10 November 1944

Sgt. Stanley W Safford 39539976

5^th Auxiliary Surgical Group

APO 339

c/o Post Master

New York  New York

10 November 1944

Dearest Mother:

Have before me her on the table you three letters of the 11, 14 and 17 of October which I received upon my arrival at headquarters where I am at present, and am quite pleased to be here for a short time since the weather was none too good where we were in the field.

I saw the first snowfall of the season the other day and indeed it made a beautiful change in the country.  Everything was all white and the falling flakes were quite large, about the size of a quarter.

Was quite surprised to hear in your V-mail of the 11^th that my mail has not been going thru. I am going to send this regular mail and see if there is any change in the delivery of this.

The reason for us being in Headquarters is that our hospital has finished in our last location and until assigned another we will be here in the warm building for a change.  We had quite a time of it the other evening with our tents.  About four in the morning a strong gale came up and I mean a strong one, of several miles an hour.  It blew our tent down and did we have a mess.  It was raining so the water came in and soaked several of the others beds etc.  The tent blew down on me so therefore saved me and things from the water. Anyway we got up and fixed it and returned to bed for the balance of our sleep.

Enjoyed very much your enclosures of jokes and stories in your letter of the 14 Oct.  I really enjoyed them and always look forward to them.

Very sorry to hear of Dad not being able to go hunting.  Hope he had better luck on second trip.

Regarding the films.  I can get them developed here but for better service I will send the negatives home to you for prints.  I have some here now which I will soon send to you.  Rolls of undeveloped films would not go thru at all.  I am allowed to take pictures almost any time when I have my camera, which I quite often leave at home, and then is of course when I want it the most.  Pictures of war damage will not pass the censor at all and they are not fond of you taking them and will prevent it if possible.  I have therefore taken none, and besides they do not interest me to any great extent.

Received a letter from Dorothy Kinsfather telling me of her college etc. She is taking Spanish and Chinese, can you imagine such a combination?  Also a letter from Mrs. Matson. I understand Dorothy is very interested in marriage, so I can not quite connect her pursuing languages and wanting to get married at the same time.  Quite a person.  Mrs. Matsons’ letter was quite interesting as always and she tells me they have sent a couple packages.  I wish you would discourage so much attention my way from so many people.  I feel obligated to them.

I am quite pleased to hear of the popcorn etc being on the way.  I surely appreciate it.  You can charge my request things to me.  You can forget the powdered milk since the chocolate can be made with water.  The tea I am quite sure will be satisfactory.  I am able to get all the necessary sugar.

Jay Elmont[1] in his letter received yesterday tells of being out to dinner so I guess he now owes you a dinner again.  That is getting to be a vicious circle, isn’t it?

In regards to your questions about our teams. We have had quite a set back recently. Col MacIntyre is having to return to Headquarters and we are going to get another surgeon.  We are all quite disappointed at the Colonel having to go.  Otherwise our team was a big success.  We done a lot of surgery and the Colonel has done some beautiful work.

We were not at Calais since that was practically British.  Some of our teams are at all the prominent places along the front.

Thanks a lot for the second copy of the poem.  I have the other copy here and will take your advice and carry this one in my wallet.

Anita Ringley mentioned Yvonne’s noninterest in “North Eastham House”.  Do not blame her.  Have you ever heard of Grandfather Matthews will as yet?

Well all for now, and I will start writing more often and different ways.  The envelope is German.

All my Love,

Stanley

NOTE from the transcriber:

ARMY NINEH = probably Army Ninth…  That is where he was in actuality so that fits.

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[1] Found a passport picture f Jay Elmont on Ancestry.com and the 1930 US census lists his occupation as “Artist - Music and Radio Field”; and the directories have him listed as an act director, living at 421 W 8^th Street, Los Angeles in 1917- as a decorator,  h2139 Branden in 1918 – Manager Gillette Safety Razor Co, r815 O’Farrell in 1920 and 1921 h2139 Branden

The California Death Index shows he died on 12 Dec 1946, in Los Angeles.(he was b 1 Jan 1883 in Ohio).Passport lists a David Elmont as his father (b NY)

November 14, 1944 - Holland

Sgt. Stanley W Safford 39539976

5^th Auxiliary Surgical Group

APO 339

c/o Post Master

New York  New York

Holland

November 14, 1944

Dearest Mother:

Here again this evening the time has come around for another letter to you, but I find being stationed here in headquarters as we are I have not too much news.

Have received letters from Aunt Dell telling of not receiving any letters from me, and I just mailed one a short time ago and then again the day before receiving hers.  I fail to understand the mail situation.  Also a letter from Mrs. Matson, Miss Mosher which by the ay will not be opened until 5 December.  Received a V-Mail from Thelma Chapin telling me of a package on the way.  Another from Jay which is already answered and on its way.

I am sending a few antique Delft tiles to a few people such as Mrs. Matson, Jay and Thelma, which I think they will like, at least I hope so.  I have part of them and will obtain the balance and get them on their way.  They are quite nice and are about the only thing I can think of anyone would care for and there is really nothing much here that one can get.  As you know we are not even allowed to buy anything to eat here other than fresh fruit of one kind or another. I am very fond of the apples which they now have here for sale.  Things in the way of wearing apparel are all rationed.

Was very glad to hear of your receiving the silver, which by the way I was beginning to worry about.  The silver spoon by the way was a gift so do not think I was cheated because of its condition.  The salt cellar was one of an original three, all of which were on a small silver tray.  The pepper was one of two, but the other one was rather battered and of poor appearance and balance.  Hope you are able to use them.  When you get the cards you will know more about them and the real history was made by me taking them from England and how they finally reached the shores of France.  They really worried me for a while.  Your letter telling me of their arrival really made good time, mailed 30 Oct and reached me two days ago.  Faster for a change.

Have seen two pictures recently, the first in months.  One of which you mention, “Gent of Barbary coast”[1] with Wallace Beery and the other “Marriage is a Private Affair”[2] Lana Turner.  Liked the former but could have gotten along without the latter.  They have them in an old opera house here which in its day has been a grand place.

In one of your recent letters you mention passing under the Arc de Triomphe.  Well as a matter of fact, no vehicles pass under it.  The Tomb of France’s Unknown Soldier is buried under it and the Eternal Torch burns there.  Pictures can be taken after the vehicles have gone around the star or “Etoile” and are leaving the Arc so that they look that way.  People can walk under, in fact troop do.  The size of it is immense and really surprise me.  I have some post cards of it which I am going to send home soon in fact will enclose one in this letter.

The sweet potato crop on the lot sounds very interesting, but the soil there should be very rich and ideal for them.

The venison does sound very good and I would enjoy some of it.

Well about all for now, and will write soon again.  Hope this reaches you all in good health and hoping you are taking care of yourself.

All my love,

Stanley

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[1] “Barbary Coast Gent” - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Barbary_Coast_Gent

[2] http://www.tcm.com/this-month/article/139002|0/Marriage-is-a-Private-Affair.html

April 10, 1944

Sgt Stanley W Safford 39539976

5^th Auxiliary Surgical Group

Dodd Field

Fort Sam Houston

Texas

April 10, 1944

Dear Mother:

I had better get this letter written off to you or you will begin to wonder if I am ever going to write you.  We are engaged now in the classification of our enlisted men and that is a huge job.  We are also starting a few more carts etc for a forthcoming inspection this weekend.  It seems that we are no sooner done with one when another one comes along.  I get rather tired of the entire mess since a few of us get all the work and the balance of the company lay around with nothing else to do.

The weather here has taken a very sudden change. Where we previously had a lot of cold damp weather we have the beginning of the extreme heat.  Saturday afternoon when I was visiting Sgt Ryan at the hospital a very sudden lightning and thunderstorm started and it started a fire on the other side of the Post.  And it just poured for a while and after it let up it cleared off and it has been nice ever since, in fact too nice.

Sgt Ryan will be in the hospital from 6-8 weeks.  He has t(h)ree fractures of the face and they have his mouth wired shut for traction.  He tells me he is going to take a vacation while he has the chance.

Received the very delicious box of candy and the attractive Easter card.  The candy is all very good and to my opinion you have not lost your touch for candy making.  The card was very nice. Received cards from Miss Mosher, Aunt Dell, the Chipmans and others.

Also received a nice letter from Joe.  I got the pictures off to them about a week ago.  So very glad to have all of that done. Received a nice letter from Mrs. Matson and the picture back from Jay.

He was telling me about the other friends of Nina’s being there.  He seemed to think that “Duke” had been given the seat of honor at the table but said that it did not bother him.  Don’t repeat this or he may hear of it. So I autographed the picture and returned it yesterday.

I received a card I guess from Muriel also.  The envelope had not even been sealed and she had not even signed her name. Where was her head when she mailed that?

I hope you have received the money orders by now.  I am out on a campaign to save money.

Does Aunt Maibelle have any chickens of any kind now?  She, as you say, will not have patience to keep from working.  She has to keep busy.

I should hear from Marshall soon as he should have received the picture by now.  I suppose George does get very lonesome all by himself down there.  It certainly surprised me to hear of Marshall’s marriage.  I just never thought of him as getting married so soon.  But he of course is old enough.  I am no longer so very young myself.  I guess I judge others by myself and there are a lot of people getting married younger than myself.  Do not let this worry you and make you think I am contemplating marriage now.  Ha! Ha! About half the company here is married and more of them engaged every day.  And the families are quite numerous.

Have Marie and Leland gotten moved into their house as yet?

While mentioning Leland reminds me to ask if the tennis racket of his is still there at the house?  I may want to use one if I can get a hold of one.

Part of our unit is in Fort Worth on a Bond selling mission and I would have liked to have gone but no suck luck for me.  I remain here.  I would like to see Fort Worth.

I imagine that the company will be all gone by the time you get this letter and you will be rather tired.

Not to change the subject but I really like the tie which you sent and it will be a nice one for summer wear.  We are going to start wearing khaki tomorrow, although the wool has not been quite as hot as it was prior to going into khaki last year.  The tie is almost an officer’s color but will go well with my own shirt.

Major Skinner flew to Chicago in the middle of the week and he will be back in two weeks.  He is flying both ways and has a good priority.  He was able to save so much time with the slow and poor trains.

Major Kuhns is back on Detached Service now and most of the others are also gone.  So I guess that we will sit here for a while this summer and enjoy Dodd Field.  Most of us (officers & em) would much rather be here than in India or elsewhere of that type.

Well enough for tonight and thanks again for all the nice things and I will write again soon.

All my love,

Stanley

September 5, 43

Cpl Stanley W Safford

5^th Auxiliary Surgical Group

Dodd Field

Ft Sam Houston

Texas

September 5, 43

My dear Mother:

This will more than likely be the last time that I will write you before coming home. I will send you a telegram prior to my leaving to let you know of what train I will be on and also when if I know I will arrive.  But if you are planning on meeting me you might play safe by calling the depot to find out when the train will arrive.  That way it will save you from waiting too long.

I am going into town this afternoon to buy my ticket and get that part of it done and taken care of.  I will have to go to the Southern Pacific Depot for it and then I will know how to get there when I leave here at twelve o’clock Tuesday night and actually get on the train at two o’clock.

Perhaps the Spider Lily will bloom for me when I am home.  I am really going to enjoy being among at my flowers again, and I am just dying to see my cymbidiums again, and my antiques will also be a welcome sight.

Well, we have had dinner which was very good and some very cold water which was very good tasting since the day is so warm.  We also had a banana cake of some kind which as so good although heavy.

I received a letter today from you and from Mrs. Matson which had a couple of pictures of Jonny which were very good.

I am like you in a way too excited to say very much now, so will close for now and will wire you when I leave.

Love from your son,

Stanley

July 9, 1943

Cpl Stanley W Safford

5^th Auxiliary Surgical Group

Dodd Field

Ft Sam Houston

Texas

July 9, 1943

My dear Mother

It pains me quite a bit to have to write you this letter this evening for it will bring you some news which you very likely will not enjoy very much.  The sad news is that my furlough has been postponed until at least August 15 when this thirteen weeks training program is over.  They have found more excuses and stories of indispensability and all the other things in the book.  Also the fact that I am a non com and that I should be here to wind up the program.

Of course there may be a chance that I may be able to get out of going on the bivouac by taking my leave then also there may be another rating for myself to wear home.

But I am quite sure that I would just as soon come home now as then, but again a month is not too far off, so it will not be such a long wait if the time goes as fast as it has since the first of the month.  I have never been busier in my whole life and I never seem to get done and then I am trying to study for my OCS examination.  This new major has certainly got some screwy ideas and is so particular about things and we are making out more forms and more charts than I have ever seen before.

And as one of the lieutenant said this morning: “More work for you”. He does not have much use for the major and a few others don’t either.  They all of them, that is the big shots here, are all crazy.  The more impractical, the better.

What do you want me to do with the money order?  If you do not object I think that I will keep it and use it if I need it when I do come home.  I have thought some of starting an account here of some kind to put the bulk of my money in and then I will not b so tempted to spend it.

My leave when I do get it, will be fifteen days, which should allow me quite a bit of time at home and believe me I am going to spend a good big percentage of it at home and not all of it out gadding around because I can do that here where I don’t get any home life.  I can’t see any sense in going home to gad around.

Will you call or drop Joseph a line about my change in plans and anyone else that may be interested.

I received a very nice long letter from Mrs. Matson today along with yours.

I have had the Army Service Forces insignia put on just about all my clothes now.  It is the one with the Blue Star surrounded by white which is surrounded by red, rather nice looking.  Hope that they are still nice looking when I come home.

You may also call Miss Mosher and tell her of my change in plans.

I was quite surprised to hear of Leland and Marie’s child arriving so soon.  I therefore am no longer the only male heir in this end of the family.  What I am heir to I don’t know tho.

Well I had better begin thinking of going to bed because it is getting late and tomorrow is another day and inspection.

Now, please don’t feel bad or very because a month or five weeks is not so terribly far off and the time will be here before we realize it.

I shall write you a letter tomorrow and try and answer last few letters.  Good night, with lots of love, and help me hope the time flies between now and then.

Your son, sending you his love,

Stanley

Note from Stanley’s Mom, Grace WHELCHEL SAFFORD

"I want to tell you that on Tuesday of this week was the funeral of Philip GEIB, your father’s Aunt Edith’s husband.  They lived in Chicago.  He had been sick for several years but confined to the home only the past year.  His body was brought here[1] for burial."
The family tree where I found this picture is found at http://trees.ancestry.com/tree/21888215/person/1178463617?ssrc=

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[1] Los Angeles, CA

Note: for more information on the Army Service Forces insignia, visit  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Army_Service_Forces 

June 28, 1943

Cpl Stanley W Safford

5^th Auxiliary Surgical Group

Dodd Field

Ft Sam Houston

Texas

June 28, 1943

My dear Mother:

Here it is several days after our return from bivouac where we were any way about everybody … was chewed up by wood ticks and chiggers and put up with the peculiarities of the various officers who didn’t seem to realize that they were away from camp.

Some of them didn’t know how to put their tents up and they wondered why they didn’t have a table for them to eat off etc. And one of them took along a very pretty pair of blue pajamas. And about all that I done was run my head off running down one thing first then another.  After seeing how long all the officers had their fingers in the pie of trying to run things I sure hope that we don’t have another one very soon.

My Captain Skinner left today for a special course at Mayo’s and he is going to be gone for 6 weeks and I am quite sure that I am not going to like it very much far again there were be everybody’s fingers in the pie again.

Then of course there is my furlough coming up.  The fifteenth and I am looking forward to that as you can well imagine and I am afraid that I shall have to get some money from you since my money is all tied up in bonds but after I come back here I will send you what I owe you then.

The days here recently have been the warmest that I have ever seen and sultryness that I have never seen the likes of.  And these tents here certainly hold the heat.  I sit in ours and just sweat all day just setting there.  This evening it is much cooler here in this old hanger than I thought it would be.  I represent our outfit tonight by having charge of the day room from 4 till 11.  It seems that they keep all of us non coms busy on some kind of duty or another all the time on something.  There are only thirteen of us here.  It seems that I had so much to say and now when I get around to writing this delayed letter.  Did I tell you that Miss Mosher sent me a very delicious box of Sees candy.  Also while on bivouac.  I received a letter from Mrs. Matson and the pictures of Jonny and they were certainly good ones of him, he looks quite grown up.  Well my time is about up here this evening so will write some more tomorrow.

I have returned from town this evening and for a change it was quite easy to get into town and out again because since the 95^th has gone there no longer is the crowd to contend with but I hear that there is another division coming in soon.

I am going to begin angling for a transfer from here to another more agreeable place where peace and quiet will reside again.  The other evening they had a nice fight which ended up in a stabbing out here in the company street and they sit around here and put him only on seven days restrictions for it.  But that follows their old way of doing nothing about the discipline around here.  And the Sgts here don’t know any better to begin with.

There is one of the boys that is going with me on my furlough here, talking it over about how and when etc.,  Of course that is the main topic of decision write is four that are going that way.

They are having a dance over at the Recreation Hall tonight and they are having quite so I had better go to my tent and try and get some sleep.  Sorry my letter is so late and confusing.  Take care of yourself.

Love, your son