03 Apr April 3, 1944

letter
from: Pvt George W. Shonkwiler
to: Mrs. Alice Shonkwiler
4-3-44, Monday 8:30 p.m.
Noteworthy: Army punishment for stealing.

Dear Alice and Ronnie,

No letter today, but since I feel pretty good tonight, will write anyway and
try to make up a little for last week.  We had an easy day today - 6 hrs of
classes 1  hr of bayonet practice, and 1 hr of pictures.  Thought we would get
off easily for a change, but instead they held us for two hours while they
searched every hut and all personal property.  Seems someone stole a watch
yesterday and they were trying to find the thief.  They didn’t find him.  They
are really tough on thieves in the army.  Just the other day they caught a
fellow stealing a watch.  They gave him five years hard labor and a
dishonorable discharge.

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Don’t think I would want to take the shame myself.  We finally got to eat about
7 p.m. and have been cleaning my rifle since.  Cleaning our rifles is like
washing dishes, the only difference is they are inspected and if they are not
up to par 100% we get to do it all over again plus some extra detail if they
are dirty enough.

We got our first glimpse of what our special training is going to be like for
the next 11 weeks today.  Certainly looks like it will be much easier than the
last five weeks has been but sitting in a classroom all day gets mighty hard
on the do-sitter, especially with my itch.

Sams - you know him - had his wife down this week-end.  Poor guy - it rained
all week-end besides just getting in off the rifle range Sat at 2:30.  He was
so tired he said he wasn’t much good.  Then of course he was held along with
the rest of

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us while they were looking for that thief tonight.  After that, he had to clean
his rifle.  He went without supper and still didn’t get away before 8 p.m.
That’s the damn army for you.  You can’t plan on anything definite.  If they
want you to stay in camp you stay wife or no wife.  Certainly hope I don’t get
any such breaks when you get here.  The only thing I am really afraid of is
guard duty.  I am going to be about due in two or three weeks and that’s
something you can’t get out of.  I’ve got my fingers crossed.  By the way, when
you come be sure and bring the alarm clock.  When I stay at the guest house
with you I will have to have it as they don’t wake you and

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if I miss roll call I will be AWOL.  Better write down the things you are to
bring.  So far be sure and bring camera and film and alarm clock.  Money of
course.  I spent $10 in St. Augustine.  We got paid Friday.  I got $20.80.
Since I was broke I now have $10 left.  By the time you get here most of that
will be gone, I imagine.  I spend most of my money on food.  We never seem to
get filled up.  I weighed 140 pounds in St. Augustine.  Guess what[,] I took
off my middle.  I have added else where.  Well I have to shave and take a bath
so enough for now.

Ronnie[,] how are you and Eleanor getting along?  Does she behave herself and
run all your errands for you?  How’s Judy too?  Have you given her a bath yet?
I hope you and Bobby are getting lots of fresh air.  Be a good boy and you’ll
get to see your daddy soon now.  Bye-bye.

Daddy.

Attachment, possibly misenveloped letter

page 5
friendly neighbors.  Did Ray H get home and did they come over.  How does he
like the Navy and and what is he doing.  Sounds to me like Jack Waters is kinda
of taking advantage of a good thing.  If the pump doesn’t work I would
certainly see that he comes back - Free.  I am sorry about the things getting
ruined.  Guess it would be a good idea to put things up a little off the floor.
Are you going over to Hayes’?   Maybe it wouldn’t be so bad.  As for anyone
asking for donations tell them to go next door or someplace else where the
money is rolling in.  Besides, so far the Red Cross has done absolutely nothing
for me.  Not that I don’t think it is a good cause but I do think we are doing
our share.  Let me know about the reservations right away because when I go to

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St Augustine next week I will want to make hotel reservations.  Glad you got
your driver’s license.  If you go to Rockford go straight west on 111th Street
to the end of road.  Then turn South 1 block across bridge[,] then turn right
on route 83 which takes you in a a partial circle around the outskirts of [the]
city and in a Northerly direction until you come to route 64.  You remember it
is about two miles North of the sign saying Villa Park.  Turn West on route 64
until you come to that road 50 isn’t it?  That takes you straight North in to
Rockford.  By all means start early in enough so you won’t have to drive at
nite.

As for going to a gynecologist that isn’t necessary for me.  You see I have
proof.  As for you, that’s up to you.  I know a little about Dr. McCormick
if it is the one on Michigan Ave. Henry jostes knows him well.  He is their
Doctor.  Seemes he helped his wife.