22 May May 22, 1945

letter
from: PVT George W. Shonkwiler
to: Mrs. Alice Shonkwiler
Compiegne France,
22 May 1945, Tuesday 9 p.m.
Noteworthy: Dad evaluates his room mates and himself

My Dear Ronnie and Alice,

For a change just back from a show and getting wet. The show "Bowery of
Broadway" was pretty good, but I got caught.  Went without a jacket or a
raincoat and ten minutes walk in this rain doesn’t exactly lead to me
keeping dry.  And this damn paper the War Department puts out is lousy.
Guess I’ll have to write my Senator. Who in hell is he anyway?

Didn’t write you last night because didn’t have anything new to write
about after a long letter the night before, and again, no mail so
decided to try and catch up with some of the others.  However didn’t do
any good job as the fellows got to arguing in the room and I wasn’t much
in the writing mood anyhow.  Did get a letter off to Claude thanking him
for his package. The arguing got so bad as the evening progressed that
even though I’m not an argumentative person, gradually I had to get into it.
One thing lead to another and before we knew it we had a regular round
table discussion about a little bit of everything that led us way into

the night.  We have a rather mixed bunch here in this room. There are only
seven at the present.

page two
One man was transferred this week and two others some time ago. Of the
seven left we have one college graduate besides myself. He’s a man a
couple years older than I and a back Sgt.  Works the same building I do.
Married, no children, used to be a automobile salesman or dealer and has
a little money it seems. He’s quite a playboy at times, not too much in
love with his wife. Apparently smart and pretty well versed on many subjects.
Finally keeps pretty much to himself but occasionally, when he’s had a
couple drinks too many, will break down and sorta let himself go. He’s
had rather an interesting past. But not a very bright future at least
from my point of view.  Another Sgt, a T/4 is a young fellow, was going
to college when drafted.  Six feet four, good looking too many a woman,
I guess, quite a wolf and a pretty smooth lad.  He works across the room
from me doing practically the same work. Although he does type. He is
engaged to a gal back home, practically to one here in Campiegne and
two of these others along the line.  He speaks a little French, has nice
brown eyes and with his physique what more can I say. Once in the while
he does get serious and shows good intelligence.  He was or says he was
an assistant  manager of a telegram office when he worked. The only other
fellow in the room, married and having children is also the only other
combat man in the room

Page three.
besides myself.  He is 31, was wounded in Germany around Aachen, is now
in  limited service  due to psycho.  Although not very bad case, he
also works where I do. As far as I can determine  is  playing fair
with his family and is a pretty good boy.  Was a high school teacher
and worked a grocery store back in Iowa. He’s a private as is all the
rest of us.  He’s been put in Category four  and slated to go home some
day. And by the way I’m in category three and slated to go anyplace as
far as I know.  Oh yes both of the sergeants are from N. Carolina. So
<? ones> believe me <? Jew> pair N. York. He works in the post office
and is rather quiet.  But a Jew in action.  He worked in the P.Office
in civilian life.  Really not such a bad fellow but his nationality
gives him two strikes to start off with.  He is single, that’s about
all I know about that end of it. We have another fellow we call Bill

who still keeps me guessing.  I think he is Polish.  Certainly acts like
one.  He’s the boy that has a strategic job  as far as we are concerned.
He prints all the special orders.  Hence <? has> advance information
at times. He’s married. No children. Doesn’t play around much. But
occasionally he lets himself go  and then he really goes. Wine, liquor,
Women, and song.  Our boy Junior, the kid of the bunch, is from Rockford
but you shouldn’t brag.  He’s <? une> to bright a

page four
non-battle psycho and just an ordinary every day, a little low average
intelligence  American boy. Is true to some gal back in Rockford and
works in  a supply warehouse here. Then of course  there’s yours truly.
Just another soldier anxious to get home after seeing and being in
everything He ever wants to in this or any other war.  Average intelligence,
a little better than average worker  than the army has around here - maybe
should say a little more care <? sauntiaes> very true to his family, hence
a little slow in the eyes  of many, hasn’t made many real friends because
Of these reasons and then the natural barrier he seems to put around
himself for some ungodly reason however not too badly liked I hope. Married
damn near thirty four and has one very nice child I hear. Also have heard
a few nice things about his wife.  That in short is the guys I am at present
living, eating, working and sleeping with.  Not too bad and not too good.
but we usually get along okay.

Received some old V-MAILs from you today. One <? frish> one dated May 8th.
And another Christmas package. This one had the can of meat, can of
apricots and the box of candied peanuts which the boys at the office made
short work of. The package had been rewrapped but everything was still in
good shape. Thank you very much. Looks like I’ll get most of them yet
before something happens

Page 5.
to cause me to move. There are still many rumors, a few facts here and
there, some are very good as far as I am  concerned and today a rather
unexpected fact, but nice, which I’ll be able to tell you about in a
day or two. No it has nothing to do with me  coming home, so  don’t
get excited. In fact I wouldn’t get excited about me coming home for
some time yet because it doesn’t look good -- definitely.  You know what
me being in category three means. It’s either here or there. Here means
at least nine months I figure and maybe a year and there means one to two
to three years. And so on.  Nice isn’t it.  Maybe for some but I don’t
think so.  Okay well.  There is still nothing definite so there is still
slight hope. One thing I know, I’m not in Category four for discharge. So
I guess you had better start praying for the Japs to give up. And quick.

Well my dears that’s about it for tonight. Glad to hear you are both still
okay.  Certainly wish you could find someone to mow the yard for you.
How’s the victory garden.  Plant plenty of corn and tomatoes, who knows,
even the army does funny things.  Anything is possible you know and I like
both very much.  All my love to you both. And keep hoping and tell Ronnie
to keep asking for daddy to come home.

Daddy