16 Jul July 16, 1944

letter
from: Pvt George W. Shonkwiler
to: Mrs. Alice Shonkwiler
July 16, 1944
9 P.M. Sun.
[Army camp near Washington, D.C.]

Dear Alice and Ronnie,

Here I am back in camp none the worse for wear except being a little tired.
Didn’t do much this afternoon.  Went up in [the] Washington Monument and spent
a little time in [the] Smithsonian Institute, and walked around [the] Capitol
Building.  Oh yes, walked all over Washington - it is all very interesting but
can’t see much in one half day.  Of course I realize I could have gotten up
earlier this morning but that bed really felt good and was much more important
at the time.

There is much shipping news and speculation around here tonight.  About 15 men
went out a few minutes ago and there are about a dozen more scheduled to leave
any time, where no one knows.  So

page 2
far I am still here and there is nothing new in my status.  I rode back to camp
with a 1st lt. [first lieutenant] from 8th Reg. [Regiment] and he told me there
was a rumor around that a lot of the men in 8th Reg. were going to be sent to
Fort Ord, California, as camp personnel.  That might not be so bad.  Of course
that is just one of many rumors and even if true wouldn’t mean that I would be
one of those men.

Certainly was nice calling home last night.  I called from Hotel Washington and
only waited about two minutes. However, I waited a half hour to call Forrest
from camp here the other nite.  I have made arrangements to go to Alexandria
next week end (that’s Forrest’s home) provided of course I am still here and
can get out of camp.  You see there is a lot of ifs and ands connected to my
life right now.

Well my dears that’s about all the news for now.  Maybe tomorrow will be
something else again - besides I should get at least one letter tomorrow
that would be news.

With Love,
Daddy.

page 3
[Editor’s note: it is clear that this page does not follow from the former.
Evidently a second letter was inserted in the envelope with this one and its
first page was lost.]

sent it in is something else again.  Anyhow, that’s that and it is now in the
lap of the Gods.  So guess you will have to keep your fingers crossed a bit
longer.  In fact I have no idea when I will learn anything.

I got back from sick call this morning about eleven -  a few minutes later who
should walk in but Forrest.  He had a day off and had come to camp in the
chance of finding me.  Had quite a time, but did find me.  He went with me this
afternoon and tonight we had dinner in the Service club.  He left a few minutes
ago.  I plan on meeting him in Washington tomorrow if I can get a pass.

page 4
He looks very good and doesn’t seem to mind the Navy very much.  However, I
think a lot of it is because living conditions at home are none too good.  His
wife has her sister and niece plus their four children living with her all in
a four-room house.  How - I don’t know.  Plus the fact that the Navy has been

none too hard on him and he says he really has it soft now.  He thought we
were living under pretty tough conditions compared to his.  I told him he
should have been at Camp Blanding as this place is <? weird> in a number of
ways than that place was.  A very important one being the officers - both com.
and non-com.[,] they are almost human here.

Well Ronnie, my boy, how are your eating habits?  Improving, I hope and have
you and Mommy missed Daddy any yet?

If and when I get any important news I will try to call you.  It will probably
be in the evening - So don’t stray too far from home the next week or so - In
the meantime I love you both and how is Junior?

Love[,]
Daddy