July 19, 1944

Pvt. August Haferkamp 366847575

Hq. Co. 3rd Bn 135th Inf.

APO 34 c/o P.M. New York, N.Y.

Sunny Italy

July 19, 1944

Dear Mother:-

I have a few hours time today so I'm busy writting letters. I just finished writting to Dora & Freddie. He never did write me so I guess he still has the same address as the one he had when he left the States as you never did send me any other. It is Inf. Co. E APO 15241. That is the way I sent it so I hope he gets it. I also got a letter yesterday from Henry and one from Uncle  Henry several days ago. Oh yes, I wrote to that Martini boy. The one who's address you sent me and I got a letter back from him the other day. He couldn't tell me where he was but I know where his division is and its a long ways from here. He told me that Edgar Lorson from Staunton was in the same company with him. He seemed surprised to hear from me and wants me to write him again. Lorson should have lost 60 or 70 lbs. It is a rifle company they are in. I don't know if I know this kid or not but he said he knew me well. You can tell Clara that I heard from him.

I got another box from Dora last night. It had candy bars; writting paper and ink in it. I still have a box on the way with a box of White Owl cigars in it. Wish it would get here in the next day or two so I would have them while we are in the rest area. I don't know how long we are to have a rest this time but I hope it's a month or so. I haven't heard but maybe I'll get that bronze star I have coming while we are in the rest areas. That is when they give them out. They have all the companies there on parade with a band and then give short talks when the medals are passed out. I also have a expert Infantrymen badge coming. It is a nice looking pin or badge also. This is the one that we are to get the extra 10 dollars a month for having. A lot of the older fellows have them already.

Uncle Henry said that things are awful hot and dry in Athens, too. Not much to his garden. Said he is raising a few chickens this year again. He wrote his letter on 4th of July and said he hadn't heard a single fire cracker. If he had been over here he would have heard a lot of noise and it wouldn't have been just a fire cracker.

I sent some paper money along in Dora's letter. I got it from a German prisoner. I told Dora to show them to Pop and see if it was the German Mark. I have some German & Italian coin money but how I'll ever send it home I don't know.

It is awful hot here too but still at night it gets fairly cool and damp. I guess that is because we are so close to the sea. It makes it good sleeping at nights.

I thought I had more to write you but I can't think of anymore so I'll have to close. Hope I hear from you real soon. I'll write whenever I have time and I'll guess I'll have that the next several weeks. Until later so long.

Love,
Gus


This letter was postmarked July 23, 1944. Aunt Mamie wrote on the back of the envelope that it was "received July 31." Someone else wrote "answered Aug. 3."