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.
Barron is fearful that he will be transferred to another company instead of discharged due to his point total. He is moved from the 7th Army to the 3rd Army, and is soon removed after a few days. The majority of his letters are concerned with the points system and the irregular schedule of mail delivery. He is disgusted with the post-war situation in Europe fears that this will be "another case of we've won the war and they've won the peace."
This folder contains personal letters from Barron to his wife, reporting on his daily activities at Camp Lee in July and Fort Knox in August. He frequently complains of his homesickness. He also writes about being lonely, as most of his platoon has shipped out and is being replaced, but he does not receive any news about his own assignment until August. Barron mentions hearing news of Italian and German forces fighting each other in Milan. He is transferred to Fort Knox in August and is issued an M1 Carbine. He is attached to the Armored Force and is inspected by General Gillem. One letter (August 27th) contains a newspaper clipping from the Courier-Journal from Louisville with a picture of Gillem and a brief description of Allied success in Sicily.
This folder contains personal letters from Barron to his wife. They primarily contain reports of Barron's daily activities, descriptions of his progress, and requests for more letters to fight off loneliness and depression. Barron begins technical school, and is recommended for Officer Candidate School and the Procurement Department. He turns down an opportunity to enter Cadet School, preferring to remain in the Supply department if Officer Candidate School does not work out. He mentions learning about Graves Registration and includes a brief description of the government procedure for it in his June 9th letter. He also turns down an invitation to the Army Specialist Training Program, as it would keep him in the army longer than he wishes to stay. In numerous letters, he instructs his wife on how to pay the income tax for the store that he owns. He does not pass the Post Board examination for Officer School.
In this folder Barron writes about his time in Britain and later France once the invasion begins. He mentions living in his foxhole but does not provide specifics about where he is or what his combat experience has been, as he is subject to heavy censorship.