Dear Mary: Letters Home from the 10th Mountain Division (1944-1945)

Dear Mary uses the wartime correspondence between Sydney M. Williams Jr. and his wife Mary to illuminate what World War II was like both on the battlefield and on the home front. Williams Jr. joined the American army in early 1944 and served in the 10th Mountain Division in Italy until his release in late 1945, exchanging letters with his beloved wife and family throughout his service.

The book is more than a simple compilation of letters. Sydney M. Williams III provides commentary that allows readers to follow the course of the 87th Regiment while in combat, drawing on existing literature about the 10th Mountain Division. The book also lists all the men who served in the 87th, preserving their memory for future generations.

The 10th Mountain Division, famous for its ski troops, fought in some of the most challenging terrain of the Italian campaign. Through the intimate lens of family correspondence, Dear Mary captures the fear, boredom, humor, and resilience of soldiers and their families during wartime, making history personal and immediate.