Stanley Safford WWII Letters

Stanley's Grave Marker

2013-07-23T15:22:00.005-04:00

Today I came across Stanley's grave marker on Find-A-Grave

at

Riverside National Cemetery
Riverside
Riverside County
California, USA
Plot: SECTION 49B SITE 31

Thank You for taking and posting the picture!

Honoring the 5th Auxiliary Surgical Group: Dr William Coleman PRATT

2012-03-27T23:36:00.000-04:00

Tulsa World - Sunday, April 25, 2004

PRATT -- William Coleman, M.D., was born in Sallisaw, OK on January 18, 1912 to Ella Coleman Pratt and John Howard Pratt. Upon his graduation from Central High School in Muskogee, OK in 1929, he was awarded a scholarship to Washington University in St. Louis, MO, where he received his Bachelor's Degree in 1933. There he was the house manager for and a member of Phi Delta Theta Fraternity. He was a swimming and life saving instructor at the Muskogee YMCA for one year prior to entering medical school at Washington University, graduating in 1938. During his internship at Geisinger Memorial Hospital in Danville, PA, he met his wife, Elva, who was a nursing student. They were married on February, 14, 1941 in Des Moines, IA. Following his first year of surgical residency at Geisinger, he volunteered for service in the U.S. Army, serving for 5 years during WWII. He was stationed at Fort Des Moines, IA, Camp Leonardwood, MO, Carlisle Barracks, PA, Randolph Field, TX and Fort Sam Houston, TX. His service included 1-1/2 years with the 5th Auxiliary Surgical Group in the European Theater of Operations. He was awarded the Eurpean African Middle Eastern Service Medal with 3 battle stars and the Bronze Star for his service. Following his military service, he continued his training in Rochester, MN, where he was a Fellow at the Mayo Clinic, completing a 31/2 year residency program and earning a Masters of Science in Surgery Degree from the University of Minnesota in 1948. His many accomplishments include membership in the Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research (1949), Fellow in the American College of Surgeons (1954), Fellow of the Southwestern Surgical Congress (1956), American Board of Surgery (1970), member of the Tulsa County Medical Society and a life member of the American Medical Association. He was an Associate at Children's Medical Center in Tulsa, when it was known as "Sunnyside," served as Chief of Staff at St. Francis Hospital for one year and was a staff member at St. John Hospital, Hillcrest and St. Francis. Dr. Pratt practiced surgery at Springer Clinic for 20 years. He is survived by his wife of 63 years, Elva of the home; and 6 children, Lorraine Pratt (Houston), William Pratt, Jr. (Tulsa), Dr. John Pratt and wife, Sharon (Denver), Nancy Slater and husband, John (Albuquerque), Betsy Long and husband, Lyn (Tulsa), and Thomas Pratt, M.D. and wife, Marsha (Edmond); 10 grandchildren, William Shockley (Los Angeles), Bart Shockley (Houston), Bryce Shockley (Houston), Kerri Snyder (Charlotte, NC), William Pratt III (Tulsa), Matthew Slater (Seattle), Nicole Slater (Albuquerque), and Eric, Sarah and Laura Pratt (Edmond). His great-grandchildren are Cooper, Hayden and Carson Shockley (Houston) and Ashton Shockley (Houston). He was preceded in death by his parents and son, James Wood Pratt. Dr. Pratt dedicated his life to surgery, and the pursuit of knowledge and service to his patients. He had a deep appreciation of the fine arts, and the beauty and wonders of nature. He was an avid reader, an accomplished artist and proud of his Cherokee heritage. His life is celebrated and cherished by the family, friends and former patients to whom he was so devoted. Private family memorial service will be held at All Souls Unitarian Church. Cremation Society of Oklahoma, 599-7337.

Honoring the 5th Auxiliary Surgical Group: Dr Calvin PLIMPTON

2012-03-27T23:29:00.005-04:00

Amherst Bulletin (MA) - Friday, February 9, 2007

Dr. Calvin Plimpton, former president of Amherst College

AMHERST - Calvin H. Plimpton, 88, physician-educator and former president of Amherst College, died Jan. 30 in Westwood. He died of complications following surgery for a fractured hip. Dr. Plimpton was born in Boston on Oct. 18, 1918, and grew up in Walpole, just outside of Boston. He was educated at Phillips Exeter Academy, Amherst College, class of 1939 and the Harvard Medical School, class of 1943. He served in Central Europe, 5th Auxiliary Surgical Group during World War II. He returned to Harvard for a master's in biochemistry, 1947. He also received a doctor of medical science from Columbia University, College of Physicians and Surgeons, in 1952. In the course of a long, distinguished career, he piloted three institutions of higher learning through turbulent times and played a pivotal role in directing many others. He was trained as a physician and the first inkling of what he sometimes referred to as his itchy feet occurred when he took a leave from the Columbia College of Physicians and Surgeons to be chairman of the department of medicine at the American University of Beirut, 1957-1959. He believed that a "doctor tries to educate people to live," and so it was a logical step to become the 13th president of Amherst College, a position he held from 1960 to 1971. In his opening address to the college in September 1960, he charged the students, faculty and guests to "Ask not what Amherst College can do for you, ask what you can do for Amherst College." Four months later, he was startled to hear President John F. Kennedy use the same turn of phrase in his inaugural address to the nation. When Kennedy came to Amherst for the ground breaking of the Robert Frost Library on Oct. 22, 1963, he asked Kennedy where he had gotten the phrase. Kennedy replied, "I don't know, Cal ... where did you get it?" While he was at Amherst College, there had been talk among the neighboring four college presidents of jointly founding a fifth, more experimental college. The plans languished until Dr. Plimpton convinced Harold Johnson to donate the initial funding of $6 million and Hampshire College was born. In 1971, he returned to New York, where he was president of the Downstate Medical School until 1978 and a professor of medicine until 1983. He then spent a year at the National Library of Medicine, working in international affairs. He was a member of the Board of Trustees of the American University of Beirut for 23 years, becoming chairman of the board in 1965. After the then president of the University, Malcolm Kerr, was assassinated outside his campus office in 1984, Plimpton agreed to take over as president. His three years in the position were marked by escalating insecurity and the kidnapping of professors and other Americans. In an attempt to bring stability to the situation, he journeyed to Amman, Jordan, to meet with Yasir Arafat. The meeting occurred on Arafat's turf, and in the middle of the meeting, Dr. Plimpton, ever on the lookout to interject a bit of humor, turned to Arafat and inquired in broken Arabic if there were any thoughts of kidnapping him, to which Arafat replied, with a sly grin, "No, college presidents don't command any ransom." In retelling the story, Dr. Plimpton noted that clearly Arafat had done his homework. In addition to the American University of Beirut, he was trustee of the World Peace Foundation from 1961 to 1977, director of the Commonwealth Fund from 1962 to 1984, trustee of University of Massachusetts from 1962 to 1969, trustee of Phillips Exeter Academy from 1965 to 1975, president of the board from 1972 to 1979, Harvard University Board of Overseers from 1969 to 1975, Executive Committee from 1969 to 1974, trustee of Long Island University from 1972 to 1980, and a trustee of New York Law School from 1976 to 1984. He is survived by his wife of 65 years; Ruth Talbot, and four children; David of Brooklyn, N.Y., Polly of Boston, Tom of Leverett, and Edward of Amherst; and seven grandchildren. There will be a memorial service at Amherst College in the spring.

Honoring the 5th Auxiliary Surgical group: Dr Alvin LEONARD

2012-03-27T23:26:00.002-04:00

Dr. Alvin Leonard - Berkeley's ex-director of public health

San Francisco Chronicle (CA) - Thursday, May 29, 2008

Dr. Alvin Leonard, a onetime director of public health for the city of Berkeley who mixed his passion for medicine with a commitment to peace, has died of pneumonia. He was 90. A lifelong advocate for public health, he urged employees in the city health department to run up and down stairs decades before the advice became trendy. He launched a campaign to promote use of seat belts before they were made standard equipment in U.S. automobiles. He helped to establish the Berkeley Free Clinic, monitored sanitary conditions at the request of Native Americans during their 1969 occupation of Alcatraz, and counted among his most satisfying achievements his arrest during a protest at the Nevada Nuclear Test Site in 1988. "He was the kind of person who engendered trust. He was clearly there to help people," said his daughter, Cathy Leonard. Dr. Leonard was Berkeley's public health director from 1957 to 1970, and after teaching for five years at the University of Arizona he returned to California for a variety of posts in state and county health departments. Dr. Dileep Bal, the former chief of the Cancer Control Section for the California Department of Health Services, remembered Dr. Leonard as a "friend, mentor and my guru." An early anti-smoking advocate, Dr. Leonard advised Bal during the creation of the state health department's tobacco control section. "Al was a very low-key, understated, modest man - of giant intellect," said Bal. "He was one of the unrecognized geniuses of public health in this country."
Among his achievements was the establishment of statewide programs to control high blood pressure among different ethnic groups. Dr. Leonard retired in 1984, but continued to consult on public health affairs for decades. He was a picture of health himself, rising at 6 a.m. to jog through the Berkeley hills five days a week. He continued that ritual past his 90th birthday in January, until he fell ill with pneumonia in February. He died at Alta Bates Medical Center April 20. Born in New York City, he was raised in Los Angeles and graduated from UCLA in 1938. He graduated at the head of his class at the University of Southern California Medical School in 1942. He joined the U.S. Army in 1943, and served in Europe as an anesthesiologist in the 5th Auxiliary Surgical Group . His family said that the experience led him to become a pacifist. He was active in the organization Physicians for Social Responsibility, a leading organization of doctors opposing the use and spread of nuclear weapons. Dr. Leonard is survived by his wife, Pearl of Berkeley; and daughters Barbara of Levallois-Perret, France, and Cathy of Richmond. A memorial service is being planned. Donations can be made in Dr. Leonard's name to Physicians for Social Responsibility, San Francisco Bay Area Chapter, 2288 Fulton St., Suite 307, Berkeley, Ca., 94707.

Honoring the 5th Auxiliary Surgical Group: Dr James W KELLEY

2012-03-27T23:22:00.003-04:00

Dr James W Kelley

Tulsa World (OK) - Thursday, August 13, 2009

Section: Transitions
Page: A12

KELLEY - Dr. James W., 94, Topeka, KS passed away on Monday, August 10, 2009, at Lexington Park. Dr. Kelley was born January 22, 1915, in Wilmington, DE, the son of John W. and Bertha (Faulkner) Kelley. He served in the U.S. Army during World War II and was awarded the Bronze Star for service between August 1944 and May 1945. He performed more than 400 major operations during his combat service with the 105th Evacuation Hospital in Europe and was named Chief Surgeon of the 5th Auxiliary Surgical Group. He graduated from the University of Delaware and Duke University School of Medicine in Durham, NC. He was the first resident in Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery at Duke. Dr. Kelley had a private practice in Tulsa, OK, from 1949 until 1970. He served as head of the Student Health Department at Washburn University from 1971 until his retirement in 1981. He served as President of the Tulsa County Medical Society and the Oaks Country Club in Tulsa. He was chosen by the Topeka Chamber of Commerce for the Top Hat Award based on his commitment and service to Washburn University. He was the President of the Ichabod Club and named Outstanding Ichabod of the Year from 1976-77. He was certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery, a member of both the American Society of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery and the American Association of Plastic Surgery. He was a member of the First Presbyterian Church of Topeka where he served as an Elder. Dr. Kelley was a long time member of the Topeka Fellowship, which is actively involved in the annual Governor's Prayer Breakfast. Dr. Kelley married Elizabeth Ramsey on September 15, 1945, in Tulsa, OK. She survives. Other survivors include their children: Ann Kelley, Santa Cruz, CA, Carolyn Kelley, Seattle, WA, Patricia Kelley Ladue, Phoenix, AZ; and three grandsons, Tyler Ladue, Travis Ladue and Scotland Schieber. He was preceded in death by his sister, Addie Calhoun. Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m., on Friday, August 14, 2009, at First Presbyterian Church. Dr. Kelley will lie in state at Penwell-Gabel Mid Town Chapel after 2 p.m., on Thursday and visitation will be from 6 to 8 p.m. Memorial contributions may be made to First Presbyterian Church, 817 SW Harrison, Topeka, KS 66612 or the J.W. & Elizabeth R. Kelley Athletic Endowment Fund, c/o Washburn University, 1700 SW College, Topeka, KS 66621. To leave a special message for the family online, visit www.PenwellGabelTopeka.com

Honoring the 5th Auxiliary Surgical Group: Louis Errichiello

2012-03-27T23:19:00.000-04:00

LOUIS ERRICHIELLO, 71, RETIRED HOUSE PAINTER

Staten Island Advance (NY) - Sunday, December 18, 1994

Page: A41

Louis Errichiello, 71, of Great Kills, a retired painter, died yesterday at home. Born in Rosebank, Mr. Errichiello, moved to Tompkinsville in 1950 and to Great Kills in 1974. He was a graduate of New Dorp High School. Mr. Errichiello served in the Army during World War II in the European Theater from 1941 to 1945 as a medic with the 5th Auxiliary Surgical Group . He was a house painter for the Garmel Painting Co. of Manhattan for almost 30 years, retiring in 1990. Mr. Errichiello was a member of the Labetti Veterans of Foreign Wars Post, Rosebank, and the Columbian Lyceum bowling league. Mr. Errichiello was a parishioner of St. Clare's R.C. Church, Great Kills. He is survived by his wife, the former Loretta Mannino; a son, Louis; two daughters, Linda Couch and Lois Ingram; and six grandchildren. The funeral will be Tuesday from the Matthew Funeral Home, Willowbrook, with a mass at 10 a.m. in St. Clare's Church. Burial will be in Moravian Cemetery, New Dorp.

Honoring the 5th Auxiliary Surgical Group: Edith PERKINSON

2012-03-27T23:15:00.000-04:00

OBITUARIES - Edith Perkinson, nurse, home care trainer

The Atlanta Journal and The Atlanta Constitution - Sunday, March 7, 1999

A nurse in World War II's Battle of the Bulge, Edith Ann "Doss" Perkinson of Atlanta was no stranger to suffering. Later in life she was still working to alleviate it, ensuring that Atlanta nurses could provide quality home care. "To my mother, if you needed care, you needed care. Period," said her daughter, Coe Perkinson of New York. "If that meant that a nurse had to come to you, so be it."

Mrs. Perkinson, who died at her residence Wednesday of complications from Parkinson's disease, served as the president of the Visiting Nurses Association of Atlanta during the 1960s. By recruiting nurses and overseeing home care training and fund-raising, she helped make home nursing more widespread in the area. Mrs. Perkinson's memorial service will be at 2 p.m. Monday at St. Anne's Episcopal Church. The body was cremated. Cremation Society of Georgia is in charge of arrangements.

A member of the Tlingit tribe of Native Americans, Mrs. Perkinson was born in Cordova, Alaska. Graduating from Hartford Hospital School of Nursing in Connecticut and the University of Rochester in New York state, Mrs. Perkinson specialized in neurological surgery and joined the Army. She was sent to Europe with the 5th Auxiliary Surgical Group . She later said her life became a blur as she worked with a mobile field hospital in heavy combat. "They were moving around an awful lot, maybe threedays in one place, then they'd have to evacuate those they could and move somewhere else where the fighting was more severe and the casualties greater," said her husband, Dr. Neil Perkinson, a surgical oncologist. "They didn't have helicopters in the Army back then. Everything was done by ambulance, so they had to be as close to the front as possible." Returning stateside, Mrs. Perkinson met her husband while the two were working at a hospital in New York. They married in 1951 and moved to Atlanta in 1956, where Mrs. Perkinson kept busy raising their children, gardening and leading a Campfire Girls group. She also belonged to the Medical Association of Atlanta's Auxiliary. In 1974, Mrs. Perkinson returned to work, taking a position with the Emory University School of Medicine's dermatology department. She served as administrator of a research grant on skin cancers, overseeing the project's scientists. "She knew medical terms and had the experience; that's why they hired her," said Dr. Perkinson."She had to train the other people they hired." Survivors other than her husband and daughter include three sons, Bill Perkinson and Neil Perkinson Jr., both of Atlanta, and Paul Perkinson of Winnetka, Ill.; a brother, Jerald Lucchini of Seattle; and three grandchildren. In lieu of flowers, the family requested that contributions be made to St. Anne's Episcopal Church, 3098 Northside Parkway N.E., Atlanta, GA 30327.

Last goodbyes...

2012-03-02T15:43:00.001-05:00

August 21, 1945 - France

2012-03-02T15:41:00.002-05:00

Sgt. Stanley W Safford 39539976

5^th Auxiliary Surgical Group

APO 339

c/o Post Master

New York New York

Marseille Area, France

August 21, 1945

Dearest Mother:

I suppose you are awaiting this letter as it has been some time since last I wrote you.

The war has ended and the so called "Peace” is just around the corner, I hope.

If and when it does get here I will be home, which according to present plans should not be far off. This will be my last letter for a while and the next time you will hear from me by phone if all goes well in Tokyo. Otherwise by mail.

I will call in the evening so be on the look out for the telephone bell.

Well all for this time and a lot more later when we have a 30 day reunion.

As always,

All my Love,

Your son,

Stanley

On the USS Ballou

USS General C. C. Ballou (AP-157) was a General G. O. Squier-class transport ship for the U.S. Navy in World War II. She was named in honor of U.S. Army general Charles Clarendon Ballou. She was transferred to the U.S. Army as USAT General C. C. Ballou in 1946. On 1 March 1950 she was transferred to the Military Sea Transportation Service (MSTS) as USNS General C. C. Ballou (T-AP-157). She was later sold for commercial operation under several names before being scrapped some time after 1981.[1

General C. C. Ballou, (AP-157) was launched 7 March 1945 under Maritime Commission contract (MC #714) by Kaiser Co., Inc., Yard 3, Richmond, California; sponsored by Mrs. Harry J. Bernat; acquired by the Navy 20 May 1945; and commissioned 30 June 1945, Comdr. M. D. MacGregor in command.

Following shakedown off San Diego, General C. C. Ballou departed San Pedro 29 July 1945 for France via the Panama Canal. She arrived Marseilles after the Japanese surrender, and sailed with returning veterans 23 August bound for Hampton Roads.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/USS_General_C._C._Ballou_%28AP-157%29

August 12, 1945 - France

2012-03-02T15:16:00.000-05:00

Sgt. Stanley W Safford 39539976

5^th Auxiliary Surgical Group

APO 339

c/o Post Master

New York New York

Marseille Area, France

August 12, 1945

My Dear Mother

A few lines today to let you know I am still here and in the light of the present events, I may be for some time to come. Who knows.

We here in the ETO wonder a lot about our future, but it always ends up with no wonder or decision on our part and in fact why should we as the army eventually gets around to us.

In regards to the present situation, I feel that they have sent Japan a very good answer to their question. I certainly was not in favor of accepting them on their term. We would be establishing a God in Japan, which I feel would some day again turn on us. A good housecleaning is what they need there now and a few more months on my part and the rest of us here and there, I am inclined to think would be worth it. We have had so much grief and discomfort, that I think they should pay dearly for it. The strange thing is that a great many of us feel the same way about it. I could go on for hours and perhaps a lot would not pass the cursor so I will stop here.

I feel that finally we have someone who can deal with our allies with a little horse sense. Truman has surprised me a great deal and I think he is more capable of driving a hard bargain than Roosevelt around a Peace table. He could perhaps be even a little more stern. If we do not watch out for ourselves now, it will be too late at another time when there are no bones to be picked.

On another subject, the weather here, I can say it has been very strange. The first few weeks here the weather varied very little, but recently it has changed. We now have a few cooler days with clouds quite often and even rain at times, such as today.

Enclosed you will find a picture which Olson took of me while sitting behind a box taking care of Immunization records which we were still at Marburg, Germany.

Also find enclosed a newspaper clipping[1] from the Army newspaper here, which came out for interviews the other day. They certainly made a mess of it too. My original statement was much longer and quite different. The others of our organization are underlined.

We are going to have chicken today and I hope it is better than it has been in the past. They have trouble of not cooking things well enough here.

Well you can begin getting my room ready for my arrival home a year from now.

As always,

Love,

Stanley

[1] Stars and Stripes, August 10, 1945

Hiroshima - Nagasaki Atomic bombing 1945 Aug

2012-03-02T14:42:00.000-05:00

Aug 8, 1945 - France

2012-03-02T14:41:00.003-05:00

Sgt. Stanley W Safford 39539976

5^th Auxiliary Surgical Group

APO 339

c/o Post Master

New York New York

Marseille Area, France - 22

Aug 8, 1945

Dearest Mother:

Sitting here in the doorway of the dispensary, looking out over the camp toward the water. I can see a very beautiful sunset, which is quite a bit like a California sunset in a way. Have been C2 here all day and have done practically nothing other than waste time.

Kupfer is going to the Riviera tomorrow along with some others. It should be quite nice there, but perhaps a little warm. I did not care for it as I want relaxation and a chance to get away from GIs for a change. And I could not do it here on a trip of that kind. We have never really had any decent passes as other organizations have had and a lot of them have been here a much shorter time than we have.

Aug 9, 45

Well the news here today sounds quite interesting and it begins to look as tho the war may be shortened some. From where I sit I can still see no sooner release for me.

As the radio states, the main topic of discussion here is the Atom bomb[1]. Wild stories certainly start easily on something of that type.

The other day I went into town with another fellow here and we went out on the motor boat cruise around the bay. It was quite interesting and it made it possible for us to see a lot more of the bay. They have an extremely beautiful coastline here and it looks much nicer from the ocean.

The other night we had a very severe rain and lightning storm here. It was by far the heaviest rain I have ever seen. In a short time we had a stream running thru the tent. It at least kept the dust down for a couple of days, giving us some relief from that for a while.

I have seen three or four fairly good shows recently. One was “Together Again” with Irene Dunne and Charles Boyer. I thought it very good and recommend it to you for a good show. The other was “Practically Yours” with Claudette Colbert. It was a very amusing story and well acted. The other, which perhaps you would not care for was “Salome When She Danced”. Very colorful and very expensively produced. With nothing else to do a show provides good entertainment in the outdoor theaters here, since we have no lights in our tents. I grow weary of writing since we have had no mail for some time.

I can think of no more to write of so I will close sending my love to you all there.

All my Love,

Stanley

[1] http://www.ibiblio.org/pha/policy/1945/1945-08-06a.html

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Atomic_bomb_1945_mission_map.svg

3 Aug 1945 - France

2012-03-02T14:14:00.000-05:00

Sgt. Stanley W Safford 39539976

5^th Auxiliary Surgical Group

APO 339

c/o Post Master

New York New York

Marseille Area, France - 21

3 Aug 1945

Dearest Mother:

As afore said, our mail has ceased coming, so I have not heard from you for some time.

The weather here has been nice for all but one day when we had a violent wind and a lot of dust all over everything as a result. That day I took off for town and remained there all day but returned to find no difference.

Had intended on meeting Sgt Olson in town and going for a boat trip, but the sea was much too rough. He was transferred from the unit here along with a few other high pointers and is stationed not far from here at one of the general hospitals. Had I mentioned previously of him being a father shortly after the first of the year?

Have just about given up learning Bridge as there is no one here who really knows all there I about it. Perhaps would be very interesting otherwise.

My friend in the Evacuation hospital which you may recall is on his way home after being here only since January. They are being redeployed thru the states.

Kupfer and I are debating on one of two languages to take Spanish or Portuguese. I am for some reason in favor of the latter. It seems to appeal to me a little more. It would be much easier for me and for him of two work together on something of that type.

Near here are some old Roman ruins which should be quite interesting. I would like to go out there sometimes also. This district is quite ancient in historic value.

There are districts here in Marseille which would put a person in mind of the motion picture “Algiers”. The narrow streets and the steep narrow stairways. I suppose the houses are a mass of walls, tunnels and doorways, the same as any “Casbah” would be.

Well this is about all for now so I close sending you all there my Love, from here.

Your Son,

Stanley

July 26, 1945 - France

2012-03-01T21:33:00.003-05:00

Sgt. Stanley W Safford 39539976

5^th Auxiliary Surgical Group

APO 339

c/o Post Master

New York New York

Marseille Area, France - 20

July 26, 1945

Dearest Mother:

Having gone to Marseille yesterday I was not here when your No32 letter of July 12 came so found it upon my return home. Was of course very glad to hear from you again for it was the first letter. I have received in a week. Our mail was stopped here for a while. I know not the reason unless they thought we would be gone by now.

Just finished had a letter started some time ago to Joseph. My writing has fallen down a great deal here recently, especially with none coming in and nothing of importance to write of.

I liked the two pictures a great deal and I can now have a much better idea of the Lily. The family group is an interesting one and there are none too many left in this branch of the family are there. You are not smiling any too much tho.

The clippings were amusing and especially the one regarding the piece of vegetables. Thanks for the stamps.

It is hard for me to realize that Nina will be so old. How does the time fly by so rapidly? She is or was still quite attractive the last time I saw her tho.

Quite amused to hear of Jays latest deal on you. He should certainly be taken down a notch or two. Who does he think he is?

I can see him getting away with that again. He would certainly go without my company for a while if he pulled that on me.

Glad to hear of the jackets and parachute material arriving home. It is a German cargo chute which was taken from the factory. Some of the color fades out but remains still quite nice. Ryan had some handkerchiefs made of it which were quite nice. The lady washed them when finished. Some of the fellows here made scarves of them but of course are not allowed to wear them since they are not GI.

You had not mentioned previously Harry and Fred Kirchner. What will be their next escapade?

Down in Marseille the other day I noticed in one of the windows a large dish of snails which they must have been preparing for their meal. A person can get them in a restaurant once in a while. They have a large foreign population in the city and it all goes to make the city a great international one. Quite a few Chinese are around.

Ryan has just returned from the Riviera and he has enjoyed it very much. I did not care to go on the type of a trip they went on as I felt I would not be able to really rest while there. All that went seem to have had a drunken orgy from their arrival to their departure. you know is off limits to US troops. They say the former casinos are no longer what they used to be and no one there at all for pleasure.

Well all for now, and I hope you are all in the best of health.

Always,

All my Love,

Stanley


Back: Wayne Safford, Edmond "Ned" Safford, Grace Safford, George Safford; Front: Ella Safford (Edmond "Ned" Safford's wife), Leland Safford, Marie Safford

PS: The picture certainly does not show Marie has suffered any from raising a family. Florence is certainly showing her age, very likely to her dislike, and Chet certainly looks bad, of course who can blame him. Marie looks as tho she had not given up any too much for anyone. She very likely has as much money or more, plus security which she did not have before her marriage to Leland. She knew what she was getting into when she married a Safford, if not she was certainly a fool! Or perhaps she was or is or she would not be where she is today.

"Me" is Muriel Safford, Stanley's sister

July 19, 1945 - France

2012-03-01T16:00:00.000-05:00

Sgt. Stanley W Safford 39539976

5^th Auxiliary Surgical Group

APO 339

c/o Post Master

New York New York

Marseille Area, France - 19

July 19, 1945

Dearest Mother:

Another eight days have gone by and I have not touched pen or paper during that time, so decided to finally put my mind to a few lines this afternoon.

During the past week I visited Marseille once and as usual came home quite tired as you know how I walk once I get started. I visited the Cathedral there and was really quite impressed by it. It stands atop a hill overlooking the entire city and the bay. A person can se everything from the front portice. Inside is some of the most beautiful mosaic work I have ever seen. Most of it done with gold and silver with the other colors inlaid. After the cathedral I went to the theater to see Katherine Hepburn and Spencer Tracy in “No Love”. I did not think much of it.

The statue of Mary and child which is many feet high and weighs 5-6 ton atop the church is one of the most beautiful things I have yet seen. It is all gold gilded and may be seen for a good many miles in all directions. On a close bright day the statue glitters in the sunlight.

Receiving a letter from Jay telling me of a great triumph the dinner was etc, etc, but was very amused to hear your version of it. I certainly do not envy you on such parties.

Sorry to hear of you having more trouble with the Buick after getting it from the shop. Hope you are able to get it in good shape again.

Yes I can well imagine the neighbors and the garden which they will have in that run down place. It has never had any real good care and it will take some time before they get any real results. I am very much afraid that the neighborhood is going to the dogs.

Has Richard Miner said what he was going to do upon his return to the Air corps? They may keep him right there n the states somewhere.

Have received your letters 30 and 31. The latter was received yesterday in very good time.

Was glad to hear that Dad had a nice birthday. I had wanted to get him something but I am in no place here for that.

While in town I got some French “Greeting cards of no great value, but they are something to have for people o their birthdays etc. Well have to get a couple off for Marshall and Joseph, or at least ready to mail, since I very likely will not have the chance when their birthday comes around.

It must seem very strange for you to have children around the age of Virdens. It very likely does you a lot of good tho.

Glad to know what you think of Marshall and wife. I rather suspected by reading between the lines of his last letter that all was not well. George always said Marshall needed someone to cheer him up so maybe he now has his wish. I sincerely hope Marshall will be happy and will not regret his marriage. He may have decided that him being alone was no good so he may have decided to get married in a hurry. He never liked to be alone.

I can just see you in the kitchen canning cherries, apricots etc just as you used to do. Why don’t you low down a little?

I mailed a package yesterday containing some books. One of which is a book of prints which Olson gave me. The others are some children’s books which you can put away for me except for three of them which are inscribed on the inside of front cover to Jon. I want you to take the prices off them and sometime while out that way take them in. I think there is one large and two small ones for him. Then there is some picture postcards for my collection.

The weather here has been very hot and as always a lot of dust blowing around. I wish we would have a real downpour.

Glad to hear of the painting arriving in goo shape, but have begun to wonder what has happened to parachute silk and jackets which were sent some time before.

Quite surprised to hear of you all being invited to Richard Miners wedding. Really must be quite an affair. Where are they going to live?

Perhaps it would be a good idea to again restock the rabbits and start again. Better results perhaps would be had.

The combs, watch band etc were all in good shape and the olive spread was very good on some crackers Ryan had one evening.

The fuchsia very likely got too much water or not enough or some borer got into the stock.

I am looking forward to seeing the pictures you mention.

http://images-02.delcampe-static.net/img_large/auction/000/103/958/545_001.jpg

Col. MacIntyre is no longer with us and I hear that he is on his way home at the hospital he was at is being dissolved. So all Good Luck to him for he deserves it. A lot of the others have also gone and the group is not the same.

Well all for this time and I hope you are all in good health and do enjoy yourselves when you can.

All my Love,

Your son,

Stanley

Enclosed one (1) postcard of chateau d’If

July 9, 1945 - France

2012-03-01T14:53:00.000-05:00

Sgt. Stanley W Safford 39539976

5^th Auxiliary Surgical Group

APO 339

c/o Post Master

New York New York

Marseille Area, France - 18

July 9, 1945

Dearest Mother:

Have here your letters 27, 28, 29 which I have received recently since my last letter home to you.

Have here your acknowledgement of the money order of June1. Another one is enclosed in this letter ($50). I had intended to ask you if you had ever received the two sheets of Dutch stamps which were mailed some time ago. I do not recall you ever mention them.

I gather that Maibelle would in due time get tired of her relatives if she moved up there so near to them.

Yes, I have been told all about Muriel’s new school and perhaps it will be of value to her, but my idea of models is not very good. Most of them do not have too good a reputation.

Yes, the 9^th Army headquarters is on their way home. We no longer belong to them tho.

Yes Neuhaldensleben was the nearest Berlin I got. I was there on V-E Day at an Evacuation Hospital which took care of a lot of the returning Prisoners. They were all very interesting to talk with. They took care of several hundred of them.

Regarding our group here we know nothing other than hearsay and that has always been the same. Washington has no idea of what the nurses really are.

The Edmond Dantes cell in the Château d'If

I can well imagine the Jacaranda tree from the rear porch and think how beautiful it must be. One would be very nice in front. Two would be too many. It of course would be a lot of work to prepare the curb for one of them or anything else.

Yes I remember the boy who used to mow lawns around there. He seemed a very nice there. He seemed a very nice boy. I believe once before you mentioned him being in the Merchant Marines.

I can well imagine the horse races and everyone out there blowing their money. I quite often think of the last races we were all to at Ponoma. Remember?

I wrote a letter to the Dutch family the other day. I also had their address here with me. Thanks for the other one you enclosed. I got the stamps from them.

Glad to hear of my mail making such good time after my arrival here.

Yesterday I returned from a trip to Marseille, and the Island “Chateau d’If”[1] (deef) which is not far from the harbor. We took a small boat out and spent about three hours there. The Island s where they kept Edward Dantes (count of Monte Cristo[2]) and also the Man in the Iron Mask [3]along with several other notable people in French history. The Chateau was built in 1524 and has been used for a prison up into the 1800s.

Sorry to hear of you not being able to get all the cherries you wanted. I will look forward to the pie tho.

Back again to yesterday trip. The water was beautiful and around the island it was a beautiful green. A very delightful and cool breeze was blowing which made the boat ride very enjoyable. On our way back we stopped to see “Valley of Decision” the new Greer Garson picture. Enjoyed it very much and think she done a wonderful job of acting.

You perhaps are suffering under a false picture of where I am. You have the area night but this is certainly not the Riviera o what I thought the Riviera would be if it is. Most of that is further east along the coast. The army certainly could not have picked any place any nearer like Injo Kern[4] than this. And conditions here certainly are none too favorable for a pleasure resort. We can see the water from here but nothing ever comes from there other than dust. Look on a mop and you will see what I mean.

Well all for now and I hope you all in good health. Enclosed you will find seven more negatives and the money order.

All my Love always,

Stanley

[1] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ch%C3%A2teau_d%27If

[2] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Count_of_Monte_Cristo

[3] Contrary to common belief, The Man in the Iron Mask and Marquis de Sade were not prisoners at the château

[4] Inyokern, California - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Inyokern,_California

July 4, 1945 - France

2012-03-01T02:03:00.001-05:00

Sgt. Stanley W Safford 39539976

5^th Auxiliary Surgical Group

APO 339

c/o Post Master

New York New York

Marseille Area, France - 17

July 4, 1945

Dearest Mother:

Again this afternoon I will write you a few lines and let you know I am still here, and have not been blown away or covered with dust, which the air has been full of the last three days. Everything from fine sand to particles of gravel have been in the air making everything miserable.

In regards to your questions about my preference of directions. I think as you do that it would be better to go direct there than home. It would be much harder the way home first.

Our unit is changing quite rapidly. Major Grubin is gone. Major Kuhns is leaving and a good many of the other familiar faces are going. It will not be the same.

The candy covered walnuts are certainly good. They have kept when all else has melted.

Received a letter from Muriel telling me of our recent school etc. One today from Frances and a couple days ago one from Miss Mosher’s niece.

Yes, you are right about us seeing planes in abundance over here. They have gone over for hours at times in the past, especially when we were near Eindhoven.

Tales are rampant over here whenever Patton is mentioned. A couple o my friends here worked on teams with the 3^rd Army Hospitals. He is quite a character.

Have heard no further from Ed Pfan(?) or Herbert Shaffer. They both owe me letters. One which I wrote while still at Ft Sam and Herbert was sent a Xmas card last Xmas. I can no longer be bothered with that type of people. So busy themselves. And Jay is another one. He can just wait. I am in no mood to write most of the time recently. Condition here are not at all favorable for writing.

I again giving lectures. My first one was Tuesday, entitled “History of China”, others will follow later on Japan etc.

Muriel also tells me of Blair’s house being sold and to whom . Witzel really has his nerve.

I want you to send me my brown swimming trunks (short style) and a good pair of sunglasses, which you may have trouble getting. You will have to pay a good price for them but you can charge to my account. Polaroid are good ones. Use your own judgment of course. Do not send until I ask again.

You should have received the 1 June money order by now.

I am going to make plans to see Lloyd Whelchel soon if possible. I wonder is I will recognize him. Tell you the details later. Don’t you have his last address.

Enclosed you will find some negatives which you can have prints of each made and send them to me when I ask for them. There will be more to follow these. They are some taken at Bad Salzuflen and Bielefeld.

I am looking forward to getting another letter from you today, as I have not received one from you for some time.

I suppose Richard has reached home by now. Give him my regards.

Well all for now. Hope this reaches you all in good health and happy.

All my Love,

Your son

Stanley

10(ten) negatives enclosed.

Marseilles, France - June 1945

2012-03-01T00:08:00.000-05:00

Palais de Longchamps

June 26, 1945

2012-03-01T00:01:00.000-05:00

Sgt. Stanley W Safford 39539976

5^th Auxiliary Surgical Group

APO 339

c/o Post Master

New York New York

Marseille Area

June 26, 1945

Dearest Mother:

After the time has rolled by so rapidly, I realize it has been ten days since last I wrote you. But after a few days here I realize there is nothing to write of. One day is followed by another one just as hot and dry as the preceding one. I never saw such a place before that lacked so much as this place does. All that saves us is the ocean (which I can see) breeze which cools things off some. The day before yesterday the last package you sent me with the hair oil, Vicks etc arrived in good shape. The candied walnuts were as always good and I do appreciate you sending them. In this weather they are the only kind of candy that will keep. All of the chocolate melts into a nice mess.

Have here your letters No 18, 23,24 and your V-Mail No26 telling of Mrs. Miners good fortune of Richard coming home. Also have letters from Joseph, Jay and Mr. Tedesco who is no longer in Ft Worth. They are now in Okla. Just over the Texas line. She received the bottle of perfume which I sent her and she really liked it.

On the roll of film you received, do not forget to have prints made for me.

The passes to the Riviera which I mentioned previously fell through as everything else does here. So we are here for a vacation.

When you see Marshall be sure to give him my regards. He has owed me a letter for some time. I suppose he now has many other things to think of tho. And I do not blame him.

Sorry to hear of you catching a cold. I have been lucky in that respect and have not had one since I was in Holland last October. And that was severe enough for me to last for some time.

I can well understand the ordeal of Jay being out to dinner. He wears anyone out if they have to be around him for a very long period of time. He has never told me about writing him. When he does he will really get a piece of my mind. He wrote of Nina and Bill being there also.

Glad to hear of Kathleen being married again. Ann as you say needs a father and a better home than she now has.

I had often tried to get a gun for Dad, but with no luck. And then they would have to be carried around with me and all that so I never considered it worth it. And the clipping recently received is just about what I thought would happen some day.

How high are the fuchsias by the steps? I supposed they have really grown.

I gave up on the German. I would rather have them learn English which most of them are willing to do as they think th Americans will be around for some time.

We are now off the essential list of Army personnel, but our status is still unchanged.

The story of Jay and the tablecloth was very amusing.

Did the “Easter Lilly” in the shade garden do anything this year? It should bloom this Fall if it came up at all. All the roses needed a good pruning and it always does them good.

I am a little ahead on Air Mail stamps just now but I will have for them soon when I will not be receiving any from you.

Yes, I remember Rev. Gaines and I always liked him. He used to come to the garage while I used to be there.

Yes I wrote V-Mails to everyone I owed letter

Well about all for now and until again from the Dust Bowl”

June 10, 1945 - Germany

2012-02-29T23:14:00.003-05:00

Sgt. Stanley W Safford 39539976

5^th Auxiliary Surgical Group

APO 339

c/o Post Master

New York New York

Marburg, Germany

June 10, 1945

Dearest Mother:

Another move in the background and again I am in another cow pasture.

From my tent door I can look out at the not too distant hillsides and see the fields of grin gently moving in the afternoon breeze.

You will find Marburg a few miles North of Frankfurt (on the Main). The country here is very beautiful and compares a great deal with the Bad District which I previously was in.

At any time we may again move so do not worry about not receiving any mail from me. All this moving is certainly a great experience for me anyway.

Well all for now and my best regards to all and I hope you are all well.

All my Love,

Stanley

June 16, 1945 - France

2012-02-29T23:14:00.002-05:00

Sgt. Stanley W Safford 39539976

5^th Auxiliary Surgical Group

APO 339

c/o Post Master

New York New York

Vicinity Marseilles, France - 15

June 16, 1945

Dearest Mother :

After a long silence I again will pick up my pen and write you a few lines.

The heading tells you that again I have moved, which is of course no new thing to you by this time as you have seen by the letter headings of the past.

Recently I had the chance of seeing the walled city of Metz and thought it very beautiful from my location at the time.

The climate here is quite like California. And the landscape in the immediate vicinity is quite a bit like Mojave. In fact some of the boys here remarked how like Injo it is.

We are again in tents, which I do not mind so much as long as it remains warm. Of course it is much harder to keep clean, but I am used to that by this time.

Ryan was saying that if this was the Riviera, they could send him home. Same here. There would have to be a lot more here than I have seen already to make me live here very long by my own desires. Of course time will tell more, and my later letters will tell you more of the sights I intend to see while here if the dust clouds do not restrict my view.

While still in Wiedenbruck I saw “Meet me in St Louis”, the Judy Garland picture which has been raved about so much and I thought the whole thing smelled. What don’t they find to make a picture of these days. They will have to put her in better pictures than that or she will soon lose all her popularity if it depends on me. Otherwise no other movies have been available.

By this time how is the house remodeling coming along?

Or have you mad much headway. You can add on a solarium for my tropical plant collection.

In regards to my morale. I feel quite well and am in high spirits, which is very good considering how some of the others feel. I never built myself up for any let down as you know and I am glad you have the idea you have in one of your recent letters.

Well all for now and I hope you are all well happy.

All my Love,

Your Son,
Stanley

June 4, 1945 - Germany

2012-02-29T22:34:00.000-05:00

Sgt. Stanley W Safford 39539976

5^th Auxiliary Surgical Group

APO 339

c/o Post Master

New York New York

Wiedenbruck, Germany - 14

June 4, 1945

Dearest Mother :

After another short trip from Bielefeld to here at headquarters which took place on the 31, I will write a few lines this evening. I wrote an unnumbered letter the day of my departure, since I had already packed my things.

I seem to be missing one of your letters, a number 18. I have your letters 19, 20, 21 and 22 which I received today.

The other day I mailed home the water color I previously mentioned. I mailed it between two sheets of plywood with the balance of the portrait pictures. One of them on the sand colored paper is for you. Some of them are awful. The boys on Sgt Ryan X-Ray team made them for me . Also mailed home was a box containing all my winter clothes with sleeping bag liners (sheeting) etc. Also enclosed were some pictures you can put away for me. There is a roll or two of developed film which if you want any of you can have made for yourself. There is also another roll which is marked and you can have one print made of each for me.

In regards to me being heavier. I my be some, especially after my recent life of luxury.

The porcelain I am glad to hear of reaching home.

The shoes were bought shortly before leaving San Antonio, and have only been worn over here in Paris. I like them very much.

The porcelain came from a once beautiful collection.

Yes the Lantana was certainly a mess and I often had a mind to remove it but never did. I would like very much to have seen the Nile lily in bloom, even tho I have seen them before. They are quite an attraction. Did the flies bother them any?

Have here the card in an envelope telling me of the subscription to Readers Digest & Time (Pony Edition) as coming from Dad and yourself. You really should not do these things for me. You have already done so very much.

Last Sunday they had here for the first time in eight years the “Corpus Christi” celebration and ceremony in the churches. A Catholic thing, and as always very elaborate and colorful. With the bishop under a canopy carried by church dignitaries. The altar boys in their costumes, the sisters and all the little girls dressed in pure white with garlands in their hair. The people of the church fell into the procession behind. Some of the robes and banners were certainly nice. There was a path of flowers down the street and garlands overhead. The houses along the way had each one constructed an individual altar on their doorsteps. Something very new to me and worthwhile seeing.

You are certainly right about the mixed up relations a lot of people are going to have with the return home of the soldiers. Most of them had no business ever getting married to begin with.

Don Finley is quite lucky to be able to go on to school for the Navy. But it may be indicative of a discharge any or none too soon.

You sending me the picture was alright, but I intended you one for yourself. I can always send this one to someone. The picture was taken of myself with my fur jacket while I was still at Neuhaldensleben up near Magdeburg in March or April.

From time to time I will write of things in the past which I think will be of interest to you.

Yes, our group may move on rather soon as you mentioned in letter 20. But as to the shortage of some, I often wonder. We could get along very well without all of our nurses tho. They have been nothing but excess baggage and trouble ever since our departure from the US. For the good some of them are the rest offsets it.

Aunt Dell tells me in the last letter that Gertrude is back from Florida, but has been none too well.

The Amaryllis would perhaps be better if repotted in a larger pot but no great hurry. They quite often bloom a little better if pot bound.

Yes the news of the Prentice separation. As you say “Big Shots”. Was no great surprise to me.

I wish Jay would say something to me about not writing him. I always make it a point to answer his letters quite soon. I could very well drop him and spend all my time on other letters. He has his nerve.

Very glad to hear of Mrs. Miner hearing of Richard. She told me in her last letter that she worried so much about it at times that she could not be still. All of them were marched around away from the Russians.

The Avocado tree perhaps is quite useless and should be replaced by something else of more value. I always wanted a Jacaranda in the parkway in front. Why don’t you get a good fruit tree or shade tree for the place behind garage. Of course it is too late for bare root trees now.

Perhaps sooner than expected I may have the chance of seeing Nelson again. Distances are not so great for us.

Thanks for the Air Mail stamps enclosed in some of your last letters. Received the correct number according to each letter.

Find enclosed a couple stamps for my collection.

Hope this find you all well and hope you remain so. My next letter will follow soon as I have the time.

All my Love,

Stanley

Also enclosed one fifty dollar ($50) money order

Mulhausen - April 1945

2012-02-29T20:37:00.002-05:00

If you recognize anyone, please contact me and I will be glad to forward copies of the pictures.

May 31, 1945

2012-02-29T19:46:00.000-05:00

Sgt. Stanley W Safford 39539976

5^th Auxiliary Surgical Group

APO 339

c/o Post Master

New York New York

Bielefeld, Germany

May 31, 1945

Dearest Mother :

Here this morning before departure for headquarters. I will write you a few lines and let you know the happenings of the last few days here in Bielefeld.

Two days ago we were all called to headquarters, and the rumors are wild. Some say we go to the Pacific via the states, others say direct, and still others have other ideas on the subject. Well more on the subject in a couple days.

The other day I was taken by one of the people at the house, to the Botanical Garden[1], and much to my surprise they really have a beautiful one here with a good many plants, some of which I had not seen previously, others are old acquaintances. The names of course are the same and the curator and myself got on very well. I took some pictures which I hope turn out well. They had some beautiful Iris there which excel anything before seen by me. Some day, I will have a large collection of them, I hope.

Again the other day instead of writing or otherwise, I went up to a castle[2] on the hill here which is quite old and had a very nice time. The place is very historic and only recently was used for aircraft observation, which resulted in the bridge being blown out by bombs. Well anyway I was so very pleased that the boy got one of the German patients who is an artist to make me a water color of it for me which was delivered last night to me and it is truly a beautiful piece of work, and I will have it on its way very soon. Well on and on I have gone until I have practically see all around here in the way of scenic value.

The people here are very sad to have the Americans leave and the British takeover. They do not seem to have much use for the English. Perhaps that has been ingrained into them for so long a time. I have learned a lot about them since my arrival here and I have some definite impressions on them.

Well this is about all for now as my time is short and I will write longer and better the next time.

All my Love,

Your Son,

Stanley

[1] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Botanischer_Garten_Bielefeld and http://www.bielefeld.de/de/un/boga/

[2] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sparrenburg_Castle

May 22, 1945 - Germany

2012-02-29T16:49:00.000-05:00

Sgt. Stanley W Safford 39539976

5^th Auxiliary Surgical Group

APO 339

c/o Post Master

New York New York

Germany - 13

May 22, 1945

Dearest Mother

After such a long time the censorship has been lifted and the idea alone inspires me to write a few letters today.

From my room here, which is a corner room on the third floor of a German civilian hospital I can see for some distance in places where the trees do not restrict my view. The sky is overcast and has been trying to rain but perhaps eventually the sun perhaps will shine.

Another sergeant and myself are the only ones here, and that is only for the military portion of the hospital of which they have 200. Our business is merely the Allied Administration of POW Hospitals and the last place I was doing the same work only the major was with me. He is now across town at another hospital. I only make rounds with him once in a while.

My last station was at Bad Salzuflen, which is one of the very beautiful little towns in the famous resort center of Germany. The Wehrmacht turned it into a hospital center before their defeat and we have taken over and are clearing out all the sick POWs. Our house there was surrounded by beautiful gardens full of trees, shrubs and flowers. We have gardens here but we are more or less in a hotel. We had maid service there for everything including the serving of the meal. We have the same here. And the beds here are the real thing for comfort.

You will find our location not far off the Autobahn south of Hannover in case you have a map there.

The last place had hedges (artificial) constructed through which the run water slowly, and when the breezes blew thru them the air became cooled. They had a great number of them all about 30 feet high in various places around the hospitals.

The town here is quite torn up since it was a German Army headquarters and hospitals or not they had to get the headquarters.

You mention Iris being in bloom in your letter No15. Here in the resort place which I am (at) they have been originated here and are really beautiful. You should also see the Rhododendrons which they have here. Nurseries are quite abundant here. Pansies are certainly beautiful in the large beds outside.

You perhaps can tell from the outward appearances of things that I am very happy at present, despite the enclosed clippings which I have always known would more than likely happen, as I have told you previously that I did not expect to get out for some time to come, so the news does not affect me too much. The MOS (Military Occupational Specialty) number of 861 is mine and the 225 is Sgt Ryan since he is a male nurse. The doctors are all worried now since they are declaring us essential. Ha Ha!

Has Mrs. Miner heard anything of Richard yet?

Received a very nice letter from Howard Kiel the other day. Also others received have been from Thelma, Aunt Dell, Jay, Miss Mosher and Joe.

In your letters 16 and 17 you at the time were expecting something to happen. I often before then had heard of things happening but that type of thing always take time. Conditions here with the Displaced Personnel such as the Russians is becoming impossible in more ways than one. But enough of this for now as the time will come when I can tell you more.

Glad to hear of you getting the chickens. You should save the best rooster of the bunch and have your own source of chicks hereafter.

Muriel’s birthday has slipped upon me without me knowing it so it you think of something she wants within reason, will you get it for her as a present from me?

You need not worry about replacing the money too soon. If you need it for other things, do not fail to use it for such, as I am in no need of it here and perhaps will not be for some time. No need of caching bonds for cash as long as you have my money handy. You have invested in them so get the full value from them.

I had a notion some time ago to ask you for Mrs. Ohashi’s address, only I thought it would seem rather strange to him if not an insult. You get it for me and I may be able to use it some day in the administration of Japanese hospitals etc. Would be rather interesting.

Well about all for now and thanks for the airmail stamps enclosed in two letters and I hope this reaches you in good health and that Dad is well recovered from the accident.

All my Love,

Stanley