'Never thought the coast of England could look so good to me...'

Editor's Note: This letter, written four days after D-Day.

Back in England, June 10 (1944)

Dear Folks –

I never thought the coast of England could look so good to me as it did last night when we pulled in. It was wonderful.

Believe me, War IS Hell – with a capital “H.” And I’ve about had my fill of it. I’m only thankful I’m not in the Army – although, I guess the soldiers feel just the opposite. I’m thankful, too, for the first time, that I’m aboard an LST instead of a Troop Transport (P.A.) with my assault boats.

In fact, I’m thankful for a good many things right now. We have a wonderful skipper, and I think we had a little help from above, too. Anyway, the worst is over, now – so don’t worry. I won’t see anything I haven’t seen the last six days.

Dad, my shaver’s monitor was a real comfort to me a couple of times – I mean that.

We’ve been getting so little sleep that until now I haven’t been able to sleep over two hours at a time. Well, there are lots of things to tell you – if you want to hear them – but I can’t write much at the present time.
Anyway – “I was there—“ and we’ll be keeping a constant shuttle service across the Channel for awhile.

We had some German prisoners – very interesting – one Holland Dutch. Drafted from the Netherlands, a German Jew, a 20 year soldier and a true “Superman” Luftwaffe officer – pilot – just like the movies show them (the Pilot, I mean) among others.

Well, enough for now – Pray for us and we’ll pull through. Tell Ralph “Happy Birthday” – I notice today is his day.

Love to all – and write I don’t know where our mail is being sent, but will catch up with us some time. Send my love to the rest of the family.

Your Son.