07 Jun June 7, 1944

letter
from: Pvt George Shonkwiler
to: Mrs. Alice Shonkwiler
6-7-44
Wed 7:30 P.M.
Noteworthy: Dad’s philosophy on disiplining children.

Dear Alice and Ronnie,

Just time for a short note before it gets too dark to see.  I’m sitting here
besides our tent, the mosquitoes biting like hell.  I’m leaning against a tree
swatting away.  My helmet is my seat.  We have just finished having our daily
rifle inspection and I took a washcloth bath from half a helmet of water.  That
is all the bath we take for two weeks.  I don’t know whether I’m going to make
it or not, as my skin condition has gotten much worse since coming out here.
However, I am going to hold out if I can as I don’t want to have to go through
the bivouac again.  16 hours away is all we are allowed.  If you miss more than
that, you have

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to take it over with some other company.  Received a nice long letter and
[which had] my watch tonite.  Thanks very much for both, no package yet, but
Rogers got another one, so we are set until mine comes.  I hope you were able
to mail it today.  We had a fairly easy day today.  Six hours class and two
hours of field work.  And no rain.

Tomorrow we have C rations again, which means we rate the ice box or barracks
bag if you prefer.

Glad to hear Dick was not seriously injured.  Will look Les up when I get back
to camp.  199 <? Bn> is a rifle company, but he may be transferred from there
as most every one goes to a rifle company the first few days.

As for giving us furloughs right after we finish training[,] we don’t know for
sure.  Most of the Co. usually is shipped out the following week.  A few for
some unknown reason, are held for a

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few days up to a week or two.  Of course, if I go to the hospital with this
skin trouble, they may hold me a while.  That’s one of the biggest reasons why
I don’t want to go as I am really fed up with this place.

we get practically no news of the invasion here.  Certainly is a suspense.  The
reports we do get, however, all sound good.  So I guess and hope it is going
alright.

How is Ronnie’s cold?  Certainly hope you caught it in time and he is alright.
I suppose Joyce is really a spoiled gal now that Dick isn’t there to put his
foot down once in a while.  Just be sure you don’t spare the rod with

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Ronnie, if it becomes necessary.

Has <? Dinor> been able to go back to work for good yet.  You tell her I think
she just likes to lay around a little too much.  Of course I <? .......>
<? ...> her, <? lorah> I could do some of it <? to> right now.

Well my dears we work late the next two nights so may not get a chance to write
for a couple days.  Will do the best I can.  Though have already done better
than I had expected to be able to do.

These damn mosquitoes are getting the best of me.  I have to run somewhere or
do something quick.

With lots of love to you both,
Daddy.