War preparations Archives

21 August 1942

Dear Folks:

Just finished chow, there handed out the mail so can answer your letter before I clean my lingerie. I am wondering when you will get this letter because soon our mail is going to be held up until our convoy arrives—all communication is. But you keep writing though because they come through alright.

Had a retreat parade tonight and also had our pictures taken. Plenty hot—I smell like a goat. We got those new type helmets without the brim and they certainly make a guy look foreign and odd. But they are comfortable and not quite as heavy as the other. Got a whole slew of new equipment yesterday so about everything I have is new now. Been running up to the hospital today getting some signatures on the payroll. One ward I was in was the venereal section. Passes have been stopped so things must be getting hot.

Was going to a dance last night in camp but no gals and no band—some deal so went to a show. It was a stinker too.

Just came back from the PX—was it jammed—the boys had some beer and were signing old war songs and other old timers.

The place is crammed with visitors but the boys can only see them at the gate.

Will close now not so much of a letter but it’s something.

Love,

11 August 1942

Dear Folks:

I should be working I suppose but I’m going to try to write you a letter before they catch up with me.

Perhaps the wind is beginning to blow a different direction because there are again some rumors of furloughs—as a matter of fact the CO told us that he thought perhaps we might be given a little time off after we got to ‘Frisco—but for how long I don’t know. We’re still in Fort Lewis but leaving for Frisco tomorrow on the train. On your next letters address them to San Francisco at the address I gave you.

Got your two swell letters yesterday and was gong to write last night but felt so tired out that gave it up. I’m all over the flu but it made me feel pretty low and weak for awhile. Took it easy over the weekend but Sunday night that girl I’ve told you about came around with her car so we went to the beach and later to Tacoma. She made me a batch of cookies but they are practically all gone now.

I’m going to buy a dozen rabbits feet, throw horseshoes over my shoulder and engage in any other good luck omen that I can think in hopes that it will promote some kind of a furlough. I was thinking of it last night when I went to bed and thought how swell it would be. Logically it would seem like it would be better for the fellows if they could be granted a little vacation but maybe the military strategists know what they are doing. If I could get a little travel time along with it the trip wouldn’t be such a rush.

I’ve got a lot of new equipment and have been getting rid of any telltale markings on my old stuff, have my bags marked and about ready to take off.

I better write a letter to Grandma and let her know my new address or I’ll have mail chasing me all over the country. I was thinking it would be a good idea for you to send the Star Herald to me but I don’t know what arrangements or what newspapers would be allowed overseas; perhaps I can find out.

It seemed I had so much on my mind last night to write about but now it seems to have gone like the darkness. Suppose Katie is home now and you are enjoying her.

This didn’t turn out to be much of a column but at least it’s a token of a letter. Suppose my friend the censor will be reading my letters pretty soon and won’t let any out for awhile but maybe that won’t be for sometime yet.

Will see you in the next letter and all of you keep your mugs in the breeze and your shoulders back.

Love,

6 August 1942

Dear Folks:

I’ve been pounding this machine like a cub journalist at a Democratic convention but now that things are quiet possibly I can use it for my own ends.

Well contrary to my expectations we are still here in Fort Lewis, but sitting on pins waiting for the day to leave. I didn’t think we would be here this long but we are and possibly we may be here for another week, but it surely won’t be long before we leave for ‘Frisco. By the way we have been advised to give our new address, so here it is, but it isn’t to be used until we change our station and I’ll let you know when we do:

Pvt. H G Moss 37086474
Btry. C 222 FA Bn.
APO 1288 % Postmaster
San Francisco, California

Got your telegram with the money and I really do appreciate it because I know what it means to you. Also got your airmail letter today. I hope you will feel free to use the money that I have allotted if you need it very bad. Someday soon now you should also be getting the bonds. As soon as we are overseas we are given a 20% increase in pay so I will have enough cash to get along on. Also if anything should happen to me the government makes a gratuity payment of six months wages which would amount to about three hundred sixty dollars. Things are still humming around here like an aircraft plane getting ready to leave and schedules have been made out for training on the boat so it can’t be far off. Yesterday I mailed my sleeping bag home and also rolled up in it is my sweatshirt, OD sweater and civilian shoes. Better give the bag to Dan for his long gone birthday—it would come in handy to use on all night camping trips and the like. It needs cleaning and there are a couple of small holes in it on the inside that can be easily mended.

Suppose you both had a little blue spell after the telephone call and I wasn’t any different. I guess the telephone is the next best thing to a furlough but I still didn’t say what I wanted to and like I wanted to. Mom you acted very bravely and you held the tears to a minimum.

The girl (Mattie) I have been going with on and off on the Post gave me a nice diary and a small book to use for memories and that sort of thing. She’s a swell gal but nothing to arouse my more tender instincts. She hated to see me leave though.

There isn’t much else to write about. I’m going to do a little laundry tonight so that all of it will always be clean then take a shower and hit the hay. About the glasses you mentioned—the government furnishes one pair of GI’s free of cost so that with my own I will have two pair. Also I am issued a pair of gas mask glasses. Got a letter from Katie yesterday and I answered it right away. Should also write a letter to Grandma although she hasn’t answered my last one. Took more shots today. They are getting to be like a cup of coffee for breakfast. You may not hear from me for sometime after we leave Fort Lewis, because I understand all of our mail is held up until after we arrive at our destination so don’t think it is my neglect. Also we are supposed to leave a couple of postcards in Frisco that will be mailed you when the convoy arrives.

I’m going to hate to go because it will mean such a long way from home and for as long as I’ve been away it will seem all the farther, but then we’ll just have to do what you said and hope for a quick end to it all.

Well goodbye for another letter. Minatare would look like Shangri-la in springtime right now even if maybe it is just a whistle stop. Don’t worry about me, that’s what the government is doing, and I’ll yet be making you pick up my scattered clothes.

Love,

1 August 1942

Dear Folks:

Just a line or two from Tacoma while I’m in the Service Club whiling away a little time. Well we are about ready to leave. Most of our stuff is packed and crated ready for shipment. Troop trains have been leaving regularly and suppose we will be next week. The place has been a regular beehive and this little respite on the weekend feels good only I feel pretty tired tonite.

Now that we are going I am making an allotment of $15.00 a month that will be sent you by the government. This is in addition to the bonds of $12.50.

There isn’t a single thing I need to take with me. We can’t take much. I probably have told you all that over the phone.

Well this is pretty short but it’s something of a letter.

Love,

29 July 1942

Dear Folks:

Well back in Lewis again and it seems good-very good, but we won’t be here for long.

Among two important things to come in this letter the first is that those elusive things called furloughs are definitely out. So make no plans on that count or any count. Next is I’m going overseas soon perhaps next week. I believe it will be a long trip for our CO said we were drawing canned rations for one hundred days. Incidental to this has been inspections and cleaning of material and loading trucks. All day has been a fast one, checking all equipment and turning some in and getting some. Most of our shots will be taken over, and I must have my eyes examined so I can secure extra pairs. I will send my sleeping bag home. We even had to go thru our billfolds and obliterate any identifying printing. Suppose it will be like this till we leave.

I can imagine how you will feel when you first know but we’ll just make the most of it and hope it’s over soon. Most of us feel low not getting any leave at all and I’m foremost among them. I’ll send you letters steadily and let you have my new address as soon as possible. I’ll be expecting a stream of letters now and some pictures once in a while—they will be everything. Your letters will not bear any foreign address but will go to an APO in San Francisco. Suppose I won’t be able to say much but enough to let you know about me.

If you want me to call, you can wire me for the date.

Now you keep your mugs in the breeze Mom and Dad and I’ll bring back some sweet trophies. Nothing will happen to me. I’ll write very soon again.

Always,