Tagged With: Basic Training
Wait in Line
February 27, 1943. Dad gets a letter for Johnny Mudge. Dad and Johnny met at Camp Upton and became friends. Johnny is from Delmar, NY and is currently stationed at Ft. Monmouth in Red Bank, NJ where he is undergoing a 13 week training course to become a cable splicer. In his letter we get … Continue reading
I am Saying Good-bye to Miami Beach
February 10, 11 & 13, 1943. Dad is sending home some photos that were taken of him around camp. He notes that they were taken in the sun, so he is squinting a little bit. He also introduces us to Joe Demusis, a Lithuanian fellow that he met from Brooklyn who, like Dad is in … Continue reading
Have You Got the Army Under Control?
February 10 and 12, 1943. A letter from the office and a postcard from a friend. Before Dad left for the war, he worked at Interstate Plumbing Supply in Albany as an office clerk. We get the first letter from the gang at the office dated February 10, 1943. Six folks from the office write, … Continue reading
Keep on Writing
February 4th and 7th, 1943. A few letters from Dad to home. Dad has guard duty on the 4th. It consists of running the elevator from 10 PM to midnight. He admits that it is an easier assignment than having to guard around the buildings like some of the other guys have to do. Of … Continue reading
Garland Hall
The letters are starting to come with in increased frequency. Everybody is writing nearly every other day. Sometimes there is more time between the letters and at other times Dad is writing every day. Most of what is discussed in the letters is starting to get routine (health, day to day things, etc.) and Stanley … Continue reading
If You Just Think About Poland, That’s Enough
January 27, 28 and 30, 1943. Dad writes home. The suitcase that his mom sent has arrived and it has been stuffed with all that he asked for and even more. “I would like to thank you for the candy and cookies but please do not send any more in such great quantities as it … Continue reading
Our Beach Patrols Have Itchy Trigger Fingers
January 24, 1943. Sunday evening. Dad writes home. They are given Sundays off and he had an opportunity to check out the city and the beach. “However, we do not dare go out at night to the beach as our Beach (night) Patrol has itchy trigger fingers, and you yourself have heard of things happening … Continue reading
If You Want to be a Gunner They Make You a Welder
January 20, 1943. Dad reports a slow day during which they are being classified. He learns that he is being placed in the ordinance department and believes they will be assigned to the Air Corps. He is disappointed that he was not assigned to radio work, but instead is being classified as a clerk (stenographer) … Continue reading
An Eyefilling Panorama
January 19, 1943. Dad is settling into Army life in Miami Beach and his taste buds are adjusting. He is “getting along fine” and “the food here is at times somewhat better.” The big news of the day is that in the afternoon they got their gas masks and an extra summer uniform complete with … Continue reading