Free time travel Archives - Page 2 of 2

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,

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,

17 November 1941

Dear Folks:

I’m back from my ‘vacation’ and so much has happened hardly know where to begin this treatise. Almost need an outline to organize it. In the first place I caught my bus at eleven Friday nite and arrived in San Diego eleven thirty Saturday morning. The trip there was in one way uneventful but on the other hand saw Hollywood including many of the nationally famous entertainment houses. Loyd met me at the depot and went immediately to Coronado where Grandma was overjoyed to see me. Granny got off work about 5 and we talked about everything. Both look the same as ever and seem to be very contented. Of course my big moment came in the evening and Loyd and June and I began the rounds of the nite spots. Went into the Towers, San Diego’s ultra-modern building, which has been built since you were there. Also took in Sherman’s, the Gay Nineties and even a burlesque show—and boy what a show. We came back fairly early though around two thirty. I almost forgot we also went to the Rainbow Gardens and saw plenty a plastered sailor. Sunday morning two of the fellows I met in Fort Leavenworth came over and we all ate together. Hoffman’s and the E.M. Johnsons and Helen also came over in the morning.

But my ride home was certainly anything but uneventful. At Los Angeles I was forced to sit down by an old woman who later, as we became friendly, took over your place until I got back to camp. She was a fairly wealthy woman, a Norwegian immigrant some forty years ago and a woman with a delightful brogue of the Swedes and Norwegians. She was very interested in me and gave me barrage after barrage of questions concerning the camp, entertainment for the soldiers, our living conditions and a thousand other things. She told me all about her life in Norway; as we inevitably approached the question of the younger question. She was notably lacking in many age old traditions that old people have, but at the same time still held on to such ideals as people from the old country possess. But the greatest surprise came when she finally confided in me that she was on her way to be married! At sixty-four! She was bubbling over about their honeymoon tour of the nation and said they originally planned to travel around the world. She was very sweet and of course asked me all about you folks; and called me a darling when I told her I had just visited my grandparents. She is so vitally engrossed with the younger generation.

But something tragic later happened. Outside of Los Angeles saw a horrible auto wreck and went to sleep on the bus trying to forget it. Suddenly the bus stopped and when I looked out saw a very gruesome sight. Yes another wreck between a semi-trailer with two horses aboard and a brand new Chrysler carrying a woman and two men. They had (been) hit almost directly head-on. The woman was crying frantically waving her arms and wiping the blood from her face. I was in the front seat of the bus so the driver and I were the first ones there. The horses had their legs broken and one man was lying face down pinned under the car and we didn’t know whether he was dead or not. But first we had to get the man out of the seat as the car was ready to flame up any minute. We had to cut his pants off. I was plenty sick afterwards but at the time thought I did pretty good. All the people were afraid to act but finally stirred them to action, I practically pulled the man out myself. Later we got the man from under the car and did all we could for them. Finally the cops and the ambulance came to take them away. I’ve thought about it all day.

To get to the brighter side, today started on our radio work in earnest. I know it’s going to be very interesting.

We have Thursday off for Thanksgiving so will have a little more time off.

Anyway had a good time with Grandma and Gramp. She gave me some fruit to bring back and Loyd gave me some initialed watches with cuts that say “Private Moss’ on them.

Well goodnite folks, have to get up at five tomorrow to go on a 100 mile trip for blacktop. Keep up the good work. See you in the next letter.

All my love,

14 November 1941

Dear Folks:

I have only a little while in which to compose a letter and so many new things have taken place that don’t know whether I can get it all in properly.

Probably the first thing was our Armistice Day affair. On the program was a sham battle and firings of guns and many other things. There were thousands of visitors and I believe many of them were really thrilled to see the sham battle including airplanes, machine guns, smoke screens and all the rest. Also people were driven around in our little jeep, moms riding over bumps holding on to their bonnets and dads grinning big as pie. Thousands of ‘civies’ and soldiers were jammed into the bowl to see and hear the commander and chaplain deliver an address.

Today was “gassed”. Not literally but given enough of a demonstration to impress upon us the need of speed and the efficiency of our gas masks. We were taken into a gas chamber twice in which there was a heavy concentration of tear gas. The first time we entered had on our mask but the next time ran in without the masks, then hurriedly and perhaps frantically, put them on. Most of us were crying and felt hot irritations similar to the feeling of soap in one’s eyes. Of course the effect wore off immediately. Also were later given smells by means of bombs, of chlorine, Luvs cite, Adams cite, and phosgene. Very interesting. Also walked into a very heavy smokescreen so thick in fact we practically had to hold hands to keep together.

Now comes the big event and accounting for the hurriedness of this letter. I’m leaving for San Diego tonight and will arrive there Saturday at ten, so will have quite a visit with Gram. By the time you get this I will be back in camp. You don’t think I’ve gained (weight). Well I weighed 127 ¼ at Cheyenne and now am over 140, quite a good gain.

Proud to see Dan in the football picture. Our Thanksgiving is next Thursday the 20^th. About the package, I’ve told you most what I want already but can always use sundry toilet articles such as only Moms can think of. I feel I’ve slighted you in this letter but I’ll write after I get back from San Diego.

All my love,

9 November 1941

Dear Folks:

Just returned from church services so have some time before dinner to write to you. The service was a general one and open to all denominations. Haven’t found out anything about Episcopal services. The chapel is quite built with simplicity but dignity, and cost the government twenty five thousand. Overhead in the back is a balcony and a Hammond electric organ that costs plenty. Also the regiment has an orchestra that is really good. The church was well filled and there were a few visitors and fellows with their girlfriends.

Last Friday took quite a little trip and saw a little more of California. A convoy of thirty trucks went to Taft, in the oil fields, to get cargoes of black top used to surface our drill area. As the place is one hundred two miles from here rode most of the time. But got to see some of the big oil fields, and get a glimpse of something outside an army post. The longer I’m here in camp around so many fellows the more it seems that everything and everyone is military. It just seems there isn’t enough people to make up a civilian population.

Yesterday went thru the long nervous ordeal of inspection. About eight officers came thru and all of us acted like we had pokers up our backs and rocks in our mouths. An officer asked a fellow if he shaved the nite before and the poor private answered ‘no’, and the officer retorted ‘no what’, and the private said ‘no blades’. The officer was demanding a ‘sir’ and not this unexpected reply. Our platoon didn’t get first but our battery kept the sign.

Last nite and afternoon did nothing in particular, mostly reading. However did locate Berg after quite a search. He is in the other end of the camp in the infantry. He is coming over this afternoon for a visit.

Wish it was possible for you to be here next Tuesday Armistice Day. Visitors will be given a big show and will eat with us in the mess halls. Also our big coliseum is being dedicated and the field artillery gunners are going to fire the 75’s.

Next week will have all day Saturday off so hope I can hitchhike to San Diego to see Grandma. Couldn’t make it this week. Train service, because of the hills is terribly slow. It takes nine hours to Los Angeles only 200 miles from here. Want to see the Golden Gate in San Francisco sometime before I leave too.

After my radio training, I will be assigned to a tactical combat unit which will be my permanent post. You see, here all of us are trained to set up radio equipment and do not act as a fighter but upon our transfer will become part of a unit that operates exactly as it will in wartime. Boy it does seem like we are getting closer to it all the time. The officers and candre continually impress on us the means of protection to ourselves in case we go into the field. Radiomen operate sometimes near and sometimes far from the front. Some of the last batch of trainees were sent to Alaska. We just as well forget all about that though if we can.

Last week got another shot in the arm (tetanus) and those kids really hit a guy. It lasted only a couple of hours though. By the way when I was waiting for the shot I weighed myself and weighed one hundred forty. I had on my pants and shoes but even at that, I’m doing pretty good—and I’m really getting a tan too. The days are very warm but as soon as the sun goes down it cools off quickly. Last Friday going to the oil fields it was very hot and had my shirt off most of the time. It is hard to imagine that it is almost the middle of November. The grass around our orderly room to mess hall is getting very green and pretty. Also we are setting out small trees and shrubs.

Haven’t heard from Kate for some time and I’m sure it is she that owes the letter. Suppose she will write soon.

I’m thinking or trying to think what to tell you to put in the box and will write you about it. I know one thing right now and that is cookies and homemade candy.

Well better quit now but hope all of you are getting on okay.

All my love,