KP duty Archives - Page 2 of 2

25 October 1941

Dear Folks:

Although I think you still owe me a couple of letters I’ll write while I have nothing to do. This is Saturday afternoon and a beautiful day here. I just got through playing baseball with my shirt off. It’s pretty hot. Just got out of the shower and sitting around in my shorts luxiously relaxing. Everybody is listening to a radio wondering how their team will come out. Wish I could hear Nebraska.

Haven’t started my radio schooling yet and won’t for a couple of weeks. Since I’ve been here in the specialist battery we’ve been working on an oil mat to drill on. Boy that’s hard work and plenty dirty but it makes me feel good and eat plenty. When the rainy season begins here it rains all the time and the mud is actually on the tops of knee boots. That’s why all the work on the oil matting. Yesterday laid an oil mat for a basketball court. After this is finished I will begin my technical training on radio work. This battery I’m in has quite a good past. Since it was formed nine months ago our battery has never lost the “Best Battery” sign which hangs on our orderly building. It is the best battery in the whole camp and the best in the special battalion. The radio battery of the specialists is considered the best and to have the best and smartest in it. Also our regiment has had the regimental banner 5 out of 6 times. I’m quite proud to be here. The fellows seem to take more interest in things here. Sidewalks have been built up and a lawn and patches of flowers are around the barracks. Also by the mess hall we have a fountain with a square cupola over it plus an old Dutch windmill on top of it. But being in this battery means plenty of work. Friday nights we get on our hands and knees and scrub the floors. On Saturdays the latrine is cleaned. Yesterday I washed windows on the second floor—plenty of them and to think I used to gripe at home to just wash a few. This morning I was latrine orderly and had to polish the bowls and brass til it shone like the sun.

Thursday nite the camp gave a broadcast over NBC but I didn’t go. Don’t know what I’ll do tonight suppose go the show or the service club. This service club is quite a building. In it is a large cafeteria and café, a dance floor and a balcony around it. Also there is a library and a larger fireplace. I have signed up for two night school classes given in the Paso Robles high school. The courses are Spanish and trigonometry but don’t know whether can take trig or not.

My pal now is a fellow who is from Omaha and formerly worked in the War Department finance office. He also is a graduate of Nebraska University in Business Administration. He’s a swell fella and we go every place together. Practically all the fellows in my barracks are from Missouri or Kansas.

All soldiers do get half rates on transportation that is a cent a mile. Also I get a ten day leave at Christmas. I can go to Grandmas if I can’t get to you. It would take quite a bit to come home. I’ve written letters to Grandma but haven’t heard from her. I’ve had some trouble getting my correspondence straightened out after all these changes, however I’ve gotten mail from you, one from Dad (keep ‘em coming) and note from Mom with a buck in it. Thanks so much.

Got a letter from Kate and one from Bill Emick yesterday. Kate didn’t say much though I’ll answer today. By the way I suppose you addressed your letters to me from the card mailed from Leavenworth but be sure and address the rest from the card I sent that is Battery D, 55^th FA Tng. Bn. Use private and not mister.

Guess that’s everything. Say hello to the kids.

By the way I did know Professor Walker very well. Used to wait on him when I worked on “Bucks”.

See you in the next letter.

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,