Liberator Campaign

2011 Martha's Vineyard Plea To President

2011-08-19T05:10:00.000-07:00

Dear President Obama,
Patton’s Army, the 94^th Infantry Division liberated a Concentration Camp In March of 1945 in the vicinity of Ludwigshafen Germany. We have been pursuing official Liberator Status of the 94^th Inf. Div. since 2007 along with the help of Senators Kerry & Kennedy. We had the full support of Sen. Kennedy including 3 Congressional Inquiries and his personal efforts in contacting Sec. Gates. He was even working on it the week of his death. The requests have been denied time and time again. The Center for US Military History incredulously, despite 2 still living witnesses and primary documentary evidence refuses to pass this request on to the Holocaust Museum. It is a tandem project. The Army’s role is to verify the location of the Unit, which has been documented in the Morning Reports. Although specific records for this incident have not been as yet found, the After Action Report for March 1945 in fact uses the word “liberation” to describe the Displaced Persons encountered.

“As the March continued large numbers of Displaced Persons began to make their appearance consisting of varied nationalities such as French, Italians, Poles, Yugo-Slavs, Ukrainians and Russians and of both sexes. Even one American citizen was discovered.

These people in the first flush of their liberation, and being largely unrestrained due to the rapid pace of the tactically engrossed advancing armies and the helpless condition of the unarmed and conquered Germans, constituted a serious threat to Public Safety as they seemed completely uninhibited with regard to helping themselves to bicycles, money, clothes and food and also not above at the same time seeking revenge on their former masters in the shape of threats and beatings of the German people.”

It is well known that Patton’s Army led the drive to the Rhine. No other Unit preceded them at this time.

It is clear that the 94^th liberated these people.

In 1985 10 Units were initially recognized, then refined guidelines were drawn up for future requests. I don’t know how it came to pass that the 94^th was overlooked initially as they spearheaded the Drive to the Rhine. Surely if Gen. Patton, Eisenhower or Maloney were still alive at that time they would have made certain that the 94^th receive Liberator Status. I doubt anyone would have denied Gen. Patton’s request! As a student of history, you can appreciate that the 94^th shouldn’t be penalized due to their heroic efforts in crucial combat and rapid progress during the last months of the War, for a lack of thorough Morning Reports. They were busy winning the War. Now they are busy dying at a rate of over 1000 per day.

You alone have the ability to correct and put to right the history of the 94^th Inf. Div. and the Victims of the Holocaust with the simple action of an Executive Order. We implore you to rectify this travesty of overlooked history and honor our brave soldiers efforts and the hundreds of Victims who died in that camp.

"Any nation that does not honor its heroes will not long endure" – Abraham Lincoln

Most Sincere Thanks,

Edward Cowley & Bette Cowley
Thomas & Ginny Manthey
Kathleen Cowley

Tom's Prison Camp Drawing

2011-04-26T16:12:00.001-07:00

You Are My Golden Nugget

2011-04-25T06:00:00.000-07:00

“You are my Golden Nugget”

General George S. Patton, Jr., Czechoslovakia, July, 1945

The above painting is a mural in the Massachusetts State is a mural of World War II Lieutenant General George S. Patton, Jr., of Hamilton, awarding the Silver Star to First Lieutenant Charles L. Smith for Smith’s gallantry in action during the assault on the Siegfried Switch, Tettingen, Germany in January, 1945. The mural is located on the Fourth Floor of the State House across from the House Gallery.

By William A. Foley, Jr. (b.
2003, painted from a photograph
Acrylic on canvas, 60 x 180”
Signed, l.l. W. A. Foley, Jr. / G302 / 94th Div.

Given by the 94th Infantry Division Association under
Dedicated October 20, 2003.
Presented by
Accepted by Governor Mitt Romney.
Plaque, bronze, 22 ½ x 60” Cast 2004 by Matthews International, Pittsburgh. PA. Placed February 2005.

This scene illustrates a scene outside Tettingen, in the Saar-Moselle Triangle, early in the assault on the Switch. At the right is a German pill box at the edge of the Campholz Woods. At the left are Monkey Wrench Woods. Lt. General Patton has stopped en route out of town to congratulate Lt. Smith for bravery after he led his platoon into combat. Maj. General Harry J. Maloney, Commander, looks on.

The full description of the painting and the events can be found here.

Please Mr. President

2010-08-21T12:55:00.001-07:00

Cowley home on Martha's Vineyard with a message for

President Obama

November 15 - 29, 1944

2010-08-18T07:44:00.000-07:00

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

October / November 1944

2010-05-08T07:23:00.000-07:00

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

Response to Letter Campaign

2010-03-11T16:21:00.000-08:00

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

Dealing With Bureaucracy

2010-02-23T03:00:00.000-08:00

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,

"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 had an approximation of the date as my father wrote home weekly- it was finding the letters which started this whole process. I had been in touch with the Holocaust Museum previous to finding them because I was trying to research the name of the camp my father liberated for our own family history. I called the Holocaust Museum that day and told them of the letters and most importantly the one which mentions the "atrocities". They were thrilled, and several people gathered in the office to hear the news while I was on the phone. This is when they informed me that the letter of April 1945 was the sort of documentation which would allow us to pursue Liberator status.

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.

Response to Senator Kerry

2010-02-20T03:00:00.000-08:00

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.

Letters 91 - 95

2010-02-19T12:26:00.000-08:00

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

Thank You Senator Kerry

2010-01-28T12:02:00.000-08:00

Click on Page to increase size and clarity

Announcement

2010-01-27T16:19:00.000-08:00

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.

Letters 86 - 90

2010-01-20T12:14:00.000-08:00

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 83º 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

Letters 80 to 82

2010-01-05T17:26:00.000-08:00

#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

The Overseas Letters Begin

2009-12-09T09:52:00.000-08:00

Letter # 74

Pvt. E. Cowley 42025054
Hgts.Co. 1st Bn.
301st Inf. A.P.O. 94
c/o Postmaster
N.Y. City N.Y.

The Cowleys
35 Woodside Ave.
Buffalo 20 N.Y.

First Letter from Overseas

August 14, 1944
England

Dear Mom, Dad & Peggy

Well, I guess I finally made the big jump. Haven’t been able to write for the last couple weeks but I think the army let you know I arrived safely. We had a nice trip across but they only fed us twice a day. Of course I made out all right & didn’t lose any weight.

It’s a lot cooler over here & we’re breathing thru both lungs now, what a change. I’m located in a fairly nice camp & have a big goldfish pond right in front of our barracks which I thing is something quite unusual.

Believe I’m the first Cowley in a long time to see Ireland, only saw the shore line though so I really didn’t see too much. However I did see quite a little bit of Scotland including Glasgow & most of the big cities. Its quite different from the states. The houses are all stone & very neat. The roads are all very narrow & everything in general seems to be in miniature. Even my bed is too small for me.
The people over here are all very conscious of the war & “thumbs up” v for victory & all that is right in style.
Whenever you look up in the sky you can see planes or formations going & coming from France.

That sure was a swell break I had seeing you before I left. Guess I was pretty lucky to leave from where I did. I feel fine right now & will probably be feeling a lot better soon. Have to get back to work now so I’ll have to close. Take good care of yourselves & keep my bedroom good & clean.

Love to all,
Eddie

Letter # 75

Pvt. E. Cowley 42025054
1st Bn. Hgts Co 301st Inf.
A.P.O. 94 c/o Postmaster
N.Y. City N.Y.

The Cowleys
35 Woodside Ave.
Buffalo 20 N.Y.

War & Navy Departments
V-Mail Services
Official Business

Postmarked September 1, 1944

Dear Mom,

Don’t know how this v-mail works but I’m going to try it out anyhow. Walked into town last night and it was “quite a decent” walk as the English would say. The Pubs are the only places open & we had a few “bitters” or beer. They serve a big glass for 1 shilling & its warm. Dad would never get along over here without the Ballantines. The English towns & houses are more like something you see in books & read about but So. Buffalo is still the best there is. Haven’t received any mail as yet but should be getting some soon. Would you give my new address to Rhoda, Aunt Peg & the family when you see them. The Catholic chaplin said mass for us last night & he says he’l be around 3 times a week so you don’t have to worry about my religion. Well, out of paper so I shall say so long & love to all.

Eddie

P.S. Write either v mail or air mail

Letter # 78

Pvt. E. Cowley 42025054
1st Bn. Hgts Co 301st Inf.
A.P.O. 94 c/o Postmaster
N.Y., N.Y.

The Cowleys
35 Woodside Ave.
Buffalo 20 N.Y.

War & Navy Departments
V-Mail Services
Official Business

Postmarked September 4, 1944

Dear folks,

Received another letter from you today & was very glad to hear that Jimmy Donovan is still alive. Also I notice that you still didn’t know where I am. Well, the war news looks pretty good at the present & I suppose everyone is quite excited about the capture of Paris but I’m not getting excited till we take Berlin. Its good to hear the weather has cooled, now maybe that Polio will go away. Played a game of football today, the first since I got hurt, & I’m stiff all over. Well have plenty to tell you when I get home so be sure & put away a couple bottles of Ballantines. I hope everyone is feeling well.

Love to all,
Eddie

-------------------------------
From The 1944 Hit Parade:
I Couldn't Sleep A Wink Last Night, Frank Sinatra

Please Sign The Petition

2009-11-10T06:42:00.000-08:00

In Germany in April of 1945, Edward Paul Cowley, Thomas Manthey and a company of soldiers of the 94th Infantry Division came upon a camp filled with suffering and dying prisoners, they stayed for a few hours and then were told to move on as medical help was arriving shortly. They came home from the war and rebuilt their lives as citizens. They silently suffered, each in their own way, with the memories of the horrors they had witnessed. They never looked for recognition as liberators.

These humble soldiers seemed unaware that it was their toil and progress that had freed the victims from their captures. During the war my father wrote home to his family as often as possible.These humble soldiers seemed unaware that it was their toil and progress that had freed the victims from their captures. During the war my father wrote home to his family as often as possible. My grandmother, Catherine Cowley cherished every letter, carefully cataloged them and held them in safekeeping. In one letter dated April 29th, 1945, my father wrote that he had witnessed the atrocities.

This letter started our pursuit of Liberator Status for the 94th Infantry Division. The National Holocaust Museum and the Center of Military History have recognized 35 U.S. Army divisions for their heroism, gallantry, and help in liberating prisoners from brutal Nazi rule. Each year, the names and flags of these units are presented in a moving tribute at the U.S. Capitol Rotunda for the Days of Remembrance ceremony. The Division flag of each Unit is also displayed in rotation at The National Holocaust Museum. Thanks to the efforts of Sen. Edward Kennedy and his fine staff we were able to collect the required documents and submitted a formal request for Liberator Status in Nov. 2007. Sadly the application was erroneously denied, as the camp liberated wasn't an "extermination camp".

Since then Senators Kennedy and Kerry continued to seek Liberator Status for the 94th Infantry Division. Craig Crawford and Don Imus assisted in bringing national attention to this cause. Senator Kennedy was working on this until the week of his death. Sec. of the Army, Pete Geren was assisting the Senators. Unfortunately since Sen. Kennedy's death a new Sec. of the Army has been appointed and the request has fallen through the cracks. Time is precious for the Veterans of WWII- Over 1000 Vets die each day. President Obama could easily put history to rights by signing an Executive Order to grant the 94th Liberator Status.

Please honor these brave soldiers who sacrificed for our Country and the untold victims and their families of the Holocaust by signing the petition to President Obama to issue an Executive Order. Then tell your friends to sign as well.

Letters 61 - 65

2009-10-30T11:15:00.000-07:00

On D-Day June 6, 1944, these were the songs that hit the charts on BBC Radio out of London

These were the songs on the BBC hit record chart on the 6 June 1944 and would have been heard by Eddie Cowley with the broadcast of the invastion in the news.

1 Berlin Or Bust — Sam Browne and the Six Swingers
2 The Last Post
3 Roll Me Over — Primo Scala
4 On The Sunny Side Of The Street — Tommy Dorsey
5 Milkman Keep Those Bottles Quiet — The Squadronaires featuring Beryl Davies
6 McNamara’s Band —Geraldo and his Orchestra with Johnny Green
7 Command Patrol - RAF Dance Orchestra
8 Bless You — The Inkspots
9 Opus One — Tommy Dorsey and his Orchestra
10 In The Mood - Glenn Miller
11 The Trolley Song — Judy Garland
12 I’ll Walk Alone — Ambrose and his Orchestra
13 The Dreamer — Henry Hall and his Orchestra with Eva Bynon
14 Is You Is Or Is You Ain’t My Baby — Skyrockets Dance Orchestra with Denny Dennis
15 There Goes That Song Again — Adelaide Hall
16 Till The End Of Time — Perry Como
17 The Grand Old Man — Max Miller
18 It Might As Well Be Spring — Dick Haymes
19 That Lovely Weekend — Geraldo and his Orchestra
20 Don’t Fence Me In — Bing Crosby with the Andrews Sisters
21 Mairzy Doats and Dozy Doats — Lou Praeger and his Orchestra with Paul Rich
22 There’ll Always Be An England — Sam Browne
23 They're Either Too Young Or Too Old - Carroll Gibbons
24 The Vic'Try Polka - Joe Loss and His Orchestra
25 Lilli Marlene - Marlene Dietrich
26 White Cliffs Of Dover - Vera Lynn

Letter # 61

Pvt. E. Cowley 42025054
Hgts.Co. 1st Bn. 301st Inf.
A.P.O. 94
Camp McCain Miss.
The Cowleys
35 Woodside Ave.
Buffalo, N.Y.
Zone 20
Predicted “D” Day
Monday, June 5, 1944
Dear Mom,
I’m sorry I’ve neglected my writing lately but they’re really keeping us busy down here. Today we put on a real show. Our battalion attacked a fortified German position. I had a swell view of the whole thing from our gun implacement on the top of a hill. We fired everything the Infantry has. The tanks with their 75’s were on line with us & the 105 & 153’s from the artillery layed down a terrific barrage. It was quite a sight to see all the weapons in action. The mortars threw down a smoke screen & the Infantry moved right up a hundred yds behind the heavy fire. They used machine guns, flame throwers, demolition squads, bazookas & of course our anti-tanks guns were there too. Incidentally I fired live stuff for the 1st time.

Last weekend I went into Greenwood & had a pretty good time. Am planning on going to New Orleans week after next. Have applied for a 2 day pass & would really like to see what New Orleans looks like while the opportunity is here.

For the last couple weeks I’ve been thinking that the invasion would start June 6th (tomorrow) Looks like I was wrong. I’ve taken out an a 25$ bond to be sent home every month as soon as I start overseas. Went in swimming in the Greenwood pool Sat & enjoyed in quite a bit. Am surprised to hear the kids are going in so early out at the lake. Well, its lights out so I’ll say so long for awhile.
Love to all,
Eddie

Letter # 62

Pvt. E. Cowley 42025054
Hgts.Co. 1st Bn. 301st Inf.
A.P.O. 94
Camp McCain Miss.
The Cowleys
35 Woodside Ave.
Buffalo, N.Y.
Zone 20
More about D Day
“D” day, June 6, 1944
Dear Mother,
Well the big push is on at last. Bet Dad has had his ears glued to the radio & that globe of his. Maybe pretty soon we’ll be able to throw that globe out the window & think of home & just home. It must be quite a show they’re putting on over there. I’m damn glad my name isn’t “Fritz” & that’s no kidding. It’s the end of huns for generations to come. Kinda wish I was over there with those “guys”, but imagine you’re darn glad I’m where I am. Don’t know what I’ll tell my kids when they ask me where I was on “D” day.

You know I knew when this was going to happen. I was taking a 25 mile march one night last week when all of a sudden something told me the invasion would be on Tuesday & I told the fellas that when we woke up Tues. morning the radio would be announcing the invasion & sure enough the radio woke me up with the invasion cry. Think I mentioned it to you in the letter I wrote Monday.

Well, just thought I’d drop you a short note and I want to remind you to keep praying for those G.I.’s that are going in the hard way. Good nite folks!
Love to all,

Eddie

Letter # 63
Pvt. E. Cowley 42025054
Hgts.Co. 1st Bn. 301st Inf.
A.P.O. 94
Camp McCain Miss.
The Cowleys
35 Woodside Ave.
Buffalo, N.Y.
Zone 20
June 17, 1944
Dear Mom,

Just got in from the field yesterday and have been cleaning equipment until now. Have just been put on detail so I’ll have to leave --- Continued on June 19th.

Well, I suppose I just got in again, spent the weekend in Greenwood. Celebrated Fathers day by sleeping in the Greenwood Fire house, which incidentally is air conditioned and very modern. Just before I went to town I had some salt tablet with my dinner & felt pretty sick so I went right to the firehouse as there wasn’t any rooms left in town. The fireman were a good bunch of guys & gave me a swell bed & I’m feeling fine now. Told them Dad was a Fire Captain up in Buffalo & I think that helped me get the bed. They didn’t have a ping pong table however so I didn’t stay.

Received a nice identification bracelet from Bettee, but as usual I haven’t sent her anything as yet but am trying to keep it in my brain to get something. Guess I owe everybody a present, a letter or some other thing. Well, it looks like I’m not going to get that furlough I thought I might get. We’re getting ready to go to our staging area & turning all our equipment in for new stuff. Don’t think we’l see much action, if any. I’ve been taking every pass I could get but haven’t been able to get into New Orleans. We should be leaving this lousy South soon anyhow. Very few places are worse than Miss. so we can’t lose much. I’ll try & put a call in one of these nights so I can say hello to everyone.

I’ve been expending my artistic talents painting nick names & range charts on our 57’s lately. My gun is “One-Time-Only” a popular G.I. expression in the South.
Could you find out Bob Humphries address for me. I haven’t heard from him in over a years so I thought I might write. Ask Roy Woodmans mother for Roy’s address also (You can call her up if you want to). I’d like to hear from them at least once a year. Heard Bob was in action in the So. Pacific. Seems funny to be writing that about a guy who used to sing to me out at the lake. The kids are certainly growing up fast, aren’t they.

Bob Schultz was commissioned recently, guess that makes all the Dragons in service officers or non coms but me & to think I wanted to go to West Point.
How’s my little buddy Jimmy Piehardt doing nowadays?

Tell Rhoda (Hotlips) to drop me a little more of her line if you happen to see her.
I feel pretty good now, except that all the insults in Miss. have bitten me twice.

I’m afraid your hopes of getting me back to school in Sept. won’t be possible. I’d say I’ll be back at State in 46’ Once we get overseas & the war ends we may be delayed a year or two in getting back, but we won’t be if I can help it. Anyhow Peggy & I can go up to school together. This is the most I’ve written in a long time but I think we’l have more time to write from now on. Well, stay healthy all of you & don’t worry about Eddie Jr.

Love to my family,
Eddie

Letter # 64
Pvt. E. Cowley 42025054
Hgts.Co. 1st Bn. 301st Inf.
A.P.O. 94
Camp McCain Miss.
The Cowleys
35 Woodside Ave.
Buffalo, N.Y.
Zone 20
Thursday, June 22, 1944
Dear Mom,

I’m on latrine orderly today so will have time to write letters, I hope. Very pleased to hear Dad enjoyed his holiday and wish I could have been home to help him drink his Ballantines.

Haven’t got much news this time as we aren’t doing anything but packing & having inspections. The war news looks pretty good right now & if our luck keeps up the war might be over in a year. Don’t know what they’re going to do with us over there but there must be some place that needs to be guarded. I’ve suggested Buffalo but don’t think the army will agree.

Don’t think I’ll be able to make New Orleans as passes are few & far between. Harry Matlimore is home on furlough until the 28th & I asked him to stop over at the house & pick up his pictures. Guess he is going to start his training in July.
We’re having corn on the cob for dinner tonight. One ear apiece will just about kill me though.

Are they swimming out at Hamburg this year? What are you going to do on Dad’s vacation. It should be coming up pretty soon or is he still confusing “Doc” Hartnett by talking about it in complicated mathematical formulas.

Well, chow time is dangerously close so I’ll sign off for awhile.
Love to all,

P.S. Hope Peggy has a good time out at the lake & I’m afraid she’d have a hard time putting George in a garbage can.

Letter # 65

Pvt. E. Cowley 42025054
Hgts.Co. 1st Bn. 301st Inf.
A.P.O. 94
Camp McCain Miss.
The Cowleys
35 Woodside Ave.
Buffalo, N.Y.
Zone 20
Postmarked, June 26, 1944
Saturday,
Dear Mom,

Well, another week has passed and I’m expecting to down to Greenwood tonight & tomorrow. Almost got a pass yesterday but we drew cards, just two of us & I lost. Can’t seem to have any luck on those passes.

Went into Greenwood Grenada last night & sent some things home by Railway Express. It doesn’t mean I’ve gone over or anything. It’s just that the captain made us get rid of all those things so we won’t be bothered with them when we do so don’t worry. You can give the field jacket & the pants to George if Dad doesn’t want them. The shoes should fit Dad as they’re 8 ½ D’s That’s his size isn’t it. Have plenty of underwear tops so you can put those back in my drawer along with my Dragon robe. Don’t think I would ever have used all that arid. Peggy can have my expert Infantry badge but tell her to take care of it as they’re hard to get. Also the hats. That blue braid should be put on the one with red.

Thought Dad might want to look over those manuals, Betty’s picture, the class letter etc. Guess that covers most of the stuff so you know what to do with it all.

Haven’t been doing much of anything lately, not even much K.P. I feel fine & am getting pretty tan but we never take our shirts off so don’t get tan like I used to. Am thinking of calling home maybe next week if its all right by you. Let me know a couple nights which would be allright & I’ll try to get a call thru. Have to go to work for awhile. So long
Love to all,
Eddie

-----------------------------------
Opus One Tommy Dorsey

On The Sunny Side of the Street - Tommy Dorsey

Letters 56 - 60

2009-10-05T14:45:00.000-07:00

Letter # 56

Pvt. E. Cowley 42025054
Hgts.Co. 1st Bn. 301st Inf.
A.P.O. 94
Camp McCain Miss.

The Cowleys
35 Woodside Ave.
Buffalo, N.Y.
Zone 20

Postmarked April 23, 1944

Thursday

Dear Mom,

Well I’ve got some good news at last. I’m going on furlough with the next bunch to pull out. Am afraid I’ll be needing some money as I might not get paid before I leave. Could you send me 40$ from my bank account as soon as possible. (is that good news?) Perhaps you had better wire it. Don’t know how I can work my finances as I was counting on using my pay for train fare & spending my bank money. Well all that can be arranged later I guess. All I have to do now is sweat this thing out for another week or two.

Received the newspaper today & think its swell. Certainly would like to have you send it every week. By the way I wish you’d congratulate Mr. Brady on Chucks commission. Think its great. Sorry to hear Joe Rooney was wounded. Hope it isn’t too serious.

Have been pretty busy this week with 2 K.P.’s already & still two more days to go. Don’t know how the army ever got pots & pans clean before my time.

The weather down here is pretty fair. We’re in our sun tans & I’ll have wear them out of camp & then change into my O.D.’s when I hit the good old northlands. I’ll have all kinds of uniforms with me.

Saw Mickey Rooney the other night in Andy Hardy's Blonde Trouble or something like that & split my sides laughing. Even if he is 4F he’s a good comedian. Well, haven’t much more to say now but will have plenty when I get home.

Love to all,
Eddie

Letter # 57

Pvt. E. Cowley 42025054
Hgts.Co. 1st Bn. 301st Inf.
A.P.O. 94
Camp McCain Miss.

The Cowleys
35 Woodside Ave.
Buffalo, N.Y.
Zone 20

Sunday, April 30, 1944

Dear Mom,

I’m spending today recuperating from a 25 mile forced march yesterday. It came as a surprise and darn near set me on my fanny. We made it in pretty good time 6 ½ hours, that’s with ½ hour out for lunch & 4, 10 minute rest periods. Just think how fast I’ll be able to move around when I get home.

Got a big kick out of Aunt Anna’s letter in which she told me all about the kids & the dance. I think she had just as much fun as they did fixing them up. She certainly fixed them in great style. Bet Peggy loved it.

Speaking of Mary Criswell, Bob DeWitt has been pestering me to write her & find out (subtly) how he stands with Ginny Warren, or something like that, who goes around with Mary. Just joking I told him that she was an old flame & might think I had other reasons for writing. And now coincidentally you’re calling her an old flame. Poor Mary is certainly taking a beating. Can understand why (stubby) Nehin can’t forget me as I dam near drove her crazy when I was in her class. I had Miss Benders when I won that famous book though. Looks like I left an indelible mark on all those nutty teachers.

Well, my chances for a furlough are very good. Matter of fact my papers are already in Division so I should be home before the 15th providing everything goes as scheduled. Did I tell you I just had my hair cut off a couple weeks ago as the heat down here is terrific & is getting hotter all the time. Doubt very much if Donnie is in combat all ready. He probably is learning how to be a sailor (which isn’t bad) somewhere along the American waters.

Thank you for the weather reports. I won’t be able to wear my coat as it is a very heavy wool over coat, but my O.D.’s will be plenty warm as long as it isn’t too cold.When I get home I want to put on one of my white shirts again so I hope they’re still around. Civilian clothes would feel great for a couple hours after seeing and wearing nothing but army for 7 months.

Peggy must be quite a reader if she can go thru gone with the wind. Her brother couldn’t read it in 10 yrs. matter of fact the picture was even too long for me to see. By the way whats playing at the Enlanger for the next couple weeks. Might drop in there for a play if something good is playing.
Did I tell you Bob DeWitt is going to be a turret gunner in a B-19 (Flying Fort) He’s qualified Cadet but the air corps is giving up trying to bomb Germany out and is giving the job to G.I. Joe the MI’s. Hope the invasion gets underway soon as I still wouldn’t like the distinction of being 1st to hit the beach.

Well, its just about chow time so I’ll be saying so long for awhile

Love to all,
Eddie

Letter # 58A

Pvt. E. Cowley 42025054
Hgts.Co. 1st Bn. 301st Inf.
A.P.O. 94
Camp McCain Miss.

The Cowleys
35 Woodside Ave.
Buffalo, N.Y.
Zone 20

Wednesday May 17, 1944

Dear Mom,

Well, I’m back in good ole Mississippi again. Really had a wonderful time at home and all ready am looking for another furlough. We arrived on time, 4 o’clock this morning to be exact. I was very lucky and was Company fireman all day which means I just about had the day off. Higgins was greeted with K.P. early this morn. I’ve got all my equipment back in order and am ready for an overnight problem tomorrow. Guess I had more people see me off than any 9 guys up there. The sandwiches, candy, cookies etc. were swell & kept me going till dinner yesterday. We met Howard Curler & a few other fellows in Chicago & shot the bull all the way to McCain.

Had a bunch of letters here to read this afternoon so I had a great time. However I’m pretty tired so I’m gonna hit the sack early tonight “for a change”.

Love to all,
Eddie

Letter # 58B

Pvt. E. Cowley 42025054
Hgts.Co. 1st Bn. 301st Inf.
A.P.O. 94
Camp McCain Miss.

The Cowleys
35 Woodside Ave.
Buffalo, N.Y.
Zone 20

Postmarked May 20, 1944

Friday,

Dear Mom,

At last I’m strong enough to hold my pen pretty steady. My cold is coming along fine. Its over 90° down here so I’ve sweat sweat out most of it already. Can understand why Southerners are so lazy with all this heat. What do you mean forget the Turkey sandwiches? That’s something I never could do. Hope Peggy’s Confirmation comes off okay & the Bishop doesn’t floor her with that wallop. I’ll have to send her something, that is if I can find something worth sending down here.

For the past couple weeks we’ve been on a pretty rugged schedule so I should be knocking myself back into shape in a week or so. We’re going on some kind of maneuvers with the Tank corps soon. I’ve got K.P. again tomorrow so I suppose I’ll be pretty busy this weekend but am going to try to get into town for awhile.

Bob DeWitt should be getting home soon according to his latest letter. By the way has Roy & John Woodman come home as yet? Tell them I was sorry I had to miss them. Well I’ve got a guard mount to make & a bunch of letters to answer so I’ll say so long for awhile.

Love to all,
Eddie

Letter # 59

Pvt. E. Cowley 42025054
Hgts.Co. 1st Bn. 301st Inf.
A.P.O. 94
Camp McCain Miss.

The Cowleys
35 Woodside Ave.
Buffalo, N.Y.
Zone 20

Postmarked May 26, 1944

Rec’d May 29th Eddie’s 19th Birthday

Thursday,

Dear Mom,

Just received the snap shots which are dandy. You & dad both took swell pictures & Betty also. Of course Harry & I never did have much to take pictures with so we seemed to take out usual horrible picture. Its chow time now so I shall continue later!

Well back from chow, what a change from those meals I had at home. My morale is a lot higher now that I’ve seen all the folks again & tasted good food. I’ve been riding around on tanks the last couple of days. Its just like riding the cyclone only there isn’t any dance hall next door. We’re giving the 772nd tank Battalion a good workout.

There’s a sweet rumor going around that furloughs are going to be continued so if I’m lucky I might get home again in 4 or 5 months. Can’t count on it though as we may ship anytime (but personally I doubt it) I’ve showed the pictures to all the boys & they think they're swell. Tonight we’re going into the field until Sat. so I probably won’t be able to write until the weekend. Am going to try & have some snaps taken down here to send home.

Better have dad fix that zipper if he’s going to have any more pictures taken. Well, have to get ready to play cops & robbers tonight.

Love to all,
Eddie

Letter # 60

Pvt. E. Cowley 42025054
Hgts.Co. 1st Bn. 301st Inf.
A.P.O. 94
Camp McCain Miss.

The Cowleys
35 Woodside Ave.
Buffalo, N.Y.
Zone 20

Tuesday May 30, 1944

Dear Mom,

Well I’m nineteen years old yesterday & despite my years am feeling fine & healthy. My cold has long been sweated out of me by the heat down here. All you have to do down here is march a couple hundred yds & then you’re soaking wet. Never thought I had so much sweat in me. I’d like to fall asleep in a nice big bath tub with an ice pack on my head. I’d even put a few moth crystals (sweater shoppe) in with me like Dad always does.

Received my box today and it is dandy. Got a big kick out of genius in the So. Buff. kids who emptied the can of worms in the Seneca, Thanks for the financial lift also! Haven’t written much in the past two weeks as the heat takes everything out of us and we just have enough strength left to fall into sack. Got a nice letter and card from my twin, June McMahon whose birthday is also the 28th. She said “Boom” Cannan got his wings the other day. We’ve got a parade this afternoon and a 25 mile march tonight so I’ll probably be standing on my ears before the day is thru.

Had a big divisional parade the other day & put on a big demonstration for undersecretary of war Patterson & a bunch of brass hats. They liked us, damn it! Think we’re going out to Holly Springs for a couple of weeks soon. Tried to get into town Sat. but there wasn’t any bus transportation & the lousy Southerners wouldn’t pick up anyone if they ran over you. Well, we’re falling out soon so I shall start getting prepared.

Love to all,
Eddie

Letters 51 - 55

2009-09-24T08:14:00.000-07:00

Letter # 51

Pvt. E. Cowley 42025054
Hgts.Co. 1st Bn. 301st Inf.
A.P.O. 94
Camp McCain Miss.
The Cowleys
35 Woodside Ave.
Buffalo, N.Y.
Zone 20
Postmarked April 10, 1944
Easter Sunday, 1944

Dear Mom,

Just received the pictures and think they’re great. You both are looking fine except perhaps you look a little tired. We’ll see what we can do about finishing this rotten business up & then you can forget that job for good. Also received the candy & toiletries yesterday. Please don’t send any more “Arrid” as I’m still on the 1st jar & have 3 big jars unopened. Once again I’m waiting for a call to go thru. Its 2:45 and I’ve been waiting since about 9:00 o’clock this morning. Should be getting thru soon. Is Lou home as yet?

How come you had the picture taken so close to the house instead of on the lawn or someplace like that. Wrote to Aunt Peg today. I’ll gradually get around to writing to the family. I got the slippers last week & they’re just what I needed. Pretty flashy elastic. Thanks a million. I’m sending my glasses home today. When you go downtown drop them in at Shlagin’s & have them fixed. Take money out of my account. I’d like to have them when & If I get a furlough. So long for now. Hope to be talking to you soon.
Love, Eddie

Letter # 53

Pvt. E. Cowley 42025054
Hgts.Co. 1st Bn. 301st Inf.
A.P.O. 94
Camp McCain Miss.
The Cowleys
35 Woodside Ave.
Buffalo, N.Y.
Zone 20
Postmarked April 14, 1944
Tuesday,
Dear Mom,
Well we’re out in the field again. Just got in from the soft job of defending a hill all day. Don’t imagine this will be any where’s near as bad as Benning.

I’m sorry & very disappointed about that call. I placed it at 9 o’clock Easter Morning & waited till 5. Then I had to go to the PX & get some supplies as they close at 6:00. The call came in at 5:30 & I missed it by 10 minutes. Also was calling Bette & missed her call too. Things happen like that all the time though, Hope I didn’t spoil your Easter by making you stay in & wait. Did everything I could but just wasn’t lucky.

It rained like the devil last night but our pup tent held up fine & was good & dry. The weather, when it isn’t raining is nice & warm & I’m even getting a little tan
Well there’s a rifle inspection in a few minutes so I should close for awhile.
Love to all, Eddie
Letter # 54
Pvt. E. Cowley 42025054
Hgts.Co. 1st Bn. 301st Inf.
A.P.O. 94
Camp McCain Miss.
The Cowleys
35 Woodside Ave.
Buffalo, N.Y.
Zone 20
Postmarked April 19, 1944
Tuesday,

Dear Mom & Dad,

Just received your last two letters in which you seem to be doing everything in your power to get me a furlough. I know you must be anxious for me to get one but you’re not any more anxious than I. I’m kinda disappointed in you for writing to Jim Mead about such a trivial matter. Bet Dad didn’t know you sent it. As soon as I deserve a furlough & it can be arranged I will get home. Am fairly sure of coming home in May & intended to surprise you as I just found out myself last week. Please don’t ever mention anything like writing to the C.O. or anything similar again. Think of the kids in the So. Pac. & Italy, England & India who haven’t been home for years. Who \will I have to pull strings for me when I get across? I’ll have to learn how to take care of myself sometime & that time has got to be now. You understand the way I feel about it, I know. As for pestering the “Big Shots” that’s out of the question. A buck private could never just walk up to an officer & start a conversation. Even to see the company Com. I’d have to get permission from 3 non-coms. Don’t think I’ll be able to see Bill Coughlin as it just isn’t Army ethics and I’d feel out of place with all the officers he would have around.

Don’t worry about me while I’m out in the field as its safer out here than in camp. Am really enjoying these 2 weeks & would just as soon stay out here. By the way your coat is swell & I’m sorry I didn’t mention it before. Also I received the candy & stationery which will & has (the candy) come in very handy.

Please forget about furlough as its just as Dad says it does tend to make a fella feel kinda discontent & restless. I’ll be home when my turn comes & not before. Know all you did was with the best intentions but don’t write to Bill Coughlin or anyone else anymore. Well, have to clean my rifle & prepare to hit the sack. I’m still out in the field but am coming in Saturday. Will write again soon!

Love to all,
Eddie

Letter # 55
Pvt. E. Cowley 42025054
Hgts.Co. 1st Bn. 301st Inf.
A.P.O. 94
Camp McCain Miss.
The Cowleys
35 Woodside Ave.
Buffalo, N.Y.
Zone 20
Postmarked April 24, 1944

Dear Mom,
Can’t understand why you haven’t heard from me as I wrote a letter out on maneuvers which should have reached you by now. However if it didn’t reach you the gist of the letter was I’m getting or at least am in line for a May furlough. Wish you hadn’t bothered Jim Mead & don’t want you to mention writing to the C.O. or anyone else.

Was going to try to call today but there was a posted delay of six hours so I didn’t bother. Hope I filled out the form correctly as I certainly could you use the money. We’re back in camp now wearing summer uniforms. How’s the weather in Buffalo. Still pretty cold I imagine.

Thanks a million for going to all the trouble about this income tax for me.

Don’t think it would be advisable for Grandma to come the down as the transportation is very poor & she’d have to walk almost every place she went. Another thing it would be difficult to get a place for her to stay. I’m glad she’s thinking of me though & I’ll drop her a note soon.

Yes, that is Willie Moran of Dragon fame & he is the 1st Dragon to be commissioned. Glad to see him get it.

Should be paid before my furlough so I won’t need much money but I might need 10 or 20 so don’t be surprised if I ask for a little. Will get 7 days with traveling time so it should be all right.

Wish you wouldn’t talk about a furlough in every other letter as it bothers me. There’s 20,000 other soldiers in the 94th who want to get home just as much as I do & strange as it seems the army considers every one. Know you understand.

Have been very busy getting my equipment in shape after the beating it took in the last 2 weeks. Have to oil my rifle tonight come to think of it. Got a G.I. haircut (no hair) today as its pretty hot down here & they’re a lot more comfortable.

Glad to see all the Turbritys getting married & natchurally to officers. Don’t know who I’ll ever get to marry me as a buck private. Well, I’ve got to get busy so I’ll be closing for awhile.

Love to all, Eddie

------------------------------------
With all the missed phone calls and furlough waiting, here is a 1944 classic by the Ink Spots and Ella Fitzgerald: Into Each Life Some Rain Must Fall

Letters 47 Through 50

2009-09-20T17:41:00.000-07:00

Letter # 47

Pvt. E. Cowley 42025054
Hgts.Co. 1st Bn. 301st Inf.
A.P.O. 94
Camp McCain Miss.

The Cowleys
35 Woodside Ave.
Buffalo, N.Y.
Zone 20

Postmarked, March 25, 1944

Friday,

Dear Mom,

Haven’t written in a couple of days so I thought I’d drop you a little note this morning. Was Jimmy Donavan home before he went across? I probably would have gone with him if it hadn’t been for ASTP. I think I’ll try and get a call thru Sunday morn. You won’t get this till Monday or Tuesday so it won’t be too much warning. There isn’t much going on down here, the same old stuff day in and day out. Next week we fire the 57mm, Should be something different.

My eyes won’t have to be examined as they’re 20-20 with the glasses I have now. Al I have to do is send you the frames & the money and you can have them replaced to my prescription. Then I you can pick them up & keep them at home. I’ll be able to wear them on my furlough then I can have them fitted at my convenience. Furloughs are only 7 days now so I won’t be home too long, if and when. Am looking forward to a swell home cooked meal like the ones I enjoyed for years.

I'm sorry to hear Danny didn’t get a chance to go to school. Thought he would as he was a med student but I guess they just threw everyone in the Infantry regardless. Got a nice letter from Betty McCarrol the other day. Maybe I’ll drop Betty Bailey after all. I’ll be sure to drop a line to the Crowleys. That was very nice of them.

So the Catholics are after our money again this year. They never forget do they. By the way how’s Father Nash these days? Miss his long sermons quite a bit. Peggy sent me a little picture. She told me she sends all the good ones to Don so I guess I know where I stand, just kidding of course.

That was an excellent tribute doc paid to Tom Casey, don’t you think? The Hartnetts haven’t heard from Buddy in quite some time but no news is good news so I hope he’s alright.

Well, I guess I just about wound everything so I’ll say so long for awhile.

Love to all, Eddie

Letter # 48

Pvt. E. Cowley 42025054
Hgts.Co. 1st Bn. 301st Inf.
A.P.O. 94
Camp McCain Miss.

The Cowleys
35 Woodside Ave.
Buffalo, N.Y.
Zone 20

Postmarked, March 27, 1944

Sunday morn,

Dear Mom,

Just finished with my call to home. You might know I’d call at the wrong time. I was going to make the call person to person but then I figured all three of you would be in church together & changed my mind. I know you’ll be disappointed but not any more than I as I had planned on surprising you all week. However Peggy & I had a good talk and I gave her all the dope. She could hardly talk because you & Dad weren’t home. Well I’ll try and put a call thru in another month or so. If I do I’ll write & you can arrange to go to some earlier mass so they’re won’t be any chance of missing you.

Received the candy & the gum yesterday. Its swell incidentally I was on my last stick when it arrived. Well we’re going to take a walk down to the 376 Regt. To see some of our old buddies so I’ll be closing for awhile.

Love to all,
Eddie

Letter # 49

Pvt. E. Cowley 42025054
Hgts.Co. 1st Bn. 301st Inf.
A.P.O. 94
Camp McCain Miss.

The Cowleys
35 Woodside Ave.
Buffalo, N.Y.
Zone 20

March 30, 1944

Dear Mom,

My last sheet of paper till payday! At last it has stopped raining down here. We almost had to go on flood duty as the old Mississippi was on the rampage. Today, I am Co. fireman which means I keep 11 stoves burning, if possible. I’ve put about six out already but our barracks are nice and warm.

You might just as well forget the possibilities of me getting home soon as I talked to the 1st sarge today and he confirmed my suspicions. Got myself in the wrong Co. that’s all there is to it. the Capt. has put the new men at the bottom of the list so we haven’t a chance unless something very unusual turns up.

I’m going to try a put a call thru to home Easter morning right after I go to mass so if you can make it , go to an early mass and everything will be fine. This weekend end I’m planning on going into Greenwood Miss. Just to get away from here for a day if possible. I could go to Memphis but don’t care for the long ride.

Danny got a wonderful break. Say “hello” to him for me if you see him. We aren’t doing much of anything these days so life is rather dull. Hope we leave Miss. soon as its gonna be awful hot down here this summer. Well, so long until the next time.

Love to all,
Eddie

Letter # 50

Pvt. E. Cowley 42025054
Hgts.Co. 1st Bn. 301st Inf.
A.P.O. 94
Camp McCain Miss.

The Cowleys
35 Woodside Ave.
Buffalo 20, N.Y.

Postmarked April 5, 1944

Dear Dad,

I’ve been writing to mother for a long time now so I figured it was time I wrote you. You know the guys were talking about their fathers one day a couple months ago. One kid had a father who was a 1st Lieut. In the Eng. so naturally I told them my father was a Captain. They thought it was army but finally I told them it was the B.F.D. Of I also told them you had a company under you & belonged to the officers club. They’l probably salute if they see you.

Glad to hear Romu is home on leave. But Peggy feels pretty important. Guess the navy gets all the leaves. Be sure & be home as I’ll try & call Easter morn, if I’m not on K.P.
We aren’t doing much now except running all kinds of combat courses & the like. I’m kinda expecting something to break soon, don’t know what. Well its 11 o’clock so I’ll have to close & get a little sleep, we’re attacking a nazi villiage in the morning. So long for awhile.

Love to all,
Eddie

----------------------------
The 1944 Jukebox Selection: Till Then

Letters 41 Through 46

2009-09-09T12:04:00.000-07:00

Letter # 41

Pvt. E. Cowley 42025054
Hgts.Co. 1st Bn. 301st Inf.
A.P.O. 94th Div
Camp McCain Miss.

The Cowleys
35 Woodside Ave.
Buffalo, N.Y.
Zone 20

March 9, 1944

Dear Mom,

Well here I am way down in Mississippi. The Army is certainly showing me the world. Had a devil of a time learning how to spell Mississippi in grammar school but never thought I’d be living down here. I’m in the 94th Div. Its been activated for 2 years and is at full strength with the addition of us so we’ll probably start maneuvers or something soon. They put me in the Hgts. Co. and I’m hoping to be put in the anti-tank platoon which is in Bazookas. It’d be a lot of fun fooling around with those.
There isn’t much chance of getting a furlough for quite a while so don’t be expecting me. I might get home before summer with God’s good graces. There’s a swell church close by so I’ll start catching up on my religion Sunday. If you or dad want to know where camp McCain is on the map, its about 5 miles from Grenada in the Upper center of the state. Gotta close & do some work. More Tomorrow. Love To all.

Eddie

P.S. send me a couple $ I’m flat!

Letter # 42

Pvt. E. Cowley 42025054
Hgts.Co. 1st Bn. 301st Inf.
A.P.O. 94th Div
Camp McCain Miss.

The Cowleys
35 Woodside Ave.
Buffalo, N.Y.
Zone 20

Postmarked March 13, 1944

Saturday night,

Dear Folks,

I’m trying to get a little writing in before the lights go out but I’ll continue tomorrow if they do. Yesterday we were assigned. I’m in the anti-tank platoon which isn’t bad at all. We fire the 57 mm field gun & the heavy 50 cal. Machine gun, The best part of it all is we ride in trucks, jeeps, beeps etc. I’m looking forward to my first ride yet however.
There isn’t much to do down here, matter of fact there’s nothing to do. (Continued from last night) All the gang has been split up and my three best pals are in another Regiment. I’m with a bunch of older fellas. Platoon sgts. Name is Leary and my 1st Gunner is Burke as you know they’re good guys.
As soon as I get paid I’m going to send home my broken glasses and you can have them fixed and save them for a furlough.
How’s everything in Buffalo these days? Bet Peggy Lou is getting cuter every day. Maybe she’l be as good looking as her Mother, father & big brother in a few years. Are they still selling Ballantines beer? Dad would really go for Mississippi, it’s a dry state and all they sell is 3.2 beer. Have you seen any of my pals lately? Doc should be getting drafted pretty soon I guess. Maybe they’l draft Harry M. is things get worse & they get hard up for men. Suppose Danny Riodan is still at Benning. How’s he making out with his training?
The food down here is fine, lot better than what we had at Benning, Thank God!
It rains continuously down here so don’t be surprised if I send home for my bathing suit. We’ve got bigger living quarters but I’m still in the upper bunk.
I’ve just been reading over some old letters from Doc. Think I’ll try & put a call thru one of these nights. Let me know when Dad will be working days. Give me a couple nights to call on and I’ll probably will be able to get one thru. Can’t be Wed, Thurs or Fri this week as we’re going on overnight problems.
Well I’ve got a lot of work to get after so I shall have to close. Write soon and take good care of yourselves back there.
Eddie

Letter # 43

Pvt. E. Cowley 42025054
Hgts.Co. 1st Bn. 301st Inf.
A.P.O. 94th Div
Camp McCain Miss.

The Cowleys
35 Woodside Ave.
Buffalo, N.Y.
Zone 20

Tuesday, March 14

Dear mom,

Received your long letter yesterday. It was swell. Forgot whether I told you or not but I’m in the anti-tank platoon. Think I told you well anyhow it isn’t too bad & I may get to like it. Just returned from the gas chambers, we went in chlorine chlorine gas and tear gas today. The chlorine was really strong matter of fact its lethal. I’m getting a couple pair of G.I. glasses soon but I’m still going to have my rimless fixed. It seems to me that I was supposed to get that money deducted by the city back. See if you find out anything about it. maybe I can get a little furlough money.
Peggy & Ann surely caused quite a commotion up at the exercises. Would have liked to have been present.
Please don’t worry so much, the army’s just as safe as civilian life. You’d be surprised if you knew how well we are looked after.
I’m gonna try & get home for my birthday or maybe a little before. If I don’t make it by then It’l be a long time because all the boys down here go in a regular order.
All A.S.T.P. men are in Infantry units. The whole damn thing drew the best of the youth into it and then look what they did. It certainly was a terrible farce. A lot of these fellows could have gone into V-12 or the air corps. Well, write soon & stay good & healthy.
Love,
Eddie

Letter # 44

Pvt. E. Cowley 42025054
Hgts.Co. 1st Bn. 301st Inf.
A.P.O. 94th Div
Camp McCain Miss.

The Cowleys
35 Woodside Ave.
Buffalo, N.Y.
Zone 20

Postmarked, March 16, 1944

Thursday night,

Dear mom,

Thanks for the five! Boy, did I need it. Thanks again.
That A.P.O. means Army Post Office so don’t worry about it, I won’t be going over for quite a while yet.
So Peggy’s been sending her letters to the wrong address, what a gal! Tell her I wrote to her friend Bette McC. By the time this ole war is over Betty should be old enough for me to date. You can see I’m looking into the future which I know will be a hell of a lot better than the present. I’ve got an idea the war with the Huns will be over by next winter. Then we can settle with those cross eyed squirts and comeback home. Bob DeWitts got himself in the hospital, passed out in the field, guess he’s alright now.
Haven’t heard anything about a furlough so we’d better forget it for awhile; maybe I’ll surprise you one of these months. We work pretty hard down here. Last night I was on Prison guard. Gives you kind of a funny feeling to know you’l have to kill a man if he makes a false move. Just rookieitis I guess.Was out on the firing range today getting the feel of my new rifle. We go out again tomorrow for a little more practice with the Corline. Next month we’re going on two weeks of manueavers in Tennessee. Am looking forward to it. Should be good experience for me.
Glad to hear the Cowleys are all caught up on their income taxes and out of jail for another year. Don’t think I’d be able to get a call thru from here as the service is terrible.
Don’t care much for Miss. But there isn’t much I can do about it as usual.
You could send me a pair of wooden shower slippers if you can pick them up around town, aside from that I’ve got everything I need. Write soon.
Love to all,
Eddie

P.S.
Food is good down here,
Dinner tonight:
6 pork chops
3 potatoes
1 helping tomatoes
1 piece bread
1 cup tea
6 pieces apple pie

Letter # 45

Pvt. E. Cowley 42025054
Hgts.Co. 1st Bn. 301st Inf.
A.P.O. 94
Camp McCain Miss.

The Cowleys
35 Woodside Ave.
Buffalo, N.Y.
Zone 20

Postmarked, March 20, 1944

Sunday,

Dear Mom,

How was the St. Pats party? Would have liked to have been there with you. Wrote to Peggy the other day. Hope she didn’t take any offense by what I wrote. Her comp. was excellent but like you once told me “Too many long words” Seems you’ve always been right about everything. Even Dad was right when he explained to me that “ x was the unknown” in 1st year high and I threw a fit.
What do you think about the hair burning ceremonies? Pretty silly isn’t it! We did the same thing last year.
I’m afraid I won’t learn how to drive as almost everyone down here has a license and they’ve got plenty of drivers so I guess Dad will have to teach me after all.
My buddies are all broken up and in different regiments. I’ve seen a few of them however. Hope it warms up in Buffalo soon or there won’t be any swimming when I get home next summer. I hope, hope, hope, Well I’m going down to the show this afternoon so I’ll close with lots of love.
Eddie

Letter # 46

Pvt. E. Cowley 42025054
Hgts.Co. 1st Bn. 301st Inf.
A.P.O. 94
Camp McCain Miss.

Miss Peggy Cowley
35 Woodside Ave.
Buffalo, N.Y.
Zone 20

Postmarked, 1944
(March 19)

Saturday,

Dear Peg,

Just read your composition and I think its swell, you’ve got an excellent chance of winning the contest. There’s just one or two criticisms, 1st of all watch your words, the long ones I mean. I used to write the same way, going above myself with elongated phrases & perhaps the attempt to present a large vocabulary. I really don’t think you knew what “Promulgated” means. Maybe you do but I’ll admit I don’t. The best composition is the simplest. Don’t use the dictionary at all. Forget about it and as words come into your vocabulary, use them. It’s the idea, not the words that count. Secondly don’t slush up the word “soldier” I know from experience & from meeting hundreds of soldiers that they do not care to called refered to in any terms that express bravery & heroism. The same things apply to flowery phrases concerning democracy, liberty etc. A soldier fights because he has to, he doesn’t like to fight but he will for himself and for his family & friends he wants to preserve the little things he loves. Soldiers aren’t courageous either, they’re isn’t anyone who has more fears than a soldier. I don’t believe we’re fighting to “make the world safe for democracy” I think we’re fighting for us, our present & future happiness. We aren’t getting gray hairs over the the welfare of those who are to follow, they mean just about all of nothing to us. Every soldier is fighting for the mother, the father & brothers & sisters he loves the kitchen & dining room & bedroom he wants to come home to. I guess I’m starting to write a composition kid, but that’s the way it really is and I thought he it might help you.
When you write another comp. think about the things I said and write the way you please. You know I didn’t intend to make you think your comp. wasn’t as good as it really is. I showed it to some of the fellas and very proudly told them it was my little sister who wrote it.
Glad to her your having such a good time skating etc. Still wish you’d stay away from servicemen for a couple years. There’s a lot of difference between 13 and 18 don’t you think? I guess I’m lecturing on everything so I’d better cut it out.
I’ll be a son of a gun if I didn’t contradict myself by writing to Betty McCarrol. Of course I haven’t any romantic interest in Bette or even Mary Criswell as I still think they’re both too young for an old college man like myself.
Well my arm is getting stiff so I’ll have to close. Write soon and take you good care of yourself.

Brother Ed

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The 1944 Hit Parade continues with a song that still means as much today as it did then: I'll Be Seeing You

Listen Up Mr. President

2009-09-01T11:26:00.000-07:00

Kathleen Cowley Greeting Presidential Motorcade

Help Wanted: A Flight of Angels

2009-08-27T04:18:00.001-07:00

Edward Moore "Ted" Kennedy
February 22, 1932 – August 25, 2009

We are deeply saddened by the passing of one of America's finest sons, Edward Kennedy. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family, friends, colleagues and his devoted staffers. Life without him is unimaginable as I've spent a life time listening for his stand on issues, forming my own political views using his positions as a litmus test for fighting the good fight. It was his voice, the voice of reason , I listened to during times of national debate and his voice, a comfort, during national crisis. Now I just don't know who I will listen to.

I wrote to Sen. Kennedy and spoke with his staff regularly stressing the timeliness of obtaining Liberator status, never thinking Sen. Kennedy would be leaving us. Seeing President Obama's motorcade go by my house yesterday I had an epiphany, thinking, hoping that the stars had finally aligned and that this was the moment that I could catch the President's attention. So I rushed about quickly painting a sign and placed it and myself at the edge of the road he had just traveled, certain he would see the sign and take action. What better way to honor his friend and mentor? I sat and waited. The motorcade never did go past as they left East Chop by a different route, so I trudged home with my sign, utterly deflated, defeated on such a sad, sad day.

I thought of my grandmother, Catherine Cowley and her great admiration for the Kennedys and then realized what she would tell me to do- light a candle and pray to St. Jude. St. Jude, the saint of impossible situations, the same saint she prayed to for my father's safe return from the war. The same saint she prayed to for me and my family during difficult times. So I lit a candle. I lit a candle and prayed for Ted, for his family and friends, for our country without him, and for the President to become aware of the 94th and write an Executive Order to grant the 94th Liberator status.

I think Ted would like that.

Yom Hashoah - 94th Infantry

2009-08-18T06:00:00.000-07:00

THIS IS A REPRINT OF ORIGINAL COLUMN FROM APRIL
--------------------------
This week has been designated as Days of Remembrance to surround Yom Hashoah. For those not familiar with this Jewish holiday, it is the day set aside every year to remember those who were lost in the Holocaust. So how, do you make something good for Only The Good Friday out of something so horrible?

This year the theme is

"Never Again: What You Do Matters"

“As for man, his days are as grass: as a flower of the field, so he flourishth…for the wind passeth over it and it is gone.”
--Psalm 103

The voices of the survivors and liberators will one day be silent, but their souls will be heard forever. Some of those liberators have never been honored as they deserve and for Kathleen Cowley it is a mission to bring a special honor to her father, Edward Cowley, and the other men of the U.S. Army 94th Infantry. The 94th liberated an area that held prisoners but was not designated after the war as one of "official" camps nor were they designated "liberators". There is no argument about this part of the story. Unfortunately, the designation for the 94th got caught up in Army and political rules and the designation fell through the cracks of officialdom until time ran out. You can read the story at the above link and in the letters below.

It will now take an Act of Congress to get these men named as "liberators" with a permanent place of honor in the National Holocaust Museum. Just the other day, Kathleen received a hopeful contact from the office of Senator Kennedy and this is her report on progress:

REQUEST FOR RECOGNITION OF THE 94TH INFANTRY DIVISION AS LIBERATORS.

I was finally able to get a hold of the military liaison I've been working with at Sen. Kennedy's office yesterday. She told me that the Congressional Research Center was not helpful and that they had hit a wall, as it is unchartered territory for them and not sure how best to proceed from here. So one of the aides in the office is to make this his sole priority for the next few days. Although as a matter of procedure they do not send people to the media, she told me that if CBS Sunday Morning News (she did seem to think this is their sort of story) were to contact them they would be very happy to speak with them. She feels this is an important "feel good" story that should be told and national interest would of course help this all along. It had previously been gently requested to wait and see what Sen. Kennedy could do so that he would be the one to present the case of the 94th before Congress. Yesterday she pointed out that Sen. Kennedy's time to put forth legislation is limited now but that this is very important, and if it comes to it in the near future, it might require an Act of Congress which they are willing to do but will be more helpful in that instance to contact other politicians willing to expend the time necessary. What I got from all this was to please pursue the media now and then we'll see where that takes it.

So...... Her next step is to pound on the doors of the media and other political offices to get them to tell a feel good story about her father and the other men of the 94th somewhere in the middle of all the latest doom and gloom. As she says, "If it weren't for the brave soldiers of the 94th ( who helped save the world) and my dear Da that I adore and whose time in this realm is so precious, I wouldn't be comfortable to ask, but there is so little time for their stories to be heard." So the pounding continues until someone important wakes up and tells the tale and Congress gives these men the place of honor they deserve.

If you have any contacts out there in the great world of media or politics, a little assist in the pounding on doors would be deeply appreciated before the winds of time carry these men away from the chance of earthly honors. What you do matters. The letters to Senator Kennedy's office that started this campaign will be in the next post.

For those who would like to know more about Yom Hashoah, you can visit the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum as a permanent living memorial to the victims. This year Holocaust Remembrance Day is Tuesday, April 21. You can read the full observance with video and the Presidential address. Take the time to read some of the stories collected at the National Holocaust Museum website. They include those of the families who lost members, those who were saved, and the memories of the men who liberated the camps.

Edward Cowley, Jr.

Kennedy Letters

2009-08-17T07:00:00.000-07:00

Below are printed the original letters from Cowley and Manthey included in the petition to Senator Ted Kennedy for his assistance and the Senator's initial response.

Letters Home - 36th Through 40th

2009-08-11T13:14:00.000-07:00

Mess Hall

Letter # 36

Pvt. E. Cowley 42025054
7th Co. 5th Regt ASTP
Fort Benning, Georgia

The Cowleys
35 Woodside Ave.
Buffalo, N.Y.
Zone 20

Postmarked, February 19, 1944

Thursday,

Dear mom,

Well at last I’ve got some good news. I’m going to Bowdoin, in Maine. Its right on the Atlantic coast about 200 miles from Troy and about 500 miles from home. The college itself is in a little town named Brunswick. All the rest of the guys are going to California, Oregon, Washington etc. Bowdoin was the only college in the east and was I ever lucky. Can’t understand how I got such a good break. Maybe I’l be getting home in a couple months.
We’ll be leaving soon but I'll keep writing until you hear from me from Maine.

Tonight we’re having a Company banquet and then a few of the musically inclined on are going to put on a program for us in the “Rec” hall. Should be quite a gay night so I’l better start getting cleaned up. I knew you wanted to know where I was going so I’m writing immediately. I’d like to call but haven’t the time right now. The next time I call it will be from the good old north. So long for awhile.

Love to all,
Eddie

Letter # 37

Pvt. E. Cowley 42025054
7th Co. 5th Regt ASTP
Fort Benning, Georgia

The Cowleys
35 Woodside Ave.
Buffalo, N.Y.
Zone 20

Postmarked, February 21, 1944

Dear mom,

I suppose you’ve heard the news that ASTP is discontinued. Guess its straight stuff this time. It looks like we’re going to college for awhile as our shipping orders are posted but they can still be cancelled, I imagine. I’d like very much to see Maine and perhaps get home, so I hope we ship. Its hard to say what they’ll do with us but I imagine I’ll be assigned to an Infantry outfit soon. To tell you the truth I didn’t think ASTP would last much longer so I kind of anticipated its termination. Just have to sit tight now and wait until my fate is decided. Maybe Danny will go to school. The premeds are still going so he should have a fair chance of making it. I’ve heard that the term at Bowdoin doesn’t start until the 24th of March. If we get there soon, we might get a pass or short furlough. If I could get 3 days I could get home for a few minutes at least. Of course you can never tell what the army will do as you well know by now.

Glad to hear Peggy is doing so well in school. Perhaps we can be in the same class up at State. That’s only 4 yrs away and it looks like the way the war will last that long. I’m enclosing $5 in stamps for Peggy Lou. I’ll have more shortly. Well best of health to all and I hope I may see you shortly.

Love to all,
Eddie

Letter # 38

Pvt. E. Cowley 42025054
7th Co. 5th Regt ASTP
Fort Benning, Georgia

The Cowleys
35 Woodside Ave.
Buffalo, N.Y.
Zone 20

Postmarked, February 26, 1944

Friday,

Dear mom,

By now you must know that ASTP is definitely discontinued. When I last wrote everything was undecided. We had been assigned our shipping orders and date of departure. Incidentally that information was a military secret. Some of the parents sent telegrams congratulating sons on their lucky destination. The colonel was pretty peeved & spoke to us about it threatening a court martial for the next Telegram. So from now on don’t send telegrams or say anything about “military secrets” in my letters. I’ve got athletes foot and am on sick call today for the 1st time in almost five months.

This afternoon we are taking our overseas physical. They aren’t wasting any time in sending us to combat. I hope I pass it as I’d hate to fight from a reception canter or the like. It doesn’t mean we’l be sent across immediately as we probably will spend a few months on manouvers someplace. The chances of transferring to another branch of the service are very slim so I guess I shall stay in the Infantry. At the present we have no idea whatever as to when we’l be sent but they have to send us someplace soon, I hope.
The picture you sent of State was swell. Must be beautiful in Buffalo now with all that snow. All we have is rain down here but we have plenty of That.

I knew Tom Casey pretty well. Used to take Gym with him down at S.P. He graduated with “Doc” We went out with him a couple times.
Sorry to hear Jim Richards is sick. Hope he comes thru it okay. Tell “Doc” to give Jimmy my best wishes. Once more I’m enclosing a couple stamps for Peggys collection. If I keep it up she’ll have a bond in no time. We’re leading a pretty soft life down here, we have a 12 mile march every other day and only work a half day when we aren’t marching. Can’t complain about anything. Foods as good as usual. Weathers Typical and I feel fine except for a touch of athlete’s foot.

Did I tell you I had my uniform tailored last week. Fits perfectly now. Even had the shirt form fitted. Like it a lot better now.
Well I hope everyone at home is feeling fine and taking good care of the new curtains. Forgot to mention that part about a picture of Dad in my coat you wrote about. Whats the big idea? Now that I can’t get back a him he’s taking advantage. Has Dad started wearing my socks as yet? Just wait

Love to all,
Eddie

Letter # 39

Pvt. E. Cowley 42025054
7th Co. 5th Regt ASTP
Fort Benning, Georgia

The Cowleys
35 Woodside Ave.
Buffalo, N.Y.
Zone 20

Postmarked, February 29, 1944

Monday, 1944

Dear mom,

Still in Benning and probably will be for quite a while.
I’m getting a couple new pair of glasses this week or next. Broke my rimless the other day. Am wearing the old ones now. Think I might send home the broken ones and you could have them fixed to my prescription. When I do I’ll send the money also, its 5 or 6 dollars isn’t it?

Had athlete’s foot on my ankle but its all cleared up now & I’m feeling fine but wish that we’d ship out of here. Everyone’s sick of the place. For the past couple weeks we’ve only been working mornings which leaves us plenty of time for ourselves and also has given me time to catch up on my letter writing.

I’m enclosing a sketch I made of our helmets. Just to let you know what we live in down here. There are 20 men in every each of these huts. How do you like them? Did a nice water colour which I might get around to sending home. Can’t keep anything like that around here as I don’t think the Captain appreciates real art. So long for awhile.

Love to all,
Eddie

Letter # 40

Pvt. E. Cowley 42025054
7th Co. 5th Regt ASTP
Fort Benning, Georgia

The Cowleys
35 Woodside Ave.
Buffalo, N.Y.
Zone 20

March 6, 1944

Hello folks,

There isn’t much going on down here now. We’re getting ready to ship out again, only we do that every week. Looks like we’re going to join some Infantry outfit someplace. We should be reclassified but I’ll still go to the Infantry so it doesn’t mean too much. For the 1st time in months I’ve got all my clothes clean and it was quite a job. They haven’t given us any laundry in 2 months. Got myself a swell pair of “officers” shoes the other day for $3.50. They’re really $10 shoes but I got them thru an officer so I got had quite a discount. Also bought a new belt so I’m all set for a furlough even if I haven’t got a chance of getting one.

I’m afraid you’d better forget about my getting home for a couple months as I hate to have you expecting me all the time when I won’t get home until next summer perhaps. Nothings very definite in the army and we never know what the deuce they’re going to do next.
This afternoon after doing my wash I layed out in the sun and soaked up all the ultra violet rays. Bet that sounds funny with snow in Buffalo. Tonight we’re going down to the theater and see Donald O’Connor in a “Chip Off the Old Block” Should be pretty good. By the way be sure and not miss the Five Sullivans’ I thought it was very well worked out for the touchy subject it embodies.
Well must dress for a big time tonight. Love to all,

Eddie
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1944 Song: Do Nothing Till You Hear From Me

Letters 30 - 35

2009-07-26T10:46:00.000-07:00

Letter # 30

Pvt. E. Cowley 42025054
Seventh Company
Fifth Training Regiment, A.S.T.P.
Fort Benning, Georgia

The Cowleys
35 Woodside Ave.
Buffalo, N.Y.
Zone 20

Postmarked February 4, 1944

Wednesday night, 1944

Dear Mom,

At last Uncle Sam is gonna give me time to write a decent letter. Basic is for the better part over. Monday we had six hours of mental exams Think I did fairly well. Tuesday we had graduation exercises in the form of a 25 mile march. We did it in 8 hours so you can imagine the cadence. Today we really did things up fine. Began this morning with 2 hours of drill, then two hours to clean rifle, equipment & huts. They really poured it on in the afternoon We had our final physical tests, 33 push ups, 11 burpees in 20 sec, 300 yds in 45 sec (with G.I. shoes of course) carry a man on our back for 75 yds in 20 sec, an agility course, & then the pay off, a 4 mile forced march (run with full packs) in less than 50 minutes. I qualified 100% in everything except the running but then no one could in that, made 49 sec & best time was 47 so I’m pretty well satisfied.

Tonight I’m damn tired but still have strength enough to raise a pen. Was thinking of sending a night letter but couldn’t say much in 25 words anyhow. Oh! Almost forgot to mention, our platoon was the only one in the battalion which didn’t lose a man in the 25 mile march. We were also the best on the forced march losing only one man as compared to the numerous casualties of other platoons. Also we had a drill down and all the officers in the Battalion agreed that our platoon was the best drilled in the Battalion and many said we were the best looking training group they had ever seen, all of which puts us on top where we belong. I’ll give you one guess who’s the best soldier in the platoon (ha, ha)

Well, now that all my bragging is done maybe I can give you a little news. Rumors are flying thick and fast but I’m pretty sure that I might have a chance of going either northeast or Midwest, Just have to keep hoping for the best, but its up to the army as usual. I’d like to get within 1000 miles of home and then I’d always be able to get a couple days home if I had a 1 week furlough, which is what they give. Maybe I’ll be home for my birthday if all goes well.

Appreciated your letter about my boys, they’re the best guys in the world and I’ll never stop reliving the times the Dragons have had together. It’l be a great day when we all come home again. We’ve always planned a frat cottage out at the lake some summer. Whatever summer it is or how many of us there are we’ll have that someday, guess everyone will be happy when that day comes. The army will work that fat fanny off Doc. That’s one thing they don’t tolerate. Kenny won’t be such an egoist either after the air corps has him for awhile. Even though the air corps isn’t much of an outlet compared to the fighting Infantry they must have a little discipline at least. It’l seem darned funny saluting Harry & the rest. But M maybe I’ll beat them to it & they’l have to salute me. Doubt if my eyes could pass O.C.S. but I’ll never stop trying, they can count on that.

Glad to hear “Ma Green” moved off the street. The kids can grow up in peace now and won’t have to look at Randolph like we did.
Hope everyone is healthy, wealthy & I know your all wise. Should be good & healthy after that two # of butter. The food down here is nothing to what I used to have but it keep one alive & that’s the main purpose I guess. We eat everything (except egg plant) and absorb all the nourishment we can from it. Don’t eat for pleasure any more, just to get full so we can keep going. You should have known before Kenny & Doc tried on my hat that the only one heads an Infantry soldier’s hat fits is the soldier’s and his father’s right Dad? Good night to all and love to all the Cowleys.

Eddie Paul

----------------------------------------

Letter # 31

Pvt. E.P. Cowley 42025054
7th Co. 5th Regt ASTP
Fort Benning, Georgia

The Cowleys
35 Woodside Ave.
Buffalo, N.Y.
Zone 20

Saturday, February 5, 1944

Mother,

At last our training is over, we just returned from the final review. Everything went off great in the parade. Now we’re soldiers after all our work. I’m going over to see Danny this afternoon. Its about an 8 mile walk but whats that to me now. You gave me a rather odd address but with the help of nineteen buddies I decoded it and think I know where he should be.Well, all we have to do now is wait until we’re shipped. Haven’t the slightest idea where I’ll be going but I think I’ll know sometime next week. As soon I do find out I’ll let you know.

Going into town today for another one of those steaks. Saw John Woodman last week for probably the last time until the war ends.
Feel fine, still putting on weight. Maybe I’ll weigh as much as Dad when I get home. Of course not as chubby. Bet he’ll shoot me if I keep up that kind of talk. We get a furlough after 3 months of college. I’m getting closer all the time. I’ll be home before you know it. If I go north there’s a chance we might get a delayed route or something and I’d have a chance to stop at Buffalo. Naturally that’s very doubtful but it sounds good anyhow.

Can’t understand how they expect Danny to take basic. Its gonna be very tough on that bum leg of his. Hope he can stand it though, know he’d like it. Most of it was very interesting but also very fatiguing. I’ll have to give him a few good pointers, guess I made all the mistakes possible. Peggy sent a very nice letter which I’ll answer next week. Should a have a few minutes now that we’re thru.

They (the army) made up some programs for us. Think you’l like them. Will send it home tomorrow. You’l have a tough time picking me out of all that Khaki. I’m kneeling in the 3rd row, 2nd from the Louie on the right. I forgot to thank you for the fudge & cookies. They were swell.

Have to get going before they stick me on some detail. Love to all,

Eddie

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Letter # 32

Pvt. E.P. Cowley 42025054
7th Co. 5th Regt ASTP
Fort Benning, Georgia

The Cowleys
35 Woodside Ave.
Buffalo, N.Y.
Zone 20

Postmarked, February 9, 1944

Tuesday, 1944

Mother,

Hello again! I’m taking a night off for the letter writing and there’s no better place to write than home so here’s the news.
I saw Danny Sat., he looks swell, feels fine and still likes the army. (he doesn’t know) He was starting training Monday so I told him a little of what is ahead of him. Looked at his rifle. Never saw anything so dirty in all my army career. Tell Marie if he doesn’t get it clean soon, he’s gonna spend almost as much time in the Kitchen as I did. He’s got a fairly nice location so I a imagine he’l do alright for himself. He said something about taking only 8 weeks training. That I wouldn’t count on. The army just isn’t like that. They’re even giving us a post training course now which we is harder than basic.

Haven’t heard anything yet about about shipping. I’m all set to go but kinda suspect we won’t leave for another week or so. Its okay with me though as the weather down here is fine, I’m feeling good and they’ve even got ice cream at the P.X. We’re not doing much, had a couple marches this week that’s about all. I’ve even seen a couple shows so everything is fine.

I’m not going to get the gloves & shoes until I go north, I hope, hope, hope. I’m gonna try & catch up with my writing so I’ll close. Love to all.

Little Ed
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Letter # 33

Pvt. E. Cowley 42025054
7th Co. 5th Regt ASTP
Fort Benning, Georgia

The Cowleys
35 Woodside Ave.
Buffalo, N.Y.
Zone 20

Postmarked, February 12, 1944

Mother,

I enclosed a defense stamp for Peggy so don’t lose it when you open the letter. I’m sorry about that Cornell, I was just kidding Betty. Of course I’ve still got a chance of going north. Somehow or other it doesn’t bother me too much where I’m going to be sent. As you say its almost too much to hope for Cornell, but I’m expecting the worst so I won’t be disappointed. I’m really very sorry that you got so excited over the rumor I spread. First of all I’ve got to get out of here. It looks like we might be here any length of time up to a month. They’re giving us advanced & review training. We have a march every other day so we won’t be getting soft.

How does Danny like his basic so far? Butch doesn’t know what a soft life he’s in for in that slapstick navy of ours. Well I’ve got to shine up my rifle some more so I’ll be thinking of home and marching for another couple of days, so long.

Love,
Eddie
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Letter # 34

Pvt. E. Cowley 42025054
7th Co. 5th Regt ASTP
Fort Benning, Georgia

Miss Peggy Cowley
35 Woodside Ave.
Buffalo, N.Y.
Zone 20

Postmarked, February 17, 1944

Hello Peggy,

How ya been kid? I’m sorry I haven’t written but you know I didn’t have much time before. Glad to hear to you did okay (notice that “okay”, I used to do okay, you did fine) in your exams. You couldn’t top my mark in Ec.Cit. but I could never top your mark in Latin so that makes us even ha!ha!

I’m gonna send you $7$ worth of war stamps soon so make room for them in your book. By the way, you must have quite a collection by know haven’t you. How’s your roller skating these days? Mother says you go up to G Skateland quite a bit. Must be pretty lively up there now that your club is going in mass. Stay away from all the servicemen though as they’re much too old for you. I know, I’m one of them.

Did you get your sweater yet? I still feel guilty about not sending you the design. As I said before I had it all drawn but then I realized I didn’t know the color scheme so I managed to lose it.
Well, I’ll be leaving Fort Benning soon, next week in fact. I still don’t know where I’m going but I hope it isn’t too far away from home as I wouldn’t be able to get home on furlough and that would break Bette McKerrows heart. Would it not?

Things must be pretty quiet around Parson with all the boys in the army. Do the kids still hang around down there? Well, its time I went to chow so I can build up my delicate frame. I also just received the So. Buffalo News so I’m gonna take a peek at it. Write soon!

Love,
Eddie

P.S. Just received your Valentine. Its swell! Thanks a million.

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Letter # 35

Pvt. E. Cowley 42025054
7th Co. 5th Regt ASTP
Fort Benning, Georgia

The Cowleys
35 Woodside Ave.
Buffalo, N.Y.
Zone 20

Postmarked, February 17, 1944

Wednesday, 1944

Dear Mom,

I’ve got today off so I’m going to catch up on my writing once more. Luckily, I was put on a detail last night and managed to avoid working today. Well, yesterday I turned in my rifle and bayonet. Hated to do it of course but its about time they took the things off our hands. This morning I found out we’re leaving between the 24th & 26th. Destination unknown but its gonna be either Maine, middle west or California. From pretty reliable rumors I’ve gathered that the majority of us will probably go to California. I’ll have to hope like the devil that I go to Maine. By the way, how does that Stein song go? I understand we’re given some consideration as to our original service command. Hope so!

How’s everything at home? Guess its getting pretty cold up there from what my correspondents tell me. Did you hear Johnny Fungen got a discharge. Don’t know why myself, Bette mentioned it. Bob DeWitts in Greensboro N.C. Says he doesn’t like the air corps, he doesn’t know what a vacation he’s taking.

I’m gonna start taking $6.25 out every month for war bonds. I’ve They’ve discontinued the $3.75 so next month I’ll change over. You should receive a bond in the next month or so as my 5 months will soon be up. From then on you’l get a bond every 3 months which should be a little better. Also I have $7 worth of stamps which I will send home. I’d like Peggy to have them for as an Easter present or something similar.

Its starting to rain. Feels great to hear the rain beating on the roof for a change instead of the helmet. We’re having a big company party tomorrow night, chicken & everything. A few of the boys are going to put on a little musical afterwards so it should be a lot of fun.

40 hours a week sounds a lot better than 48. Hope you like your new job, imagine it will okay. You’l be right next door to Dad which should be fine. Maybe you can play checkers over at the firehouse during lunch hour. Speaking of checkers I played the hut champion the other day. I almost beat him, how I don’t know. As it was the game was a draw. He insists on a return match but I tell him I can’t be bothered. Also told him Dad was the best checker player in the Fire Dept. That kinda scared him so I’ll let things stand as they are for awhile. I’ve really built that father o’mine up. Hope he appreciates it. He’s famous all over the United States for just about everything now. Well, best of health to all from your khaki wacky son.

Love,
Eddie

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The Number One "Silly Song" of 1944 Mairzy Doats

Letters 25 - 29

2009-07-19T14:50:00.000-07:00

BIVOUAC

Letter # 25

Pvt E. Cowley 42025054
Seventh Company
Fifth Training Regiment, A.S.T.P.
Fort Benning, Georgia

The Cowleys
35 Woodside Ave.
Buffalo, N.Y.
Zone 20

Postmarked January 18, 1944

Dear Mom,

At last I’ve got a minute to write, I hope. Received the candy you sent and have been having a wild time with it. Those little cookies were wonderful, thanks a million.

Perhaps you’ve received my pictures by now, hope you think its alright. I sent the photos in quite a hurry. Nans & Aunt Pegs are together & Grandma’s & Flo & Ed are also in the same package. Didn’t have time to address anymore envelopes and besides I forgot Flo & Nans address besides that it was cheaper that way, of course I’m very generous with my money but I must have a little Jew in me. I was beginning to wonder if I was ever going to get into town to send those pictures suppose you were too. After I sent the pictures we (five of us) went to “Pat Pattersons” and had a great big “T” bone steak with French fried potatoes & onions, & ice cream sundaes & 2 big pieces of chocolate pie, and even two bottles of beer.

(Sat morn, 3 days later) Never had time to finish this letter before and am now going to do my darndest before something happens again. I have today and tomorrow off to get ready for the next 2 weeks of bivouac Monday morning.

I’ve been reading your letters over and that part about a Thanksgiving dinner sounds wonderful. When I get home on furlough I’m not going to say anything about it to anyone but you of course. That way I’ll be able to spend a nice quiet enjoyable evening by the fireside. Am looking forward to a nice hot bath and long bull session with Dad.

Its too bad about Aunt Margaret, kinda complicates conditions, even more. If Aunt Nellie doesn’t come to Buffalo what will she do in Corning. We’re running out of relatives down there aren’t we?

Very glad to hear Danny got in, bet it makes him feel swell. I thought he would get in, told him so before I left. Only hope he doesn’t take anything like I’m taking as it would be terrific on his bad foot. Hope he can get himself a commission after a little more study.

Didn’t I tell you John W. was coming home on furlough? Thought I did. I was out with him a few times down here and it certainly was swell to see someone from So. Buffalo. Imagine Roy will be coming down here soon as it is the only paratroop school in the country. I’d like to see him before I leave if its possible.

Well, 10 weeks of basic (2 ½ months) are over, only 3 more to go. The last 3 are going to be good & tough. Its all tactical training for the next 2 weeks and we sleep out in the pup tents. If I come thru that everything will be fine.

Guess that just about covers almost everything so I shall go back to my rifle and wait for another detail. Best of health and lots of love to all.

Eddie Paul

P.S. I’m enclosing $15 to be added to my account. Tell me how much I’ve got now. Thanks a lot.

Letter # 26

Pvt E. Cowley 42025054
Seventh Company
Fifth Training Regiment, A.S.T.P.
Fort Benning, Georgia

The Cowleys
35 Woodside Ave.
Buffalo, N.Y.

Postmarked January 18, 1944

Dear Cowleys,

I just received a snapshot that one of the fellas took of some of the boys in our hut. We’re not allowed to have cameras on the post so if I wanted the picture I had to send it right away. It isn’t very good of me but it’s a good picture of our bayonets. Gives you a vague idea of how formal we dress down here.

Well, right now I’ve been in the army longer than Dad was in the last war. He was in 87 days, isn’t that correct? Just a rookie. Guess he had a good interview anyhow.

Want to let you know that I can receive mail on maneuvers but I won’t be able to write for 2 weeks as we don’t have any thing to write with. We carry a 100 lb load on our backs & it doesn’t leave much room for stationary.

Well, I want to get some letters written so I’ll have to be closing for awhile. Drop me a few lines and keep up my morale while I’m sleeping in my fox hole.

Love to all,
Eddie Paul

P.S. Hope you know which one is I.

Letter # 27

Pvt. E. Cowley 42025054
Seventh Company
Fifth Training Regiment, A.S.T.P.
Fort Benning, Georgia

The Cowleys
35 Woodside Ave.
Buffalo, N.Y.
Zone 20

January 25, 1944

Dear Mom,

Received your letter Monday. Was beginning to wonder if my money had made it home. I’m gonna try and send home some more in case I ever get furlough. Forgot to thank you for the Brownies in my last letter so I want to thank you now very much. They came on bivouac when I was starving and boy! Did they taste great.

I borrowed some paper & a pen to write this letter. Am writing on a blanket in Harry Cook’s pup tent. Thought you might like to know that everything was coming along fine and I expect to be back in garrison Saturday morning.

We’re working 12 hours a day now. 4 in the afternoon & 8 at night. Its only gonna last a few more days so I don’t mind it too much knowing that soon training will all be finished. Johnny Woodman is back in camp and we’re trying to get together that big dinner Sat night. Probably will be that last chance we’ll have of seeing each there for duration

Chow call, gotta rush

Love to all,
Eddie Paul

Letter # 28

Pvt E.P. Cowley 42025054
7th Co.5th Regt. A.S.T.P.
Fort Benning, Ga.

The Cowleys
35 Woodside Ave.
Buffalo, N.Y.
Zone 20

Sunday
January 23, 1944

Please excuse the stationary., Rhoda sent it. It isn’t Infantry so I’m gonna use it up as fast as I possibly can.

Hello folks,

Somehow or other we got a big break today and they brought us back to garrison to clean ourselves up a bit, not too much of course.
I’m awfully sorry you were worrying about me so much. They way we’re living now its next to impossible to write. No news is good news however so try not to worry if you don’t hear from me for a week or so.

Thus far we’ve had a wonderful break in weather, keeping my fingers crossed. The sun shined all week and sleeping in the pup tents wasn’t bad at all. My “ Boy scout” tricks came in handy and I kept good and warm. Last week we had a couple cross country marches at night. They were really good and tough but they’re over at last. Next week all we have is 4, eight hour night problems and then we come to camp on Friday. We eat breakfast and dinner in the darkness, no smoking, no talking at all, and no rattling of mess kits, no heavy breathing, & practically no food. We’re all getting like owls. When the sun comes out we can hardly see.

I glad you liked the picture even with brown eyes, as I said before I would have sent a frame but I was afraid the glass might break on its long trip. Guess you would just as soon get one that you liked yourselves. Won’t have time to make that thing for Peggy’s glove club (they just fooled me with some green ink) but I think it would be better & much cheaper for the girls to pick out one of their standard designs which they have in stock. That’s the way the Dragons got their emblems.

Next week end if we can get passes we have a big graduation party planned. About 20 of us are going to a restaurant in town where the serve a delicious T-Bone steak dinner for $2 We’re all just living for those steaks and French fried potatoes. Hope we can all make it thru this week and finish up for once and for all with this basic training.

They say that all of us who finish successfully will be issued expert Infantry medals and that’s something anyone would be proud to wear. Next pay I intend to go to some store in “Yankee land” and dress myself up with Civy shoes and leather gloves. Boy it will be great to be clean for awhile anyhow. I’m just hoping I go north to school, someplace like Cornell, Princeton, or U.B. However if my luck continues as it has I’ll probably go to Southern Cal.

I’ll write to Aileen, Pap and all the rest when I have lots of time which should be next week. By the way I hope you received the money I sent, namely $15. Well I have to start washing so please don’t worry anymore and don’t let Dad catch the flu as I want him good and healthy for the wrestling match we’re going to have when I come home.

Love to all,
Eddie Paul

Letter # 29

Pvt. E.P. Cowley 42025054
Seventh Company
Fifth Training Regiment, A.S.T.P.
Fort Benning, Georgia

The Cowleys
35 Woodside Ave.
Buffalo, N.Y.
Zone 20

Postmarked January 31, 1944

Dear Mom,

Saturday morning, got in from bivouac about 6:30 in the morning after marching all night. Just a quick line to let you know I’m in pretty good shape & darn anxious to finish training. Received two letters from home & one from Aunt Peg early this morning. Peg says you’re numbering my letters. What number am I up to now?

Seems great to be seeing day light again. This last bivouac we had eight night problems. Got quite sick of walking, running, fighting and eating in the dark all the time. Was kinda worried that I might walk over a cliff on one of those problems but luckily I didn’t.
Thursday night we (Battalion A) attacked the enemy which was Battalion B. My squad wound up by destroying the enemies right flank & capturing the Battalion Commander. He was quite peeved and insisted we couldn’t have done it if we were using live ammunition but nevertheless he was greatly relieved when I finally took the tip of my bayonet away from his back.

We had the best weather possible, it couldn’t have been any better. Didn’t rain or snow for 2 weeks. The ground was pretty warm so I didn’t mind sleeping at all. Tonight we’re going in town for a steak & a few beers. We’ve really earned the privilege, believe me. Must get ready to leave so best of health and lots of love for all.

Eddie Paul

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The 1940s were a great time for music, but we have now come to 1944 and some songs so great they are still being performed in clubs and on stages 65 years later. This is the year of the "Great American Songbook". We will kick off the hit parade with Michael Buble's modern version of the The Mills Brothers song first released in 1944"You Always Hurt The One You Love"

Letters 22 - 24 The Holiday Letters

2009-07-18T10:27:00.000-07:00

Letter # 22

Pvt E.P. Cowley 42025054
Seventh Company
Fifth Training Regiment, A.S.T.P.
Fort Benning, Georgia

The Cowleys
35 Woodside Ave.
Buffalo, N.Y.
Zone 20

Postmarked December 24, 1943

Thursday

Dear mom,

Been having a tough time trying to figure out how to make that phone call. I’m trying tonight and have high hopes of getting it thru. Wouldn’t have a chance of calling Christmas (it would take at least 6 hours) and tomorrow night I want to go into town and get my pictures and start them for Buffalo before bivouac, which is early Sunday morn.

All this week I haven’t had 10 minutes to myself. We’re getting ready for our trip and everything is in high gear. Feel as though I’ve neglected everyone by not sending cards or anything but just couldn’t do it. Hope those pictures make up for everything. Honest to God I think I’ve received a thousand Christmas cards, including $10 from Grandma and Aunt Flo, $2 from Aileen and Tom, the $5 from home of course, the package from home, the package from nan, and a nice little handbook and diary from Jane Stumph plus smokes from Aunt Peg. Also a swell great big letter from all my “classmates” at state. It was swell and I really appreciate everything. Be sure and thank everyone for me and tell them I’ll write as soon as we get in off the range.

By the way I hear “Doc” is in the hospital, I hope he’s all right. Let me know if you can find out how he is.

Tomorrow we go out on the firing range and shoot live ammunition for the 1st time. Do you realize I’m more than half way thru basic? The time seems to drag at times but I guess its moving along. Didn’t think it was possible to learn so much in such a short time, they really pile the stuff on us.

Just put the call in, the operator said it would take 3 to 4 hours so I’m in for a good long wait. I’ll try and get some letters out. Your card was very nice but you could never be as proud of your son in the army as your son is of you. I think your both tops and Peggy Lou is getting better all the time. Who knows but someday I might even love Peggy. Just joking anyone that can get a 97-1/2 is certainly my sister.

You asked about my numbers. Here they are 42025054 serial number; 381423 rifle number; 143977 bayonet number; 30 rifle roster number; 5 mortar squad number; 8 rifle and machine gun squad number. Does that straighten everything out? I’ve got quite a few of them.

Well I suppose I should close and try to answer that pile of mail. Hope you had a good Christmas and hope that the next year will bring us all together again. Best of health to everyone and best wishes from your favorite son.

Eddie Paul

Letter # 23

Pvt E. Cowley 42025054
Seventh Company
Fifth Training Regiment, A.S.T.P.
Fort Benning, Georgia

The Cowleys
35 Woodside Ave.
Buffalo, N.Y.
Zone 20

Xmas night

December 25, 1943

Dear folks,

Its Christmas night and I’ve just finished all my packing for tomorrow. All set for bivouac at last. Gee, it was great talking to you the other night. I couldn’t think of much to say in that five minutes. Guess that’s the way it goes though. I could just see the Christmas tree with all the lights and trimmings and Dad sitting on the couch with a bottle of Ballantines. Kinda made me feel as though I were home again.

I’m sorry but my pictures won’t be home for about a month. Last night I tried to get into town to get them but couldn’t get a bus or taxi. We walked for 4 hours and finally gave up after about 10 miles. Now I won’t be ale to get into town until after the 2 weeks.

Lights are out a in a few minutes so I have to close for now. Happy New Year to all and my love.

Eddie Paul

Letter # 24

Pvt E. Cowley 42025054
Seventh Company
Fifth Training Regiment, A.S.T.P.
Fort Benning, Georgia

The Cowleys
35 Woodside Ave.
Buffalo, N.Y.
Zone 20

Postmarked January 4, 1944

New Years 1944

Dear folks,

I’m celebrating the New Year by taking time off to write a letter or two. Received two letters from home today, one from Peggy. Guess I called the Ballantine’s night, think all the odds were with me however. Lou is calling his shots too so you say.

Well I’ve got some good news for you I qualified with the MI, garand as you probably know it. No matter what you call it its still the rifle and its required that we are qualified marksmen to go to school. Sounds kinda foolish but thats the way everything sounds in the army. Glad its over however, another successful phase in my army career. I also qualified as high expert with the 30 cal Browning machine highest in the 1st platoon even. It doesn’t mean anything but it sounds great. Among the other weapons which I’ve fired is the 60mm mortar, carbine and anti tank grenade. The grenade is fired from the 03’ Springfield which Dad probably used to drill with. Almost had tomorrow off but I got K.P. as usual so I’ll be busy for about 14 hours.

Tell Peggy I won’t be able to send the design because its back in garrison and 20 miles away from me. I’m writing by candlelight and boy if Mary Margaret Criswell were only here would it be romantic? Its getting cold in this tent and the candle isn’t keeping me very warm. Try it sometime you’l soon find out.

Happy New Year to all and to all a good night.

Love,
Eddie Paul

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Who knows? Maybe Mary Margaret Criswell was singing this lovely 1943 song.

Letters 20 and 21 A/B

2009-07-14T20:15:00.000-07:00

Letter # 20

Pvt. E. Cowley 42025054
Seventh Company
Fifth Training Regiment, A.S.T.P.
Fort Benning, Georgia

The Cowleys
35 Woodside Ave.
Buffalo, N.Y.
Zone 20

Postmarked December 13, 1943

Saturday, 1943

Dear Mom,

Today we had our regular big inspection and they say we flunked it miserably. It was quite a disappointment to me, not that I spent all last night cleaning & washing but because I wanted to get into town to get the proofs for the pictures I had taken last week. I had hoped to have the pictures home just before Christmas but guess its out of the question now. Hope you won’t mind waiting a week or two after Christmas. The picture will arrive sometime I’m quite confident.

Well, I’m on the 6th week of basic now, almost half way there. Last week was tough as the dickens but I’m resigned to my fate at last. My hat should have arrived by now, it wasn’t hurt crushed in the mail was it? its insured if it was. Today is Sunday and I just finished my laundry, even made 50 cents by washing another fellows field jacket This morning we had another rifle inspection and somehow or other we passed. Could go into town now but everything is closed anyhow. Did a little writing this afternoon. Wrote a brief account of army life and sending it to Mulholland. Perhaps she’l have it published in the school paper.

Got Christmas cards from Connie & Lil, Mrs. Hasselbeck “Doc’s” aunt Jane Stumych, & the college. Also got some smokes from the News & a book on phychology from school. The Sophomore class sent some stationary so I’m pretty well set.

Next week I’ll have to be right on the ball as we’re learning how to fire the machine gun, mortar & rifle. If I can get this down pat the rest of basic will be a snap. Did I tell you there is a pink eye epidemic down here & we have to take drops in the eye for it. I haven’t had it so ar. Think I’m immune anyhow.

You asked what I’d like for Christmas well a nice box of stuff would be appreciated very much. Please include in box set of watercolours & paper. You can send the set I have & don’t forget the brushes, think there’s about three. I figure I might just as well let things go until I get to college. Want to get a couple pairs of civilian shoes, dress belt, & also want to have my clothes tailored. That’s where any extra money will come in handy. I intend to send pictures to Grandma, Nan, Aunt Peg, Aunt Flo, Bette & of course home. I’ll have one left over perhaps Peggy Lou would like it.

That idea about Grandma would be swell. Hope she agrees to it. Well, I hope everyone is feeling well and still taking good care of my room.

Lots of love to all
Little Ed

P.S. Think I’ll try to call early Christmas morn around 8 or 9 o’clock, okay?

----------------------------------------

Letter # 21A

Private E.P. Cowley Jr. 42025054
Seventh Company
Fifth Training Regiment, A.S.T.P.
Fort Benning, Georgia

The Cowleys
35 Woodside Ave.
Buffalo, N.Y.
Zone 20

Postmarked December 19, 1943

Dear family,

Received your Christmas box yesterday and it was swell. I’m going to hang up the stocking Christmas eve just like old times. The fellas took care of the cookies & fudge as soon as I opened the box. That’s the way everything goes around here. I hid the candy bars & gum (how did you ever get it?) & also the fruit cake. I can take care of those all by myself, I hope. Enjoyed reading the So. Buffalo news & the funnies. Ann & Tip sent a very nice box which we had a swell time with. You’d be surprised to see how fast food goes with 20 starving soldiers grabbing from all angles.

I saw my proofs the other night can’t say there too good but guess they’ll be all right. Rather confused as to when I’ll be able to send the picture. We go out on Bivouacs either Christmas or the day after. The pictures won’t be done until Christmas eve & I don’t think I’ll be able to get in to town & I’ll be on in the field for 2 weeks after that. Whatever happens you’ll get the pictures as soon as possible so please forgive me for not getting it home in time for Christmas.

Hope your having a tree this year even if its just a little one it would do fine. I’ll be thinking of home more than usual Christmas day and know it will be just like always. Will try my hardest to get that call thru. It usually takes about 6 hours or so, I’ll get an early start and perhaps you’ll get the call either Christmas morning or afternoon. Hope that’s all right with you. Received Christmas cards from Aunt Peg, Nan & Pap, Connie & Lil, Ann Clancy. Be sure & thank them all for me. I won’t have time to thank them myself but it I think it was swell they remembered me, especially Connie & Lil. Was quite surprised to hear from them.

Received Peggys letters and am quite highly honored to be the one to design their clubs insignia. I’ll do it very soon, know their anxious to get their sweaters if their anything like the Dragons were.

Well I’ve got a lot of writing to do and as usual not much time to do it in so I’ll close with a big “Merry Christmas” and hope that I will talk to you Saturday.

Love to all,
Eddie Jr.

P.S. The emblem on the hat is just the regular U.S. army insignia. Don’t know just what those things stand for that you spoke about. Glad you like it but sorry it too small for Dad ha!ha!
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Letter # 21B

Pvt. E. Cowley 42025054
Seventh Company
Fifth Training Regiment, A.S.T.P.
Fort Benning, Georgia

Miss Peggy Cowley
35 Woodside Ave.
Buffalo, N.Y.
Zone 20

Postmarked December 24, 1943

Dear Peggy,

Just a little note from your soldier brother. How is everything down at Parson & Judds these days? Hows school & a lot more hows? Guess your doing all right by your average. Keep it up high, have a good time & you’ll soon be a classmate of mine up at state. Hope so!

I’m enclosing an A.S.T.P. patch. It’s the insignia of my outfit. When & if I get to college that’s what I’ll wear. It should look pretty nice on one of your sport jackets or something. You know better than I do about things like that.

I’ve been working on that design for your club I’m not sure just what you wanted. Think they would have something like that already made at the store. It would be a better idea to buy it like that. I’d imagine it would cost quite a bit to have a drawing reproduced. I’ve got one made but I’d have to do a color scheme & things like that. If you still want me to do it write & let me know.

Be good and don’t study too hard, haha

Your best boy friend,
Eddie
-------------------------------------------------
Along with Big Band and Swing, the big musical event was OKLAHOMA on Broadway. You Tube didn't have the original by Alfred Drake, so here is a wonderful concert version with Hugh Jackman as Curlie.

Letters 18 & 19

2009-07-10T17:17:00.000-07:00

Letter # 18

Pvt. E.P. Cowley 42025054
Seventh Company
Fifth Training Regiment, A.S.T.P.
Fort Benning, Georgia

The Cowleys
35 Woodside Ave.
Buffalo, N.Y.

Postmarked December 8, 1943

Tuesday Morn,

Dear Mom,

We have a little free time this morning so I’ll try to write a letter. Last night we were on a tactical reconnaissance problem in the woods. It was raining terrificly and the ground was cold and very, very damp. Our objective was to make our way thru 3 miles of heavily wooded area & swamp to 8th Division road. Between the starting point & the objective there was about 300 enemy troop armed with flares, torpedoes, rifles & machine guns. It was really brutal carrying the full field pack & rifle thru all that. Whenever we are fired upon we have to stretch out on the ground as low & noiseless as possible. I lost my patrol the 1st time we encountered the enemy which was about 200 yds from the beginning. Picked my way all alone for the remainder if the 3 miles. The compass was with the patrol & I had to move by the moon. Got thru all right and am still living so I guess everythings okay. We go on a long march today so I’ll have to start polishing again.

You should have got my hat by now, how do you like it? What does Peggy think of it? Does it fit Dad? Have to get my blood tested and typed now so I’ll have to close soon. I was picked up by the M.P.s with Dave Sunday afternoon. We were walking over to the service club & stepped on a Highway which we shouldn’t have. Why I don’t know. They even picked up a dog that ran out onto the Highway. Boy those MPs are really lousy. Well, I’ll write again soon.

Love to all
Eddie
----------------------

Letter # 19

Pvt. E. Cowley 42025054
Seventh Company
Fifth Training Regiment, A.S.T.P.
Fort Benning, Georgia

The Cowleys
35 Woodside Ave.
Buffalo, N.Y.
Zone 20

Postmarked December 9, 1943

Dear Mom,

Sorry I haven’t written very much lately but you know how time is in the army, very scarce. We’re talking about the Irish now & Dugan, Doyle, & I are defending the green with our lives.

Came thru all that rain & mud the other day in pretty fair shape. Kinda thought I might get a bad cold but I’m darn glad I didn’t and know you will be too,

Haven’t time to say much more as lights are just about out. We’ve had an awful lot of running, exercise, obstacle course, & hand to hand combat. Took care of some Englishman who didn’t care for the Irish today (with my elbows of course, guess he’l pull thru though)

How’s everything in So. Buffalo these days? Does Miss McDade miss me very much? This battle of the Irish is reaching riot stage. I’ll have to reach for my bayonet any minute now. How is Uncle Lou coming with that CDD? Hope he gets it, know he’d be a lot better off.

I’ll let you know the few things I want for Christmas. If any of the family want ask you what I would want tell them to send a little money I’ll need it for some dress shoes, belt & other things I’ll need soon. That’s just in case they ask of course.

Lots of love to all, Eddie or 42025054-381423-143977-30

________________

The song that meant the most to every soldier in 1943
"I'll Be Home For Christmas"

Letters 16 & 17

2009-07-07T11:04:00.000-07:00

Pvt. E. Cowley 42025054
Seventh Company
Fifth Training Regiment, A.S.T.P.
Fort Benning, Georgia

Miss Peggy Cowley
35 Woodside Ave.
Buffalo, N.Y.
Zone 20

Postmarked December 2, 1943

Dear Peggy,

Very pleased to hear from you and also very surprised. Glad to hear you liked the banner, kinda thought you would. Maybe I’ll send you some others from different camps. Thanks a lot for reassuring me of the excellent care Mother is taking of my room.

Your sorority “uniforms” sound pretty good and I’ll bet they’re gonna look hep. Your choice of colours is dandy and when I get home you better watch that sweater.

Peggy, I have to go to “chow” so I’ll finish the letter later. Well, I’m back from chow and might have a few minutes. As soon as the whistle blows I have to jump into all my equipment and go out to “Hells half acres” There we crawl on our bellies with out noses in the dirt for 3 hours. Wouldn’t you like to see me do that?

I think it was yesterday that I wrote to George Clancy. Ann will probably run up and grab the letter and tell you all about it in her next letter. Don’t understand what you mean by saying your “keeping up the family tradition” by getting 100 in Latin. You know I never had any “tradition” along that line. Keep up the good work and if your good enough you might be able to get into Buffalo State.

I lost Betty McKerrows address so if she wants me to write to her give her my address and she can write and I’ll answer her.

Well Peggy, I have to get this letter in the mail before the whistle so take it easy on all those high school boys and I’ll see you in a few months.

Love from,
Big brother

Letter # 17

Pvt. E. Cowley 42025054
Seventh Company
Fifth Training Regiment, A.S.T.P.
Fort Benning, Georgia

The “Cowleys”
35 Woodside Ave.
Buffalo, N.Y.
Zone 20

Postmarked December 4, 1943

Saturday, 1943

Dear family,

Just finished inspection, got a gig for not having the lock on my footlocker at the correct angle. What a life, clean rifle & bayonet & shoes till I’m blue in the face & then draw a gig for some stupid thing like that. I don’t complain anymore though, just take things as they come. That’s the best way to get along.

Yesterday we wound up bayonet training and as usual we were dead. as usual. Take it form me there’s nothing more tiresome that bayonet drill, maybe Dad had some of it in his War. It’s a great assult weapon and it gives me a lot more confidence to know I can handle it fairly well, just in case I ever see action.

In an hour or so we’re having a Battalion parade with a band, and a reviewing stand and all the trimmings. Hope it comes out okay. Dave, Harry & I are going to meet John Woodman in town tonight. It’s the only time in the week we can take it easy and relax.

I feel pretty good these days and haven’t been sick at all so don’t even suggest it. Am pretty relieved now that the 4 toughest weeks of basic are behind me. It should be clear sailing thru the rest of basic withstanding slight mishaps.

Well chow is just about due so I’ll close for awhile.

Love to all,
Eddie Jr.

P.S.

I wrote to Nan & Aunt Peggy last week. Will write to Aileen & Tom this week. Received a card of enrollment from St. Thomas, want to thank them.

1943 Hit Parade Continue
Shoo Shoo Baby - Ella Mae Morse

Letter 15

2009-07-06T06:35:00.000-07:00

Fort Benning WW II Training Exercise

Pvt. Edward Cowley Jr. 42025054
Seventh Company
Fifth Training Regiment, A.S.T.P.
Fort Benning, Georgia

The Cowleys
35 Woodside Ave.
Buffalo, N.Y.
Zone 20

Nov 24th & 25th
26th & now 27th

Dear folks,

Don’t know how much time I have to write as I’m waiting to be called out for afternoon play. Its been terrific lately. Obstacle courses, attack courses. There goes the whistle, have to go.

Here I’m am back again today. Its kinda tough when it takes two days to write a short letter. Started this yesterday afternoon and right away was called out and had to drill & work till 6 o’clock. When we came back for dinner they told us we had to go out on a night march at 6:40. We walked from 6:40 to 11 o’clock and lights are out at 11, so we really don’t have too much time.

Today is Thanksgiving & naturally I’ve got K.P. Probably won’t get it again till Christmas. How’s everything at home? Mom? Dad? Peggy? Hope your all feeling well. I’m getting tough as a rock from all this exercise. Can see now why Lou couldn’t take the physical training. He’s got plenty of what it takes to go as far as he did. I take my helmet off to Lou.

You would appreciate the metamorphosis that has taken my character by storm. Perfectly disciplined and bloodthirsty as the rest of the commandos. Excuse me I just was chosen to clean the latrine. Am returning to my letter about after 1 hour of cleaning the latrine & I just took my last tetanus shot. Here I go again, nuts!

Well, today is Saturday and we’ve just been dismissed until tomorrow night. Tonight Dave, Harry and I are going into a nice place which we found in town. They have swell food and the place is really clean. Almost everyone there is an officer so I’m in the best of company. Guess it’s the only decent restaurant in town. We are coming back to camp tonight so we will be able to do our work & stuff tomorrow.

I’m glad to hear Grandma liked the letter I sent. Wish she’d get rid of that big house. Imagine she will soon. Sorry I couldn’t get a better color for your pillow case but I couldn’t find any others with a suitable verse. Maybe it will blend with the couch.

Well 3 weeks of basic training are over, only 10 more to go. The first 3 are the toughest I hear so maybe it won’t be as tough from here in. The work itself is perhaps going to get tougher but we’re pretty used to it and have more confidence now. We didn’t get a furlough after basic but we will get a 7 day furlough between terms once we get to school. By that I figure I should be home around my birthday or just a little before. Of course that’s figuring on the basis that I’m going right thru basic without any mishaps. Any minor injury which would keep us out of the field for a week or more would set us back a month or two & necessitate our moving to another Regiment. Hope I can stay fit and come out on time.

Next week is payday and I’m planning to buy a service hat they aren’t allowed on the post so I will send it home and you can send it to me when I get to school. I’m buying it now for a special reason so I’m not just throwing away my money just in case your wondering. Your last letter was swell and made me think of home an awful lot. I think I read it a dozen times.

That was some ball game last week wasn’t it Dad? You know which one I mean. Guess there going to be on top after all. Tell Peggy I’ll try & find time to drop a line to her friend Betty McK. By the time I get out she’ll probably be old enough for me.

Love to all, Eddie Jr.

-------------------------
1943 - Jukebox Saturday Night, Glenn Miller

Letter 14

2009-07-04T03:52:00.001-07:00

Pvt. E. P. Cowley 42025054
Seventh Company
Fifth Training Regiment, A.S.T.P.
Fort Benning, Georgia

Mr. E.P. Cowley
35 Woodside Avenue
Buffalo, N.Y.

Postmarked November 19, 1943

Dear Dad

Mother just told me the news about Ann. It was a terrible shock to me and I know it must have hit the entire family pretty hard. In her letter mother said it was really the best and most merciful thing that could have happened and saved Ann unbearable suffering and pain. You’l take it well dad, I know you will. Don’t let your health go again. You owe it to mother and Peggy and your soldier boy son. We’re all counting on you and someday soon I want to return to the happiest home in the world, which I was forced to leave behind me.

Grandma worries me, I hope everything will be arranged among the Cowleys so that she will always be as well provided for as she always have has been. Dad, I’m a man now and I’m beginning to think and want very much to act as a man would. Man to man you’ll keep the home fires burning for us like you have for many years now won’t you. Take the best care of yourself and I know you’ll make everything as easy as you can for your mother. I wish there was more I could do to help things at home but when I come back we’ll know our home will be the safest and the very best there is. If there is anything I can do at anytime to make Grandma feel better just let me know and I’ll be honored to be able to help.

Your son,

Eddie Jr.

Letter 13

2009-07-04T03:51:00.001-07:00

Pvt. E. Cowley 42025054
7th Co. 5th Regt ASTP
Ft Benning Ga

The Cowleys
35 Woodside Ave
Buffalo N.Y.
Zone 20

Sunday morn
Nov 14, 1942

Dear Folks,

At last I got my 1st pass. I’m writing, as you probably noticed from the U.S.O. As far as I’m concerned the USO is a very good organization. We (Dave Coulter, Harry Cook and I) came into town yesterday about 5 o’clock. We bought a few things to send home and a new garrison cap, which is ultra snappy. Then we got ourselves a very good meal and which tasted so different from army food. Sleeping is quite a problem in Columbus Ga. But we went to the USO there and they sent us to Alabama, which is just across the Muscogee.

The towns, Phoenix city and Columbus, are miserable but the USO’s are fine. We paid 35 cents last night for a cot, (clean sheets and blanket) which was set up in the auditorium for us. When we got up they furnished soap and towels for a shower and then fed us coffee and doughnuts. Stationary is provided in quantities for all soldiers.

Enough about the USO, I think you should know more about the filthy towns. All you have ever heard about the South is true, except that I haven't run across any of the “Damn Yankee” type as yet. The bars are all lousy, you never saw such dirt in your life. We wanted to get a couple glasses of beer and we had to walk for 2 hours before finding a half way decent place. The best saloon down here can’t compare to the poorest in Buffalo. The girls aren’t just right either so we avoided them completely, I’ll be very much pleased to get back north to school, I hope.

Well, our 1st week of basic is completed, only 12 more to go. It was quite a week. We worked like slaves constantly and I never learned so much in such a short time. We had instruction on; the disasemblege and assemblage of the M1 (garand rifle); military courtesy and sanitation, both on post and in the field; interior guard duty, incidentally I’m on guard duty tomorrow night. Hope something exciting happens so I can get a commission. We drilled and drilled &and then drilled some more. According to the corporal I’m the slowest, dumbest, most awkward soldier in the army, of course he flatters everyone with those fragrant terms. We went on 2 short marches with full field equipment and pitched our tents up in the woods. Also we learned how to handle the rifle in the strict military fashion. I think I’m improving the art but its slow progress as I still keep knocking my helmet off. Exercises for an hour or more every morning, once we were ordered by the lieutenant to play football so that was the 1st command I enjoyed.

Thanks a million for all the things you sent. Everything will come in very handy, especially those hankies. I’ve 12 pr. of socks now, but if anyone wants to send more? I won’t feel put out. Those khaki brown socks will be swell when I get away from Benning and back to a soft life at school. As soon as the polish arrived I painted my buttons. Everything's swell and I’m pretty well set for awhile.
As soon as the ASTP paper comes thru I’ll start writing to all the family. I’ve got 18 letters to answer from last week.

Well, thanks again, for everything, I have to make sure I get to church. Hope you like the things I sent. Stay healthy Keep writing and cleaning my bedroom and I’ll be home before you know it.

Love to all
Eddie Jr.

P.S.

How about Lou, whats his address? I never thought he’d marry. How does grandma feel about it?

-------------------------

And from the 1943 Hit Parade
"You'll Never Know" - Dick Haymes

Letter #12

2009-07-03T08:34:00.000-07:00

Pvt. E. Cowley 42025054
7th Co. 5th Regt. ASTP
Fort Benning, Georgia

The Cowleys
35 Woodside Ave.
Buffalo N.Y.
Zone 20

Postmarked November 8, 1943

Dear Folks,

I’m in the middle of a detailed inspection, the lieutenants have just gone thru our barracks and we’re waiting for the majors and colonels. Everything has to be in G.I. order. There can’t be dust on anything at all, from the tip of our shoes to the top of the rafters. We’ve been shining things and cleaning since retreat last night. I think we’ve got the best looking and neatest hut in the Company. I printed the numbers on the gun rack and mess kit rack. It looks pretty snappy and the sarge thought it was “dandy”.

You’ll be pleased to know I passed all the exams and I’m sure going to college at last. The kid I go around with down here, Dave Coulter from Williamsville, flunked out on the 5th exam. He’s trying to get in the air corps. The air corps has priorities on A.S.T.P. candidates and anyone that washes out of this automatically goes into the air corps, providing he can pass the physical, which I can’t. The A.S.T.P. is the highest rated division of the army. We’re rated above Officers Training, air corps, and everything else.

I’m sending home my insurance & war bonds at last. Also my admission to A.S.T.P. for you to put in my book.

Received a swell letter from Miss Mulholland, my English Teacher at state. She gave me all the dope about the school events and wants me to continue writing. It seems funny writing to one of my teachers when usually I try my hardest to avoid them.

I ordered 2 boxes of A.S.T.P. stationary and hope I get it very soon. Mother I think it would be a good idea if you would send me 5 more dollars as I have a million things to get before I’m settled. It would be swell if you would also send maybe 1 or 2 of our big bath towels white or blue preferred, 3 or 4 T shirts, and as many of my jockey shorts as there are around the house. I have to buy some more woolen socks down here, I’ve got plenty of the brown ones. When my money arrived, I already owed $2.50 and I bought a carton of smokes, large toothpaste, 2 face towels for display only, 3 bars of soap and some candy bars.

The day before yesterday I was on K.P. from 6 in the morn till 10 at night. K.P. is really all they claim and then some. We have all our equipment now and we’re ready to begin our basic Monday. Our Company’s gonna be tops in the outfit. At least we’re trying damn hard to make it so.

I’m back again after a lecture and posing for a photograph, of course the rest of the company muscled in on the picture. Remember when I said I wouldn’t write home for anything, guess I was quite mistaken but then I didn’t think V-12 meant anything at all. In fact I probably wouldn’t have mentioned it if they hadn’t called for it.

You asked what bivouac is, well, it is an abbreviated form of maneuvers as it only lasts 2 weeks. During those 2 weeks we live in the hills and sleep in our pup tents. Naturally we sleep right on the ground. During the day time we fire rifles, machine guns & mortars etc. besides all types of marching and tactical lessons. We have 2 bivouacs coming so I’ll tell you a lot more later.

Trying Army exams is quite different from the exams I’ve tried so many of in school. You know if you miss your out and out for good. There’s no excuses allowed and no second chances. It’s something like a life or death exam. When I took the last 3 I felt quite unprepared for them and wasn’t too sure of my chances of making the grade. My year at state didn’t help my math, physics & chemistry any but if I ever get a chance (which I should) to study, I’m going to know as much as I can hold when I began.

Well I’m going over and try to find room to take my compulsory daily shower. (and do I need it!) Would you call up Ray W. and give him my address. I wrote to him from Upton & told him to get my address from you. I’d like to know if his brother is down here. The camp is about 10 times the size of Buffalo in area so there isn’t much chance of running in to him. I could write and have him meet me someplace. Sounds kinda strange doesn’t it. Best of health to all the Cowleys and let me hear about that fudge soon.

Love to all
Eddie Jr.

-------------------------------------
It really was a great year for music: Stormy Weather sung by Lena Horne

Letter #11

2009-06-30T09:23:00.000-07:00

Letter # 11

Pvt. E. Cowley 42025054
7th Co. 5th Regt. 2nd Bat
A.S.T.P.
Fort Benning, Georgia

The Cowleys
35 Woodside Ave.
Buffalo N.Y.
Zone 20

Postmarked November 2, 1943

Sunday, 1943

Dear family,

Am writing from the Rec hall. It’s a mad house. Guys playing ping pong, writing letters, talking out loud, playing bingo, thowing darts across the room etc. I was first talking to a bunch of guys who are in their 10th week of basic. They say its pretty tough. They just returned from the woods last night after 2 weeks of bivouac. Coming back they walked 16 miles in five hours with full field pack and rifle (of course you must consider they walked all the way on sand roads up to their ankles.

Did you ever read about an infiltration course. Well, Fort Benning has the finest? in the world. The course is given to simulate actual (very much so) battle conditions. One platoon at a time goes over the course. Naturally I’m in the 1st squad in the 1st platoon and naturally I’ll be the 1st man over the top. The course is composed of two trenches about 200 yds apart. Between the trenches are barb wire entanglements and T.N.T. land mines. Rattlesnakes and Copperheads, not G.I. also sneak onto the range. The land mines are marked by mounds of dirt & gravel. The best thing to do is to avoid the mounds of T.N.T. as much as possible as they are continually going off. That is the easy part of the infiltration course. I almost forgot to mention that a dozen or so machine guns are continually firing live ammunition 18 inches over the entire area in a withering cross fire. The way you begin is by crouching in the first trench which is about 2 ft deep. Then the machine guns fire a warning burst directly over the trench. Then there is a short lull and the lieutenant orders the platoon over the top. You are on your own from then on. The only safe way is to keep your nose in the dirt. You must carry your rifle through the course very carefully and have it ready for firing when you reach the 2nd test trench. The barb wire cannot be cut and you have to worm your way thru it. Does all that sound like fun to you? When I get out of here I’ll be a real infantry soldier. If we miss out in our exams at school afterwards we’re qualified for immediate overseas shipment. There is lots more about tactical warfare, gas attacks etc. that I’ll tell you about as I go thru.

I got my hair cut again today. It’s about ½ inch long in the longer places. Everyone around here resembles a nazi as hair can’t be longer than one inch. Boy! Oh Boy! Do I need money!!!! Here’s a list of a few of the things I have to get soon (some very soon); 1 garrison cap with light blue infantry cord, $2.75; 2 boxes of ASTP stationary, $2.00; 1 Sam Brown Belt, $1.25; extra handkerchiefs, ?; extra socks and underwear, ?; fingernail poish for my brass buttons, ?; 1 U.S. insignia & 1 infantry insignia, 70 cents; soap and toilet articles, ?; 1 hair brush for whats left, ?; and of course numerous personal delicacies like ice cream, candy & smokes.
If you wish you could send me those hair brushes which are around the house & some underwear, as much as possible. We need a heck of a lot of things around here.

We start our training next Monday and we’re gonna have the best platoon in the whole company and I’m in the best squad in the platoon and I’m the best man in the squad. That’s the way the lieutenant told us to look at the whole business. I guess we take more exams and get shot again this week.

I haven’t heard anything from anyone since I’ve been at Benning but I hope the mail will catch up with me soon. Well, I have to close as the boys are insisting on putting out the lights. They’ve all got bayonets so what can I do. Best of health to everyone.

Love
Eddie Jr.

P.S. Give Roy Woodman my new address if you see him as I wrote him a letter from Upton & told him to get my address from home.

-----------------------------
1943 - Praise The Lord and Pass The Ammunition

Letter #10

2009-06-29T03:00:00.000-07:00

Letter # 10

Pvt. E. Cowley
42025054
7th Co. 5 Regt. A.S.T.P.
Fort Benning, Georgia

The Cowleys
35 Woodside Avenue
Buffalo N.Y.

Postmarked October 30, 1943

Dear Family,

I was right about the camp. Here I am in the solid south. Its not as hot in Georgia as I thought it would be. We have to have 3 army blankets on us at night. Before I forget, please send about 8 coat hangers as we are at last allowed to hang up our clothes.

It took us 42 hours to get to Benning. The train was so slow that every so often I’d look out the window and see some little kid passing us on a tricycle.

Benning is altogether different from Upton. We can eat all we want, if we can stand it. The ground around our huts is all sand and reminds me of crystal Beach. We’re treated a heck of a lot better here, almost as though we were soldiers. We sleep till seven!

Today we were issued our foot lockers, gas masks, bayonets, first aid kits, pup tents, cartridge belts, knapsacks & bedding. In a couple days we get our Garands, the best rifle in the world. I look very good in my gas mask. If you ever saw me with all this equipment you’d be scared stiff.

We don’t start our basic till a week from Monday. They’re holding us back so we won’t be out on Bivouac Christmas day. I’m still not sure of going to college. We have to take another series of exams and If I pass they’re making an engineer out of me, God bless em.

There is a bunch of hardworking? fellows from C.C.N.Y. in my hut and they’re a big pain in the ankle. I’m glad I live in So. Buffalo and quite proud of the fact. This A.S.T.P. is full of brain boys, the guy next to me is brushing up on his calculus theories and analytical Geometry or something. I wish you’d send me a copy of king comics every month. There’s quite a few college grads either 18 or 19 yrs. old. They have big arguments over nothing all the time. Someone from City College just made the rash statement that all infantry men wear belts. God! I hope he’s right. It would be terrible without them.

Well, I’m going down to the Rec hall and play ping pong with the rest of my fellow masterminds write soon and let me know if Parson and Judds is doing all right without me.

Love to all

Eddie Jr.

Letter #9

2009-06-28T20:00:00.000-07:00

Pvt. E. Cowley 42025054
7th Co. Regt 5 ASTP
Fort Benning, Georgia

The Cowleys
35 Woodside Avenue
Buffalo, N.Y.
Zone 20

Postmarked October 29, 1943

Dear family,

Once again I’m writing on a wobbly train. We left Upton at 2 o’clock Tuesday afternoon. At the present it is 11 o’clock Wednesday Morning, and we just passed thru Thomasville either No Carolina or So. Carolina. So far everything has been perfect. Ther’re treating us like kings.

Last night about 6 o’clock we ate dinner at Saveran’s in the Pennsy Station, $1.50 per head (not bad hey?) A little before 8 we boarded the Pullman train we are now on. We had a dandy breakfast in the diner this morning.
The Navy Aircorps is two cars from us. They had to sleep in their seats all night while we have the porter make up our beds whenever we desire. What a racket. It looks very much like we’re going to Benning but we still don’t know for sure. We’re liable to switch off at any of the larger cities and head towards Texas and California.

My (just passed Lexington) address will be on the envelope and you can write and send me the money. That dollar came in very handy. I got it just before I left camp. At the time I had exactly 17 cents in my pocket. If we’re going to Georgia we should arrive late tonight or early tomorrow.

Think I’ll study my soldiers handbook for awhile. Hope to hear from you soon.

Love to all three
Eddie Jr.

---------------------------------

1943 Hit: The Mills Brothers: Paper Doll

Letter #8

2009-06-28T05:00:00.000-07:00

Pvt. E. Cowley 42025054
Co. A. 2nd Area
Barracks 2R
Camp Upton N.Y.

The Cowleys
35 Woodside Avenue
Buffalo N.Y.
Zone 20

Tuesday
Oct 26, 1943

Dear Mom,

At last I’m leaving Camp Upton. Last night we received our shipping orders. I’m going with an A.S.T.P. group. Hope we go to Benning, Georgia. I hear it’s a pretty fair spot. I’m glad I got that ASTP, you know I never would have gotton into it if you hadn’t wanted (insisted) that I try the V-12 exam. You must have suspected.

Its almost 9:00 A.M. and we’re sitting around the barracks waiting for final checkup on our clothing. If anything is missing we have to pay for it out of our overstuffed salaries. But I should worry I’ve got twice as much equipment as I was issued. Wait till the guy next to me finds out!

I intended to send my insurance and war bonds home but after K.P. they were all soaked and I put them in my furlough bag to dry. I’ll send them soon. This is the first day its rained down here so naturally I ship out in the rain.

When we go we wear our helmets, & O.D.’s. We look very much like we’re going overseas. The band down at the station plays the Air Corps song, Cassions go rolling, Infantry song (marching) and Over There. Everyone nearby thinks we’re going to open a second front and bawls profusely. Its quite military, I guess.

As soon I get to my camp I’ll write and I would be very much pleased if you would send about $15 in a registered letter, okay?

It’s a good thing I called the other night as I’ll be almost to far away to do much calling from now on. Well, best regards to everyone back home and I hope everyone all of you takes good care of them yourselves this winter.

Don’t write any more letters until you get my new address.

Love to all

Eddie Jr.

P.S. Did Mr. Brady see my little notation?

-------------------

Just to bring back some memories. What would Eddie and his friends have heard on the radio in 1943? "I've Heard That Song Before" by Harry James and his orchestra:

Letter #7

2009-06-27T03:00:00.001-07:00

Pvt. E. Cowley 42025054
Co. A. 2nd Area
Barracks 2R
Camp Upton, N.Y.

The Cowleys
35 Woodside Avenue
Buffalo, N.Y.
Zone 20

Everything's fine! Mr. Brady

Saturday
Oct 23, 1943

Dear Folks,

Thanks a million for the address book. I had been thinking of buying one at the PX. The dollar also is coming in very handy. I’ve only got about $1.50 left (I got the five all right) I thought that letter from school was swell. I’ll certainly let them know where I am. Betty sent me the school paper yesterday and it was fun reading it over.

Jimmy Donovan was shipped out last Monday. Of all the fellows I know, McCarthy is the only one left. Dick Cornell, whom I’ve been hanging around with is shipping out this evening. I’m kinda worried about the letter I sent Lou. I addressed it to Pensacola Florida. Hope it reaches him. Also about “Doc” I could swear I wrote him a long letter. Would you find out if he ever got it.

Very glad to hear Peggy is making the retreat. She can make it for both of us this year. Does her club miss me? Where will they get the boys for their party. Tell Peggy Dewitts still home! I’m hoping to ship out Monday. If everything goes as it should I will be on the train by the time you get this.

My job at the Post Office is pretty monotonous but I hope to leave it for the next “jeep” soon. day before Yesterday I got 5 letters (Harry M. June McMahon, 2 from Betty & 1 from you) I answered all of them. Am thinking of hiring a secretary.

Tonight I’m going to confession and then going to wash and shine up my gear. If I don’t go Monday I’ll get a pass Friday, I think . It’s suppose to be 36 hour but McCarthy is fixing it somehow and we might get home for 2 days.

Well, be sure to find out about “Docs” letter and I’ll I’m going to call Sunday if I’m on the list. If not I’ll call Monday so you can send me money for my pass. Hope to hear from you soon,

Love,
Eddie Jr.

Letter #6

2009-06-27T03:00:00.000-07:00

Pvt. E, Cowley
Co. A. 2nd Area
Barracks 2R
Long Island, N.Y.

The Cowleys
35 Woodside Avenue
Buffalo, N.Y.
Zone 20

Wednesday, 1943
Postmarked October 21, 1943

Dearest Family,

Hope you like the photograph. It was the best they could do with me.

Lets begin with the most important matter on hand at the present. I received the “5” yesterday (think you should have sent ten). I’m sorry I didn’t call you last Sunday. I thought you meant this Sunday. Somehow or other I’ve got a feeling I should ship out next Monday. If I do, I will call and let you know for sure next Sunday night. However if I don’t ship out Monday I’ll call you the night before I do leave.

I’m in pretty good spirits, considering all the army has done to break my morale. This morning at 8 o’clock I made a slight (very slight) faux pas while lining up for detail assignment and a big fat, lousy, corporal put me in the kitchen (K.P.) till 7:30 tonight. At times this kind of dirty business tends to disgust one but guess we all have our bad days. (Today was my 13th at Upton, you might guess it).

So you’re having snow in Buffalo, Well it could be worse down here but God forbid it. Mother, seriously I think Dad is old enough to go to football games by himself! If he doesn’t think so I’ll send him a bunch of dandy addresses or else he can use my phone numbers for some cute company. I’m glad to hear Colella played a good game. How was Frankie Sinkwich?

Peggy, don’t lose faith in South Park. They’ll beat Tech more than once before you graduate (that isn’t a crack) Your average is very good. Keep holding on to the brains in this family and save those spoons for me until my furlough.

There isn’t anything I want except that I’ll need five more bucks in a couple of days. I’ve been buying little odds and end, and they add up. I’m going to write to Lou as tonight. Us army men have to get together on our strategy or our offense will fall to pieces you know. Lou and I will probably take Germany in the spring or summer.

Everyone gets a fever from those shots but it usually disappears in a day or two. Its too bad Billy had to go to the hospital but I know he’ll recover quickly. Those shots that made him sick might save his live life someday.

I guess Dad made a mistake in cleaning the hat for all that lousy weather. If I’m here any longer (there is about 7 out of 105 of us left) I intend to open a restaurant and go in competition with the “mess” hall.

Its swell receiving letters from home. It kinda make you me feel like I’m still at home eating food. Write often! Give buy war bonds! And don’t burn or blow up the Chemical Aniline.

Love,
Eddie Jr.

P.S. Please don’t worry about me.
I think the war will be over before I go over (matter of fact, I’m sure it will)

"I Think We're Gonna Get It !"

2009-06-24T06:18:00.000-07:00

For those who may have missed Imus In The Morning today, here are the developments on the campaign for Liberator status for the 94th that occurred during today's show.

Craig Crawford appeared first and mentioned a few of the developments on the campaign in the midst of talking about his efforts to quite smoking. Senator Kerry followed as a guest.

As most of you know, Imus continues to work tirelessly for our vets to receive the proper health care they deserve.

This morning he was speaking to Sen. Kerry about "a situation at the Veteran's Administration Hospital in Philadelphia in which 92 of 116 prostate cancer procedures that were performed by one doctor in particular, and apparently a couple of others which were screwed up by the doctor and in handling by the VA hospital"

Sen. Kerry replied " I've missed that , I've not seen that study, but I'll grab it, I'll will get that after this show.

Imus said, "You see, we need someone like you to look into it cause you'll actually do it."

Sen. Kerry replied, "Well, I will look into it and incidentally I'm doing my homework, we're working with the United States Center for US Military History on the Liberation status for the 94th Infantry division and I think we're going to get it"

Imus- "I know, I spoke with Craig Crawford earlier this morning and he said that you and Sen. Kennedy both actually followed up on that" then joshingly said "I said even though Sen. Kerry is wrong about almost everything he should still be president because he actually will do what he says he's going to do."

We agree wholeheartedly with Imus that Sen. Kerry does do what he says he is going to do, and that he and Senator Kennedy are exemplary advocates of our veterans while Craig Craword keeps the issue before the public. Thank you Sen. Kerry, Imus and Craig Crawford for your continued support and efforts to see that the soldiers of the 94th receive the honor long due them.

2009-06-23T07:27:00.000-07:00

The Imus In The Morning show tomorrow, June 24, will feature appearances by Congressional Quarterly Columnist, Craig Crawford, and Senator John Kerry. Senator Kerry along with Senator Kennedy has been one of the forces behind gaining liberator status for the 94th Infantry while Mr. Crawford has brought the issue to the public through his column.

If you would like to Listen live on line tune to WABC from 6:00 AM to 9:00 AM East Coast Time.

Letter #5

2009-06-22T13:16:00.000-07:00

Pvt. E, Cowley
Co. A. 2nd Area
Barracks 2R
Camp Upton, N.Y.

The Cowleys
35 Woodside Avenue
Buffalo, N.Y.
Zone 20

Postmarked October 21, 1943

Dear folks,

I’m sorry I slipped up a little on my writing but I’ve been very busy trying to send letters to those I told I would write to. Also the corporal keeps me busy running and managing Camp Upton.

I’ve taken over the Post Office now and I’m working steady from 8 – 11:30 and 4:30 – 8:00 which gives me afternoons off. Its monotonous work but I hope to leave camp in a while. If I stay here another week I’ll get a 36 hour pass which would only give a me a chance to see a few good shows in N.Y. I wouldn’t be able to make it home in that time.

Those “official” letters I receive are really something to talk about and I hope no one does. The weather up here is excellent today but it’s usually cold and windy. That’s why I got this inside job.

I wrote a letter to Lou last night right after yours. I’ve only got a short time left before I return to work so I think I’ll soak up a little “Devils Island” sunshine.

Hope everyone is feeling fine and my Dragon bath robe is hung on a hanger.

Love to all,
Eddie Jr.

PROGRESS

2009-06-22T10:05:00.000-07:00

For those following the progress on our petition to have the 94th named a "liberator", the current status is shown below. Our deepest thanks to all those in the Kennedy, Kerry, and Gates offices for their assistance and persistence.

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Woo hoo! Tristan Takos in Senator Kennedy's offices called to let us know that the letter is officially in Sec. Gates hands. Evidently he notified the Center for US Military History as she also received a courtesy call from a very pleasant woman at the Center to let her know that they are looking at the request again!!

The letter from the offices of Senators Kennedy and Kerry was
accompanied by about 30 other pages of information, much of which was taken from this blog. Sen. Kennedy's office wanted it known that there is press interest and the woman at the Center for US MIlitary History acknowledged that in their conversation.

The conversation ended with our contact saying she was quite "pleased" and that "we have made a lot of progress". Also, an inquiry about Senator Kennedy elicited: "He is doing well and thank you for asking".

Letter 4

2009-06-21T06:00:00.000-07:00

Pvt. E. Cowley
Co. A. 2nd Area
Barracks 2r
Camp Upton, N.Y.

Mr & Mrs & Peggy Lou Cowley
35 Woodside Avenue
Buffalo, N.Y.
Zone 20

Monday, Oct. 18, 1943

Dear Folks,

Just returned from the med. building where we received our 3rd shot (only 3 more to go). So far I haven’t noticed this one. The 2nd shot was quite painful and made you’re my arm sore for about 4 days. Guess that was the Tetanus shot.

This morning I went down to the record building and asked if I was in the A-12. I was wondering because almost all the A-12 men shipped out this morning. The Sergeant said I was so I probably will be shipped south (Georgia, Florida or Louisiana) next Monday (I hope).

Sunday morning Jimmy Donovan, Bill Rosar and I went to communion at the chapel. I’m going to try to go every Sunday if I possibly can. I hope those cards gave you an idea of our camp. Its exactly as pictured. This camp we’re in is the new camp Upton, the remnants of the old one are a couple of miles from here. Yesterday morning I was working on a rock pile down where the old camp was.

The other day I wrote to quite a few people (4 letters & 8 cards) Sent letters to Harry, Betty, Miss Mulholland, & the sophomore class at State. I wish you’d send me Nan & Aunt Peggy’s address. Also Eileen Redmond & Aunt Florence (and any the others I may have forgotten) I have to buy myself an address book.

I have exactly 36 cents left and need money quite desperately so I hope that 5 is on its way.

Mary Marty McCarty is fixing it so I can work behind the bar at the P. X. nights. The hours are only from 6:00 – 9:20. I will also get a special duty pass and can eat at the serviceman's club and go to meals anytime I want. Also I will not have to go on K.P. I’ll have all day to myself, which will be very nice. Well, I hope Peggy is all right feeling better now after her rodeo.

Love, Eddie

P.S. I’m eating an awful lot of ice cream down here. About a quart a day. My complexion is turning Neapolitan.

Letter #3

2009-06-20T06:00:00.000-07:00

Pvt. E. Cowley Jr. 42024054
Co. A. Barr. 2r, 2nd Area
Camp Upton, NY

Mr. & Mrs. & Peggy Cowley
35 Woodside Avenue
Buffalo, NY
Zone 20

Postmarked October 15, 1943

Thursday (I think)

Dear family,

At last I’ve earned a few free hours and have time to write a better letter. I know there is a lot of things you’d like to know about this old army life. Those postcards I sent yesterday should have given you a good picture of the set-up (at least a very small part of it)

I got your letter today and will try to straighten out a few of your questions. We’ll begin with church. The camp has 3 chaplains Catholic, Protestant and Jew. Any man of any faith can go to either of the three as sometimes it is impossible to be able to visit your own chaplain. They seem very understanding and rate as tops with the soldiers. Last Sunday I went to church at 5:30 (P.M.) not in the morning. The army wants you to go but you can’t interrupt the army schedule which comes first always. If you can’t make it on Sunday you can make it some weekday. I’m going to try to get to confession this Saturday and then I will go to communion Sunday, if I can?

Next the train ride. We had one meal on the train and two others in Childs in New York City. I was in both Grand Central & Pennsy stations. The train took us as far as New York, then after eating we took a Long Island train from the Pennsy Station (between Train stations we rode 2 subways). The Long Island train took us about 60 miles and we transferred to a bus for another fourteen (that’s the trip in a nutshell).

Next the food? We do get enough to eat and its pretty good but it isn’t anything like what I used to get, Mom. I’ve got 4 or 5 dollars left (I wanted to be sure and mention that) Oh! By the way I intended to enclose my insurance & bonds policies in that last letter but I forgot. I put them in the pocket of my fatigues (an excellent & appropriate word) and they got soaked on K.P. Tuesday. For K.P. we have to get up (rather they come in and shake you) at 4:00 A.M. You work steady from 4:15 A.M. – 7:00 P.M. It’s the most grueling detail possible and I think I lost ten lbs. on it.

My clothes should have reached home by now. Let me know. I think I’ll illustrate one of the better days at Camp Upton. Today at 4:45 (not 5:30, That’s unheard of) the squawker on Telephone loudspeaker breaks out in a squeaking, cracking voice and repeats "Rise and Shine, barracks 2r, rise and shine etc" I roll over in my bed and that "Rise and shine" has come to mean "Sink and shudder" to me. Everyone (even I) leaps from his bed and is dressed in about 2 minutes, then we break out bunks and roll all the blankets & mattress into a neat pile. There isn’t time to wash in the morn so I just brush my teeth. Then we start cleaning every thing (an army camp ever thing in it is cleaned about 5 times a day) We scrub the latrine from top to bottom including toilets, mirrors, bowls, floor, walls, part of ceiling etc. Dad would love the way every thing is cleaned so thoroughly (even beyond his farthest greatest desires) The entire barracks is cleaned that way. At 6 o’clock the squawker calls out "r barracks, fall in on the double" We make a made dash to the street and line up. After roll call we march down to breakfast (you stand in line at the mess hall usually half an hour)
After mess or about 6:30 7:00 we go back to barrack & repeat cleaning process mentioned before (no one can touch anything in the wash room from then on until 4:30, or retreat) Besides cleaning, a group polices the grounds and picks up "Everything that doesn’t grow". You can’t even find 3 match sticks or butts in the entire camp.

7:30 – Squawker calls barracks and we fall in on the double (running) on the street. Here we are assigned duties for the morning or perhaps the entire day. (This is killing me right now, as I am thinking about tomorrow) This morning I worked down at the Post Engineers, which is about 2 miles from our homeground. (we rode down & walked back.) Here We (Dick Cornell, South Buff – lives on Harding rd. & Matt Juuck, east Buff) volunteered as experienced carpenters and naturally we were sent loading coal trucks for 4 hours.

At 11:30 we came back for mess, ate and immediately were assigned to a detail loading sod onto trucks. We rode out to a place 4 or 5 miles from camp and even rode back. At 4:00 we scrubbed and mopped the barracks floor once more and at 4:30 were on the parade grounds for retreat (final assembly, taps etc) Then we march down to the mess hall & have supper. I fell out of line (which is legal and went back to barracks, took a shower and put on my O.D.’s (dress pants, shirt, tie & field jacket) If you have these on you can’t be picked for another detail after mess (I’m getting on to things down here). After straightening out all my belongings and making my bunk, 3 of us dashed down to the PX (post exchange) and had two chicken sand (10 cent apiece pt. of ice cream (15 cent) and bottle of pop. Then I bought some shoe polish for tonight. Its about 7:45 now and I have to get back to barracks to wash out my clothes and shine my shoes for future use. Guess that about covers everything (I might go down to the PX and have a glass of 3.2 before bed.

Marty McCarthy & I get along fine. Jimmy Donovan is also a good soldier pal o’mine. They are both nice guys as almost all the fellows are.
Now for my classification. I took the letter (v-12) down to records office today, which was the 1st chance I had so far. The Sergeant said I would probably be sent to A.S.T.P. (Army specialized training program) which I hear lasts 18 months & terminates with a commission as a 2nd looey. Now Rochester, Cornell, U.B. etc, are all ASTP schools and I have a chance (don’t mention this to anyone because nothing about being sent to school is definite yet) or getting close to home & being within distance of weekend passes which are frequent. I made 130 in my I.Q. (think I told you before) and only 110 is needed to qualify for officers school so that leaves me a good leeway. Chances are I will study either art or psychology. All I have to do is wait. A shipping list comes out at 8:30 every night and after 3 days your eligible for shipment so I expect it at any time. However if I’m here in 21 days I get a 60 hour pass and might be able to make it home for a day or so.

I’m glad to hear my watch chain is useful at last! Dad! Don’t forget to write that letter & Peggy also. Well, I hope everyone is in good health and guarding my paintings, carefully.

Lots of Love,

Eddie Jr.

P.S. we got 2 shots they hurt everyone, but I didn’t get sick. we get 1 every ten days from now on.

P.S. Give my love to all the relatives and tell them I’ll write as soon as I catch my breath.

P.S. Please send five

Letter #2

2009-06-19T06:00:00.000-07:00

(You will see some of Eddie's drawings first mentioned here in later letters).

Mrs. E. Cowley
35 Woodside Ave
Buffalo, NY
Zone 20

October 11, 1943

Dear Family,

I haven’t much time to write this as the lights are going out in 10 minutes. Its Mon. night. I didn’t get those papers today but I’m not on the shipping list so it will be o’kay. I'm sending home my insurance policy & war bond certificate for you to keep. They’ll send the bonds home when we’ve paid enough (3.75 per month) to get one.

I figured on writing a longer letter but we were picked up by some sergeant right after chow and ten of us were sent down to clean the post headquarters, which is a large two story building. We didn’t get back to barracks until 8:30 and I had to shave etc. & lights go out at 9:30.

I got 130 on the I.Q. and all that is needed to qualify for officers candidate school is 110 so I’ve probably got a chance although you can’t tell just what breaks you’ll get.

Tell dad I guess I was a little off on the Mich & N.D. game but even the best of us makes mistakes. Anyhow, it’s a good break for the Catholics.

I don’t know what went wrong with that art business. I drew the guy (this letter sounds like its definitely in the first person, but then I’m the only Buff. Cowley on Long Island) twice and all the fellows say he was showing the sketches to all the rest of the interviewers & they all thought it was good, but nothing came of it and I’m afraid nothing will.

They haven’t turned the lights out yet, whoops there they go. Will write soon.

Love,
Eddie Jr.

Letters Home #1

2009-06-18T09:14:00.000-07:00

While we are waiting on official action from Senatorial offices, I will be posting the letters home from Private Edward Cowley to his family. Here is the first starting in October of 1943. As you get to know Eddie you will find a very dry sense of humor.
Enjoy the step back in time.

#1

Pvt. Edward Cowley
Co.A. 2nd Area
Barracks 2R
1222 S.C.S.U.
Camp Upton, NY

Mr. and Mrs. E. Cowley
35 Woodside Avenue
Buffalo, NY
Zone 20

October 9, 1943

Dear Mother, dad & Peggy,

This is the 1st chance I’ve had to write a line. The Army’s quite a thing. I never saw so many lines in my life, We have lines for everything and anything. The ride down here was terrific, we left the station from Buffalo at 8:15 and arrived in Upton about 11:15. We had to go thru a quick physical and didn’t get to bed till around 1:30. They dragged us out of bed around 5:50 or so, I was so tired I didn’t care what time it was.

Today was quite a busy day. We cleaned up the barracks and then went to chow. Then we started moving fast, 1st we took about 2 ½ hours of tests (I.Q. – Mech. Apptitude – Signal corps) I think I made out all-right but you can’t tell. From there we went to the supply center and got our tags. Boy! I’m glad I didn’t have to pay for all the stuff I got. Everythings perfect, I can’t name all the things but they really went overboard on us (Corp. just said we’ve got 15 minutes left to write) Among other things we got a big (very big & very warm) overcoat, raincoat, field jacket, 4 pr. pants, 6 pr. socks, 2 pr. of real leather shoes, 4 shirts, all our field equipment including our helmet and cooking utensils etc.)

Then we got the hook (3 shots in the arm. They stung like the devil and a couple guys passed out right in front of me, as usual.

We got a sermon from the Chaplin after that. Its kinda funny down here, Catholics, Jews & Protestants are all one and the same. That’s the way it should be everywhere. After chow we went to see some movies at the little theater on personal hygine. We were finally dismissed at 8:45 and given an hour for ourselves (I didn’t know how to keep myself busy at first)

Tomorrow we get interviewed & classified & then we’ll be ready for shipment. Its gonna be another tough day so I better grab a little sleep. I’ve got lots more to tell you but it will have to wait a day or two. Surprising enough I haven’t been in the guard house or on K.P. yet, but today is only Saturday.

I hope everyone is well and stays well this winter (I’m wearing winter underwear all ready) Did you get my quick card the other day? That’s about all we have time to write now but things will straighten out in a few more days I imagine. Well, love to everyone and you’ll hear more soon.
Eddie

(I think I’ll be here long enough to receive a letter so write quickly)

P.S. Who won the football game?

Kennedy & Kerry Join Forces

2009-05-12T04:30:00.000-07:00

Buchenwald 1945

UPDATE ON MISSION
by Kathleen Cowley

Tristan Takos, the superb military liaison from Senator Kennedy's office called yesterday to let us know that they and Senator Kerry's office are drafting a joint letter to be sent to Secretary of Defense Robert Gates this Wednesday, May 13. She explained that they must follow protocol and contact him before approaching the President to request an Executive Order. Senators Kennedy and Kerry remain committed to gaining liberator status for the 94th Infantry as soon as possible with a goal of declaration by Memorial Day.

Jamie White, this web site's editor, has pointed out that we hope the recognition of the 94th as a Liberating Unit will closely coincide with President Obama's upcoming visit to Buchenwald during the trip to France and Germany for the 65th anniversary of D-Day. It would be marvelously fitting for President Obama to honor the 94th Infantry Division as representative of all the liberators and the victims of the Holocaust prior to that trip. The fact that it is the 65th anniversary of D-Day points out just how crucial time is getting to be for the men of the 94th.

Our sincerest thanks to Senators Kennedy, Kerry, and your marvelous staffers for your dedication to the soldiers of the 94th Infantry Division and the untold victims of the Holocaust!

Message From Eisenhower

2009-05-06T17:26:00.000-07:00

In his Victory Order of the Day, May 9, 1945, Gen. Eisenhower sent this message from Headquarters 94th Infantry Division to every member of the command:

"The crusade on which we embarked in the early summer of 1944 has reached it’s glorious conclusion. It is my especial privilege, in the name of all nationalities represented in this Theater of War, to commend each of you for valiant performance of duty. Though these words are feeble they come from the bottom of a heart overflowing with pride in your loyal service and admiration for you as warriors.

Your accomplishments at sea, in the air, on the ground and in the field of supply have astonished the world. Even before the final week of the conflict, you had put five million of the enemy permanently out of the war. You have taken in stride military tasks so difficult as to be classed by many doubters as impossible.

You have confused, defeated and destroyed your savagely fighting foe on the road to victory. You have endured every discomfort and privation and have surmounted every obstacle ingenuity and desperation could throw in your path. You did not pause until our front was firmly joined up with the great Red Army coming from the East, and other Allied Forces, coming from the south. Full victory in Europe has been achieved.

Working and fighting together in a single and indestructible partnership you have achieved perfection in unification of air, ground and naval power that will stand as a model in our time.

As we celebrate victory in Europe let us remind ourselves that our common problems of the immediate and distant future can be best solved in the same conceptions of cooperation and devotion to the cause of human freedom as have made this expeditionary force such a mighty engine of righteous destruction."

Tom Manthey first on left, Tony Carrach, Ed Cowley with Shell

Dream Team = Kennedy - Kerry - Imus - Crawford

2009-04-28T08:10:00.000-07:00

In an appearance on Imus in the morning, Senator John Kerry used the phrase "I'm on it!" for assisting with the Liberator Status for the 94th Infantry. Prior to his appearance, Craig Crawford of Congressional Quarterly laid out the whole campaign for Don Imus on the popular syndicated show.

Now Senator Kerry's office has contacted Kathleen Cowley. Senator Kerry is coordinating the next appropriate actions with Senator Kennedy's office. Once more is known it will appear here. Let us hope it is possible to make this happen before Memorial Day. Any and all encouragement and kind words to Senators Kerry and Kennedy would be deeply appreciated.

THANK YOU GENTLEMEN

Comments from Kathleen Cowley

Liberator status for Patton's Boston Regiment made it on the airways today thanks to one of the nation's finest political journalists, Craig Crawford. He came on air and immediately told Imus "I've got a cause for you!" and went on to explain the unjust treatment of the 94th. He ended with an enthusiastic shout "Liberator status for Patton's Boston's Regiment!"

Imus graciously took up the cause and spoke with Sen. Kerry about it during his appearance. He went a step further and said that he would speak to Doug Brinkley. as well. Sen Kerry came on the air exclaiming Craig's phrase "Liberator status for Patton's Boston Regiment!" He told Imus that would most definitely look into it.

What a great debut. Don Imus. who among his other philanthropic efforts brought the Intrepid Soldiers Fund to national interest and raised millions of dollars. His support for a cause moves mountains.

Sen. Kerry is a long time advocate for Vets. His efficient staff contacted me shortly after the show and they are already working on the project.

Last but certainly not least, the ongoing and unwavering support of Sen. Kennedy, he and his staff's determination and resolve so that the 94th will receive Liberation status.

I thank you all from the bottom of my hearl for your efforts to put history to rights, so the efforts of the 94th Infantry Division and the victims of the Holocaust will be forever remembered.

We Need A Bill

2009-04-27T12:15:00.000-07:00

Many of us grew up listening to School House Rock. Now is the time to put the lessons learned into action. We need a member of Congress to present a bill granting the 94th Infantry liberator status.

Anyone who has any contact with the media or politicians is requested to make that contact now simply because the right thing to do is tell someone: There Ought To Be A Law

In the 19 years since this program was inaugurated, the Museum and the Center of Military History have recognized 35 U.S. Army divisions for their heroism, gallantry, and help in liberating prisoners from brutal Nazi rule. Each year, the names and flags of these units are presented in a moving tribute at the U.S. Capitol Rotunda for the Days of Remembrance ceremony.

In addition, the Museum displays 20 divisional flags at its 14th Street entrance. The flags are rotated so that all the liberating units' colors are prominently exhibited for the two million visitors who walk through our doors each year.

United States Holocaust Museum Article

Kathleen Cowley

The Beginning

2009-04-27T11:00:00.000-07:00

I first heard the stories below about the 94th Infantry on Craig Crawford's Trailmix blog. Kathleen Cowley and I are among the regulars who gather there to discuss politics among a host of other things. As most of you know, the voices in print can become personal relationships as you get involved in the day to day lives of people whose messages you read.

The following are some of the items she has posted as part her campaign to gain Liberator status for her father's Army unit. (My writing is in regular text. Kathleen's is in Italics. The letters of the men of the 94th are block quoted. Letters to and from Senator Kennedy's office are offset between lines). You can see some of the original letters in articles below.

I don't know what FDR knew, but I can tell you that the soldiers of the 94th Infantry Division were never prepared for what they were to witness. Here is a bit of what my father wrote to his parents on April 29, 1945.

"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."

Very shortly thereafter the soldiers were provided with pamphlets containing questions to ask of any victims they came across. My father, a huge supporter of Israel, just the other night said "I wish we had set up the Jewish State somewhere they wouldn't have to put up with this, like in Utah.

Please attention - (I have been working to get the 94th recognized as liberators with Sen. Kennedy's office since the fall of 2007 when I came upon the letter, part of a collection of over 200. I was told by the Holocaust Museum the letter is sufficient documentation to pursue Liberator status for the 94th.

As advised, my father and his comrade gave their testimonies of what they witnessed. It was very painful for them, neither had spoken of that day and the horrors they witnessed for nearly 60 years. Neither wanted to do it until they were told that the end result would be hanging the 94th flag at the Holcaust Musuem. iesSure would like to see this happen before they all die.

Some idiot "bureaucrat from the Ct. for US MIlitary History" has since interpreted the requirements to read that the camp liberated must be a concentration camp. There were NO "concentration camps" in Germany yet many divisions have liberating status for liberating camps in Germany. I have heard a rumor that the Army has flatly decided that no more units will be recognized regardless.. This is miserable, shabby treatment of our troops, specifically the 94th who bravely persevered under terrible conditions at Ardennes, the Battle of the Bulge. We are losing more than 1000 WW!! Vets a day.

Please - anyone reading this that might be able to help put history to rights & assist the 94th to receive the recognition they are due, please contact me. ("Any nation that does not honor its heroes does not long endure" - Abraham Lincoln).

Jamie and Flatus- thank you for your input, should let you know what I have done. I contacted Sen. Kennedy and he submitted the request. After the Army guy turned it down, Sen. Kennedy submitted the application to Congressional Research Center and it has been there since the spring. The regiment was originally named "The Boston Regiment" another reason why I involved Sen. Kennedy. According to procedure, regiments are not recognized only Divisions. A request is to be submitted, then the Center for Military History is to verify the location of the Division, then the Holocaust Museum does their research. The name of the camp is not necessarily required.. In early June a historian at the Holocaust Museum believes he found the camp they liberated. They actually liberated 3, but this was the first and worst.

Cowley Letters To Kennedy

2009-04-26T08:51:00.000-07:00

----------------------------------------

Kathleen Cowley
(For Commentors
Address and Phone Available on request)

November 24, 2007

Senator Edward Kennedy
2400 J.F.K. Federal Building
Boston, Ma 02203

Dear Senator Kennedy,

In Germany in April of 1945 my father, Edward Paul Cowley, Thomas Manthey and a company of soldiers of the 94th Infantry Division came upon a camp filled with suffering and dying prisoners, they stayed for a few hours and then were told to move on as medical help was arriving shortly. They came home from the war and rebuilt their lives as citizens. They silently suffered, each in their own way, with the memories of the horrors they had witnessed. They never looked for recognition as “liberators”.

These humble soldiers seemed unaware that it was their toil and progress that had freed the victims from their captures. During the war my father wrote home to his family as often as possible.

My grandmother, Catherine Cowley cherished every letter, carefully catalogued them and held them in safekeeping. In one letter dated April 29th, 1945, my father wrote that he had witnessed the atrocities. Certainly had my proud grandmother ever known that she held documentation that her son and his comrades had liberated a concentration camp and that the 94th wasn’t recognized- she would have written this letter herself many years ago.

So on behalf of my grandmother Catherine Cowley, my father Edward Paul Cowley, my entire family, Thomas Manthey and his family, the other brave soldiers of the 94th Infantry Division and the untold victims and their families of the holocaust, I formally request that the 94th Infantry Division be officially recognized as a liberating unit. It is long due.

Respectfully,

Kathleen Cowley

P.S. In my last letter I incorrectly wrote that my father has three battle stars, in fact he has four- Northern France, Ardennes, Rhineland and Central Europe

Cc: Donald Mulry- 94th Division Historian Dr. Joseph White- Center for Holocaust Studies, U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum

---------------------------------

Senator Edward M. Kennedy
2400 JFK Federal Building Government Center
Boston, MA 02203 January 28, 2008

Dear Senator Kennedy

Thank you very much for contacting me regarding The Center of Military History’s disappointing reply. I was aware of their response and contacted Atman Trivedi at Sen. Kerry’s office. Through his assistant Dillon Guthrie I have received the Army History Bulletin containing the guidelines, which I have attached. Mr. Shirer’s rigid interpretation of the guidelines for the process of recognition is in question. 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 guidelines state that an individual or association seeking recognition “USUALLY provides the name of the camp that it liberated, the APPROXIMATE DATES of the liberation, the unit’s geographical location at the time, and a brief account of the events, SOMETIMES including information on the division’s sub-units that entered the camp”. The words “usually”, “approximate” and “sometimes” indicate that the Amy was allowing latitude, leeway in the requirements for recognition. We have not one, but two primary source accounts of that day, from my father Edward Cowley and Thomas Manthey, The geographic location and approximate date are supported in the primary source, the Unit Operational Records, which were obtained through your efforts. My father’s letter dated April 29th, 1945 “conforms to the documentary context established in the official records”, the Unit Operational Records, regarding date and supports the recent testimonies.

I was told by Mr. Shirer himself that the camp must be an extermination camp. Units have been recognized for liberating camps other than the 6 extermination camps. Nowhere in the guidelines is there a distinction of what sort of camp liberated be required for recognition. My father’s testimony states that there were “hundreds of dead and dying people”. Is that not enough suffering to consider it a concentration camp? This is deplorable treatment of our veterans. They were not personally pursuing recognition; they relived that day for their division, the 94th. The horrors they witnessed were truly unspeakable for 62 years and they faced those memories not for their own recognition but for their own heroes, the fallen soldiers and their still living friends and comrades of the 94th.

I do not have the heart to tell my father or Thomas Manthey of the response of utter disregard from their own army. This year the 94th is having their convention in Washington on Memorial Day Weekend. 1000 WWII vets are dying daily. It seems likely that this will be their last convention in Washington. MY father and Thomas Manthey plan to attend. They, all the brave soldiers of the 94th, deserve to see their flag flown at the Holocaust Museum and I will do everything possible to that end.

It has been suggested that the director of the Center of U.S. Military History, Sara Bloomfield, be made aware of this situation. Please continue in your efforts to see the 94th recognized. I’m truly hoping that it will be the support and determination of one of America’s finest sons, Senator Edward M. Kennedy that will put history to right.

Respectfully,

Kathleen Cowley

P.S. I have just spoken with Donald Mulry, the 94th Division historian, who has been planning the convention. He was very disheartened as a planned ceremony at Arlington Cemetery seems to be falling through. He said “it would only happen with a miracle”. So of course I thought you might like to know and could possibly provide some help with that ceremony.

A Letter Home

2009-04-26T08:10:00.000-07:00

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