26 Sep September 24, 1945

letter
from: PFC George W. Shonkwiler
to: Mrs. Alice Shonkwiler
Compiegne, France
24 Sept. 45
3:30 P.M. Mon.
Noteworthy: Chamberlin writes letter to the Red Cross expressing hope
that Dad can be released to come home and run the business.

Dearest Alice and Ronnie,

Two letters from you and one from Jostis today.  One of yours was the Black Hawk
picture.  The other mailed Sept. 18th.  Your picture was pretty good.  Looked
like you were in the cocktail bar.  Now what were you doing in there?  I am
glad to hear that all of your health troubles have disappeared.  Would rather
have to stay in the army a few months longer than have either one of you sick
enough for me to get out in the discharge.  Murray told me the same about

<? Juns’> lack of push for real estate.  Well I can laugh over here and did.  As
for me working at nite.  It’s very likely that I will be doing some work at
nite.  However, I usually more than make up for it by the hours I stay home
during the day.  After all, what is the difference what time during the day it
is that I’m home?  The main thing I guess is to be there once in a while.
Personally though, I’m not crossing any of these bridges until I come to them.
Right now I have a bigger one to cross via boat.

I received a letter from Margi’s brother yesterday.  [I] guess he expects to
remain here for some time as his points are below those of occupation

troop minimum.  It didn’t sound like he minded it too much.  Henry Jostis’
letter was a bit pessimistic too and he wasn’t sure just what his future was to
be.  It sure is tough on those high-salary boys to suddenly find out that
the war is over and the bottom has dropped out from under them.  Perhaps I’ll
miss some of that period of readjustment and job change over.  Murray is still
not certain he will stay with Sterling.  However I imagine he will as he has
now been there 15 years, and he likes that steady income even though it isn’t
at all to his liking otherwise.

Just mailed you and Ronnie another package.  This one contains a German helmet
and a bunch of other junk.  There is [are] two things of one particular item
for Ronnie.  Tell him to give the other one to Bobby.  And if they both then
drive you crazy blame me I have broad shoulders.  The other stuff you can keep
or dispose of as you please.  There really isn’t much of any great value.  Look
carefully thru all the papers because I have something wrapped in practically
all of them.  I also sent Dad and Julia a couple things.  Now I guess Claude’s
family will be next.  And I’m really dreading that, also Forests’.  Oh yes.
Your package also contains the holster for a pistol plus the permit.  Don’t
lose either one.

page 2
Well it’s raining again today.  It rained all day yesterday.  All last nite and
now today.  And there doesn’t seem to be any end.  Some of the natives say this
is the rainy season.  We’ll see.  It’s none too pleasant, I know that especially
since we still have no heat.

I can’t get any more pens but will send you my shaefer.  I don’t like it
anyhow and don’t use it.  That point will be fine enough for you.  It’s a life
guaranteed pen.  So if it doesn’t work to suit you have it fixed.  That’s what
I was saving it for.

There hasn’t been anything new today along the rumor line.  After the big rumor
rush of the last three days and we’ve had a chance to think it over for a day[,]
it still looks very much like Santa Claus and I are going to have a pretty
close race with Santa probably winning by a few days or weeks.  I’m still

keeping my fingers crossed for some kind of a break that will make it before
but am not counting on it too heavily.  The depot’s return is still uncertain
and if they do it’s not yet certain that I’ll return with them since 516th
Co. are not assigned men and may be loffed off when the depot breaks up.  You
see

page 3
there is still much to worry about.

My work has suddenly fallen off to practically nothing.  I put in about two
hours this A.M. and haven’t done a thing since.  The WACs we are processing now
do most of their own work.  We have very few new coming thru now so it’s likely
that work will be lighter than ever from here on out.

Can’t think of much more right now.  Will probably add a few lines more this
evening.  Thanks very much for the Black Hawk souvenir and I hope I’ll soon be
seeing for myself.

Love Wes
8 A.M. Tuesday

Well this is early the next morning but I’ll still get this finished in time to
get off in the regular mail.  Last nite played a couple hands of poker.  Then
we scouted around until we found a stove and spent the rest of the evening
putting it up and helping rearrange our room.  That kind of lets you out but
this early morning writing will make up with it.  After raining again all nite
it has finally stopped and this morning is nice - so far.

Still no news so early in the morning, so that’s all for now.

All my love to you both,
Daddy

Enclosure:

letter
October 5th, 1945
to: Field Director, American Red Cross
from: Lewis H. Chamberlain

        Re: PFC George W. Shonkwiler, 36902856
Dear Sir:

On the 10th day of February, 1944, George W. Shonkwiler made a cash payment to
apply on the purchase of the real estate and insurance business at Glen Ellyn,
Illinois, owned by the undersigned, including office fixtures, list of
customers, and goodwill; and it was

Further agreed that I should continue to operate the business and keep up the
goodwill until Mr. Shonkwiler is relieved from U.S. Army service and,

Whereas, because of the scarcity of office help and the serious illness of my
wife (she suffered two light strokes in 1943) I have not been able to give the
business the proper time and attention necessary to keep said business in a
good healthy condition, and, therefore, for the protection of Mr. Shonkwiler’s
interest, his present is urgently needed as soon as possible to reduce his
monetary loss and to relieve me of this strain of excessive labor.

Thanking you for your kind interest and attention in this matter, I remain
    Very truly yours.

Lewis H. Chamberlin