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.
In his June 5th letter, Barron describes his psychological preparation for D-Day. He often mentions his boredom and theorizes about his standing within the Points system. He is frustrated about the quality of news about the war and believes there is too much "doctoring" done to the reports. He warns against treating returning soldiers like "mental cases." He reveals that he went ashore in Normandy with the First Engineer Special Brigade, but was transferred into the Advance Section Communication Zone after the First Engineers were dissolved. In his June 16th letter he describes being a witness to one of the aerial battles during the Battle of the Bulge. He receives multiple awards, including a Seahorse patch for participating in an amphibious landing, the French Croix de Guerre, a Bronze Arrowhead for participating in a beach landing, as well as his 5th battle star, the Central German star. The Advanced Section Communication Zone is dissolved and he is moved into the 7th Army. He tells his wife to ignore the "propaganda" about the Germans starving, and assures her that the fields are full of people and crops.
In this folder Barron continues to write about his homesickness, boredom, and depression. In the first letter he reacts to news of gas shortages caused by rationing in Florida and Georgia. He spends multiple days in Belfast and Derry.
Barron is anxious about moving into Germany and living "among the enemy." He passes his time by working, writing, and attending USO shows. He is annoyed at receiving letters as many as three months late and repeatedly asks his wife to use air mail and not V-mail. He sees Lily Pons in concert. He once again expresses his disgust that black Americans are being "accepted with open arms" by white Europeans.
In this folder Barron is still struggling with boredom and homesickness. He is urgent to see the invasion of Europe begin so that he can return home, even suggesting that he would volunteer to be in the first wave to land just to see the war end. Near the end of May he is moved from Belfast to a location in Britain.