Barron describes his observations of German civilians and the war destruction that he sees in Aachen and Duren. His supply outfit receives a group of Italian prisoners, and they are used for labor. He comments that the Italians were so recently enemies of the United States, and that it is odd to see them happy to be in American hands. They have the same privileges as the American soldiers and are not under guard. He speculates that war is just a phase of politics, and that the Americans and Germans will soon be "falling on each other's shoulders in brotherhood to keep the Russians in their place." He describes the German V-1 bomb, or "buzz bomb", and the experiences he had in Belgium of taking cover from them.
This folder contains more personal communication from Barron while he works with his supply outfit in France. He describes his daily life, the environment and destruction he sees around him, and his interactions with French civilians. Barron encounters a liberated Polish person who tells him stories of life under the Germans, but he does not go into specifics in his letter. He also encounters a group of cigarette-smoking French children whom he believes to be ages two to three who had attached themselves to the soldiers. He encounters more German soldiers, including a small group which he oversaw to help with supplies, and remarks that they seem to be happy to be in American hands. They sing drinking and marching songs as they walk to and from their work. He recommends that his wife read Ernie Pyle in order to receive the best impression of what life as a G.I. is like. As he moves through France, he describes people lining the roads to wave as the American vehicles and soldiers pass. He grows depressed again about the war, believing that even though it is about to end, the United States will still have to "do it all over again" and that he is wasting his time and losing part of his life to a cause that he does not identify with. He says that he feels this way after seeing the greed of the French locals whom he encounters. He says that his only positive encounter comes from August 26th, when he has dinner with a French farming family below the poverty threshold.
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.
Barron writes to his wife about his continuing experiences in Belgium. He is concerned by the lack of cigarettes and inconsistency of his mail. He mentions his outfit being visited by a group of congressmen, including Clare Luce, early in the month. This likely was the House Military Affairs Committee. In his December 22nd letter Barron presumably reacts to the ongoing Battle of the Bulge and the Malmedy Massacre, though he is still censored and only refers to the news as something that he's sure his wife has already read about.
In this folder, Barron writes to his wife about his basic training first at Fort McPherson and then at Camp Lee. He describes the importance of receiving letters and advocates others against enlisting, though he personally wants to pursue advancement through Officer Candidate School. He is made a Squad Leader. He talks about the accelerated pace of his training, which was condensed from 13 weeks to 5. He deals with faltering spirits and waits long hours to talk on the phone with his wife when he can, and also describes missing having access to newspapers and magazines so that he can keep up with the war.
This letter contains more correspondence from Barron to his wife. Common themes are his homesickness, anxiety, and having little to write about. Barron is promoted to Technician Fifth Grade. He also comments on the number of fathers who are being drafted. He continues checking in with his wife about the status of their income tax payment.
Barron observes a group of newly arrived Russian prisoners of war who were freed from German captivity and are now working at his railhead. He writes his reaction to hearing about the Yalta Conference. He tells his wife that he has much to tell her about the war but that he cannot do so because of censorship. Barron also includes descriptions of Belgian civilians, and asserts that wars should only be fought across conference tables. He also comments on soldiers and infidelity and about how he has seen people change because of the army, but assures his wife that he is unchanged. He says that the monotony of his life makes it hard to remember details from even months earlier, and says that he barely remembers the route he took after the Normandy landing.
This folder contains more descriptions of Barron's daily life and activities in Ireland, including another description of the Cathedral and more thoughts on the Irish people. He describes his journey by boat to Ireland for his wife, where he was on the same ship as the cast of Irving Berlin's "This is the Army" production which was beginning its overseas tour. He reports on recurring episodes of depression in moments where he is not busying himself with some kind of work or activity, and especially when he is not receiving mail. He has not received mail from his wife in a month, and believes that something happened to her letters as they crossed the Atlantic. He sees a showing of "This is the Army" in Belfast.
Barron mainly writes about his frustration with the war and with the monotony of his work. He mentions seeing something that causes him to declare that he will "never have any feeling for any Germans because I know now what ruthless people they can be - I only wish the whole race could be exterminated." He does not say what it was that he saw. His spirits are lifted by news of the Russians' success. He believes that with his point total, he will only have to serve four more months before he is discharged. He also includes remarks about the inflation he sees in Belgium.
In letters contained in this folder, Barron mentions that he is no longer interested in looking for souvenirs of the war. He mentions seeing numerous German prisoners, and scoffs at them for calling themselves a "master race." He is able to write in more detail about his time in Ireland - he was in Armagh running a railhead. He also writes about a trip he took to London where he saw the major sites, but he says that London feels nothing like the "utopia" of American cities. He mentions being wary of land mines and remarks on the war destruction that France has suffered. He is unhappy that there are few options for Protestant soldiers to have service, while Catholic and Jewish soldiers have ample opportunities. He and his fellows who work during the night are forbidden from sunbathing during the day because of concerns about enemy planes. He also reacts to news of Operation Valkyrie and its failure.