At Sea July 5-9, 1943

Letter postmaked 16 July 1943. As always, you may see the letters in full Here. 

On the 5th of July, the 45th Infantry Division left Oran and sailed to Sicily. Most of the ride was smooth, Dean writes “The water is very calm and the ride is ok up to now.” He also notes that this will likely be one of the last letters he will be able to write. While this is postmarked the 16th, this was very likely written between 5-9 July 1943 as the landings on Sicily took place on the 10th. He bemoans that he hasn’t heard from Aileen in a week, “seems as though it were months.” He can’t wait to be home, and doesn’t “think anything could look any sweeter than the Statue of Liberty.”

One can tell they are close to being sent into combat, Dean remarks upon the food served, “we are being fed a little better than usual the last couple days – I guess they are fattening us up for the kill.” The troops on board are nervous, Dean comments on a group of fellows playing poker, they were “trying to keep cool.”

Enclosed in this letter, was also his last letter before the invasion:

                  “Well this is my last letter. Please remember – I have always been true to you and will always love you dearly.”

In the final moments before going into combat, his thoughts were with his wife, and he didn’t know if he would survive (spoiler alert, he does), so he wanted to ensure she knew just how much he loved her.