August 8, 1944 -- a V-Mail from Freddie

In August my Uncle Freddie wrote a letter to my grandmother that was sent to them via V-Mail. What is special to me about this letter is that he gives some great details about his visit with my dad, which just happened to take place when my dad was receiving his Bronze Star. I am going to put pictures of the letter, and both sides of the envelope it came in, so that you can see what V-Mail looked like and also how my grandmother and aunt would mark the envelopes they got from their men who were off fighting in Italy. The V-Mail is small, just 4 1/4" wide and almost 5 1/2" long. A transcript is at the bottom.

 

  

From: 36690797

Pvt. Fred Haferkamp

A.P.O. P.M. N.Y. N.Y.

Aug. 8 - 44

To: Mrs. C. Haferkamp

621 N. Laurel St.

Staunton, Ill

Italy

Dear Mother.

Just a line to let you know I am well and hope every one else at home is the same I got a letter from Gus the same day I wrote him I found out where he was so I went Sunday to visit him he sure was surprised to see me he was decorated with a Bronze Star when I was there he whent and asked for a pass to visit me so they gave him 7 days so he came Monday and is staying with me he sure looks good and has put on a little weight since the last time I seen him It sure is hot and dry here and guess it is the same back home I haven't been getting much mail lately got two papers today of June 8 - 15. Gus said he got some dated later don't know of any more news now so tell Henry and the rest hello till later as I will close

From your Son Fred.

13 July 1944 Bronze Star award

This is the letter that Dad told his mother he had received at the time that he received his Bronze Star ribbon.

August 6, 1944

Pvt. August Haferkamp 36684775
Hq. Co. 3rd Bn. 135th Inf.
APO 34 c/o PM. New York, N.Y.

Italy

Sunday, Aug. 6, 1944

Dear Mother:-

I'll write you a few lines to let you know that Freddie was here today to see me.  He and another fellow came in about 11 a.m. and left about 3 P.M. I had just came back from Division rear to find out for sure where the 8 Rep't. Depot was and he walked up. I sure was glad to see him. We had dinner together but it wasn't nothing extra today. I was (sic) they had came last Monday when we had the turkey. He is located about 40 mile south of here and he came up on a truck. They left early as the other fellow wanted to stop and see some one along the road. I went to see my Captain for a pass and he told me to come back tomorrow and he would send me to another Captain for the pass. This Captain was busy today or else I could have gotten it today. At least I hope he gives me one for several days. Freddie said now since he knows just where I'm at he may come up quite often.

He is looking and feeling fine. I don't think he has lost much weight since I've seen him last.

He thought we had a swell place here and I guess we have. He said the area they are in isn't so nice and the food isn't so good. They took there cots away from them and now they sleep on the ground. Well I've been doing that since last April.

We had our parade today and I'm sending you one of the letters I got. I received 3 of these. I didn't get the medal as yet only the ribbon. This ribbon is red and blue trimmed in white. Here is about the size [he drew a precise sketch that was 1 1/4" wide and 1/4" high with lines that distinguished first a narrow vertical stripe, the white trim he mentioned, then a 1/2" stripe of red, a narrow white stripe, a 1/16" stripe of blue, a narrow stripe of white, a 1/2" stripe of red, and a final narrow white stripe].  It is to be pin on our pockets. Maybe in a few days there will be some thing in the Stars & Stripes paper about it and if there is I'll try to send it to you. The 34th Division band played and there were a lot of pictures taken.

Well that's about all for the present so I'll close and will write you more in a few days. Keep the paper I'm sending and I'll send the other 2 to Dora. This draw where this took place was nicknamed "Dead Man's Gulch." Lot of lives were lost there.

So long.
Gus

This picture, a copy of which always hung in Dad's family home, was taken, I was told, when Uncle Freddie met up with Dad the first time.


This letter was postmarked Aug. 8, 1944.  My aunt wrote "received Aug. 16 -44" on the front of the envelope and "Aug. 6," which she also circled.

The medal he received, as he has written about in some previous letters, was the Bronze Star. The letter he mentions was not in the envelope with the letter he wrote his mother. In fact, non of the items that Dad said he had included with his letters were in the envelope with the letter. It is my opinion that items such as pictures and news clippings Dad has mentioned he has enclosed in this and past letters, were taken out of the envelopes when the letters received so that they could be shared with family and friends and were never put back into the envelopes.

August 5, 1944

Pvt. August Haferkamp 36684775
Hq. Co. 3rd Bn. 135th Inf.
APO 34 c/o PM. New York, N.Y.

Italy

Sat., Aug. 5, 1944

Dear Mother:-

I just received my mail for today and I got the letter & clippings that Mamie sent me on July 27 also letters from Dora and finally a letter from Freddie. I sure was surprised to hear from him.

I went up to see the Red Cross field director to see if he could tell me just where Fred's outfit is located. He didn't know but told me to go to my Division and they could tell me. I'll do that in the morning. I'm pretty sure I know just about where he is but I want to make sure. I also went to see my Captain about getting a pass but he wasn't in so I'll have to go back later. He told me he was at the 8th Replacement Depot 18th Bn. 403 Co. 3rd Plat. APO 398. He still goes by his old address of APO 15241. He said he heard I was near Leghorn which is right and he wasn't very far away from there. He said he didn't get to go to Rome as he came up by boat. Well I'm sure I know where he got off of the boat and that he is located close by. I can get there in several hours and I wouldn't have any trouble getting a ride as there are a lot of trucks & jeeps running back & forth. He said he has a hard time getting away. He got to go to Piombino once.

I really don't know much more to tell you as I just mailed you a letter this morning and told you all I knew.

If I get a pass to go see Fred and I'm pretty sure I will I'll write you a few lines when I get there. They usually give a person 5 to 7 days but I may not get that many if its so close. It soon will be a year since I've seen him as I didn't get to see him when I was home in Jan.

Well I'll close now and write you more later. Hope you are all well and not working too hard. I'm OK and feeling fine. So long.

Love
Gus

Dad dated this letter August 5, 1944. The envelope is postmarked August 8, 1944. My grandmother wrote on the front that it was received August 16, 1944. She also wrote "Aug. 5" on the envelope and circled it. The inspection stamp on the from of the envelope is signed by Lt. M. I. Guest.

August 4, 1944

Pvt. August Haferkamp 36684775
Hq. Co. 3rd Bn. 135th Inf.
APO 34 c/o PM, New York, N.Y.

Italy

Aug. 4, 1944

Dear Mother:-

I received your V mail letter today that you wrote me on July 21st and I was glad to hear from you. I've been wanting to write you the last few days but I put it off thinking I would hear from you soon. I also got a letter from Dora today and she sent me some clippings and I'll send them on to you.

So Henry Lee got the letter I sent him. I bet he was surprised to get it wasn't he? I wonder what is keeping Fred from writting. Surely if he is real busy he could find time once in a while even if it was only a V mail. I wrote him 2 or 3 weeks ago and as yet I haven't received any answer. If he would write and let me know where he was located or at least give me a hint I could go and visit him as I'm sure I could get away for 5 days. But the way it is they move those replacement depots so much and they have many of them. I wouldn't know where to start looking for him. So the Martini boy wrote his Mother and told her I wrote to him. I finally answered his letter a few days ago. He may have been close to me at one time but I don't think he is now. I heard his outfit was back taking a special training. So was Collie's and I expect to hear soon that they have made another landing somewheres.

 I wrote to Collie and answered his letter a long time ago but never did hear anymore of him. I know his outfit hasn't been on the lines fighting for some time now.

To bad about the accident at No. 7 mine. Seems like every few months something like that has to happen. I bet they were a mess. I think I know all 3 of the fellows. Dora sent me a clipping out of a St. Louis paper about it.

So the grass fires are starting at home again. I guess there will be a lot of them as dry as it was. You must of had a rain & storm a while back as I saw in our "Stars and Stripes" paper where the bridge at Chester fell in the river and was caused by lightning. Bill had the right day off if he was home the day of the 2 fires. I had a letter from Harry Kuehnen several days ago and I wrote him a long letter back giving him a line. I think I wrote him 7 or 8 pages. He & I usually write each other V mails but I was in a writting mood so I wrote him a long one. He is pretty good about writting even if he doesn't say much.

The other day we were all issued 4 - 12 oz. cans of beer. It was Schaefers beer brewed in New York. It was the first American beer I had since I left the States. We had some several times that was made over here in Naples. Wasn't much good.

I got paid a few days ago for the month of July. That made 2 pay days in several days. I sent Dora $25.00 from my first pay and kept the second in case I should go on a pass one of these days.  We didn't get our $10.00 increase yet but will next pay with back pay. They are paying those in combat back pay to last January. I won't get so much as I didn't go into combat until after the middle of April.

This coming Sunday my Regiment is having a parade and citation and are going to award the medals to the fellows who have them coming. That's when I'll be getting my "Bronze Star" medal that I have coming. With this medal we also get a ribbon to wear on the pocket of our blouse but of course we have no blouse. We can wear that when the war is over and we head home. I have several campaign ribbons coming now also. This parade will be lead by the 34th Division band and all ranking officers will be there.

Dora said in her letter yesterday that she had a letter from you and you sent her Freddie's address. She was going to make a package of 8 cigars and send them to him. She sends them to me that way and I don't have to request them. She sends them 1st class mail for 12 cents postage.

I think I told you about the meal we had last Sunday. Well Monday we had a better one yet. We had roast turkey with dressing, corn, tomatoes, gravy; breach & butter; apricots; chocolate cake, and lemonade. We had all we could eat and there was turkey left. They are really feeding us good while we are here in this rest area. We have one cook that makes wonderful cakes & pie.

Every night there is a movie and several nights a week they have a U.S.O. stage show or band music before the movies. The other night at the U.S.O. show there was two American girls in it who sang many songs. It was great to see an American girl again as they were clean and dressed neat and that's more than you can say for most of these Italian girls. The most of them look like they haven't seen any water for months. Even if they haven't the clothes they could at least wash and keep clean.

I went for a shower bath this afternoon and thought I would get a clean O.D. shirt and pants but I never. They never had my size. Looks like they don't keep men size clothes as I've always got trouble getting size 36-33 pants. I did get new sock and also new underwear. We get these every time we take a shower.

I quit writting for about an hour and went down to hear a dance band that they had here for us. There was some swell music and singing. They say there is a good movie on tonight so I may go for a change. I've only been to one once and then didn't stay until it was over. You know I never did care much for shows.

They are sending a lot of fellows into Rome on 5 day passes again. If they don't stop it soon again I may be up for my turn before long.There are about 4 in the wire section ahead of me now yet. That is why I wish Freddie would try to let me know where he was and I could hunt him up in those 5 days. Now that we are in a rest area we can nearly always get a 5 day pass if we have relatives over here that we want to visit. When we go back in combat I may not get a chance to go.

I ordered myself a new pair of shoes today as the pair I have are going bad. I hope I get combat shoes instead of regular shoes as that would do away with wearing leggings. These combat shoes are about 6 inches higher than regular shoes and this part has only two buckels. It's a lot better and saves time. Tomorrow we can turn one blanket in to get cleaned. I have 2.

Well I told you all I know so I'll have to close and I will write you more later. Write when you have time as I enjoy hearing from you all.  So long.

Love,
Gus

This letter was postmarked August 8, 1944, and on the front of the envelope my aunt wrote "received Aug. 16 -44." She also wrote and circled "Aug. 4." This is because on August 16 they received three letters from my father, one he had written on August 4 and the others written in the following days.

July 30, 1944

Pvt. August Haferkamp 366847575

Hq. Co. 3rd Bn 135th Inf.

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

Italy

Sun. July 30 1944

Dear Mother:-

I'm spending this Sunday afternoon writting letters so now I'll try to write you a few lines even if I haven't much to write about. I just wrote to Dora and also Uncle Henry. I may also write to Reno Martini yet today. That's the kid's address that you sent me. Did you ever tell Clara that I wrote to him and I got a quick answer from him?

Well its still hot and very dry here. I guess it is that way all over the world. It gets cool at night and that makes it good sleeping. There is always a breeze coming in off of the sea which helps a lot. Hope you have been getting some rain at home so the gardens haven't all dried up.

I went to the church services this morning at 9:30 and it was real nice. We have a swell chaplain. From 11 to 12 I had to stand guard. I have to stand an hour guard every other day so that's not bad.

We had a real good dinner today. We had creamed chicken; tomatoes; beets; bread; coffee and ice cream. They had 2 kinds of ice cream, chocolate and pineapple. I took the pineapple as I like it the best.

A lot of the fellows go swimming down at the sea every day but as yet I never have. They say they have a swell beach there. Trucks take and bring the boys every hour. Here in the area we can also play horse shoes; volley ball or either soft ball and every night they have a picture show. So far I went to the show once and haven't played any games. We also have a radio and get music and the news.

As yet I never did hear from Freddy. I wrote him over a week ago. I hope he answers soon and trys to let me know where he is. If I knew just about where he was located I believe I could get away for a few days to go see him. That is while I'm here in a rest area. It would take a lot of arranging to get permission to leave for a few days but I believe I could make it. I have an idea he is somewhere close to Rome. I could go down there in a day's time.

Dora said in her letter the other day that her Mother was in St. Louis and Bobbie's wife cut her hair and gave her a permanent wave. She didn't get to see her but they told her on the phone that she looked from 10 to 15 years younger. Bobbie's wife is going to a beauty operator's school to learn hair dressing.

I see in the Staunton paper where they are trying to get a factory to locate at home. Sure hope they get it and that it amounts to something. Staunton could use several small factories. I guess they will have a time raising the money as the business people hate to kick in. Well, there is always two ways of looking at it.

Well, I told you all I know for the present time so I'll have to close and try to write you more at a later date. Hope you are all well and feeling fine as I sure am. So long until later.

Love,
Gus

This letter was postmarked August 1, 1944. This is one of the few letters so far that doesn't have a note on the envelope stating when it was received or when it was answered.

The officer signing the envelope is also different from the previous letters sent from Italy. This one is signed by "W. R. Coleman, Lt., Inf."

"Bobbie" is one of my mother's younger brothers. He had married Dorothy Dehner, a young woman from Iowa, earlier in the year, on January 23, 1944. 

July 26, 1944

Pvt. August Haferkamp 366847575

Hq. Co. 3rd Bn 135th Inf.

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

Italy

July 26, 1944

Dear Mother.

I received your letter a few days ago that you wrote me on July 11. I also got the clippings from the paper that you sent me. I was glad to get the letter and clippings. I would have written sooner but was busy again and never had time. We are to have about 3 weeks rest now so I should have plenty time to write letters.

I wrote to Freddie about a week ago but as yet I haven't heard from him. I hope I do soon. I sure hope he gets my letter. I tried to tell him just where I was at. If he is still in a replacement depot I know just about where he is. We are many miles apart but I wish we could get to see each other.

Sorry to hear it is so hot and dry at home now. I guess you won't get much out of the garden this year again. Too bad after all the hard work. It is dry and awful hot here too but the gardens look real good. I don't see how they raise anything in this hard ground. It is clay and just like a rock. We have been getting tomatoes & corn out of the gardens along the way. Soon the grapes will be ripe and Italy is sure full of them. The spot I'm in now is full of olive trees and I've got my tent under one for the shade.

We just got paid for the month of June. I was wishing that they would wait a few days so we would get paid for July also. I get $20.80 every month and soon we will get another $10.00 a month. I intend to get a money order yet today for $25.00 to send Dora as there isn't many places where we can use money.

I'm glad Bill likes his job better now. Too bad he has to spend so much time on the road. Yes, I know Tom who used to work for Atlas when I did. I guess a lot of those fellows who quit there wished they were back now. Dora said Bob Ehmler works for Curtiss Wright now but didn't say what he was doing. He has night shift all the time over there.

I was surprised to hear about Mrs. Reurup dying. Was she sick very long or what was the matter with her? I suppose you all went to her funeral.

It sure doesn't seem like a year that Vincent was killed but time sure does fly by in a hurry. It was bad enough him getting killed but then when our own guns do it it is worse. Well that has happened more than once. Edward can be glad he is still back in the States. Fellows back there don't know how well off they are. So Evelyn has another little baby boy. It's been some time since I've heard from them.

I guess Henry Lee & Mary come to see you a lot these days don't they? I bet they'll be real big by the time I get home again. Did Henry Lee ever get the letter I sent him?

I believe I told you in my last letter I wrote you that I had a letter from Uncle Henry. He wrote it on the 4th of July. I may try to answer it yet today.

Well I'm out of news so I'll have to close and hope you are all well and feeling fine. I'll try to write more in a few days. So long.

Love,
Gus


This letter was postmarked July 30, 1944. Aunt Mamie wrote "Received 7 Aug." on the back of the envelope.

Dad writes in this letter about the death of Mrs. Reurup, but, though the name seems very familiar to me, I don't know who this would be. I think I have seen this name in my parents' papers but spelled "Reuhrup." 

Bob Ehmler is Dad's brother-in-law, the husband of my mother's sister Virginia Cool Ehmler.

When Dad first entered the Army he was stationed near Chicago, where some of his cousins lived. One of them, Vincent Howard, had recently been shot down by friendly fire. This sad fact is something Dad hadn't written about in his letters home at the time. I wonder if it is something the family learned about after his arrival in Italy. He also mentions Evelyn, who was Vincent's sister, and I think that the Edward he mentions was Vincent's youngest brother.

Henry Lee and Mary Haferkamp, Dad's nephew and niece, lived with their parents, Dad's brother Henry and his wife Leona, on Olive Street, about three blocks from my grandparents' home on Laurel Street in Staunton. I think Dad has mentioned them coming to see his parents more often because school is out.

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."

July 17, 1944

Pvt. August Haferkamp 366847575

Hq. Co. 3rd Bn 135th Inf.

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

Italy

July 17, 1944

Dear Mother:-

I'll try to write you a few lines as it has been a long time since I had a chance to write. I've gotten your letters and also Mamie's. I also heard from Uncle Henry. He wrote me on July 4th. I got letters from Primo who is still in Alaska and also from Stump White who is in San Diego, Calif. I don't know when I'll get to write them all. We have a day of rest today but the day goes by so fast. I just wrote to Dora as it has been a week or so since I've written to her. They sent out our packages today and I had 2 big boxes of nuts & candy from Dora; also some writting paper; a Staunton paper of May 25th and 2 packages of cigars. These packages had 6 or 7 cigars in them and she sent them 1st class mail as then she didn't need a request from me as they don't weigh over 8 oz. She said she would send Freddie some if she had his address.

You said Freddie was going to send you a picture of some soldiers and that he thought I was among them. Well I think he is wrong as I don't know of anyone taking it.

You asked if Freddie ever got in touch with me. No he hasn't. I never did write to him as I was waiting for him to be put in a division. I have the old address you sent me when he left the States but I thought he would get another one real soon like I did so I never did write. I wish we could get together and see each other again.

Too bad it is so hot and dry at home. It is the same over here. I guess that will mean not much of a garden this year again.

I guess if Bill got some new tires he will be driving his car back and forth to work. Jefferson Barracks sure does change there men a lot. Seems like every few months they do that.

I believe I told you in another letter that I was going to get a Bronze Star. I guess I'll get it when we get into a rest area. When that will be we don't know. Probably a month or two from now.

We are kept pretty busy now and doing a lot of walking. I'm sure glad I have good feet. A lot of the fellows have trouble with there feet.

I washed and shaved today and I really needed it. I had to wash as usual in my helmet.

Well, I must close now and I'll try to write you more later.

So long.

Love,
Gus


This letter was postmarked July 19, 1944. Aunt Mamie wrote "received July 29" on the envelope. Someone else wrote "Answered Aug 8."

This is the first time that Dad has mentioned Stump White. Since he is writing to his mother, I assume that this is another Staunton man. There are a could of Whites in the 1940 Staunton City Directory, one of them a pastor at the Baptist Church. I need to do some research to figure out who he is, since "Stump" is obviously a nickname.

June 23, 1944

Pvt. August Haferkamp 366847575

Hq. Co. 3rd Bn 135th Inf.

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

Italy

June 23, 1944

Dear Mother & Everyone,

I received 2 letters from Mamie today. One was a airmail of May 25th and a V-mail of June 9th. Sometimes the V-mail beats the airmail letters but most of the time they don't. Your V-mail letters are O.K. and I'm glad to hear mine are also. I often wondered about them as I write them all in pencil. I also got the clippings out of the paper that she sent. I was glad to get them as I don't get so much news from home. So far since I've been here in Italy I've only got 3 papers. I guess one of these days I'll get a whole bundle of them.

So Freddie is here in Italy. I sure would like to see him. As soon as he get put in a division and gets a new address send it to me. The way it is now his address doesn't mean much to me as I couldn't begin to find him with that. You usually can tell what division a person is in by there APO number. You see I'm in the 34th. Collie Kasubke is in the 45th and the Martini boy who's address you sent me is in the 3rd. Dora's brothers Bill & Jackie got to see each other over in England thru the Red Cross. Each one had to go to the Red Cross and have them make the arrangements. They got to spend about 8 hours together.

You asked if I got to Rome. Yes I did as I told you in a letter I wrote last week. I marched thru there and I got to go in on a pass on June 14th.

So Bill doesn't think he will keep his new job. Too bad he spends so much time on the road. Does he drive his car back & forth or does he go by street car?

My name was turned in for a bronze star about a week ago. It is a medal and is for things I done in a battle before we got to Rome. If and when I'll get it I don't know. It probably be 8 or 10 month before I hear from it. They say they are real pretty. If I should ever get it I will send it home.

I guess Bill did have a lot of work to do if he put 475 sweet potato plants and 300 tomato plants besides others all out in a week's time. Hope you have a rain now and then so you h ave good luck with everything this year. How is the crab apple tree? I'll bet it's just loaded with apples.

I'll try to write the Martini boy a few lines yet tonight while I have time for maybe soon I'll be too busy to write to anyone for a while. I don't know if I remember him or not. I believe he use to deliver papers. I know where his folks live. Next door to Press Eller.

I wrote to Henry last week. I hope he got the letter and showed it to you all for I wrote him things I saw in Rome that I didn't write you.

I got 2 letters from Dora today. One was from May 20 and the other from June 12th. Our mail sure does come in funny. Two days ago I got a letter (air mail) from her written June 13th. She sent me two pretty colored pictures of herself that the lady she works for took of her. I'll have to keep them out of the light as much as I can or they'll fade away.

We had a rain during the night I was out sleeping on the ground with another fellow. We had a shelter half under us plus 2 blankets and a shelter half over us. We didn't get wet but the edges of our blankets got wet a little. Today it is real hot again.

Well I told you all I know for the present time so I'll have to close. I'll write more in a few days when I have time. As you can see I've written this letter in a hurry. Trying to get it done before supper.

Until later So long.

Love,
Gus


This letter was postmarked June 29, 1944. Written on the back, probably by my grandmother, was a note that it had been "Received July 6" and a second note said it was "Answered July 11."

V-mail, which Dad has mentioned in earlier letters, was a very interesting concept. According to the Smithsonian National Postal Museum website, "Victory Mail, more commonly known as V-Mail, operated during World War II to expedite mail service for American armed forces overseas. Moving the rapidly expanding volume of wartime mail posed hefty problems for the Post Office, War, and Navy Departments. Officials sought to reduce the bulk and weight of letters, and found a model in the British Airgraph Service started in 1941 that microfilmed messages for dispatch.

V-Mail used standardized stationery and microfilm processing to produce lighter, smaller cargo. Space was made available for other war supplies and more letters could reach military personnel faster around the globe." (http://postalmuseum.si.edu/victorymail/)

Dad's brother Freddie finally ended up in Italy, and it is obvious that Dad hopes they can get together at some point. It was interesting to learn that Mom's brothers Bill and Jack got to meet up in England. Though Mom had told me that Uncle Jack had been stationed in England during the war, I hadn't known that Uncle  Bill was there, too. It was nice to hear that the Red Cross worked to enable family members to see each other during the war.

Amazing to read how much Uncle Bill planted in the backyard. There truly must not have been any part of the yard left unplanted. The crab apple tree Dad mentions stood in the backyard for many years, bearing fruit into the 1980s. It was finally chopped down in 1990.

Dad writes about "the Martini boy," obviously another soldier from Staunton. He says he knows his parents lived next door to Press Eller. In the 1940 Staunton City Directory, Preston & Cora Eller lived at 912 E. North. Louis, a miner at the No. 7 mine, & Gerarda Martini lived at 916 E. North.

Dad told his mother that he hoped his brother Henry would be sharing with her the letter he'd written telling all about what he'd seen in Rome. Unfortunately, as far as I know, that letter no longer exists.

June 11, 1944

Pvt. August Haferkamp 36684775
HQ Co., 3rd Bn., 135th Inf.
APO 34 c/o PM. New York, N.Y.

Sunday, June 11, 1944

Italy

Dear Mother:-

I've received a lot of letters from you and others lately but I was in a position where I was just too busy to answer any of them. The last letter you wrote me was on May 31st. I also got 2 letters from Henry with pictures of Freddie. I was glad to get them. If I have time I want to write a few lines to him yet today. It has been over 2 weeks since I've written to anyone. One day I got a bundle with 14 letters. Both of Henry's were in it. I finally got the package that Dora sent me on April l7th. It had a box of cigars, candy, peanuts, and some pictures in it. It's the first time I saw the picture of Dora & I that we had taken when I was home. I also got a Staunton paper which had my picture in it. How come no one ever said anything about it being in there? I wrote to Collie a long time ago before I knew he was hurt but he never did answer my letter.

So Bill was called to Granite City to work. Did he take the job? If he did I hope he likes it. I guess that was Otto Biele of Chesterfield Mo. that you were talking about. I wrote him a letter while I was still in Florida but he never did answer it. He did send me a Xmas card. Dora told me a while back that Melon Head Nesslage was Chief at Atlas now. She didn't say what happened to Riley. I guess most of the fellows that Bill & I worked with down there are gone now.

You talked about Freddie in your letter but you didn't say where he was. Dora said he was in North Africa. Hard telling where they'll send him from there.

Glad you have all the garden in by now. Hope you get a rain now & then to help it along. Things over here look real good. The tomatoes are in bloom. The potatoes are about the size of golf balls. The wheat & oats are ready to cut. I guess the climate is better over here.

I can't tell you as yet where I've been but if you have been reading the papers you should know. Maybe later on I can tell you all about it. I'll have a lot to tell you after I get back home which I hope is soon.

I went to the Church services this morning. They hold them whenever they can. We have a real good Chaplain

We had a little shower during the night and it looks like it may start raining any minute again. Since I've been here in Italy we haven't had so much rain.

Henry said in his letter that Bill has a broken cross member on his car and that he was making his trailer. I guess if he isn't finished he won't have much time anymore if he started working.

Well it seems as thou I'm out of news so I'll have to close and try to write more later. If you don't hear from me for days or weeks don't worry as I just haven't got time to write.

Lots of love. So long.

Gus

Here's a fellows address who Bill & I worked with. He is from Pana, Ill. He in the Marines.

     Pvt. Leland White

     Pet 223 R.D.M.C.B.

     San Diego 41, Calif.

This letter, which Dad wrote on June 11, was postmarked June 16. On the back of the envelope Dad's sister Mamie wrote "Received June 26."

Dad wrote about a man he called Melon Head. Although Dad's handwriting is beautiful and very easy to read, I am not sure if the man's last name is Nesslage or Nisslage. I think it is likely the former, but since he isn't from Staunton, I'm not able to confirm that using the 1940 Staunton City Directory.

June 5, 1944

August Haferkamp, A. Hult (Chicago), 3^rd Bn. 135^th wire jeep

May 27, 1944

Pvt. August Haferkamp 36684775

HQ Co. 3rd Bn. 135th Inf.

APO 34 c/o PM. New York, NY

Sat., May 27, 1944

Italy

Dear Mother:-

I got Mamie's letter a few days ago that she wrote on April 25 & 26. Also the clippings about Vincent, which I sent on to Dora to put in our scrapbook. I have a few minutes time so I'll write you a few lines in a hurry and then try to get some sleep as I haven't had much of that for a few days.

So Collie Kasubke was hurt. I wrote to him over a week ago but so far I haven't heard from him. I guess it takes a while for the letter to reach him at the hospital. So Edna got a lot of Vincent's things back. Well it's nice that they returned it all.  Too bad the way he met his death. I've seen several times things happen here similar to that. Something wrong somewheres. Mamie thought maybe I would see his grave. Well, no, the only cemetery I saw so far has been where the Germans are buried.

If you are following the papers you can see we have the Germans on the run again. Hope we reach Rome soon and at the rate we are going it won't be long now.

I'm kept real busy the last week or so and haven't had hardly a chance to do any writing so if you don't hear from me for a while don't worry about me as I'm too busy to write.

Well I have a lot more I could tell you but I'm just too sleepy & tired to write any more. I'm going to lay down and try to sleep some as I haven't been getting much of that lately. I'll try to write more later.

So long.

Love,

Gus

The envelope is postmarked May 30, 1944. On the back of the envelope my grandmother  wrote "Received June 7."

Dad write that he sent my mother the clippings he'd received about his cousin Vincent's death in the war so that she could put it in their scrapbook. That scrapbook is a treasure, full of clippings, primarily from the Staunton Star-Times, about family and friends, including a lot of clippings from the war years.

May 17, 1944

Pvt. August Haferkamp 36684775
Hq. Co. 3rd Bn. 135th Inf.
APO 34 c/o P.M. New York, NY

Anzio Beach Head, Italy

Wed., May 17, 1944

Dear Mother:-

I received your V-mail letter yesterday that you wrote me on April 24th and the day before I got a letter you wrote me on March 27th. I was glad to hear from you. I also had a letter from Norma Wegener and one from Primo Alberini. Primo is still in Alaska. He has been there over a year now. He sent me Collie Kasubke's address. He is also here on the Beach Head but with a different division. I wrote him a few lines. Maybe some time I'll see him but I don't think there is much of a chance. I wonder what he is doing as he is also in a Headquarters company.

I was glad you sent me Freddie's address but I was sorry to hear he was shipped. After he is put in a division he will be given another address like the one I got. I was wondering if he was made a regular Corporal or just for the boat trip. When I came over a lot of the boys were made Corporals & Sergeants but lost that as soon as they got to the replacement depot. Hope that don't happen to him.

So you had the lot plowed but not planted. Well maybe by this time the rain is all over and you have it all in. Hope you have good luck with it this year.

Oh yes, so far I've gotten 2 of the Staunton papers. I got one of March 30 yesterday and a few days ago I got one from March 23rd.

I just stopped and went and fixed me a little to eat. I had breakfast & dinner all in one as I didn't get up until after 11 o'clock. I didn't get to go to bed until after 3 as I was out tracing some trouble on one of the lines. I fried me some pork sausage and it was real good. We get that in our canned rations, also ham & eggs, pork and etc. When we are in the rear they bring cooked meals out to us. We were there for a few days and had cake & pie several times also some good raisin bread. We are fed pretty good even if we have to fix it ourselves most of the time. At one place we were there was several cows and some of the boys were good at milking so we had fresh milk to drink for several days.

I guess Dora has told you she is working in Clayton, Missouri. Back at house work and she says they pay her $90.00 a month. I think that is real good. I sure didn't know they paid that much money these days.

Well I'm out of news again so I'll close and hope I hear from you soon again. I'll write more later when I have time.

So long.
Gus


The envelope is postmarked May 21, 1944. On the back of the envelope my grandmother  wrote "Received 29 May. Answered 31."

Dad mentions a couple of his good friends, Primo Alberini and Collie Kasubke, in this letter. Primo spent most of his war service in Alaska. I don't know if he ever got to see Collie while they were Italy. He was close to these men for the rest of their lives.

It is obvious from Dad's letters that he looked forward to the arrival of the Staunton Star-Times weekly newspaper, which, along with the letters he was receiving from family and friends, helped keep him up to date on what was going on back home.

April 9, 1944

Pvt. August Haferkamp 36684775
APO 15164  c/o Postmaster
New York, N.Y.

Somewhere in Italy

Easter, April 9, 1944

Dear Mother:-

I'll try to write you a few lines even if I don't know much news to write about.

It has just started raining to make it a bad Easter day. I sure hope it don't rain now for 7 more Sundays.

I went to the Easter Services here this morning. Surprised? First time I've been to church since I've been in the Army.

I just wrote a letter to Dora; Uncle Henry and Jack. I guess in time I'll get around to everybody. So far I haven't received any of the Staunton papers but it takes a lot of time.

I'm putting 2¢ of our new paper money in with this letter. I hope you get it. Let me know if you do. The dollars are twice this size.

I think I told you I had 2 lower jaw teeth pulled and the next day I had one filled. My gums are still pretty sore and are still bleeding but I feel a lot better with them out. They were infected.

I guess you folks were busy yesterday coloring Easter eggs for Henry Lee and Mary. I bet they are having a grand time today. I won't get to see any Easter eggs this year along with a lot of other things.

Have you heard from Freddie lately? Dora said that his papers are all marked "Over age." I hope that will mean something for him. Whenever he gets a new address send it to me. Oh yes, whenever you write to me it would be nice if you sent it V-mail or airmail and then I would get it several weeks sooner. Regular mail takes a long time to get here. 

Dora said they were having a lot of grass fires on these windy March days. I guess that kept Bill pretty busy. Is he still on the job or has he been laid off? I guess he is kept pretty busy around the house.

Well if the weather has been good at home I guess Pop has all the garden in by now. Ha Ha. Or does he still go up to the park? Are you going to put a garden over in the lot this year again? Dora said that Bill had his hot bed done and a lot of the plants were up.

I guess since Easter is now past Mamie has caught up with her sewing and has started to clean house.

I guess Dora has given you all one of the pictures that we had taken while I was home. She said they were real good and has sent me a small one but so far I haven't received it. Hope it comes soon. She said that you all took a lot of pictures while Freddie was home. Hope there were good.

Well I think I told you all I know for the present time so I'll close and hope to hear from you soon. Take good care of yourself and hope you had a joyous Easter.

Love,

Gus

This is the photograph that Dad has mentioned in previous letters and again in this letter. It was taken of him and my mother when he was home in Staunton in February, 1944.

In this letter Dad wrote about the pictures that had been taken when his brother Freddie was home. This photograph of Uncle Freddie with his parents Mary and Clemens Haferkamp was taken in the family's backyard at 621 N. Laurel St. in Staunton, Illinois. 

Some family background: My grandfather, Clemens Haferkamp, was born in Germany and came to the United States as an adult in the late 1880s. In 1892 he married my grandmother Mary Brackhane, a daughter of German immigrants who had been born in Staunton and lived there all her life. Dad's two oldest siblings, his sister Mamie (the oldest of the seven children and the only girl) and his brother Bill, never married and lived in the family home until their deaths in the mid-1980s. The family moved into the house on Laurel in 1916 when my dad was about four years old. Before that they had lived in a house on Olive and before that on Main Street. His brother Jack lived with his wife and daughter in Mt. Olive, Illinois. His brothers Henry and Freddie lived in Staunton.

March 24, 1944

Pvt. August Haferkamp 36684775

A.P.O. 15164 c/o Postmaster

New York, N.Y.

Mar. 24 1944

Mediterranean Sea

Dear Mother:-

It's been a long time since I heard from you or since I wrote so I'll write you a few lines to let you know I'm still O.K. I guess you have been wondering where I'm at or where I'm going. Well at present I'm on the Mediterranean Sea and we are headed for Italy. This has been a tiresome trip but I never did get seasick. I felt fine the whole way. It is like I told Dora that this trip is like getting a month's vacation and spending it in a telephone booth. That's about how much room we have. It is swell up on deck and it all has been a big thrill the way the boat rides the waves. The meals have been real good. They feed us at 10 and 4 o'clock and about 9 P.M. before we go to bed we have lunch.

I've been wondering if Freddie ever got home. I hope he got a discharge but if he never I guess he is getting ready for his boat ride also. There are a lot of things I would like to tell him if I could.

Last Saturday I had all of my hair cut off. I'm now bald headed. I figured it would do my hair some good.

I guess the weather is warm at home now and you are all starting to make gardens. Did Bill ever finish making his hot beds so you could raise your own plants? I guess you will make garden in the lot this year again.

Is Bill still working for the city or has that job ended? I guess he never did have many fire calls. I guess Mamie is busy with her spring house cleaning by now.

The weather has been pretty good the whole trip. The ocean and sea has been rough at times but as a rule its been good. So far there is 6 hours difference in the time from Staunton to where I am and I guess it will change another hour yet before we get there.

We were given a bag by the American Red Cross when we got on the boat. Mine came from a chapter at Bristol, Tenn. It had a sewing kit; pencil; tablet; envelopes; shoe strings; shoe shining cloth; razor blades; soap & soap case; deck of cards; a story book and a pack of cigarettes. The women also gave out coffee as we went up the gang plank. The Red Cross also furnished games; candy and cigarettes aboard the ship.

We have a time here on the ship when it comes to washing and saving. That is all done with salt water and the soap doesn't make any suds.

I guess by this time Dora has gotten our pictures and given you all one. I hope they were good and that I have one waiting for me when I arrive in Italy. I also hope I have a lot of mail and the Staunton papers waiting so I know some news.

I'll send this letter airmail and when I land I'll write you by V-mail. I don't know which is the fastest.

Well I'll close and I hope you are all well and feel as fine as I do. Tell everyone "Hello" and I'll write as often as I have time for.

Love,
Gus


From this letter on, all of Dad's letters have stamps on the envelope, whether sent by air for 6 cents, as this one was, or by sea for 2 cents. This particular letter is postmarked April 1. My grandmother wrote on the envelope that she received it on 10 April and answered it on 13 April. Also on the envelope is a stamped mark stating that it was passed by U.S. Army Examiner, with the number 14818 in the middle.

February 27, 1944

Pvt. August Haferkamp 36684775

A.P.O. 15164 c/o Postmaster

New York, N.Y.



Sunday, Feb. 27, 1944

Dear Mother:-

I'll try to write you a few lines before I go to bed to let you know I'm OK and feel fine.

I just got off of K.P. again. That's 2 Sundays straight that I had it. It was the easiest K.P. that I had since I've been in the Army.

I guess my address has you wondering where I'm at. Well I can't tell you but I'm not in New York but I am on the east coast. That's all I can tell you. So don't worry as I'm O.K.

How is Freddie getting along? Does he still think he may get a discharge? He should be through his basic training now if he wasn't set back too much. I hope he can get out soon.

We are having some nice weather here but it rained yesterday. I sure hope it stays nice from now on as I don't like cold weather.

Well I'll close as I told you all I know and all I can tell you so I'll try to write you more later. Write whenever you can.

Love,
Gus


Again, as with his last letter, this had on the envelope the signature of Lt. Alfred V. Johnson. My grandmother noted on the envelope "got this on 3 March. Answered March 3."

February 24, 1944

Pvt. August Haferkamp 36684775
A.P.O. 15164 c/o Postmaster
New York, N.Y.

Thurs., Feb. 24, 1944

Dear Mother:-

I guess by this time you got the postal card with my new address. I just got it so I'll try to write you a few lines yet tonight. I got your letter and Valentine with the clippings out of the paper while I was still at Ft. Meade. I always wanted to answer the letter but I never had a whole lot of time and didn't have much to write about.

How is the weather up in Illinois now? I guess all of the snow and ice is gone by now. The weather here is swell. The sun was out so bright today and it really was warm. I hope all of the winter weather is over with now. I didn't see a whole lot of bad weather this year.

I saw Joseph Vrsnick from Staunton in the mess hall today so I guess he'll go across with me. I didn't get to talk to him but I saw him several times at Ft. Meade. He is the only fellow from home that I ever met.

Dora said she never did get our pictures that we had taken at Mrs. Pierce while I was home. She sure is slow with them. She sent me the picture of you, Pop and I that she took. I thought it was a nice picture of us. I suppose she showed them to you and gave you some of them.

I still have my cold but it isn't as bad as it was. I went on sick call once and got some cough medicine and some nose drops.

How is Freddie getting along? I guess he still has to go to the doctors. Maybe he will get to come home soon. I hope for good.

Dora said the dog that bit Pop has bitten someone else and a lot worse. They had better have it killed if it is that mean.

Did Bill have any fire calls during the cold weather? I guess they have the new pumper all in running order by this time. I saw a hand pumper in Baltimore that was built in 1764.

Well I told you all I know and all I can tell you so I'll close and I will try to write you more later. Write whenever you have time.

Love,
Gus


This letter, like the majority of those that Dad wrote while he was still in the United States, was sent with no postage stamp but rather with "Free" written in the spot where the stamp would normally go. His mother wrote on the front of the envelope that it was received March 3.

His address has changed to an A.P.O. address, and this letter appears to have been read before it was mailed. Written on the bottom left corner of the envelope is "Alfred V. Johnson, 2nd Lt. Inf." I think this might also explain why the letter took so long to reach Staunton.

January 16, 1944

Pvt. Aug. Haferkamp
Co. A 225th Bn. 69th Regt.
Camp Blanding, Florida

Sun., Jan. 16, 1944

Dear Mother:-

I've been getting your letters and the clippings out of the paper that you have been sending me but  I've been just too busy to answer so I'll try to write you a few lines this morning.

Well we came in from our 2 weeks bivouac yesterday morning about 9:30. We were all sure glad to get back. I'm also glad I'm not out there in the words this morning as it turned pretty cool over night. Those 2 weeks that we spent in the woods wouldn't have been bad if we wouldn't have had so much rain. It rained the day we left and every time we moved to a new location and also yesterday when we came in it rained fairly hard all the way. We got up at 4 o'clock and at 5:30 we started for camp. It was just a little over 10 miles back in. After the first week out we kept coming in closer. I guess at first we were out 25 or 30 miles. We slept in our tents. Two fellows to a tent. The ground was always wet and cold. We laid our rain coats down and then 4 blankets and then covered up with 2 blankets. In the 2 weeks we were out I never had my shirt off and only took my pants off once to put on a pair of heavy underwear. We slept with our clothes on all the time even our shoes and leggings and overcoat. We had fairly good meals while we were out and ate canned rations a few times.

Dora sent me Harold Regenhold's address. He is down here in Camp Blanding in the 215th Company. I started out last night to find him but it started raining so I came back. I'll try to look him up today or before I leave here. I guess he will be surprised to see someone else is here from Staunton.

So Freddie is out on a camping trip to. Have you ever heard how he got shot and how he is getting along.. He should be over his basic training soon to. It would be nice if we both got a furlough at the same time but I guess there's not much hopes for that. It would be nice if the Army gave him a discharge after his basic is over. I guess John Lee would sure like to have him back.

Well next week this time I hope I'm all packed up and ready to head for Staunton. I'll be riding a troop train as far as St. Louis. I guess I won't be able to find out when it leaves or when I'm due in St. Louis as they are pretty careful about giving out information about troop trains. The way our Sergeant talked yesterday that we would have to take a barracks bag full of clothes home with us. I sure hope not. We are to have our names and number printed on our bags today. Yesterday when I got back I had all my clothing replaced that was lost in the laundry some time ago. I came out ahead as I got all new things and they were out of face towels so I got bath towels instead. Tomorrow we have to lay out all of our clothes for a inspection and if any needs replacing they are going to replace it before we leave.

So Skipper still comes up to see you quite often. I just wonder if he would remember me if he saw me. I bet he would.

Have you ever heard from Uncle Henry lately? I wonder if he got the letter I wrote to him. I also sent Lillian a folder of this camp about the same time. I got a card while I was in the woods from Kuehnen. He told me they had a good time New Years day.

Well I told you all I know so I'll close as I have a lot of things I want to do today and if I don't get started I won't get them done. Well I hope to see you all in about a week and a half from now. If I hear when I'm to leave I'll try and let you know.

Gus


It was interesting to read in this letter that Uncle Freddie had been shot. I had never heard that. When reading Aunt Clara's letter about visiting him in the hospital down in Alabama, I just assumed that he was sick. Apparently this would be a training accident.

Funny to read about Skipper going to my grandparent's house from across town. Mom used to tell stories of how he would go looking for my dad, and my impression was always that he continued that most of the time that Dad was away.

February 8, 1944

Pvt. August Haferkamp 36684775

Co A 3rd Bn 1st Regt.

AGF Repl Depot No. 1

Ft. George G. Meade, Md.



Ft. Meade, Md.

Tues., Feb. 8, 1944

Dear Mother:-

Just a few lines to let you know I got here and I'm OK. We made very good time as I was here in camp at 7:30 A.M. Sunday morning. We never had a special car but rode right in with the civilians coming here. We changed trains at Harrisburg, Penn. and only had to wait about 5 minutes. I got off the train just out of Baltimore, Md. as this camp is 15 miles from Baltimore and 20 miles from Washington. A bus brought us the rest of the way which was about a 5 minute ride. The kid from Staunton was also on the train. His name is Joseph Vrsnik and was also at Camp Blanding. I haven't seen him since Sunday evening.

This is a real nice camp. We live in big 2 story barracks like we had at Camp Grant. The eats are swell and we get a lot of it. This place has men coming here from 45 different camps. A lot of them are from Freddie's camp.

So far I haven't done a darn thing since I've been here but lay out my clothes to have them checked. We will turn in most of the things for new clothes. I think they are going to start drilling some of us tomorrow. We had to get another G.I. haircut today and boy! they really cut them short. I haven't much hair left.

It was warm when I got here Sunday morning but by evening it got real cold. We wear our overcoats now every time we go out.

We can leave the camp here on pass twice a week and on week ends but I haven't been out yet. I may go to Washington or Baltimore Saturday and Sunday to see the sights.

Well I believe I told you all I know for the present time so I'll close and will write you more later. I just wrote a postal card to Freddie a few minutes ago.

So long--
Gus

January 29, 1944, from Clara Haferkamp

Anniston, Ala.

Jan. 29, 1944

Dear Mom & all,

Just received your letter yesterday (and was glad to hear from you). Well, Mom, Freddie is getting along fine. I'd guess he will get out of the hospital next week. He ask the doc to let him out today but he said not for a few more day's. So I guess that will be next week sometime. But he got a pass for today to come to Anniston till 9 o'clock tonight. I guess Gus is home by now I hope. It would of been nice if they both could been home together. But I guess we just have to make the best of it till he does come back which we don't know when that will be. But I do hope soon.

Well, I guess John Lee is trying pretty hard to get him out. He should of done that before. Maybe Freddie could of been home by now. He never got that box yet. It may be there when he gets back.

Well Mom I hope you are all feeling fine & don't worry about Freddie because he is getting along fine and looks good. Well I guess I will be coming home next week about Thursday. I will be home sometime Fri.

Will close.

With Love,
Freddie
& Clara.

If you ans. this letter, write it to Freddie.


This letter was written by Clara Haferkamp, my Uncle Freddie's wife, to my grandmother, her mother-in-law. Apparently Uncle Freddie was in the hospital and she had gone to see him.