06 Jun June 6, 1944

letter
from: Pvt George Shonkwiler
to: Mrs. Alice Shonkwiler
Thursday 9 A.M.
6-6-44.
Noteworthy: D-day, Dad describes more boot camp stress. Description of C
rations.

Dear Alice and Ronnie,

Everything is bright this morning.  The sun is shining after raining all night
and best of all[,] early this morning[,] the lieutenant brought out news that
the invasion had started.  I won $5 besides the fact that if this invasion is
successful I may never have to go across after all.

We spent a miserable nite last nite.  At about 8 P.M., we had an enemy attack
and had to crawl into our wet foxholes in the dark and wait.  Then there was a
gas attack and we had gas masks on for about 15 min.  After that officers came
around and asked us <? j..t> and questions.  We got in bed about 9 p.m.  It
was raining and dark as hell.  We had to button the tent up tight and it was
suffocating.  We didn’t get much sleep.  Oh yes, the ground wasn’t the softest
bed in the world.  We got up at 5 A.M.  Did you ever try putting your clothes
[on] and dressing in pitch dark?  Well it can be done.

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Right now we are on a 4-hour field problem on Message Center.  I am sneaking a
few minutes here and there to write this as I won’t have any opportunity to
write tonight.  We are out until 12 P.M.  Oh yes, did I tell you we are on C
rations all day today.  Cold pork and beans for breakfast, dinner and supper.
I am sitting on the wet ground with a message book as a pad to hold this paper
and keeping a sharp lookout for officers.  On hand <? po...thig> <? tay> away I
<? ....> safe <? and> have nothing to do.  This stationary is some that we use
in our message center work.

7 P.M.
Much later as you see and I only have a min.  We have class until midnite
tonite and this has been a killer already.  It clouded

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up about 9:30 A.M. and started to rain again.  It’s been raining ever since
except right now when it has stopped momentarily.  We are all soaked and no way
to get dry. It certainly is no fun.

Haven’t heard anymore about the invasion, but certainly hope it is still going
strong.

No package yet but hope it comes soon as we are down to our last can.

Well, my dears I have lots to do so must close.  So far I am O.K. but I know
this is going to be a long two weeks and a hard one.  Mainly because of the
lack of any kind of convenience and army discipline.  We can’t hang anything
up, take a bath, etc.

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But I’m sure I’ll get through somehow.

Lots of love,
Daddy.