haven’t much to say. Edmund hinted in his letter that he was going to marry that girl from way down south. Bet everyone at home would sure be surprised if I turned up with a little French gal, don’t worry thou as I don’t even know any. Going on my 4th month over here now, seems like 4th year to me. (wish it was) the weather isn’t too bad, not as cold as So. Buffalo, thank God! Thank Fr. Affleck for remembering me in his mass each day & tell him I’m looking forward to meeting him upon my return. Hows P.L. doing? Haven’t heard from her yet. Is Bette McCarrow still waiting for me? Moustache is nearly ¼ “ long & only 8 weeks old, great isn’t it! Hope everyone is well. See where N.D. beat all. Another victory for Dad! Say hello to the family for me & keep praying so this goofy war will be over soon as possible. Love to all, Eddie
Pvt. E. Cowley 42025054
1st Bn Hg Co 301 Inf
A.P.O. 94 c/o P.M. NY, NY
The Cowleys
35 Woodside Ave.
Buffalo 20 N.Y.
Oct 21, 1944
In France
Dear family,
Today is the 1st in 3 days that I’ve had time to write. Have been very busy working on my (French ink) little foxhole. Our lines are pretty stagnant & it looks like we might be where we are indefinitely so I’m making my self as comfortable as possible. The hole is 6’ by 4’ by 3 ½ , all 5’ underground with nice dry wood ceiling, floor & walls insulated with 6” of straw. Its good & dry & as cosy as any hole could be. Have added the artistic touch by putting building a box on the wall & having a light in it. Keeps my envelopes smokes etc from getting damp & looks pretty classy. Am getting so I know all the Ls of living under the ground so I’ll be able to build a real home in our back yard, if I come in late sometime. Incidentally got all my lumber by tearing down an German barracks.
Well my moustache is nearly visible from 4’ on a bright day, which there isn’t any of except in the U.S. Can understand why everyone migrated to the states when they had the chance. The card games have discontinued for the month as no one has any money but we will play “Fan Tan” for smokes & I won more than a carton in 2 days so I have to quit as I haven’t room for any more.
Did I tell you I wrote to Mary Criswell a few days ago. Am looking for a girl as close to home as possible & Miss McDade is too old for me, thank God!
Am going to write Eileen & Tom as soon as I finish this letter.
So Miss Nagel remembers me, know she would as I nearly drove her crazy. She’s the teacher who marked me wrong on an exam because I wrote something about some Cathedral being at the end of some French st. & she said it was at the beginning. We argued very foolishly for 15 minutes & I really had her stumped. Asked her how she could tell which end was which & maintained that it all depended on where you were standing on the street & where you were going. She didn’t know if the street had numbers or not or how they ran & I think she finished by marking my answer correct pretty silly the whole thing.
Don’t worry about me returning as I was when I left, I’ll probably be a lot improved. Haven’t had any French wine or anything in over a month as the novelty has worn off. There’s a lot of Cognac over here (very cheap however) but everyone seems to get sick on it so I haven’t even bothered to taste it. The only thing I really enjoy is beer, good American beer. Guess the last thing I did in Buffalo was get sick on the stuff but I think my nerves were upset from late hour & hating to leave home & go back to this. Very, very seldom did beer ever make me sick. Think we’l stay here when the wars over & occupy German cities which will be a 100% better than going to Japan. Think the time will go a lot faster then & I’ll be home before you know it. Incidentally heard something about a peace rumor yest. But guess that’s all it was was Well, take good care of yourselves & remember me in your prayers. Your devoted son, Eddie
Pvt. E. Cowley 42025054
1st BN HG CO 301 Inf
APO 94 c/o PM NY, NY
The Cowleys
35 Woodside Ave.
Buffalo 20, N.Y.
Nov 6, 1944
France,
Dear folks,
Received package #2 today, 5lbs or cookies in a wooden box. Will have a great time with it, thanx a lot! Yest. we were paid & I will enclose a money order for 35$ in this letter. Can’t understand why you haven’t heard from me (10 days you said) as I write at the least 2 or 3 times a week & usually more. Hope you will start getting my letters again soon as I surely don’t want you to be worrying. You keep asking if I’m at Auchan & well the answer is no (thank God!) I’m on a milder front & a very stagnant one at that.
(Two days later) Nov 8th Couldn’t finish your letter as I was very busy putting a little stove in my Foxhole. Have it all fixed for the winter now, warm as toast inside & plenty dry as I put in wooden floor & walls. Can heat my meals on the stove & heat water for washing so guess I’m all set. Just have to hope we don’t take up another position. Well, today is election day back home, wonder how it will turn out. Don’t imagine the results will be in for sometime as the soldier vote will probably delay the count. Looks like the majority of the boys over here are for F.D.R. but there is quite a number for Dewey. I’m beginning to wonder if it really makes much difference who’s in office, the war shall continue for 2 or 3 years regardless!
The Co. got 5 Christmas gifts for each platoon, 30 men. We drew to see who would get them & I didn’t. There was a beautiful French doll I would have liked to send home to Peggy, but someone else got it. The doll was dressed in the style of the old French court trimmed with gold & silver & about 3’ high, was really very nice. Should be for 22$. Will send some things home later on when I have a better opportunity. Guess everyone at home owes me a letter so I’m not going to do any more writing until I get some mail. Think the Christmas rush his delaying the letters quite a bit but then its quite a job shipping all those pkgs. over the oceans.
Hope you receive the money orders I sent (35 & 40$) free mail so I expect they will be quite late in arriving. The envelopes weren’t very good so I’ve been thinking they might have broke open. Still have the receipts however, don’t know whether that would do any good or not.
So Clancys are moving down south, don’t imagine they will like it but you never can tell. Did Tim get a better job down there or what. Bet the kids don’t want to move. Kinda thought they liked Can. Quite a bit.
I’ll certainly never forget my old parties up in the attic, we had a great time when we were kids, never really know how much fun you had until you cease to have any. That old gang of mine (Grammar Sch) sure has been broken up. A couple of the girls have married & the boys are fighting on every continent in the world. Just think if Jimmy Pichardt, Bob Humphries, Butch Shenk, Frankie Smith, John Hoesel (remember him, 45 Woodside, Danny Riordan, & myself could get together how many countries, states, oceans & battles we could discuss mutually. If we put all our travels to in one piece it would cover ¾ of the globe, seems fantastic & yet none of us are any older than 20 & many younger. That party where I had my sprained ankle was one of the last parties I went to with Bette Crowley. Remember we played “Beg your way to Boston” & I’d never let Bette go to Boston. Really had a monopoly on her that night, guess all the little wolves (Jimmy) were sympathetic with my ankle & let me alone. For a young kid I sure have a wealth of rich memories & truthfully I sometimes wonder how I would remain content without them. Guess that’s what comes from having a couple swell parents & a little sister who used to be a hell of a pest, ha, ha! With the old Woodside mob the Dragons & the gang at school I sure was lucky to have such swell kids to pal around with. Home someday we’l all come back & take up where we left off.
Sorry to hear Mrs Heller moved, she was an old pal of mine.
Was surprised to hear about Dad’s cold getting better as I never knew he had a cold but I sure hope he takes care of himself this winter & doesn’t go to any fires.
Got a invite card from State telling me to stop in on my next furlough, guess they don’t want me around much. Personally I don’t want any furloughs when I come back to the states, those old civilian clothes will suit me fine! Hope we get leaves over here when the war’s over, would like to visit Ireland, Scotland, Switz & Russia. Think all those places should be quite interesting & imagine you’d like to hear all about them. Well I’m running short of paper so I guess I will have to quit for now. When is Peggy going to start going to the show, football games should be over pretty soon shouldn’t they? Hear N.D. lost to Navy bet Dad prit near went crazy. Guess N.D. lost a lot of their best men on Naval transfers before the games. So long for now
Love to all,
Eddie
Pvt. E. Cowley 42025054
1st BN HG CO 301 Inf
APO 94 c/o PM NY, NY
The Cowleys
35 Woodside Ave.
Buffalo 20, N.Y.
Nov 11, 1944
France,
Dear family,
Well, today is Armistice day 1918 style. Guess history didn’t repeat itself as it already is 3 o’clock in the afternoon & the artillery is still popping away as usual, perhaps it will end next , month or maybe Jan. Have just about given up trying to figure it out & I am resigned for almost any length of time. It must be just about 9 o’clock AM back home right now so I imagine they will be having church services in a couple hours. Will say a few prayers myself.
How is everyone & everything at “35”? Hope dad is over his cold & well again.
Yest. I bought a little gift for Peggy it isn’t much but its of a fine quality (they tell me) & a touch of France. Hope she likes it! Could have gotten a bracelet for Mother but I have already sent home most of my pay & thinking it over I decided I’d rather wait until I could buy something I could have a little choice about & it must be the best. Besides I still owe Dad a gift & it just wouldn’t be right. Haven’t seen a thing for a man as yet. Could send home a German Helmet, belt cap, insignia, gas mask & lots of other thrash but think it would just clutter up the house. Have been kinda keeping my eyes open for a Luger but haven’t been able to get one as yet. Would like to have one for a little practice after the war.
Have you received any war bonds as yet? Think I have 120$ in money orders on the way home now, & I want you to be sure & let me know just how many you’ve received & their denominations okay?
Glad to hear uncle Joe has been promoted should be a lot much better job.
Sorry to hear about James Faulkner, remember him well from my boy scout days.
Hear Roosevelt carried the election by quite some majority, now we can get back to winning the war for a while. The rumor over hear is that we were holding back our power waiting for the election. That makes me feel just fine, there is nothing I’d rather wait for than an election 3000 miles away. You know the more I see of this, the more I begin to wonder, we were talking the other day about all the air power we have & then someone brought up the fact that the Scoda & Krupp armament plants have never been bombed. That kinda makes a lot of things look silly why do they worry about ball bearings all the time when the ammunition is what does the damage? I’ll be darned if I can figure it out, how about you?
One thing I’ve noticed about being in combat in a foreign land is that it makes you awful homesick for awhile. Real danger just comes periodically & we have so much time with nothing to do to keep us occupied that you can’t help thinking about home a lot. Recently is the 1st time I think that I’ve felt lil homesick. Of course I wouldn’t come home while we still have a job to do but darn it you can’t help thinking about it. Back in the states with a daily training schedule & passes quite often we were always kept pretty busy I guess that’s why I’ve been doing so much writing & like to hear from everyone.
Have read a couple good books “Topper” by T. Smith, “My son, My son” by I forget & Ernie Pyle’s “This is your war” also others which weren’t good enough to even remember. Well so long for now & best of health to everyone.
Love to all,
Eddie
P.S. Mother I would like a package of cookies & maybe a little candy if you can get a hold of some!
Unknown pg 3
…bother recalling. Do all the cross word puzzles I can find (theres one in the paper you send me) but somehow or other I don’t do too well but have a lot of fun trying. Always read my mail over 3 or 4 times so I don’t miss a word you write. Also the G.I. newspaper & magazine, “Stars & Stripes” & “Yank” come in handy. So besides cleaning my guns every couple days & digging latrines that’s about all I have to do. – Also enjoy eating!
What did Dad think of my proposal of going up to Kleinheims with me when I return? Will buy him as many good beers as he can consume & I think the two of us should have pretty good time.
Had a qt. of Cognac couple days ago, me & another fella, took 2 or 3 swallows & decided it made much better lighter fluid so we filled a guys lighter with the stuff & it works swell.
Don’t imagine the Ballantines idea would be too good but would like a pt.s of good whiskey to keep me warm these chilly nights. If you can get a pt., sen pack it well & put cookies or fudge on top or something like that. Don’t insure the pk. & use a fictitious name & address but make good & sure mine is correct & plain, that way if by chance it were discovered no one could be blamed, see what I mean there is a postal law against sending alcoholic bev. & the beer would be too large but a pt. would pass & its been done many times before. If they ever said anything to me I didn’t know a thing I don’t even know the person that sent it. Could you do all? Also would like 1 hairpin to clean my ears with, just slip it in a regular letter okay? Will request a pk. On page two so you won’t have to take pg. 3 along. Will also fake ending! Your devoted son, Eddie
----------------------------------
The Four Freshmen & Sue Rainey - It Could Happen To You
Thursday, March 11, 2010
Response to Letter Campaign
Dear Mr. Denizard:
Thank you for contacting me regarding efforts obtain Liberator Status for Patton's Army, the 94th Infantry Division. I am grateful to have the benefit of your comments on this matter.
My father served in the Air Force for thirty-one years, and I grew up around men and women dedicated to protecting our country. I am committed to ensuring that our military personnel are recognized for the invaluable services they provide our nation, and I appreciate knowing of your interest in honoring the members of the 94th Infantry Division. You may be certain that I will keep your views in mind as this matter is discussed.
I appreciate having the opportunity to represent you in the United States Senate. Thank you for taking the time to contact me.
Sincerely,
JOHN CORNYN
United States Senator
Thank you for contacting me regarding efforts obtain Liberator Status for Patton's Army, the 94th Infantry Division. I am grateful to have the benefit of your comments on this matter.
My father served in the Air Force for thirty-one years, and I grew up around men and women dedicated to protecting our country. I am committed to ensuring that our military personnel are recognized for the invaluable services they provide our nation, and I appreciate knowing of your interest in honoring the members of the 94th Infantry Division. You may be certain that I will keep your views in mind as this matter is discussed.
I appreciate having the opportunity to represent you in the United States Senate. Thank you for taking the time to contact me.
Sincerely,
JOHN CORNYN
United States Senator
Tuesday, February 23, 2010
Dealing With Bureaucracy
REPEAT OF ARTICLE FROM APRIL 2009
Since the article below was written, Senator Kennedy has passed away. All of the information sent to his office originally seems to have been wandering around the bureaucracy and we are still at the original starting place. If anyone has any ideas about how to get an immovable object moving, please let us know.
On April 29, 1945 Ed Cowley wrote home to his family in a way not to worry them,
On April 29, 1945 Ed Cowley wrote home to his family in a way not to worry them,
"I haven’t seen too many of their “atrocities” but I’ve seen enough to know that there is some basis to all this talk. There is nothing kind about the Nazis whatsoever. They’ve starved their slave labor & lived so well themselves that its pitiful. Too bad there isn’t some way to make them pay for what they’ve done in the last six years."After he returned home safely, he told the full story of what he had witnessed with the liberation of a "work camp". The 94th deserves Liberation Status and they deserve receiving it while some of the witnesses are still alive to know their bravery and compassion has been recognized.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
When a Bureaucrat and a "Rule" gets in the way, it can be very difficult to do the right thing even with a Senator on your side
Last night, Kathleen Cowley tried to explain to a blog friend one more time about why this is so important and how little it would take to make this happen and what needs to happen next:
The Holocaust Museum told me what documentation was needed to apply, there was information posted on their site and taken directly from the Army bulletin which described the procedure.
- Approximate date of liberation
- Unit geographical location
- Brief account of the events from 1 person. - We had two first hand accounts of that day.
- Request for recognition from a Unit Assoc. or an individual of that Unit.
We thought documenting the geographic location would be the bugaboo, but Sen. Kennedy and his office really shined through on resolving this. We needed the Unit Operational Records which are at the Library of Congress. It is a lengthy process to request info from them and ordinarily takes about a year, but not when Sen. Kennedy is involved. The Library of Congress called me and asked me what I needed! I received the Records within 3 weeks. These records verified the dates and location and it was a great triumph to receive them this quickly.
Everything required was submitted with not one but two testimonies. We thought we were sitting pretty and just waiting to hear of approval. Never in my wildest dreams did I expect the answer to be a resounding No! This bureaucrat had denied Liberator status because they did not liberate an extermination camp. There were six extermination camps, none of them in Germany. Some of the 35 Units recognized as Liberators were for camps in Germany.
I felt ( and still do) so terrible, my father and Thom had dredged up these horrific memories for nought. What a kick in the teeth. Sen. Kennedy intended to argue that we had met the requirements in the bulletin. He submitted this whole problem to the Congressional Research Center to help resolve this ( Kennedy's military liaison told me that this was a pretty big deal and seemed confident that they would be helpful in sorting this all out) and that is where this whole thing rested until I spoke with Sen. Kennedy's office last week who told me that the Research Center wasn't much help and Senator Kennedy's time is now very constrained.
Now we have to do it the hard way. It either takes a verdict from on high from somewhere in Veterans Affairs, an Act of Congress, or a Presidential Executive Order to simply give these men and their compatriots of the 94th the honor they earned.
They missed this past Veteran's Day. Now we aim for Memorial Day. It is such a little thing, but bureaucracy is horrid when it takes only one person and one rule standing in your way.
Saturday, February 20, 2010
Response to Senator Kerry
Senator Kerry's office asked for clarification on the history of the 94th during the march across the Rhine in the last days of WW II. The following is Kathleen Cowley's response to those queries. This is actually a positive development because it means the powers that be are finally, actually listening. Just remember who is waiting for this issue to be resolved.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
February 1, 2010
Dear Sen. Kerry,
During our phone conversation of January 29, 2010 your aide Brady Vanengelen asked me to forward to you both my thoughts and response to Pete Geren’s letter dated Sept, 9, 2009. Please know that I am indebted to you and your staff for your continued commitment.
“The USHMC and USCMM established procedures and criteria for determining which US Army Units The Museum would recognize as liberating units." This is true, but it was established as a tandem project, in this case the USCMH has left the USHMM out of the process. The role of the USCMH is to verify the location of the unit. The location of the 1st Battalion was verified in the After Action Report For April 1945, Headquarters 301st. Infantry procured for us by Sen. Kennedy.
Portions of the 4th and 5th paragraph of the Sept. 9th letter are inaccurate. The 94th lead the Drive to the Rhine, they were not relieving positions at this point in time. The historians seem to be confused and focusing on the wrong time period. Thomas Manthey’s reaction to these paragraphs was “We weren’t following anyone. Those persons at the prison certainly gave no indication that they had already been liberated!”
“We were at the Front and approaching Ludwigshaven, about 5 miles short of it, when the American captured planes lead by a Messerschmitt flew over us, and we abandoned our convoy and headed for the ditches. We were ordered to hold off and go in and take it (Ludwigshaven) in the morning, so we bunked out in some nearby houses. They decided to let the tanks go through, but they found that the tanks had been slaughtered. We then went through Ludwigshaven, the Germans had retreated, and it was outside of Ludwigshaven, where we came across this camp. After we were there for a couple of hours we were then ordered to leave as the medical people were expected to arrive within a short time to take care of the freed prisoners. Shortly thereafter we were reassigned to go north to Velbert, in the Dusseldorf Krefeld area. I recall vividly the truck convoy from where we were to the Dusseldorf area, a distance of about a hundred miles. At that time the War was over and we were administering the peace, one of the duties was to protect the German farmers during the night from being slaughtered from the wandering freed Russian displaced persons. ”
“ The War ended in May, this was well before that, because we were the ones going in to take Ludwigshaven and there were no American troops ahead of us then. When the American tanks passed through us, they were halted and crucified at the fringes of Ludwigshaven. There was certainly no one ahead of them and we during the daylight hours went in to Ludwigshaven to find it abandoned. The tanks that passed through us, were completely demolished by being ambushed by the defending enemy troops in Ludwigshaven. Immediately thereafter the Germans abandoned Ludwigshaven and we went through the town which was empty of any human beings and continued on to when we came upon the camp, a few miles outside of Ludwigshaven.“
I believe it was either historian and author Douglas Brinkley, or Michael Norman, who appeared on Imus in June 2009, following Sen. Kerry, Craig Crawford and the discussion of the campaign for Liberator Status for the 94th Inf. Div. He found it incredulous that they hadn’t already been recognized as Liberators. He exclaimed something closely to “ Of course they were Liberators, they were right there, they spearheaded the drive! ” The participation of a true historian, such as Douglas Brinkley or Michael Norman, one who actually wants to uncover and record history properly is desperately needed as opposed to the apathetic bureaucrats who have been until now overseeing Sen. Kennedy’s request for Liberator Status.
Upon reading the guidelines, it becomes clear that the Army greatly valued the role of liberators and their intent was that every unit involved in liberation be recognized, as they “deserve to be honored and remembered by all”. One would think that an Army historian would relish this fleeting opportunity to properly document history. The bulletin admits “ The very number of camps makes it likely that as they drove across the Third Reich, more U.S. Army divisions than originally recognized liberated concentrations camps of one type or another.”
I wonder if these “historians” are unable to uncover and follow the proper procedure stated in the army bulletin (The Professional Bulletin of Army History, Fall/Winter 1992/1993, 1–5.) last used to determine Liberator Status 19 years ago, how could one expect them to be capable of analyzing the events of over 60 years ago? Never once, in their attempt to study the history of the 94th, did they contact the primary sources, my father Edward Cowley and Thomas Manthey, to inquire about any details regarding the camp they encountered that day. If they had they would have found out that they not only liberated one camp, but two. The second camp was not filled with the unspeakable horrors of the first- my father believes that the prisoners had recently arrived there and were not in the same devastated condition as that of the first filled with the dead and dying. Additionally, Thomas Manthey has in his possession, a German Walther 32 caliber pistol that while leaving the first camp he found lying in 3 pieces back in the woods, adjacent to the camp.
Edward Cowley and Thomas Manthey were in the ASTP program, among the brightest lads in the country, chosen to be educated and trained as officers. In fact the required IQ level for ASTP was 120, while the IQ for Officer Training was 110. The casualties of the War mounted and these young men were sent instead to the Front as infantry soldiers. They earned four battle stars: Northern France, Ardennes, Rhineland and Central Europe. They fought and suffered through the Battle of the Bulge (where my father earned a Bronze Star for Valor) and the Orsholtz disaster. They remained only Pvts. but these two men are scholars and gentlemen who fought for our Country and saved countless lives. They are heroes, not liars.
In his letter dated January 18, 2008 Senator Kennedy personally apologized to me “for the tardiness of the US Army Center of Military History’s response which, unfortunately is not the response both you and I were hoping for.” Sadly their tardiness only continued. Despite Sen. Kennedy’s serious illness they did not respond to his request that the 94th be considered for recognition as a Liberating Unit dated June 2nd 2009 until September 9th, 2009, 15 days after his death. This letter of response never even surfaced until it reached Sen. Kerry’s office January 29th, 2010. Clearly their disregard for this issue, and their inability to perceive the paramount urgency of time is obvious if this is how they responded to Sen. Kennedy, one of the greatest, if not the greatest Senator in the history of our country.
Evidently the tactic used by the bureaucrats at the USCMH is that if they drag their feet long enough, the problem will go away, Sen. Kennedy and the Vets. My parents had 5 children and the Mantheys have 2, we won’t stop until history is put to rights. This issue has been featured on Craig Crawford”s Trailmix numerous times, discussed 4 times on Imus, The Huffington Post, Martha’s Vineyard Gazette. We have a website dedicated to Liberator Status (3058 hits, 1218 visitors) a Soapbox at congress.org, a growing Facebook group and a petition on Care2. Major Garrett of Fox News had every intention to cover this issue while on Martha’s Vineyard covering Pres. Obama's vacation, but his visit was cut short due to Sen. Kennedy’s death. Another national news correspondent from Fox is planning on doing a story on the campaign for Liberator Status. We won’t let this issue fade away. Every day that passes without these Heroes and Victims being recognized and honored further exposes the indifference of USCMH. What are for they there for? Now it is not only the indifference of the USCMH that is so wretched, but the unmitigated gall of the Army itself, turning a back on its own soldiers. If Patton had survived he would have made sure to clarify, with his own descriptive words, what WWII was all about and seen to it that his "Golden Nugget" would be fully recognized.
“Any nation that does not honor its heroes, will not long endure.”- Abraham Lincoln
Once again, Thank you Sen. Kerry.
Respectfully, Kathleen Cowley
P.S. Incidentally you may be interested to know that both of these humble men refused a Purple Heart during the Battle of the Bulge as they did not want to worry their families at home. Nor has either ever received the WWII Victory Medal due them.
February 1, 2010
Dear Sen. Kerry,
During our phone conversation of January 29, 2010 your aide Brady Vanengelen asked me to forward to you both my thoughts and response to Pete Geren’s letter dated Sept, 9, 2009. Please know that I am indebted to you and your staff for your continued commitment.
“The USHMC and USCMM established procedures and criteria for determining which US Army Units The Museum would recognize as liberating units." This is true, but it was established as a tandem project, in this case the USCMH has left the USHMM out of the process. The role of the USCMH is to verify the location of the unit. The location of the 1st Battalion was verified in the After Action Report For April 1945, Headquarters 301st. Infantry procured for us by Sen. Kennedy.
Portions of the 4th and 5th paragraph of the Sept. 9th letter are inaccurate. The 94th lead the Drive to the Rhine, they were not relieving positions at this point in time. The historians seem to be confused and focusing on the wrong time period. Thomas Manthey’s reaction to these paragraphs was “We weren’t following anyone. Those persons at the prison certainly gave no indication that they had already been liberated!”
“We were at the Front and approaching Ludwigshaven, about 5 miles short of it, when the American captured planes lead by a Messerschmitt flew over us, and we abandoned our convoy and headed for the ditches. We were ordered to hold off and go in and take it (Ludwigshaven) in the morning, so we bunked out in some nearby houses. They decided to let the tanks go through, but they found that the tanks had been slaughtered. We then went through Ludwigshaven, the Germans had retreated, and it was outside of Ludwigshaven, where we came across this camp. After we were there for a couple of hours we were then ordered to leave as the medical people were expected to arrive within a short time to take care of the freed prisoners. Shortly thereafter we were reassigned to go north to Velbert, in the Dusseldorf Krefeld area. I recall vividly the truck convoy from where we were to the Dusseldorf area, a distance of about a hundred miles. At that time the War was over and we were administering the peace, one of the duties was to protect the German farmers during the night from being slaughtered from the wandering freed Russian displaced persons. ”
“ The War ended in May, this was well before that, because we were the ones going in to take Ludwigshaven and there were no American troops ahead of us then. When the American tanks passed through us, they were halted and crucified at the fringes of Ludwigshaven. There was certainly no one ahead of them and we during the daylight hours went in to Ludwigshaven to find it abandoned. The tanks that passed through us, were completely demolished by being ambushed by the defending enemy troops in Ludwigshaven. Immediately thereafter the Germans abandoned Ludwigshaven and we went through the town which was empty of any human beings and continued on to when we came upon the camp, a few miles outside of Ludwigshaven.“
I believe it was either historian and author Douglas Brinkley, or Michael Norman, who appeared on Imus in June 2009, following Sen. Kerry, Craig Crawford and the discussion of the campaign for Liberator Status for the 94th Inf. Div. He found it incredulous that they hadn’t already been recognized as Liberators. He exclaimed something closely to “ Of course they were Liberators, they were right there, they spearheaded the drive! ” The participation of a true historian, such as Douglas Brinkley or Michael Norman, one who actually wants to uncover and record history properly is desperately needed as opposed to the apathetic bureaucrats who have been until now overseeing Sen. Kennedy’s request for Liberator Status.
Upon reading the guidelines, it becomes clear that the Army greatly valued the role of liberators and their intent was that every unit involved in liberation be recognized, as they “deserve to be honored and remembered by all”. One would think that an Army historian would relish this fleeting opportunity to properly document history. The bulletin admits “ The very number of camps makes it likely that as they drove across the Third Reich, more U.S. Army divisions than originally recognized liberated concentrations camps of one type or another.”
I wonder if these “historians” are unable to uncover and follow the proper procedure stated in the army bulletin (The Professional Bulletin of Army History, Fall/Winter 1992/1993, 1–5.) last used to determine Liberator Status 19 years ago, how could one expect them to be capable of analyzing the events of over 60 years ago? Never once, in their attempt to study the history of the 94th, did they contact the primary sources, my father Edward Cowley and Thomas Manthey, to inquire about any details regarding the camp they encountered that day. If they had they would have found out that they not only liberated one camp, but two. The second camp was not filled with the unspeakable horrors of the first- my father believes that the prisoners had recently arrived there and were not in the same devastated condition as that of the first filled with the dead and dying. Additionally, Thomas Manthey has in his possession, a German Walther 32 caliber pistol that while leaving the first camp he found lying in 3 pieces back in the woods, adjacent to the camp.
Edward Cowley and Thomas Manthey were in the ASTP program, among the brightest lads in the country, chosen to be educated and trained as officers. In fact the required IQ level for ASTP was 120, while the IQ for Officer Training was 110. The casualties of the War mounted and these young men were sent instead to the Front as infantry soldiers. They earned four battle stars: Northern France, Ardennes, Rhineland and Central Europe. They fought and suffered through the Battle of the Bulge (where my father earned a Bronze Star for Valor) and the Orsholtz disaster. They remained only Pvts. but these two men are scholars and gentlemen who fought for our Country and saved countless lives. They are heroes, not liars.
In his letter dated January 18, 2008 Senator Kennedy personally apologized to me “for the tardiness of the US Army Center of Military History’s response which, unfortunately is not the response both you and I were hoping for.” Sadly their tardiness only continued. Despite Sen. Kennedy’s serious illness they did not respond to his request that the 94th be considered for recognition as a Liberating Unit dated June 2nd 2009 until September 9th, 2009, 15 days after his death. This letter of response never even surfaced until it reached Sen. Kerry’s office January 29th, 2010. Clearly their disregard for this issue, and their inability to perceive the paramount urgency of time is obvious if this is how they responded to Sen. Kennedy, one of the greatest, if not the greatest Senator in the history of our country.
Evidently the tactic used by the bureaucrats at the USCMH is that if they drag their feet long enough, the problem will go away, Sen. Kennedy and the Vets. My parents had 5 children and the Mantheys have 2, we won’t stop until history is put to rights. This issue has been featured on Craig Crawford”s Trailmix numerous times, discussed 4 times on Imus, The Huffington Post, Martha’s Vineyard Gazette. We have a website dedicated to Liberator Status (3058 hits, 1218 visitors) a Soapbox at congress.org, a growing Facebook group and a petition on Care2. Major Garrett of Fox News had every intention to cover this issue while on Martha’s Vineyard covering Pres. Obama's vacation, but his visit was cut short due to Sen. Kennedy’s death. Another national news correspondent from Fox is planning on doing a story on the campaign for Liberator Status. We won’t let this issue fade away. Every day that passes without these Heroes and Victims being recognized and honored further exposes the indifference of USCMH. What are for they there for? Now it is not only the indifference of the USCMH that is so wretched, but the unmitigated gall of the Army itself, turning a back on its own soldiers. If Patton had survived he would have made sure to clarify, with his own descriptive words, what WWII was all about and seen to it that his "Golden Nugget" would be fully recognized.
“Any nation that does not honor its heroes, will not long endure.”- Abraham Lincoln
Once again, Thank you Sen. Kerry.
Respectfully, Kathleen Cowley
P.S. Incidentally you may be interested to know that both of these humble men refused a Purple Heart during the Battle of the Bulge as they did not want to worry their families at home. Nor has either ever received the WWII Victory Medal due them.
Friday, February 19, 2010
Letters 91 - 95
Letter # 91
Pvt. E. Cowley 42025054
1st Bn Hg Co 301 Inf
A.P.O. 94 c/o P.M. NY, NY
The Cowleys
35 Woodside Ave.
Buffalo 20 N.Y.
In France
Sept 28, 1944
Dearest family,
Got a letter from my Cowleys yesterday & am very glad everyone is feeling fine, that was bad news about your last half stick of gum however. The “Fruit Cake” you’re sending will come in mighty handy. Please send one slightly used fly swatter for the insects over here, never knew any one country could have so many. Tell Dad doe that problem he asked me about in Arithmetic could be answered by anyone who went in as far in Grammar school as he did, so he should be able to figure it out himself. So Connie got himself a “Loafer” jacket, hope it doesn’t cause him as much trouble as mine did me. Heard from Bob DeWitt & he’s still in N.Mexico but I’l imagine he’l be going across shortly.
I’m not so sure the German people, Catholics or not are going to do much welcoming. They’ve played quite a number of sneak tricks on the yanks in Germany so far. None of the boys have any amicable feeling towards the Krauts & personally I know the way I intend to deal with them all, if I get the chance. They’ Theres’ only one way to deal with a Nazis, young or old, male or female. Things are a lot different in this war than in the last so don’t believe any of the pacifist propaganda that the newspapers boldly print. Don’t know why I’m doing all this talking guess I just got it in for the Krautheads. Don’t pay any attention to it.
Well I wrote to Aunt Peg the other day, I’m still working for those sandwiches she puts out without crusts etc. You’d get a laff if you could see me now, I haven’t shaved in almost 2 weeks & the same applies to washing. Brushed my teeth a couple times however. I’m in such condition that Mary Criswell wouldn’t even recognize me. Feel fine thou & we are eating very, very well. Manage a couple hot, not too hot, meals a day. Have had chicken, Turkey & Pork chops a couple times each so I can’t complain about a thing. All kinds of apple orchards around here too soo… Got the B.E. News & enjoyed reading it very much, will give it to Higgins. Well, take care of yourselves & have a beer for me every Sat. night. Keep writing as my favorite mail comes from home.
Love to all, Eddie
Letter # 92
A.S.H. 4202505
Pvt. E. Cowley
1st Bn. Hg. Co. 301 Inf
A.P.O. 94 c/o P.M. NY, NY
The Cowleys
35 Woodside Ave.
Buffalo 20 N.Y.
War & Navy Departments
V-Mail Services
Official Business
Oct 9th, 1944, In France
Dear folks,
There I go again! Took a “warm shower” yest & I’m not kidding either. We were run thru the Q.M. laundry & it felt fine to be clean, for awhile at least. Well enjoy that scrapbook you’re saving very much & maybe after the war we can look it over & laugh at everything. Have finally received all my equipment, never mentioned it before for fear you might worry, but I lost just about everything I owned in a little engagement with the Krauts. Its quite a story & think Dad will get a bang out of it. Have quite a few to tell but they all have to wait until I can get home, take off my shoes, pants & put on Dad’s oldest bathrobe & have a little beer, cheese & crackers. Have an order for 35$ to send home as soon as I can get an to envelope, also 20$ more from a little poker game the other night. How’s Margaret Lou doing at school? Can hardly wait for those edibles, hope they arrive soon. Best of everything.
Your devoted son, Eddie
Letter # 93
Pvt. E. Cowley 42025054
1st Bn Hg Co 301 Inf
A.P.O. 94 c/o P.M. NY, NY
The Cowleys
35 Woodside Ave.
Buffalo 20 N.Y.
Oct 15, 1944
In France
Dear folks,
Received 2 letters from home 3 nights ago & also an issue of the B.E.N. How about the So. Buffalo News? Would like to get them very much. Give Nan my best wishes for her birthday, as belated as they are. Glad to hear Nels Thubridy is at school, imagine he’l like it a lot better than hanging around without any guys to pal around with. Am enclosing 10$ which Peggy can use to see the show, it isn’t much but I can’t see any sense in keeping even that much over here as we very seldom get a chance to spend a “franc”. Be sure and let me know if you received the two money orders I sent before, 35$ & 40$, Wrote to a girl up in Cleaveland, girl friend’s girl friend of one of my buddies. Heard from her a couple days ago & she seems like a pretty nice kid. Another “Pen-pal” for my list. Just got 3 letters from home – 2 v-mail. In it Peggy has just started back to school, its about time, guess they’l have a lot of “work” to make up. Don’t imagine it’l bother Peggy very much. By the way if Peggy has a “good” snapshot of herself laying around anyplace I’d like to have a Donnie MacDonald priority on it so I could show off all my family. Have good ones of both you & Dad & a not so good one of Peggy. How about it sis?
Glad to hear Marsie made the cadets, looks like all the O’Maras are going in for nursing. How’s Danny Riordan making out up at U.B.
Can’t tell you what part of France I’m in but at least I’m still in France. We get issued a pack of smokes, a little candy bar & all our toilet articles by Uncle Sam but I still crave candy. Did I ever tell you I lost 3 pr of glasses over here, all G.I. & am now using my old “basketball” glasses (have always used them anyhow) & have my good ones in my Duffle back at Division someplace. Took a hot shower today back at Q.M. & it felt pretty good. Never saw a country where it rains so damn much. Theres no place like the good old U.S.A.
Your Son, Eddie
Letter # 94
Pvt. E. Cowley 42025054
1st Bn Hg Co 301 Inf
A.P.O. 94 c/o P.M. NY, NY
Mr. E.P. Cowley Sr.
35 Woodside Ave.
Buffalo 20 N.Y.
Oct, 23, 1944
France,
Dear Dad,
Yesterday was quite a day for me as far as the mail goes, received 8 letters & my 1st letter from you. You asked me about quite a few things & I will try to tell you just what the score is over here. Received a “Record” from State also noticed that there has been quite a change in the old faculty. You remember Miss Mulholland who taught in Room 1W on the 1s as you enter the building & for 9 years was voted the most popular Teacher in the school, well she has been replaced by some Doctor from Ohio State. I took my 1st year of Latin from here & I sure would have liked to continue but thise war will make me appreciate home, family & school probably a lot more than I could even realize before.
Well, as usual I’m feeling good & counting the minutes till this is over. Imagine the radio & newspaper are really going at it hot & heavy these days but I wouldn’t be at all surprised if the war drags into 1945. You probably can see that if you still listen to the radio like you used to. Remember Dec 7th, 1941, I was 16 years old at that time & got rather tired listening to the reports on the radio about Pearl Harbor & the Japs. You must have told me half a dozen times was a what that would mean to our country & every one we knew & you were right as can be. However think I might have a bit of a break when the European war is over. Looks like we’l go into Germany as occupational forces, of course its not certain but if we did it would be 100% better than going into China. If we do I can’t expect to come home until 46’ or maybe 47’ at the earliest. According to the present plans they’re calling for military occupation for 10 years but I don’t imagine one outfit could have to stay that long. So you see what we’re up against, the end of the war will probably be another beginning for us. Can’t expect to be let out as they there is plenty of guys over here who have been here 2 or 3 years & when I’m here as long as they have been then I can start thinking about those civilian clothes again. It shouldn’t be too bad as we will probably have good barracks, good food & maybe a pass now & then. Would like to visit Switzerland & Russia. Think it might be quite an education & I could gather plenty more stories to tell you when I finally do ring that door bell. Wouldn’t tell you all this except that I kinda think Mother expects to see me with the 1st boatload of Yanks to land in the States. Hitler is rallying the Germans for a “Fight to the last” & believe me it will be. After our Tanks and armour have crushed the bigger part of their defenses the Infantry will gladly “mop up” everything that lives in Germany. We know now that we can’t afford another affair like this in 20 years hence & I think if we don’t weaken now we can prevent it, what do you think? Don’t want you to worry too much about me as I’m damn careful of every step I take & will always continue to be that way. Say Dad, I’ve been thinking, how would you like to go out with me when I get home? We’l have a little “Two-man” party up at Kleinheins / and not in the “Bargain Basement” I’ll make your eyes pop out when you see the clothes I’m going to hang in that ale closet of mine. Might even let you try on the “White Dinner Jacket” I’ve been planning on. We’l spend the day up there & afterwards the beers will be on me. Strictly a “Father & son” get together. How about it? sounds like a pretty good idea to me.
Sorry to hear Al Smith, Wilkies & our Bishop died. Strange they all went in the same week.
Well, the Cards are the champs again & baseball can be forgotten for the rest of the winter. Tommy Collela, our old Sunday hero is really clicking this year. See where they beat Sinkwich & his crew a couple weeks ago. You always said you wouldn’t be able to stop the guy if he had a line & from the looks of things he’s got plenty of good healthy beef in front of him now. Bet “Bow” Redmond is telling everyone all about it wherever Bow is now. See So. Park lost to Bennet again this year, that’s getting monotonous, don’t you think. You know In a way I feel safer in France on Saturdays then I used to feel when the two of us would listen to Notre Dame. Every time they made a “Touch” I used to wonder if my insurance policy was paid in full. You’d beat on my shoulders with that “Irish” power but every now & then you’d wind up with a chair in your hands so I always figured it was time to brush my teeth on at least the Table between us. Received let. from Aunt Flo & Ed & Ken & Kitty. Will try to answer today. Bob DeWitts running around with my old girl, How do you like that. Well, take things easy & leave a glass or two of Elmer’s beer for an old Dragon.
Your son, Eddie
Letter # 95
A.S.H. 42025054
Pvt. E. Cowley
1st BN. HG. CO. 301 INF
A.P.O. 94 c/o P.M. NY, NY
The Cowleys
35 Woodside Ave.
Buffalo 20 N.Y.
War & Navy Departments
V-Mail Services
Official Business
Oct 25, 1944
Dear folks,
Received a package from home yesterday & have eaten most of it already. It landed in good shape & no one can figure out what I want the summer shorts for, so close to winter. Will save them for next summer & continue wearing my “long Johns”. Am hoping for a letter or two tonight as I haven’t received any in 3 days, that’s the way it usually runs. – Well, things are still rather quiet where I am & we might be bedding down for the winter, sure hope so. How is everyone at home, hope everyone is well. Amy enjoying the salt water Taffy now. Bet dad will be confused when he gets my letter, it confuses me also. According to this new point discharge system I’m about a year off the beam but it doesn’t matter as yet as we’ve still got a war to win. Don’t worry about me sleeping in a foxhole, the only time to worry is when I’m not sleeping in it. Its 2nd nature to me now. Boy Oh Boy! is this Taffy good. Think I’ll open a Candy Kitchen when I return. See where Lorenzo is building a new nest. Should be nice.
Love to all, Eddie
------------------------------------------------
And from the 1944 Hit Parade
Thursday, January 28, 2010
Wednesday, January 27, 2010
Announcement
Craig Crawford, co-author of "Listen Up Mr. President" and contributing Editor of CQ Quarterly, appeared on the Imus show today and once again kindly asked Imus for his continued help in pursuing Liberator Status for Patton's Boston Regiment. Imus of course recalled the issue and said that he would contact Kerry today.
This was last discussed with Imus by both Craig Crawford and Sen. Kerry on June 24th, 2009 when Kerry said enthusiastically "I think we're going to get it". We later learned that Sen. Kerry was so optimistic because both he and Sen. Kennedy had been in direct contact with Pete Geren, Sec. of the Army, on the behalf of Sec. of Defense Gates. The fastest path to Liberator Status would be for President Obama to sign an Executive Order. This had been discussed as a viable option by Sen. Kerry and Kennedy's office last spring, but needed to first follow protocol and contact the Sec. of Defense. In response Geren thanked them for their "support of these Soldiers of the "greatest generation" who served with such distinction" and assured them that he would be in touch with the results of the research work of the Center for US Military History. Unfortunately since then Sen. Kennedy has died and a new Sec. of the Army has been appointed. Time is marching much too quickly for these heroes of WWII and The Center for US Military History is moving much too slowly.
Don Imus is a man of his word and did indeed contact Sen. Kerry who will be appearing on the Imus show tomorrow morning as well as Craig Crawford. We are forever indebted to Don Imus and Craig Crawford for their efforts to bring this issue to national attention and a positive conclusion. We have great hope and faith in Sen. Kerry, a long time advocate of Vets. , that he will see that the 94th Infantry Division is granted Liberator Status, however it must be done either through the Center for US Military History or by requesting an Executive Order from President Obama.
Thank you once again Sen. Kerry, Don Imus and Craig Crawford for your
combined efforts to put history to rights, so the efforts of the 94th
Infantry Division and the victims of the Holocaust will be forever
remembered.
Wednesday, January 20, 2010
Letters 86 - 90
The war wasn't the only thing on the minds of Americans in 1944. There was a polio epidemic and the March of Dimes was an active charity that struck children at home and worried soldiers overseas as mentioned in letter 89. On April 19, 1945 a musical debuted on Broadway whose closing song became a theme song for the March of Dimes.
Letter # 86
Pvt. E. Cowley 42025054
1st Bn. Hg Co 301 Inf
APO 94 c/o P.M. N.Y., N.Y.
The Cowleys
35 Woodside Ave.
Buffalo 20 N.Y.
War & Navy Departments
V-Mail Services
Official Business
France
Sept 25, 1944
Dear Mom,
Haven’t had much time for writing in the past couple days. Received 8 letters at once the other day Glad to hear you’re getting my mail regular now. Where am I going to get the Luke warm water for those socks, maybe you should have sent some of that too. The damn bees are driving me crazy. What does P.L. think about going to those stage shows? Clarence Elvey says he’s gonna study drama in N.Y.C. on this govt. deal. Guess I can finish school Tuition free. That should be pretty nice for everyone, you & me both. Guess everybody back home expects the wars over soon, believe me its far from over as far as we’re concerned. How does Dad like his glasses? It takes about 3 months for a package to get over here. War should be over before I get those clean socks. Am going to hit my foxhole & see if I can get a couple hours sleep.
Love to all, Eddie
Letter # 87
September 26, 1944
In France
Dear folks,
Am glad to be receiving your mail quite regularly again, hope it keep up. When you pack those boxes you can leave out the smokes as we’re issued 7 packs a week by the govt. & that’s plenty. I’m eating all the candy I can get my hands on though. Hope the war will be over by the time the boxes arrive. Will enjoy seeing those movies myself when I return. Glad to hear Peggy is pres. of her club, best I ever made it in the Dragons was sec. & bouncer & can’t you see me “bouncing” some of those boys around Got a letter from Jackie O’Mara & one from A. Kitty also A.Peg & Nan. Guess Bobby, Jimmy & I are really separted now. Never that things would turn out like they did when we were doing that high jumping, did you. Have earned a battle star for my little ribbon which I lost all ready. Guess we’l really be decorated when we hit the good old states again. So long for now Love, Eddie
Letter # 88
Sept 26, 1944
In France
Hello Peg,
Have been trying to find time, paper & ink to write you for the past couple of weeks. Hows everything at home? Are many of your boyfriends still around? Wrote to Bette McCarrow last week. Congrats! on your new position, pres. at last. What do you think about those shows, have you seen any of them yet? The winter program at the Evlanger is usually excellent. Want you to write & tell me how you like each show, if you have time & I hope you will. I hear your stepping out with Jimmy Revelle, better watch that stuff, he’s bigger than I am (almost) Was looking at that picture the “bad one” you sent me (I’ve carried it half way around the world in my wallet) anyhow I’ve decided I don’t like the way you put on your lipstick so you had better change your style if you haven’t already. Take care of yourself kid & save one of your parties for DeWitt & I. We’d love it.
Your brother, Eddie
Letter # 89
Oct 1st, 1944
In France
Dear folks,
Sorry I haven’t been able to write for the last couple days but I’ve been very busy & didn’t have the time to do so. Received your letter of the 9th & got a big kick out of Dad using his glasses to listen to the radio, sounds just like him. Wish Connie lots of luck on his birthday for me when you see him. Haven’t heard from home in a couple of days, guess our mail is tied up again. Did Dad solve that problem yet? guess he never heard of it before, guess its something new. Did you get that pin for Dad as yet? Will be satisfied & overjoyed when he can wear a pin saying “Son in Civilian Life” Can’t understand why Pop ever painted the steps yellow, they’l be a landmark in So. Buffalo from now on. Am going to drop another line to my classmates as my last letter to them was rudely interrupted & had to be abbreviated. Well, I’m feeling fine, eating well & consequently enriching the soil of France daily. Have finely cought up to where all the food is going & really appreciate it. Last couple of weeks have been rather rugged but we’re taking it a lot lasier at the present, hope it remains that way. Have got myself a swell girl friend over here. She’s 10 years old, blonde & blue eyes. She just came down to see me but I’ll finish my writing before I go & talk to her. Have a great time as I’m the only one around that can speak? French. Just took a time out from chow & received 3 letters from home. Guess you still don’t know I’m in France & that my stay in Eng was rather short. Looks like my prediction of Oct 8th is strictly all wet, see where Winston Churchill says early in ’45, ain’t that great? & then 2 years after the Japs. Boy! the kids really are getting a vacation, hope it help to stop the polio. The weather is fairly nice over here, little rain but not too bad, must still be hot in Buff what with 83ยบ at the football game. Well, have to do a little work now so I shall be closing. Take care of yourselves & don’t worry about me as I’m using every precaution to insure getting home & the sooner the better.
Love to all, Your son Ed
Letter # 90
Oct 8th, 1944
France
Dear folks,
Received 2 let from home today, 1st ones to aknowledge my being in France. Have been running wild for the past couple days looking for some writing paper but finally found some. Glad to hear you liked the little sketch, even thou it wasn’t very good. Am taking things rather easy now & only hope it stays that way, have decided I don’t want the Congressional medal. Also nice to hear Peggy was pleased about the shows, hoped she would be. Read your letters thru & as I was reading Dad’s little note a couple tears ran down my cheek. Can’t understand it as we’re supposed to hard as nails but that “old man” of mine is okay. Got a letter from Mrs. Mulholland, Eng. Teacher at State, very nice & one from Ed Cowley. Tell Peggy to help herself to any of my sweaters etc. I hope Collella is doing very well, read it in “The Stars & Stripes” our G.I. newspaper printed in France. Good to hear Frankie Smith is recovering & Jim Donovan is safe. Getting dark so I’ll say so long for now & will write again tomorrow.
Love to all, Eddie
Tuesday, January 5, 2010
Letters 80 to 82
#80
Pvt. E. Cowley 42025054
1st Bn. Hg Co 301st Inf. A.P.O. 94
c/o Postmaster N.Y, N.Y.
The Cowleys
35 Woodside Ave.
Buffalo 20 N.Y.
Sept. 2nd, 1944
Somewhere in England
Dear Mom,
Received 4 letters from you yesterday but got into a card game & didn’t have time to answer until today. You mentioned the feast of the assumption in one of your letters & I want to let you know that I got to mass that day. Just happened to run into the chaplain & he was going to say mass outside (as there isn’t any church) so Carack & I both attended. Have been cutting up all my photographs so they can be small enough to carry in my wallet. Have of small picture of just about everyone. Its been raining continuously over here for 3 or 4 days now, typical Buffalo weather hey. Thought that letter that you, Dad, Peg & Ann wrote was very nice. You don’t have to bother sending Doug’s address! So Clint Bueliman told you all about the invasion of southern France, hope he’l be telling us all the right time again very soon & the way we got them going it wouldn’t surprise me one bit. Wasn’t able to make London as I should have but I’m not very interested in it anyhow. A big batch of mail just came so I’m hoping for a letter or two & maybe my So. Buffalo News. Received that toilet paper & I intent to make use of it & I’m not just kidding. Well, school should be starting by the time you receive this, Peggy’s second year at So. Park. Hope she does as well this year as she did last. Know she will. Guess I’ll be able to get through school for free and I know I’ll have the required two years in or more. Glad to hear Doug was able to cable Connie & Lil, bet that it really gave them a thrill. You never mentioned Bob Humphries address, haven’t you been able to get it as yet? Would like to drop him a letter if I could. Well, have to get busy on my equipment & believe me I’ve really got plenty of it. As usual I feel fine & hope everyone at home feels likewise. Write soon & often
Love to all,
Eddie
P.S. Tell Peg to meet me at McGees after the war!
Letter # 81
Pvt. E. Cowley 42025054
1st Bn. Hg. Co.301st Inf. A.P.O. 94
c/o Postmaster N.Y, N.Y.
The Cowleys
35 Woodside Ave.
Buffalo 20 N.Y.
Sept. 8Th, 1944
Somewhere in France
Dear folks,
Sorry I haven’t been able to write lately & might not be able to write again for quite a some time but I don’t want you to worry about me. Can’t say much about where I am or what I’m doing but I’ll have lots to tell you when I get home which can’t be too soon. I’ve tasted the French wine and as a matter of fact I’ve got my canteen full of it right now. They say its better & safer to drink the wine than any milk or water so I’m not going to argue with them. Went to communion before embarking for France which I know will make you feel a lot better, I’ll never forget that break I had in seeing the family before I left. Guess I’m pretty lucky. Have been thinking that school opens next week. Looks like I won’t be able to make it this year. Next year I should be back if all goes well. It rains continuously over here but its fairly warm so I feel pretty good. Say hello to everyone be at home & I’m thinking of you always. Take good care of yourselves & I know St. Jude will take care of me. Write soon & often.
Love to all, Eddie
P.S. Enclosed something for your book!
Letter # 82
Pvt. E. Cowley 42025054
1st Bn. Hgts.Co. 301st Inf.
A.P.O. 94 c/o PM N.Y. N.Y.
The Cowleys
35 Woodside Ave.
Buffalo 20 N.Y.
Sept. 20, 1944
In France
Dear Mom, Dad & Peggy,
Well, I’m still resting, if you want to call it that. We do more work when we’re resting than when we’re in action. Father Janko, the Catholic Chaplin, held services for us yesterday. Wasn’t able to go to communion as I had broken my fast eating some candy. However I think I told you before that I went to communion just before I left England so religiously I’m pretty well fixed. Know you’d be pleased to hear that we get the opportunity to attend mass occasionally. I’m enclosing a sloppy little sketch of a part of our temporary camp in England. It isn’t any good at all but its something I thought you might enjoy a little. Also am sending a check for 20$. Intend to send home from 25$ to 50$ per month as long as I’m over here. Want you to bank most of it for me unless you need it for something special. There’s one thing I want you to do with it every month, about 5$ I mean. Would like Peggy Lou to start going to the Evlanger to see the stage shows. Was always sorry I didn’t start going when I was younger. Anyhow I’d like Peggy to go up as often as she wants & perhaps she’l be able to see all the shows this winter. Also if she’d like to take any of the girls or best of all you & Dad I’d really like you to use my money. I know just what your thinking mother, that you’l put it all away for me but it would give me great satisfaction to have someone making good use of some of that dough. Hope you understand what I mean, think those shows are educational & tend to create a fine background. Tell Peggy she can spend as much as she wants for good seats, carfare & maybe a couple Hamburgers without onions afterwards. Know she’l enjoy it a lot and I want her to write and tell me how she liked the plays. Will you do that for me seriously?
Wrote a letter to the gang up at school a couple days or weeks ago. Never had time to really finish it though. Are you still spending your Sat. night out at Elmers? He’s quite a character. Tell him we’ll have a big celebration out there when the Dragons all come home. Harry thought he was a card. How do the Crowleys like living next to the Cowleys on good ole Woodside? There’s really a couple swell neighbors for you. We had a radio going out here today and they were playing that bar room music which reminded me so much of Curlys etc. & me drinking all that root beer & eating all the pretzels in the place. I’ll be drinking beers with you & Dad, and still trying to get all the pretzels when its over. Lost a little weight in the past couple weeks so I’m looking pretty trim at the present. How’s Dad doing with all his, he looked pretty rugged in that photo. Got a letter from a very cute little blond I met in Winona Miss. She’s the one that intends studying music at Rochester so I’ll keep right on writing. Incidentally you can write on both sides of the paper as your mail isn’t censored. Will make it that much lighter & you can say more. Guess that's all for now. Will write again soon.
Love to all, Eddie
-------------------------------------
September 1944 Hit Song: Till Then by the Mills Brothers
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