47 days to go! I reached out to local (France) historian, Phillipe Sugg, a quiet, modest man dedicated to keeping alive the history of the 79th Division; He has offered to be my guide including through the wooded countryside that was the fox-holed home to many in the 314th Infantry Regiment during its drive across France. With a large collection of American and German artifacts uncovered by local farmers, I am looking forward to his expertise opening my eyes to what would otherwise possibly be invisible to me!

Hello!  Welcome to my blog at the WW2 Letters of Private Melvin W. Johnson!  Father’s Day came this year with a special gift:  My wife is sending me on a trip to France, to follow in the footsteps, in the boots, of my Grandfather.  My Grandfather fought in WW2 with the 314th Infantry Regiment, 79th Infantry Division.  A co-worker, a fellow WW2 buff, suggested I keep a blog of the journey so here we are!  Let it begin!