“… you know Mom it’s great to be alive in spite of the fact that sometimes things look dark and regardless of how dark things get you’ll always find a bright spot. And leave it to me to look for that silver lining.” –January 9, 1944
On January 1, Bill leaves with the 337th aboard the HMS Andes and arrives in Casablanca, North Africa, on January 8. The 337th is stationed at nearby Camp Don B Passage. Shortly thereafter they depart by rail, traveling about 500 miles and arriving on January 16 at St. Denis du Sig near Oran, Algeria.
Eva and May finish WAC basic training and are transferred to Camp Pinedale near Fresno, California.
On the US Front:
- In Oran, North Africa, Army defeats Navy 10-7 in football’s first “Arab Bowl.”
- Louis Armstrong, Benny Goodman, Lionel Hampton, Artie Shaw, Roy Eldridge and Jack Teagarden perform together in the first jazz concert held at New York City’s Metropolitan Opera House.
- Leonard Bernstein’s “Jeremiah,” premieres in Pittsburgh.
- Congress passes the GI Bill of Rights, first proposed by the American Legion. More formally known as the Servicemen’s Readjustment Act of 1944, the Bill was intended to smooth demobilization for America’s almost 16 million servicemen and women. Postwar college and vocational school attendance soared as more than 50 percent of honorably discharged veterans took advantage of education benefits of up to $500 a year for tuition, plus a living allowance. When they returned home to marry and start families in record numbers, veterans faced a severe housing shortage.
- Norwegian painter and hopeless alcoholic Edvard Munch dies. His works included “Kiss by the Window” (1892), “The Scream” (1893) and “Self Portrait With Cigarette” (1895).
On the War Front:
- The Red Army enters Poland.
- The first Battle of Monte Cassino begins when the British X Corps attacks along the Garigliano river at the western end of the German Gustav Line.
- The Royal Air Force drops 2,300 tons of bombs on Berlin.
- The U.S. Army 36th Infantry Division suffers heavy losses during an attempt to cross the Rapido River in Italy.
- Landing at Anzio in Italy and commanded by American Major General John P. Lucas, the Allies begin Operation Shingle. They hope to break the stalemate in south Italy, but are unable to break out of the beachhead and the line holds until late May.
January 1, 1944
Dear Mother
Just a line mother to say that I am well and enjoying my trip very much. Am convinced that I would rather be a sailor anytime than a soldier. The boat ride has been swell, only no work to do and not enough chow. Will write more later.
Give my love to all and good luck.
Bill
January 9, 1944 — North Africa
Dear Mom
Just a few lines at this time mother to say a cheery Hello to you & every one at home. As usual I hope everyone is well & Happy because you know Mom it’s great to be alive in spite of the fact that sometimes things look dark and regardless of how dark things get you’ll always find a bright spot. And leave it to me to look for that silver lining. The Fighting, Laughing Irish.
Lots of Love always
Bill
PS Mom please put in my package a bunch of wax candles the six inch size. Bye now.
January 28, 1944 — North Africa
Dear Mom
Just a line mom to say that I’m well and still able to kick. Just finished eating a good supper so I feel like I can sit in the corner and growl with the rest of the bull dogs. How’s everyone at home these days. And tell me what everyone is doing. I trust you are all well. So far I can’t complain about anything. Am enjoying life as well as can be expected. I’d give $10.00 for a letter from my gal friend though, or from any one at home. Gee, I’ll bet its been a month and a half since I’ve heard from Ardis. But I guess all I need is a lot of patience and one of these days my mail will all catch up with me. And will I have a good time reading up.
Bye now with love to all and write soon
Bill
ww2letterproject 
Just found these letters and this site. I have my Uncle Bill’s photo with all his awards and decorations in my office at Fort Lee Virginia (courtesy of my Dad Sam Banis). My Soldiers are fascinated with his picture and ask about him all the time they are all PVTs, and PFCs in the Army. I look at the picture every day before I take charge of my Company formations and just wish
I could have gotten a chance to meet him. To all the Banis family members who read this that have ever served or are still serving in the military thanks for all you do and what you sacrifice each and every day.
1SG Matthew T. Banis
832 Ordnance Battalion (Bravo Company)
Fort Lee, Virginia
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Victor, were you stationed at Ft Benning? What was your MOS during your enlistment. Your Uncle Victor was in the trenches during WW1 and they state that he never recovered from it. Still trying to find out what happened to his wife Sadie and his daughter Albertina. When I served with the brown water Navy during Vietnam 68 – 69 I never wrote about what was going on to my family so they would not worry more than they already were.
Ron
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I wonder which dominated Bill’s thoughts, the “dark”or the “silver lining.”Certainly he would emphasize the latter in a letter to his mother to avoid fueling her fears and perhaps his own.
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I wonder if he knew what was in store for him – at times it sound s like he does
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