Letters from War – Checking in with the staff of the Press-Herald from Belgium, September 1944

The young soldier from Pine Grove, PA checked in with his former boss at the West Schuylkill Press-Herald in early fall 1944.

Letters from War – Dining with a French family before returning to the front lines, September 1944

A fascinating letter from Pfc. Irvin Schwartz about dining with a French family after liberation of their town.

Letters from War – A letter to the Schwartz family at home in Schuylkill County, August 1944

Irvin Schwartz's letter to his family in Schuylkill County was printed in the West Schuylkill Press-Herald in the summer of 1944.

Letters from War – Witnessing a massive bombing raid and fighting near Saint-Lô, 1944

In a letter to the West Schuylkill Press-Herald, Irvin Schwartz describes the chaos and carnage of a bombing raid in France.

Letters from War – Scenes at a joyous party in liberated Normandy, August 1944

As a French town fell to Irvin Schwartz's 26th Infantry Regiment, he documented the amusing scenes he witnessed among celebrating French civilians.

Letters from War – Receiving letters and picking up war souvenirs in France, July 1944

In this short letter from July 1944, Schwartz thanks the editor of the Press-Herald and comments on the souvenirs he picked up in France.

Letters from War – Reflections on D-Day and the fighting in Normandy, June 1944

Pfc. Irvin Schwartz wrote home to Schuylkill County in June 1944 to celebrate the work of his hometown newspaper in their coverage of D-Day.

Letters from War – A powerful Memorial Day letter on the eve of D-Day, 1944

In this remarkable letter, Pfc. Irvin Schwartz reflects on the meaning of Memorial Day on the eve of D-Day and his first experience in combat.

Letters from War – A description of the English countryside, 1944

A brief letter from Pfc. Irvin Schwartz to his former boss at the West Schuylkill Press-Herald in April 1944.

Letters from War – The West Schuylkill Press-Herald reports on a soldier’s 1944 visit to war-time London

The West Schuylkill Press-Herald summarized what Irvin Schwartz reported seeing in the bomb-damaged capital of Great Britain in March 1944.