[u][b]10 July 1944[/b][/u]
Tomorrow we head for Normandy. I am filled with excitement about what lies ahead. I know it will be challenging, but I believe myself, my officers and soldiers of A Company 37th Tank battalion are up to the challenges. Honestly, am very eager to get into the fight.

We prepared our equipment for transport. The seventeen tanks, six halftracks, two deuce and a halves and two jeeps are all lashed aboard the transport ship and we are all currently assigned to the ship in Portsmouth, England. The air is electric with anticipation. Every man is thinking about how they will perform under fire. They must wonder, if they will survive this encounter with the enemy. I know I do. I hope I survive as I wish to see my wife and children when this war is over. It will end someday, I am sure of this.

[hr]
The Colonel hosted a get together for all the officers and senior NCOs in the battalion at the local pub. He rented a room in the back and we drank each other under the table. It was a lot of fun and a good way to vent any excessive anxiety we may have felt. The men were permitted to go into town and do whatever they wanted as well. That usually translates into drinking large volumes of alcohol and making asses out of themselves in front of the local women.

Lieutenant Pemberton from C Company go so drunk he pulled out his pecker and urinated in the corner of the room. Around 2100 hours, a group of six women with loose morals entered the room to entertain us. We were told not to touch them and I was fine with that. I kept thinking about my Jean back home. The whole thing made me somewhat uncomfortable, but I was still curious just the same. There was this red-haired woman with some of the largest breasts I have ever seen in my life. They were nearly the size of basketballs. I am not kidding. They were unbelievable.

It was a very humorous and pleasurable event. I can say with a hundred percent certainty, no one died. I guess this was our last hoorah before the big game. Not sure what tomorrow holds, but we can say we had the time of our lives tonight. I’m beat, time to go to bed.
[hr]

Jean Tyler
27 Cranberry Dr.
Watertown, NY 13601

[right]1LT Arthur Tyler
A Co. 37th Tank Battalion
APO NY 09012[/right]

[right]10 July 1944[/right]

[i]My Dearest Jean,
I truly miss you, sweetheart. It has been a very long time since last we spoke. I do hope this war ends soon so that we can pick up where we left off. Is Robert walking yet? I would assume so, he is 15 months old now.

They are sending us into France soon. I can’t tell you when, just that we will participate in this business I was hired to perform. I know you are not excited about it. Honestly, I am not either, but I am prepared to do my job. I have an excitement about what is to come I cannot explain. I will do whatever it takes to come home to you, my love.

Jacob broke a wrist the other day. I know you remember Jacob, one of the Lieutenants in the battalion. We graduated from Boston College together. He went on a date with your friend, Martha. He is still coming with the unit over to France. I’m not sure exactly what the doctors have told him he can and cannot do. I intend for him to have light duty until his cast is removed.

Please tell me what is going on back home. How are the kids doing? How are mom and dad? What about the Yankees? Are they having a good year? I don’t get to see all the baseball news here in England. I’ll have to rely on your reports to let me know.

All my love,

Art[/i]