10/7/43 Mission:
MEDITERRANEAN (Twelfth Air Force): Bad weather cancels many operations. In Italy, NATBF medium and light bombers strike roads, railway, junction, and town areas in the Capua and Guglionesi regions. RAF DAF fighter-bombers hit trucks in the Termoli-Vasto areas.
10/8/43 Mission:
In Italy, the NATBF and RAF DAF hit a bridge at Minturno and a road junction and military concentration at Termoli.
10/9/43 Mission:
In Italy, the XII Air Support Command does not operate, but the NATBF and RAF DAF hit traffic in the Termoli and Montenero areas, guns N of Capua, a HQ at Palata, and roads and railroads N of Naples.
10/10/43 Mission:
In Italy, the NATBF and RAF DAF concentrate on gun positions on both the US Fifth and British Eighth Army battlefronts; vehicles, railroads, and town areas also are hit; the attacks take place NE of Capua, at Guglionesi, at Cassino and Mondragone, between Rome and Terracina, and around the Termoli-Isernia-Pescara areas.
10/10/43 V-Mail
Hi Honey:
This going to be a long one so I shall print it instead of using my lousy handwriting.*
I don’t remember answering a couple of your questions. Yes, get the insurance—on an endowment policy. This is the only way to buy the stuff. Also, it must be a mutual company. I suggest you contact Alice Abbott. Give me all of the dope after you get started and I shall make an allotment to cover the premiums.
The Spanish lessons with Eleanor sound good. That is one family not lacking in guts, personality, or ability, & I shall keep in contact with them.
Now that I’ve earned a ribbon in combat, I don’t mind wearing all of the others which I just happen to have. Go down to Chi. Mil. Supply or some other outfit, and have them make up 2 bars for me. I want one flexible set to sew on my blouse and one set to pin on my daily uniform. The bars will have to be mailed to me as they can’t be sold to a civilian. Bar will be made of the following gongs, authority as indicated:
Bar: Air Medal & 1 cluster—G.O. #7, para. 23, HQ TBF
American Defense Ribbon—Form 65-1, 47th GP
American Theater Ribbon—Form 65-1, 47th GP
Also have them send me an African Campaign Ribbon to sew on my blouse. I already have the one to pin on my shirt. (Form 65-1, 47 GP).
I had dinner yesterday as the guest of an Italian Army Garrison. We had macaroni with cheese and meat sauce, chicken fried in olive oil, beef boiled with green peppers in olive oil, lettuce with a dressing made of olive oil with salt & pepper & sour wine, apples boiled in sherry (try it), cake, & wine. We topped this off with Spumante.
It was obvious that we have been at war with the Italian Government & not the army or the people. This place has been little more than an occupied country for the past five years.
That’s all—do write frequently. Be a good child & I’ll be home for our fifth anniversary. I love you. Cy.
*This is the only letter of Cy’s that was done in block print lettering, although he has written much longer letters many times.