Sgt
W.A. Quilitzsch
22^ND FINANCE DIS B SRC
APO 350, NY NY
4 JAN 1945

BRYANT SERVICE CLUB
BRYANT COLLEGE
PROVIDENCE
R.I.

Hello Bryant

First, thanks for the package of candy which you sent me for Christmas. Yours was the first to arrive. Thanks too for the letter which followed, it covered a lot of ground in a hurry, but its good to get some news like that for a change. Perhaps a lot of the current news does originate over here, but we also have to keep abreast of the home front.

I have done a good list of travelling since last writing to you, much of it on the continent. Our unit had been in Britain for so long that we were getting ready to vote for the local M.P., then the invasion came along, and we weren’t far behind. We should all be experts on European currencies by the time we return to our homes.

The summer over here wasn’t so bad, but that gave way to a very muddy autumn. I had no idea that there could be so much mud, but there it was and we went through it. Now the winter, not particularly adverse, yet, but annoying. Its just sure difficult to live during the winter under makeshift conditions, always looking for something better, mostly with our eyes turned toward the States will all its available comforts.

Walter Quilitzsch

[Transcription ends]

Hello Service Club,

Let me relieve my mind of two small items first, then I might lapse into a little news from here. The two are the package and letter which you sent to this G.I. in AD 1943.

You will notice that I don't classify myself as a soldier, I'm in the Finance Department. Just about this time, however, I feel as if I had gone through quite a battle. For the past few days, vouchers, cheques, and figures have been fairly flying around my office, and it is no easy task to keep all of them going in the proper direction. Then, always in the middle of something, there is a phone call from someone miles away wanting to know why he wasn't paid this month.

The news which you send is always interesting, always a few names which are familiar.

One of your old friends, Henry J. Lee has written to me from Chicago. He is also in the Finance Dept, but I rather envy him, comparing the different places where we are stationed. I have yet to say hello to any other Bryant men over here, am I alone on this front.

Thanks for everything, and sometime when I get a couple of days off, I'll drop in to see you. Just to help you find me again, there is a slight change of address.

Sincerely
Walter A. Quilitzsch
[Transcription ends]

8-5-42

Dear Mr. Ripley,

After reading the last Bulletin from Bryant with news of quite a number of my classmates, it seems that you should also know of my whereabouts. The Bulletin has been forwarded to me from my home since I’ve been in the Army, and that is since last September 4.

At that time I enlisted in the Air Corps and was sent to Jefferson Barracks, Mo. My assignment from there was in the Weather Squadron at Bangor, Maine where I remained until the end of the year, 1941. At that time I transferred to the Finance Dept. where there were vacancies at the time, and I was retained at the same post until June 4, 1942. Then I was recommended to attend the Army Finance School and have been here since. About a week ago, along with a few other experienced men, I was transferred out of the Squadron into a special Detachment. We are gradually welding a unit of new men together, forming a group for duty overseas. From the looks of our equipment, it won’t be very long before we leave these shores.

Some odd things have happened to me while in the Army, so I’m rather looking forward to the coming experiences. I wouldn’t be at all surprised if there are quite a few of my classmates over there already. So, I guess, this is so long until we once more have peace in this world and we return to our regular lives once more.

Sincerely,

Walter A. Quilitzsch [Handwritten signature]

Staff Sgt. W. A. Quilitzsch
Finance Detachment 6055B
Hq. Army Finance School
Fort Harrison, Indiana [Transcription ends]

W. A. QUILITZSCH
S/SGT. 11031553
FINANCE DESK SEC 6055B
APO 517 New York, NY
7 DEC. 1942

BRYANT SERVICE CLUB
BRYANT COLLEGE
PROVIDENCE, R.I.
U.S.A.

Ladies and/or Gentlemen,

Which is it, or is it both? It seems that I must be quite a bit short of knowing about everything that goes on in Providence. Of course, the distance and circumstances prevent much of the news from getting to me, but I hope that most of it is only delayed. Your package arrived today in very good condition. It is expected, I hope, that it will not remain that way for a very long time.

My address has not changed since I arrived on this island, frankly I hope that it doesn’t. My situation could hardly be better under present conditions. We are hosted in an English suburban section. The offices and billets are in what was formerly a private home, and our food is American. All our quarters are comfortable, my own office being heated by gas and the rooms which is shared with three others by a fireplace. This might be called a semi-private existence. The grass is still green, and some flowers are still in bloom here, but I’d gladly give that up for a chance to see Providence again. I almost wrote “old” Providence, but that is rather young compared with the ruins of a Roman city which I was looking at yesterday.

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to everyone at Bryant.

Sincerely yours,
Walter A. Quilitzsch [Transcription ends]