ON RHOADES IN THE MILITARY IN 1945
In 1945, Mrs. McCutchen was living alone, Dan had passed
away in 1943. Rhoades was in the military and stationed in Europe, fighting
at the end of World War II. Many of these entries have to do with the correspondence
between Rhoades and his mother while they were apart. Correspondence with
Kathryn, Rhoades` second wife, was also mentioned often.
Wednesday, January 31
A letter came from Rhoades in Belgium dated Jan. 14. He has been given
a combat Infantry badge and is Co. Commander of B. Co. He asked me to send
pineapple and grapefruit juice - ``anything to eat.`` As yet he has not
received his canned pheasant. The vile Nazis have shot at my Darling, but
he is well now. God help him.
Friday, February 2
Mrs. Moore most kindly gave me 4 cans of juice (2 of pineapple &
2 of grapefruit) to send to Rhoades. A wonderful gift with coupons so scarce.
Saturday, February 3
A letter from K. [Kathryn] says Rhoades is in 17th Air-Borne Division
& his feet were frost-bitten. Too bad. I think he is in St. Vith area
of Belgium near Luxembourg & Germany.
Wednesday, February 7
I mailed a box of food to Rhoades in Belgium. A V-mail letter from
Rhoades says he ``was hit in shoulder & leg by shrapnel but the wounds
are very slight.`` I hope he is treated properly, poor Darling.
Thursday, February 15
A V-mail from Rhoades in Luxembourg, was dated Jan. 31. His leg is
better but shoulder still sore. He knows Capt. York, a nephew of Yorks
here; says he is ``a good guy.`` R. has not received any papers, magazines
or packages from me in over a month.
Friday, February 23
A letter from Rhoades in Luxembourg & the weather was milder but
foggy & muddy. He is in 17th Airborne Div. & this letter was dated
Feb. 7.
Saturday, February 24
A letter from Rhoades dated Feb. 12 said he was in France & it
was very muddy & he was living in a tent. He had come thru Verdun.
Monday, February 26
A letter from Bob McC. sends me the page from ``Yank`` mentioning Rhoades
in the Belgian battle near Rechrival, & the artillery fire. Tough spot.
Got a letter from Mable R. who says Jack R. was billeted in one of the
palaces of the King of Belgium. Bob Mc is in a French Chateau.
Saturday, March 3
A letter dated Feb. 2, mailed Feb. 5 came from Rhoades & he is
eating much better. He had lost weight since leaving England.
Sunday, March 4
I listened to the Army Hour & went to the Post Office where I got
a nice letter from Rhoades in France. His shoulder & leg are completed
healed. He sent me some Belgian money. A very welcome letter.
Monday, March 5
Got a nice letter from Rhoades who is ``anxiously awaiting the fruit
juice`` & vitamin pills. Mail is so very slow! He was not in the hospital
for his shrapnel wounds in left shoulder & left leg.
Wednesday, March 21
A V-mail came from Rhoades, dated March 9 in France & he has received
some juice boxes & magazines at last. He is in an Anti-Tank Co. now
in charge of mines, booby traps & general demolition.
Monday, March 26
A letter from Rhoades dated Mar. 6 says he enjoys the juices, gets
magazines too.
Saturday, April 7
Nancy Orem telephoned me that Bud O. [Orem] had been liberated from
Nazi prison-camp.
Tuesday, April 10
Ida Stewart sent me blue stamps for juice for Rhoades, so I mailed
him Box 22 today. I think R. is in N.W. Germany with Gen. Ridgway, according
to the papers.
Thursday, April 12
F. D. Roosevelt died at Warm Springs, Georgia. Too bad he didn`t die
20 years ago.
Friday, April 13
Mrs. Orem has heard from Bud. The eulogies for F.D.R. are nauseating!
He finally left the White House.
Tuesday, April 17
A card from Rhoades in Germany came today; dated March 29, mailed March
31. He said he was fine. So glad to hear. I sent Box 23 today. Got our
A. T. & T. Dividend. City buys Home Cafe for Cocktail. What a disgrace!
Dan always fought that.
Sunday, April 22
Russians & Americans expect to meet very soon in Berlin. I called
at Orem`s & Bud is in Boston, so will be home soon.
Wednesday, April 25
A letter from Kathryn says Rhoades` little finger on his right hand
is injured. I do hope he is safe!
Saturday, April 28
Tonight I saw Bud & Harry Orem. Bud was released Jan. 31 &
marched 200 miles across Poland. Got to Odessa came thru Dardanelles, Str.
of Messina to Naples, thru St. of Gibraltar to Boston. He looked well.
Sunday, May 6
Most of Germany has surrendered & we have over 5 million prisoners!
Monday, May 7
V-E day. It will be real victory when our boy, Rhoades, gets home safely.
Tuesday, May 8
I heard Pres. Harry Truman proclaim V-E. day at 7 o`clock. I mailed
to Rhoades Box 29 of juice. Heard King of Engl. & W. Koo in London.
I played bridge at Mrs. Crabbe`s with Ida May Cannon & Ila Evans.
Wednesday, May 9
Those treacherous Nazis are still killing Chechs in Prag. Got a letter
from Kathryn, but she hasn`t heard from Rhoades since I have. Cold and
raw.
Thursday, May 10
Got letter from Rhoades dated April 24 in Germany & he says farmers
and small towns have not suffered and they have good homes, & plenty
of food & clothing. I was so glad to hear from Rhoades, I hung out
our flag.
Monday, May 14
I got a V-mail from Rhoades in Germany dated May 4 & he said it
was red letter day as he had a hot water shower.
Thursday, May 17
Such a nice letter came from Rhoades in Germany, dated May 1. He had
received 9 packages from me the day before. He was living in a fancy Nazi
home then, quite modern.
Tuesday, May 22
A nice letter came from Rhoades written V-E. day. He wonders where
he`ll be going next.
Tuesday, May 29
Since G. I. Censorship is lifted greatly, Rhoades told me in a letter
today that he & W. Churchill went over on the ``Queen Mary`` &
landed in Firth of Clyde near Glasgow. Then south by train to near Swindon,
Engl. He flew to France, then near Bastogne in Belgium & ran into Siegfried
Line between Clewaux & Wilts in Luxembourg; Then to Chalous-sur-Marne
until the Rhine crossing. I went to both florists for carnations for Dan`s
grave. Got some new lavender ones. Worked at cemetery. I planted some nasturtiums.
Friday, June 22
At 2:30 I saw the Invasion Newsreel of the 17th Airborne Div. &
some of 101st in the Rhine Crossing & it gave me a great thrill to
think of Rhoades in the group. Glad Mr. Vincent got the film.
Sunday, June 24
18 weary months since my beloved Dan was taken.
Saturday, June 30
Infantry Day! The Infantry veterans arrived about noon with band from
Missouri. I enjoyed their weapons displayed at the Legion Hall & their
realistic show tonight at the Round-Up grounds. Saw bazooka, flame-thrower,
garand [M1 rifle], carbine, etc. Those who bought a $1,000 bond could fire
bazooka or machine gun.
Thursday, July 5
Rhoades` address is now Loire (France) D.T.C. A.P.O. 562--New York.
Kathryn thinks he will go to the South Pacific, but I do hope & pray
he can come home.
Sunday, July 8
The radio announced that the 17th Airborne would come home in September!
Goody.
Wednesday, July 18
I got an Air-Mail letter from Kathryn. Rhoades is in LeMans, France.
Friday, August 10
A sad V-mail from Rhoades tells of his unjust cruel court-martial for
killing 2 Germans. My God, they ought to be killed. This was their war.
He should be honored.
Friday, August 24
More mean thieves in our yard stealing.
Monday, August 27
I finished up my ``thank you`` notes & mailed tattered book markers
to Anna Frantz. Wrote to Assistant Judge Advocate General European Theater--A.P.O.
`887 -- N.Y.
Monday, September 3
I killed 337 grasshoppers, & planted my iris seed by the back fence.
Read most of the day & watered lawn. Killed 462 grasshoppers.
Tuesday, September 4
I got a letter from Rhoades in LeMans, France, dated Aug. 26. I wrote
my 3rd letter to Gen. Eisenhowser about R.
Thursday, September 13
I wrote to Sen. Chan Gurney for Rhoades. Ralph Arnold telephoned me
he would give high school credit for my Spanish pupils.
Friday, September 14
Got a letter from Rhoades dated Sept. 2 & one from Judge Advocate
General. R. told of a terribly mean cruel West Pointer named Lt. Col. David
P. Scharr Jr. who took the stand against him. I wrote to Sen. R. Taft.
I made grape juice.
Monday, September 17
I got letters from Sen. Chan Gurney & Pat Morrison, both encouraging.
Also one from Kathryn & chaplain C.O. Dutton.
Saturday, October 13
I got a letter from Rhoades, living in cold, unheated stone walls in
France. Also nice letter from Alta Y.
Monday, October 29
Got letters from Kathryn & Mrs. Gordon. Poor Rhoades has been treated
most unjustly.
Wednesday, October 31
Since it was Halloween I kept the house dark, muffled the bell &
sat in the bathroom reading.
Monday, November 5
I am writing again to that hard-boiled German Martinet Gen. D. Eisenhower.
Friday, November 9
I got a letter from Rhoades, dated Oct. 28 & still at LeMans, France.
Gen. Miley was for him. Food is good, he says. I got the Lord`s Prayer
in Latin from Father Domine Walsh.
Saturday, November 10
I mailed a box of candy & tobacco to Rhoades.
Tuesday, November 13
That Gen. D. Eisenhower is a regular Nazi rat, inhumane, brutal, unjust.
A letter from Rhoades, dated Oct. 21, says his division C. G. recommended
his sentence be suspended, but not Ike E. I bought a new brown sweater.
Thursday, November 15
I wrote again to Pres. Truman & Adjut. Gen. Alice B. curled my
hair & invited me to Thanksgiving dinner. I gave Chinese pencils to
all my pupils.
Friday, November 23
Got a letter from Rhoades who had received my 2 Christmas boxes but
they would not let him have his cribbage board! How mean!
Friday, November 30
A letter from Sen. C. Gurney & it sounds as if the War Dept. were
completely asinine & stupid!
Friday, December 14
9 degrees below tonight and still dropping. I hope Rhoades is well
& comfy. Christmas cards coming in.
Sunday, December 23
I bought $.61 worth of turkey & dressing from Mrs. Jensen`s "Coffee
Cup" but it was very tasteless.
Monday, December 31
Rhoades writes he hopes to be sent to the U.S. around Jan. 1. I surely
hope so! It is too cold for him there. Started a letter to Rhoades. Chicago
Tribune says U.S. has 3397 lieutenant Colonels & only 2295 second lieutenants.
``A Comic Opera Army`` of mostly West Pointers.
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