Three letters from Chester Dobbs to his mother and his girlfriend written while he was stationed at Marseilles and Brest, France at the end of World War I while serving in Company A of the 11th Regiment of the United States Marines. He reports on his activities at his duty stations, dances held for the troops, food service, and baseball games that keep everyone occupied as they all await their next orders. Most hope to go home, but Dobbs is realistic about the need for many to serve in occupied Germany and looks at the opportunities that could come along with an extended stay in Europe. Additionally, Dobbs makes a comparison to the segregated Marines food mess as compared to his own. His opinion is that the colored mess hall serves far better food than any other.