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Camp Campbell: Click to enlarge
Source: texashistory.unt.edu

At the time of the Allied invasion of France on the beaches of Normandy on 06 June 1944, Kenneth was still in the United States. His last letter to Elizabeth before the invasion was postmarked on 03 May. According to his return address, he was assigned to Co. "A," 47th Tank Battalion, 14th Armored Division, at Camp Campbell, Kentucky. In addition to POWs who arrived starting in 1943, Camp Campbell was home to the 12th Armored Division, the 20th Armored Division, and the 28 Yankee (infantry) division. The 1580th Service Command, a WAC unit, and the 4th Armored Corps were also assigned to Camp Campbell. Even though the 14th Armored Division is not mentioned in the installation history, Kenneth's letters indicate that he was assigned to the 14th Armored Division at Camp Campbell.

In a letter postmarked 29 May, Elizabeth received an invitation to the ‘ladies of the 14th Armored Division’ for a day of recreation on 06 June, which was sent from the Public Relations Office of the 14th Armored Division at Camp Campbell. Although not completely certain, it is highly likely that Kenneth was at Camp Campbell when D-Day began.

On 10 February 1944, the Division Officer's Training School was established at Camp Campbell.  In this training, all newly commissioned officers spent one week at a medium tank school, one week at a light tank school and one week at each artillery, engineer, and infantry schools.  During this time, they attended a night field class and two nights for classroom work.  In addition, they were instructed on washing tanks and greasing bogies (History of the 14th Armored Division, p. 27).   Apparently, Kenneth was assigned to the 14th AD for this additional training.

Sometime between 06 June and 03 July, Kenneth was reassigned to Ft. George Meade, Maryland.  Kenneth's 03 July letter shows his assignment of Co. "A" 5th Battalion, 2nd Regiment AGFRD #1 at Fort George Meade, MD. (note: AGFRD is an acronym for Army Ground Forces Replacement Depot).

Kenneth consistently conveyed his affection for Elizabeth in every letter he wrote, also discussing a variety of topics such as personal matters, his non-military activities, and specific military affairs. In these letters, Kenneth only expresses his love for her, while another recounts his encounters with mice in his bedroll. Additionally, he shares the news of receiving letters from a family friend and his sister. In two particular letters, Kenneth informs Elizabeth about the financial arrangements for her travel and a new censorship rule that forbids the inclusion of dates in his correspondence.