28 Months after Greg and Wilma met on a blind date they were married. Of the 28 months, 23 months were spent an ocean apart. Through these letters, they grew to know one another and felt the love that would last a lifetime.
WWII Letters to Wilma
Letters to Wilma will trace the path of a WWII Army doctor from training on Cape Cod, to landing D-Day plus 6 in Normandy, and concluding 1400 miles later in Leipzig, Germany. Greg's path included the Battle of the Bulge and the liberation of the slave labor camp at Nordhausen, with the 438th Anti-Aircraft Artillery Battalion. Wilma became his wife, and I their fourth child.
25 November, 2012
11 October, 2012
10 October, 2012
10 October 1945
Note: The last letter was 18 September 1945.
The remainder of entries are paperwork and mementos.
The remainder of entries are paperwork and mementos.
After a long weekend at home, Greg made his way on 4 October 1945 to Fort Devens, in Ayer, Massachusetts, for his last stay with the U.S. Army. On 10 October, 1945 Greg was granted a Leave of Absence to be in effect until his Discharge from Active Duty.
01 October, 2012
01 October 1945
Note: The last letter was 18 September 1945.
The remainder of entries are paperwork and mementos.
Telegram from Greg to Wilma
about Arrival Time, Back Bay Station, Boston
Orders to Travel from Washington, D.C. to Boston
on 1 October 1945
and to report to Fort Devens in Ayer, Massachusetts
on 4 October 1945
(Abbreviations translated below)
Property Turn-In Slip
Port Supply Officer
Washington Port of Aerial Embarkation-Debarkation
The remainder of entries are paperwork and mementos.
Telegram from Greg to Wilma
about Arrival Time, Back Bay Station, Boston
Orders to Travel from Washington, D.C. to Boston
on 1 October 1945
and to report to Fort Devens in Ayer, Massachusetts
on 4 October 1945
(Abbreviations translated below)
15. AL, CAPT GREG, Medical Corps, (male-white), Military Occupational Specialty 3100, Advanced Service Rating 90, "GREEN PROJECT", Having Returned To US from overseas on 30 Sept 45 & reported to Commanding Officer this station In Coordination With Letter O Headquarters 438th AAA AW Bn (M) APO 513, USA dated 19 September 1945 & Teletype Writer Exchange 69563, Headquarters Command Z, European Theater of Operations USA dated 17 July 1945 is Relieved from Attached This Station, assigned & Will Proceed to Reception Station #1, Fort Devens, Mass Reporting Upon Arrival To Commanding Officer thereat for processing & disposition. Advanced Service Rating score as indicated above is based on re-computation as of 2 September 1945...
Effective Date Concerning Morning Report: 4 October 1945.
BY ORDER OF COLONEL FELL
Effective Date Concerning Morning Report: 4 October 1945.
BY ORDER OF COLONEL FELL
Property Turn-In Slip
Port Supply Officer
Washington Port of Aerial Embarkation-Debarkation
30 September, 2012
21 September, 2012
21 September 1945
Note: The last letter was 18 September 1945.
The remaining entries are paperwork and mementos.
This telegram speaks for itself.
Imagine how Greg felt sending it...
and how Wilma felt receiving it.
And more paperwork before the flight home!
Disease Free
Again, only one firearm going home
Again, only two items "captured from the enemy"
The remaining entries are paperwork and mementos.
This telegram speaks for itself.
Imagine how Greg felt sending it...
and how Wilma felt receiving it.
And more paperwork before the flight home!
Disease Free
Again, only one firearm going home
Again, only two items "captured from the enemy"
20 September, 2012
20 September 1945
Note: The last letter was 18 September 1945.
The remaining entries are paperwork and mementos.
FRONT AND BACK OF PARIS TROOPS PASS
Seine Section, Central Registration Bureau
SHIPPING TICKET
For items that would travel by ship
The remaining entries are paperwork and mementos.
FRONT AND BACK OF PARIS TROOPS PASS
Seine Section, Central Registration Bureau
Hotel de Crillon on VE Day, 8 May 1945 (above) and today (below) |
SHIPPING TICKET
For items that would travel by ship
Dated 20 September 1945 Signed as received at Fort Devens on 10 October 1945 |
Fort Devens Post Headquarters in 1945 (above) and an aerial view of the former Fort today (below) |
|
The Fort was closed in the mid-1990s. It was sold for $575,000 in June of 2012 to become a movie production studio. |
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