Chapter 26

More Field Maneuvers

Dad is on field maneuvers somewhere in Tennessee. It seems they are not camped in one area but are moving from day to day. Dad is expecting to be in the field for another seven weeks.  It is cold out and Dad is spending a lot of time trying to figure out how to stay warm, praying for the weather to warm.

Quartermaster Insignia Quartermaster Museum, Virginia

22 November 1943, Postmarked Nashville, Tennessee

Hi Sweet, How’s everything now? I hope you are twice as warm as I. If you’re not for God’s sake put more clothes on. I’m afraid to go for fear I won’t have anything to put on when it gets cold. I think I have everything on now but a couple of pairs of socks. If my shoes were bigger I’d put them on. It has started warming up again though. So that won’t be so bad. As I said yesterday it was going to be a bad night. Well I prepared myself for it and was quite comfortable. I dug a hole about 1 foot wider than my bed roll and 3 feet longer and about 1 foot deep than put leaves in about 3 inches then my bed roll and then I staked my shelter half over that and put dirt around the edges so no wind could get in. I slept warm except my feet and they got kind of chilly. Of course I just took my fatigue jacket and sweat shirt off and left pants and socks on. I guess I’ll have to leave the rest on tonight. But then we can’t all be warm or we wouldn’t have anything to talk about the next day. It sure did frost and freeze though. It froze the dirt that I had took out of the hole last night. It looked about like snow on the ground this morning. I guess cookies would be good for Xmas. And I could do away with them easy enough. But I sure couldn’t do with anything that couldn’t be disposed with. 

Dad sounds like he made himself a fine little bed.  Good thinking Dad, I bet a lot of others took a lesson from him.

Gosh honey how can I keep up with you. Your [sic] going to church I mean. Here I haven’t been to church service since I came out there and probably wont [sic] go again until I get back if I have to go to the G.I. Church. They are OK but I don’t like them. No none of the radiators were hurt on the trucks. Lucky. It could have broken them all though. They are sure getting a beating here. Man it is awful. Can’t be helped though. Want to come down and have thanksgiving turkey with me. We are suppose [sic] to have 1 pound apiece. And I’m sure I wont eat that much. We’ll hold it over until Friday. We are anyway. I guess we can’t call the war off long enough for Thanksgiving so we are postponing our dinner if it isn’t any warmer. Now you better bring an Ice Pick along. Its hot when you get it but is cold soon after. Of course I don’t know. But maybe we will on desert maneuvers. Sounds warm doesn’t it? Its about time for me to stop now darling. I love you lots. I only wish I could explain how much. But its late. So for now my sweet I’ll say goodbye and I love you. All my love, your Lefty.

Grandma Susie was always big on going to church so I have to assume that when he was stationed in California he accompanied them one Sunday.

Viola, Vance and Rose Wikoff 1940′s

I guess it does not matter when they get the turkey as long as they get a day to celebrate. But as Dad says, “you can’t call the war off long enough for Thanksgiving.”  What about that pound of turkey? How many turkeys would it take to give each soldier there a pound of turkey? Someone has a lot of cooking to do.

25 November

Well hows [sic] my little lady this nice cool day. If she isn’t good state all the facts and I’ll send a pill. I haven’t heard whether we are going to have warm weather or cold. In the daytime it seems like it is going to be swell then at night she cools off and God how it does get cold. It sure sprung a leak last night though. It really got cold. Bob and I went to bed at about 7:00 and the last thing I remember Bob saying was he’d bet it was about 10 below out.  It wasn’t of course but it was cold. Me I wouldn’t know. I had three blankets the cape of my bed roll and a shelter half over my head and did I sleep warm. Boy I sure did. Of course between the top of my bed roll and the shelter half I had leaves piled so they were over me also. Even then this morning I had to knock the frost off to get out. By tomorrow though this problem should be over and we’ll be able to have fires again. Boy that will be nice. Then Bob and I can come back and sleep here instead of out on a machine gun emplacement. That will be more fun too. We only went out there to keep from driving and no one has driven so we got duped. We have a rifle inspection about any minute now. So I have to go to see about cleaning this rifle for that. Well that wasn’t bad. We also had our machine guns inspected. You see we got a new Lt. Lt. Moser and he seems to be a darn nice fellow.

From Marvin Cain’s Scrapbook- Mr. Moser is one of theses soldiers

I found an Ernest Moser from Richville, Michigan on the 1945 Roster. I also found a Mr. Moser on Find a Grave.

(Visit Mr. Moser’s Find a Grave memorial by clicking here)

Anyway we only got him this morning and up to now he has all the men in the platoon for him. Sure hope he does not change. We could certainly use a good egg for awhile. Say Honey remind me to ask you to marry me about 7 times a day when we finish maneuvers. If you didn’t want to get married you should have said that. Because sweet if we get into a place where theres [sic] a chance of staying I’m going to want to. And believe me I have wanted to for some time. I don’t know what I could have said before that made you think I didn’t want you to come down. Because Honey I certainly did.  Only I was a little worried about getting along until we got our allotment through. But honey some (unreadable) Pvts are making it. Why can’t we? Did I tell you I got my first bond last month. I have an allotment and will get one every three months. That a long time but every little helps. And maybe in 10 years we will need that. Dad is putting $10 a month in the bank for me also. As I say every little bit helps. I hope you have a swell Thanksgiving. We sure will. I mean would if the Army would furnish something to break it up with after it freezes. It cools off to soon. I guess we will live though. Because we usually do. Honey who writes less and says no more than I. I know I don’t make much sense when I write but I haven’t anything to start with. Hope you don’t mind to [sic] much. Didn’t think you would. I love you my darling. I guess you’re the little woman for me also. Because I can’t stand to be around any others. It just isn’t right so I just stay home and save my money for us. And that isn’t much. I do love you darling and always will. All my love, your Lefty.

I remember Dad talking about how cold it was when he was overseas. It is a good thing they are doing these maneuvers but I don’t think they will ever be prepared for when they get into the snow overseas.

Camp Overseas

26 November

Well here is the fire side chat again. I haven’t been busy today but we moved last night and had to set up housekeeping. We are sure in a nice area as far as camping is concerned. But as a camouflage cover it isn’t so good. But we are making the best of it. I didn’t have time to write yesterday. The first problem ended Wednesday afternoon and you should have seen the fires go on that night. Then the order came that we were to move early Thursday. We sure did. We loaded about 2:00 and pulled out at 6:00. It was 22 miles one way to this area and 66 another. We took the long way and it was 12:00 when we got here and were we dirty and tired. We first rolled out on the ground and put in a horrible nights sleep. This morning we looked over this situation and believe me in the summer time it would be swell. I guess I should finish this now. I finally decided last night that I couldn’t see so I quit. This damn fine place we have doesn’t give much light. I don’t have to worry about my Beep now. We loaned it to the supply Sgt last night and someone swiped it. He had it parked in town in front of a café. And I guess someone drove off with it. When it was reported to the M.P’s this morning they just laughed and said it might turn up in a couple of weeks and then it may never turn up. So now I am free from it. Goody, Goody. Gosh honey one morning sleep and they have a formation and there I was. Well anyway I sure wasn’t in the correct uniform to fall right in. After such a time I make it through. Well how would you like to fall in your underwear. No-well I didn’t either. So I didn’t. Well honey I guess we should take up knitting. But it would take a lot of coaxing to get any yarn out here. So I take nature at its course and whittle. That sure is a pass time. But you never get nothing out of it.

Some of Dad’s wood carvings

After the war and when Dad retired he picked whittling back up. I loved his whittling and proudly display some of his work. It is so much more meaningful now that Dad is gone.

I tried making knives and still would. But the ordnance took our torch away and we can’t do any welding. So we have to waite [sic] on that. The candy business was OK only I ate up all the profit. So I sold that out. I guess I’m just a worn out business man. Taking up sleeping as a side line now. The USO Wagon is in the area and is going to show a picture after a while. “Stormy Weather”

According to Wikipedia “Stormy Weather is a 1943 American musical film produced and released by 20th Century Fox. The movie is considered one of the best Hollywood musicals produced in 1943 with African-American casts.”

(Click here to see Lena Horne perform the song, Stormy Weather  from the Movie)

I have seen it though so I guess I’ll have an (unreadable) Gosh honey I guess I love you heaps and heaps and really do with I could be wish you. Its [sic] really nice to have you say you love me. I just read and reread your letters and wish there were 10 instead of one. OK Honey I wish this was over so we could be together. I have never wanted anything so much in all my life. I love you so much Darling. Wish maneuvers were over and you were on your way here or where I was. Only 7 weeks but it seems like 10 years are ahead of us. I must stop now Honey. Its [sic] getting to dark to write and the fire is about out. So with all my love my darling sweetheart. I’m yours, Lefty.

29 November

Hi Honey, How’s the future Mrs. Woodside this fine afternoon. It is swell too. Although a fire sure feels good when you are sitting around. But if you are up and moving you hardly need nothing  extra. We have been hoping that we would stay here for another weekend but the order came that we move to a new area at 7:00 in the morning. So now we start making preparations for that. They won’t be much though. We haven’t been here long enough. Bob went to town to church again this morning. I went out here to a field chapel. Not because I wanted to but could find no excuse to fall out. It didn’t hurt me any and it was short so we didn’t freeze.  I would like to go to church but hate the GI set up. I guess our kids are doomed to be poor writers. I know I can’t write for s___ and although you do much better we both could stand improvement. Or as you say buy them a typewriter. But I think they are doomed. There sure isn’t much to write about only I love you. I went to the USO show last night and almost froze my feet but it was good even if it was the second time I had seen it. We came back here and built a fire and then went to bed. And did I sleep. Boy I guess I just died. But this morning I heard someone call “Lets[sic] go third platoon” So I thought everyone was up. I rushed into my clothes and got down here in time to build the fire. The first Sgt had called from the Cpt. It was time we were up anyway. There still hasn’t been anything done about my beep.  I still have hopes that they won’t find it and probably they won’t. Say you want to watch Herman. He will be turning into a bubble dancer eating all of those bubbles and that’s no place for a man.  Thinks of his understanding my gosh lady. We can’t even do a strip tease out here without getting laughed at.  I guess the Army must have held that letter. I think I mailed it before I left Rucker. Where it went from there I don’t know. I was in hopes it would get to you before that. We had one man caught for speeding the other night. He was busted and also the man riding with him. You see when you are caught speeding out here every non-com in the truck is busted and if you aren’t so lucky the driver will get 6 months. But first you are taken right to the stockade. And a field officer or above has to get you out. Then proceedings start Thats not bad because the army is just hurry and waite [sic]. So why hurry so much you just have to waite [sic]. When one brings up what I was when a baby always reminds me of things gone bye. And I wasn’t such a good one either. I used to cry when Mom left and wouldn’t take me. God how I would cry. I usually won the argument though and got to go along. I guess I was the baby in our family too.

This is the only thing I remember my dad talking about referring to his childhood, other than to tell of nursing his mom before she passed away when he was 16 and that was never a good memory for him.

I had to help dig a latrine so now I will try to continue this maybe it will be better or worse after finishing that I went for a hike though the woods. I was looking for that cave everyone talked about. I didn’t find it but found several small ones. And a few cracks in the rock you couldn’t see the bottom in. Well honey this about ends another day. Just one more day gone and one closer to when I will see you.  You say I should go home on my next furlough. What about you? How would I see you then? I certainly wouldn’t go unless you were coming out or something. A furlough without you darling wouldn’t be worth much. So believe me either you come out home or I come out there. I love you my darling and want to be with you so home doesn’t count. Besides I haven’t anything at home. I must stop for sure now. So I am always you’re my Darling and love you, your Lefty

It had to be a tough decision.  They got engaged in July and have not seen each other since. To have to make a decision over seeing his ailing father or see his betrothed, who he has not seen since July must be a hard choice.  The big question is will he really get a furlough?

Lefty

We have finally come to the end of the first row of letters in the suitcase. It is hard to get to the next row as they are still tied with the ribbon my mom lovingly tied with her own hands. Although they are in chronological order by stack I still have to go through them after I take the ribbon off and see what we have. So it sounds like I have a job to get to.

© 2012 notsofancynancy

Ernest Moser, Robert Winter,

Letters Written by Campfires

Campfire

Chapter 25

Dad has been stationed at Camp Rucker since March 1943 training to be sent overseas. That is eight months in Alabama. He has only been able to visit Mom in California one time in all those months which is when he asked her to marry him, back in July. She said yes and their only correspondence since then has been through these letters. Dad is headed back to Tennessee for more field maneuvers. It has been cold enough to freeze and the last convoy of trucks that went there had many mechanical problems.  I hope they got all the kinks ironed out.

The next batch of letters are postmarked in Tennessee.

14 November 1943,

Dearest Vi, Gosh honey I thought sure there would be a letter today. Because now it will be a week before I get any mail and probably a couple weeks before I have a lot of time to write. So you can have your choice you can write or stop. I am not going to waste much time at it because it’s going to be darn cold. Besides it’s getting to be old shit my doing it all (the letter writing) . Sooooo. We had to work today and was it ever a dreary day. Gosh it went so slow. I really didn’t know what to do with myself. I couldn’t find a place to sleep and had to wander around all day. I guess I’m about as tired as we were yesterday though. I almost feel asleep writing.

It seems it is hurry up and wait with the Army. I am told this hasn’t changed much.

We had a meeting at 7:30 this morning and what a meeting. The Top Kick was the main speaker and all he did was repeat what we had heard a million times. But the Co. (Colonel) was there to see that he did it so we had to listen. Say you had better forget what I said about buying things for after awhile. It seems the more money I send home the more in the hole I get. By the time I get out of this one I’ll be an old man.

Dad and Bob Winter

In the last chapter Dad’s buddy Robert “Bob” Winter’s girl Madeline bought them a bedroom set for when they get married. Dad had thought it was a grand idea and said so to Mom in a letter.

There isn’t much to write about. We leave at 8 tomorrow and that isn’t news anymore. I guess we get up at 4:00 though-have to clean the barracks a little better. We had a Medics Ins (inspection) of the barracks today and they brought around about 40 officers to do it. We had to get out so they could get in. It didn’t suit them. It had to be a little cleaner. I think every officer took one crack and found a little dirt in it so we had a lot of work to do over. I have my barrack bag packed and is it ever heavy and full too. God its [sic] packed so you can’t even press it in. There is sure a lot in it. Its [sic] about time I put a halt to this old chatter and close my correspondence for awhile. Don’t be surprised at anything I do. Because once I make up my mind its [sic] hard to change. And right now I have a lot on it. So for now Good Nite[sic] my Darling. Love always, Lefty.

He must have written this back at Camp Rucker before they left.  In the last chapter he writes he had sent a lot of stuff home to Nebraska including a lot of pictures he had. I wonder what all is in that his barracks bag.

20 November

Gosh honey here I go. I’m not sure how this is going to turn out. You see I am writing by what light I get from a bond [sic] fire. And that isn’t much. Playing Lincoln that’s me. But out here you just can’t reach up and pull a cord. Maybe you can but all you get is the moon. Also you can’t reach up and close the window. This is life though. At least we can look around and see some rocks. And not all sand. That’s something and I don’t mean maybe. As for the weather its warm now or has warmed up. The first couple of days we sure put on the clothes. But now we have taken them off again. Even my long handles have came off. The first morning there was snow here though. Didn’t last long though. Monday starts our first problem and we go for 4 day. If we have any time left then we get to rest and work on the trucks. Then the following Sunday nite (sic) starts the ball rolling again. So on for 8 weeks. If we don’t make it we go on desert maneuvers and this is the first winter maneuvers we have had.

Dad Overseas

I wonder what he means by “If we don’t make it we go on desert maneuvers.”  If they don’t make it through these field maneuvers, or fail some kind of test? If it is November the field maneuvers in the desert would be much warmer, at least.

I am back in the knife business again. Bob and I have acquired three more emery stones and some old files. So we are on the loose. We have one complete that should clear all of our expenses and have a couple dollars profit. It’s a throwing knife. I have been offered $3.00 for it but its[sic] worth $7.00 it is. If anyone wants it otherwise I keep it. We have two more almost done and they should be about the same price. I want one for my own though.  In all our expenses were $5.07. So you see it doesn’t take long to make that back but we have our works to add to that. Anyway Honey we keep damn busy and the time goes faster. Oh! Sweetheart I have the candy bars now you have to get the cigars. No I was only fooling. I do have two boxes of bars though.  You see I buy them for $.05 and sell them for $.10. Of course I haven’t made any sellers yet but waite [sic] until we hit those problems (field maneuvers) then they will come running. Where there is a will there is a way. I’m in the business…. Gosh I must be color blind. I didn’t know I wrote with pink ink. It probably was some that was mixed up. I was using someone elses [sic] pen.

Funny to note Dad was color blind, but I did not find any letters written in pink. I did not know this until my sister got married about 1981 and Dad wanted Mom to wear her green dress which was actually very blue with no green at all.

I guess you don’t want to see me very bad. You said you were saving $.03 every time you sent me a regular letter. That means $4.68 a year and it will cost about 90.00 to come down here. That’s .09 a week. I guess I should add my .18 a week or .06 a letter.  Of course I’ll have to let it add up so I can send a bill. But it’s a deal. I’ll start making now. I just got roasted on one side so I turned around to cook the other. Bob seems to getting up again. He isn’t so bad. I have been keeping him busy so his mind hasn’t had time to think about her (his girl Madeline). He gets down once in a while though and does he wish (he could be with her)

Robert Winter and Charles Lance, France

I sure hope someday Robert Winters family is able to read this. I have found his and Madeline’s graves on Find a Grave and left messages to contact me. I guess that is all I can do.

(Visit his Find a Grave memorial by clicking here)

My watch keeps swell time honey. I really like it. I don’t think I could get a long without it. If it isn’t one thing it is another. While I was working yesterday a piece of the emery flew in my eye and now I can’t get it out. Neither can the Dr. He got part of it today and I have to go back tomorrow. See what you are getting to marry. I wrote and asked Dad how he would like to come out there. In case I receive a furlough and had to pass through home. He said he didn’t know. Boy am I even in a hole now. Perhaps it can even be arranged though. I guess things just aren’t right. I must close now my sweetheart. Guess what? I love you very very much honey. There isn’t any moon out now but if you were here honey what good would a moon be anyway. I love you sweet. All my love, your Lefty.

What a hard choice to make to go to Nebraska to see his father or to California to see his fiance. They have not seen each other since the beginning of his stay at Camp Rucker in July 1943.

21 November

Here is your fireside chat for tonight. Only this one is kind of one eyed. You see I went back to the Medics this afternoon and Captain Maer worked me over. He deadened the nerves and then really went to work. He got what he was after though and instead of being what I thought it was it was a piece of wood. Man did he ever do a good job. I’ll bet he was a swell Dr. in civilian life. Except for going back in the morning to get this d___ patch taken off I’ll be OK again. It is kinda sore though but that will be well tomorrow the piece was only as large as a pin point. I sure like your stationary. Its [sic] nice. Its swell to hear from you too. Gosh for awhile I thought maybe you had found someone else. But now. Well your guess that s it. I love you.  Gosh don’t tell me you took that picture to work with you. Man you took an awful chance.  If someone around here would do something as bad or that they would give them a sections 8 (nuts) Darling you make me feel so proud when you say that you find you can have lots of fun being good and waiting. I think your [sic] so sweet. I can hardly waite [sic] until I can see you. If I ever get 10 sec sleep again I think I’ll die. We get to bed early enough but have to wake up every half hour and roll around to wake up our limbs so we can go to sleep again. We are finally getting used to it though. Now the problems start and we will be awake 9/10 of the time on them. Honey mind if I kind of bring this to a happy ending by saying I love you lots and lots. I can only see about half of what I’m doing and besides I’m getting tired. I love you sweet. All my love, your Lefty.

He keeps using the term “problems.”  What it seems to me is they are out in the field and doing the Army thing when a such and such problem happens and they have to figure out how to deal with the problem.

Vi and Grandpop 1940′s, Pasadena

22 November

Well this isn’t quite a fire side chat tonight. We can’t have a fire damn it.

They must have been operating under black out conditions. With all our electrical devices now how would that feel? What would it feel like to have to do everything in the dark? Back when Dad was in California they had lots of black outs. I can remember Dad talking about a time when he was in Fort Ord, California and they had to drive the trucks out into the woods each night to hide them. This was shortly after Pearl Harbor was bombed. Then in Grandpop’s letters he talks about civilian blackouts. I bet a lot of people were scared.

This is quite a day. I had no more than finished your letter than the wind came up and did it ever turn cold. Boy I almost froze this morning when I got up. It hasn’t warmed up much either. I’ll bet tonight will be a good one. Same home we don’t have to move yet. We probably will though. Just because its [sic] cold. I was to the medics again today. They said I was OK again and ready to fly over again (overseas). I guess it wasn’t as bad as I let on. Almost had to go to the Hospital though. That would have been bad. You know this maneuver   has started out as blind as Louisiana did.  No one knows what is going on. And no one seems to care. We do the next thing first and then quit and believe me we could go home now. I have had enough.  Those fires out there must have been quite an affair again. Gosh it seems like someday they will get everything burnt and they should quit. Anyway if we could have some of the down here maybe it would warm up. Then maybe it wouldn’t be. They say it gets cold here in January so I’ll probably be about frozen by then. Bob had to get up about one this morning and go out. He drove until about noon then the convoy came back. Man did he ever bitch. And was it ever cold about then. I struck my head out and acted about like a turtle. Went back in my shell. Boy does that bed roll ever feel good on nights like that. But we had to store our B bags and now I haven’t any place to keep my candy bars and pay. Bob and I are eating up all the profit. They are just setting there and are very tempting. Guess I’ll have to go into some business where there isn’t anything to eat. The knife idea is still good only we have to wait until we can get some welding done now. Then we have the three done. It should add up to a little profit I hope.  We have a new name for Lt. Gordon. Coney Island Jack off. I’ll bet he will like that when he gets back. Are we ever down on him. And will he ever be down on us before he gets here. He will really be in the mood. I guess I am about run down Honey. So maybe I had better quit for awhile. I’ll try again tomorrow. So for now, I love you. Bob asked Madeline to come down and help him keep his bed roll warm so he can’t get ahead of me. Will you come and help me? (unreadable) Of course. One down here is enough. I love you honey so for now. All my love, your Lefty.

I wonder if the fires he is talking about in this letter are notorious “California Wildfires” because that is where Mom lives, Southern California.  In researching further there were four big fires that year starting in September and ending with the Hauser fire in October. I am sure that with Mom being in California for their first wildfire season it was probably scary for them and really big news especially because soldiers died in the fires. I have lived through many fire seasons in California and it is always big news.

California Wildfire 2007

I did find there was a notable fire down near San Diego, California on 2 October 1943. It was started by gunnery fire on the Marine base. Then you have California’s horrid Santa Ana winds which quickly spread the fires. The Marines were fighting the fire when the winds shifted and blew the fire back up the canyon where they were fighting it. 10,000 acres were burned before it was under control. The fire was named for the canyon where it happened, thus it was called The Hauser Fire.

More than 70 Marines from the Pine Valley training camp and the 10th Army Buffalo Soldiers Cavalry Regiment from Camp Lockett fought the fire on 10/2/43, building indirect hand line in a steep drainage. When the strong Santa Ana’s (E winds) diminished, the normal canyon SW winds increased, reversing the direction of the fire. Almost all were caught and injured; 4 outran the fire. 9 Marines and 1 Army soldier (and possibly 1 civilian) were overrun and died.

Courtesy of (http://www.wlfalwaysremember.org)

(Read about the actual incident here. It even lists the names of those who perished including Buffalo Soldier, Leroy Carter)

© 2012 notsofancynancy

1941 Telegram

You can click on the images to make them bigger

It is addressed to Brookville Kansas and is from Little Rock Arkansas, 14 December 1941 “Darling not coming Moving sooner than expected Not sure where Lefty 8:12 AM”

It is written one week after Pearl Harbor was bombed. Dad has been stationed at Camp Robinson in Arkansas and it looks as though he had been planning a furlough home and it was revoked.

(To read the chapter about Pearl Harbor click here)

Also in that same envelope I found the following newspaper clippings from the Yoo Hoo Incident.

(Read about the Yoo Hoo incident here)

The Yoo Hoo Incident

More about the Yoo Hoo

And one more

One More Yoo Hoo

(Read the Yoo Hoo chapter here)

TUNE IN TOMORROW FOR CHAPTER 25, LETTERS WRITTEN BY CAMPFIRES

]]> http://notsofancynancy.wordpress.com/2012/08/09/world-war-ii-chapter-24-getting-ready-to-wait/ Thu, 09 Aug 2012 14:00:26 +0000 notsofancynancy http://notsofancynancy.wordpress.com/2012/08/09/world-war-ii-chapter-24-getting-ready-to-wait/ World War II

Getting Ready to Wait

Chapter 24

US Army Letterhead 1943

In the last chapter Dad sewed himself  a bed roll.  I was mighty impressed that he sewed it all by hand. Before finishing it he and his buddy Bob then quilted all the material together. I know that Mom quilted a lot of old blankets when she was older but I never knew that Dad honed this craft while in the Army. Now Bob Winter and he are not sure whether they will be allowed to take it with him when they leave camp to go on their next maneuvers. It seems there are lots of rumors on when they are leaving and where they will go.

9 November 1943

Dearest Vi, Gosh things happen around here. I got your letter today that was the best. Gosh I certainly glad to get that. I had answered the others so much you’ll think I have a double writing that I have repeated so much in my letters.  I hope you had a nice time at the lunching [sic]. It sure was dead around here Sunday. I could have stood something to do. It is rumored here now that after maneuvers we either go to Ft. Ord or up around Lake Michigan. Either place isn’t bad. I would rather go north because it all means the same thing and I would like to see that country also. We probably wouldn’t be able to get away anyway.

You can really see here how important these letters were to him. Once in a while he mentions a letter from home but my mother’s letters mean the most, they really keep him going. They have been engaged since July 1943 and have not been able to see each other since. The 1500 or so miles to California from Alabama must seem so unattainable especially in pre-war United States.

Dad is keeping track of all the new states he has visited. On the way to Camp Robinson in 1940 he had been in only eight states. Now he is up to eighteen. If he heads to Fort Ord I am not sure he will head through any new states but I know he has not been to Michigan yet. Either place will be too far from Pasadena, California where Mom is living so it does not matter which to Dad.

Dad in Pasadena

So Gosh how did I get off the subject. I do hope you had fun and enjoyed it. Oh yes our maneuvers will be (unreadable) Nothing has been said when we leave so I imagine about Monday. Anyway I had better write when I find out. I’ll always get your letters. We have a beautiful moon here tonight. Bob was saying he wished he had had a moon like that when he was home. Maybe he would have gotten married. It always helps you know. We were going to a dance tonight but found out it was at the field house instead of the service club. So we went to the show. It wasn’t worth going down there because probably neither would have danced. The show was good. I have slept almost all day. This morning I got off because I was on guard last night and this afternoon Bob and I cleaned one machine gun and then we went to bed again. Gosh all the trucks are gone and there is nothing to do. Maybe I should go to bed now darling. Wish I were out there going to be. Anyway I love you so that’s that. All my love, your Lefty

This letter shows how boring it can be to these soldiers.  Thank goodness they provided movies for them, but that is only two hours out of a long day. He never says where the movies were shown though. As far as the dances he seems a little disgusted by the fact that, more than likely, they will not get to dance.  It seems as though the Army is in short supply of woman.

January 1942

10 November

Dearest Vi, Now hows [sic] my future wife this fine winter evening. Gosh I do mean winter too. I almost froze my feet this morning. We had frost and everything. Then to top that off we went to the range to fire. On this range all they have is a bunch of fox holes and you get down in them to work targets. Think of getting into one of them at about 8:00 this morning and laying all cuddled up until 10:30. It was cold too. We got to fire after that and both Bob and I fired a possible 24 points out of 24. In other words 6 bulls eyes. Not bad. It was an easy range though. Madeline wrote and told Bob she had bought them a bed room suite. He was quite enthused over it. Say honey even I think she has a good idea. Do you think if I sent the money you could pick up few things we might need sometime. Of course on my allowance it would have to be a little at a time and then save it until it was enough. Well anyway sweet it was an idea. I know you haven’t any place to keep many things. Maybe it wasn’t a good idea anyway????? I went to town on a truck detail. Coming back we met a convoy and did we have a time. I couldn’t pass it and they were only driving about 10. I sure was disgusted. We have a division review tomorrow. I’ll bet that will be good. Its [sic] so cold out there you have to stand so long. I imagine we’ll have to wear field jackets and I sent mine with my “B” (Barracks) Bag. What a mess.

It seems as though Dad wants to do some nesting. He knew the weather would be cold. Why would he pack his field jacket where he couldn’t get to it? Maybe he did not realize that it would be so cold when he packed it. How many times in my childhood would he tell me not to forget to take mine? Many times dear reader, many times.

Remember the dance I was telling you they had at the field house. Well I guess it was the only dance they have had here that was any good. They had enough women that they let the 98^th Div men in also. The field house is a large place and it was full too. Darn it. I knew I should have gone. I guess its [sic] all the better I didn’t. I got some writing done even if I didn’t get any letters. That’s something.  It seems that I only hear from you about every 3 or 4 days anymore. But I guess that is enough. You’ll be darn lucky if you even hear from me for the next two months. You probably wouldn’t be now if it wasn’t for Bob. I must quit now honey. Guess it is my bedtime. Besides I am getting a low down mood. Love Always, Lefty

Do I feel another quarrel coming on?  Dad seems quite insecure in being engaged to Mom. But he has loved her for a long time.

Dearest Vi, Gosh it was swell to get you letter today and was I ever in the mood to get one. In other words I was in the dumper again. Why don’t you ask me. I guess I just get that way. Got a letter from home yesterday and my Sister-in-laws brother had gone across (overseas) of course that didn’t hurt me a bit I guess it sure had her worried. She said that we were always welcome if we came out. She also said that she wanted me to come home if possible. I’m still waiting until that time. Then maybe I’ll know something about it. Tonight anyway at midnight all passes and furloughs are suppose [sic] to be back. I know they won’t though. They’re coming back happy though. Bob is working tonight we got 14 new trailers and he has to help put them together. What a time that will be. They have to be ready to roll by tomorrow. I guess 25 trucks load then. We have been eating out of the mess truck since noon. Had to clear the mess hall check dishes and such. I guess we leave Monday for sure. Darn it. I still hope we get to take our sleeping bags along legally. I’m taking mine anyway. But it would be much easier the other way. I sure get off the subject easy tonight. I think I have about three things in this paragraph.

Dad on the left in the Color Guard…. sometime in the 1940′s

Dad is really torn on where he should go if he does get a furlough.  It seems he will be going only wherever Mom will be. I hope they get to take their sleeping bags too. I wish I knew which sister-in-law he is talking about. Dad has three brothers and two sisters. Since we grew up in California I did not have a lot of contact with my dad’s family.  The last time I was in Nebraska was in the late 1960’s.

About Xmas. I’m going to tell you as I have told everyone else don’t send anything. I haven’t any room for what I have and maybe later if you want it will be OK. I’m going to be in a darn cold place about then and all I’d want is a fire and you couldn’t send that. So forget Xmas this time. I guess I’m getting something cause the fellows coming back make me feel kind of bad and not like they use to. Maybe I’m just lonesome. I don’t know. I don’t feel I want to go home. I just want to come out there. God how I’ve longed for that. I sure worked today the trucks came back from Tennessee yesterday and believe me they were in bad shape. 22 out of the 26 froze up and one busted the hose connections on the radiator It had to be one of mine. Anyway when they got up there it was snowing.  That’s how cold it was. They had quite a time. Maybe it will warm up by the time we get there. I hope. I must stop now honey. It’s getting about time for an old man like me to go to bed. So sweet dreams darling. I love you, Love always, your lefty.

I sure am glad they did a dry run into the snow with the trucks. They will get into some snow once they get overseas. If they had 22 trucks break down out of 26 it sure does seem like a lot. What if that had happened when they went overseas it makes me feel a little scared for them.  How many would break down overseas, would be catastrophic.  It was up to these men to transport the soldiers and their supplies where they needed to go.

Dad and Bob

13 November

Gosh Maybe our last night in camp. What a night too. We ain’t just sure about the weather. We leave tomorrow or Monday. I’m sure I haven’t figured it out yet. I imagine it will be Monday and we will sleep out.  Anyway we worked this afternoon and have to work tomorrow. Isn’t it awful. Having to work on a Sunday?  I guess we will get use to that thought. I sure worked myself into a job this afternoon. I walked up to watch Bob put up trailers and just started helping and kept it up. It was hard work but sorta fun. I was hammering on a piece of steel and a piece flew off and landed in my finger. Of course it wasn’t big enough to get excited about but I couldn’t get it out. So I went to the medics and had it removed.  The Doc had guts enough to ask if I wanted it as a souvenir. Now what would I do with anything like that. Have too much junk now. Guess what after all the work of making bed rolls around here. Bob had to sell his. Of course it was not a home made  one but we had to make him one. So he worked tonight on it. He has fine Army blanket quilted together and a canvas around them. After he rolled it up it looked it like he took a mattress and rolled in it. It looks like it will be warm though. I only hope he can find some buttons to sew on it. He got $15.00 for his and only gave $4.00 so he did not do so bad. The Colonel gave a speech today. I wasn’t there but I guess he put up quite a threat. I can see these maneuvers are going to be like the last. As hard as they were we had good officers and now a bunch of ass holes. Gosh I can’t think of anything to write. Almost seceded to go home if I get another furlough. As a matter of fact that’s the way I think it will be. Guess I had better stop now. Must be about time for lights out. I’m too lazy to look to see what time it really is. So I’ll say I love you Darling and I wish I could see you. Love always, your Lefty.

This is a great example of how my father was throughout his life. If someone needed help he would be the first to step up.

Fifteen dollars seems like quite a lot of money for those days. It seems like Bob got a good deal on his sleeping bag.

Those fine wool blankets Dad was talking about were the worst blankets ever. Dad came home with a couple of those blankets and I will never forget them. They were gray, small, scratchy, and made of wool.  Dad always was proud of those blankets and saw nothing wrong with them. To me they were itchy and I could never figure out how my 6ft 1in dad fit under them because they sure were small. I always tried to get out of having to use one they drove me nuts with all there itchiness.

A funny side note is my mom eventually made quilts out of those fine wool blankets.

© 2112 notsofancynancy

Names mentioned in this chapter

Robert “Bob” Winter

Barracks Bags

Chapter 23

Our last chapter found Dad at Camp Rucker in Alabama. He is still there training to go overseas. In each of the letters in the last chapter he is apologizing for the fight he got into thinking my mom did not like him any longer because he did not receive any letters from her for a week. He kind of jumped to conclusions and told her to send the ring back. It is nice to see at least he is not saying he is sorry in each letter now.

Is this the fur coat Dad talks about?

5 November 1943

Dearest Vi, Gosh I celebrated double today. Besides getting back to camp I got two letters from you. And was I ever glad. Gee Honey it is so nice getting them. Also the one from Mom was swell, I’ll answer it before long. How many stripped kitties will it take to make that fur coat. Tell you what. I’ll catch them and you sew them together. How’s that?

I have a picture and remember a fur coat Mom had. I wonder if this is the one he is talking about. What I don’t remember is it being made from kittens.

I have Bob down here sewing on my bed roll. We are quilting it tonight about done now though. Have a few knots to tie. Then waite [sic] until tomorrow. Nite [sic].  It’s getting late now anyway. I said my bed roll. I mean the one I am making as a project of course. Even found where I can buy cotton three rolls for $ 1 so I’m using that. Isn’t bad either. We sure had a deal.  We hauled the Inf (infantry) out to see a demonstration in advancing under artillery fire. Also all arms the Inf had were used. The Art (artillery) dropped  one of the shell shot and injured one man and I guess another raised up to [sic] soon because he got shot. Died too. It was a good demonstration though. I really did enjoy it.  I guess they expected a few accidents but no deaths.

I wonder if they knew there would be accidents why they did not do more to make things safer? I like that Bob and Dad are working together to get the bed roll done.

Man was I tired when I got back though. I drove and boy was the road rough. I am going to Tennessee Monday. So in case you don’t hear from me very much next week I’m awful busy. That is I ‘m going if orders don’t change. Guess what the great Sgt Ozanne is now a (unreadable)Pvt (private) He got busted today. We hated to see it because he got a raw deal. Believe me we would have been glad to see him busted if they had had a reason. Lt. Gordon was acting Co Commander and did it. He sure showed his colors then. He says 90% of the non-coms should be busted. We just said go ahead. He has gone to school now though. And when he comes back someone else will be CO. There is not much more to write. Yes I like hard candy cookies & such. But as far as Xmas is concerned don’t you think I have received enough. The watch honey is enough. I don’t need anything and all I want is you so what can I do.  I’ll just say I love you now darling. I see Bob is about ready with some knots to be tied. I also hear call to quarters and by the time he finish taps will be over. I love you very much darling. Very much. Love Forever, Your lefty.

Dad did not like to see others treated unfairly. Maybe this is what made Dad like Mr. Ozanne. I do remember that name from my childhood.  I found birth and death records for Mr. Ozanne on Family Search and found an obit for his son so for now I am assuming he is buried in the same cemetery.

Allen Ozanne in Straw Shoes, Netz, France 1944-45

(You can find his Find a Grave listing here)

6 November

Dearest Darling, Hows [sic] my future wife tonight. In the best of condition I hope.  Gosh have we bit the bull today. I again got riped [sic] out of a Sgts rating.  Guess I should suck a little more ass or laughed at a few more of the Top Kicks jokes. It will be another couple years before an opening is made and by then someone else will be sucking. I’m sure you’ll just have to love a Cpl. Bob will in time get a straight Cpl out of the deal, Right now he is acting Cpl and only a T/5. You said you may quit the first of the year. What’s the catch. Have something else in mind or just getting tired. Wish I could tell you to quit so we could get married but I don’t know just yet. I had to clean up the truck I drove yesterday. Then we came down had early chow and went to the range at 12:30. And believe me the whole company was disgusted at having to go on Sat afternoon. Well we got out there and was firing when up drove a Lt. and driver through the range. Also rifle fire and then did things fly.  Well we found the range officer had taken the guard off and therefore they weren’t stopped. Gosh I would have lost my beep driver. But luck was with them and no one was hit. Although Morris said he heard some whistle by.

Morris is Myron J. Morris from Kearney Nebraska

Myron Morris Somewhere overseas

(See his memorial pages on Find a Grave here)

We came home after that then Bob and I sewed on my bed roll. Gosh its [sic] almost done. Money in my pocket. We had noodle soup for supper. That’s the first time we have had that for a long time. It sure was good too. I wouldn’t mind that more often. If they would take some of these old roosters they try to fry and make noodles with them that would be good, Oh well. I think I have talked myself out of going to Tennessee. Maybe not. I’m not sure. Anyway I have hopes. I’m thinking I’ll see enough of that place before long. God I hate to think of another maneuver. But then it means desert maneuvers and that would at least be closer to you. Maybe we could at least we could see each other once in awhile then. I guess I had better say I love you now. I do darling lots and lots. And believe me I would sure like to see you. Oh yes. Madeline said she would have like to have gotten married after Bob left. I love you honey. All my love & kisses, your Lefty.

The desert maneuver’s he is talking about was here in our desert lead by General Patton. I have seen the remains of these desert camps. In fact one year we took a tour of about four different camps. There is not much left but with a good imagination you can see what these camps were like. When we went it was summertime and I have to admit I opted to stay in the air conditioned truck. It was just too hot to get out and traipse around the desert. I cannot imagine what it was like for the soldiers who trained there.

(You can learn more about Patton’s camps by clicking here)

7 November

Dearest Darling, Guess what? Its[sic] raining here and has been all day What a dreary day too. Back home we could have looked for a blizzard on such a day. But here only wind and rain. It isn’t even cold. In fact darn warm in comparison to what it has been. But I imagine by morning it will be. The boys leave for Tennessee at 4 so they will be darn cold. I talked my way out. A kid in the second Platoon wanted to go so I let him. I figure I’ll see enough of that place before long. Bob and I went to a show tonight. It was the “Iron Major.” Good Too. I like that kind of show. They take me back to my high school days. What days.

I found a 1943 trailer for the movie (click here to watch it) According to Turner Movie Classics “In this true story, Frank Cavanaugh proves himself as a football coach and a World War I hero.”

 I hope honey the next two months go as fast as you say they are going. Gosh I hate to think of going out.(on maneuvers) But we are getting out of Ala. And maybe out west again. Not for long but any little time will help. Do want to get out that way again before I get my furlough. Ozanne is having quite a time. Gosh he does not know what to do. I have told him to demand a Court Martial. But he seems to want to waite [sic] to see what happens. I also told him to see the chaplain. I guess he had done that. But he doesn’t push things hard enough. He thinks it will hurt him later. He hasn’t any future here anyway so why worry about that. Oh! Yes I have finished my bed roll and have gotten quite a few compliments on it also the $5.00. If I had time I could make some more. But I’m getting quite tired of sewing now. Guess I’ll have to try something else. Wonder what that will be. Woe is me. Hope to keep busy to keep my mind off bigger things. Gosh sweet I miss you. You know I have fooled around with that bed roll and didn’t get my weekly laundry done. Man am I going to have a dirty week. I guess I’ll have to do it some tonight. I love you lots honey and will always I guess. Cause I can’t find anything else to occupy my mind. I do love you. All my love, Your Lefty.

8 November

Dearest Vi, Gosh are we all messed up. We have gone all week and sent out all but about 6 drivers from the Co. And then they come out with an order that should have been read about a week ago that our B. Barracks boy had to be ready to go by 7:00 in the morning. And gosh we had to pack the men’s things who were gone. In that bag we are suppose to have everything we aren’t going to use on maneuvers. Gosh and to think they are that close. We did a right fine job of it anyway and all are ready to go.  I am on guard tonight and Bob on CQ so we are both in the orderly room writing. He to Madeline and me to you. Only he got a letter from her today and has something to write. Me I answered the same letter for about 4 days then got mad and tore it up and now I haven’t even that to look at. So maybe I can write one without it.

Oh dear, is this another repeat of the time when Dad asked Mom for his ring back?

One of my men isn’t here tonight so I volunteered to take his place. Of course for the normal sum of $2.00, but being Cpl of the Guard and walking also doesn’t do so good. Bob is taking Sidewells place for $1.50. So I am over $.50 on him. I finally sent my personal things home. Gosh things sure accumulate. It cost me $1.78 to send it. I had everything in it though. From a pair of sheets to a $6.00 set of utensils. Then I had to send my pictures home and that was bad. Gosh I used to look at them lots. Oh well I guess I have enough left. We lose our lockers here. So now all we have is two barracks bags. Gosh its [sic] going to be bad to live out of them. 

I looked up barrack bags and found the site called Olive Drab this is what I found

A formation of soldiers wait with their Barracks Bags before boarding a train for transport to a port where they will be shipped to Europe during World War II.
Courtesy of Olivedrab.com

Prior to World War II and in the early days of the war, the “Bag, Barrack M-1929″ was issued to soldiers. That bag was blue denim material with white cord double drawstring closures. The soldier’s name and serial number were often stenciled on in white lettering.

By 1942 the blue denim bag was being replaced by a new pattern Barracks Bag made with olive drab fabric. Like other World WAr II equipment, early war barracks bags were the lighter Olive Drab #3 shade, then became OD #7 in 1943 or later.

(Click here to read more about barracks bags)

8 November continued

A driver from the 94^th Div came in here tonight from up there. He said that we had better take our bed rolls if at all possible. He also said it was colder than hell and that it had been raining for the last three weeks. Gosh what a future. I guess all good things come to an end. So for tonight honey I love you lots and lots. Gosh Darling I sure wish we were going west instead of north. Nite [sic] my sweet. Love forever yours, Lefty

This does not sound good, headed back into the wild during the winter. Although hindsight is 20/20 I know once Dad gets overseas they get into some snow and have several issues because of it. But don’t let me get ahead of myself, all in due time dear readers, all in due time. I just wonder if he will talk about it in his letters.

© 2012 notsofancynancy

This is new and I hope to someday go back and do this to all the other chapters. These are the names of the men Dad talks about in these letters.

Robert Winter, Allen Ozanne, Claude Gordon, Myron J. Morris, (no first name) Sidewells.

Too Many Lieutenants Can Spoil the Troops

Chapter 22

Don’t Push, I’ll Go!

There are so many letters now and because Dad is writing almost every day he is including a lot of information. It is getting hard to decide what I can leave out and what to keep. The following letters are for the most part the entire letter. It seems like we have been in 1943 for many chapters now but we still have two more months to complete the year. Although it seems like a long time, I cannot imagine how slow the time is going for my dad.

29 October 1944

Dearest Vi. Well here goes. I’m pretty tired and have an awful cold so maybe this won’t be so good. Besides that I have a sty in my eye and can hardly see. We moved out at noon yesterday and believe it or not to the same place we were on Monday. We didn’t have much to do except dig bomb shelters and make our beds. I gathered lots of pine needles and put my bed roll on top of them. That was much better than sleeping in the back of a truck. Well I slept warm but God it was cold getting up. Then the driver of my beep [sic] had driven all night so I let him go to bed in my roll and I drove.

I guess in the Army being sick and having a sty in your eye is not enough to take the day off. But knowing my dad a little cold would not have kept him down. I have seen Dad use the Beep term before so I did some research on it and this is what I found.

JEEP or BEEP

The WC-64 and all other WW2 ¾ton Dodge trucks were often called BEEP’s by the men. There are several stories about the Jeep’s name and it is actually the same story. In 1941 Major E.P. Hogan wrote a history of the vehicle and said, “ ‘Jeep’ is an old Army grease monkey term dating back to WWI and was used by shop mechanics to refer to any new motor vehicle received for testing.” For those old enough to remember the Popeye comic strip, it will be fondly recalled there was a character called “Eugene the Jeep.” Eugene was a “do it all” figure who could solve all sorts of complex problems. The public became so taken with his abilities; a capable person or thing was referred to as a “real Jeep!” The name Jeep finally stuck when the chief test driver for Willys drove a prototype up the steps of The Capitol Building and a bystander asked him, “What is that THING?” He yelled, “It’s a Jeep!” Washington Daily News reporter Katherine Hillyer overheard the remark and captioned the picture with the name…Jeep. Before the Bantam designed vehicle, Dodge produced a gangly, massive Command Car on a ½ ton chassis. It was a 4×4 design and for a while it was called a Jeep. Later, they were called “Beeps,” or short for “Big Jeeps.”

(Information courtesy of “Did You Know” Click here to learn more)

It took a while for me to find it but how about that? I could not imagine why he was calling it a “Beep” but there you go. Now back to the letter.

Dad and his “Beep”

We weren’t out long though. Had the rest of the day off.  Guess what I have been doing. Sewing. I am making a bed roll and doing it by hand. I started about noon and just quit about 9:20 so I didn’t do so bad. Used 2 spools of thread so I have been working. Also have some sore fingers. I’ll tell you later whether it worked or not. I could have had it sewed at the P.X. but didn’t have anything to do myself so I did it. Sure passed a long day too.

Wow he sewed a whole bed roll? That is pretty darn impressive. I knew he learned to knit from his mom when she was sick, but I did not know about his sewing. I sure am learning a lot about my dad.

You say you love pecans. In case I find anymore I’ll send some. I have to find them first though. They seem to be few and far between anymore. Everybody is picking them. We will be out again next week so maybe. Honey you say you are leaving getting married up to me. Well I have been leaving it up to you for some time. I have another idea now. So we will see. I’ll let you know what it is and how it turns out.  Just give me a little time. I promise you though as soon as we finish maneuvers we are going across. There isn’t much more to talk about.  Only I love you. That’s not news though. I have for a long time. I guess I had better stop now sweet. I haven’t written much but that’s good for me. I never do. Nite [sic] now darling, be good. Love always, your lefty.

Well I am not sure who will make the wedding plans. If Dad will be sent “over” (seas) when maneuvers are over it can’t be too far in the future. How will they pull the wedding off before he goes overseas, or do they pull it off?

31 October

Dearest Honey, How’s everything this beautiful evening. Good I hope. If you have a cold like mine it surely isn’t.  I am getting over it a little now but not very much. Besides that I have sewn so much in the last three days my fingers are sore. I had a thimble brake and run a needle in one so it is really sore. Oh well they will be ok in a few days. Probably before you get this. Most of the fellows have come in from their furloughs but Bob as usual is staying as long as he can/ I sure don’t blame him though. He will be here sometime tonight. Gosh when I started I thought I was going to have enough to write about. Maybe I haven’t. We go out to the field again Tuesday for one night. Then again Friday. Tomorrow I guess we work on our trucks. Oh yes we have another 25 mile hike Thursday. Boy that sure sounds like a weeks [sic] work to me. Believe me I’m sure in no shape for a hike. I went to the show tonight and it was sure good. “Heres [sic] to Life” was the name of it. Lots of laughs.

I looked all over the internet and could not come up with a movie with this name or anything similar.

Oh yes if you are interested we got two new trucks with machine gun turrets on top. Our platoon got one and I had to take Lt. Gordon out and give him drivers [sic] instructions. Boy o Boy am I getting my suck ups. Should be a General before long. We might be near a town during this whole maneuver. In other words we might not be moving all the time was we did in Louisiana. I hope so anyway. I guess I love you honey cause I’m always thinks of you and wishing I could see you. But there’s that little thing of 2500 miles between here and there. I do love you though. So for tonight darling. Love Forever Yours, Lefty.

Dad sure is smitten with Mom. I don’t think I had any idea how much he loved her or for how long he loved her before they finally got married. I am lucky I have these letters so not only I know how much he loved her but also my family and family members to come will know.

Mom in Pasadena 1940′s

4 November

Dearest Vi, Gosh am I getting terrible. I haven’t written to you for two days. Can you imagine that. Monday nite [sic] Bob and I had lots to talk about and besides that he got in about 3 Sunday morning and woke me up so we could talk then. And I was tired that night. Tuesday nite [sic] we were again in the field. Tonight well we went to a show. It was good but sad. “Lassie Come Home.” A dog picture in case you didn’t know. It almost had me crying.

(See the original 1943 movie trailer here)

I sure looked for a letter from you today but one didn’t come so I thought tomorrow will be my day to celebrate cause surely it will be here. I imagine you were pretty busy. I sure have been and will probably be a lot busier in the near future. We have a Second Army inspection Friday and Saturday and is that bad. Bob didn’t get married but as soon as we finish maneuvers Madeline is coming to where we are and then the big moment. They wouldn’t get married now because she couldn’t come back with him on account of maneuvers. Bob is sure in the dumps about it anyway. Just think Honey Friday night we have another 25 mile hike, Does that sound rough. Imaging by then it will either be damn cold or hot. It started changing from hot to cold last night and by now it’s almost chilly enough for long handles. Yes it was us who had too many Lts.(Lieutenants)  Now we have two more. But we have one in the hospital. one going to school Fri. and one in school and one on leave. So really we only have the three right now. Even Capt. Randal left for school today. I sure hope they teach them something. Because we surely couldn’t here. Of course they had the rank so that made them super men.

I could not find a Captain Randal on the D-Day Roster I have, so I have no information for him.  It sounds like too many lieutenants could spoil the troops.

Could this be the Jumper Dad is talking about? Mom on the left.

I’ll bet your new jumper is cute. Sure would like to see you in it. I guess I would just like to see you anyway Honey. Oh yes my hair is even getting long enough to comb.  Think of that having to comb my hair again. Oh gosh. Bob and I slept on the ground last night and shortly before we went to sleep it started to sprinkle. Gosh were we worried.  Thought we were going to have to play ducks before morning. Of course we had the trucks but someone was already sleeping in them. Anyway we didn’t want to move. It didn’t rain that much anyway. I slept in my new bed roll. It sure worked nice only it doesn’t fall down around my shoulders like a blanket does and they got cold. Bob and I have finally figured out how we could make some money. We are going to take Guard and K.P. on the weekend for men who have wifes [sic] or want to go on Passes. They usually pay 2 or 3 dollars and that isn’t bad. We haven’t anything else to do. Say honey what do you want for Xmas. Give me some ideas. Darling I do love you very much. Believe me. I don’t know what I would do without you. Love Forever My Sweet, Your Lefty.

It seems like Dad is handling the not getting a letter deal a lot better this time. I hope she is not mad at him for not writing those two days.

5 November

Gosh the Celebration is sure slim. No letter. Guess I’ll have to waite [sic] until Sat. now. Cause I won’t be here tomorrow and that makes Sat. the big day. Sure hope I get one then. Bob and I are about in the same boat now. I mean in the dumps. We went to the show again tonight. Gosh we were both feeling so bad at that time if we hadn’t we would probably be over the hill by now. There were lots of laughs and it took our bad thoughts away for awhile. So now we can get along. We have to. There isn’t anything else to do. The show was “Crazy House”

(Watch a clip from the movie “Crazy House” here)

GEE IT’S RAINING I’M GLAD I BROUGHT MY PARACHUTE!

We have some good news. Our 25 mile hike has been put off a week. Out of a Co (Company) of 186 we only had 31 who were not on detail tomorrow so that wasn’t enough. Gosh I could have gotten out of it too. Our new Lts. sure started out with a bang. They have made a couple of fools of themselves already and we have plans for more too. One leaves for Tennessee Monday so he will be gone for awhile. About 3 days. What a heaven. Waite [sic] until we all get there. Oh yes Lt. Gordon is now Acting Company Commander and does he ever think he is big. It won’t be for long though. Lt. Buenger will be back soon. Gordon goes to school tomorrow. Hope they keep him. 

Lt. Gordon is Claude R. Gordon from Bakersfield, California and Lt. Buenger is Walter Buenger from Plainview Texas.

Now where was I. A kid just brought in some material for me to make him a sleeping bag. Gosh I’m in the business now. I like it though. And with some hard work I can make $5 so I am not doing so bad. We are sure going to need them on maneuvers. It’s going to be damn cold. We’ll take it though. I must quit now darling. I guess I still love you cause[sic] I sure feel bad when I miss your letters Guess I shouldn’t say anything though. Should be thankful you even write once in awhile. Nite [sic] my darling. I love you. Love forever, your Lefty.

Three days of work and sore hands for five dollars does not seem like a lot now but back then it certainly was.  Just think, one more soldier will have a sleeping bag and Dad will have an extra five dollars in his pocket.

Dad is worried that he will be sent overseas as soon as the maneuvers he is on are through. Will Mom and Dad get together one last time before that happens and if so will they get married? I guess only time will tell.

©2012 notsofancynancy

Robert Winter, Claude R. Gordon (Bakersfield, CA), Walter Buenger (Plainview, Tx.) Capt. Randal (not listed on roster)

Chapter 21

Never Again

Camp Rucker Stationary

In the last chapter Dad got in a fight with Mom (in his own mind) over not getting a letter from her. I am not sure how long it was because we do not have Mom’s letters. It amazes me at how much their relationship has been about those letters.  From that first letter back in 1937 to now in 1943, they have written a lot more letters than the times they have actually spent time together.  It has been a lot of letters to go through. I have to admit we have not even gotten through the first row of letters in the suitcase. We still have about 30 left to get one third of the way through the suitcase so here we go.

6 October 1943

Dearest Darling, Gosh another day and am I tired. I guess I’ll be worse tomorrow. Anyway we have a 25 mile hike starting tomorrow at 2PM We walk for 4 hrs and then eat then walk the rest of the way. Which will be about 5 hrs. Sounds interesting. We sure haven’t done anything today or yesterday. Last night Bob and I went to the show “Hostages.” (See a clip from the movie “Hostages” here) Tonight we just went out in the woods and threw our knives. I made 30 cents so didn’t do so bad [sic]. It was fun.

(Read an Overview of the movie “Hostages” here)

HEY WOODMAN SPARE THIS TREE IT’S ME

He goes on to talk about when Mom’s birthday is. He thinks it is January 10^th. It is really on January 12^th. I bet Mom gave him a hard time for not remembering, and I bet he never forgot after that.

We were suppose to have a Co. party here either next Wed. nite[sic] or a week after. I guess it is suppose to be a stag. So we can do what we can do [sic] what we like. Usually the men bring their wifes [sic]. We really don’t know though. We have to go to the field again the 11^th so what happens now nobody knows. The Great Ozanne and I had a blow up again yesterday. I can’t get along with anyone anymore except Bob. Sometimes I don’t see how he stands me. I guess it is about deffinate [sic] we go on maneuvers sometime next month then as usually a furlough and I imagine across (overseas). At least we are about scheduled for that. We are going to make it someday too. Bob is sure getting exited about his furlough. He leaves the 15^th. Man wish [sic] I was going then. Sure would like to see you again real soon.  I don’t know what else to say. Tell everyone hello. And to you darling I know I am an _______________ (I guess it was so bad he was ashamed to write it) but gosh I do love you. Maybe I am just not good enough for you who knows [sic]. But my God Darling I could shoot myself for sending that letter. I just was off my bean. I must stop now. I love you. Love forever and kisses, lefty.

NEVER AGAIN!

The stationary was sure great for what he is saying in his letter. Never again will he write another letter jumping to conclusions, we’ll see.

I am glad that after the war Mr. Ozanne and Dad became friends. It may have been what they went through during said war. I guess we will just have to read on and see where it takes them.

8 October

Dearest Darling, We had today off. I guess we deserved it though we had our first 25 mile hike yesterday afternoon and was it rough. Anyway started yesterday afternoon walked 15 miles then ate supper then finished up. We only lost 6 men out of the Company. Bob has some sore feet but I guess I’m none the worse. We had a brake  [sic]at about 20 miles and two of us got to betting how many push up’s we could do with a full pack on. Well he did 30 and I did 31 so I guess we aren’t in such bad shape. We have another 25 mile hike this month and one next month.

Boy they have come a long way since that 15 mile Yoo Hoo hike. Now they are up to 25 miles, and 31 push-ups to boot.  Go Dad!

Then about the 22^nd we move out to Tennessee for maneuvers. The rumors are that we won’t be there long until we move either to Colorado or California. If we go to Colorado we will probably guard prisoners for awhile. Although as I say it is only a rumor. But we go on maneuvers next month. Maybe I should say we are suppose [sic] to go to the field again next week. Maybe the little termite will be there again. I’ll bet he has his red flannels on. For the last month it has really been pleasant here. Not to [sic] hot or to [sic] cold. Only when we were in the field it was pretty cold. Imagine it will be worse this time. Yes we convoyed to Georgia. It was more than just down there and back though. We were there longer than that. We went after the III Corps inspection team and were gone 4 days. I’ll bet the black dress is nice. Boy would I ever like to see it. More than that though I would like to see you. Gosh Darling I’m so lonesome. Darling I have some reading for a class tomorrow and it’s getting late. I’ll write more tomorrow. So I love you very much Darling. I love you, yours always, Lefty.

Dad starts this next letter by thanking my mom for the package she sent him. I left it out of the following letter because I could not figure out what he was talking about. Now reading the letter from the tenth I realize that she sent him a watch. I am not sure why unless it was because his birthday will be coming up on the 22^nd.

Letter to Mom

9 October

Dearest Darling, Well here I go again. You know Darling when I get your letters and I know you haven’t gotten mine it hurts and then I also know its[sic] all my fault. Gosh honey if I didn’t judge all people by myself. I guess I wouldn’t have so much trouble. Anyway honey I promise I won’t let it happen again. I know how it feels to be without you or nearly so. And sweet I sure don’t like it. It’s like losing an arm or something. Or maybe taking an all-day sucker from your sister.  I use to do that too.

I am really not sure what he means by the whole sucker thing because Mom was an only child and had no sister. Maybe I am just not getting it.

Returned Receipt

I guess experience is the best teacher and I have sure learned a good lesson and want no more experiences like that. When we came in from the field I weighed over 190 and yesterday when I weighed at the Medics I weighed about 170. So this has not done me any good either. I was sick for awhile though. But not that bad. I have been low.  Not because of my not hearing from you but because of your [sic] not hearing from me. I guess I would have wired. But you couldn’t wire much with 3 cents. Darling I love you so much. What can I do to get goodly punished for the misery I caused you.

I wonder why Mom is not getting the letters. I know he is writing them because I have them all right here. It must be the Army or the Mail Service that is holding them up. I think I am done with this lover’s quarrel.

Camp Rucker Letterhead

An airplane cracked up just across the road yesterday. It was just a small spotter plane for the Field Artillery and no one was hurt. But it caused some excitement. It was picking up messages from the (unreadable) co. and an air packet. It was only about 40 ft high. So even the plane wasn’t hurt so bad. Do you remember Don Walker the kid George and I run around with before we got into the army. Well he was just here a Master Sgt. and here I am just a Cpl. Boy what a brake [sic] he has gotten. He is with the Division Chemical Warfare Sect. and I guess that is a deal. He had a chemical and mine explode on him with sulfur gasses in it and burned himself in places. That’s a kind of an acid and works as such. This is before it has evaporated and the fumes are poisonous. Anyway it isn’t bad but he has a couple of scars on him. Burned the back out of his coveralls and ruined his shoes. It happened some time ago though.

(I looked for Mr. Walker on Find a Grave and I believe I may have found him)

Well Monday we go back into the field. I imagine we’ll all be down with colds pneumonia or something when we get back because it is plenty cold. We sleep with two blankets over us in the barracks and what will we do in the field. It has certainly cooled off around here. It isn’t too cold though. If they would only let us be. Next month we have maneuvers and maybe that is going to be cold two [sic]. That may last only a couple of weeks though. Then to one coast or the other. Of course it is all rumors but we hope we go west. In case we do you’re going to be a married woman so fast you won’t have a chance to argue or say no. My better judgment is going to be clear in the rear. Bob is getting all excited over his furlough. We were talking a while ago and I said if I have even half a chance I was getting married and he said in a wry reformed way “Well then if I ever catch you even thinking about writing a letter like that again I am going to kick you bald bearded” He also said he might get married while home. He was inquiring about blood tests and such. But I am betting he won’t.

According to Find a Grave records Bob and Madeline did get married but not until February 1946.

I AM CLEANING UP HERE

We just had an emergency call for the Division QM a kid got killed and they had to have some clothes for him. He was in an auto accident. I guess several were hurt. One kid that had just transferred from here got his arm cut off and he isn’t expected to live. How many more were badly hurt I don’t know. It sure seems funny talking to someone one day and the next he is dead or only half there. Neither were from this Co. but I knew them both.

How many times will this happen once they get overseas? I am not sure I want to know that answer.

“Pistol Packing Mama” is about the only number played around here anymore. They are sure running it into the ground. It is good though. I have about 12 hours and I’ll be off duty again. I guess it won’t hurt me. I am on C.Q. and have the radio turned on to some good old low down music. Someone is signing. “Shes Someones[sic] Darling Once More” I hope or wish he were talking about and you and me. I probably wouldn’t be listening to it but its[sic] all I could get and that isn’t very clear. Maybe later I’ll be able to get the Hit Parade. Well darling I still love you. You’re going to have a hard enough time to figure this out so I guess I am going to close. Good Nite [sic]Honey Sweet. Love always, Lefty.

(Listen to Pistol Packing Mama here)

I could find no other information for “She’s Someone’s Darling Once More.”

10 October

Dearest Darling, After I got off this morning I came over and did my weeks washing and then read the funnies and went to sleep. Bob went to church and then we talked about you and Madeline until dinner. Then we went up to the woods and practiced throwing our knives. Then came back and went to bed. Tonight we went to the show. It was good. “Sweet Rosie O’Grady” Anyway we enjoyed it. Then came home and packed our clothes for the field. Bob is also packing for his furlough. I just hear [sic] the time on the radio and my watch has kept perfect time since I set it. I sure like it Darling. Thanks again for it you couldn’t have done better. I love you honey.  I haven’t written much Darling but I am about run down. So if you’ll excuse me for tonight my Love I’ll just hop off to bed and read a bit. Gosh I love you lots. Mom really shouldn’t make you write thought. I guess I’ll have to write her. Good nite [sic] sweet. Love, always and always, Lefty

According to Wikipedia:

Betty Grable was the number one box office attraction at the time of this film’s release. Her other film that year was Coney Island and that was also an enormous success. Both Coney Island and this film were among the top ten highest grossing films of 1943 and were two of 20th Century Fox‘s biggest money makers that year.

(Read more about Sweet Rosie O’Grady here)

Pretty Mom

14 October

Dearest Darling, We have accumulated a flashlight and I am writing by that tonight. The moon is almost bright enough though. Gosh Honey it is sure a romantic moon. And the weather sure is nice. There are a few mosquitoes though. But gosh I wish you were with me. Sure didn’t get up until after eleven and then have a headache from sleeping so much. Still have a slight one but it sounds like I’ll get over that tomorrow. We might have to go out. That means all night and probably Friday. So maybe tonight will be the last night we’ll be sleeping in the cold. It hasn’t been so bad yet though. Last night I did get a little chilley[sic] and didn’t sleep so well. Had to get up every so often and post my guard. Anyway so that didn’t make much a difference. I ran all over these darn woods in my shorts last nite [sic]. Boy did I get a cold bath. I didn’t take time to put my clothes on.  We have been sitting here talking about harvesting. Man have we ever had some tall tails [sic] to tell.  We haven’t made so much coffee [sic]cards are the main event this time and neither Bob or I play so we talk. Tonight Chuck is here also. He lives near Holdrege and therefore we have a lot in common.

I found a Charles Quitman Steinke 1922-2002 buried at Prairie Home Cemetery in Holdrege, Nebraska on Find a Grave. I wonder if this could be him.

Darling I love you. Does that sound strange? I do. There isn’t much to talk about. I guess Bob leaves on furlough about Friday. Talking about furloughs. If we get any it will be in January do you think we could arrange it so you could come out home then. I would like to know what to plan on. In case you can’t I’ll have to make plans to come out there. Because if we can’t be together I won’t take one. It wouldn’t be a furlough without you. Maybe if we start planning this early maybe if everything works out right we will have every end worked out. I really can’t say I expect a furlough thought I don’t  Darling I love you very very much so for tonight I’ll say All my love my Darling. I am always your Lefty.

Is Dad trying to set a date for the wedding? I know he said above that if he got this chance they would be married in a hot minute. Will the Army give him the furlough? January is only two month away and we still have 21 letters to get through to make it to December let alone how many more to get to January.  I am not sure because that will begin the second row of letters.

©2012 notsofancynancy

A Lover’s Quarrel

Chapter 20

The Stationary Mom sent Dad

Dad has been at Camp Rucker in Alabama since June of 1943. Training and more training seems to be on the agenda for the Army right now. Mom and Dad have been engaged since July, and according to Dad’s letters he is one happy guy, in love and looking to a future with my mom being his wife.

13 September 1943

My Dearest Darling, Gosh Honey there is sure a beautiful moon out tonight. Just what one needs for what ails me. But I guess my romances can waite[sic] until I get back to Calif. anyway they have so far and I guess they can again. We just had coffee and cookies and the rest are down setting around the dying embers of the campfire talking. I had to take time off to write you. I still think honey this is the best 2 weeks we have ever spent in the field.. I believe it has brought the men closer together. Because we have sure swaped [sic] some years. About our hunting days and home and everything. We have men from all over so each has a different tale to tell. Of course this is just the third platoon and not the whole company. Say Sweet the termites are eating the poles out of the end of my hammock. I am just wondering how long they will last until one breaks and I get dumped. Each morning there is a little pile of chewed wood below my bed. Well only a few more nights anyway. Tomorrow night we have an attack. The recon troops are coming out with so (unreadable) cars and we have one suppose to defend our area. We were out setting up defensive positions today and are they ever a mess. Boy I’ll bet they take the whole comp. before we even get out.  After the attack comes we have to have carriers get machine guns and rifle amo from about a half a mile and bring it back. Think I’ll just hit my (unreadable) shelter and sleep. Oh yes we have fire crackers to shoot too. Just like the Fourth of July. I hear someone playing the mouth harp down in the (unreadable) now. Does that ever sound sweet. Makes me think of some of the dances we had back home. They used to be quite the thing. Here I’m telling you.  Well Darling I didn’t do so well on my knife throwing today. Only made a nickel. Would have done better but broke one knife and have to use a much lighter one. Just waite [sic] though. We’ll be in the money someday. This might sound crazy to you honey but it’s a way to spend the time for us. And we have a lot to spend. I guess I love you a lot cause I’m always thinking about you. Bob and I are always saying we wished we were back in Calif. so Madeline could come out and the four of us could be together. Boy darling that would be swell. Well maybe in 4 or 5 years we’ll get back out. Who knows [sic]. I love you I love you so now I am going to bed. Love always with kisses, Lefty.

Oh dear this next letter is a bad one. There are no letters from the 13^th to the 22^nd. That is eight whole days.  That is a pretty long time considering he has been writing two page letters almost every day.

22 September

Dear Vi, Well it was nice knowing you. I’m afraid to write tonight because I am afraid this is what you have been waiting for and what I have been trying to avoid.  So the new finally wore off. It isn’t so nice to be where you have to think of two. Remember I’m on the other end of your letters. And even though you think your [sic] living your own little part I find your slipping.  Maybe it is me your [sic] trying to do away with another [sic] invitation to come down-who knows?  Well if you want to send the ring back. It was a big mistake me giving it to you in the first place. I caught you on the rebound and it didn’t work out. The hounds came back and therefore I’m out. Oh! Yes a thought once in awhile but almost a hateful one then “No Vi.” For five years or more I have tried to not be a burden to you. And here one little slip up and there I go. That’s not for me. Anyway you say you love me like you read it in a story book. I didn’t give you that ring for fun. I love you Vi and it was for keeps. But not any more.

The letter goes on but starts not making sense. He goes on to say he is leaving in the morning for Georgia and when and if he gets back he hopes to “have a small package waiting,” (the ring.)  Then this,

So tell the folks I fell in love with some southern bell and asked the whole thing be called off.  One thing though I wasn’t going with you for what I could get. If I had been I would have quit 4 years ago. It’s no use writing anymore I’m not in a letter writing mood. As ever, Lefty.

I guess he told her. I wonder what her letter said. I wonder will there be a “small package” waiting for him when he gets back from Georgia? The next letter is four pages long and dated 4 October 1943. A whole 12 days later.

My Sargent and I are Buddies

Darling, Gosh I have lived a thousand lives since I wrote that letter. I guess I never should have done it.  Anyway I’m really sorry darling, in case that makes any difference. We left for Georgia the following morning and then I told Bob what I had done. He cussed me all the way down. He asked me what I was thinking about and even offered to kick me around a bit. I knew before he said anything I had done the wrong thing but more than ever after he had finished. I was going to settle by going out and raising heck that night we sure did. We went to the U.S.O. and listened to the juke box and danced a few dances with a hostess. I couldn’t even feel right there. Well the next day we had two trucks to work on and he really laid it on again. And believe it or not I didn’t even offer to take anyone home. I just couldn’t do it. From then on we just stayed in camp although that is just about like Los Angeles. We saw some of the town and all of Ft. McPherson since we have returned I have been sick most of the time. Am feeling much better now. But we had to take another shot in the arm and now. It is all read and has a fever in it. I guess I’ll live though. Darling, I guess I was wrong in about everything in the letter. I have prayed a million times you wouldn’t send the ring back. The last few days I have even been afraid to get my mail for fear it would be there. I guess I have done the wrong thing several times lately. I built all my hopes around your letters when I was getting them everyday [sic] and then none of the others seemed important. So I didn’t take time to answer them. Then when yours quit coming I just didn’t know what to do. It seemed the bottom had fallen out. And before I had gotten use [sic] to it I blew up. I don’t know maybe things will be ok now. You say you aren’t good enough for me. I think so darling, In fact your[sic] too good for me. A good man wouldn’t have treated his dog as I have you. I hope you forgive me Darling as I do love you very much and believe me I have opened your letters and read and reread them. I must stop now. I have to write mom (Mom’s mother) as I have a couple letters from her I haven’t written so again may I say good nite [sic] my darling, Love always, Lefty.

I always thought I got my temper from my mom, maybe not.

Lots of Love

4 October

Dearest Darling, How’s the little lady tonight. I hope she is ok. Anyway I sure love her. Gosh Darling I sure hate I wrote that damn letter. I almost made a wreck of me. Besides that I am ashamed of myself for doing it. I believe it [sic] you would have sent the ring back I would have been a wreck. I want to thank you more than a million times for being more level headed than I am.  Here I have been training to keep my head for three years and then the first chance I lose it. I guess I need a wife to help me. We went on a nine mile hike today. Made it in 2 hrs walking time. Not bad for a bunch of CF’s (unreadable) like us. We have a 25 mile one Thursday nite [sic] though so we shouldn’t be bragging about this one. You asked if I could wear a ring on the finger I got hurt. Yes nothing was injured except the end. I often wore my class ring there when I work. Otherwise I bend it. I am always using my right hand for a ring and there it goes. That is how it got bent in the first place. Gosh honey sweet I guess I must love you now more than ever now. I didn’t realize it until I almost lost you and then it was so nice to have you back. If we could only be together again. Maybe we can after awhile. It’s about bedtime and I’m awfully tired so maybe I should go to bed so until later. Love always, Lefty.

In today’s technical world it is hard to believe that he was so dependent on the letters that she was writing to him and that if she missed a few days he would think she no longer want to be engaged to him.

US Army Stationary 1943

I did a search to learn more about when payphones came into play. Here is what I found on Wikipedia.

Payphones were preceded by pay stations, manned by telephone company attendants who would collect payment for calls placed. In 1889, the first public coin telephone was invented by William Gray and installed at a bank in Hartford, Connecticut. The invention quickly caught on, and by 1902, there were 81,000 payphones in the United States. By 1905, the first outdoor payphones with booths were installed. By the end of 1925, 25,000 of these booths existed in New York City alone.

(Click here to read the whole article on Wikipedia)

So they were available in 1943. I have not heard Dad say anything about calling Mom or talking to her on the phone. I do know the way Dad talks about money, he has little to none. So I am assuming that all of their correspondence is through the US Mail Service. With Dad being in the field I wonder if they were getting their mail regular. How long was it taking to get a letter from California? This is a really good example of how much all of the soldiers in World War II relied on letters from home.

© 2012 notsofancynancy

Foxholes, Tanks, and Rattlesnakes

Chapter 19

My father is still training at Camp Rucker, Alabama. He had gotten a furlough and hitched a ride with some buddies, drove 1,500 miles one way, to California and asked Mom to marry him. She of course said yes and here we are in September of 1943. They have been corresponding since 1937. It has been a long five years.  Dad is doing some serious training in these next letters.  He is writing so many letters I want to use as many of his own words so that I feel I am preserving his history. Here we go.

2 September 1943

2 September 1943

Darling, Thanks Darling for the stationary[sic] it’s swell. And just what I needed too. I was almost out but now I won’t have to buy any for a long time. Thanks again and a million times more. It rained a little today. Boy did it seem swell.  A little rain sure can do wonders to the climate around here. I do believe it is cooling off a little through. But this month is suppose to be hot yet. I have been in 18 states that I can remember up to date. Maybe there are a few more somewhere along the line I don’t know.  Have you heard lately that I love you. Gosh honey I guess I do cause I can’t get you off my mind and that’s good. I dug out my picture albums the other night just to see the pictures we have taken together. They were swell. This isn’t very long but I’m not very winded. Bob and I are going to the show. So remember I love you lots and lots. Love forever your darling, Lefty.

That stationery will be featured throughout this chapter. Wow, 18 states? I can remember him writing my grandma and he had only been through 8 states. If I remember correctly it was on his way to Camp Robinson, Arkansas in 1940. He has put a lot of miles on the Army’s trucks. He told us how rough it was riding in those trucks. Getting jostled and jarred around for so many miles, it had to be hard on their bodies.

4 September 1943

4 September

Hi my Darling. Here I go again. How’s the little woman tonight. Up and coming I hope. I sure am. Here I sit plum nude waiting for a little breeze to come up so it won’t be so hot. It is thundering out though so maybe it’ll rain and get cool. I hope.  Everything here is up to par. We have had a big inspection on trucks yesterday in our platoon and in the others today. All posted ok I guess. Anyway I haven’t heard much about it. I was suppose to go with the Capt. today to inspect the other trucks but had a convoy detail and went on that. That was much better though the captain and I don’t get along so well.  I just took a shower and my hair is wet and now I feel like eating. I am either going to have to go to the kitchen or the canteen. Guess which? The kitchen is only about 40 feet away.

Oh, I did not need that visual of Dad in the buff. But I figure it is of historical importance because it is how he dealt with the unrelenting heat. How many other soldiers practiced this and do I really want to know?

Just as a reminder Dad and Bob Winter rigged up keys to get into the refrigerators, in the company kitchen and if it comes down to it Dad will just go see what he can rustle up in the kitchen.

I am putting on a front to you about going out. I haven’t been out of camp only on detail since my furlough. You can believe me or not. We have a dance here in camp once a week though I always go to. Along with 300 other soldiers-only about 20 woman come though. So that isn’t a front either.

What kind of odds are that 300 men to 20 women?  I bet there were a lot of soldiers dancing with each other. But I wonder about those 20 women.  Where did they come from? I bet their dance cards were full every night.

Oh yes as I have told you we go to the field for two weeks starting Monday. Well in that time we have to dig fox holes and have tanks drive over us. Also several gas attacks. And other little things like that. Lt. Gordon was saying the captain said everyone should buy a bathing suit. Well I asked him if the Captain was going to put up the money for the suit and he kinda changed it. He said that swimming would be a must. So that put the brakes on that. All they are interested in anyway are the ones who can’t swim. Then he told us not to use any barbed wire on our hammocks. He tore his pants on it last time so to that I had to add that he shouldn’t have been running so fast the barbs wouldn’t hurt him anyway. Well he said he wasn’t running. He was walking backwards. I let it go at that. We always have words like that only sometimes they aren’t humor. I haven’t much else to say only I love you heaps and heaps The Hit Parade just came on. They are playing “All or nothing at all” 5^th place. It’s raining outside again or should I say now. “In my Arms” is seventh. I wonder about that one. I guess I had better stop on that. I love you lots and lots darling and don’t forget it. Love forever and millions of kisses, Lefty.

September 1943 Letter

I know that Dad always seems to be getting into it with the squad leaders. I guess I am like him and we do not like to be told what to do.  So now it is foxholes and tanks running over them. And I am sure they will be throwing firecrackers and shooting blanks. What would that be like? I bet you one thing Dad will certainly have all his clothes on.

Could the “All or Nothing at All” have been this version by Frank Sinatra? Click here to listen

In My Arms by Dick Haymes and The Song Spinners, click here to listen

It was really fun doing a search and then listening to the songs my father was listening to in September 1943.  It set the perfect mood for reading the letters. The internet is an awesome thing!

Allen Ozanne in Straw Shoes, Netz, France 1944-45

15 September 1943 my dad writes.

Hi Darling, I didn’t have time to write last night so I am going to try it this morning. We started out on a tactical problem last night at 1900 (7:00) and no lights were to be lit. So we had to waite [sic]. Up until that time we were issued blanks ammo and fire crackers for the battle which came about 12:15. It was quite an affair. I believe all of the officers were captured and nearly half of the enlisted men. But the right flanks held out. Bob and I can laugh this morning. I wish you could have been here to have seen the thing.  You would have still been laughing. Bob and I both laughed so much at Sgt. Ozanne we cried.

Now this is a name I have heard of, Allen J. Ozanne from Lexington Nebraska according to the 1945 D-day roster. He has also mentioned Lieutenant Claude R. Gordon, from Bakersfield, California before. After the war Dad went to a lot of the reunions and it seems to me the Ozanne’s might have lived in California, or came to visit but I know I have met both of these men when I was young. I have just the slightest memory of him living in Simi Valley, California. I just put two and two together and realized I met Mr. Gordon also. I remembered this picture that was taken in our back yard about 1962.

Dad and his Army Buddies

My Dad is standing on the right, “Pop” Gordon holding my Brother. Could one of these other men be Mr. Ozanne?

15 September (continued)

I can’t write it as it happened so some day [sic] I’ll tell you about it. It was darn funny anyway. Lt. Gordon (alias Little Eddie) was captured and I sure razzed him. Then he had to explain why he was captured. Man was he and the Captain ever excited. In case you haven’t noticed by the drops on the paper it is raining again this morning. I just moved under my shelter so maybe they won’t be so bad from now on. It has cooled off quite a bit here and it is pleasant living now. So I can’t complain of the heat. In fact as I have said before we have slept cold here in the last weeks. But a good bath would sure do me good. We have no way of taking one here except a sponge bath and that sure does not do the job as a good shower does.  I don’t think it rains anymore while were in the field than when in camp. It just actually rains, [sic] here. So we have to take it as it comes. It rains about every other day. This morning is mostly fog. What is coming down is coming off that. Well honey tonight we make a complete blackout moveout [sic] so I imagine that means not much sleep tonight and tomorrow night we have a shuttle movement leaving the Inf. So that nite [sic] is shot. They are talking about working on the trucks so I imagine I had better go. I have to carry this about ½ mile to mail it and I’m sure Ozanne will have a fit at that so Darling I love you more than anyone in the whole world. Love always, Lefty.

It does not seem to me as they are taking this seriously but having a bit of fun with it. I almost want to take him by the shoulders and shake him since he needs this training for what is to come. Then when these men get overseas it won’t be that funny.

Stationary Mom sent to Dad in 1943

17 September 1943

It has been raining almost all day long. I am not on the Chamber of Commerce either so I don’t have to brag about this. Just waite [sic] a month or two and you’ll have mud there also. Probably more there than here. I have run my knife throwing money up to $1.30 from Bob and $.10 from a couple other kids. I owed Bob $.75 so that won’t be so much cash but it was a lot of fun. Bob said he is OK and writing to his sweet stuff. He also said to ask Pop if he is keeping his nails turned around straight. If he does not remember what he is talking about tell him to remember the moron story Bob told him.

Dad told us of him and his buddies making knives, and then having contests with them. Good to know he is earning the big bucks for it. I am glad he had that to keep him busy.

September 1943 Letter

Yes Darling I wish we were using that moon. There is no use letting it go to waste. You know I have seen some of the prettiest moons down here than anywhere I have been. But one in Calif would do if I could be with you. Oh! Darling I miss you. I guess we are going to brew a lot of coffee tonight we have to (because)this is the last and we may not all be together again to have coffee. Boy with the exceptions of the Platoon leader and Sgt. We have a swell bunch of men to be around. I would sure hate to leave them. I think back on the others ones on their way out though. About the first chance that comes along. You should see me. I haven’t shaved for 2 days and taken a good bath for a week and I am dirty. Of course I have washed and taken a sponge bath both but they aren’t much good. I could almost scare a skunk away. Talking about animals and worms.

It makes me wonder about deodorant in the 1940’s. I am sure they have something but I don’t see soldiers wearing it. That must have been one regiment of stinky soldiers.

They killed a timber rattler in the area we moved to. It wasn’t very big. But I don’t think they get so big. I believe that is the second snake we have seen on the detail. And I hear the termites working on my hammock again. He is sure an ambitious little devil. Every night he works. I think he just does it to keep my nerve on end. He makes the darnest [sic] noise. Well now I went posted the guard brewed coffee and here I am again. Even have a cup of it here while waiting to drive. It tastes good too. Just came down and have a cup if you don’t believe me. Of course we don’t have a nice new coffee pop but an old gallon can does as well. We have milk and all the sugar you want too. We didn’t buy it but Uncle Sam will never miss that. He has lots. Gosh just think back to camp a bath and sleep in a bed where you don’t have your head down and your feet up or vise versa. And mail coming and going regular. Then maybe I can get my mind on my work and tell you how much I want to be with you. Of course you won’t believe that but I do. I love you lots darling. Believe me I’ll be happy when this damn war is over. Oh yes. I got strict orders from Mrs. Johnson (This is actually my mothers, fathers, cousin) to go home on my next furlough. It will sure be cold at that time. So I don’t know. I don’t ever know whether I’ll get one or not. God Honey I don’t know what to do. So maybe I had just better waite [sic]. I do love you now though. I’ll close on that. Good nite [sic] Darling. Love always Sweet. Lefty

More snakes? No wonder Dad seemed like such a hero whenever we came upon one when we were young and out camping. I thought he was the king of the snake hunters. I did not take after him in this sense. If you have not read my post “Snake Season” you might want to. Snakes make me scream like a girl. Oh yea, I am one.

When I first started 4x4ing, and camping we used to travel with a man we called Sideshow Bob. He had no insides for his metal coffee pot so he would open the lid and throw the coffee grounds in the water. Let it boil a bit and hit it with a shot of whiskey, which he insisted caused the grounds to sink to the bottom.  I thought it was pretty cool, but at the time I did not drink coffee and certainly did not drink whiskey, in the morning, or any other time. People make do with what they have, that is for certain!

Second Half of August 1943

Chapter18

Robert Winter and Dad are at Camp Rucker, Alabama with about 40,000 other soldiers who are also training and living there. What would that have been like for the residents of that small town in Alabama? It is like a huge city moved in the neighborhood, all at once. It does seem like the training is getting tougher. The Army keeps them in the dark about when they will go overseas. I think the important thing is that they “will” go it is just a matter of “when” they will go. The answer to that question seems elusive at this time in Dad’s service.

Service Club Dance, Camp Rucker, 1945

(Photo Courtesy of Jackson Library, The University of North Carolina at Greensboro The Harriet H. Carter Woman’s Historical Veterans Project, check it out here)

11 August 1943 find Dad on field maneuvers and he writes

Bob and I have another house built together. Only this isn’t as good as the other. We borrowed part of the farmers fence and made this one out of. It has quite a sag in the middle. And as yet we haven’t found a remedy for it. But it sleeps anyway. The flies are a lot worse in the place than others we have been in.

On another field maneuver, Dad wrote about, he and Bob built a house-like shelter, with tarps and pine boughs.  I wonder how many more times the two will build a tent together before the letters end.

13 August

Darling I am going to lay my chips on the table. If I had the money I would send for you in a minute.  Only I haven’t. As you know I have an allotment made to Dad. Well when I got your letters today I went straight to the orderly room to see if I could get that cancelled. Well I can’t. I wrote home to see if Dad would send the check to me and as far as I could find he wouldn’t. Man Darling it hurts to think your [sic]there and I haven’t even enough to get you here. Of course after we were married that would build up to about $86. We could get along nicely on that. Or at least get along. What would your folks say to your coming down to get married anyway? If I thought we could get along until that allotment came through I would sure have you on the way. I am going to try writing Dad and maybe by the time we know what we are going to do for sure we’ll have it figured out. And then Honey it will be up to you. But as you say I am yours and am getting to a place where I can’t waite [sic] much longer. Guess what we are eating. Rations that is a 4 oz chocolate bar with 600 calories in it. Man are they ever condensed. It is suppose to take ½ hour to eat one bar. Well I have eaten one all day and have 2 left so I’ll send you one when I get back to camp. Darling I have been inquiring about the allotment. One kid said it took only a month for his to come through. Now we only have two things to worry about I have to convince Dad into sending enough for you to come down on and then to see what we are going to do for sure. Oh darling I hope you can come down. Of course I know your folks won’t want you to. And I also know we should waite [sic] but I am at the end of my rope. Now it is up to you. What you say goes. I love you so much darling. Thank Aunt Dick and Aunt Clara for me too. I imagine we’ll need a lot of luck.

Aunt Dick, Aunt Clara, and Grandma “Susie”

Aunt Dick and Aunt Clara are my grandmother’s two sisters. Aunt Dick’s husband, Gerald is also serving in World War II. I just heard a story I did not know. Apparently Uncle Gerald got injured in the war. It was bad enough for him to be sent home and he received a Purple Heart.  He was always so much fun, but Grandma’s family always was.

Uncle Gerald

18 August

I just stoped [sic] by the kitchen for a little snack.  So now I feel full at least. There was only a little cheese and a tomato. But that was food. Oh yes I went to the dance tonight and now it is after eleven and I am now in the day room. This is getting to be a habit.  It is time to quit all my chatter and tell you I love you. Even more than usual. This place is getting to us.  About 10 out of the company are in the hospital and as one Lt. says to the Colonel “Your[sic]  putting the rest in fast.” He’s new here though. Bye now my darling. Be good and keep on loving me. This war can’t last forever. Oh Darling, love forever with kisses.

Those keys Bob and Dad made themselves to the ice boxes have sure come in handy. Hoodlum! That is what Dad is!

16 August

Well Bob got a definite answer from Madeline. I guess they will waite [sic] awhile before they get married.  Bob didn’t like it so well and I don’t blame him. I suggested he not write for a couple of weeks and she would change her mind.  But there are some good points in waiting right now.

I would say there are a lot of good points on waiting. The biggest, there is a war going on! It seems like  Madeline has a good head on her shoulders.

Your in the Army Now Stationary

17 August

I had a rumble with the Platoon Sgt and I guess he hates me again. I called him Fatso and a few other things and I guess he didn’t like it. Maybe he’ll get over it when we get to talking again. That will take a couple of days. I guess I better tell you how much I love you now cause I haven’t much time left and I have some shoes to polish also and besides that I have my pack to get ready. I love you. I love you. I love you. Lefty

Dad is not only a hoodlum but a troublemaker. This is a part of him I did not know. Once again I can understand his frustration with being told what to do for so long. I have to believe that the uncertainty of the situation has to be weighing on a lot of men.

19 August

Gosh another day nothing done. Well we were up at 4:30 this morning and started to the range about 6. So we got an early start on today. Then I didn’t even get to fire. The whole thing was a mess and even though we didn’t get to fire Bob and I handled around 7,000 rounds one at a time. We were in charge of the ammunition. And filled the magazines when they were returned. The company goes back to the range again tomorrow but I am on CQ so I guess I fire next week.

I think one of the biggest things I do not understand about training the how you do that without actually “having ammunition.” How does that work? It seems they only get ammunition when they are practicing marksmanship. Then I also think about a half a million men all learning to shoot.  I wonder if they picked up to gun casings and reused them. Just more question I would ask Dad if he were still here.

20 August

Bob got to fire today. He made 161 out of 200. That wasn’t so bad. About average run. Or maybe I should say better than that. I only hope I can do as well.

24 August

I guess we leave for the south tomorrow afternoon. I’m not sure how long I’ll be gone. Maybe I’ll be back the same night and maybe I won’t be back. The Inf. Rgts. (Infantry Regiments) are having maneuvers down there. They are suppose to be gone a week. 1500 men are leaving the division in the near future. Post office unknown.

What Dad means here is they have no idea where these 1500 men will be sent.  It seems like it is hard for Dad when the men get shuffled around and it seems like there is a lot of that going on. I am sure it took quite a while to see where all these men were best suited when they went overseas.

Mom

26 August

Hi  darling, Well here comes nothing. But I must write anyway. I missed yesterday. Had to go on a convoy to Florida. We arrived back about 1:30 this morning. Was I tired. At first I didn’t think I was coming back but talked my way around it. Boy that was good. 5 trucks had to stay. They will be back about Sat. I didn’t take a darn thing with me so it was good I came back. I hope I don’t have to go back again. I wanted to go to the dance here but I could not make it. Oh! Well. I guess we’ll have 13 weeks here. Every other two in the field. I guess they are going to give passes from there. We have quite a schedule. We are going into that 13 weeks training. After that the schedule says maneuvers. But everyone say [sic] we won’t have them. We’ll go across instead. And I think they are right. So in about November we’ll be gone. If we stay that long and I am sure we will. I was surprised when you said what you did about Bob. I didn’t know he had been sent back with us has he [sic]. I thought he was still out in Texas or where he went when he left us. I haven’t heard of any issue of clothing like that around here and we issue all the clothing. Bye for tonight sweetheart. I’ll see you in my dreams It will be something new if I don’t. I have for weeks. So for now I love you lots.

I did not realize Dad and Bob had been split up.  I wonder when that happened. It sure would be great to find out what clothing issue he is talking about.

27 August

Darling, How’s my sweetheart tonight. Me I guess I’m OK.  Had such a hard day I ‘m not sure. Got up as usual went back to bed at 8:00 and slept till ten then loaded 120 mattresses and then it was noon. This afternoon I didn’t do anything. Really we had to make a parking lot for our trucks. I have about 5 blisters on my hand from using a hammer. Pretty soft ain’t [sic] I. So you see there surely is nothing to talk about tonight. I guess we have quite a convoy tomorrow. Going to haul the Inf. back then we really get into the game.  Good night my Darling. I love you lots and lots. Lefty, your Darling.

One of Patton’s many Desert Training Camp-Some Rockwork Can Still be Seen Today

I have visited a lot of General Patton’s Camps here in the desert of Southern California and have seen pictures from back then. You can still see tank tracks in places in the desert where not many vehicles have gone since then. By looking at the rockwork you can still see how the camps were laid out when the soldiers were there. They have lined road, pathways, and cook tents among the camp. It was a lot of work but it would take a lot of work to keep that many men busy.

29 August

I didn’t get to write yesterday. I took off about 10 for Florida. Well we didn’t get quite into Florida but only a few miles from it. We got back today. We had quite a deal. 2 Sgts. And myself went. We left ahead of the convoy to check M.P.’s at the crossings to see if they have been posted.  Well we really drove and when we wanted we stoped [sic] and ate or something. Really had ourselves a time. Then last night we took the jeep and 4 of us went to town. (Of course with the Captain’s permission) Did we do the town over. It was about 85 miles down there and the charts in on the jeep were 299 miles altogether. Not bad huh. We sure had fun. Had to call the Captain at 5 this morning or we probably could have done better. It was about the same way coming back today. We weren’t with the convoy so just went to suit ourselves all the way from 5 mph to 60 mph. That is the way I like to travel. It is about 10 now and I have been forcing my eyes open for the last couple of hours. So I must stop. I don’t know much more to write about. The Colonel said that in 3 months this division would be in Hawaii. Sounds like things might be moving doesn’t it. Good night my darling. Love always, Lefty.

(Click here to see how the war affected Florida)

Interestingly enough my dad continued to love to travel this way after the war, slow, taking his time, seeing the sights.  When he got to the end of his career as a milk man, he would have three to four weeks’ vacation and we would travel to many destinations across the United States, him seeing the sights from behind his windshield.  He was never in a hurry and loved to travel that way, slow and steady not making many stops. Mom never drove the truck with the camper, ever. I am not sure if he did not trust her driving, but he was the king of the road when we traveled. He really did love to drive and my brother and I got to see the country from the windows of that camper.

That ends the August 1943 letters.  Will Dad be shipped to Hawaii soon? Will he get the anticipated furlough he is looking for?  If so will they marry? Only time will tell.

© Copyright 2012 notsofancynancy

First Half of August 1943

Love Letters and More Training

Chapter17

Courtesy of Wartime Press

Holey Moly! There are 18 letters just in August of 1943. A lot of them are two pages long. My dad is writing more and his letters are filled with love.  He is also writing about what he is doing.  Let’s see if I can get it whittled down to just the history with a little love story mixed in.

Some days it seems like the suitcase has an endless supply of letters. I am close but have not made it down the first row yet!

1 August 1943

It’s raining again. Sounds good but we had to close all the windows in order to keep it dry and now it is exceedingly hot. But we will get use [sic] to that. Or maybe it will stop. They don’t last long usually.  I feel a lot better today have a slight headache and feel lousy all around. Just I still insisted on living so we could be together, when I came in off the line yesterday I surely didn’t care much (the rain stoped [sic]) I believe that was as sick as I have been since I have been in the army. I got up this morning and was going on garbage, but they wouldn’t let me. So I went back to bed. The Capt. came up and inquired how I was, but didn’t say much else.  I feel as if I have lost 15 lbs. in the last week. Bob says to tell you he and Madeline are still on speaking terms. He sure wants to get married. I think if we keep on he will be sending for her. I wish you were that close so I could send for you. I think you could keep my money better. You know Honey today was the first payday I haven’t been paid since I got in the army. I didn’t get back from furlough in time to sign the pay roll so I’ll have to waite [sic] until about the 10^th. It seems funny to pass a payday without money but you know the feel of ready cash always counts. I guess I had better start stoping[sic] or I’ll be running out of something to say. You know how I think you’re the sweetest person in the whole world and have the grandest folks, How was the party sweet. I’ll bet it was a grand affair. And everyone had fun, I must stop now I love you more and more every day. Love always Lefty.

I believe the party he is talking about is one that Mom was going to have at work to celebrate their engagement. I cannot remember where Mom’s first job was. I do know she went to some kind of business school so I would have to assume she is working in an office.

Depending where he was going in Florida, it is about 160 from Camp Rucker.

Mom

2 August 1943

I guess I am back in good condition again. At least I haven’t felt any real effects today. I still have a slight headache. But I guess that comes from sleeping too much. We have a good week next week. They have cancelled the 25 mile hike and we have two 10 mile ones. So at least we have two nights taken care of. I guess Bob and Chaz have their names in for 3 day passes about the 16-17-18. So it will be pretty dead around here without them. About the 28 will tell the (unreadable) as to whether we go on maneuvers or across. No one knows yet. There are a lot of rumors. Everyone is ready to go to bed darling so I’ll tell you again. I love you and wish we were together, My God Honey this is a hell hole. I guess if there were something to do we would be better. I must stop now sweet. I love you lots more than usual and I usually love you terrible much so good nite [sic] my darling. Love forever, Lefty

After the war my father always had to have his bedroom cold. That was the one luxury he always afforded himself. He even had a portable evaporative cooler (a device that that works by evaporation of water) and Mom would go in and fill it with ice every hour or so. During the night Dad would take the task over and would just wake up when it needed more.  I have become the same way. If my room is not cold I wake up with a headache in the morning. I guess I take after my dad, not such a bad thing.

3 August

Guess what? We just got back from a 3.2 mile hike. Wasn’t that long. We just had to do something and that was it. The heck of it was I ended up with a blister on my toe. About the first one I have gotten. It really doesn’t look like a blister more like some poison, I ‘m not sure though.  Sweet no matter what I say, I guess you’ll just have to waite [sic] a couple of years if you haven’t changed your mind by then. Because it looks as if it wouldn’t pay for you to even start down and the chances are a million to one I won’t be getting a furlough. So that’s how it stands. It sounds good to talk though. And I do miss you terrible. So from now on in case I start rattling on just let me dream. I’ll get over it soon. Your future husband, Lefty

Oh dear, now we are waiting a couple of years?

I can remember my father talking about how much “poison” oak or ivy he had gotten while he was training. It seemed like every time he went out into the field he got it.  “I really had some bad cases, covered my legs and arms,” he told us.  It must have been bad to have remembered it 30 and 40 years after the training.

Book available at Amazon

6 August he writes.

They haven’t discharged any limited service men yet, but they are talking about it. What looks bad is us. Things are looking like we might be leaving. At least part of the div. Maybe just for more unit training.  Or something. Hon I sure got a good one last night. We were in the kitchen helping ourselves to the Ice Box materials. When in walked a cook and turned on the lights. Well I had a quart of milk in one hand and some cold meat in the other. Well nothing was done. They didn’t know how we had gotten into the Ice Box and we sure didn’t tell.  It happened to be a good cook or our name would have been mud. The other kid was John Keller. The kid who hitchhiked home with me. Nice going on the raise. I guess I get one in Sept. Or close to then. About $3.50. No promotion just a raise. I doubt anymore whether I’ll ever get a promotion. You know you’ll have to excuse me for not writing for the last two nights. We had a hike last night and Tuesday night I was on guard and didn’t have a chance. On guard is getting rough around here. In my last letter darling I said we would not get married very soon. But if we get a chance and your [sic]willing don’t be too sure. I sure want to because I miss you so much. Even your pictures seem so good. About all I have done today is looked at them. Every time I pass my locker I get them out, In fact I have them here now and have looked at them several times since I started. Darling I wish I had something to offer you. Then it wouldn’t be so bad. This way all your [sic] only getting [is] me and I’m pretty well beaten up. But I’ll still try to make you happy. More than try. We go to the field again next week and then I hear Florida the next.  I love you.

Bob and Dad have gotten a hold of a couple of keys to the division’s ice boxes.  They sneak in at night and get they get a snack.  Looks like they finally got caught, but it does not seem to have made a difference. They did not tell about the key so they did not get in trouble. Well played Dad, well played.

I am not sure what “limited service men” means.  It seems to me that Dad enlisted for a limited time, one year. Now he has been in the Army going on two years from what he thought would be his release date in December 1941.

7 August 1943

My Darling, Hi Sweet. Thanks for the nice long letter. I sure enjoyed it. Now on my letter last night I started to say we were going into the field again and didn’t because some go to Florida and the rest of us have to take III rd Corps test in physical condition. That will be good I hope. I get to go to Florida. It will only be 5 days. Oh! Well I guess I can take that either. So it does not make any difference. I’m Lt. Gordon’s (Claude Gordon) orderly next week I’ll bet he hates me when I get through. I’ll tie his hammock so he’ll be falling out all the time. Or it will be breaking or something. It was sure hot here today and we had to be out in the sun for marksmanship. I guess we will get to fire again sometime soon. I was sure hot but when we got through. After that we walked about ½ mile to shade to have our next class. Did that ever gripe me. I thought we could have had both classes there. It’s still plenty hot. I must stop for now my lovely darling. So until tomorrow remember I love you and you’re the only one on my mind. Night and Day. I love you lots my Darling.

Lieutenant Gordon does not seem to be on Dad’s good side. I am not sure I would have wanted him as my orderly. I am not sure Dad had a choice, though maybe that is what makes him mad.  He has been at it so long, for three years now. Taking orders from others, it also seems he has no way out.  I know he wants to marry Mom.  It seems like she is ready to join Dad as an Army wife.  I almost feel if he can get the time or money they would be married already.

8 August

Darling I guess by now you know I love you lots. I guess I cannot say how much though. About 3 times a day when Bob and I am get alone I we mention how nice it would be if you and Madeline were here with us. We were talking tonight and said that if we stayed here for another 12 weeks training and we would have three months together. Wouldn’t that be grand Honey. Me spending three months with the most wonderful women in the world. My wife Oh! My Darling I can’t wait.

I guess Mom mentions how see is not a good cook. Funny, I guess he did not listen to her as she was one of the worst cooks there was. For the most part that never changed. Dad was a better cook than Mom and we always wished Dad would do all the cooking. Dad ends the letter with lots of love and kisses.

Dad in Nancy France 1944-45

9 August

After lunch Bob, Charley, and I went to the shop to work on our knives. Then we went to a show. It was “Behind the Rising Sun.”A lot of heavy [stuff] if you ask me but I thought it was good. I guess most of it is true. Now we are all thinking of being up at 5 in the morning.  And the pleasant week in the field. Or should I tell what we call it here. What a set up it is going to be. Lt. Gordon said we had better do our best because it wouldn’t be long till it would be for keeps. But then he don’t know anything anyway.

There are several Charles on the 1945 Roster of the 35^th Quartermaster but there is only one Charley, a Charley Thompson.  I wonder if this is the Charley Dad speaks of. Or could this be Charles Lance? I know we have pictures of Charles Lance and he was in the same company as Dad was. Another question we can’t answer.

So that I can keep track of the men in the letters, he has mentioned, Robert Winter, John Keller, Claude Gordon and Charley. I wonder if he will mention others.

To keep this post short it seems as though I will have to make two chapters out of August 1943. Even condensing the letters made it too long for one chapter. I will say this is a great time for my father. He is totally in love with my mother. The letters are all filled with how much he loves her. For a man who once stated he did not like mushy letters he is sure doing a good job of writing them. I kind of get embarrassed with some of it, but it is there in each letter, an outpouring of love. Throughout the letters he writes how much he loves her and how he cannot wait to be married, or just be together. This love and her letters are keeping him going. I wonder if he will get a furlough before he goes overseas. If he does will they marry? Oh wait! I already know that answer but I won’t spoil it for you.

© 2012 notsofancynancy

World War II

Engaged and Still Training

Second Army Tennessee Maneuvers. Company F, 347th Inf Reg., 87th Inf. Division, stands for inspection. (Signal Corps Photo: 8 May 1943). Picture courtesy of Olive Drab, click above

Chapter 16

In the last chapter my father finally got a furlough and with two other buddies, Eugene Lyman and Richard Shelton, and he heads the 3,000 miles to California and back to camp. Somewhere Dad picked up a ring and asked Mom to marry him. They are engaged and Dad is really in love and is trying to write to Mom everyday.

On the 21^{st 1943} he writes,

Well guess what. I was going to answer your letter last night and it rained so we had to fix the tent different. And when we finished it was too dark so I had to waite [sic]. You should see Bob’s and my house. We have four stakes and trees laid across them and then pine needles on top of that. It isn’t so bad or should I say good but were off the ground and that is what counts. Oh! Yes we have our pup tent on top of that. Robinson Crusoe type that’s us. You know I used to dislike mushy letters but coming from you now I really like them. They seem so nice. Makes me feel like I am close to you. Then Darling I like to know you love me. You know how having you makes one want to do things. Give new life or something. Anyway all I can think about is you.

(Click here to learn more about pup tents)

Oh Dear Goodness, did I really need to know that about my dad? “Give new life or something?” Oh Gezz!

On 22 July 1943 Dad writes,

Hi honey, I know now I am the luckiest person in the whole world. Two letters from you today. Gosh if only one came I would have read it all to pieces. I have read each one enough to have them memorized. Gosh I wish I was coming out again. If I were we would get married and I ‘m not kidding. I am getting so I can’t stand it much longer.

I have no words. He is really in love with her and it seems as though she is with him. A lady who knew my parents contacted me recently. Her mother, who knew my parents at that time in their lives, told me how in love my parents were. It was really nice to hear they were in love and happy.

24 July, once again he writes,

Guess what? We has to cook our own breakfast this morning over a bond [sic] fire Well I went to the kitchen for the materials to cook while Bob built the fire. They would only give me 6 slices of bacon and the eggs which didn’t seem enough for both. So I sent Bob down for some more. In other words we got double rations. Each one drew for the other. Oh! Yes we had potatoes too. I cooked and Bob said it was about the best he had had in the Army. So he proposed to me and I consented. He wrote to Madeline he was marrying me that it was all over between them. So I wanted to brake [sic] it to you gently. On second thought no I won’t I couldn’t leave you now. I don’t want anyone but you. I still love you sweetheart. One kid died for being overheated on a hike yesterday. So maybe I wasn’t so weak when I got back. It has been extra hot and that 7 miles has put lots of sweat on running [sic] And a lot were as hot as I.

I wonder what the weather is like in Alabama. One thing we know for sure in July it is hot there.

May 9, 1943 Letter

26 July finds Dad,

Moved back to camp. All cleaned up and all that. I even did my weekly washing on a wash board. It didn’t look bad either. I have to conserve so I cancelled my laundry. After all darling I have to have a little to put into that home. Maybe all I hope. Am I in misery. About all I get done is scratch and boy that is enough legs look pretty red. Oh yes we killed the biggest rattler last night. About 6 feet long and you couldn’t reach around it with both hands. Had 14 rattles and a button. We saw a couple of others during the week but didn’t get them. Glad I wasn’t sleeping on the ground. Going on the radio huh! Well when your a big star think of me once in a while. I sure wish I were going to be there to hear all of it but I guess I’ll just dream. Gosh Darling I love you so I can hardly stay in this country without you. You never know how much I do love you. I can’t explain it.

My mother is going on the radio? I am not sure I know that story. I wonder why?

28 July Dad writes,

Well honey did I tell you I wrote home about us. And also my furlough. I guess I did cause that’s news. And I know the folks like you. Just wait until you really meet them. As far as too many fireworks let them blow.  They had it coming and a lot more too. Only I hate to punish Dad also with them. Did I also tell you Bob and I rigged a key to the ice boxes. So now when we get hungry at night we can have a sandwich or glass of milk. It always helps to have something like that around. The party sounds good Darling. I wish I could be there with you. I love you so much. I just can hardly waite [sic] from day to day for your letters. Then when I get one I just get goose bumps all over. My heart gets all flustered and a couple of years later I am back to normal. I guess I must be in love.

Yep, that is love! I know that feeling. I love that he has that right now in his life.

The 29 July letter is very interesting. It tells what Dad’s been doing.

Today is about the first day I haven’t sweat since I came to Alabama. And I have done a days work. I am alive so now I can tell you what we did. We ran the infiltration and blitz course and were they ever rough. The infiltration course was first. We had to crawl 75 yds. Under machine gun fire and dynamite all around us. We netted one causality on that bob [sic] wire isn’t pretty so we sent him to the hospital. 3 stitches. With all that muddy they had carried water to make mud then it was raining slightly all morning so it was wet. We looked like a pig coming from a waddle. Then we went to the lake and the Cpt. Said not to get our shoes any wetter than possible so we all waded in the lake shoes clothes and all. Then we went to the Blitz Course. That was about ¾ mile long with obstickle [sic] mountain to climb and everything. Only by then it had really began to rain. (I love you) and that was really muddy. We had to crowd considerably on that too so you see we were also wet and muddy. The last obstickle was three ropes stretched across a creek about 30 yards long. You walked on one and held onto the other two. While someone on the other side threw dynamite into the water. (I love you) Man we were only about 6 feet above that so there was quite a concussion. That also heeded [sic] one causality. It hit him or whatever it was concussion. But he got a ruptured blood vesicle [sic]in his eye. I don’t know how bad that was. So that was about all I know that were hurt. Except for a few rope burns and hurt knees.  So that was a day’s work. It was fun though. It rained all day and we were wet from about 10 to 4 this afternoon. I love you more than anyone else in the whole wide world.  And I am going to do my best to make you happy forever. Love forever, Lefty

Dad and his brother Bob

How long are these soldiers going to have to train? Is the Army making up this training as it goes along? When will my father be sent overseas?  Will he be transferred somewhere else to do more training? Will they get married before he goes overseas? Do you have as many questions as I do?

©  Copyright 2012 notsofancynancy

Finally

Chapter 15

This chapter finds my mom’s family settling into pre-war Pasadena, California. Just when you think my parents are going to hook up the Army whisks him to the boondocks of Alabama where the nearest town is 30 miles away.  According to Answers.yahoo.com, “It’s less than 1700 miles by car, border to border. (Alabama to California) Politically speaking, they might as well be on separate planets.” I bet my father felt like the politically speaking part of that quote. I know Dad did not have a car to get around. Well he has one but it is in Nebraska and I do not believe it would get him to Alabama, let alone 1700 miles to California. Besides the last time Dad has mentioned money he only had three dollars to spend for a month. My father would have had to catch a train or a ride with someone else. I can remember him talking about hitchhiking when he was on the California coast but 1700 miles, one way? How long would that take? Or there was always a bus. But even then if they only had a day pass or even a week pass he would never make it all the way to California and back. The closest town right now is 30 miles away. There are about 40, 000 men with nowhere to go. We find the Army keeping Dad busy.

Susie, Pop, and Vi

14 June 1943

Well at 6:30 in the morning we start for the field for a week that will be good anyway it will be different. It isn’t maneuvers.  Just going out there to live. Of course we will have some problems and such but it will be just Company stuff. Such as to 10 mile hikes and things like that. I guess they plan on keeping us going about day and nite [sic]though.

He goes on to talk about a friend of his named Madelyn. Someone Dad knew from California. Her mother passed away unexpectedly.  He had just received a letter a couple days before he wrote this letter saying she was gone. I guess while Dad was stationed in California he went to their house for dinner several times. This generous lady made Dad feel like he was at home. He is quite upset by her death.

17 June 1943

Guess where I am. Sitting here in my Pup Tent waiting to go on a 10 mile hike. And it is raining not hard but it has the makings of a good one. We have been in the field three days now and another had happened that’s very exciting. I am building flat tops for machine gun implacements [sic].  It should have taken me three hours and it has taken me three days and have figured it out so I can go back tomorrow. I guess we move back in Saturday morning then out for another week. Starting the first. This time we have to run the Ranger course you know with machine guns firing over your heads and all things like that. Sounds fun doesn’t it.  Darling you should see me. I have jiggers all over me and to top it off with I have poison oak coming on my face and one hand. Waite [sic] until tomorrow I will look like a bloom. Bob and I got permission to go into Camp last night to go to the dance. Was it ever hot. My shirt was so wet you could ring [sic] water out of it. And I only danced one dance. If I even watched the water just run. So I went outside  and waited for Bob. I wrote home and told the girl I went with I was going to get married on my furlough. I have not heard from her yet. I doubt whether I will but just in case (I hope) that is taken care of. Darling Bob said if I did he was or he and Madeline were going to call the whole thing off. He won’t but that’s what he said. I have 20 minutes to pack full field Equipt. To get ready for the hike so I better stop. Love always, Lefty.

courtesy of http://www.usgwarchives.org/al/ppcs-al.html

18 June 1943

Guess what hon. I skiped [sic]a class walked ½ mile down in the woods just to write you. In fact I have skipped all the classes this morning. The first two I went to Camp then to the Service Club for lunch now this one. Are they ever in an uproar around here. I only have been to one all week. But have succeeded in getting something else to do. Such as checking camouflage nets where there wasn’t any and such. I did build some though. The Capt.  said I did a good job. I am still planning on coming out. I got my money from home. They think I am in trouble. But let them awhile. Don’t plan too much yet because Sis hasn’t had her operation and there is a rumor the furlough will be cancelled then. Of course I don’t know yet.

Dad does not say how much money he had saved up at home and is he asking for it so that he can use it to get married?

Lefty and Vi 1940′s

There are no letters for a month until 18 July 1943 but from the one on the 18^th till the end of the month there are 12, one every day except the 20^th and the letter on the 18^th tells why. Dad got his furlough and went to see Mom in California. It seems like he might have swept her off her feet, finally.

Remember me. I am the guy who should have written a couple days ago but didn’t. Anyway we got through (back to camp) with only a few minor accidents. But it seemed every time I went to sleep we got lost. One time in Arizona just after we picked Lyman up I awoke and we were off someplace in the mountains (God only knows where) on a little old road. Or should I say cow trail. Well we ruined a tire there by hitting a rock. It was the new one we got on the way out. Well the spare lasted until we got almost to Ft Worth Texas. Then it blew out and Dick went into Fort Worth and got another. So we didn’t have much trouble but had so damn much monkeying [sic]around I was so tired when I got here I could have taken both Dick’s and Ruth’s head off. I drove all three nights and made good time. Then in the day they drove and had to stop about every hour. Everything seems about the same here though. I sure hated to leave out there but it didn’t effect [sic] me until that evening when I started driving. I could have cried. I really wanted to turn around and come back. Oh yes I got sideswiped the second night out. Got two of the prettiest rolled fenders you ever saw. It was lucky Ruth was awake and saw it wasn’t my fault. I was almost in the ditch when he hit me. He could have turned us over easily enough. I sure am glad you love me and like the ring. I wish it had been a big diamond but—-I do love you very much and wish the 2700 miles were only 27 so until I see you again will have to waite[sic]. I am glad the fellows at the office like the ring. I only wish the diamond could have been larger But you know me. I should have let you pick it. You know I have to pack to go into the field yet tonite [sic] so maybe I had better get started. I love you.

Sniff. Sniff. It seems he must have proposed and she must have said yes, if she is wearing an engagement ring. So I bet he had that talk with my grandparents. I wonder if they have set a date. My father seems so in love.

Eugene Lyman’s Autograph Courtesy of Marvin Cain’s Family

Richard Shelton Autograph Courtesy of Marvin Cain’s Family

I am not sure who the people he went with are, but he does have a sister named Ruth. I cannot imagine it would be her. None of the men have the same name as her husband and in 1940 she would have been married with two kids.  I did find a “Lyman,” a Eugene Lyman, of Del Rio, Texas on the 1945 Quartermaster roster. That would make sense as Dad talks about going through Texas on the way back to camp. There also is a Richard, which would be long for the “Dick” Dad mentions. There are other Richard’s but there are two clues that makes me believe it is this, Richard “Dick” Shelton that went on the run to California. Dad’s buddy Robert “Bob” Winter is listed in the Headquarters Platoon on the 1945 roster.  Both of these men are in the Headquarters platoon, although Dad is in the Third Platoon I know at this time they were all together. Second, Mr. Shelton was from Los Angeles, California and that is only 10 miles from where Dad was headed in Pasadena. Wow! That was fun! I am almost certain these are the two men that accompanied my father on that trip in 1943 from Alabama to Los Angeles, California. Richard “Dick” Shelton from Los Angeles and Eugene Lyman, from Del Rio, Texas.

Will Dad get another furlough before the army sends him overseas? Will they get married before he goes? When will he go? Stay tuned!

  ©  Copyright 2012 notsofancynancy

Camp Rucker, Alabama

Chapter 14

May 1943 letter

In the last chapter we find my father in intense, or at least what he thinks is intense training and learning about Chemical Warfare in Camp Rucker, Alabama. It seems they are really trying to get all of these men ready to fight in the upcoming war. Dad has gone through marksmanship training and also machine gun training. I wonder if they are still trying to make him shoot right-handed. He mentioned it early on in the letters but has not mentioned it again. Dad’s discharge papers tell me that he got a medal for Rifle Sharpshooter in October 1942 (click here to learn more)and would go on to get his Carbine Sharpshooter(click here to learn more) in March 1944.

From Dad’s Discharge Papers

7 May 1943 he writes,

It is about time I found time to write you. Haven’t much time now. It’s about 6:40 and we have class at 7:00. I have been one of the busiest boys you have ever seen. The last 4 days. Today won’t be bad though. Chemical Warfare school was rough. I came in third in the class but it took some work. You can blame Colonel Cobb about not hearing from me. I never studied so hard in my life. 8 hours a day classes and I never got to bed before 12 at night and I wasn’t running around. We have a truck and ordnance Inspection the 12^th and Personal ins.(inspection) On the 23. They cancelled furloughs for 15 days so I guess it will be a good one. It will be by 7^th Corps and that means rooouuuggghhh [sic] so it will be busy for a while yet.

The Chemical Warfare classes sound like they took most of the day. So they are not doing much other than learning about this nasty way of fighting. It does not seem that they would have much time for anything else. You can tell he is in a hurry as the letter has been hastily written. I do not like that fact that my dad might need this training in the near future.

9 May 1943

I saw “My Friend Flicker” [sic] tonight it was good. Wasn’t there some good scenery in it. Boy we went up to go about 1:15 minutes ahead of time and there was a line ahead of us about a block and a half long. God I hate to waite. [sic] Nothing has happened here I filled an application for a specialist school yesterday and I guess only 2 from the Company goes so I probably won’t have a chance. Anyway it was a good idea. Go to college. Wouldn’t that be nice.

(Read about “My Friend Flicker” here.)

I wonder how different our lives would have been had they let him into that school? I mean I don’t believe he went as he comes out of the Army driving a truck, same as he is doing at this time.

16 May he angrily writes,

Just to show you what kind of an a-hole we have for a captain we have last week we passed three inspections and one drivers test. We were second in the division on the drivers test with an average of 97 and in the inspections we rates as excellent by our own I.G. (Inspector General) and by the I. G. of the second army we were rated one of the best QM he had ever inspected. The other one we passed satisfactory. Oh yes we had an ordnance (inspection) by the 7^th corps and they said we were some of the cleanest rifles they had ever seen. Then the Capt. Have guts enough to call a non-com meeting and really chew us about 20 minutes worth. And say it wasn’t us but by the grace of God and Good luck we passed it. He was the only one who did anything to aid the cause.  So we have about all quit. He gets all the credit let him have the work too. Waite[sic] until next week until we get a chance to talk to the I.G.(inspector General) The closer the 23^rd gets the harder they drive us. Believe me by next Saturday we will be going night and day. Last week I was on duty 5 nights and that wasn’t anything.  The 23^rd starts our 7^th Comp. Inspection and we have to be good. At least they say so. If I were as sure about some of the officers passing as the E.M (Enlisted men) I wouldn’t worry.

He sure is mad. I can understand it when he feels like he has been so cheated. Plus he has all this training in Chemical Warfare to learn. It seems as though he does not have time for anything more than what the Army is asking of him. The uncertainty of things to come and the training they are putting him through starts to show in the following letters. It is evident in the hurried script of his handwriting, but he still finds time to write almost every day.

1940 Era Gas Mask

(Courtesy of http://www.history.army.mil/photos/WWII/Preps/WW2-Prep.htm)

(Click here to learn more about the 1940′s troops preparing for war)

20 May

I have been in school again. And about all we had we the same thing we learned before. Anyway we put in 8 hours and have 8 more tomorrow. Then we have a four hour test. The test consists of decontaminating 96.67% pure mustard gas. If we get burned and have to go to the hospital we flunk the test. Doesn’t that sound good. Any way I hope it [sic] good. I think I told you I had some poison oak. Well I have one hand. I am going to the Medics with it in the morning. I can hardly close it and have some good size blisters between my fingers. It is about to drive me nuts. Are they ever excited about the inspection next week. Boy we are getting everything ready. I hope we don’t even get to first base. But damnit when we all get in a mood like that we run into lady luck again and pass it. That is the way it goes. I guess I won’t make that specialist school. You have to have at least one year in college and I haven’t.   So I guess I’ll just have to wait until something else comes along. Oh well the army is the Army whenever you find it.

What does that mean! How does one decontaminate mustard gas? Does one not need to be in contact with said gasses to decontaminate them?

21 May

I have been on the range running targets. Boy what a time. We have 60 men who have to qualify and maybe we will get through this day firing and rifle marksmanship. So all the Non-Coms in the pits have made up our minds to give them enough points to pass the. In two cases this afternoon I know of a couple of scores that couldn’t have been over 6 and we gave them 20-22 to get through with the affair. They can’t shoot so something has to be done. No Bob didn’t get married but I guess she is coming down and they are then.

That does not sound like good odds. It just brings more questions than it does answers.

25 May

Two fellows took a jeep and went to town the other nite [sic]. They got caught and were both busted and grounded. Man was that bad and one was in my squad and also a good driver. He might be able to drive later I hope.

It kind of reminds me of a day in the past in a little town in Arkansas where Dad drove his buddies somewhere other than the picnic he was suppose to be headed to. He ended up running into the front of the convoy. But they did not get in trouble. It seems that the Army is keeping a tighter rein on the soldiers.

27 May

We just had a blackout. Gosh what an experience. We had to move out in the dark and all and all that. About 2 minutes after the whistle started we couldn’t see anything. Less than four we were moved out. How is that for efficiency. Of course it was just part of the inspection. I don’t know how much area it covered. It lasted about 20 minutes of course I didn’t time it. The inspections have been going damn good. At least I think so. In the last two days I have skipped five classes on of them were at night. And one inspection. So I haven’t done so bad. You see a certain portion of the Platoon is called at a time to be inspected Well my squad was inspected on Field Sanitation and today we had 30 minutes to pitch pup tents display full field equipment and strike tents. We did it in 25. Beat the old Recon troop by 8 minutes and got another excellent for the Company. The rest I have skipped. I would have missed that too but they caught up with me. To tell you the truth I don’t give a damn anymore and I am acting the same way. So as I have said before don’t be surprised if you have to start writing a private.  The last rumor I hear today is that we are moving to Ft. Ord. But then I know we have 26 weeks more of Combat training and them we have maneuvers. By that time I will be in a padded cell so I won’t have to worry. Bob says hello.

I can still feel the desperation in his words. In Chapter 11 we hear about my Grandpop going through a “blackout” in Pasadena. (Click Here to read it)  Here is a glimpse into what the soldiers went through when they were on “blackout.”

Viola in 1942

There are 10 letters in June 1943 on 1 May he writes,

Another day another dollar, Still nothing done to help win the war. I’m sure in the dumps. Boy what will the kids think of an old man who couldn’t even get across in three years. I am almost in the mood to take a bust and joining the Rangers. We can now. But only Pvt. And Pfc’s can though. It sure wouldn’t take much coaxing. I sure hope you had a good time at the beach. I know you did so take care of the sunburns and all the insect bites. If you find any smears on here it is sweat. Man is it hot. And I want to go to a dance after a while. I’ll bet that is a hot place. There are over 400 WAAC’s in Camp. Maybe they will come up and we will have enough women. I hope. I just found out something for sure. Today was Bob’s birthday. I knew it was soon but not exactly when. I am in a heating[sic] up mood I have another letter after I finish this and then carry on so take it easy.

8 June

Gosh Darling I sure feel good tonight for some reason or other. Maybe it’s because I got cussed out twice today. Gosh I am reforming. Bob and I have just been discussing again. Maybe I am wrong about Madeline not liking me. But I’ll take my hunch until proven not guilty. We had a bitching session about recreation today. The Special Service Officer is going to try to arrange a dance in Enterprise and invite the WAAC’s. I guess we go into the fields for a week starting around the 14. Boy will that help pass some time until I get out. I wrote home for my money yesterday. I am getting all in the mood. By the way darling what kind of chewing gum do you like best. We can buy it here two packs at a time and I sure have been stocking up. So name your favorite kind. Gosh Darling I still don’t know about getting married. I sure hate to put it off and I hate to get married and not have you with me. Lets waite [sic] and talk it over between Mom, Pop, you, and I. How about that? Maybe they wouldn’t like the idea anyway? After I read your letter I would have gotten married right then and not even thought about the things we should. I damn near cried. Baby, ain’t [sic] I. By now though I have only read it about a dozen times through. See Darling I do love you and like your letters very much. Bye Darling, Love always, Lefty.

Lefty and Vi, in Kansas Dad’s first leave

It seems like Dad has gotten some kind of encouragement from Mom. I think it is sweet that Dad wants her Mom and Dad a part of the planning process. I wonder if he ever gets the chance to sit down with Pop and Grandma. I wonder if it is true or just the dream of his to be married before he sees action. It seems like he has been teasing Mom about getting married since about 1938 and here in 1943, five years later he is still waiting in the wings to sweep her off her feet. Will she let him?

© Copyright  notsofancynancy 2012

Courtesy of Marvin Cain’s Family

I know that Memorial Day is a day reserved to honor those who have fallen in action and I certainly do, but this year I also have more to memorialize because of my father World War II legacy, I have faces and names to honor, I have this picture that was taken of them sometime in the 1940′s. We are not sure when or where it was taken though. Those who are following my blog you know that I am working on my father’s World War II letters.  I have been wondering how I can honor the 110^th35^th Quartermaster this weekend. They did not die in the war but they served and survived it.  I have found 36 memorials on Find a Grave, for men my father served with. And have created a Virtual Cemetery in honor of these men.

I just finished going to each memorial page and l have left a graphic and a note on each of their graves. I have found quite a few families of the men my father served with leaving notes on their memorial pages on Find a Grave. It has been amazing. I feel like I have honored quite a few men this Memorial Day and it is even more special having my father a part of that! I have a whole new respect for his service.

(Click here to visit 110^th35th Quartermaster Virtual Graveyard on Find a Grave)

Color Guard of the 110th 35th QM 1940′s-Dad on left

 (If you are interesting in reading Dad’s story you can click here! to start at chapter 1)

Chapter 13

California Coast at Ventura

Since shortly after the bombing of Pearl Harbor in December 1941, my father was sent to be stationed on the coast of California. He remains there for a year and three months. He is a truck driver and is driving supplies and soldiers all up and down the coast of Southern California. He has been able to get quite a few furloughs and is able to visit my mom and her family who are now living down the coast from him in Pasadena, California. From Dad’s letters it seems like Mom is dating other men. I really cannot blame her with all those handsome soldiers around. According to Pop’s letters he spoke about Pasadena, (Read Pop’s letters here) “There sure are a lot of soldiers around here. They have camps every place where there is any defense industry.”  So there would have been plenty of opportunity to do so. On 19 March 1943 Dad writes his last letter from the California coast. Dad has been in the Army since 23 December 1940. He thought he would only have to serve a year. It has been two years and three months.

I love that saying, “Just when you have things figured out God changes the rules.”  Now I have to say, just when you fall in love the Army will move you.  Dad is on the move once again. Is this a move to go overseas or just more training?

From Encyclopedia of Alabama, Click here to learn more

His next letter is postmarked Camp Rucker, Alabama.  According to Wikipedia,

(Click here to learn more Fort Rucker)

After the bombing of Pearl Harbor, the War Department decided to add a number of new bases for training the military to fight.  Alabama had 58,000 acres of Alabama wilderness along with some farmlands available. Fort Rucker was opened the 1 May 1942 as “Camp Rucker.”  It was large enough to house 44,000 soldiers.

There are twelve letters just in April 1943. The next is dated 3 April 1943 and he writes,

Got your letter today. And was I ever glad to hear from you. I should have written but we couldn’t send anything from the train. So what was the use. I like the Camp here but that is all there is to like. The climate, the wind, sand, and all the rest isn’t so good. I really believe it is the best camp we have been in. I’ll probably change my mind a hundred times before we move out. I guess we have 13 weeks training again and then no one knows what will happen. Boy things are stirred up. Maybe we should have gotten married while I was there. Lots of fellows did. Our nearest town is 30 miles. Don’t ask me which way. I haven’t been there yet. Don’t think I will get there soon either. Seems to me as if I should save some money now. My vacation is over now. I think I am going to turn down my next furlough. No future in going home. At least when you can’t see the right person.

He goes on that he had a nice trip from California to Alabama and they took almost the same route they did on the way to California from Arkansas. They traveled through eight states which only left Mississippi that he had never been to so he adds that to the list he is keeping of new states he visits.

Mom with some friends/family?

In his letter dated 5 April he says he has turned his furlough down because he is so far away from Mom in California. He goes on,

You see I even turned my furlough down. I am trying to sell it. Maybe I can make a little profit out of the deal. We have our first touch of what our training is going to be like. Well so far it is not bad but I bet that will change. I guess we will be wearing shirt sleeves starting on the 15 so you see we have a different climate here than there. We work year around there. We had a two mile road march and along with that we ran the obstickle [sic] course twice. It isn’t as bad as the one there, but bad enough. They say this one is the worse one in the U.S. I don’t believe it. I ran this one in 3 minutes and the one out there in 6. So you can see the difference. Anyway we took off on through the woods on our hike and it sure was like Little Rock. Boy it was like home. I mean Arkansas. After all we are the adopted sons of Arkansas.

Sell it? Did you know men sold their furloughs? Did the Army know they were selling furloughs? I have never heard such a thing, have you?

What he says next confuses me.

Say in my last letter I aimed to ask you more thoroughly what was [sic] the matter with you and Emile. (Who is Emile?)  If it’s [sic] anything I could have caused. If so I am sorry. If not well tell him to be careful. I hate to have my future wife beaten up. Bob is well and talks as much as ever. He says hello.

I just don’t understand this and I am not sure who Emile is. Is this the rumored fiancé? Was he there when Dad went to visit Mom? It sure sounds like it to me. Just more questions.

Visit the Rucker Family Society to see more great postcards

If Dad’s buddy Bob is still stationed with Dad I am sure he will be able to get news from home. Bob did come from the same hometown, Cozad, Nebraska, Dad did.

There is a letter almost every day, now. I want to get the most historical stuff documented, so here we go.

Man what a life. Something happening every day. Always the same though. Now we are suppose to run 30 minutes before the 17^th.  Well if they would promise me a 30 day furlough maybe I could do it but otherwise I don’t think I’ll be able to. Besides you do not get any more (pay) for doing it than otherwise [sic]. We can double time for about 10 minutes now and have only been trying two days. That is the most of us can [sic]. We have another road maneuver tomorrow afternoon. Besides one hour close order drill. Maybe you think that doesn’t bring up a sweat. Boy I’ll bet if I were to weigh now the scales would have to pay me. We really have a rough training schedule ahead of us. Believe me when one gets a furlough now you have to take a written examination to see if you are well trained enough. If you don’t pass no furlough. I turned mine down. Maybe later I will get a better deal. None at all.

I guess they are really cracking down on getting the soldier’s educated.  I read somewhere that once they drafted all these men into the Armed Forces their education level was not where it needed to be to understand the army’s written instructions. Somewhere Dad talks about how they want them all to be educated through high school and one year of college under their belts. I wonder how long a year of school is in the Army.  It seems to me Dad has been in school for 2 years and five months and he is still training.

Dad is using paper provided by the Army, and it is paper thin. Could be used for toilet paper

10 April 1943

You talk about missing me. Well I miss you probably a lot more—not because I am away from home but because I have no place to go.  I mean of interest. If I didn’t keep myself busy all the time I would probably go nuts. When I come in at night I am just dead. That tired. Therefore I go straight to bed and don’t have any time to lay around and think. Saturday afternoon and Sunday are the worse. And I sure hate for them to come around. But within a limited time we will be busy then also. So all we have to do is waite[sic].And I guess if 5,000,000 others can do it I should. Maybe sometime we can catch up on lost time.

He goes on to talk more about his training.  He does not seem to think that the obstacle course is as bad as everyone makes it out to be. It seems the reason it is not so bad is the two hour hike they do afterward. They have to trudge through thick Alabama underbrush and he feels like this is harder to get though than the course. He goes on to write,

“Vi” are you sure I didn’t just catch you on the rebounds from John. I was afraid that was the way when I was there. That is why I really didn’t want to get married then. It happens that way a lot and marriages doesn’t last. When I get hitched I want it to be the one and only. And everyone has to enjoy it. That is everyone envolved [sic] therefore I want someone whom I can trust and that trusts me. Other wise [sic] no deal.

Wait! Who is John? This is the first I heard of a John. Man, I cannot keep up with Mom. And what is up with the statement about trust. Why is he bringing it up now?

Could this be John? Is this one of the other men Mom dated?

13 April 1943

Most of the New Yorkers are here but they are in the Service Platoon and I am in the third truck Platoon so we don’t see much of each other. (Goody Goody) I guess we loose [sic] the whole service Platoon though so that will be O.K. A new T.O. is coming down and that breaks the Company again and forms a railhead Company. It will be better that way because there will be more men envolved [sic] and can take care of the railheads. Man can you figure that out. If you do tell me what I meant.  Don’t wreck yourself on those skates after all I want something left when I get to see you again. Bob and I went to a show here in Camp last night. Man was there ever a crowd. One time I was going to pick up my feet and see if I could stay there with out[sic] them. The crowd was that thick. Well I couldn’t pick them up. They were standing on them too. It was a good show though “Happy Go Lucky.” Only I am on CQ (Charge of Quarters) today and can’t get out.

The Army terminology has thrown me off a bit. I am not up to par with what all the letters mean, such as CQ. When I was reading articles on Word Press one day I came upon an article called “CQ.”  It was written by blogger, Chris on his Falling Down to You, blog. I knew I had seen those letters in what I had read that day. Was this fate? How was it that that exact poem was in my blog reader that day? Did my father have anything to do with this, I wonder. I was going to research a few of those letter combinations just as soon as I finished with reading posts and I did not have to go any further than the Word Press Reader. Now I have a firsthand account of what CQ meant in fact here there was a whole poem about it. I read it and could not believe how his words fit exactly with the way Dad talks when he is Charge of Quarters. I don’t know much about blogster Chris, others than he can capture feelings only a soldier who has served has felt in the words of his work. I do know he is a Paratrooper in the army and he has served in Afghanistan. I will take a moment here to thank him for his Service.  Thank you Chris!

(Click here to read Chris’s Poem “CQ” It really made me understand the term CQ)

15 April

Bob leaves on his furlough tonight. Man is he a happy lad. He will probably come back a married man. He hopes. He has been going to Catholic school and all that. Maybe he won’t though. He says maybe. But he thinks he will waite [sic] until after the war.

So it sounds like Bob is serious about his girl, Madeline. Dad goes on to talk about how if all four of them get married they can all live in the same neighborhood and how all their kids would grow up together. Dad seems to think Little Rock, Arkansas is just the place to do it.

Mom wrote on each letter, “ans” to make sure she answered each one.

16 April

Remember that training schedule I told you about. We have to be able to run 30 minutes by the 17^th. Well three of us ran 32 this morning. Man that is a long time. In high school 1 mile seemed long but we ran about 3 this morning. Oveall [sic] it didn’t seem to hurt us much but our legs sure knotted up. I am a little stiff but I believe I can do it again. Altogether I sent home $52 out of my base pay last month, 7.70 for insurance and 1.50 for laundry. About 3 for dry cleaning. Not bad huh. Had 5 left to start with. Have 3 left of that. So I have not done to bad.

If you add up those totals you come up with $69.20 cents. I am not sure how often he gets paid but that sure isn’t a lot. It is a good thing the Army is picking up his room and board. How long does he have to make that three-dollars last?

19 April

The pictures were grand. Only one thing. What makes you think you would get any back now. We had to send our cameras home .I have been over to the Chemical Warfare warehouse. I might get a chance to transfer there. In case I do I will get a Sgts. Rating and be in charge of supplies not bad huh. Boy that will be interesting anyway. Issuing gas and equipment. This isn’t supposed to be out but I sure hope I can make it. You see a staff Sgt is all I can get here and there I can make master if I have luck. And it can’t take any longer to somewhere than here. Have been here 2 ½ year and only a Cpl. Anyway I live in hope. My legs were sure sore for a couple of days after running that 32 minutes. O.K. now though. I guess I am going to live after all.

Chemical Warfare?  I don’t think I ever thought about the soldiers needed training in Chemical Warfare before. From what I have read about it Mustard Gas was used in World War I. It was a horrible chemical that was used to injure people but this gas caused almost uncertain death. That is sure a scary class but they would need all this training. I sure wish he would go into more detail about what he saw or did while he is there. It is also interesting to note that they had to send their camera’s home.

(Read More about Mustard Gas here, Wikipenia)

24 April

We got a man back who went A.W.O.L. for about 25 days. He only got 1 year a D.D. and a forfeit of all pay. Not bad for that long. We thought at first he was going to get away with it but they laid it on, Think if you had something like that to look forward to. He went and got married while he was gone.

Interesting I wonder who this was? He got a D.D. which I would assume was a Dishonorable Discharge but still ended up doing a year behind bars. It makes me wonder how many others had gone A.W.O.L in the years leading up to this war.

27 April

I figured out what I would be making if I got married. $107.33. Not bad huh. Of course Dad would get $20 my insurance would get $7.39 and laundry and dry cleaning about $4 the rest would be practically clear. We haven’t gone on any maneuvers as such as yet. We are training though and that means a lot. We have had the same thing about 60 times. Why in the hell don’t they just send us across. We could shoot our way out then.  I am getting so damn disgusted.  I told one kid in my marksmanship class today I hoped the first jap he saw got him. He really boiled me over. I guess Bob will be back about Sunday. Anyway he should be. I wonder did he or did he not get married. If he did I will. How’s that?

That would be a big payday? A little over one hundred dollars and he would be clear a whopping 76 dollars a month? Wow that sure puts things into perspective.  Can you imagine having 70 dollars to spend for a month?  Dad has mentioned several times throughout his letters that he expects Mom to work when they get married.  I can see why he thinks she would have to by looking at these figures.

30 April

I have to go to Chemical Welfare school all next week.  That should be good. If Colonel Cobb teaches it I know I will. I have heard him before and I know what he is like. I’ll tell you what we will have one boy and a girl and see how that turns out. Say maybe you might say when you said if I got back out on the coast we wouldn’t waite [sic] anyway the latest rumor is will be there in about 4 months. Of course that is just a rumor. But one can pray can’t one. God darling I hope so.  This place is sure getting me down. I believe that if I really let myself go I could really get some good fighting done. It is about to drive us all nuts and the officers ain’t [sic]much better. In fact a hell of a lot worst [sic].

Dad has also been insistent he only wanted two kids. This month, one of each sex is his choice.  It seems as though each time it comes up Mom always chooses the bigger number. It is interesting but I have always been under the assumption that Dad wanted a bunch of kids and Mom only wanted one. I guess you will have to read the whole book in order to find out how many they end up with. I will never tell, well not until the end of the story.

© Copyright 2012 notsofancynancy

Training Year Three

Chapter 12

1942 was a big year for my family and with both Mom and Dad ending up on the California coast at the same time; it has to be far more than a coincidence. Hum, Divinely orchestrated, I would say. So far in their relationship it seems like Dad is doing all the chasing. I sure wish that I had Mom’s letters. To me it sure seems like she is leading him on but I would be speculating. Thank goodness my brain decided to forget what I had been told growing up because as with you, this is all new to me. And at the same time I am thankful I am writing it down now so I don’t forget it again.

Left-All of the letters Right With 1937-1942 missing = how many I have left

This is where it is going to get hard in putting this story into words.  There are 132 letters in 1943, So Dad starts writing a lot. There are sixteen total in January, February, and March. My Dad is stationed in San Luis Obispo, 200 miles from where my Mom is living in Pasadena. He had told Mom that he was going to come down over New Years Eve but he did not get off until 8:00pm.  He would have had to find a way to get there, and by the time he did it would have been time for him to start back to the base. He wishes her a happy birthday which is on the 11^th and in 1943 she turned 20. Is that not old for back in those days?

Dad begins to speak about a fellow soldier by the name of Robert “Bob” Winter quite a bit at this time. I am not sure if he has just got there or if he has been with the unit all along. I don’t remember my father speaking to me about him but Bob’s name comes up quite a bit in these three months now on in my dad’s letters and is in his pictures. I get the feeling that Bob has met my mom somehow as dad is acting like they have met. Interesting enough Bob is from the same small town my father’s family was, Cozad, Nebraska. It makes me wonder if they might have known each other before the war. It is very possible.

Robert “Bob” Winter’s note written on Dad’s letter 20 March 1942

January on the coast of California can be pretty wet and 1943 was no different. My father complains he threw a towel over his shoulder and went to the wash room which was only 40 steps about from him and the towel was soaked with rain.  When he tried to dry off after the shower he was still wet.

In his letter dated 25 January 1943 he writes,

Know I wasn’t the one who got mad. Not Mad “Vi” just a feeling as usual of playing second fiddle. Only this time it won’t work. Friends yes, but nothing more. You see if things had turned out right Sat. nite [sic] it might have been different but why should I carry on with the feeling that someone else has you and I haven’t even a smell. I thought the world of you until Sat. nite [Sic] but somehow it has changed now. Everyone was in the story but me. I was miles away. So again have lost. But me I can take it I guess. Have lived all my life that way and so why change now. Anyway as in three faces before I held my end up and will continue to do so. Remember we are still friends.

I guess he told her or she told him? I am really not sure. In this letter Dad includes a cartoon and a newspaper clipping. The clipping is a poem titled “We got the Basin Blues” Written by Private Eddie Cherokose, Fort Mc Arthur

A sleepy Latrine,

A pastoral scene, with two at a basin,

The Job isn’t fun,

The mirror is one you can’t see your face in.

The lighting is bad,

It’s driving you mad. That’s half of it brother,

The farther you go,

The first thing you know, you’re Shaving each other.

A sleepy latrine,

Where soldiers convene, with Natural intentions,

And then hang around,

And finally should like seven Conventions.

One fellow “heard this,”

And another “heard that,” and that’s

How they start,

For rumor careens,

In sleepy latrines,

Sweetheart!

Dad notes in the top right had corner that you can sing it to a song that was popular in the 40’s called “In the Sleepy Lagoon” by Eddie Cherkose.  Fun Fact, Mr. Cherkose would go on to write several songs for Roy Rogers.

“How can I get rid of pests?”

Oh dear, Now that I am looking at this cartoon could it be that my father felt like the wolf in the cartoon,  and felt like Mom thought of him as a pest? Or is that just the way he was feeling?

He complains how hard it is to keep his truck clean and has washed it three times in the last week. Then someone else drove it and got it dirty again and is frustrated he has no time to wash it again.

It seems Dad has gotten both a card and a letter from Mom in the same day and he is once again inspired to keep writing back. He goes on to write,

Bob and I had quite a time tonight. Our stove wouldn’t work right so we slipped over to some vacant tents and got one. The darn thing hadn’t been shut off and when we lit it it [Sic] blew up and we spilt oil all over the floor. So we took it back and changed it for another. While coming back a guard stoped {Sic} us and did we have a time explaining. We got the stove and it works so everyone is happy. Had to mop the whole floor though. Took about a half a can of bleach. More fun. Anyway we are set here in peace now.

Ok how many times it he going to try to light things on fire?  (Click here to read about it) First he tries to catch his truck on fire and now his barrack! Oh dear!

On 30 January he writes,

“Vi” in your letter you mentioned something about the time I came down. You remember that so maybe you remember me asking if I was butting in on someone else. In case I am wrong and didn’t ask you that stops me. If I remember right you said no. In fact you didn’t even mention your going with Dale the whole time I was there. So whose fault was it if someone was being let down. On the other hand several times you asked me to come down-UH FORGET IT.

Wow Dad!  He does add a postscript, “Tell everyone hello from Bob also.” First he is mad and then he ends like nothing is wrong.

Oh gosh, in the next letter he goes on,

Thanks Vi, Now that the whole damn is settled lets forget it. From now on It can’t make much difference anyway. Possible I won’t get down by the time the duration is over you’ll have someone else on your string and then I’ll have to start over again-anyway. But one never knows does one.

In this statement I get the feeling that Dad thinks he may be going home soon or at least hoping he will. I believe he may mean for the duration of his time in the Army or the duration of this training he is doing I am not sure.

6 February 1943 he writes that he got a magazine and card my mom sent. He does not seem so mad at her. He goes on to tell he is the Cpl of the guard that night. He goes on,

I am going to have to get up every two hours to relieve the guard. So you know how much sleep I am going to get. On Saturday and Sunday too. The whole deal came when a guard was caught asleep last night. Up until then we had a deal they could relieve themselves and the Cpl could sleep straight through. New we can’t and we even have a prisoner to guard. He goes to the stockade tomorrow though. Ain’t [Sic] it awful.

On the 13^th Dad has been down to Pasadena to visit mom and had a heck of a time getting back to camp. It took all night and morning to get the 200 miles back to base.  He does not explain why though except he went to find his cousin and went to the wrong address. Then when they got back to camp they had a two hour drill followed by a two mile hike. He was beat when the day was done. He does not say more of what happened with Mom. But on the 16^th he is back to calling her “Darling.” And is back to signing “with love.”

It seems that at this time my father is spending most of his time being a soldier with a routine of driving people and things up and down the coast, inspections, guard duty, hiking, and drills. Then when they are not working taking care of the truck Bob and him are going to dances, the USO, and to see movies. The two have also finagled it so that they can both go on furlough together. But he warns Mom to not hold her breath because they Army can change their mind at a moment’s notice.

Then on 10 March he writes,

A rumor is out that Bob leaves tomorrow. Hope not. I have been trying to get to go and he hasn’t and he might get to and I won’t for sure.

Dad and Robert Winter

At this time he is still unsure whether he will get his furlough on the 20^th. He goes on to tell that they are having a machine gun problem. He does not go into detail but it has happened two nights in a row and they are working on it for that night’s exercise where Dad will take on the gunner role. He goes on to finish by saying “everyone is all hyped up about this machine gun. I guess it is some stuff.” In the next letter he is still talking about the machine gun. Dad will get to fire it the next day. Given 98 rounds he is excited to get his chance, “rain or shine,” He boasts. Then he writes

I sure hated to leave on Sun. Boy you don’t know what went on in my mind. I guess all good things come to an end. I beat Bob in Sun. He didn’t get here until after 7 Mon. Good thing they didn’t check up on him. Everyone is happy now though.

Grandma “Susie,” Grandpop, and “Vi” 1943 Pasadena, California

He then goes on to write a list of all the ways he is planning on getting back to see her which included a lie about an emergency to get him off base. Then this,

I am getting use to leaving also. But every time that same empty feeling and all is there. Maybe I shouldn’t be such a sissy. But I do love you. Wish this war was over so we could carry on as planned. Probably then we wouldn’t get along.  That is about the way things work. You wanted to know what went on in my mind. I wanted to go back to you and never leave. It took a lot of will power not to too. I sure wish we could be married and stay together always. But it is not in the card just yet.  So will have to make the best until later. Maybe then we will make up our minds. Lots of water will pass under the bridge. Please write soon.

Ok that touched my heart. She must be encouraging him in some way for him to feel this way about her. 19 March 1943 Dad writes while he is on guard.

Here goes nothing. I could have started on my pass tonight only I was on guard. So now I have to start tomorrow nite[Sic] You will know this before you get his letter so why should I write it.

Oh my goodness! He goes on to tell a dirty joke. Since I hope my Grand kids will read this someday I will refrain from sharing that with you.

Then,

Bob’s girl name is Madeline. Funny I graduated with her. She was the most bashful girl in the class and I the most bashful guy. Therefore we did not get along. Bob might get married if he gets home this time. He probably won’t though. Sounds like the Army is agreeing with Dale. Like it is with lots more. Wish I could same the same for myself. It is making a damn sissy of me. I am sure not a in a writing mood. Waite[Sic] until next tour and see then.

Wait is this the same Dale that Dad thought was spending time with Mom when he is not with her? I don’t get it! But here is the good/bad part; this is last letter Dad wrote on the California Coast. He is on the move again.

Copyright notsofancynancy 2012 ©

Chapter 1

The Adventure Begins

The Letters

My parents moved into a rest home in 1994 due to my mother’s failing health. My daughter and her husband bought their house. In the attic they found a suitcase of letters. It seems like I should have known about the letters but heck, I must have forgotten. Both my sisters and brother knew about them, so I must have known at one time. They are all letters my father wrote to my mother and a few he wrote to my grandmother. The first one was written in 1937 and the final one in 1945.  They would span many changes in my mother and father’s lives, their relationship and their families. The letters are few until my father gets mustered into the Army on 23 December 1940. Then is when they fill the suitcase.

When my daughter Tania first told me about the letters I knew that something had to be done with them, after all they ARE our history. I took them home and put them all in chronological order. I scanned that first letter and looked at how many were left and I became overwhelmed. There are SO many of them, did I mention it is a suitcase full? There may be thousands, but I guess we will find out together if you want to join me for this adventure.

The Pictures

When my parents sold their house, my nephew, Harold, and his wife, Kris, became guardians of our family pictures. Thank goodness they took them and kept them safe until my siblings and I came to our senses and realized something was missing from our lives, our pictures. I started looking to find my family tree information to pass on to the kids and grand kids. I am told that is something that happens at this stage in life. Old age is when we gather our history and get it ready to hand down. It is a good thing the younger generation told me as I did not even know I was middle age yet!

About seven years ago Kris and Harold moved to New Jersey and our family pictures went with them. In the meantime I had started working on the family tree. I got a chance to go to New Jersey and stay a couple of months in September of 2011. Harold is a stay at home dad and he had to go away for 6 months because of a job and Kris travels with her job so I stayed and helped with his kids so they could keep their commitments. I went on a scanning spree while I was there. I scanned 1600+ family pictures into my computer. There were thousands of unidentified pictures I did not scan. The 1600 were just the ones I could identify or that my family has identified and written names on the picture. My focus was getting as much historical information as I could from the pictures and I believe I have been successful.

While I was organizing the mass of pictures I came across a black unassuming photo album. As I flipped through the pictures I only saw pictures of my father’s time in WW II, with the 110th Quartermaster, in the US Army. There were only names of three men visible, Tribble, in St Jean, France, Levinsky, and Dudley. Since I did not have a lot of time there, I set this album aside thinking I would take it home and give it to my brother Loren for Christmas.

I am a history nut and had been studying the homesteading my great grandparents did. I have started two books about that era. When I got the album home I decided I should scan the pictures before I gave them to my brother; after all they are now historical pictures. I took them out of the original album to scan and was excited by what I found. Last names, places, and a few comments, my father wrote on the backs of the pictures. What I also found was that although there are several pictures of my father in this album, it was more an album in honor of the men my father served with. All of a sudden I got a little panicky and felt it was up to me to get as many pictures to the families of these men as I could. It was then I knew what I had to do. Reunite these pictures with the families who might or might not, already have them.  I needed to work with this collection, find any surviving family members possible, and pass on the story of the 110th 35th Quartermaster.

To make a long story short, as of today, Leap Day–29 February 2012, with help from Roberta Russo who maintains a Memorial Website for the134th Infantry, who found a roster of the 110th 35th Quartermaster Company; Find A Grave, a website that documents where people are buried; and Doris Cain, daughter-in-law of our soldier Marvin Cain; I have been able to put full names to 77 different men in the pictures. Also with the Cain Family’s kindness, our pictures have grown from 209 to 345 images in the collection.

When I first saw the album I had no idea where it would take me. I am two months into trying to find family members of the soldiers whose pictures I have. So far, I am in touch with three daughters, two sons, one granddaughter, one cousin, a nephew, one distant cousin, an ex-son-in-law and Harry, a man who trained with the 110th QM and who is still alive. Harry was born in 1919, the same year as my father, and has a good memory at age 92.

Chapter 11

The Big Move

Up until now my father has been writing to my mother in Brookville, Kansas. He has been stationed at Camp San Luis Obispo located 200 miles up the coast from Los Angeles. But it seems a big change has happened for my mother and her family.

2 July 1942 I find my Dad’s letter postmarked from Ventura, California which is 60 miles north of Los Angeles.

Vance, Rose and Viola

Guess what address is used for his next letter to Mom. I find it very humorous but yet interesting, yep my mom’s family is now in Pasadena, California. Pasadena is located only about ten miles from Los Angeles and only 55 miles from Ventura which is where my father seems to be driving between. Their fate has been sealed. What are the chances for this kind of coincidence? Who knew that when these two who first met at a barn dance in small town in Nebraska would lead to having both of my parents living in Southern California in 1942 at the same time and due the war. My grandfather is welding in the shipyards and Dad is driving up the coast with the Army. I know that it is just a coincidence but it just seems divinely orchestrated. What are the odds? I just had another light bulb moment. My grandfather is complaining about driving in California and my dad is a truck driver becoming experienced in driving all over California. I grew up here in Southern California. Pop never drove anywhere when my Dad was around, Dad always drove. Now, I am laughing again. It just seems I have written a whole paragraph of what could be interpreted as “signs” from above. But sadly we have another year to get through before my parents finally tie the knot.

That first letter in July shows that Dad has been to Pasadena on a 24 hour pass to visit Mom and her family, so he has somehow found out that they have moved. I have to assume they have a phone in big town Pasadena. I am not sure at this point how he found out she is there. That first letter there is written explaining that he has a date and has been dating other girls. It makes me wonder if he actually is dating or if he is just making up a good story to make her think he has been. He says that he wanted to come over but thought she would be “busy.” He then goes on to explain that he has been “Red Lined” by the Army. That means he has not been paid yet. I am sure he is broke as he is still sending part of his pay home to his Dad.

The next letter is not written until 13 July 1942.

Glad Pop is working and Likes It. I am doing OK up here but I think someone else is taking my place. But who am I to argue. I have no strings tied and besides that I have no proof of it. In case there is he hasn’t anymore[sic] time than I have. I have been here ever other day. And it has been one grand time after another. Believe me going to her place is like going home. I can have as much fun. You know I am getting as well acquainted here in Ventura as at home. Everybody knows Lefty. Or at least about everyone.

Those sound like fighting words. This whole time I have been looking from my father’s point of view. I would imagine that my mother was having a good time with all the service men around. Between my Grandma Susie inviting soldiers over and now Grandpop working in the shipyards they had to have invited quite a few soldiers over. It was the way they were, always supporting our troops.

Dad goes on to explain that he heard through the grapevine that his sister has had a baby girl. He has not heard from anyone at home but has run into someone who knew. It sure does not seem like he is getting any mail from home, or at least any that he mentions.

He writes again on the 20thstating that he has quit writing to everyone but Mom and Madelyn (whoever that is) and he has not really been anywhere. He talks again about how there are lots of girls around that like him so for her not to worry about him. Then he asks,

Why didn’t you drop on up when you were in Oxnard? That is only nine miles from here and I was home all day on Sunday. Could be maybe I’ll be down sometime this week. Who knows?

Dad is not signing his letters with love at this time. This one he signs, “So long worthless, Lefty. “

Viola about 1937

He does not write again until 4 August,

I was coming up there but decided not to. I was in L.A. Sat. nite [sic] and Sunday. Sure had a grand time. Went to the Palladium Sat. nite [sic]and danced to Woody Herman. Boy was he good. He sang one song named “Fan it Baby Fan it.” I really liked it. We really have been driving lately. Since I saw you. I have driven 700 miles. And 300 of that has been blackout. We bent up one truck and trailer. Boy what luck. Not much damage was done. Bob (Robert Winter) is back with us again I guess he and I are going to a show tonight. We were going last night then they decided they needed some trucks. See we being the only one here had to drive and I had to break a date with Dorothy (now who is Dorothy?) That was bad. It was the first day she had off in 2 weeks. And it may be that long again. I hope not though. They tell me I am to be make a Cpl. Don’t count on it though cause I hope not. And there is no order on it yet. That was the word of some of the men back at the company. Don’t take any wooden nickels. Love Lefty!

Robert Winter was from the same small town my father’s family was from, Cozad, Nebraska. I am not sure if they knew each other before he enlisted or not. But there are many references to “Bob” throughout my father’s pictures and letters.

According to Wikipedia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Woody_Herman) Woody Herman was an influential Jazz musician who was popular in the mid thirties. He got his first professional gig when he was 15 years old. His first record was recorded in 1936 and the group was known as “The band that plays the blues.” He was also known as a bandleader, saxophonist, clarinetist, and singer. He continued to perform well into 1980 when he passed the torch to the leader of his reed section, Frank Tiberi who continues to make the same type of jazz music as he had. Woody Herman passed away in 1987 and was buried in Hollywood, California.

Oh my goodness! The next letter is not from my dad! It is from someone I never heard of. Is this why Mom was so distant from Dad at this time? I am almost afraid to open it. Who is this? How did she meet him? Why has she kept this letter? What does this mean? Is this the guy she was engaged to?

Pvt. R.L. Metzger
Victorville, Calif.

I was pleased to read your letter in the Echo this issue and as I never think of the few weeks I spent in Brookville without thinking about you. I just couldn’t keep from saying “Hello” and welcome to California.” I hope you like it and I know you will soon have lots of friends out here. But let’s always remember those swell ones in the friendly little village. It is ever this—we lose friends, gain new ones, only to lose them again, to make new ones, for in cycles are we whirled, [sic] but fond memories we can always keep. I find good old Lynn on every page of the Echo, then I think of the few people who took an interest in my work bad as it was, and there I have a picture of Vi sitting on the extra box watching a bum drawing a bum reproduction. Brookville and area is now undergoing a great change due to the war. I suppose all this is vital in our war effort, I am rather glad that I’m not there to witness the peaceful country side change into a huge war machine. How is Rose and Vance? Tell them hello for me. Hope this finds you well and happy. I remain
Your friend,
Leroy Metz

Well it was not what I expected. It is a really nice letter. He knows my Grandpop and Grandma by their first names so I am left once again with more questions than answers. What is the Echo, who was this Leroy, and will I find more letters from other people maybe other men hidden among these letters? I searched for a magazine or newspaper that in 1942 was call Echo with no luck I then searched for the man’s actual name in case he was someone famous and again no luck. I guess that is one question that will never be answered. Interesting that he knows my mom’s family and Brookville, Kansas.

Lefty and Bob Winter 22 October 1942 Dad’s 23rd birthday

The 13 August 1942 letter finds him back in Van Nuys.

They are running me to death or if it isn’t them it is me. I have been made a Cpl. As much as I hated it. It isn’t so bad though. At least not yet. I have only been here a few days. Had to go on guard to catch up on some sleep. Am coming over as soon as I can get there. Boy they sure got me the other morning. Lt. Smith called on me to give mass commands for the exercises and I didn’t know a darn thing about them. I guess I did OK for the first time. But my knees were sure shaking. That was the second day I had been with the company. And things sure have changed.

There are three other letters in August. Dad was just trying to make small talk in all of them. He is driving all over Southern California with little rest. It seems if he isn’t on guard duty or sleeping he is driving.

Letter From Lefty

On 29 August he writes that he will be getting a 15 day furlough in the next couple of months. It seems as though he goes back and forth from Van Nuys, California, then the rest of the time the postmarks are from Ventura. He must have gotten the furlough as there are no letters from 29th August though 7 October He also writes that he had a good time at Mom’s house so he must have been by there for a visit.

Furlough Pass for 20 October 1942

There are three letters in November, quickly written and not having much news.

6 December 1942 he writes that he has not written because there is nothing going on. Then he goes on,

Verlin [sp?] went to Van Nuys and came back with heaps of it (news.) First, sometime next week I am to be transferred back to L.A. somewhere about it anyway. I am going to like that though. I probably won’t be in Van Nuys long. But waite [sic] I haven’t told you the best news yet. Under the new set up I wasn’t assigned a squad and that means only one thing. Maybe in Jan. Around the 10th Wont that be a good birthday present getting rid of me. Nothing is definite yet but someone has to go and I sure hope it is me. As I told you I was about first on the list for Cadney. Maybe I’ll have a tale to tell the Grand Kids after all. I hope. Well if you don’t write soon maybe the next time you hear from me I’ll be in Africa. I hope.

Christmas card 1942

Africa? When does Africa get into the equation? According to Wikipedia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/North_African_Campaign) The North African Campaign, lasted from 1940-1943. My husband just told me that was where Patton and his German counterpart, Edward Rommel did battle. Gosh I must have missed that day in school. I really did not remember. Why does Dad want to go there?

Robert Winter, left, Lefty, right,  overseas 1944

The last letter that was written in 1942 was from Ventura. Dad is talking about how fast the year has gone. He is also complaining that the weather here in California is what he believes is unseasonably warm. He goes on,

Bob (Robert Winter) and I went to a USO party last nite. [sic] We hit several places first and was in a good mood when we got there. But that soon wore off and the party was dead. Pardon the delay had to go to a show. The last one before he leaves. I guess there isn’t much more to talk about anyway so I had better go to bed. I am sitting here in my underwear anyway. Love Lefty.

And that letter ends the year 1942. My parents have been writing to each other for five years now. It does not seem like Dad has gotten anywhere with Mom. We started the year off feeling like they were in love and Dad was going to spend the rest of his life with Mom but it does not seem she has the same feelings as he does. Also he mentions that he is estranged from his family. I know that his father was neither healthy nor well-educated and it was probably hard for him to read or for him to write a letter to Dad. He does not talk about getting any mail from anyone else. It seems like this was a lonely time for him.

Chapter 9

You’re in the Army Now

(The California Military Museum)

January 1942 finds my father still at Fort Ord (for more info click here) in northern California where he was sent to help guard the coast and transport solders and supplies. This will be interesting changes in not only my father’s life but also my mother’s and it will be interesting to see how these changes will affect their relationship. There are a total of 28 letters in 1942.

Dad writes on 16 January 1942 that his regiment is hauling soldiers out to the woods. He does not say why but I have to assume they are having training exercises. He had the kitchen on his truck so he drives back to the base once a week to stock up on supplies.  He is sleeping in his truck at night which is where he spends the first hours of 1942. The first night was the coldest because of the lack of heavy blankets. Can you imagine spending the whole night wondering if you will freeze to death along with the fearing of being attacked by the Japanese and killed that night? It must have been hard for all the men and women.

Then he writes to my grandma,

We sure had a bad News Years. We were in the woods both eve and night. I can’t see why but that made somebody happy so I guess it was OK. Boy it was cold. I just about froze. The first night I slept alone and that didn’t work so the next night we doubled up and that didn’t work any better. I had the kitchen on my truck so to be smart the Kid [Sic] who was sleeping with me and I decided to light a stove. While working on the project we split [Sic] some gas on the floor of the truck. We somehow or other it got lit and did we ever do some fast moving. I had twenty gallons of gas besides three stoves and a lot of other supplies. If that had ever got going someone would have thought sure the Japs had landed. Anyway we got the stove going but it didn’t do much good. It warmed the top of the truck and the rest was like an ice bag.

Oh my goodness! I am really glad that fire did not go any further. But I probably would have tried to do the same if I had a stove and was freezing.

He goes on to say that he is enjoying the food. They had oysters, of all things, two nights and fried chicken. They have had fried chicken only once in the whole year he has been in the Army.

On the 14^th still in Fort Ord he writes,

Well you asked for it. You couldn’t get rid of me even if you wanted too. And I don’t think you will have to do any chasing. If anything you’ll be running to get away. One good way to stop either would be to join the Ambulance Corps. That would be about the only thing that would make me mad enough to end it. There will be plenty of things to do without doing that, they have woman working in Canteens and Service Clubs out here and also in Robinson. I really don’t think I could have anyone I know take what they have to. Soldiers aren’t humans and you would probably be around a lot of them. I can see your point of view about some of the people in this old world. The only thing I can see is why do we have to take this old s_ _ _ anyway. There isn’t many here that would take action in stride. But having to do this and stay here too. That’s bad. Someone has to pay and I am sure it won’t be the enlisted men.

Well he certainly has a strong opinion about the Ambulance Corps. The mention of working in the canteen or service club surprises me though.  There are a lot of happier soldiers there. I wonder if he is afraid that if she is in the Ambulance Corps. She would have to work in the war zones.

He then goes on to talk about their Colonel trying to take bets on where they will be when their next check comes. The colonel bets they will be back in Arkansas. It seems Dad also got inoculated, he explains,

We had a physical examination Sat. They also gave us shots for Typhoid and Smallpox. I took them both in my left arm. (He is left- handed)And they both took. God I can hardly move it yet today (Tues) Was I ever sick Sat night and Sunday. I guess I am going a live though.

He goes on to explain that they are having good weather during the day and it is still cold at night. He also tells that he has not unpacked his clothes since he arrived in camp, not being sure where or when they will move again.

In Grandma’s letter he writes,

The order just came that we were to pack everything so we would be ready to go. And have what we don’t take ready to go so someone else can take it if we don’t come back. Fine stuff. I still don’t think we are going to leave. The only thing I can see we are moving Inf. and looking for a move in between times. I am going to close this now and get things ready. Where the next one comes from God only knows.

He ends my mother’s letter with:

I am sure I can’t write as long and swell a letter as you did so I’ll quit by saying. If everyone has someone like you and your mother back home we have no reason worrying about the war.

Pop and Viola

Mom and her family have sent him a package for Christmas which included cookies and a new wallet. Knowing my dad he shared them with his buddy’s. I know if my mom would have cooked them he might not have wanted to eat them. She was not a good cook. Knowing grandma though she would not have let mom send them if they were bad so I am sure she helped.

The letter on the 16^th finds him still in Fort Or and writing to Mom,

I hope you heard the same newscast I did. It was about a German in Russia. He was scarcely dressed and he said he was glad the U.S. was in the war. Because as in (19)18 it wouldn’t be long now. I wonder how right he is. I hope I can live up to the Reputation that is waiting for me. I ‘m not worth it though. No soldier is. If there is one I have not seen him

That sure made my heart sad. I wonder why he is so down on the soldiers. Is it because he has been living among them for over a year, or is he just mad at the situation he is in.

The letter from the 18^th has three separate letters in it. The first one reads,

Well we finally got moved. We are now at Camp Luis Obispo, Cali. so that will be my address for a while. The last group that were here 2 days. So we don’t know where or how long we will be here. We moved last night about 130 miles south of where we were at Fort. Ord. Boy is it warm here. We are right in a valley between four mountains. Some fun getting up every morning and looking them in the face. We are about nine miles from the ocean now. You can see it from here if you get high enough. That means some good walking. Another kid and I tried it today. We went quite a ways but still did not get to the top. Our next move will probably be a boat ride. We are only about 200 miles from L.A. now.

(Visit The California Military Museum here)

This trip to California had to be the first time my father has been off the plains of Nebraska.  He may have come west once before but he had never been away this long or this far. They are having below zero temperatures in Nebraska about this time and they also have record- breaking snow. Dad tells Grandma that he would gladly be shoveling snow than be at camp.

Oh dear, in the next letter dad writes,

Sorry I haven’t written. Have been too disgusted. I probably would have written the wrong thing and that wouldn’t have been nice. Say why don’t you call me sucker everyone out here does. So you think I am too serious Huh? Perhaps! If you only knew. Anyway I thought that you wanted it that way. Anyway a man isn’t too old to change at 22. From now on I am just your loving correspondent as you say. Beside the pickle I am in now calls for a change anyway.

Again I am left wondering what exactly she wrote in the letter. He seems crushed.

A little southeast of Morrow Bay lies Camp Merrian (read more by clicking here.) Given the name Camp Merrian in the late 1800’s it was renamed Camp San Luis Obispo in 1940.  It was comprised of approximately 10,000 acres including 4,200 acres near the mouth of the Salinas River located about 20 miles away. A dam was built there and it was used to help supply water to the Camp. It was equipped to house about 12,000 men.

I have been past Camp San Luis Obispo a few times. My sister lives not too far from there and when I visited I saw it from in the car on the highway. When I look at pictures of the camps these days, whether it is of Camp Robinson or San Luis Obispo it is quiet, it is just too quiet now. I have had the opportunity to visit many of the training camps Patton ran out in our desert and I feel the same thing looking at pictures of these camps or what is left of them. I feel like it is sacred ground. I walk lightly, respectfully, and speak in hushed tones. I have even been known to shed a tear. These camps were in the middle of the desert.  I cannot imagine what it would have been like to see these camps bustling with soldiers in them.  Although the camps that Dad has been to have more to them, such as permanent buildings they still command the same quiet respect as the ones I have visited in the desert.

Dad talks about playing ping pong but they have a limited numbers of balls and when they all break he seems to write more letters. Then the Colonel decided the men were making too much noise playing it and he made them move the table out. Then the men started playing craps and that was ok because the “Big Kicks” liked to play.

He has to drive back to Fort Ord to transport another group of men down the coast.  On the way back I guess they decided to see just how “much” their trucks could take.

I bet we drove them 2/3 of the way in a ditch. We sure got the devil too. I don’t think there were any of us that didn’t get called down by a civilian cop somewhere along the way. The best though a Coke Wagon started to pass us. We soon changed the tide and started to pass it when we would go by we would reach out and grab a bottle and then go on. I’ll bet he lost at least 2 cases. Then he stopped.

I am laughing out loud at my Father  for being such a hoodlum.

We are still looking for a move. I really don’t know how soon. The more I am around here the better I like it and this is sure no country for a working man. So you moved. Are you glad or sorry. I’ll bet you miss the old place. I even miss Arkansas and was only there a year.

Up until now my grandparents lived on a part of my great-grandparents‘homestead in Kansas. Although he does not say it, my grandfather loses his farm. I was told by my oldest sister that he was a corn farmer and the government wanted him to sell wheat. My grandfather was extremely allergic to wheat and could not be around it so it seems at this time they have moved. The address remains the same, Brookville Kansas.

In the last letter in this envelope he writes,

Well the big change has taken place and we are all very unhappy. At least we don’t like the new Co. Commander about the brake ups [Sic] we don’t feel bad about that that although I am the only one left that was in the tent. They sure took our fun away from us. We can’t take a truck to town anymore. We can but it has to come right back. Before we could take one almost anywhere within 25 miles and be in before 11:00.

I know that he was upset about them breaking up his regiment. He had been with most of these men over a year now and I know that after the war they had a special bond. One of the men’s daughters recently told me that she remembered Vi and Lefty (my parents) and they had received Christmas cards from my mother until she got sick which would have been as late as 1996, which was 55 years later. It amazes me that it has been that long.

My father goes on in this letter about the confusion about their relationship. He wants to know where they stand. He is serious about her and wants to know if she is as serious. He is so uncertain about how they should proceed.  He goes on to explain that he is writing the letter in the truck and I hope he is not doing it while driving. Then he goes on,

We drove out into the country and camouflaged our trucks. Then next we hauled the Inf. out. And today I am here. Maybe sometime I will have a day off. All I did today was haul bread. About 50 loaves and had a two and a half ton truck to do that. Took me about an hour. The rest of the time I just sat around. Am here an hour too early.

That last sentence “Am here an hour too early” would be a natural thing to my father after the war. He was a milk man for many years. It was a great day when my brother and I got to go with my father on his route. We always got there at least an hour early. It was always dark out. He would sleep in his truck in the parking lot until they got there. My brother and I were always so excited to get going because we would get special treats from the shopkeepers, so I never slept. I just pretended to sleep but I always kept one eye open watching for the headlights of the owner’s car. I knew the treats I would be given were just a locked store away.

Foothill Dairy Early 50’s

The last letter in January was written on the 22^nd. He talks about the weather and being sick because they have been giving him typhoid shots. Dad had spent two days in bed and that night he had to stand guard.  The he goes on to say,

Too bad about Carol Lombard getting killed. She was such a nice girl too. There was a kid here today that graduated with me. Boy it was sure good to see him. He has been up here 18 months and is making around $125 dollars a month. It takes about that much to live out here. 2 cokes and 2 hamburgers came to about $1.00. So see you would not eat much here.

He goes on to explain that they guy invited him over to his house for dinner but he can only get a pass to be gone 6 hours and “what can one do in that time. Not me I think I will stay in camp.”

Carol Lombard was a beautiful quirky comedian born in 1908 (for more info click here) She was one of the highest paid stars working in Hollywood at the time. On 16 December 1941 she was involved in a plane crash traveling home from a World War II Bond tour in her home state of Indiana. The last words she spoke to the fans was, “Before I say goodbye to you all come on and join me in a big cheer, V for Victory!” Flying back to Hollywood after the event and 23 minutes into the flight they ran in to a peak outside of Las Vegas. Everyone aboard the flight including her mother and 20 others were reported to have died instantly in this tragic event. She was married to Clark Gable at the time and he was devastated by the loss. Flying immediately to the scene he began helping to make decisions on the rescue efforts. Interestingly enough shortly after the crash he joined the Army Air Forces and headed a small unit attached to a bomber. He filmed the B-15’s in flight, completing five missions himself. There would never be an answer to why the plane crashed. There are plenty of stories out there though. One being that all but one of the airplane beacons in the area were turned off or ‘blacked out” as a matter of precaution.  There is a lot of speculation and little concrete evidence.

There is about to be a big change in my mother’s life. It will change everything my mother knows about small town life and will play a key role in my parent’s lives.

Chapter 8

Pearl Harbor

December 1941

I am very nervous to read the December 1941 letters. My heart beats fast and I am feeling hot and shaky. Out of all the letters I have read, I know what will happen on 7 December 1941 will be the beginning of the end for many a young man in the United States. I have started to read the letters several times now but I have not been able to get past the first letter. I have held it but I have not been able to open it. So for the sake of preserving history I will push on.

The beginning of December finds Dad still in Camp Robinson, Arkansas, and getting pretty bored. But maybe it was more than that. Maybe he was just trying to right the wrongs he made by not visiting Mom on the last furlough he was granted. He will have been in the Army for one year on the 23^rd and he has just turned 22. Something must have been said about not being discharged, or maybe his quest is just to see my Mom before he went to fight in a war that is becoming more real. For now he is focused on getting that furlough long enough to visit my mom and her parents for a few days.  I wonder how many others made that last minute choice and got married because of a war. I am sure way more than I can know. The United States was new in the act of war.  We had fought several wars but never with the weaponry than will be used to fight this war. Dad is beginning to look at mom family as “his” family. He thinks he will be getting furlough sometime around Christmas in 1941, although he is not certain. There seems not to be much of anything going on other than the usual inspections, watching training films, and having the Army changing its mind about what the soldiers should be doing.

Then this,

You know I told you about a convoy home. Well that blew up. The colonel wouldn’t give permission. We had the generals’ but that was all. Boy we sure were mad, you see it was to get furniture for our day room. The Texas Chamber of Commerce gave $300 for it. I don’t know how we will get it here. I suppose we won’t. Maybe he will change his mind.

I am not sure why the Texas Chamber would give the Nebraska boys who are in Arkansas money. But it looks like they cannot find a way to get it to Arkansas anyway. Wait! I remember some Texas Girls made a stand about the 15 mile hike can this be why?

In the same envelope he writes to Grandma,

Well I guess we get travel time on our furlough but that is all. They are giving 10 days and 1 day for every 500 miles on the road. I really don’t know what to do. Right now all I can get off is the 31^st and I don’t know about coming then. I asked the Co Clerk and he said he didn’t think I could get gone any before that, I still have the top kick to ask. I think he’ll let me go around the 20^th.Right now he is engaged in a big crap game and I couldn’t possibly interrupt that. If I did I know darn well I wouldn’t go. Darn the Army anyway.

There you go he is still thinking he is going to get a furlough but they have just pushed the date back. Did stuff like that really happen? It brings back memories of the television series MASH, sitting around in their underwear, smoking cigars, and playing cards. Although the actors in MASH were in a war zone these men were not worried about it. No one realizes what is going to happen in little less than a week.

When I think of Hawaii I see surfers, palm tree’s, beaches, beautifully brown skin kissed by the sun, girls in hula skirts, men in beautiful costumes, drums, drinks served in pineapples with umbrella’s, fruit, and a kicked back life. I cannot get my mind wrapped around the actual event that happened there on that December day in 1941.Although I know that Hawaii is a beautifully magical land, I am now aware that this horrific event happened there. Thankfully my father was not at Pearl Harbor but I cannot help thinking how many men were killed.  I believe in my mind I have always kept Hawaii separate from the Pearl Harbor Naval Base.  This catastrophic event would seal our fate and send our soldiers into a frenzy knowing it was now their duty to guard the United States. As I write this I feel frantic to read what was written in this next set of letters but let’s take a look at the facts of the bombing.

According to Wikipedia (Click Here) a little before 8 am on 7 December 1941 a swarm of over 300 Japanese planes filled the sky in a surprise attack over Pearl Harbor Naval base. It was located on the island of Honolulu in a perfect horseshoe bay called Pearl Harbor. It was a Sunday and a lot of the service people were off the base to attend Sunday church services, or it might have been a whole lot worse.

It would be a time where the people of the United States were scared and many paranoid. My family came to the United States to get away from war. Never before had it hit so close to home and never had our people felt so vulnerable. When the smoke cleared and inventory was taken over 2,500 people were killed and 1,000 were wounded. All eight of the Navy battleships were damaged and of those, four sunk. Also damaged or destroyed in the attack were three cruisers, three destroyers, and approximately 180 airplanes. Thankfully four of the Japanese’s intended targets were missed. Three of our biggest battleships were out at sea and thankfully the fuel tanks located on the island were missed. The attack was the last straw in failing communications between Japan and the United States. This is what my father and his buddies had been joking about the last few years, having to actually fight in a war.  The safety of the United States just got dumped on these young men’s shoulders. My father told me of being sent to California to guard the coast from any further attack. I cannot even imagine what it felt like to be being threatened with that kind of force here in the United States?

8 December, President Roosevelt came over the radio wires with the same sentiment others in the United States felt.

Yesterday, December 7, 1941–a date which will live in infamy–the United States of America was suddenly and deliberately attacked by naval and air forces of the Empire of Japan.

Anyone who was living that day would always remember where they were and what they were doing when the news of the attack reached them.  The whole country was unbelievably surprised by this attack and it sent more than one American’s life into tailspin of uncertainty.

I have seen the movies of Pearl Harbor and not once has it hit me as hard as this research into the causalities of Pearl Harbor. Maybe it is because now I am looking at it for more personal reasons. I am anxious to find out how this bombing will play out in my father’s story. To me this is the one incident that would change my father’s life forever.  I wonder if he had gotten home in 1941might my parents have gotten married? The way Dad is talking right now I think it is a possibility. This one earth shattering event affected not only my family but the families of over 17 million men and woman who served in this war.

Still in Arkansas on 11 December 1941 he writes to my mom,

Up until an hour ago I still had hopes in coming home only for four days. Then a bomb struck them. [Sic} Where will we be by then, God only knows. I only hope we get it over with in a hurry. There is so much I haven’t done and I would like to. Well here are the circumstances good or bad. We might move from here in a half an hour and it might be six months before we go. That is as much as I can tell you. I know one thing though I was a damn fool for not coming when I had a chance. I guess that is too late now. Remember though it is the same as when I was up there before. You’re the only thing I really have left. I hope I can say that???? I guess you can tell me what your Grandmother gave you. I am sure I will be home for some Xmas but not this one damnit. I never did plan ahead of time that worked [Sic}. No I guess you didn’t say you made up your mind. Well we have one thing in common now. At least we won’t argue about it for a while. I had a good argument to put up though when I got there. Hope you had a good time while you were in Emporia. I imagine you did though. I haven’t much to say so I guess I better quit. Adios, Lefty, Tell everyone hello.

He sounds so desperate and alone. He has his family in Nebraska but his dad is not healthy and will soon go to live with my father’s brother, Dad’s Mom has been gone for four years now and I am not sure why he does not have much contact with his brothers and sisters.  He has family who writes him but he does not have the connection he has with my grandparents.  It is sad to think he felt so alone. I am really glad he had my mom and her family. It is beginning to make me realize why Dad was always so loyal to my mom’s parents. He was always close with them and you could tell how much he loved and respected them. After my grandfather died in 1972 my father would drive the half hour to Grandma’s house twice a week. Towards the end of her life in 1996 he drove there every day to help care for her. That is right Grandma lived another 24 years living alone. Grandma did not learn to drive when she came to California and 30 years later when Grandpa passed she had to learn. She was 71 years old. It was a scary time in our family, we were fearful to be on the roads at the same time!

19 December 1941 finds the letter postmarked from Big Springs Texas. So they are on the move and there is more uncertainty,

Well here I am again. We left camp last night bound for God only know where. We are somewhere in Texas now. All we know it that it is suppose to take four days to get us to our destination. We are going by train (Note is scribbled) so if you can’t read this than it isn’t my fault. There isn’t much to write about only I love you. Wish I was headed your way instead of this. I have been on guard for the last two nits. [Sic] Sure am tired. Have 2 more Hrs and then I am done I hope. They split our Co in half. Half is with Co F 110^th Engineers that is what I am in. Half is with Co E 110QM. I hope the whole Co. gets together again. We don’t even know whether they are going the same way. Well I guess I better close by the time you figure this out you will probably be gray haired. All my love, Lefty, Merry Xmas.

The only thing different in the letter he wrote to Grandma was,

I don’t think there is anything to get worried about though.  Anyway no one is here is. As far as we know Calif [Sic} is our limit. Maybe we will get to shoot a jay yet. We were supposed to have a convoy last Sunday but they could not get flat cars in fast enough to load the trucks. So we were waylaid until Thursday.  Merry Xmas, Lefty

The next is this postcard dated the 20^th,

20 December 1941-post marked Bowie, Arizona

It says “Good Scenery here too, Love Lefty.

The Letter on the 21^th we find him on a train where he writes,

I am just leaving Los Angeles. Not what I expected though. As far as I know we are still going west. I guess we are pretty sure to go to Ft. Ord Calif. for a while. In all the places I have been in yet I’ll take this. Boy you can sure see a lot (of mountains) We have been in them the last two days. That is in and out of them. I always though Texas was grazing country well what I saw of it was mostly farming. New Mexico and Arizona are the ones for that. Always [Sic] across both of them that was all we saw. I believe I had rather driven down though. I believe we could have had more fun. It would be colder though. I guess we are going through a tunnel before long. Anyway they just came along and told us to close our windows. I am getting a lot of experience on this trip. Just think right now there is an orange grove on each side. Everything is green and it is plenty warm. I wish you and I were taking this trip together, I sure bet we could have the fun. That was quite a tunnel. There seems to be more rocks on this side. That was a double header. On [Sic] another it seems to be a habit now. We seem to have a lot of them. This one seems to be a long one. We have the lights on in the car. Boy that really was a long one. The gas from the engine almost got us. It must have been all of a mile long. Gosh I can’t think of much more to say right now so I will close until later.

26 December 1941 finds him in California. There are two letters with the same date on them.

Darling, well guess what! I am still alive. Wouldn’t you know it? We sure have been having a time here. I have been on guard for the last 40 hours. No let up in site either. We have to stand until the company comes back. They are someplace around here close. Pardon the pencil but I just ran out of ink and everyone who seems to have some is gone.  It’s just as good though. You probably wouldn’t be able to read it anyway.  Gosh darling I wish I were there instead of this damn hole. I never did like to break promises. We could have so much fun if it wasn’t for the Japs. [Sic} Just wait. When my chance comes I’ll make them pay for it. That is if they don’t see me first. I am about a man to shoot the _ _ _ _ out of someone anyway. Well I guess I better close for now.

That makes me want to tell him to be careful! I know that he feels like it is his duty to keep us safe no matter what the cost to him would have been. It is how my dad rolled.

To Grandma he writes,

Well by now you probably know I am in Calif. This is sure quite a place. It is a lot larger than Robinson is. We can harbor 40,000 men and if need be 80,000. I don’t know how many are here now. I know we are sure having a time. I have been on guard for the last 40 hrs. Boy am I tired. This is some way to spend Christmas Eve. There are only about 19 here, The rest took off this afternoon. We don’t know where they are or when they will be back. Only we do know that we are stuck with guard until they get back. They are taking every precaution against attacks. We even have ammunition on guard. About the first time in the last year. Well there isn’t much to write about. A motor cycle rider just came back from the rest. They ain’t [Sic] so far. I guess every truck in the Co. is going into San Francisco tonight. Boy I sure would like to be them. Maybe there would be some excitement. There sure isn’t here yet! Boy I sure would have liked to come up. It kind of hurt at first but there wasn’t anything I could possible do about it so I guess I have to do the best I can. Half of the Co came through K. C. Wichita and as far as I know Salina. I guess it was after night though. I guess I better get some sleep. As ever, Lefty.

Wait did I read that right? “We even have ammunition on guard?” I am not sure that is a good thing with my dad feeling as desperate as he is right now.

And the second one reads,

Darling, Well I was right we are in Fr. Ord. how long I can’t say. This is quite a place. Have seen a little of it by now. We got here at 5 this morning (Mon.) unloaded and was going to take it easy. Well guess what, they called us out to help more inf. in. Well we were still going at 7:30 tonight. This camp holds 40,000 men. Quite a lot larger than Jolly Joe’s. We have barracks here. They seem OK so far. Not quite so much privacy but it isn’t bad. Things seem a lot better here than there. Anyway it is warmer. We have a nice view of the ocean form here. In fact we are only about a half mile from there. The rest of the company has not gotten here yet. I think now they will because most of the rest have shown up. Well must close for now and hope to hear from you soon. All my love, Lefty.

Ft. Ord is 80 miles south of San Francisco. It is 20,000 miles of prime beachfront property. Originally designated as Ft. Gigling, it was established as a military training base in 1917. With beach side training as well as providing wooded terrain and excellent training ground. It was also good having a ton of soldiers on the coast to protect it at the same time.

(The California Military Museum click here to learn more)

Viola wearing Grandpa WWI Uniform

27 December 1941

I wrote a little last night but I haven’t anything to do now so I guess I will write again. Boy I am tired. Haven’t been in bed for so long I don’t know how it would feel. I might get a few minutes tonight in a bed, I hope. Had a good chance last night but we had to take the trucks out in the woods and hide them. Then we tried to sleep in the cabs. Boy if I ever get in those positions again I think I will die.  Boy I couldn’t even straighten up this morning. I was so tired I couldn’t stay awake and I was a whole lot worse this morning. This is what I think of you joining the Ambulance Service. Don’t do it. You don’t know what you are in for, then if we can’t win this war without you we will deserve to lose it. If you think anything of me at all don’t do it. I have never asked much of you but I am asking this. That would just about be the end of us. If you know what I mean. And I hope you do because I love you. Bye now, Love, Lefty.

Well I guess he told her. I know this was also a hard time for the women in the United States. All of the people of the United States were thinking of ways to help in the war effort.

29 December 1941

Well here I am again and believe me I feel rotten. We got a good night’s sleep last night and it didn’t agree I guess. We get the afternoon off if the trucks don’t go out. I am taking all bets they do though. We can’t even go to town. And think of it we broke the last ping pong ball and now we have nothing to do. I really don’t know how sleeping would be but I suppose will find out. You know in every game a suckers had. Well we are on our way out. I don’t know how soon. So as far as I am concerned you won’t need to keep up with me anymore unless you want to. I might be here tomorrow and I might be somewhere else. Who knows. Anyway it has been nice knowing you and if it wasn’t for the darn Army I am sure we could have gotten together. The way it is I really believe it is better this way. I want your opinion on this whole darn subject. There isn’t anyone in the world I would rather have on my side than you. I’ll probably be sorry I even wrote this but if it does happen there is going to be a lot of grief for you. There will be times I won’t be able to write and times you won’t get the letters I do write. Take your choice. This is going to be a long war. Well the wind doesn’t blow so hard here but it has rained every day since we got here. Believe me it sure has been a job keeping dry. Especially if you are on guard.  As ever, lefty.

He sounds so depressed and hopeless! What will happen in the next months? I am interested to find out. I found this tidbit interesting; the average annual rainfall in at Ft. Ord is 14 inches and almost always occurs between November and April. No wonder it is raining so much. Those soldiers do not have a chance of drying out. I do not remember my dad talking about taking the trucks out each night and hiding them from sight. How long would he have to do this? How many nights would he end up sleeping in the cab of his truck? I wonder how many other soldiers were feeling the same way as he did, hopeless and uncertain.

1941 has been a big year for my father. First the National Guard, then the Army, then he fell in love, and now he is talking about sacrificing his life in honor of his country’s freedom. I don’t believe that he will ever be the same again.

Chapter 7

Training for a War

Dad has been training at Camp Robinson since January 1941. Most of the early training for the soldiers was behind a desk. What they found when they got all these young men drafted was that a lot of them were farm boys. They were not just from Nebraska but from all over the United States. The education level of the men was not up to the standards of Army training. So first they went through basic school subjects and educated the men as best they could in what little time they had. They would then start to train in the field. It was 3400 square miles of Tennessee swampland in the humid heat of summer. In July we find the 110th Quartermaster getting ready for the upcoming field maneuvers.

26 July 1941

Our captain missed a cleaning detail last night and he had to get up at 4:30 this morning and do it and instead of getting the men who were suppose to do it he called us. Boy we sure have been telling him all day. Boy I darn near got busted down to $21 a month the other day. We had a field inspection and 9 from this company forgot their waist belts. The inspection was by General Lear (you know the old boy that made the men walk from Memphis) He was pretty mad at us anyway. One Sergeant and one Corporal was busted just for that. Darn I held my breath for a while. We had the best company there though. There is a chance that Company C will be stationed here during the Ark. maneuvers and haul loaded supplies to Southern Arkansas. Boy I sure hope so. Three weeks will be long enough without having to have to do the other three out in the field. We are supposed to get 27 more trucks next week. As far as I know I keep the one I have. I hope so it is a pretty good one. You said you have troubles. I worked on my truck all last Sat. and Sun. we had an inspection on. On Monday the darn thing was dirty. Boy was I mad I guess I’ll have to start driving again. My assistant went to the hospital today. I don’t even know what for. Say there is a good chance of getting out of here in a year. I hope so. I am getting tired of it. Want more freedom I guess. We have a division review tomorrow for General Lear. All the troops will be there. Have been practicing for it all week

Notice that Dad is still thinking he will get out of the Army in a year. If things go as planned he will be out in December. The reality now as we look back on it is so much more but I do not want to get ahead of myself.

2 August 1941, he writes to my grandma.

It seems like 10 years since I was up there. I had such a swell time and then had to come back to this dryed up old hole. On that inspections that I forgot my belt. I was on guard the night before and had breakfast at 6:30. I just changed into fatigues and didn’t put my belt in my bag to take along. I just wish the Army would make up its mind and keep It that way. They change it so much I can’t keep up with them. I have the handles of about 162 pick axes and shovels to paint and they can’t make up their minds how to paint them. A kid over in the 110th Engrs. got struck by lightning this afternoon. I don’t know how bad it hurt him. He was out cold and they took him to the hospital. We got five more trucks. We are suppose to get 21 more before maneuvers. Well I guess this is all I can think of tonight. Love, Lefty.

The man who was hit by lightening is actually listed as one of the causalities of the Louisiana maneuvers. 21 men were killed in an accident on one of the rivers.

Grandma Susie In Kansas 1930′s

Here is a little insight about my grandma. Susie, as she was called, was very supportive of our troops. My grandfather served in World War I and I know he was proud of his country. She was a dreamer and was good at making others feel they mattered. There were always a lot of fun times and thanks to grandma’s imagination it did not cost much around her. She could make people feel like the old brick mill they grew up in was a castle. My grandfather, his brother, brother-in –law, and two friends all went down and volunteered to fight on the same day. I do not know much about his time in service. I do know that all five of them came home though. I am not sure if it had anything to do with that or not, but once they moved to California they would invite many young servicemen to spend weekends with them. They would entertain them and make them feel like family. One day I got a message from a lady who asked if I was THE Nancy Woodside that her uncle talked about all the time when she was growing up. The one who was a daughter of my parents, she knew their names. She went on to tell me she could remember this uncle talking about me when he was in the service. I went on to contact that uncle. He was so thankful for my parents and grandparents. He was in the Air Force and was stationed in near my family home in California. My parents and grandparents would take turns hosting him and his friends on the weekends. He went on to say how thankful he was as the Air Force pay was not much and he did not know anyone in California and if not for my family they would have had nothing to do and nowhere to go. My family made him feel like he was family and he was in contact with them until they all passed away. The interesting thing is this man was here for eight months in 1958. I was only a year old when he left and yet now in 2012, 54 years later this man still remembers me, my parents, and my grandparents. It makes me very proud to find someone who thought so fondly of my family.

Pop and Susie at the Brownstone Castle, Kansas 1930′s

5 August, 1941 he writes to Mom again.

Guess we leave for Birmingham, Alabama tomorrow or Wednesday. I don’t know how long we will be gone, I guess we will be back about Sunday. That will add two more states to my list. Mississippi and Alabama. I guess we will take all the trucks we have.

He goes on to talk about sending a picture album to her to hang onto so it does not get lost. He is afraid it will with all the moving around he will be doing. He ends with “tell Mom and Pop Hi. Love Lefty.”

I am seeing a pattern here. It seems as though Dad sent a lot of letters to Mom and Grandma in the same envelope. I am sure Grandma is writing him by the way he talks in his letters. He is answering her questions in most of the letters. When I first started this journey I thought these were only letters to mom but I am finding a lot that have letters to both. With my dad not having a Mom it seems like Grandma is taking him under her wings. I remember Dad talking about her sending him care packages. Grandma “Susie” was so loving to all she came in contact with it would only make sense he would gravitate towards her nurturing personality.

14 August 1941 He has found a typewriter and types.

We got started yesterday on those long waited for maneuvers. They took us down about 100 miles and dumped us out in the middle of a forest. Well the first thing we had to do was to make a road to get out of the damn hole. After I worked all day doing that they called me to come back to camp and bring a load of inf. We got back here about 2:00 last night and had to get up again at 3:00 and ate breakfast. So I didn’t get much sleep since 3:00 yesterday. We really have quite a place down there though. Right in the middle of a forest. The darn thing is sure a good place to hide the trucks though. I guess we will only be there 4 days and then we are to leave. I don’t know where we go. Right now I am in camp. We came back after another load of troups. Leave again at 3 in the morning. The kid I run with is on guard at the regt. Hgt. and I am working there now. Or I am writing this there.

From here the letter is hand written.

Well I got so darn sleepy that I couldn’t even hold my eyes open. Maybe I can write so you can read it. Gosh here it is 3:00 Thursday and we have eaten breakfast and all ready to load. We got one more night’s sleep on our bunks. I guess the 6 Div. is moving in sometime soon. They will be here 10 days while we have our Ark. Maneuvers then they move to Louisiana with us. I have never seen so darn many trucks. That is about all you can see along the way. Well I will write more next time Uncle Bulgy wants his pen and mine is parched.

In the same envelope is this note to Grandma. He addresses her as Mom in all the letters now.

Just like camp here, There you could look and only see hills, Here you turn around and run into a tree. Hot here there isn’t a breath of air. Plenty of snakes too. Otherwise it isn’t so bad, we have a fairly good place to go swimming only it is kind of muddy too. We move tomorrow night so maybe we will get something better. I am glad you liked the scarf. As for coming up Thanksgiving and Christmas I sure hope I can. I am in doubt now though. We don’t know where we will be then. I guess there is a chance of leaving Robinson. I hope we don’t if we have to go farther from home. Or even to some camp closer to home. That isn’t such a bad camp after all. Must go to work in a little while I guess. Lost my truck yesterday I am glad it sure is a wreck now. It was a good one until my assistant wrecked it.

On 23 August, 1941 he writes at the top of the letter he is “Somewhere in hills. Don’t know where that is.” The letter is postmarked Prescott Arkansas.

Thanks for the card it was sure swell. Well we got moved again. Three times in all now. I can’t keep up with them. If I get out of sight of my bunk I am lost. We are still in the woods. The second we were at is by far the best. I don’t think we will be here long. I hear the reds have captured the 35 Division Hqts. Now. I suppose we will move out tonight or tomorrow. We have until the 28 then we will move into Louisiana the 28th of next month we start for home. We are supposed to get 26 new trucks before maneuvers are over. But then we were supposed to have had them 6 months ago. I doubt whether we will get them I hope I don’t. There isn’t so much work to do. I have only had one night’s sleep in the last week anyway. Well sweet I can assure no snake will get near enough to bite me, but as for getting lost I don’t know about that. We went on a convoy at 12 the other night and got lost twice. The next night I was on guard and couldn’t find my way back to my own bed. Tell Mom and all hello. All my love. Lefty

29 August 1941 to Grandma he writes

Your answer to whether we got new trucks. We got the ones we lost a while back. We thought at first we got some new ones in the Q.M. No Luck. We got the old ones back. It sure is good to be here in camp again. A good clean shower and some good water to drink. I said good water it is just good compared to what we have out there. They put a purification plant out and pump it out of a river, because it is so darn dirty, what is the difference we have everything else that way. It isn’t so darn bad though. We get lots of sleep. That is the ones who doesn’t have trucks do. I have some painting to do. I think I could keep busy doing that. I really hope I don’t get a truck until after maneuvers. They are pretty hard to take care of out there. Then they are pretty particular in a way. We have been eating this canned rations, C Rations they call them. Really they are better than some of the cooks put out. We have some darn good cooks but the stuff they get to cook is what is bad. We have vegetable stew, hash, beans, and meat in the cans. Then in the other ones are coffee, sugar, a piece of chocolate candy and some cookies, they are in about a no 1 can. The coffee is so you can mix it and that is all there is too it. I really hope we don’t get moved further from home. I wouldn’t mind staying here as long as we have to stay. They are trying to make a triangular Division out of this, If they do there are two places we can go Ft. Smith, Arkansas. Which is about 190 miles closer and Ft. Murray, Washington. That is a considerable distance further. They have a lot of heat stroke in Louisiana and they might cut maneuvers 2 weeks short. Several have died from it down there.

His 22 September 1941 letter finds Dad back driving the truck and he is in Louisiana at this point. They have to get the troops back to Camp Robinson and are planning on letting some of the men travel by train so the drivers do not have as much driving. He tells that a kid named Glen Mullins and he were the only drivers in the convoy of 21 trucks that did not have assistants to help them drive. The lieutenant finally got another man to take Dad’s place because he was afraid of his driving because he was so tired. He goes on to explain;

We had 65 miles of blackout one night. The worst I have ever been on. Down through a road that went through some swamps. I guess we had more luck than (the) service unit. We were hitting bridges that were only about a foot wider than the trucks. If you want to have some fun just try that sometime. Because you have trees about 200 feet high to keep what light there is restricted. Co. D upset one truck with 23 men in it. No one got hurt luckily.

On the 27th of September he writes,

Well according to all the rumors we are about ready to go back to camp. First load is supposed to be there by Sat. At least I hope so. You talk about it raining up there. You should see it here. By gosh I didn’t think it could be so wet. It started raining at about 4 yesterday afternoon and is still raining today. We were on a convoy lost night and didn’t know half of the time whether we were going to be the ditch or not .I guess we were pretty lucky. Co C only had one in and that was either the ditch or hit another truck. About washing you can’t wash when you aren’t around water. And you can’t have water when you aren’t around the Co. There is awful shortage of water. The Inf. regts. Have orders to use water only for drinking purposes. Well darling I know one place I would rather be than on this line waiting for the order to pull out in this damn mud. I believe it is as bad as that night up there. We had four A Co. trucks buried in the mud. I watched the wrecker pull one out. The first wheel was just buried. You know that hurricane that was in Texas? Well it was supposed to hit here at 12 noon 45 mile wind. The wind was blowing but not that hard. Looks like it might get here yet sure is cloudy.

This is kind of scaring me. First there are snakes, then heat stroke, not to count all the accidents, and now they are having problems with the water? All the time they have to drive under adverse conditions AND while trying to keep their trucks on the road? Now they have enough rain to make big mud puddles in the roads, and there is a hurricane headed their way. It sounds like these men are not catching a break.

2 October 1941

Well I guess maybe we are through for now but there is still a rumor that we go to South Carolina for six weeks more. Dog-goned. I hope we don’t have to. I am very insulted at you calling us a bunch of soldiers. Dopes wasn’t so bad but soldiers is out. If anything we are a bunch of prisoners. I saw action on the front day before yesterday. More fun. I sure got the shity shot out of me. Four machine gun firing on me. We had quite an argument about whether I was to be put out. Finally they decided that it was all mixed up and the other should not have been there so they were sent back where they came from and I kept retreating with a load of men. People sure crowded around to see the fighting. I really got in a good spot one place. Right by a filing station. Wow! I guess they want to see how much I could take. I drove over 1800 miles in the last two weeks and had an assistant two day and one day I had her we only drove about 8 miles. Oh well who cares. I would rather be driving than be around this damn company. The company is ok it is just the commanding officers. Our 2nd Lt. took us out for 2 hours close order drill this morning and we raised so much hell he gave up and we came back and for into one of the damnest football games ever. Maybe I forgot to tell you we finally got moved out of the trees into a pasture where it is pretty nice. We sure had a game anyway. That is about the first recreation we have had since the maneuvers started. I thought the Captain was going to stop it but I think he enjoyed it. It’s lucky we didn’t get hurt. I’ll bet we feel it in the morning. The 110 QM and the 110 Engineers were highly complemented by General Lear for their actions during maneuvers.

Does that mean that Yoo Hoo Lear finally made peace with the 110th? Sounds like it to me. The next letter was written 21 October 1941 and was sent from Lexington Nebraska. Apparently Dad got an unexpected furlough. I hope nothing has happened. It may be just because his birthday would be the following day, the 22. Dad would be 23 years old. Let’s read in.

Darling Vi, Well here goes nothing. Sorry I haven’t written before this. You know me. When I joined the Army I quit drinking and started eating. When I came home it was just appropriate. Up until Thursday Roy and I had bought 5 cases of beer. Besides what we drank at the bar. Not bad. Damnit you can’t have any fun around here unless you are feeling so good you don’t know what you are doing or don’t care. I was ready to leave about 3 days after I got here, would have been down if I had the money to fix my car. I just couldn’t spare it night now. So I am hoping to see you Christmas. That is if you still want me.

Ok nothing major just lack of funds. If I remember correctly Dad sends money home to his dad each month. Of course twenty-one dollars a month is not much. He talked about getting drunk a few more times. Then there is this,

Lexington came through too. They gave us free show tickets, and tickets to the football game and traveling and gum. That really surprised me.

If I read that right the town of Lexington just paid for Dad to have some fun while he was home. Awesome support! Then he goes on to tell Mom if he got a furlough at Christmas he would come to Kansas to see her “if” she still wants him.

Viola about 1937

The 28th of October finds Dad back at Camp Robinson. He talks about being eighteen hours late getting back there due to the weather. I would think those boys got in a bit of trouble for that. And he goes on,

We sure hit some high water in Okl. I drove about ¾ a mile in water that about run into the car. It sure looked funny. There were kids wading and picking up things. We couldn’t figure out what it was. We got curious and stopped to ask what it was. Nuts of all things. The water was just covered with them. They said they could sell them for 7 cents a pound. I am still disgusted from not coming up there. I told the fella’s in my tent that and they said I would probably have been married if I had. Two in this tent got married and one discharged. That leaves two and two. They bet me I would be a married man when I come back Christmas. I guess I had better stop before I get mushy.

Lefty and Vi, about 1940

The next two letters, 8 and 14 November 1941 he does not say much more than he is waiting for a letter from her. He is not sure if he has done something wrong. He asks please to tell him what he did wrong so he can apologize for it. Then on the 14 after he sends a letter questioning why he had not received a letter from her He sounds very relieved when he writes,

Boy you sure changed me. Was I ever glad I got your letter. Even the rest here noticed it. One of the fellows said “I think Lefty feels better since he got that letter.” Thanks for the pictures they sure are swell. I have been showing them to everyone I see. Boy I sure thought you were mad at me. Boy was I ever in a bad mood. I darn near went nuts. If we had not gone to Springfield I believe I would. You see that kinda took my mind off things. And then I thought I would have a letter when I got back. I sure had a lot of trouble going. Everything went well until we got about forty five miles from there, Then the truck got hot and I found I had a broken block and the water was running out about as fast as I could put it in. Of all things we put 2 eggs in the radiator and that stopped it until we got there, than the truck wouldn’t run until we started home. Everything went well until we got part of the way home. Then water in the gas, more luck. I guess Uncle Sam has something on his mind. Anyway they got us all in a huddle and told us to get out woolen clothes out so they could check for shortages. They told us there was a Division order to see if we were ready to move into a colder climate. I am sure going to raise ____ if they don’t wait until I get up there. Gosh darling I wish I could take all your love. Nothing in the world I would like better. Would you accept mine? It’s yours for the asking.

Wow the last of that letter made me cry. The words were heartfelt and she really scared him with not writing. I am glad he finally got the letter and the encouragement from her he needed.

Have you ever read of putting an egg in a radiator? That is a new one to me! I wonder how many soldiers it took to come up with that one.

Viola in her band uniform, 1943

The Louisiana Maneuvers, as they were called involved 250 thousand men, 19 divisions, and 35 hundred square miles of Louisiana. Twenty-six men died while there including the one that Dad mentions who got hit by lightening. Most of them were due to vehicle accidents. One soldier that was a mere 26 years old had a heart attack.

There are two more letters in 1941. In both letters he is bored because there is nothing really going on in camp other than the usual guard duty, inspections, and painting for my father. He writes Mom on Thanksgiving Day just because he wanted to wish her and her family well. Both letters are full of relief that she is not mad at him. He asks her to go ahead and send back his photo album now that he is done with training. Then he writes;

Well love, maybe I am in a little bit of a hurry. (I think he is talking about getting married!) But I don’t think so. I did promise to wait a year though. God that year is a hell of a long time. Seems it should have been over a long time ago. Couldn’t we just rush it a little, say 6 months. Just what is the matter with eggs in the radiator? I could have frosting at anytime if I had had some sugar. You know it is a long time until the 13th or the 31st I guess we won’t be leaving camp for a while. We were going to Pennsylvania to strike duty. Now they have gone back to work. Well darling here’s hoping you agree with me.

Wait! What did I miss here? They must have talked about marriage sometime. I do not believe that my grandparents had a phone out on the farm. If I had to guess I would say they did not. It must have been when dad visited mom. I do not think they know each other well enough to get married. Weird I am talking about my parents! I think that is how they did it in the old days. Meet and get married while you still like the guy. At this point he is still thinking he is going to be out of the Army in December. We all know that Pearl Harbor was bombed on 7 December 1941.

Chapter 6

The Yoo Hoo Incident

It is here in the timeline that the incident that made my father’s regiment famous happened. Dad was on furlough at this time, falling in love with my mom and hanging out with her family in Brookville, Kansas. Even so, news of this incident provided the “mothers” of the soldiers a reason to campaign. This is where Dad’s regiment and Lieutenant General (LTG) Ben Lear were granted the first nicknames of World War II. This is a story worth preserving.

General Ben Lear (Courtesy of Wikipedia)

The 110th Quartermaster, 35 Division, still at Camp Robinson was providing ground transportation for the 2nd Infantry to and from the Tennessee training grounds which were about 145 miles away. The training exercises were headed by a newly promoted Lieutenant General (LTG) Ben Lear. From reading my father’s letters at 62 years old he directed and trained his soldiers like a conductor conducts a band, with precision. Lear expected his soldiers to exhibit good manners as well as learn to fight and live like soldiers.

On a hot day in July 1941, the 110thQM rolled into Memphis Tennessee. It was returning to Camp Robinson after six weeks in the field in a convoy of 80 trucks and over 300 men. The men had been praised for being top notch in their field maneuvers and they were proud. They had to remove their hats because their heads had gotten quite big with all the praise they had gotten.

They were almost giddy (if a man can be giddy) as they began their return trip. The Division knew they would be sleeping in their bunks back in camp with full bellies, and a warm shower rather than bathing out of their helmet as they had just learned to do. They broke out in song and tried to pass the time, loosened their ties, and unbuttoned the top button of their fatigues to help with the unrelenting heat. They passed through Tennessee on that hot day and being only 45 miles from Camp Robinson the soldiers were anxious to get some well deserved rest.

A convoy from Dad’s View

It was then the convoy reached a Country Club and there just happened to be a group of beautiful woman in short golf skirts which were all the rage in 1941 They had just finished a round of golf. As boys will be boys and men will be men the soldiers hollered out to the woman with many whistles and lots of Yoo Hoo’s. I am sure many other words were said. They also started razzing the other golfers trying to throw them off their game. At this point an unassuming old man came out from the golf course. He arrived sporting Oxford golf cleats, a pair of cotton seersucker knickers, his matching knee high socks, brown vest and his golf club clutched in his hand. He shook it at the trucks in anger. When the soldiers saw him, it added more fuel to the fire as they laughed and made fun of the old geezer. He stomped and hollered spewing his displeasure in not so many words. The end of the convoy was abreast when the man was finally recognized by the commanding officers riding in one of the last trucks. It was LTG Ben Lear in the flesh. He certainly did not look like a Lieutenant General in his golf clothes. He was certainly not doing a happy dance. He was disgusted with the men’s lack of respect for the lovely ladies and ashamed of them exhibiting such inappropriate behavior while wearing the Army uniform. As the Commanders tried to calm him down, the first of the 80 trucks were so far ahead not everyone knew what had just transpired. Lear got even angrier and demanded that the men return to camp night and they stay loaded in their vehicles until he got there to address them.

Now remember, the convoy was so long that the front did not even see LTG Lear and had no idea why they were told to hold their positions on their loaded trucks. There were many baffled soldiers wanting to get the trucks unloaded so they could relax. The smell of dinner filled the air and the men were excited to catch up on the mail that they had missed while they were gone. LTG Lear appeared in his uniform with his stripes and stars and demanded that every man on that convoy turn in their resignation or face their punishment. A lot of them did not know why they were being punished until Lear left that night. The men were aghast with shame as they learned the identity of the man with the golf club, the man that most of the men did not see. LTG Lear was now a face not one of those men would ever forget, and this incident would bind the regiment together long after the war. The regiment was told to go back to the airport in Memphis, set their tents up and fall in the next morning for a field inspection. There was no shower that evening. Although they got the food it was ice cold and not many ate. More than half of the convoy was paying for the remarks of a couple truck loads of men. In the morning they would stand as one.

If you look at our service people today you might say, fifteen miles is not such a hard thing to do especially if they are doing only five miles at a time. But these men had only begun training and were only six weeks into field training. Up until now their training was behind books. Most of them were farm boys who had entered the National Guards with the lure of money, a twenty dollar paycheck each month. They were now finding themselves training for a war they did not think they would have to fight Most of the men were truck drivers, clerical workers, secretaries, typist, and officers. Lastly, it was hot and humid having topped the chart off at 97 degrees. Many men fell off the lines that day due to heatstroke and dehydration.

The “Yoo Hoo March,” as it had come to be known was about to climb its way to too being the biggest controversy so far in the men’s training. Apparently there was a club of moms, called The Arkansas Department of Army Mothers. Once they caught wind of the incident and learned of the plight of the soldiers it was on! I have seen how protective moms can be of their sons. I cannot even imagine how those moms’ made the incident and their displeasure known. Within the month the whole United States knew about the fifteen mile hike and the opinions were flying. Congressmen and senators weighed-in with their opinions. The commander of the 35th Division was Major General Ralph E. Truman, cousin to then Senator Harry S. Truman. The Major General voiced his support for the discipline being too harsh for the infamous incident. It seems from all accounts the only people who did not complain much were the men from the 110 QM. With all the press around they thought they were stars. The crowds lined the streets all the way back to camp with people cheering the men on.

LTG Lear and the 110th QM would receive the first nicknames of World War II forever being branded as Yoo Hoo Lear, and the 110th Yoo Hoo Regiment. It was also the first time a Civilian would write a song about World War II. The stories went wild and made plenty of newspapers. It also spread by word of mouth. Eventually the story was featured in Time Magazine in July 1941.  Two songs were written about the incident: The “Yoo Hoo Song” was sung to “When Johnny Comes Marching Home”;  and a song called “Yankee Doodle 1941”, with words like “General Lear was playing golf (he is twelve years over fifty), pretty girls were playing too and boy did they look nifty.” There was a Yoo Hoo pack of cigarettes, there were candy bars made, and there was even a Yoo Hoo club started with membership cards.

“Those poor men did nothing wrong,” A group of young Texan woman reported in a newspaper article about the incident. It featured four beautiful college women from San Antonio Texas holding a sign that says, “YOO HOO ALL YOU WANT TO BOYS, Lear isn’t here,” and “Come on down fellows!” There was talk of asking for LTG Lear’s resignation but he defended his decision. I cannot imagine something like this getting into the press these days but our country was trying to learn just how to do this thing called war and LTG Lear was dedicated to making these boys into soldiers.

Dad writes about the incident

13 July 1941

That deal about those boys walking home from Tennessee. I guess the general was playing golf with some lady friends and one of the boys hollered and told him not to get it in the wrong hole. That is what started the whole thing.

And in the same envelope he writes to my grandma.

Sure was glad to hear from you. I guess everybody feels the same about the Generals deal on that convoy. Part of it those boys had been on maneuvers for the past 6 weeks. One captain is in the hospital over it and about 10 passed out on the way. The papers down here have sure been full of it. Last Sunday one paper had a full page of letters written in by people along the way.

Then on 29 July 1941 he writes.

I was in town to a show Sat. nite and they had a phase in the news reel about the Yoo Hoo boys. That sure covered a lot of territory. We have heard about it being used in Oregon. They were making fun of it up there.

Our father’s regiment became famous and because of the Yoo Hoo incident they would always be remembered as the “110th Yoo Hoo Regiment.” It was on the brochures of each of their reunions and the story told and retold. The name also stuck with LTG Lear and followed him home three years later. As the ship docked that he sailed home in Lear walked to disembark and was met by hundreds of GI’s shouting “Yoo Hoo!” LTG Lear with a blank face and no acknowledgement of what was shouted stormed ashore keeping his head up, shoulders back, gut sucked in ignoring the Yoo Hoo’s. To this day if you look up LTG Ben Lear you will find that the Yoo Hoo nickname follows him even in death.

Reference Wikipedia, 35th Division, 110th Regiment, the 1958 Reunion Brochure, Time Magazine July 1944, Mike Allred Yoo Hoo Scrapbook Collection

Chapter 5

110th Quartermaster 35th Division, Courtesy of Marvin Cain’s Family

On 3 December 1940, Dad writes that he got fired from his job because some other man had lied to the boss. And now,”All I am doing is cooking and cutting wood and waiting for the 23rd to get here.” His induction date has changed to 23 December 1941.

 I guess you’ll have to talk your dad into coming up. As far as I know George chickened   out and didn’t join after all. You might know more about that than I do. You see we don’t run around so much anymore. I figure if I have to pay for all I just as well go by myself, If you know what I mean.

George is on of my Mom’s relatives and he is the one who took Dad to that original barn dance in 1937. He goes on to talk about how he is going out with another girl named Mick. Then

 Oh Yea! I overheard one Sergeant talking and he said we would probably be gone more    than a year so I just don’t know when I will be back. You better talk real good to your dad so you can come up during Christmas vacation. We get twenty new trucks before we leave. I can’t think of a good ending for this book so I’ll just close. Sincerely ….Lefty

I can detect the fear of uncertainty, and feeling of being let down in Dad’s letter here. His friend had agreed to join the Army with him and now the guy is avoiding him or is Dad is avoiding George because he always makes Dad pay for everything?

Before his mother passed away my father was taking care of her on her sick bed and now it sounds like he is taking care of his dad. He is going to be sent away and it is going to be longer than a year. Note how he signs this letter,” Sincerely,” I wonder what happened to all the, love, hugs and kisses he has been sending up until now? Was he just upset over his choice to join, uncertain?

On 22 December 1940 the men from the National Guard Post were discharged. On 23 December 1940 they were mustered into the Army and it is then they become 110th Quartermaster 35th Division, and he was assigned to Company C.

Lefty at home in Cozad, Nebraska, 1941

2 January 1941 Company “C” 110th QM Regt. 35thDivision

Well I hope you got home O.K. We got off to a very late start this morning but got to the end of the line tonight.I didn’t even go to bed Wednesday morning. I just went home and packed my clothes, polished my shoes and read the paper. We got the trucks out about 1:30 and I got stuck the first thing. Then after we got loaded I went back and got stick again in about the same place.I am being a very good boy. I am staying here and catching up on some writing and sleeping We are in the post office and did not have enough room in the one room they gave us so we are sleeping in the hall and every place else we can think of.” “Well we will go through Salina sometime tomorrow. Wish I could stop and come out but that isn’t possible.Well I guess I better go to bed and get some sleep.Lots of hugs and Kisses Lefty

Ok so they got to see each other one last time before he left. And she is the one who came to Nebraska It sounds like they are on their way to Camp.

Postcard found among Dad’s Stuff, Camp Robinson 1941

On 16 January 1941 we find him finally in Camp Robinson and he writes;

I have been having a pretty swell time here. We have been doing school in the afternoon for about 1 ½ hours. Then we are off until 4:30. We haven’t had anything to hard yet. Anyway I don’t think so. Some of them have been gripping about too much work though. I really like to drill. I guess maybe that is why.
I still like it here although I was really mad when I wasn’t made a first class private. I really worked for it.
It rained here and I am on guard again from 4-6. So I am pretty wet. I won’t be able to change clothes until after tomorrow noon. At least that is what they told us. It is warm here thought and I am setting by a fire so I am not cold.
I cut my finger and had to go to the dr. with it. I had my hair cut off close to my head. I have about 1 ½ inches left. It feels good too.

He ends with love and kisses and a happy birthday to mom, she has just turned 18 years old.

Viola around 1939

Dad then writes to my grandma, about the trip to Camp Robinson, how guard duty works and then he goes on to say,

 I am proud to be here although I will probably change. I sure hope not. As of yet I haven’t seen only about two piles of “little rocks.”

Awe, my grandma probably made a joke about those “little rocks” in Little Rock, Arkansas.  My grandma and dad both had the same sense of humor.

Viola and Rose “Susie” about 1937

In February Dad writes to mom asking how she would like to be married to a carpenter. That is what he signed up for and has made a couple of chairs and a table for his tent. Then he gets an assignment and is making signs for the camp.  He has twenty-four to make and only has two finished. “I may get transferred to the engineers,” he says as that is “what I signed up for, I hope not,” he states. He ends the letter “Anyway we are having inspection tomorrow by the commander of the Regt, Colonel Poteet. So I better close”.

13 February 1941 he writes;

We got 7 drafters in Tuesday some pretty good boys. We also got eighteen new trucks. I got a new one assigned to drive, but as yet I haven’t driven it. They are six wheels drives. Have 3 gear shifts. Something to play with I guess.

18 February 1941,

I had a very good compliment on my painting the other day. Our Lt. said a professional couldn’t have done a better job.

I am very proud to tell you that as far as I know I have gotten that long wanted promotion to first class private. All I hope now is that I can keep it. I am going to have to work for it anyway.

 Look at what I have facing me. Every day the radio says we are getting nearer to it (the war) than the day before and yet we never give it so much of a thought than a joke. Just think like we do we have to so we have all the fun out of it we can. I guess I got started. I really don’t think we will get into the war itself.

It is just like my dad to make a joke out of a bad situation. But really he does not know what he is up against the devil himself, Adolph Hitler.

8 March 1941:

Well I guess another month has gone by. Having just as much fun as ever, Only not so much work you see I am working for the big shots now.  I told you I was going to be a carpenter. Well I got started last Tuesday. Tuesday and Wednesday I painted for Colonel Poteet, the commander of the “110^th QMR,” and the next two days I worked for Lt. Myers. I guess I have plenty more to do. I don’t have any K.P. or guard until I get through and I really like the work.

It sounds to me like he is doing a lot more painting than constructing.

12 March 1941

Say you thought tobogganing was tough you should see me. We went on rifle range today. I held my nose to close to the safety lock and I sure got it skinned. Have been getting the laughs over it though. There were several that got skinned up. We go on the range for record tomorrow. I don’t know whether I get to go or not, I suppose I will though. I got a pretty good score.

I have been working pretty hard too. Have been painting up at Reg. Hqts. For Colonel Poteet. Also been doing some carpenter work for him. He is commander of our Regt.  You should be proud of me for it. I haven’t done a thing else for the past week except for on range today. Have lots more work there I guess. At least that is what they tell me. Have been getting lots of compliments on my work.”

The next letter he writes is to my mother’s mom. He is answering her letter to him. Interesting enough Dad speaks of getting a medal for marksmanship.  What I found interesting is this…….

I shot 146 out of a possible 200. Not so good for me but better than nothing. I think I could do better, but I have to change hands. I have shot left handed all my life and now I have to shoot right.

All of my father’s life he has had problems with being left-handed. They did not want him to use his left hand in school and now they are not letting him shoot left-handed? What? Does the Army not have guns for left-handed shooters?

9 April 1941 finds Dad writing

I am so proud of myself. Tuesday was the fifth anniversary of the 110^th QM Regt. Walt (Huntsucker) and I were color guards. Sgt Shores and Sgt. Jeffery were color barriers and they said we were the biggest color guards and barriers in the Regt. They also said we were just about perfect. They took pictures of the Life and Liberty Magazine.  Lt Smith said it should make the World Harold paper and go a long ways further than that. We have that honor for the next month and longer than that if we want it.

24 May 1941

Today ends the fifth month. It sure doesn’t seem that long. Some of the guys are home on furloughs. I wish I had taken one. I guess maybe I will sometime next month or the next if I can. They say that no more will be given until after maneuvers. We don’t know when that is. But Uncle Sam is always changing his mind. We leave for Tennessee Tuesday. 110 trucks and 84 trailers. We will be gone for 4 days. Taking the 153 inf. and the 110 Observation Corps down for maneuvers. All I have done in the last weeks is one convoy of about 30 miles and two parades as color guard. The rest of the time I have been sleeping. Sounds fun, eh! Send me a picture in your formal. I bet you sure are pretty. I changed my hobby. I am not a carpenter anymore. I am a Co. sign painter now.

Ah ha! I knew it!! Sign painter!

1 June 1941

Home again! Had a very nice trip though. Something to pass away the time with. We went over 800 miles. There were 113 trucks. We were spread over 40 miles. There was one convoy that had a wreck and one guy got his foot cut off and died the next morning. I don’t know which Regt. He was from. I think it was the 161^st FA. Tough Luck.

18 June 1941

Gosh we sure are lucky, we got a new Captain and First Sergeant. Things are so much better now. We get every other 24 hours off. Drivers get one 24 off and Assistant get the other. We can get passes to town when we are off duty. We just can’t stay in Co area. If we do we have to work. Gosh they are talking about giving us a $12 raise. I sure hope they do. Maybe I can go on a good drunk without going broke. I sure feel like doing that. I was all ready to come up last week and the Colonel wouldn’t sign the furlough. He said we have to have a reason to get one.

My father gets a furlough over the 4^th of July and goes to see my mom in Kansas. He left the night of the 3^rd and was back in Camp by the 7^th.

Lefty about 1940

7 July 1941

Well I got back ok. That is I am back pretty darn tired. Got here about 3:30 this morning. We got a bus at Joplin that didn’t stop anywhere along the line so we make better time. I sure got here at a swell time. We had a federal inspection this morning and had to get the trucks ready to go to Tennessee. We leave at 7:00 tonight. There is a catch to that too. We are not taking assistants along. There will be an assistant for every other truck. We will drive two shifts and then rest one…..Wish me luck on the trip tonight. I can hardly keep my eyes open so I don’t know how I am going to drive all night……….All my love…Lefty….I love you!

It seems to me that every time they meet Dad falls a little more in love with Mom. Each letter after the meeting he is sending all his love to kisses her and in this letter not only does he send all of his love but he also says. “I love you.” I also notice a pattern of him playing down his dating and going to dances with him always “getting in a fight” with someone at the dance. He uses the fact that he does not like the Nebraska girls when there is someone who he likes so much more in Kansas. I really feel like Dad has the love bug.

© 2012 notsofancynancy

Chapter 1

The Adventure Begins

The Letters

My parents moved into a rest home in 1994 due to my mother’s failing health. My daughter and her husband bought their house. In the attic they found a suitcase of letters. It seems like I should have known about the letters but heck, I must have forgotten. Both my sisters and brother knew about them, so I must have known at one time. They are all letters my father wrote to my mother and a few he wrote to my grandmother. The first one was written in 1937 and the final one in 1945.  They would span many changes in my mother and father’s lives, their relationship and their families. The letters are few until my father gets mustered into the Army on 23 December 1940. Then is when they fill the suitcase.

When my daughter Tania first told me about the letters I knew that something had to be done with them, after all they ARE our history. I took them home and put them all in chronological order. I scanned that first letter and looked at how many were left and I became overwhelmed. There are SO many of them, did I mention it is a suitcase full? There may be thousands, but I guess we will find out together if you want to join me for this adventure.

The Pictures

When my parents sold their house, my nephew, Harold, and his wife, Kris, became guardians of our family pictures. Thank goodness they took them and kept them safe until my siblings and I came to our senses and realized something was missing from our lives, our pictures. I started looking to find my family tree information to pass on to the kids and grand kids. I am told that is something that happens at this stage in life. Old age is when we gather our history and get it ready to hand down. It is a good thing the younger generation told me as I did not even know I was middle age yet!

About seven years ago Kris and Harold moved to New Jersey and our family pictures went with them. In the meantime I had started working on the family tree. I got a chance to go to New Jersey and stay a couple of months in September of 2011. Harold is a stay at home dad and he had to go away for 6 months because of a job and Kris travels with her job so I stayed and helped with his kids so they could keep their commitments. I went on a scanning spree while I was there. I scanned 1600+ family pictures into my computer. There were thousands of unidentified pictures I did not scan. The 1600 were just the ones I could identify or that my family has identified and written names on the picture. My focus was getting as much historical information as I could from the pictures and I believe I have been successful.

While I was organizing the mass of pictures I came across a black unassuming photo album. As I flipped through the pictures I only saw pictures of my father’s time in WW II, with the 110th Quartermaster, in the US Army. There were only names of three men visible, Tribble, in St Jean, France, Levinsky, and Dudley. Since I did not have a lot of time there, I set this album aside thinking I would take it home and give it to my brother Loren for Christmas.

I am a history nut and had been studying the homesteading my great grandparents did. I have started two books about that era. When I got the album home I decided I should scan the pictures before I gave them to my brother; after all they are now historical pictures. I took them out of the original album to scan and was excited by what I found. Last names, places, and a few comments, my father wrote on the backs of the pictures. What I also found was that although there are several pictures of my father in this album, it was more an album in honor of the men my father served with. All of a sudden I got a little panicky and felt it was up to me to get as many pictures to the families of these men as I could. It was then I knew what I had to do. Reunite these pictures with the families who might or might not, already have them.  I needed to work with this collection, find any surviving family members possible, and pass on the story of the 110th 35th Quartermaster.

To make a long story short, as of today, Leap Day–29 February 2012, with help from Roberta Russo who maintains a Memorial Website for the134th Infantry, who found a roster of the 110th 35th Quartermaster Company; Find A Grave, a website that documents where people are buried; and Doris Cain, daughter-in-law of our soldier Marvin Cain; I have been able to put full names to 77 different men in the pictures. Also with the Cain Family’s kindness, our pictures have grown from 209 to 345 images in the collection.

When I first saw the album I had no idea where it would take me. I am two months into trying to find family members of the soldiers whose pictures I have. So far, I am in touch with three daughters, two sons, one granddaughter, one cousin, a nephew, one distant cousin, an ex-son-in-law and Harry, a man who trained with the 110th QM and who is still alive. Harry was born in 1919, the same year as my father, and has a good memory at age 92.

There has to be a reason why we have all been brought together. I am amazed that I was able to find one family member let alone as many as I have. I do have to believe this path has been laid by God and our fathers, the men of the 110th QM. It is for our fathers I embark on this journey. I hope you will join me as I delve into the thoughts and actions of a kid who became a man while he was on his way to fighting in a war.

It is for our families I will try to tell their story.

Copyright © 2012 notsofancynancy