Nov. 5, 1943
Dear Mother,
I only have a few seconds before leaving for school tonight. I wanted to get this money order in the mail before I left. I'll write a letter at a later date.
Love
Kenneth
Thursday, July 9, 2009
Going to Instrument School - Nov. 1943
Nov. 3, 1943
Dear Mother,
What did you do over Halloween? Anything exciting? I didn't even go to town just stayed in camp like a good boy.
From your letter I gather that you went down to the place last weekend. Did it rain on you as per usual or did you have nice weather for a change? What did Millie and Ray think of the place? If I know Ray he probably liked it with the river right there.
Its too bad you couldn't come on down here while you were out driving. Its nice down here this time. Not too hot and not too cold. So far we have only had two light rains. There is usually a heavy dew on each morning and sometimes fog but the sun soon takes care of that.
I'm afraid that furlough idea is out for me. I had one coming to me next week but they transferred me to instrument repair section. Since I didn't know anything about instruments they are sending me to a school here on the post. Now I go to school from six o'clock in the evening until two o'clock in the morning. They day time is mine to sleep or mess around as I see fit. I usually sleep.
Yes the Ninth Armored Division has been messed up. Some men have been added others have been transferred. All in all they have things pretty well messed up.
You are right that box of candy arrived and disappeared in the twinkling of an eye. Now you see it now you don't. It was real good and all the boys thank you and Grandma.
Pay day again today. I'm enclosing ten semolians in this letter. When I get a chance to visit the post office I'll send some more by money order.
It's about time for school to start so I'll have to bring this to a close.
Love
Kenneth
Dear Mother,
What did you do over Halloween? Anything exciting? I didn't even go to town just stayed in camp like a good boy.
From your letter I gather that you went down to the place last weekend. Did it rain on you as per usual or did you have nice weather for a change? What did Millie and Ray think of the place? If I know Ray he probably liked it with the river right there.
Its too bad you couldn't come on down here while you were out driving. Its nice down here this time. Not too hot and not too cold. So far we have only had two light rains. There is usually a heavy dew on each morning and sometimes fog but the sun soon takes care of that.
I'm afraid that furlough idea is out for me. I had one coming to me next week but they transferred me to instrument repair section. Since I didn't know anything about instruments they are sending me to a school here on the post. Now I go to school from six o'clock in the evening until two o'clock in the morning. They day time is mine to sleep or mess around as I see fit. I usually sleep.
Yes the Ninth Armored Division has been messed up. Some men have been added others have been transferred. All in all they have things pretty well messed up.
You are right that box of candy arrived and disappeared in the twinkling of an eye. Now you see it now you don't. It was real good and all the boys thank you and Grandma.
Pay day again today. I'm enclosing ten semolians in this letter. When I get a chance to visit the post office I'll send some more by money order.
It's about time for school to start so I'll have to bring this to a close.
Love
Kenneth
Monday, July 6, 2009
At Camp in Louisiana October 25, 1943
Oct. 25, 1943
Dear Mother,
I sure wish I had some way of getting a part of these pine trees around here up to the place. I haven't been out of camp far enough to tell how good the trees are out a ways. Those here in camp grow right straight up for about fifty or seventy-five feet. They would really make a swell log house.
Boy they have been putting us through the paces the past few days. We have been out on the parade ground eight hours a day, walking, walking. and walking. In our spare time we go out to the range and run up and down the range. We'll probably be used to that by the time we leave here, from all indications that's about all we're going to do here. Just brush up on infantry stuff. Of course that's not as bad as it sounds because we're not supposed to be here much more than a month. After that we have two months of steady maneuvers. It's a great life if you don't weaken.
That boy that wants to be a flyer will have a lot of that useless stuff before he sees a plane. I think all new men have three months of drill before being sent to flying school. Three months in the infantry is no fun.
So Dave is in New Orleans. If I get a chance I would like to go down and see what kind of girl he picked out to marry. It looks like all the old bunch are about married off. I guess I'll have to start shopping around myself. Don't you think?
Hurry up and get those teeth fixed. I don't want to come home if there is any danger of you not being finished. You might want me to go down with you. I don't like dentists that well.
You are really getting into the social swirl. Do they play poker for pretty good stakes or just for fun? I hope you haven't been getting tight at the parties. If you have I'll speak to you when I get home.
I don't know weather I can find a tall, dark and handsome Sargent with curly hair. We have a tall red headed Sargent if she would like that color. Of course he just had his front teeth pulled, and it looks sort of bare when he grins. Outside of that he's in good shape. Let me know if she wants me to bring him along.
Take care of yourself.
Love
Kenneth
Dear Mother,
I sure wish I had some way of getting a part of these pine trees around here up to the place. I haven't been out of camp far enough to tell how good the trees are out a ways. Those here in camp grow right straight up for about fifty or seventy-five feet. They would really make a swell log house.
Boy they have been putting us through the paces the past few days. We have been out on the parade ground eight hours a day, walking, walking. and walking. In our spare time we go out to the range and run up and down the range. We'll probably be used to that by the time we leave here, from all indications that's about all we're going to do here. Just brush up on infantry stuff. Of course that's not as bad as it sounds because we're not supposed to be here much more than a month. After that we have two months of steady maneuvers. It's a great life if you don't weaken.
That boy that wants to be a flyer will have a lot of that useless stuff before he sees a plane. I think all new men have three months of drill before being sent to flying school. Three months in the infantry is no fun.
So Dave is in New Orleans. If I get a chance I would like to go down and see what kind of girl he picked out to marry. It looks like all the old bunch are about married off. I guess I'll have to start shopping around myself. Don't you think?
Hurry up and get those teeth fixed. I don't want to come home if there is any danger of you not being finished. You might want me to go down with you. I don't like dentists that well.
You are really getting into the social swirl. Do they play poker for pretty good stakes or just for fun? I hope you haven't been getting tight at the parties. If you have I'll speak to you when I get home.
I don't know weather I can find a tall, dark and handsome Sargent with curly hair. We have a tall red headed Sargent if she would like that color. Of course he just had his front teeth pulled, and it looks sort of bare when he grins. Outside of that he's in good shape. Let me know if she wants me to bring him along.
Take care of yourself.
Love
Kenneth
Sunday, July 5, 2009
In Louisiana Oct. 1943
Oct. 18, 1943
Dear Mother, You guessed it, we are in Louisiana now. We sure hop around a lot. If this keeps on I'll visit every state in the union yet.
We came by way of Arizona, New Mexico, and Texas. Got into camp early this morning. I feel like I could stand about twenty-four hours sleep. We have been on the go since four o'clock this morning.
Did you and Dad get to see the world series? I'll bet that was a disappointment to lots of St. Louis fans. We listened to as many of the games as possible. Every once in a while an officer came and put us to work, but not for long.
I'm going to quit now and finish tomorrow night.
It really feels good to get back in barracks again. Even if it does mean scrubbing floors and making beds.
This camp is a good deal like Funston. The ground is sand and pine trees grow through out the camp.
The thing most of us like best is the change from "C" rations to "B" rations. You don't realize how good fresh milk, butter and eggs are until you have eaten powdered milk and eggs and canned butter.
How are the teeth coming along? Has Dad or Rosalyn run out on you again? If they do let me know and I'll send one of my Sargent's down to give them a talking to. Some of these Sargent's can really tell you off.
That fellow from Co. 'E' you met in St. Louis has probably been too busy to do any visiting as yet. I know we have.
I'll write again when we get straightened up a little.
Love
Kenneth
Dear Mother, You guessed it, we are in Louisiana now. We sure hop around a lot. If this keeps on I'll visit every state in the union yet.
We came by way of Arizona, New Mexico, and Texas. Got into camp early this morning. I feel like I could stand about twenty-four hours sleep. We have been on the go since four o'clock this morning.
Did you and Dad get to see the world series? I'll bet that was a disappointment to lots of St. Louis fans. We listened to as many of the games as possible. Every once in a while an officer came and put us to work, but not for long.
I'm going to quit now and finish tomorrow night.
It really feels good to get back in barracks again. Even if it does mean scrubbing floors and making beds.
This camp is a good deal like Funston. The ground is sand and pine trees grow through out the camp.
The thing most of us like best is the change from "C" rations to "B" rations. You don't realize how good fresh milk, butter and eggs are until you have eaten powdered milk and eggs and canned butter.
How are the teeth coming along? Has Dad or Rosalyn run out on you again? If they do let me know and I'll send one of my Sargent's down to give them a talking to. Some of these Sargent's can really tell you off.
That fellow from Co. 'E' you met in St. Louis has probably been too busy to do any visiting as yet. I know we have.
I'll write again when we get straightened up a little.
Love
Kenneth
Thursday, June 25, 2009
Maneuvers End- Sept. 30, 1943
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
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
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
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