April 20, 1944
Pvt Herman Shooster 637 Clr Co Sep APO 9641 % Postmaster, San Francisco, California April 20, 1944 Mr and Mrs Harry Shooster c/o Mr I. Shooster 22 Melrose Ave, Apt 9 Chester, Pa USA
Dear Harry and Ida,
Of course, you understand why I’ve addressed your letter to Iz’s place. As far as Mother and Pop are concerned, this place is heaven. However, I think I should tell you boys as much of the truth as I’m permitted to. In the first place, three quarters of this place is ankle deep in mud. I hear there’s a stream somewhere around this stinking place where you can bathe and wash your clothes. Of course, it’s muddy water, but then what the hell, it’s still water. One of our offi- cers said today, “This is the only place I’ve ever been in where the mud is fragrant.” That’s all I can tell you about New Guinea. If I weren’t conditioned in training, I doubt whether I would be able to live here. What I have writ- ten is the truth, but, naturally, it isn’t the whole truth - there is so much more. I know now why men who come back don’t like to talk about it. God, I’d give my right arm to be home with you, but not until every filthy, lousy, dirty Jap is annihilated.
1944, Apr 20 - Dear Harry and Ida
Brother, Herm
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