Donald Rae and Harold William joined the Army in February of 1943 and were in the service until December of 1945. During their stay of duty they were in the same battalion and occasionally got to see each other. They served in the North African campaign and in the Battle of the Bulge.

The following is a letter from Don to his Aunt Jennie Paige:

Somewhere in North
Africa Nov. 30, 1943

Dear Folks,

I am sorry that I didn't get around to write sooner but lately I have been pretty busy. I want to thank you for the swell package that I received from you on Nov. 24. I surely enjoyed everything that was in it. Gifts coming from the good old US surely are appreciated over here, as buying anything over here is impossible. I am sorry that I was unable to return the kindness by sending all of you something, but I couldn't even get over three X-mas cards to send and those were made up on a V-mail blank. But next year I hope that I will be in a better condition to do more about X-mas. I have received ten packages so far and boy they sure come in handy over here.

As you probably know by now, Harry and I aren't together anymore. Although I get to see him about every two weeks, which is better than not at all. We are going to try and get together X-mas day, but I don't know whether we can or not.

The weather here this time of the year is real warm, but gets rather chilly at nite. We all made some stoves out of 5 gallon cans so that helps out a little. I suppose that you had a nice Thanksgiving didn't you? We had a very nice dinner which included turkey, mashed potatoes with gravy, dressing, string beans, bread and butter (American), dates, coffee, pumpkin pie, and candy. So you can see about how we ate that day. There is only one thing that we regret and that is it's too bad that Thanksgiving don't come more often.

How did the hunting go this year, Bud? I sure missed those swell pheasant dinners but I'll get my share next year.

I heard that Uncle Tom was sent to Texas but I don't know what camp. Texas had ought to be a good place to be during the winter but I'd hate to spend another summer there.

Well, it is getting time that I was going to chow so will sign off. Thanks again for the swell package as I enjoyed it very much.

Write when you can!
Love, Don

Don and Ruth have been married for more than 50 years and have lived in Owosso, Michigan and Knoxville, Tennessee.