Dick Moss Archives - Page 14 of 14

5 April 1942

Dear Folks:

Suppose you are wondering what has happened to me for not writing so long but last week was a busy one with moving and guard duty and I feel off a little.

Last Wednesday thirteen of our battery were transferred to Carlsbad to join another battery in our regiment, to patrol the coastline. It is about twenty miles from Escondido but a little closer to San Diego. We are living in tents in a eucalyptus grove just about a mile from the coast back in the hills. A nice shower room and washstand has been built so it isn’t so bad here. Carlsbad is about a mile away and Oceanside about four. We do guard duty six hours at a time, either from six until twelve or twelve until six at nite only. Each outpost is dug out in the sand and lined with sandbags and equipped with a stove and charts, etc. Ours sits on a bluff overlooking the sea. Two stay in the dugout while two walk on patrol, our post is 3 ½ miles so we walk seven miles each nite. Time seems to go pretty fast though, walking along the beach or highway 101 and watching the surf pound in. In the afternoon we drill 3 hours.

Well today was big one on the calendar, being Easter. I got up at nine and hitchhiked to Oceanside and went to the Episcopal church there. I also took communion. The church is right on the highway 101 in town and during the sermon he was forced to almost yell while a marriage party went by. After church I hitchhiked back to my station.

Was in Coronado last Tuesday on a 23 hour pass and had a nice time with the folks there. I talked to Dick again about the Navy and I believe he will refrain from joining.

Just got Dan’s letter and picture. Boy, he’s good looking. He shouldn’t have any trouble with girls. Also got a card from the Colson’s. By the way even tho I’m here at Carlsbad still address my mail to Escondido. It will be sent out daily.

Haven’t heard from Kate for some time. Believe she owes me the letter.

I just had Sunday chow a few minutes ago—peaches, cheese, cold meat, beets, coffee, and potato salad. Pretty good. Guess I’ll read awhile tonite before going out on guard.

Well another Easter has come and gone and for the first time I didn’t have to be particular about what I wore. Everyone was dolled up in church and was the only soldier there. Hope I’m not wearing OD’s when the next one comes around.

Sorry I didn’t write in time for the box but I know everything you put in it will be something I can use.

Love,

22 March 1942

Dear Folks:

While I’m waiting to go on guard at ten I just as well write you a few lines about stuff and things. Last Wednesday a.m. battery began a week’s tour of guard duty so I’ve been confined to camp when I’m not on post. I walk from ten until two o’clock at nite and in the morning with eight hours off between each tour. I’m posted at a lake set up in the hills. It’s very pretty up there and this morning it was so bright and sunny it didn’t seem possible that a war could be going on. Every day is so lovely and full of spring. Spring don’t mean much around here but just the same March 21^st spells something that the parts describe.

Got a letter from Bill E and Margie a few days ago. Bill seems on the verge of getting married. Margie, by reading between the lines, seems pretty low about everything. I get the impression she’s a little worried about Duane and his future. Rightly so, I believe.

This day was one of considerable leisure for me. Got up at nine and had pancakes for breakfast then walked guard from ten until two then laid around on my bed and listened to the radio and finished reading “Flotsam’. Later I washed my hair and shaved and now I’m writing you and waiting to leave soon.

Want to get to see the folks, yes I will too either this coming Wednesday or the following weekend. Even though some of my visits are not very far apart, I look forward to everyone as though I hadn’t seen them in ten years. If I don’t get down Dick said he was coming up. Dick is sure swell to me and we sure have a lot of fun together. It’s swell to have him so near.

Marge said that June K would look me up; also said that the former Dolores Dunbar often came to Escondido so maybe I will have some visitors soon. I hope so.

I’ve had such a supply of toilet articles that only tonight did I begin to use what Grandma and June gave me for Christmas. The buck cornsheller keeps good time and I look on it as something that almost lives. I left my other one with the folks to put in safekeeping. I couldn’t think of a thing that I need. Grandpa gave me an old fishing box with several shelves, that I was a little reluctant to accept, but it’s just the ideal thing to keep supplies in.

Patsy sent me another box of cookies. She seems to be taking quite an interest in my welfare.

Walter Winchell just came on the radio. I hope you listened too.

Guess this winds up this little edition of ink slinging.

Love,

18 March 1942

Dear folks:

I have plenty of free time while I’m waiting to take my guard tour so I can catch up on any back correspondence. Today the battery begins its tour of battalion guards which will last a week so that will mean no going out for awhile anyway. Walking four hours and sleeping eight for six days gets pretty old stuff but we will get a 24 hour pass when it is over.

Last weekend I had another pass so left about four o’clock for San Diego and the folks. I was there in time for supper. When I got there Dick was sleeping on the couch and Gram was in the kitchen and I walked in and had my soaking clothes off before they knew I was around. Boy was it raining! In the evening Dick and I went to a dance. The next morning Gram, Dick and I went to church and in the afternoon we played 18 holes of golf. The Johnson’s (Mrs. E. Johnson and Helen) were there when we got back. I missed the last bus to Escondido but had no trouble hitch-hiking the 35 miles back.

I hope to get down again a week from this coming Saturday. Dick is really swell and we had a great time.

Well the war goes on and on and everyday I wonder what will happen next. This morning at reveille formation a circular about pay allotments was read. It said that all men in eminent prospect of being shipped should consider allotting so much of their pay to dependents or to their family. I think I will do this.

You say men are enlisting everyday, yes that is true, what I mean is that any man already in one branch of the service cannot enlist or reenlist in another, which means because I am in the FA I cannot transfer to the Air Corps (except flying cadets), Intelligence, or any other branch. Right now I’m hoping to get a chance at a commission in the FA as a clerk of some kind. I have applied for an application and believe my background of ROTC and college and banking will swing it. It is as an officer in the Adjutant General’s office. Each candidate is interviewed before a board of officers and graded on appearance, bearing etc, and I hope I can get over this hurdle if the chance comes for me. In my army intelligence test I scored 132 out of 150 and only 116 is required for an officer, and 100 for the Air Corps. That’s a pretty good rating.

The weather has been so sunny and the sky so clear, except for the rain last weekend. I suppose you noticed when you were here how big and bright the stars were. I can’t get over it. Suppose you know Palomar, with the telescope, is only 18 miles from here.

Well finished ‘Kabloona’ and ‘Mantrap’. Kabloona was sure a good one, so descriptive and such a study of values and the real worth of our ‘civilization’. When the war is over I’m going on a trip like that.

The oranges are pretty plentiful now and the other day when we were in an orange grove with the gems we all had our fill. Also lemons.

Patsy sent me another box of candy yesterday so I’ll have to answer and thank her. Gramma also sent a box of fruit, and cigarettes and cupcakes.

Well so much for another letter. I got all the Free Presses so I know about everything in Minatare.

See you in the next letters.

Love,

8 March 1942

Dear folks:

I guess it’s about time I took myself in hand and began to start writing again. Sort of had a vacation last week being in San Diego. Fifteen of us were sent there for guard duty at the fire central station and it so happened that I was a KP man so I had every nite off and went to Gram’s during all my time off. It was a real visit with the folks and when I didn’t sit around with them Dick and I went out. We took in a couple of dances and a show and then Gram and I went to a show one nite. We had it so soft there that I hated to come back to Escondido. As we had no officer there we had only two meals a day; at ten and three so I was free from about four o’clock on, not much KP for fifteen men. My last nite there I stayed overnite with Gram. Dick seems pretty contented and I think he likes his job with Cudahy’s. He’s getting heavier and huskier and is a swell guy. The folks do everything for him. One afternoon as I was going to Grams, I met Dick on the ferry and he sure looked funny in his old clothes. He has a white cap with a little black bill that makes him look like an armchair engineer.

When I got back a carton of cigarettes and a box of candy from Pat and Uncle Harold were waiting for me. Some fudge that was broken up but good.

I’ve begun to read a good deal lately and by the way if you ever want to send me something make it a two-bit ‘pocketbook’. I got that book “Kabloona’ last nite and just finished reading Lewis’ ‘Mantrap’. Currently I’m about half through ‘Pride and Prejudice’ and last week finished “We Are Not Alone.’

Hope Minatare comes through in the states meet or did they get there? I read the clippings Hank sent to Dick. Also got Stub’s letter. Good to get it.

Well the war gets more involved and blacker for us, so it seems, by every communiqué. I can hardly believe it is almost spring already, but a spring that will make history. By the papers we are sending great reinforcements over but they are a mere dribble at present.

I’m just the same, had a pretty bad cold last week but it’s coming around now. Well I’m going to write to Pat and Katie and as I’m about out of news so will put the curtain now.

Love,

26 February 1942

Dear folks:

I’ve got a bad cold and don’t feel too hot but I better get your letters answered. Guess I got it during the last rain. Had a little fever so went to the doctor this afternoon, and he gave me some pills.

Suppose you have heard and read about the furor caused by the supposed planes over Los Angeles. Right after evening chow our battery fell in and moved to the coast. As I was on KP duty, didn’t go along so about 8 went to bed. Then about two thirty air raid sirens began to wail and a guard called the few who were left here to get out of the tents. I did pronto. Went back to bed soon, then got up at four to take chow to the fellows about 30 miles away. We drove without lights and several times we narrowly escaped several cars. All of southern California was blackened out. It was very exciting as all kinds of rumors were going around. What scared me a little was the guard who shot out the ground lites when he couldn’t find the switch. The battery has come back today.

Hope to get to San Diego next Saturday but unless things quiet down, don’t know whether it will go thru.

Yesterday was on KP duty from four in the morning until twelve at night so I was pretty tired. However was allowed to sleep til twelve today.

It would be swell to have some of you come out for a while. Hope I am still here so it will come true.

I think Dick is pretty happy here and he will be more so when he is working and makes a decision. You know, probably he is working now at Cudahy’s for 70 cents an hour, nine hours a day.

I’m pretty pooped tonite so I’m going to quit with a promise. I’ll do better next time.

Love,

15 February 1942

Dear Folks:

I guess I’ve been getting a little lax in my letter writing. Guess I don’t realize it.

Today was Sunday and Gram and Dick came up on the eight o’clock bus but I had to leave for Camp Callan just as they arrived. However I was back at one o’clock so we had plenty of time together. We saw a show and then ate in a restaurant and talked until time for their bus to go back home. I showed Gram around our encampment and even brought her in our tent. She seems to be very happy and healthy. Dick is a little restless not having any work yet but he’ll get on soon and he’ll be a good worker. Suppose they have written all about his offers and courses. If he is not thinking very seriously of going to college I believe he should take advantage of the four year deal. Tool and die making is a very definite profession of its own. A man skilled in that line is usually in demand.

Got all the good cookies nice and fresh. A bunch of chowhounds were here when I opened the package so one can has met its fate. Grandma brought me some apples, some peanuts and popcorn and some cigarettes so my locker is well stocked. When I miss a meal sometimes for any reason such items fill the gap. The bugler’s sister works in a bakery so we get eats from him too.

I remember in one of your letters you wanted me to tell you what I did and how my schedule works. So here goes. First call is at 6:15, reveille at 6:25, and assembly at 6:30. After assembly we fall out until seven when we put on the rest of our clothes and the ambitious ones wash and cleanup. At seven we have breakfast. At seven twenty until 7:40 we have calesthenics or “calahooics” followed by police call at 7:40 and sick call at eight. At 8:00 the ‘work’ of the day begins. Usually the battery will go out on a problem, that is, into the field to simulate firing. However I’m a clerk so I remain here at the camp and loaf around the office tent. At noon chow and at one back to what we are doing. Recall is at 4:45 to get ready for retreat formation at 5:30 followed by chow at six. From then on, time is our own and we are allowed to go to town but not outside the city limits. Taps at eleven. That’s a usual day but interspersed is KP, fatigue, and latrine duty and also guard duty. Guards walk two and sleep four hours for a 24 hour shift.

I have some more pictures I took of around here.

What a blow to the Peters. That’s a terrible tragedy that makes this whole thing seem like a devil’s mad dream.

Suppose Stephensons were struck dumb also.

I’ll write sooner next time. Got my glasses fixed and put in first class shape.

Love,

8 February 1942

Dear Folks:

I guess it’s been sometime since I’ve written—hadn’t realized the time had gone by.

Today was walking on the edge of town taking some pictures with another fellow when we were picked up by an elderly Swedish couple and taken to dinner. They were the swellest people and showed us all around their 55 acre orange and lemon ranch. The place is located atop a hill overlooking Escondido. A very beautiful place and he was especially proud of his pumping system and fine home. The old fellow is a man of varied talents one of them being fabrication of rayon and silk raigo. I never saw such a beautiful carpet. Very intricate and exacting. It is a hobby with him and he has had big offers from large firms. Another of his talents is playing the guitar. He used to broadcast over a Los Angeles stations and give lessons. He entertained us royally and never stopped talking.

Got acquainted last week with a girl with a car so last nite we went to a dance a ways out of town. Eleven o’clock is pretty early to get in though for a dance.

Last weekend went to San Diego. They all missed me at the ferry so after I waited until twelve June and I decided to go back across. We hit some hot spots and fooled around until we missed the last ferry back so sat in the police station til it started again. Dick and Porky brought me back Sunday afternoon. I think Dick will get on soon by the way he talks and what he said they told him. Gram says he is going to night school for plumbing. Guess Porky got a job in a grocery store.

Well my application for the Air Corps came to naught. Just after I applied an order came out to the effect that all reenlistments and enlistments in the regular army were suspended. So I’ll be in this outfit from now on. Suppose drafters will be taken in the Air Corps if they are qualified. Under a new order anyone who feels he is qualified can apply for an officer in the infantry. A high school education is all that is required. I’m thinking about it but the infantry is a dangerous place to be.

I have no idea where Purkey Berg is. He is in the infantry. The last I heard he was still at Roberts but he has probably left by now. We have been given German haircuts too. I had my eyes checked and was given a slip for a new set at my own expense. The examination showed that my right eye has become worse.

I believe at Schwaner’s the eyes checked 20/60 and here it checked 20/80. I haven’t had myself measured yet but think I’ll probably get new lenses for the old frames. I may get new ones though as we are allowed a forty percent reduction. My eyes feel better without glasses than they used to.

I don’t believe the article was mine. I never wrote on such a subject.

Guess this is everything that’s of any importance and got to write a letter to Kate.

Love,

27 January 1942

Dear Dad:

Got your nice letter yesterday and your style and subject matter is improving considerably but that doesn’t make any difference anyway.

Yesterday and the day before I spent in San Diego having my eyes re-examined and checked. The lens in my glasses came out one day so thought I’d use that as an excuse to get a check on them.

After considerable contemplation and serious thought I finally did last Wednesday what I’ve wanted to really try to do. I signed papers for the Air Corps. It will be necessary for the papers to go thru a lot of red tape before I really get the chance so it will probably be at least a month. My health is perfect now except for my eyes so the physical may prove to be a barrier. I want to fly or be in the air but I’m a little doubtful about it. Of course you realize this entails three years of duty but I believe the war will go on for almost that long. The pay and food are much better and a better bunch of fellows are in the Air Corps. The danger is not much greater and I’ll have to go thru a long period of training.

Just got an airmail letter from Wylma and she said she had visited you Sunday. Maybe she’s trying to rekindle a spark.

I hope you can talk Dick into leaving. Opportunities were never more golden out here. We can make good money and possibly save it for future education. San Diego is booming and he should take advantage of it. He should do it now not wait but pack up quickly. I’m going to write him.

Had a chance to see Gram when I was in San Diego having my eyes checked. I met her at the ferry and we had about an hour and a half together. Hope she makes it up Sunday.

I’m enclosing some pictures of our battalion as it looks parked around the town.

This is rather a sketchy letter but I’ll get a good one off soon.

Love,

10 January 1942

Dearest Folks:

A quiet Saturday nite is probably about the best time to write so here goes.

I have the bed sack and it is just the thing I was expecting. They are very warm and perhaps now I can shake off my cold. Luckily I have it now because tomorrow nite I begin sleeping outside in a tent and it will really feel good then.

Last week busted a couple of ribs when I fell against a box in a truck but they didn’t bother much except when I lay down on my back or lift anything heavy. I think they are about healed now though.

The weather is really swell and haven’t seen much rain yet. As I said today is Saturday so another fellow and me went to the park and loafed awhile then went to the afternoon show with all the kids. It was just like the one in Minatare. Last nite the 20-30 Club had another dance for us which was a relief to attend. There was a lot of girls there and I had a good time.

Last week the battery was saddened when one of the fellows was shot to death thru the heart, accidentally. The guy that shot him was almost crazy after it happened and I feel very sorry for him.

Tomorrow the churches have extended a special invitation to all soldiers to attend church and also get in on a big dinner. The Episcopal church here is typical of most. Small but very pretty.

Grandma’s visit was a big help to my flagging morale. She brought plenty for me to eat and already it is gone. We all had dinner downtown and spent a couple of hours visiting. They left at two so they weren’t here very long. Now I am worried and disgusted about the service and on the box you sent. I’ve been looking for it everyday and have written about it but so far have heard nothing. Have received the cigarettes from Kate and Dick. Also I received the letter from Pvt. Mason with the two bucks in it. He is from St. Louis and a fellow with wit like Bob Hope. A very swell guy. He stayed in Roberts as an instructor.

Got a number of Christmas cards from the Reddings (one for birthday and one for Christmas), Farley, Flowers Sr, Jim Sandison, Wylma N., the Davises (by the way they have written me three letters), and several others.

Suppose you have the pictures by now. I think they are pretty good and if they are retouched and framed they will look much better.

January 18 I will begin drawing $30.00 a month and the extra nine will seem like velvet. Have no idea still about where we will go but looks like we will stay here for some time.

I think this covers about everything. Wait a minute. I got the letter from Dad and soon I’ll write you a personal one. I’d almost give my right arm for a furlough to come back for a few days and especially tonight. My morale is low. Let’s hope all the Japs die of the plague or something.

Lots of love,