Sept. 30, 1943
Dear Mother,
Well! Well! Wonders will never cease. They called the last half of maneuvers off. I think we will finish the maneuvers down in Louisiana. We go from one extreme to another. First the sunny dry desert and then the swamps of Louisiana. As plans now stand we leave here the last of next month for Camp Polk.
Your getting to be the regular little entertainer. Just don't try too many at once or somebody may get stepped on.
I'm going to quit for now, it's so dark I can't see the lines.
Oct 1, 1943
I've got a few minutes before I go on guard duty. I think I can finish this letter by then.
I'm Corporal of the guard tonight so all i have to do is post my relief then pick them up two hours later. Pretty soft I calls it.
Well we did pretty good on maneuvers so they say. I took my crew on two problems and we got killed both times. The only redeeming fracture being the fact that we was the last vehicle to be put out of action. It all sounds sort of screwy but it's a big help in getting an idea of what the score is.
The compass got hear in good shape. I'm afraid I won't get to use it much here but it will sure come in handy down in the swamps of Louisiana.
So far I haven't had any teeth worked on in the army. I have one pretty bad cavity otherwise I think my teeth are in fine shape. Every time they examine teeth they ask if the hollow tooth hurts any. Since it hasn't they don't want to touch it. Of course I don't beg them as long as it doesn't bother.
I want to get another three day pass before we leave California. I want to visit Los Angelas and Long Beach again. I'd like to spend a day laying on the beach at the ocean. Wish you and the gang could go also.
If Grandma is still there tell her hello for me and thank her for the nice card.
A cake would sure go good but from the looks of most packages coming in I'm afraid it would be in bad shape. The mail is way behind as far as packages are concerned and they lay in Los Angelas several days before delivery.
It's time for guard so goodbye for now.
Love
Kenneth
Thursday, June 25, 2009
Sunday, June 21, 2009
A Coyote On Maneuvers
Sept. 23, 1943
Dear Mother,
We are going right along with maneuvers. At this rate it won't be long before they're over.
Some of the boys have encountered rattle snakes around the bivouac area. Now then you can't hardly find anyone sleeping on the ground. Practically everyone sleeps either on top of a truck or inside one. The four of us on the anti-tank truck still sleep on the ground mostly because there is no place on the truck to sleep.
Last night we had quite a bit of fun. A young coyote and the four of us had a little game of hide and seek. The little thing came right up into camp. Evidently it hadn't had a drink for some time. We put out a pan of water and he came up within three feet of one man to get that water. The man tried to grab the coyote. That little animal really took off. That man thought he moved fast but he was slow compared to the coyote. We never did catch that coyote.
Hay lets don't be talking about food so freely in your letters. Talking about chicken and roast makes my poor mouth water. We haven't had anything but canned "C" rations since we hit this desert. Just when I get so I can eat this food you write about chicken. I'm disappointed in you making me dissatisfied.
These guys are talking so much and so loud I can't think so I'm going to close this letter.
Love
Kenneth
Dear Mother,
We are going right along with maneuvers. At this rate it won't be long before they're over.
Some of the boys have encountered rattle snakes around the bivouac area. Now then you can't hardly find anyone sleeping on the ground. Practically everyone sleeps either on top of a truck or inside one. The four of us on the anti-tank truck still sleep on the ground mostly because there is no place on the truck to sleep.
Last night we had quite a bit of fun. A young coyote and the four of us had a little game of hide and seek. The little thing came right up into camp. Evidently it hadn't had a drink for some time. We put out a pan of water and he came up within three feet of one man to get that water. The man tried to grab the coyote. That little animal really took off. That man thought he moved fast but he was slow compared to the coyote. We never did catch that coyote.
Hay lets don't be talking about food so freely in your letters. Talking about chicken and roast makes my poor mouth water. We haven't had anything but canned "C" rations since we hit this desert. Just when I get so I can eat this food you write about chicken. I'm disappointed in you making me dissatisfied.
These guys are talking so much and so loud I can't think so I'm going to close this letter.
Love
Kenneth
Monday, June 15, 2009
On the Desert in Calofornia Sept. 15, 1943
Sept. 15, 1943
Dear Mother,
How is every little thing at home this fine day? Have they decided to move Dad's department at the depot yet or does he get to stay?
I have come to the conclusion that our camp is situated in the coolest spot on the desert. The farther we move the hotter it gets. I don't know what the temperature is but when you just lay around and the sweat pours off then it's hot.
The wind out here feels like it came from a blast furnace. When we're driving along that wind feels like it's searing our lungs.
Yesterday I went to sleep in the shade of the truck and that wind blowing on my side turned it a deep red. It hurt pretty bad for a while but has eased up considerable now.
Do you know I have just come to the conclusion that these steel helmets are handy little gadgets. Of a morning they are used for shaving. While riding you wear them and get a good scalp massage. Of an evening we use them to take a sponge bath and last but not least our dirty clothes must be washed out so again we turn to our trusty helmet.
Have the papers come through on the place yet? I didn't get a chance to send any money home before we left camp so I'll have quite a bit when I get back unless we stop someplace where I can get a money order. I'm just a little afraid to send money in a letter out here because I'm not sure all my letters are getting through.
After these maneuvers are over I'll have a couple months back pay and what money I now have. I'll send a good part of it home to put in on the place.
THE END
Love
Kenneth
Dear Mother,
How is every little thing at home this fine day? Have they decided to move Dad's department at the depot yet or does he get to stay?
I have come to the conclusion that our camp is situated in the coolest spot on the desert. The farther we move the hotter it gets. I don't know what the temperature is but when you just lay around and the sweat pours off then it's hot.
The wind out here feels like it came from a blast furnace. When we're driving along that wind feels like it's searing our lungs.
Yesterday I went to sleep in the shade of the truck and that wind blowing on my side turned it a deep red. It hurt pretty bad for a while but has eased up considerable now.
Do you know I have just come to the conclusion that these steel helmets are handy little gadgets. Of a morning they are used for shaving. While riding you wear them and get a good scalp massage. Of an evening we use them to take a sponge bath and last but not least our dirty clothes must be washed out so again we turn to our trusty helmet.
Have the papers come through on the place yet? I didn't get a chance to send any money home before we left camp so I'll have quite a bit when I get back unless we stop someplace where I can get a money order. I'm just a little afraid to send money in a letter out here because I'm not sure all my letters are getting through.
After these maneuvers are over I'll have a couple months back pay and what money I now have. I'll send a good part of it home to put in on the place.
THE END
Love
Kenneth
Friday, June 12, 2009
On Maneouvers Sept 10, 1943
Sept. 10, 1943
Dear Mother,
I'll dash off a few lines here between guard shifts. Five days on the desert maneuvers and still going strong, I hope.
Did you get rested up from taking the kids uptown? I hope you had a good time celebrating my birthday. I had quite a day. Four of us sat all day in the middle of the desert guarding a road that nobody would want.
I got the birth certificate yesterday. I haven't fully decided to use it yet. After maneuvers are over I'll find out what gives and then decide whether I want to transfer or not.
Thanks a lot for the box of candy. Those chocolates really go over good. Everyone thinks they should be eaten before they melt. You never saw people work any harder to see that the mission is taken care of.
Sometimes these lieutenants make me mad. About the time we get our truck camouflaged so you can't see it they want us to move. I'll have to stop now and bow to their whims.
Love
Kenneth
Dear Mother,
I'll dash off a few lines here between guard shifts. Five days on the desert maneuvers and still going strong, I hope.
Did you get rested up from taking the kids uptown? I hope you had a good time celebrating my birthday. I had quite a day. Four of us sat all day in the middle of the desert guarding a road that nobody would want.
I got the birth certificate yesterday. I haven't fully decided to use it yet. After maneuvers are over I'll find out what gives and then decide whether I want to transfer or not.
Thanks a lot for the box of candy. Those chocolates really go over good. Everyone thinks they should be eaten before they melt. You never saw people work any harder to see that the mission is taken care of.
Sometimes these lieutenants make me mad. About the time we get our truck camouflaged so you can't see it they want us to move. I'll have to stop now and bow to their whims.
Love
Kenneth
Tuesday, June 9, 2009
Letters home from a WWII GI: You Got A Real Buy - Aug 28, 1943
Letters home from a WWII GI: You Got A Real Buy - Aug 28, 1943
http://www.topix.com/album/detail/piedmont-mo/VBA14VLFLDDR8AVN
http://www.topix.com/album/detail/piedmont-mo/VBA14VLFLDDR8AVN
You Got A Real Buy - Aug 28, 1943
Aug. 28, 1943
Dear Mother & Dad,
Well I think you got a real buy from what you have told me. I have been thinking over the idea you talked about in your letter Dad. While it is something to think about I don't believe that we are in a position to do anything but think at the present time.
After maneuvers are finished I should get a few days off, and then we could go down and see just what we have bought.
From the sounds of the terms I don't think we should have any trouble with the monthly payments. Unless something drastic happens and then we should be able to realize a nice profit out of any of the land we choose to sell. If we can hold on until they resume work on the lake we should get a nice price if we decide to sell any of the place.
Thanks a lot for the candy. It sure tasted swell. It went like hot cakes, something like that really goes good after eating "C" rations. We would probably all faint if they served us fresh beef for a change.
I don't know how often I will be in a position to write in the next two months, but whenever the opportunity presents itself I will drop you a line or two. As plans stand now the next two months will be spent on a truck somewhere between here and Mexico.
Yes sir, the first of September we hit the field in earnest. She'll be rough and ready thru seven days a week with no time for passes or furloughs. I'll be glad to get into it and get it over with.
One thing we have to be thankful for anyway. the nights are cooling off again to the point that blankets can be used in comfort. The days are still hot but at least we can sleep at night. I hope your heat wave is over so you have more ambition to eat.
That's all until later.
Love
Kenneth
Dear Mother & Dad,
Well I think you got a real buy from what you have told me. I have been thinking over the idea you talked about in your letter Dad. While it is something to think about I don't believe that we are in a position to do anything but think at the present time.
After maneuvers are finished I should get a few days off, and then we could go down and see just what we have bought.
From the sounds of the terms I don't think we should have any trouble with the monthly payments. Unless something drastic happens and then we should be able to realize a nice profit out of any of the land we choose to sell. If we can hold on until they resume work on the lake we should get a nice price if we decide to sell any of the place.
Thanks a lot for the candy. It sure tasted swell. It went like hot cakes, something like that really goes good after eating "C" rations. We would probably all faint if they served us fresh beef for a change.
I don't know how often I will be in a position to write in the next two months, but whenever the opportunity presents itself I will drop you a line or two. As plans stand now the next two months will be spent on a truck somewhere between here and Mexico.
Yes sir, the first of September we hit the field in earnest. She'll be rough and ready thru seven days a week with no time for passes or furloughs. I'll be glad to get into it and get it over with.
One thing we have to be thankful for anyway. the nights are cooling off again to the point that blankets can be used in comfort. The days are still hot but at least we can sleep at night. I hope your heat wave is over so you have more ambition to eat.
That's all until later.
Love
Kenneth
Friday, June 5, 2009
Trip To Lake Mead 1943
Aug. 19, 1943
Dear Mother,
Your going to have to watch Stubby pretty close or some of these times one of those people who like him so well will spirit him away. Stubby should be here at camp now. We caught a nice little play mate for him, it's just about his size and as frisky as can be. The way the bobcat swings those paws he would probably knock Stubby for a loop.
I guess that cut in gas hit some of the people pretty hard, It's a good thing you guys don't use much gas as that would hurt pretty bad. I guess that cut in gas includes the west coast although it's been so long sense I went to town I wouldn't know.
Do you know that I keep forgetting to send my thanks for the boxes of candy. It seems funny that I should forget to thank you all for candy that tasted that good, but it disappeared so fast that I hardly know I had any. That last box I debated a long time over as to whether I should wait until after dark to open it or not. By forgetting my bringing up as a gentleman and helping myself first I managed to salvage a couple of pieces.
Last Sunday we took a swimming convoy up to Lake Mead. It was really ideal swimming. The sun didn't shine too much and the water was perfect. Lake Mead is the lake formed by Boulder dam. After the swim we went down to the dam and looked around, now that is an engineering feat if I ever saw one. Its well worth the time and trouble to visit Boulder Dam. Right now they wont let civilians stop on or near the dam they take them across turn around and come right back. That was one trip I really enjoyed going G.I.
Hope every body is getting along fine.
Love
Kenneth
Dear Mother,
Your going to have to watch Stubby pretty close or some of these times one of those people who like him so well will spirit him away. Stubby should be here at camp now. We caught a nice little play mate for him, it's just about his size and as frisky as can be. The way the bobcat swings those paws he would probably knock Stubby for a loop.
I guess that cut in gas hit some of the people pretty hard, It's a good thing you guys don't use much gas as that would hurt pretty bad. I guess that cut in gas includes the west coast although it's been so long sense I went to town I wouldn't know.
Do you know that I keep forgetting to send my thanks for the boxes of candy. It seems funny that I should forget to thank you all for candy that tasted that good, but it disappeared so fast that I hardly know I had any. That last box I debated a long time over as to whether I should wait until after dark to open it or not. By forgetting my bringing up as a gentleman and helping myself first I managed to salvage a couple of pieces.
Last Sunday we took a swimming convoy up to Lake Mead. It was really ideal swimming. The sun didn't shine too much and the water was perfect. Lake Mead is the lake formed by Boulder dam. After the swim we went down to the dam and looked around, now that is an engineering feat if I ever saw one. Its well worth the time and trouble to visit Boulder Dam. Right now they wont let civilians stop on or near the dam they take them across turn around and come right back. That was one trip I really enjoyed going G.I.
Hope every body is getting along fine.
Love
Kenneth
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