LETTERS FROM THE FRONT.
Walter McElvain was drafted and inducted into the U.S. Army at Bloomington, Indiana in 1943. In 1944 he was sent overseas. Private McElvain had a degree in journalism from Indiana University, where he had been a member of Sigma Delta Chi honorary fraternity, Delta Chi social fraternity and captain of the IU mens tennis team. In civilian life he was a newspaperman in Bloomington. A soldier with the Army's 44th Infantry Division, Signal Company, he wrote letters home describing his experiences in the Allied invasion of France and Germany.
Walter disliked the army and his letters complain about rain, mud, cold, loneliness, and homesickness. He also complained about the lack of freedom as a soldier in World War Two --- freedom of expression, freedom of movement. He told about the army censors who had to review his letters before they could be mailed home. Because of censorship, most of his letters contained little information, discussing weather and personal matters. Nevertheless, I found some interesting letters, and after a few months the army began to lift censorship as it was apparent the Allies were winning the war.
Click on the links below to view the letters. I have also added some related web links at the end of this page.
Bill McElvain
2018 E. Redfield Rd.
Tempe, AZ 85283-3330
480-831-2815
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War Department Pamphlet No. 21-2 29 July 1943
Writing Home -- Ten Prohibited Subjects
1. Don't write military information of Army units - their location, strength, material, or equipment.
2. Don't write of military installations.
3. Don't write of transportation facilities.
4. Don't write of convoys, their routes, ports (including ports of embarkation or disembarkation), time enroute, naval protection, or war incidents occuring enroute.
5. Don't disclose movements of ships, naval or merchant, troops, or aircraft.
6. Don't mention plans or forecasts or orders for future operations, whether known or just your guess.
7. Don't write about the effects of enemy operations.
8. Don't tell of any casualty until released by proper authority and then only by using the full name of the casualty.
9. Don't attempt to formulate or use a code system, cipher, or shorthand, or any other means to conceal the true meaning of your letter. Violations of this regulation will result in severe punishment.
10. Don't give your location in any way except as authorized by proper authority. Be sure nothing you write about discloses a more specific location than the one authorized.
