WOULD SLIT YOUR THROAT FOR A DIME, SOLDIER LEARNS
Sgt. Fred Kindig of Kingsley Yearns For Dear Old U.S.A.

The following letter appeared in the Kingsley News-Times written by Sgt. Fred Kindig, who is now serving in the Army in Sicily:

Dear Aunt Nell:
You’re on the ball, lady. Three letters from you this week. I hope it’s true the little brother is getting a furlough to go home, but wish the little devil had written me that he was going.

Decoration Day has gone by and I’m a year older. Have spent four birthdays in the Army. I’m wondering how many more I will spend here. I hope none. They should send us old guys back home and let new ones in for awhile. Even if I’m not old, I sure feel old some times.

The longer I stay over here the more I think the U.S. is the only place to live and the rest of the world is counterfeit.

These countries are all alike. If you have a dime, they will slit your throat for it.

You asked if we have eggs. Yes, powdered ones, but who want to eat that stuff. It tastes like the devil, but every once in a while we have fresh eggs when we can find enough for breakfast. As for the price, if we had to buy them ourselves, they would charge all they thought they could get out of us. I have paid 14 cents a piece for them and fried them myself. It might be hard to believe, but now I like my eggs sunny side up instead of broken and spread all over the frying pan and fried to a crisp. See what the Army is doing to me.

Now for the radio programs you asked about. I’ve never heard a broadcast direct from the States, but we have delayed broadcasts from London. One reason that we don’t get them direct is because the Germans jam up the air and cut them out.
~Sgt. Fred Kindig, Q.M. Depot Supply Co., Sicily.

Source: LeMars Globe-Post, June 26, 1944 [Plymouth County]

LIEUTENANT ROBERT KOENIG WRITES OF CHRISTMAS IN GERMAN PRISON CAMP
Red Cross Furnished “Makins” For Good Christmas Dinner  

Lieut. Robert M. Koenig, who has been in a German prison camp since his plane was short down in the raid on Schweinfurt, Germany, last October, writes his parents, Mr. and Mrs. George W. Koenig under date of December 14, a letter they received February 29, which says:

“Christmas is fast approaching—a Christmas very different from any I ever spent before.  By way of celebration we are getting special Red Cross boxes with which to prepare a big feed.  The “Jerries” are going to give us some Christmas trees for the barracks.  Unless I miss my calculation, I should be receiving my first package soon.

Please send the next package on receipt of this letter including chocolate, pipe, pipe cleaners, cigars, eversharp pencil with plenty of leads (no pens allowed), handkerchiefs, water color set, two decks of cards, box of shredded cocoanut and two pads of white typing paper.

We are getting plenty to eat here so far and in general are quite well off.  The morale in the camp is quite high and most of us are making good use of our time here in such things as reading, studying text books on all subjects, writing or generally laying plans for the future.  Have been offered a position in an advertising office business, which I may accept.—Bob”

Another letter dated December 25 was received in the same mail which said among other things:

“Christmas Day, my first wedding anniversary and I am a long from my home, my wife and my folks—and still I have much to be thankful for.  We had a delicious Christmas dinner tonight, consisting of Spam, potatoes, peas, nuts, jellied crackers, fruit cake, toast and coffee.  I could hardly move after eating.  Lieut. Spivey is a truly wonderful cook.  Our band held a jam session last night that lasted to 2 a.m.  The band is beginning to play so well together, we are seriously considering going on tour after the war.

I have had positions after the war offered me by men here including one in San Francisco and another in Sioux City.  Whatever I do will be subsequent to publishing my book, ‘Out of the Sack.’ Received your first letter along with Jean’s and Mrs. Kistle’s in time to make a grand Christmas present.  Hope to spend next Christmas with you.  Love—Bob”

Source: LeMars Semi-Weekly Sentinel, March 3, 1944 [Plymouth County]