Letters
Letter #1: Written by Stan in his later years
I guess in my mind I have written this letter hundreds of times. I joined 1st Recon Troop of 1st Infantry Division in North Africa ___ of March 1943. By middle of Feb I was in a hospital after being blown up by a land mine. And was(while?) in hospital, I felt a lot of guilt, friends were not going to be there when I returned to troop.
While I was in hospital the battle of North Africa ended. The division moved ____ to ___,___. ____ my ____. We started training, for what we did not know. ____ ____ was going to ____ _________. In July 1943 we boarded ship and ____ was invaded _____. For 30+ days nite and day we pushed and it was ____(over?). While we were back in training and ___ ____ flying ____ ____, I was sent back to hospital in North Africa for _____ treatment for all wounded.
First Div moved back to England, almost 1yr from when they left to take part in African + Sicilian Campaigns and I was ____ in No Africa Hospital. The story of how I got back to my unit is a story all by itself. I did return to England.
Letter #2: January 11th 1943 - Camp Campbell
Dear mom,
Well we finally landed in Camp Campbell. Although we spent a memorable trip. We started ___ morning about 7:00 and dind’t get back until Sun about 3:30. We slept on the ground for two nights with just two bankets. I drove a Jeep most of the way. It didn’t even have a top, it rained steady, and I was soaking wet and so damn cold I couldn’t hardly ___. Tonight will be the first nite ive slept in a bed for 6 nites. And it is really going to feel nice.
Camp Campbell is one hell of a camp they are just building it and there is even more mud than at Knox. We’re about 80 miles from any good towns so I should be able to save some money. Some of us are going to be shipped again so I dont know how long ill stay here Ihope not for long.
How do you like Minneapolis O.K. I hope its a little ____ than Revillo isn’t it. Theyre getting ready to turn out the light so I will have to close for now.
Love
Stanley
Letter #3: January 30th 1943 - Camp Campbell (?)
Jan 30th, 1943
Dear mom,
Though I had better do a line to let you know I am O.K.and don’t worry.
The letters we write here are kind of what ___ is nothing to write about all our letters are censored before they leave camp.
I imagine you’ve seen all of Minneapolis(?) by this time and getting ready to go back to good old So. Dak. ___ wish I was at maybe won’t be so long before I will.
I sent my watch ring and a few other things to Myrtle. If you want to you can get them from her when you get home. I received a letter from Miss Jaman(?) and it must be pretty cold she said they hadnt had school for about a week. This will be about all for now so we’ll close for now
With love
Your son
Stanley
Stanley Lester Sime