Medical Archives - Page 5 of 5

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,

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,

2 November 1941

Dear Folks:

I just got off duty a few minutes ago so I’ll have time to write you a good long letter. Today is Sunday again and a very dull one it seems but I guess most of them are. Today I was table waiter in the mess hall so work during the eating hours. I would get it on Sunday. Have been here two weeks so had a pass last night. My buddy and I went to Paso Robles about 15 miles from here. It all turned out very badly. I was looking for some entertainment but there wasn’t a thing, not even a dance. Every store and building was crammed to overflowing with soldiers and the only thing to do was go to the show or roller-skate. And everything seems priced very high. Hamburgers 15 cents, show 35 cents, and roller-skating 40 cents. Two fellows with us bought a couple sandwiches for 52 cents. With so much business it seems things would be cheaper. Anyway we roller-skated until 10 o’clock then came back to the camp. Perhaps if I can get into Los Angeles or San Francisco things will be different. Have written several letters to Grandma and hope to get down if I can get three days off. Round trip is only eight, eighty-five but I would have so little time with a day and a half that it would be hardly worth the time. They want me to come down badly.

My actual radio training hasn’t started yet but will soon. First we must get the basic fundamentals of marching and firing. Two days ago last week were spent on our very latest and modern rifle range. We fired our rifles from a distance of two and three hundred yards. About 100 men can fire at one time. Two way telephone connections are set up from the firing line to the fellows in the pits that run the targets. I pulled targets one day—that is, was in a deep concrete trench and raised and lowered the targets and flashed back the score by means of flags and dices. Boy those bullets whistle overhead; also some bullets hit the dirt in front of the pit and spray dirt all over. In my firing I made ninety-nine out of a possible one fifty. Hope to do better next time.

Last week also had our periodic physical exam for lice, etc. It’s what the boys call a ‘short arm’ inspection. It was very funny. We all lined up with just our overcoats and shoes on, and with a cold wind blowing we shivered plenty. Some fellows lined up, then bent over, and pulled their coats up over their buttocks and had their picture taken.

My buddy and I have decided to try for officer’s training school, after our first six months are up. I think we have a good chance to make it.

So Bill Emick’s home? I just got a letter from him about a week and a half ago telling me of his roommate and the course he was taking. I’m very surprised. He did say though he was flat broke and couldn’t see how he was going to get there. I didn’t think he would ever come back to Minatare. And Wilma with another baby; another surprise. She must like ‘em. How is Duane getting along and what about the marriage scandal?

I have all the mail you sent. I got the shirt and the package and the two dollars. All very much appreciated and thanks so much. Mail call is the most important time of the day, and everybody jumps when the sergeant yells.

The fellow next to me is a very funny and fastidious fellow and about once a week thinks he must have an enema. You’d die if you knew his nickname.

Don’t know anything about Berg or the other fellows. Saw long lines of infantry marching back from a long hike and watched for him but didn’t see anything. Boy those guys in the infantry take a beating. They also have bayonet practice and of course they don’t hit the dummy squarely. A long pole swings around and smacks them. Also saw them throwing hand grenades and practically flattening out on the ground.

No my laundry is not $1.50 a week, but a buck fifty a month. There is no limit on the amount we can send. By the way if you want you can send my slippers and couple pair of shorts and skirts. I like plenty for Friday inspections. I will just about have everything then. We will be issued another suit; a field jacket and two more pairs of shoes so will always have clean clothing. Last week got up at four thirty to go to the rifle range but effective yesterday we operate on a winter schedule with reveille at six and retreat at four thirty in the afternoon. To sleep until six seems like a Sunday morning.

Last Tuesday nite went to a show ‘Camel Caravan’ sponsored by Camel cigarettes and saw some darned good entertainment. My buddy got in without tickets on the pretext of using the library. Guess tonight I’ll go to the show (14 cents).

I guess this is everything that’s been happening to me. Did you get the camp paper I sent? Should get a letter from Kate tomorrow. My buddy and I are going to buy a cheap camera to take some pictures so I’ll be sending some. I will get paid the tenth so will send you some money.

Write soon.

Love,

25 October 1941

Dear Dick:

The ‘Old Man’ (that’s our top sergeant) went soft on us this afternoon, or perhaps he didn’t, as we just had a stiff tetanus shot, and let us have the rest of the afternoon off. So perhaps I can answer your letter. At the same time I got a card about the homecoming. Kind of ironically humorous. Sure hope we win the game. Hope Bayard isn’t the nemesis they usually are.

Now everyday I go to class and learn the international Morse code and all about maps and set-up of radios and nets, kilocycles, megocycles, and everything about radios. One of the most interesting sets we have is a one ninety-four or what we call a ‘walkie talkie’. It’s a twenty pound complete transmitting and receiving set with headphones and a microphone. Although it’s range is ordinarily only a few miles, stations as far as Missouri and Honolulu have been picked up. It is carried on the back just like a knapsack with an 8 foot aerial sticking in the air. A very compact radio station. Upon completion of the course I understand we will be eligible for an amateur radio license.

Your letters sound funny to hear about snow and blizzards when here the days are mostly warm and cloudless. It gets damn chilly at nite but the days nice, almost nice enough to go swimming.

Glad to hear you are working all the time and the ribs don’t keep you down. Hope my rooting for Minatare did some good. Keep writing.

Love,

9 October 1941

Dear Folks:

There seems to be a little letup in the deluge of insurance applicants so maybe I’ll get a chance to write you. Just read your letter a few minutes ago. We had mail call at 12:45, then I had to beat it down here and just got your letter opened a few minutes ago. I guess when you wrote your letter, you hadn’t received my last one. Want to hear what you think of joining the Air Corps.

Well I’m still here and haven’t any more of an idea what will become of me-that is-where I will be sent. Understand a big batch are leaving tonight on a troop train but don’t if I’m on it yet. Two from our barracks yesterday were sent to Monmouth, New Jersey. Hope I don’t go that far, and two for Camp Roberts, California. I think I will be held [here] for some time though-they need me here. Yesterday took another typhoid shot in the arm. It isn’t the shots that get you down so much as the smallpox vaccination. Of course my smallpox vacc is gone. We take nine shots altogether, one every ten days until all are given. The next I receive will be tetanus and another typhoid. I guess the tetanus [shots] are the worst. The first one burned like h___ but only for a little while. A few of [the] fellows really get scared and turn white and a few even faint. One did yesterday but they just pulled him up and pushed it in. It doesn’t bother me any believe it or not. My arm was sore last night, couldn’t sleep on it. Last night it rained and thundered something fierce. Rains all the time. It reminded me of the electrical storms back in Pennsylvania.

I guess I didn’t tell you but Tomlinson also went back to Fort Warren. Whitehead was rejected at Cheyenne for hay fever.

Yesterday I slept a little overtime and the sergeant came around and gruffly asked why I wasn’t up. I didn’t know who he was and answered back in a mad tone I was waiting for the horn. I took another look, saw the stripes and practically tore the sheets getting up. Boy do we learn to make beds. The bottom sheet has to [be] tight as a drum head and if it isn’t the corporal will tear it up.

I’m sorry Dick didn’t stay in Omaha and go to the airplane school. Hope he does something soon. Wonder what he went to Denver for.

The chow is real good and I’m eating meals like I never ate before. I’m continuing to gain all the time. It is real clean and cooked and seasoned just right. And the coffee here doesn’t have so much saltpeter in that it tastes like iodine. That’s the way it was in Cheyenne.

I realize my note at the bank is due tomorrow. If Dad can put in his name get an extension I will pay on it as I get paid. I can send you ten or fifteen dollars the first of November. I will have a month and a half pay coming or about thirty dollars.

Also got the money in your letter. Now don’t send me so much that you will feel it yourself. I’m well stocked with everything.

Got a letter from Bill Emick yesterday telling me all about himself. Hope you have good luck Dad in your newly opened business.

That’s enough for this time.

Lots of love,

26 September 1941

Dear Folks:

Was certainly glad to hear the sergeant call off my name for a letter yesterday. Was good to hear from you.

I’m a typist now in the records and insurance department so that keeps me off KP, drilling and other work. I work only in the mornings.

I’m paling around with an Italian fellow name of Tony Scarpello. He’s a swell guy and we’re getting to know each other very well. He’s from Hannah, Wyoming, and is also an expert machinist.

Tomorrow nite the camp is taking a slug of guys to Kansas City for a dance and picnic but because I’ve been here only 10 days I’m not eligible for a pass. Women are a great rarity around here. Tony and I were looking at one in amazement yesterday and almost missed saluting an officer. We just made it in time.

Over 1200 men have gone thru here this month but the gents will be stepped up as 24 new barrack buildings are being opened next week. I type insurance for all of them and we are plenty busy for a while. I also assemble records.

I took another picture of myself. It’s kind of poor but then—

Berg passed his exam but only after arguing with the officers. He has hay fever. 5 were rejected from our group of 25.

Today the other fellows scrubbed barracks and completely cleaned it. Because I’m on special duty I’m exempt.

Wrote a letter to Katie tonite. Hope she writes soon.

I told Farley hello and he also said hello. I only see him at supper mess and sometimes not then.

The shot in my arm is swelling and festering but all of them are and are taken care of expectly. In a few days we get another. Tomorrow nite will walk around to perhaps shoot a game of pool with Tony.

Well Mom and Dad taps blows in 5 minutes and no fooling around so I’ll close. I think of you all the time. Write soon.

Lots of love,

23 September 1941

Dear Folks:

I have one hour until taps so I’ll let you know what I’ve been doing lately. Yesterday started the rounds of getting equipment and supplies, also medical shots. Took three. Two fellows in our group passed out; one a big lanky rancher from Wyoming. In the afternoon had our first taste of drill. It was very hot and with the shots fazing us, two more men collapsed on their faces. Nope I wasn’t one of them. I hit the hay promptly and slept soundly. Also last nite saw a sex picture and one on personal hygiene. After the interviews was assigned to an office job in the insurance department. Because of this I will probably split up from the group I came from because they got a 21 day hold order [on me]. I may go sooner; I must go eventually. I work from 8 to 12 and have the afternoons off. This keeps me off of KP duty and drill. I watched the boys drill while I sat in the shade. Last nite the corporal came in and woke up 10 men to go on KP duty. It was at four o’clock and when I saw the lights on I groaned and said by golly, I wasn’t going to get up til I heard the bugle. All hate KP duty.

Tonite we all gave the barracks a thorough scrubbing. My household abilities are improving.

Tonite I weighed 136 [lbs] when I was at the canteen. I checked in at 127 [lbs] at Cheyenne. We bathe and shave every day. We must be in bed at nine. I feel fine and looking great. I’ll put a couple pictures in so you can compare them when I get out. I’ll write more later. I’m in my shorts and a guy wants to mail this for me so I’ll write later. Write soon.

Lots of love,