The Overseas Letters Begin

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

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

Please Sign The Petition

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.