August 21, 1945 - France

Sgt. Stanley W Safford 39539976

5^th Auxiliary Surgical Group

APO 339

c/o Post Master

New York  New York

Marseille Area, France

August 21, 1945

Dearest Mother:

I suppose you are awaiting this letter as it has been some time since last I wrote you.

The war has ended and the so called "Peace” is just around the corner, I hope.

If and when it does get here I will be home, which according to present plans should not be far off.  This will be my last letter for a while and the next time you will hear from me by phone if all goes well in Tokyo. Otherwise by mail.

I will call in the evening so be on the look out for the telephone bell.

Well all for this time and a lot more later when we have a 30 day reunion.

As always,

All my Love,

Your son,

Stanley

 On the USS Ballou

USS General C. C. Ballou (AP-157) was a General G. O. Squier-class transport ship for the U.S. Navy in World War II. She was named in honor of U.S. Army general Charles Clarendon Ballou. She was transferred to the U.S. Army as USAT General C. C. Ballou in 1946. On 1 March 1950 she was transferred to the Military Sea Transportation Service (MSTS) as USNS General C. C. Ballou (T-AP-157). She was later sold for commercial operation under several names before being scrapped some time after 1981.[1

General C. C. Ballou, (AP-157) was launched 7 March 1945 under Maritime Commission contract (MC #714) by Kaiser Co., Inc., Yard 3, Richmond, California; sponsored by Mrs. Harry J. Bernat; acquired by the Navy 20 May 1945; and commissioned 30 June 1945, Comdr. M. D. MacGregor in command.

Following shakedown off San Diego, General C. C. Ballou departed San Pedro 29 July 1945 for France via the Panama Canal. She arrived Marseilles after the Japanese surrender, and sailed with returning veterans 23 August bound for Hampton Roads.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/USS_General_C._C._Ballou_%28AP-157%29

August 12, 1945 - France

Sgt. Stanley W Safford 39539976

5^th Auxiliary Surgical Group

APO 339

c/o Post Master

New York  New York

Marseille Area, France

August 12, 1945

My Dear Mother

A few lines today to let you know I am still here and in the light of the present events, I may be for some time to come.  Who knows.

We here in the ETO wonder a lot about our future, but it always ends up with no wonder or decision on our part and in fact why should we as the army eventually gets around to us.

In regards to the present situation, I feel that they have sent Japan a very good answer to their question.  I certainly was not in favor of accepting them on their term.  We would be establishing a God in Japan, which I feel would some day again turn on us.  A good housecleaning is what they need there now and a few more months on my part and the rest of us here and there, I am inclined to think would be worth it.  We have had so much grief and discomfort, that I think they should pay dearly for it.  The strange thing is that a great many of us feel the same way about it.  I could go on for hours and perhaps a lot would not pass the cursor so I will stop here.

I feel that finally we have someone who can deal with our allies with a little horse sense.  Truman has surprised me a great deal and I think he is more capable of driving a hard bargain than Roosevelt around a Peace table.  He could perhaps be even a little more stern.  If we do not watch out for ourselves now, it will be too late at another time when there are no bones to be picked.

On another subject, the weather here, I can say it has been very strange.  The first few weeks here the weather varied very little, but recently it has changed.  We now have a few cooler days with clouds quite often and even rain at times, such as today.

Enclosed you will find a picture which Olson took of me while sitting behind a box taking care of Immunization records which we were still at Marburg, Germany.

Also find enclosed a newspaper clipping[1] from the Army newspaper here, which came out for interviews the other day.  They certainly made a mess of it too.  My original statement was much longer and quite different.  The others of our organization are underlined.

We are going to have chicken today and I hope it is better than it has been in the past.  They have trouble of not cooking things well enough here.

Well you can begin getting my room ready for my arrival home a year from now.

As always,

Love,

Stanley

---

[1] Stars and Stripes, August 10, 1945

3 Aug 1945 - France

Sgt. Stanley W Safford 39539976

5^th Auxiliary Surgical Group

APO 339

c/o Post Master

New York  New York

Marseille Area, France - 21

3 Aug 1945

Dearest Mother:

As afore said, our mail has ceased coming, so I have not heard from you for some time.

The weather here has been nice for all but one day when we had a violent wind and a lot of dust all over everything as a result.  That day I took off for town and remained there all day but returned to find no difference.

Had intended on meeting Sgt Olson in town and going for a boat trip, but the sea was much too rough.  He was transferred from the unit here along with a few other high pointers and is stationed not far from here at one of the general hospitals.  Had I mentioned previously of him being a father shortly after the first of the year?

Have just about given up learning Bridge as there is no one here who really knows all there I about it.  Perhaps would be very interesting otherwise.

My friend in the Evacuation hospital which you may recall is on his way home after being here only since January.  They are being redeployed thru the states.

Kupfer and I are debating on one of two languages to take Spanish or Portuguese.  I am for some reason in favor of the latter.  It seems to appeal to me a little more.  It would be much easier for me and for him of two work together on something of that type.

Near here are some old Roman ruins which should be quite interesting.  I would like to go out there sometimes also.  This district is quite ancient in historic value.

There are districts here in Marseille which would put a person in mind of the motion picture “Algiers”.  The narrow streets and the steep narrow stairways.  I suppose the houses are a mass of walls, tunnels and doorways, the same as any “Casbah” would be.

Well this is about all for now so I close sending you all there my Love, from here.

Your Son,

Stanley 

July 26, 1945 - France

Sgt. Stanley W Safford 39539976

5^th Auxiliary Surgical Group

APO 339

c/o Post Master

New York  New York

Marseille Area, France - 20

July 26, 1945

Dearest Mother:

Having gone to Marseille yesterday I was not here when your No32 letter of July 12 came so found it upon my return home.  Was of course very glad to hear from you again for it was the first letter.  I have received in a week. Our mail was stopped here for a while.  I know not the reason unless they thought we would be gone by now.

Just finished had a letter started some time ago to Joseph.  My writing has fallen down a great deal here recently, especially with none coming in and nothing of importance to write of.

I liked the two pictures a great deal and I can now have a much better idea of the Lily.  The family group is an interesting one and there are none too many left in this branch of the family are there. You are not smiling any too much tho.

The clippings were amusing and especially the one regarding the piece of vegetables.  Thanks for the stamps.

It is hard for me to realize that Nina will be so old.  How does the time fly by so rapidly?  She is or was still quite attractive the last time I saw her tho.

Quite amused to hear of Jays latest deal on you.  He should certainly be taken down a notch or two.  Who does he think he  is?

I can see him getting away with that again.  He would certainly go without my company for a while if he pulled that on me.

Glad to hear of the jackets and parachute material arriving home.  It is a German cargo chute which was taken from the factory.  Some of the color fades out but remains still quite nice.  Ryan had some handkerchiefs made of it which were quite nice.  The lady washed them  when finished.  Some of the fellows here made scarves of them but of course are not allowed to wear them since they are not GI.

You had not mentioned previously Harry and Fred Kirchner.  What will be their next escapade?

Down in Marseille the other day I noticed in one of the windows a large dish of snails which they must have been preparing for their meal.  A person can get them in a restaurant once in a while.  They have a large foreign population in the city and it all goes to make the city a great international one.  Quite a few Chinese are around.

Ryan has just returned from the Riviera and he has enjoyed it very much.  I did not care to go on the type of a trip they went on as I felt I would not be able to really rest while there.  All that went seem to have had a drunken orgy from their arrival to their departure.  you know is off limits to US troops.  They say the former casinos are no longer what they used to be and no one there at all for pleasure.

Well all for now, and I hope you are all in the best of health.

Always,

All my Love,

Stanley

          Back: Wayne Safford, Edmond "Ned" Safford, Grace Safford, George Safford;
Front: Ella Safford (Edmond "Ned" Safford's wife), Leland Safford, Marie Safford

PS: The picture certainly does not show Marie has suffered any from raising a family.  Florence is certainly showing her age, very likely to her dislike, and Chet certainly looks bad, of course who can blame him.  Marie looks as tho she had not given up any too much for anyone.  She very likely has as much money or more, plus security which she did not have before her marriage to Leland.  She knew what she was getting into when she married a Safford, if not she was certainly a fool!  Or perhaps she was or is or she would not be where she is today.

 "Me" is Muriel Safford, Stanley's sister

July 19, 1945 - France

Sgt. Stanley W Safford 39539976

5^th Auxiliary Surgical Group

APO 339

c/o Post Master

New York  New York

Marseille Area, France - 19

July 19, 1945

Dearest Mother:

Another eight days have gone by and I have not touched pen or paper during that time, so decided to finally put my mind to a few lines this afternoon.

During the past week I visited Marseille once and as usual came home quite tired as you know how I walk once I get started.  I visited the Cathedral there and was really quite impressed by it.  It stands atop a hill overlooking the entire city and the bay.  A person can se everything from the front portice.  Inside is some of the most beautiful mosaic work I have ever seen.  Most of it done with gold and silver with the other colors inlaid.  After the cathedral I went to the theater to see Katherine Hepburn and Spencer Tracy in “No Love”.  I did not think much of it.

The statue of Mary and child which is many feet high and weighs 5-6 ton atop the church is one of the most beautiful things I have yet seen.  It is all gold gilded and may be seen for a good many miles in all directions.  On a close bright day the statue glitters in the sunlight.

Receiving a letter from Jay telling me of a great triumph the dinner was etc, etc, but was very amused to hear your version of it.  I certainly do not envy you on such parties.

Sorry to hear of you having more trouble with the Buick after getting it from the shop.  Hope you are able to get it in good shape again.

Yes I can well imagine the neighbors and the garden which they will have in that run down place.  It has never had any real good care and it will take some time before they get any real results.  I am very much afraid that the neighborhood is going to the dogs.

Has Richard Miner said what he was going to do upon his return to the Air corps? They may keep him right there n the states somewhere.

Have received your letters 30 and 31.  The latter was received yesterday in very good time.

Was glad to hear that Dad had a nice birthday.  I had wanted to get him something but I am in no place here for that.

While in town I got some French “Greeting cards of no great value, but they are something to have for people o their birthdays etc.  Well have to get a couple off for Marshall and Joseph, or at least ready to mail, since I very likely will not have the chance when their birthday comes around.

It must seem very strange for you to have children around the age of Virdens.  It very likely does you a lot of good tho.

Glad to know what you think of Marshall and wife.  I rather suspected by reading between the lines of his last letter that all was not well.  George always said Marshall needed someone to cheer him up so maybe he now has his wish.  I sincerely hope Marshall will be happy and will not regret his marriage.  He may have decided that him being alone was no good so he may have decided to get married in a hurry.  He never liked to be alone.

I can just see you in the kitchen canning cherries, apricots etc just as you used to do.  Why don’t you low down a little?

I mailed a package yesterday containing some books.  One of which is a book of prints which Olson gave me.  The others are some children’s books which you can put away for me except for three of them which are inscribed on the inside of front cover to Jon.  I want you to take the prices off them and sometime while out that way take them in.  I think there is one large and two small ones for him. Then there is some picture postcards for my collection.

The weather here has been very hot and as always a lot of dust blowing around.  I wish we would have a real downpour.

Glad to hear of the painting arriving in goo shape, but have begun to wonder what has happened to parachute silk and jackets which were sent some time before.

Quite surprised to hear of you all being invited to Richard Miners wedding.  Really must be quite an affair.  Where are they going to live?

Perhaps it would be a good idea to again restock the rabbits and start again.  Better results perhaps would be had.

The combs, watch band etc were all in good shape and the olive spread was very good on some crackers Ryan had one evening.

The fuchsia very likely got too much water or not enough or some borer got into the stock.

I am looking forward to seeing the pictures you mention.

http://images-02.delcampe-static.net/img_large/auction/000/103/958/545_001.jpg

Col. MacIntyre is no longer with us and I hear that he is on his way home at the hospital he was at is being dissolved.  So all Good Luck to him for he deserves it.  A lot of the others have also gone and the group is not the same.

Well all for this time and I hope you are all in good health and do enjoy yourselves when you can.

All my Love,

Your son,

Stanley

Enclosed one (1) postcard of chateau d’If