Grandparents Archives - Page 4 of 5

11 May 1942

Dear Folks:

Guess I haven’t written for about a week so better get at it.

When I got in today your picture was here and is it swell. I’m so glad you sent it. I can’t adequately tell you how much it will mean. Then yesterday Katie’s(photo) came so with these and the one of Dick, I have quite a gallery of good-looking kin. Katie is getting prettier all the time but since the last time I saw her, in about August ’40, I believe, she seems to look a little more mature and womanly. When exactly will she graduate? I’d sure like to see her badly. I feel like a terrible heel for not sending you something beside the telegram on your big day last Sunday,but then I thought that if you were coming out to see Gram or up here I would send you fifteen dollars for the trip. Suppose your back is badly bowed by the season of the year but it would be swell if you both could get away from it all.

I’m still in the dark as to furloughs—as a matter of fact haven’t even got wind of a good latrine rumor. Other fellows seem to get these but no dice in this outfit I guess.

Several troop trains have pulled out last week and even tonite a long one is standing on the tracks waiting to be loaded. The latest info from seat 5 is that we won’t be here for longer than a month, but then this is all rumor. Today we were on the rifle range firing plenty of ammo. I didn’t do as good as I have before—a 154 out of two hundred. Last week I started to attend survey school. About three men from each battery were chosen, this is the brain part of field artillery. Hope I go long enough to get some benefit from it.

Last Saturday afternoon got a thirty-six hour pass so Johnnie, my pal, and I went into Tacoma but came home fairly early for lack of anything to do. This guy Johnnie is really a swell fellow—a tough existence ever since he was born, living under a drunken Dad and keeping his mother. Plenty handsome, modest, and sincere. His qualities remind me of Jim Sandison, but Johnnie is much more handsome. Black curly hair and big friendly eyes. Wish I had a picture of him.

The recent sea battle was certainly good news wasn’t it? Hope we treat ‘em plenty rugged from now on. A bad note has been coming up lately and that is gas or chemical warfare. The use of that will increase the horror of war many times. I’d think Germany would be afraid to use it because of his own extinction.

Last week one day I was on regimental fatigue and was handed a shovel and dumped off on a coal pile. Boy did I get dirty but it was a good workout. We hauled it to the hospitals and to the homes of the brass boys (officers).

It’s still been raining off and on for the last week but a couple of days were really nice.

Well I’ve got to write some more letters so better get around to them.

Your picture will be my most valued possession.

Love,

The picture is a 155 mm howitzer of our battery.

21 April 1942

Dear Folks:

Well this will be my last letter from Escondido. Tomorrow morning we are pulling out for—I believe—Fort Lewis, Washington. The officers intimated it would be a long trip so I believe that is the place. It is around 1,500 miles and we make about 200 (miles) a day so it will be quite a ride. Of course I hate to leave the folks in San Diego behind—I will really miss them. We have been sleeping in pup tents the last two nites so of course it would have to rain continually and on top of that my tent leaked—adding to my consternation.

There seems to be a lot to write about but somehow I can’t think of it. There will be about 700 men in our convoy of seventy or eighty vehicles and they are plenty loaded down.

Gramma sent me a beautiful English made scard today—feels so good.

Hope you have recovered from the phone call—guess it leaves on a little shaken by the miracle of it. Wish I could call you every week.

My new address is:

Pvt. HG Moss
Btry C, 222nd FA Bn
APO 40, Los Angeles, California

You can send the box now—if you send it when you get this, it should hit me about right.

I’ll write you often to let you know everything.

I believe after we get there we may be given furloughs—let’s hope.

This is a pretty gential letter but I’ll have a lot of time to write on the way so you’ll be hearing from me again soon.

Lots of love,

10 April 1942

Dear Folks:

Suppose you will be surprised by the series of lots of letters but I’ve had so much time to do nothing that letter writing becomes a good recourse when the time drags.

Finished my tour of guard duty at Carlsbad so I’m back in Escondido. Two letters were waiting for me—one from each of you. When you send me a box again will you include a heavy bath towel and perhaps a couple of hankies? I know you will send a box as you always have so I just as well make my suggestions. Some other things—hair shampoo, whole peanuts, that’s just about everything. I’m as proud as pie over the sweater and hate to have to wear it underneath. I can wear it on the outside only on unofficial formations.

Guess I’ll dig up your letters and take care of your questions. First—the actual temperature doesn’t seem to get so low but somehow the nights are very chilly and invariably we wear jackets and overcoats on nite guard duty, and then we still get cold. Yes, I sleep in my sleeping bag every nite. I would freeze without it—or I feel like I would. Usually in the evening we have a fire going in our little cone shaped stove so it’s comfortable in the tents. In fact your Easter card and the letter about the suit—take your pick—and I also hope Dad is making use of them. When the day comes that I will be handed that precious little document inscribed with the word ‘discharged’ I am going to wear different clothes everyday just to see what it feels like. Now that I got to thinking about it, it will seem odd very different to get back into civilian life. I never realized the freedom and privileges that I enjoyed. Suppose you will for awhile have to wake me with a bugle, blow a horn for chow and give me an inspection on Saturdays. How good it will seem to be relieved of the regulations of uniformity that we all follow.

Last Wednesday got a letter from Gram inviting me to a Nebraska picnic at Long Beach. Dick, Loyd, and June are going but I’m tied up, of course, so can’t attend! It does no good to make plans for anything—take your liberty as it comes and make arrangements later. Last nite a group of women with the Women’s Club in Vista entertained about forty of the soldiers to a dance and games in their clubhouse. I became entangled in a good bridge game with three of the town’s solid (+ solid) women who rank with the sharks. Of course I’m not acquainted with all the intracies and opportunities of the game but we got along pretty good and they were very gracious about my ineptness. They hung on all my words and finally we both recalled someone we knew in Scottsbluff so we became very chummy.

Another Sabbath tomorrow which means pancakes (a rare treat) for breakfast and church later. Besides pancakes-I also saw a boiler full of chickens so suppose we will have chicken for dinner with some good mashed potatoes.

I don’t know any Hoover in my battery although he may be in another battery of the battalion.

I see Dad you mentioned something of going to Alliance to see the army pass threw. Well I suppose a uniform would cause a mild sensation back there but out here they are so commonplace they are never noticed. Everyday convoys of trucks for miles in length pass through the town and P-38 interceptors, bombers and fighters fly over incessantly. Searchlights cut swatches of whiteness in the nights, and boys sit in rooms of sandbags keeping accurate logs of every happening along the coast. Troop trains sweep along, blackened out like a deadly animal and the yellow light of an alert flashes on once in a while. Rumors fly like confetti in a March breeze and the next most important topic is dope about furloughs and passes and (of course) women. I wish you could visit our battery and see what we do. Each move a vital cog in a big war wheel.

Well this covers about all from this news front and perhaps a little to much space so until the next letter.

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,

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,

2 December 1941

Dear folks:

I just wrote you a letter day before yesterday but guess I have time to write another.

Yesterday ushered in something new again—this time being on guard duty. I went on yesterday at 4:30 PM and was on for twenty-four hours however we only walk during darkness. I walked two hours then slept four—walked two and slept four. We slept in the guardhouse in our clothes, thereotically to be ready for call. My hours were six to eight then midnite until 2 AM. I was sure tired when I was awakened at twelve, and does that rifle get heavy after two hours. However, we had nothing to do all day but lay around and read.

The radio work is very interesting and now I know all the code but have one lesson yet to pass before try for speed. I believe 10 words a minute are required as minimum for the course.

Many of the fellows are pretty glum today just getting the news that our furloughs are going to be short and many had already planned on going home. The men in the 88^th infantry were today sent to Panama. Berg is in the 87^th. Something seemingly a little unusual happened yesterday and that was all the Japanese boys were taken out of our battery. Wonder if it relates to the crisis. They would have a good vantage point in a radio outfit.

Got a letter from Gram today and she’s expecting me down for Christmas. She didn’t help me any on my bus fare but promised to for the next time; but June and Loyd took care of other expenses. I never got to see Uncle Will. They had such short notice she couldn’t get word to him. In answer to your next questions we have six more weeks of training after this one. This will probably end about the 1^st of February. I have no idea where we might be sent.

I’ll say the cake was good and it wasn’t broken a bit, in very good shape and so soft and delicious. The fellows raved about it and agreed you were a superior cook.

Delighted to hear about the game—can imagine the unlimited excitement that went on all day.

This is all I can think about for this time. Everything going fine. No rain yet and still getting heavier.

All my love,

Thought about something else. Regarding Christmas gifts, I know it would be of little avail to caution you on expenses. But I’ll give you my list of what I can think of now.

Cheap pocket watch
A camera
Pair of brown civilian shoes (no two tone)
Sweatshirt
Small leather bag for toilet articles
Eversharp
Keycase (for trunk locks)
Stationary folder (for envelopes, stamps, etc.)

Please don’t fill the list but just pick one or two and that will be more than enough to ask for.