[Transcription begins]A. French, Jr. SK1cUSS LST 349c/o Fleet Post OfficeNew York, N. Y. February 4th, 1944.Somewhere in Italy. Dear Friends, I have just received your splendid Christmas gift and it was a most welcome surprise. I am going to put that sweater to good use as it is quite cold here at night and it will come in darn handy on those gun watches. We were in the recent invasion at Anzio north of our lines and 30 miles south of Rome. It was a complete military success and will probably be the climax in Italy. Also received your V-Mail letter dated Nov. 8th and addressed to the USS LST 208. We exchanged ships and are now at the above addess. Appreciated the letter very much and your kind thoughts of me on Christmas Day. You sure ...