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
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