Fred Shy was born August 23, 1890 in Lawrenceberg, Indiana. He was a skilled laborer employed by Bishop Saw Works. He was described as being short and slender with blue eyes and black hair. He enlisted December 11, 1917. He was a corporal in the 14th Co 4th Mechanized Regiment. He sailed for Europe on July 15, 1918. He returned to the U.S. aboard the USS Calamares which left St. Nazaire June 27, 1919 and discharged July 22, 1919. After the war he worked various jobs including machinist and tool cutter
After the war, Fred and Anna would marry and have a daughter Anna born n 1924. When they went to courthouse to obtain a marriage license on January 9, 1920. Fred asked for a license and was given a hunting license. The mistake was not discovered until they arrived at the church to be wed. The Reverend who was to marry them called the marriage license bureau informing them of the mistake. The proper credentials were issued after which the ceremony proceeded. Fred died August 30, 1958 in Dayton, Ohio and was buried in Woodland Cemetery. Anna died December 4, 1973.
St. Nazaire France
Sun morn May 11, 1919
Dear Anna, –
Just got back from breakfast a little while ago and thought I would start my letter to you. Wrote you a letter Thursday eve. Today is Mother’s Day but I wrote my letter last night. I stayed in Friday eve and was over to the Y last night. There was a colored band over there and they were real good. I did not stay for the movies. Yesterday was one of the warmest days we have had. We took a short hike in the afternoon along the beach and then most of us went in swimming. The air and sand was nice and warm but the water was pretty cold. You should only stay in for a short time. When the water gets warm it will be fine. Is the drilling all afternoon. If we are lucky we might be home in July but do not know anything for sure. We have not been paid yet. Perhaps we will get paid Mon or Tues eve. Hope so. The boys in the shop have gotten together a ball team and are going to play a team from another camp this afternoon. It is cloudy this morning so I do not know if we will have a nice day or not. Do not know yet what I will do this afternoon. There are lots of flowers here and everything is sure pretty now. I would sure like to be home this spring. Nothing to write about this morning so will put my letter away and write some more after a while. Sure wish I was going to spend today with you. Sun eve about seven bells received your postals of Ap 28 and 29th today at noon. Also a short letter from Billie. Our ball team sugar tea this afternoon 12 to 0. I want to see my French friends for a few hours this afternoon. Our ball grounds are right near their home and we watch the game and the people going by from their backyard. It is cloudy today and sprinkling a little this afternoon. Suppose I will get a letter from you in a few days. Nothing new here to write about. Sure hate to have to stay over here and miss half the summer at home. We could sure he’s having some dandy times these days. Guess I will try and find a book to read the rest of the evening. This is not much of a letter for Sunday I do not know of anything to tell you today. Sure hope we do not have to wait many more months for our good times. Best wishes to all and love to my pal
Pete
”Pastor could not Make one on this Blank” ,The Dayton Herald Sat, Jan 10, 1920, Page 2.