Letters to "Frosty"
Even though there is an insignificant amount of information regarding Stephen F. Vayda, there have been two letters addressed to Forest D. Glass, otherwise known as "Frosty", which one can assume was Stephen's very close friend. In these specific letters, the reader notices that Stephen is located in a southern location as he says to Frosty, "the folks up north". He discusses how his "platoon" had to take a D-test, which was given to see if the various platoons were qualified in their positions. He addresses the fact that he had the opportunity to take the position as the platoon sergeant, replacing his sergeant, Sgt. Cascardes. He mentions several other people, including Henry Reed and Sergeant Vaughan. He states how he believes that Henry Reed will take over his position as sergeant when he returns from "demolition school". He mentions some boys fighting over on the beachheads as well. From this specific letter, the heading has the words "Headquarters Company, 2nd Battalion, 176th Infantry, and Fort Benning, Georgia.
In the second letter entitled to "Frosty", Vayda discusses his night excursion to the bowling alley with some fellow comrades. He also mentions how they went to the movies and saw "This is the Army" in Washington D.C. the night before. President Roosevelt was also in attendance that same night at the movies. He discusses how several men transferred to the "air boys", which is why the replacements that his regiment received were known as the "flunkies from the paratroopers" He talks about the various sports teams that his "outfit" has established, such as a football and baseball team. He mentions his brother, who fought in Sicily. In closing the letter, he explains to Frosty how harsh "army life" was. He thought it was too "monotonous" and wished that it would just conclude.
Below are two copies of the letters addressed to "Frosty"
In the second letter entitled to "Frosty", Vayda discusses his night excursion to the bowling alley with some fellow comrades. He also mentions how they went to the movies and saw "This is the Army" in Washington D.C. the night before. President Roosevelt was also in attendance that same night at the movies. He discusses how several men transferred to the "air boys", which is why the replacements that his regiment received were known as the "flunkies from the paratroopers" He talks about the various sports teams that his "outfit" has established, such as a football and baseball team. He mentions his brother, who fought in Sicily. In closing the letter, he explains to Frosty how harsh "army life" was. He thought it was too "monotonous" and wished that it would just conclude.
Below are two copies of the letters addressed to "Frosty"