Zeddie P. Barron Letters to Wife, August 1945

Containers:

Box 07.0077 - Box 2, Folder 001

Scope and content:

In his August 2nd letter, Barron explains more of his D-Day experience. He landed on Utah beach with Force U of the 1st Engineer Special Brigade. He mentions that there was "either an attempted invasion or a dry run" in the weeks before his landing and remarks that a boat carrying combat engineers from his brigade was sunk and most of the engineers were killed. He is likely referring to Exercise Tiger, though he does not name it such or show any other knowledge of it. His unit was brought down from Ireland to replace the engineers lost, presumably during Exercise Tiger, in time for the D-Day invasion, and he received no amphibious landing training. His August 3rd letter includes more information on German prisoners. He says that they are nearly starved to death and fight over discarded cigarette butts from American soldiers. They are fed soup, but Barron says this is not enough for the work that they have to do. He remarks that the United States has "taken more pages out of Hitler's book", and mentions that he has seen things which he cannot speak about until he is discharged. He again mentions being upset about seeing African American soldiers with white women. He reacts to the news of Japan's surrender and the use of the atomic bomb, which he remarks "may be out destruction at some future date." His unit receives the Meritorious Unit Commendation and a Presidential Citation, and he discusses that he is finally eligible for discharge with a total of 75 points.

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