Categories: History

June 1944, WWII, Somewhere in Italy

With the D-Day anniversary only a day away, I’ve been reviewing some of the letters that I inherited from my father, John W. Kendall, Jr. Someday I would like to compile these letters, from 1941 through 1945, into a book.

My father served with the 45^th Division, 157^thInfantry, from 1941 through 1945. He was shipped overseas in June, 1943, initially to North Africa, then to Sicily, Italy, France and finally to Germany. He returned to the United States in 1945.

My father wrote the following letter to his parents from Italy a few days after D-Day, June 7, 1944.

Italy, June 20, 1944
Dear Folks,

How is everyone out that way? As for myself, well I am still able to sit up & take a little nourishment. So I guess I will live for a few days yet anyway. But, I sure am ready to come back to the good old U.S.A. The quicker the sooner.

I guess Rex [brother] feels OK now that he has left the states. But, I was hoping he wouldn’t make it [into the military]. Of course, even if he is in combat, it won’t be so bad where he works. Only he might get a few air raids. They are exciting, but not too bad. I hope he is in England. It won’t be long until that country is reasonably safe, I hope.

I finally went to the city [Rome]. But it is like all the rest of these towns, nothing there but hungry people. I sure am glad we aren’t fighting this war in the U.S.A. Of course, these people should have to suffer. They brought it all on their selves. Besides that, they made a lot of other innocent people suffer. So, I don’t feel a bit sorry for them.

I got a V-Mail from you yesterday, but that is the 1^st letter I have had in 5 days. I usually get letters in bunches of 5 or 6. You see, Hazel [wife] writes everyday, but I get them once a week. I have had 3 or 4 V-Mail from Aunt Myrtle. Haven’t got the letter from Sissy [sister] yet, nor the cigars.

How does the war news sound from over there? It is OK from what we hear, but they doctor it up I expect, especially for us.

Has Gene [brother] had to take the exam again? I hope he don’t pass. I don’t want any of my brothers to see what I have seen. It is more pleasant to read about.

How is the weather & the crops over there? It is raining a little here, but not so much. Just small showers. And, we need it too, so the dust won’t be so bad.

Well I guess this will have to do. So bye bye for now. I will try to think up a good long letter one of these days.

Lotza Love Always, Tex

For those interested in WWII, the 45^thInfantry Division museum is located at, 2145 N.E. 36th Street, Oklahoma City, OK 73111. A few additional letters that my father wrote are located on the museum’s web site.