Letters To Home - October 30, 1951

Grafenwohr, Germany
October 30, 1951

I hope its warmer there than it is here. We came here Sunday afternoon and are living in buildings this time. This whole area was used by General Rommel when he trained his Afrika Corps during World War II. We're living in their old quarters. It would be nice to stay here for awhile, especially this time of year. This is a nice little camp, and we're close to everything.

Yesterday and today it was pretty cold. The sun is warm, but there's a cold wind that blows most of the time. These barracks are quite comfortable, and we have a coal stove in every room. The smell of the coal smoke reminds me of both Fort Dix, and being back on the Erie when an east-bound freight goes by. We'll be heading back to Schweinfurt next Thursday.

So far, we've been doing quite a bit of firing, which makes me happy. I guess we'll be doing quite a lot more of it while we're here. Today, the whole battalion lined up the guns in a single line and fired to see which ones fired the furthest. If ours doesn't fire like the rest, we'll have to trade with either "A" or "C" Battery. Our gun is quite old, so I hope we trade.

I saw that article about Bob in one of the papers I got last week. I heard from him about a month ago while he was still a Corporal. Have you heard anything about Paul or Walter lately?

I see that the 28th Division is coming over soon. The 43rd is all here now. I hope a dozen more come over.

Our border patrol duty has been changed from one week to two weeks at a time. That's O. K. We have a pretty good set-up at Wildflecken right now.

When this maneuver is over we'll probably be done with maneuvers until April. Of course, we'll still be pulling border patrol on schedule.

I had a pretty rough day today. I pulled the lanyard most of the day, but once in awhile spelled the loader while he took some training as asst. gunner. Not used to all that weight being passed around. Feel good, though, and it's fun to change jobs once in awhile.

Letters To Home - October 12, 1951

Schweinfurt, Germany
October 12, 1951

It's another nice evening, but still getting a bit colder every night. Last night I set a quart of milk on the window sill and there was ice in it this morning. The days are still pleasant, though.

The package came yesterday evening. Thanks for all the things. I can use the fish when we go out on border patrol. I tried on the stocking caps and they fit just right under my helmet liner. I was afraid maybe they'd be too tight, but they aren't.

On my last day of guard duty I managed to make Colonel's Orderly. The colonel's orderly is chosen by the Officer Of The Day as being the best-dressed guard at guard mount. All the orderly does is act as a messenger all the next day, and doesn't have to walk guard. I slept in the guard house all night and sat around in the Sergeant-Major's office all the next day. There must not have been any important messages to deliver that day.

In return, I get a 3-day pass whenever I want it. I think I'll take it about the first of next month and go to wither Wurzburg or Frankfort. Both places have big U. S. shopping centers.

I don't have any idea of just what I want for Christmas, unless you could send over two or three more long-play record albums for our new record player in the day-room. I would like, if possible, Woody Herman's "Sequence In Jazz" on Columbia LP, or Sharkey Bonano's "Southern Comfort" on Capitol LP, or George Shearing's album on M-G-M LP. If they can't be found, how about Les Brown's LP album on either Columbia or Coral? Both are good.

Getting late. Please write soon, and many thanks for the package.

Letters To Home - October 8, 1951

Grafenwohr, Germany
October 8, 1951

This was a surprise move. The outfit got back in Schweinfurt late on October 6, and we were put on orders to re-pack, get cleaned up, and get ready to move out soon. We will be staying here until Thursday or Friday. I finished my guard duty just about the time the outfit got back, so am now with them.

The weather has been quite cold since we arrived, almost like January in stead of October. It snowed a bit on Saturday, but the weather has been clear since then. Should be warmer back in Schweinfurt.

We finish up with all our tests tomorrow. So far, we've been top-dog on all of them. We haven't done any firing since we arrived, but tomorrow our gun is supposed to be the base piece, and we should do quite a bit of firing. On Monday we got some new ammo to shoot. It's a regular high-explosive shell without a fuse. When you get the projectile ready to shoot, the fuse is separate, and has to be screwed in. From what I'm told, the new fuse has a amall radio transmitter built in, and after we shoot the thing and it travels five seconds away from the muzzle, the transmitter turns on and starts sending out radio waves. As soon as the projectile comes within 20 feet of the intended target, it explodes.

On Monday evening we shot a few of these rounds, but there were some heavy rain clouds about half-way to the target, and when we shot, the shell went into the clouds and exploded. I guess the same thing happens if you shoot through heavy fog.
The people in the ammo section say the fuse is quite sensitive after it gets out of the muzzle about 500 feet, but before you shoot it, it's just as safe as any other fuse. The ammo people say you don't want to shoot it during a heavy rain storm, or shoot over a heavy wooded area. Quite a thing.

Masny thanks for the records I ordered. They arrived Sunday in very good condition. Just what I wanted. Some of my jazz-loving friends can't wait to hear them as soon as we get back to Schweinfurt.

When we get back to Schweinfurt, we'll be going on border patrol again. According to the schedule some of us have worked out, we'll come off patrol just after Thanksgiving day. I can probably get a pass to go Christmas shopping in Frankfurt.

Getting late, so will close. The newspapers are coming in good shape now. Write soon.

Letters To Home - October 8, 1951

Grafenwohr, Germany
October 8, 1951

Letters To Home - October 8, 1951

Grafenwohr, Germany
October 8, 1951

Letters To Home - October 6, 1951

Schweinfurt, Germany
October 6, 1951

This is another beautiful day, just like October back home. The nights get down to freezing, but the days are warm.

I guess I mentioned that I didn't get to go along with the rest of the battery on Eucom maneuvers. I'm pulling guard duty back here in Schweinfurt; 24 hours on and then 24 hours off. In this weather, it isn't bad at all, but I'd much rather be with the rest of the gang.

Have you been listening to the play-off games? I listened to all three of them, and the first game of the World Series. The reception was quite good all during the games. One good thing about the army broadcasts is that the Gillette commercials are cut out. No advertising on the Armed Forces Network.

We were finally issued our winter clothing. I now have four pairs of extra-heavy wool socks, a pair of winter boots, a pair 0f 3-fingered mittens, a fur-lined cap, a scarf and a fur-lined jacket that looks something like that surplus tanker jacket I used to wear.

I'm enclosing some pictures of the maneuvers, cut out of the Army newspaper. So far, there haven't been any taken of the 44th Field.

Almost time to get back on duty, so will close. Please write soon.

Letters To Home - September 29, 1951

Munnerstadt, Germany
September 29, 1951

This is the third day of border patrol. So far, the weather has been fair, with cold nights. We don't mind that anymore, because we have been issued 10-man tents, heated by an oil stove in the center, and the stove seems quite efficient. Winter shouldn't be bad at all.

I won't get a chance to go on Eucom maneuvers after all. Five from each battery has to go back to Schweinfurt to pull guard duty, and I'm one of the unlucky ones. I sure would like to be going with the rest, because they'll be covering 1700 miles in just a week. That would be quite interesting, I think. They will probably be travelling at night and sleeping during the day. Maybe next time, if there is one.

Do you have any ideas on what everyone wants for Christmas? Please let me know, and I will start shopping.

We've been getting quite a few replacements in the battery. Four new ones last week. Maybe some of us will be leaving for other places soon.

Jerry, our gun-truck driver, really enjoys the papers. He fools around with hot rods back in California, likes to read the used-car ads and compare prices. Every time I finish a paper, he takes it with him. As I mentioned, he's our gun-truck driver, and the best one in the battalion, to my way of thinking. He's trying to teach me how to drive out truck, a big Reo 6 x 6 with automatic 6-wheel drive. I don't think I'm cut out to be a truck driver.

Time to eat. We'll be leaving here in the morning, and I have to get packed. Please write soon.

Letters To Home - September 26, 1951

Schweinfurt, Germany
September 26, 1951

This is a very warm, foggy evening. It rained most of the day, but now is clearing up and getting warmer.

We leave tomorrow for over two weeks in the field. We will stay at Munnerstadt, on border patrol, for just five days this time, then go the northern part of the U. S. zone for Eucom maneuvers. We don't know yet exactly where we will be headed, but the scuttle-butt has it that we'll be near Cologne. That will be all new territory for us; I'm looking forward to it.

We had a Seventh Army inspection by the general of division artillery yesterday. Supposedly, "B" Battery was top dog as far as artillery batteries are concerned. We really worked the guns over, sanded off all the rust, and re-painted them. They look almost as good as new. These inspections come off twice a year; the next one should be sometime during the Summer.

I'm sending a 10-pfennig coin with this letter. A German mark is now worth 24-cents, and there are 100 pfennigs to a mark, so you can see just how much the coin is worth. To the Germans, though, it's worth about a dime.

Our winter clothes have arrived, but haven't been distributed as yet. The jackets have a thick wool lining, so should be quite warm.

Getting late now, so I'd better close. Jean has been writing quite regularly; she has started school at N. J. C., is now going through initiation.

Write soon.

Letters To Home - September 23, 1951

Schweinfurt, Germany
September 23, 1951

The weather is still very nice, but it's beginning to get colder during the nights. The locals tell us that we could expect snow in late September.

Sorry I haven't been writing more often. Things keep happening to take up my spare time. Sometimes prisoner guard, which I do not like one bit, but I can't argue about it. I'll tell you about it sometime.

We finally got our new day-room radio. The first one was a piece of junk. The new one looks impressive, is made in France, has a 3-speed record player. However, do date we don't have any records to play. The next time I go into town I'll see what's available.

We now have a dark room for photography in the upper level of the barracks, along with a small gym. Soon there will be no reason to leave the post, but, I'm sure, we'll manage to find reasons.

I went to church this morning for the first time since I arrived in Germany. The chapel is a pretty, little place. The Chapain is from Mississippi, is ex-Air Force, and a good speaker.

On Thursday we go back on border patrol for a week. The schedule is starting to develop; one or two weeks on patrol, then back in barracks for a week to clean up our equipment, get hair cuts, etc., then back on patrol. I really do enjoy life out in the field; more informal, usually nice weather, and we get to see some new territory. However, this time I'll probably try sleeping in my sleeping bag. I don't like the thing, but it is warm.

Can't think of much more to say, so will close. Write soon, please.

Letters To Home - September 3, 1951

Schweinfurt, Germany
September 3, 1951

The weather is turning colder. It rained last night, and most of today. I'm on guard duty right now. I was lucky, caught the main gate, and will take it this time because it will keep me out of the rain. All I do is check passes, so I will be out of the rain most of the time. Today is a holiday, but I'll miss most of it.

I haven't been able to make contact with my German family for quite some time. Either we''re out on patrol, or I have some kind of duty. They've been checking on me, I know, but don't come into the camp.

I sent a few things to you. If they arrive safely, I'll send a few more.

Thursday we're supposed to go to Munnerstadt for border patrol. Another new territory for us, so should be interesting.

You asked about the word "Bad" in the name of some of the towns. It means that there are mineral or warm springs in the town. Bad Kissingen has quite a few big springs, and so does Bad Neustadt. Did the post cards ever arrive?

We traded in our old radio on pay day and got a new 6-tube R. C. A. table model with short wave and a phonograph jack. It's a very good radio, especially the short wave part. On Saturday night I got a Giants ball game, and the Voice Of America. In the afternoon I found a broadcast in English from Radio Moscow. It was funny to hear their versions of the Korean "police action."

Yesterday I got eight papers at one time. The latest one was dated August 3rd, so they are slowly catching up.

Almost time to go back on guard, so I'll close. Write soon.

Letters To Home - August 23, 1951

Hammelburg, Germany
August 23, 1951

Our maneuvers have turned into something called "border patrol," which means that we drive around in our territory close to the Soviet territories, and keep watch on things. Something like the British "showing the flag" thing. We are in support of the 22nd Infantry, which is with us somewhere in front.

We're in all new territory. I don't know exactly where we are, but one of the officers told me we are fairly close to Hammelburg. Hope the 631st doesn't come visiting. We'll be out here for about nine days, go back to Schweinfurt for pay day.
Next month we'll be moving into the French zone, somewhere near Worms, for maneuvers with the French army. Should be fun, and something different.

Last week I got to shoot the big 3.5-inch bazooka. We shot a packing cases used to cover our big trucks when they were shipped over. Instead of practice ammunition, we used the high-explosive anti-tank rockets. They really make a mess of things. Fun to shoot; absolutely no recoil, much noise.

The weather has been quite warm for the past week. On Tuesday, it rained all day, but stayed warm. Saw three large deer Tuesday afternoon. They seem a bit smaller than ours in Pennsylvania.

From our gun position I can see ten small towns in the valley. This part of Germany is almost as pretty as Wildflecken, but the mountains aren't nearly as high.

I tried sleeping without a tent last night. Worked quite well. We're set up in a pasture, with grass high enough to make a good mattress. Sleeping out is very nice; I seem to sleep better here than back in camp.

Nothing much more to write about, so will close. The papers haven't been coming lately. Maybe back in camp. Please write soon.

Letters To Home - August 14, 1951

Schweinfurt, Germany
August 14, 1951

I'm back in Schweinfurt for two days, then back on maneuvers. Next week we'll be going away up to Fulda instead of the usual places. I've never been that far east before, so new territory will be interesting.

I left Hammelburg on Saturday, just before the officers and most of the 631st arrived, and joined the 44th again at Wildflecken. I was really glad to get back, and away from what might happen when the officers from the 631st find the short-sheeted bunks. It's funny to think about, but maybe they won't think so.

The weather has been pretty warm back here, but there is also quite a bit of rain. At night, when we're out in the field, we build a fire and cook. We get Dutch salami at the PX, and buy large loaves of rye bread from the Germans. Last Saturday evening a few of us walked down the mountain to a little town and bought some eggs and meat, and then cooked it back in the woods. I think I'd much rather live in the field than back in barracks.

Germany is getting quite crowded with soldiers. When the 28th and the 43rd arrive, there won't be much room.

On our off hours, most of us play cards of some sort. I especially enjoy 7-card stud, nothing wild. Great game. Instead of money, most of us will use packs of cigarettes. Cigarettes cost us $1.00 per carton, but those that sell them in town on the supposedly illegal black market will pay you $2.00 a carton for all you want to sell. Since I don't smoke, I'm always glad to sell. Yesterday afternoon I bought three cartons, and after our card game was over I had seven cartons. The game started badly for me. Lost a carton and a half right away, but then the luck turned and I couldn't lose. One of the guys was going into town, so I sold them to him for $14.00. Who says you can't make money in the army?

For some reason, we're starting to get quite a few replacements. Rumors are flying that some of us will be leaving for the States soon. In fact, the strong rumor has it that three bunches will be leaving by June 1, 1952, which would be quite early if I'm in one of the bunches.

Getting late, so I'll close. Did the books arrive there yet?

Letters To Home - January 6, 1952

In my Letters To Home dated December 23, 1951 and December 27, 1951, I told about my first Christmas in Germany, spent with a German family. This letter tells about my spending New Year's Eve with the same German family, and my being chosen to spend a few weeks at T. I. & E. School (Troop Information and Education School) in Dachau, Germany

This letter is out of sequence, but I will get back in sync soon.

Dachau, Germany
January 6, 1952

I'm now living on the fourth floor of a very large brick building, and this is where I will be going to school for the next two weeks. I came off a week-end pass to Frankfurt, found that I was to get my gear, including my carbine, and catch the next train to Munich for schooling.

I left Schweinfurt at 12:35 a.m. today, travelling on orders so that it wouldn't cost me any fare. The train ride to Munich was very confortable. I am beginning to like the German railway system more and more as time goes by. I arrived at Munich about 6:30 this morning, arrived here in Dachau at 7:20. Dachau is about a 20-minute train ride from Munich, and the trains run about every hour. I'll probably try to look up Bernie one of these days, if he is still in Munich.

The camp here is quite small. Part of this building is being used by the 43rd Division for a leadership school, another part is taken over by the 201st Field Artillery (a 155 m.m. outfit), and the rest is the T. I. & E. School. The dining hall is on the first floor. The meals, so far, seem quite a bit better than the average army meal, probably because all the cooks are German women. All my classes will be held in this building, so I really won't have to go outside for any reason. It looks like it is going to be an interesting two weeks. In the second week, I understand that we will take a whole afternoon tour of the Dachau death camp.

My New Year's Eve party was really something to remember. I got to the house about 7:30 p.m., and from then until 5:30 the next morning we did nothing but eat and drink and dance. The father of the house, Mr. Thain, is quite a character. He and his two brothers-in-law started feeling happy, started putting on some of the old German beer hall acts, with quite a bit of singing, too. The German radio stations seem to play some very good dance music after midnight. The German people seem to celebrate New Year's Eve as some of us do; many fire crackers, flares, noise makers, etc. There were 12 of us at the party; all friendly and good-natured to a stranger.
The women cooked up a punch that I want to make some day. Four bottles of red wine poured into a kettle. Heat the wine over a low heat, add some black tea, orange peels and cinnamon. Simmer the mixture for about an hour. When finished, strain to remove the peels and any other residue. It is supposed to be as good cold as warm. You have to watch it, though; sneaks up on one without warming.

The evening, before I left for Munich, I went to a movie with the German family. The film was in German. I think I'm starting to understand the German language a bit more than I thought. I get along much better than before with my conversations with my German family, but, maybe, they are learning some English from me, too. I'm supposed to teach them English in exchange for them teaching me German. I think that will be fine.

The weather here in Dachau is the coldest I've seen yet in Germany. It's a very dry cold, and the frost hangs in the air like fog. The country here appears to be quite flat and swampy. A little bit of snow on the ground, too. Lots of the German travelers appear to be going skiing somewhere; many skis being carried, with much winter clothing. I understand the Alps aren't that far away.

The address I'm putting on the envelope is my address at the school, but I think the 44th will forward my mail to me here, so I guess you had better use my old address when you write. Classes start tomorrow, so now I think I'll catch some sleep.

Letters To Home - August 10, 1951

Hammelburg, Germany
August 10, 1951

We're still waiting for the rest of the 631st Field Artillery to arrive. An advanced party arrived about an hour ago from Mannheim. The outfit trained at Fort Sill, Oklahoma, and isn't attached to any particular division as yet. I thought it might be part of the 2nd Armored, but it isn't. It's a 155 m.m. outfit, so now we have two battalions of big guns with us.

Our duties here were to clean up the barracks for the new outfit, set up beds and lockers, and generally get things in order so that they won't have to do too much work when they arrive. Not hard work, really; someone hired a bunch of Germans to do the sweeping and mopping, also the KP while we're here.

I'm a bit nervous about hanging around here too much longer. One of the guys in "A" Battery was in charge of setting up the B.O.Q., which means Batchelor Officer's Quarters. That's where the officers who don't have families with them live. Anyway, he got the bright idea of short-sheeting all the officers' bunks when the detail made up the beds. I don't think I want to be around here when the new outfit arrives, and the officers decide to go to bed. Heads may roll.

Today is the first day with no rain since I've been here. It's still chilly, though. We finished all our work on Wednesday, have been doing nothing much except playing soft ball since then. Eighteen of us are still here, so we have 2 teams, and have had some pretty fair games.

I guess I'll miss most of the latest maneuvers this time. The rest of the battery left last Monday for Wildflecken, are due back on the 14th.

Have you heard anything about the rest of the bunch that went to Fort Dix with me?
I haven't heard a word about them.

Letters To Home - August 4, 1951

Hammelberg, Germany
August 4, 1951

Fifty of us from the 44th Field have been transferred here for a week or ten days to set up Camp Clarke so that the 631st Field Artillery of the 2nd Armored Division can move in. I wasn't in the original group, but one of the guys got in trouble here yesterday and had to be replaced. I was pulled off guard duty at 5 p.m. Thursday evening and delivered here by jeep. The driver took the back roads and got lost, so didn't arrive here until 9:30 p.m.

The country here is even prettier than Wildflecken. The camp is right on top of a high mountain. The nights are chilly. For some reason, there are quite a few mosquitos here; first I've run across in Germany, and they turn nasty at night.

Last night I went into Bad Kissingen on a pass. Pretty little town. All the rich people come here to drink the mineral water. I tried some; bad taste. You can hire a coachman and his coach for six marks, and he will give you a nice tour of the area.

Most of the water I've run across in Germany is bad-tasting. For some reason, you can drink lots of water, but it doesn't seem to help your thirst. We drink mostly Coke while on duty, or else buy a quart of Dutch milk for 15-cents. The milk here seems to be more creamy than that in the States.

It's raining right now. Six of us have one whole building to ourselves, quite aways from the rest of the battery. Sometimes the orderly room doesn't remember us. Yesterday morning, they didn't give us a wake-up call until 7:30.

Letters To Home - July 27, 1951

Schweinfurt, Germany
July 27, 1951

The weather has turned hot; almost like Georgia when we left.

One of the our sergeants told me today that the new rumor is that some of us might get transferred to the Coast Artillery in either France or England. The coast artillery shoots 240 m.m. guns, mounted on railway cars, with an 18-man crew. That would be a good deal, if it is true. I'd like to see England while I'm over here.

We went out patrolling yesterday, pulling our guns, and one jet fighter kept attacking us all morning. He'd come in as fast as possible, about 100 feet over our heads. We didn't see him coming the first time; woke some of us up very fast.

Our First Sergeant bought a new car the other day. It's a 4-cylinder German Ford, and cost him $1200.00 dollars. Doesn't look at all like any American Ford. It's named, I believe, a Taunus.

In this part of Germany, you don't see houses scattered around the country side as you do in the States. Most of the people here are farmers, live in towns, and either walk or ride their bicycles out to the fields in the mornings. If they are doing any field work, such as plowing or mowing, they seem to use oxen more than horses. The animals are also kept in town, usually in the basements of the houses. Most of the mowing is done with scythes. If you do see a team of horses, the harness is decorated with emblems or other things.

On Sundays, the people wear their best clothes, even when they go into the fields. The crops here are mainly potatoes, wheat, and some sugar beets.

Not much more to say today, so will close.

Letters To Home - July 24, 1951

Schweinfurt, Germany
July 24, 1951

The weather lately has been cool and rainy. It rained most of today, and tonight looks like more rain. I think it will be a cold winter over here.

On August 5, we'll be going back to Wildflecken again for two weeks. I don't mind; it's really beautiful there.

We got wall lockers last week. They are made in Sweden out of cedar. There's now room for all my uniforms and other stuff. We also sanded down the floors. When we get some wax, the barracks will look better than ever before.

The scuttle-butt has it that most of the 4th Division will be leaving for the States next June. According to the rumors, the 3-months extension doesn't apply to draftees, so there's a good chance that I will be coming back to Benning or Dix in September to help train another outfit, but I'm not counting too much on that.

I sent a small package last week. Just 5 books I ordered through the VFW. A history of World War II.

Had quite a bit of excitement Saturday night. I had guard duty that night, drew guard for the main gate. I don't much care for that post, so I worked a trade with Lon, because he likes it. About 1:30 a.m. a Captain drove up and told Lon he saw an escaped prisoner down the road, and wanted some help catching him. Lon got into the jeep with the Captain, and they took off.

I was on duty at the post next to the main highway, saw Lon and the Captain going by. Pretty soon I heard two shots, and a bit later Lon, the Captain, and the prisoner drove back headed for camp. When the Captain picked Lon up, Lon was carrying a Colt .45 pistol instead of his carbine. That is what probably saved the prisoner's life, because Lon admits that he can't shoot the pistol worth a darn, but is quite good with the carbine. The escaped prisoner wouldn't stop when ordered to, and Lon let go two shots to make him stop. I'm really not sure that Lon shot at him, but one never knows, knowing Lon.

Letters To Home - July 15, 1951

Schweinfurt, Germany
July 16, 1951

We got back from Grafenwohr yesterday afternoon, will be staying here for at least three weeks. On August 5, we'll be going out again for a few maneuvers. I enjoy living out in the field; no foolish inspections, more informal than garrison life. The weather has been good, but we did have quite a bit of rain during the nights last week. No trouble, though.

Last night I went to the E. M. Club (Enlisted Men's Club), ate two steaks with all the fixings. We rode all day yesterday getting back, didn't have much for lunch. The steaks are the biggest I've seen in a restaurant, and you get toast, fried potatoes and a salad along with each steak. A steak dinner costs us $1.00. Back home, the whole thing would probably cost at least $3.00 for the same meal.

At about 10 p.m. every Saturday at the club, there's a floor show, and the shows are usually pretty good. The band starts playing at 7, and keeps up all evening. It's just a 5-piece German band, but they play as well as most little American bands. On Wednesday nights there is bingo, with a jackpot of either $50.00 or 250 German marks, your choice. The club is closed on Fridays. It's a good place to spend an evening.

The 2nd Armored Division started landing in Bremerhaven yesterday. I understand the 28th Division (Pennsylvania National Guard) and the 43rd Division are due to arrive soon. Germany will be quite crowded when they all arrive.

We went through Bamburg and Bayreuth yesterday on the way back here. They both look like very nice cities. The big German cities remind me of our large cities, although not so crowded. I'd like to go visit Berlin some day, but Berlin is in the Russian zone, and I hear it's hard to get a permit to visit.

The newspapers are still going to Fort Benning, then being transferred here. They're beginning to catch up, though. Your letters usually get here from 5 to 8 days after they are post marked.

Letters To Home - July 9, 1951

Grafenwohr, Germany
July 9, 1951

Please forgive my not writing lately. We've been quite busy, looking over our territory, shooting, etc.

Last week we started maneuvers. The weather has been almost perfect. We moved north to Wildflecken last Sunday. You should see this country; almost the same as around Franklin or Oil City; hills, valleys small streams. Very beautiful. We camped on top of a large hill, with valleys on all sides of us. When we'd go out in the mornings it would take almost 1/2 an hour to get to the bottom of the hill. The weather has been nice all week, except for one day when it dropped to 40 degrees. Most of the time it has been between 60 and 70. The air is always clear and cool, and we have all developed large appetites.

We went out to fire almost every day. This time I got to pull the lanyard; lots of fun. We fired mostly smoke shells this time. They are pretty to watch.

Yesterday we left Wildflecken at 8 a.m., drove in convoy, towing the howitzers, to Grafenwohr. I understand that the German general Rommel trained his tank corps here. It was a long drive, about 150 miles. We are located in Bavaria; pretty country.

We'll stay here for at least another week, and then move back to Schweinfurt. I'd much rather we stayed out here for the rest of the summer, but I don't think we will.

The weather in Germany isn't as warm as it is back home. Reminds me a bit of early October in southern Ontario. The nights get pretty chilly, but the days are warm, though not really hot.

I found out yesterday, according to the records, I was not charged any leave time for the leave I had before shipping out. Somebody in our Battery, due, I suppose, to the confusion of packing up and moving, didn't mark me down. So, now I can put in for leave and they can't prove I've already had one. I think maybe that I'll save up my time and try for a month in the States later.

Getting dark, and I want to mail this, so will close. Please write soon.

Letters To Home - June 27, 1951

Schweinfurt, Germany
June 27, 1951

The weather turned cold yesterday, after a hard rain, and has been cold and cloudy all day. Seems a bit warmer this evening. We're all hoping that it rains all this week, but clears next week, because we're going on maneuvers. The scuttle-butt said we'd be staying in barracks there, but no, it will be two-man pup tents. The gunner and I are going to stock up on food to take with us. One never knows what may happen in the field, and we probably won't be near any towns for the three weeks.

The conditions here are just about as good as in the States. Schweinfurt was a large, ball-bearing center during World War II, was heavily bombed, with very heavy losses, by the American air force. The town seems to be practically re-built by now. There aren't as many bicycles here as there were in Mannheim; many motor cycles and Volkswagans. I rode in a Volkswagan last night; very nice little car. It rides better than you would think, and visibility from the driver's seat is fine. The army is using them for messenger cars, and for some officers.

The railroad here doesn't seem to be as good as the one we rode from Bremerhaven. I guess the Germans don't use turn-tables, because they seem to run the engines forward to wherever they are going, then run them in reverse on the trip back. The engine, though, seems to be able to run as fast backwards as forwards. The tracks are located just behind our barracks, but the trains are very noisy. The engineers don't use their whistles as much as you would think they would. The engines have two headlights, just like an automobile.

There is quite a bit of grass here at camp. Instead of using troops with lawn mowers to keep the grass cut, the army lets a shepherd take over. About twice a week the shepherd brings his three dogs, and about 100 sheep in, and they stay all day. The dogs are quite intelligent, interesting to watch. No sheep gets a chance to stray off.

We also have some quite large rabbits on the post. They seem much larger than the ones at home. And, there are also many ravens around in the mornings. They look like our crows, but much bigger, and make more noise then our crows. Lots of purple martins (I think), and something that looks like a large wren.

I can't think of a thing that I really need right now, unless it would be steel wool. We have wooden in-laid floors, and the only way to really clean them is to brush out the foot prints with steel wool. Everything else I can get either at the PX or in town.

Cigarettes I don't need because everyone gets a carton and a half every week. Pall Malls sell the best on the black market, which is why they are very hard to get.

Going to chow soon, so will close. Please write soon.

Letters To Home - June 26, 1951

Schweinfurt, Germany
June 26, 1951

The weather has been quite warm, but with about a half-hour of rain almost every day. It doesn't turn dark until about 10 p.m., and daylight arrives around 3 a.m. In time, were about 6 hours ahead of you people in the East.

On Sunday the whole battalion is going to a place called Wildflecken for two weeks of maneuvers. We'll be doing some firing, I think. This time, when we fire, I'll be pulling the lanyard. Our gunner is going to Erlangen for six weeks advanced training, so I moved up to assistent gunner. If I can hold on to the job, it means Corporal stripes. I've never done much shooting as yet, but do know how. Quite easy.

We got some new equipment for our day room (rec room) the other day. A new Brunswick pool table, a ping-pong table, two sofas, two easy chairs, four coffee tables, two desks, two floor lamps, and a Sonora combination radio and record player. Radios seem quite cheap here, but they run on 220 instead of 110, which means that, if you brought a radio with you from the States, or an iron, you will have to buy a little transformer to operate the appliance.

Last week we got our own tailor and presser, too. For $2.00 a month we can get all our pressing and tailoring done. Our laundry is free now. The German government pays for it. No more KP, either.

I'm writing this letter during lunch break, and it's almost time to fall out again. I hear we'll be moving into barracks at Wildflecken, so I should be able to write pretty regularly.

P. S. The papers have caught up with me, pretty regular.

Letters To Home - June 17, 1951

Schweinfurt, Germany
June 17, 1951

We left Mannheim at 6 a.m. Friday, got here in Schweinfurt about 4 p.m. We drove here in convoy, towing our howitzers, saw some very beautiful country. There are a number of mountains in this part of Germany. On top of some of the mountains are old castles. When I get my camera I'll take some color pictures.

The camp here is nicer than many colleges. We live here in large brick apartments with individual rooms. Six of us are in my room, but some rooms have just two or three people. I understand that this was an airfield for German fighters during World War II. Is now called Conn Barracks. We have hot-water heat, air conditioning, showers on both floors, beds with inner-spring mattresses, painted walls and wooden floors. The grounds are nicely landscaped.

We pay $2.00 a month to the Germans, and they pull KP for us. Pretty nice deal.

Last evening seven of us went into Schweinfurt. We ate at a gasthaus, the Gasthaus Paul. I had one of the best restaurant meals that I've ever eaten. Weinerschnitzel, salad, potato salad, coffee, and 3-litres of beer. Total cost was less than 20 marks. That's about $4.50 American. Weinerschnitzel is something like breaded veal.

The German beer you get in town is just about the best you can drink. It isn't like the stuff they sell at the PX. It's about the color of cider vinegar, a bit sweet, and very powerful. I think I'll be eating in town regularly.

We rode back to camp in a taxi that looked something like a 1947 Kaiser, but smaller. It ran almost too fast, and was comfortable. The Germans seem to make great cars.

I was looking at the prices in store windows. Clothes are quite expensive, but cameras and food are pretty cheap. A Leica camera sells for about $385.00 in the States, but over here you can get one for about $85.00.

We have a few Germans working in the kitchen. The food seems to have improved since they arrived. We don't have our individual cooks here at camp. The whole battalion eats in a combined mess. However, when we start border patrol, and start staying in the field for weeks at a time, our cooks will be back with us. The mess hall must have been for officers only during the war. It is beautiful, has marble floors, hard-wood panels on the walls, and pictures on the walls, too.

I hope you got all the letters I wrote while on the ship. I got 3 issued of the newspaper while in Mannheim, May 24, 25 and 26. The rest haven't caught up with me as yet.

Letters To Home-December 27, 1951

This is an addition to my Letters To Home, which describes my spending Christmas Day with a German family. I forgot to include this in my letter at the time, but will always remember it.

Growing up, I had always heard from my grandfather and my father, about how, in the days before electricity was common in homes, that the Christmas trees were decorated with actual lighted candles. The German family I visited on Christmas had a tannenbaum, of course, and along with the usual ornaments, tinsel, etc., there were actual lighted candles on the tree. One of the most beautiful things I've ever seen, especially in a semi-dark room. What they did to prevent the tree from catching fire, I don't know, but the people didn't appear to be concerned about it.

Letters To Home - December 27, 1951

Schweinfurt, Germany
December 27, 1951

The weather is still cold, with rain this evening.

On Christmas day I went to celebrate with the German family, and what a wonderful time I had! I've finally found some people with bigger appetites than I have. The meal started about 11:30 a.m. with a glass of white wine apiece, very good wine, too. After the wine came a bowl of chicken soup with dumplings. Then we had roast goose, red saurkraut and baked potatoes. After that was roast pork with noodles and cheese, and more white wine.

For dessert there were two kinds of pudding, vanila and chocolate. I was quite full when the meal ended. Then, in the afternoon there was a big bowl of cookies, and something called kimmell to drink. Tastes kind of like spearmint, warms you up in a hurry.

We had supper about 8:00 p.m. This time there were all different kinds of cold cuts, potato salad, four kinds of cheese, and pickeled herring. For drinks we had the blackest beer I've ever seen, darker even then Coke. Then, after the supper was over, there were still two more kinds of drinks. One was a brandy made from oranges, and the other was a hot punch of some kind. It was quite a day; we had lots of fun.

There are four in the family. The older man, about 50, works on the street car line. He reminds me of Wallace Beery, the Hollywood actor, in appearance. His wife is about the same age, I guess, is very quiet but nice. Their son, Willie, walks with a limp, was in the German submarine service in the war. He now works in a bicycle repair shop. The son's wife, Amanda, is 23, works in a grocery store in Schweinfurt. She can speak a little English, I can speak a little German, and, after all, we had my German-English dictionary to fall back on. We got along all right after awhile. She's trying to learn English, seems to getting along quite well. The four live in a very comfortable apartment in a large building near the barracks that formerly housed a German tank unit.

I'm invited back for New Year's Eve, and will go if I'm not on guard duty or KP. I left about 11 p.m. They thought I was leaving too early.

The mail is really slow coming over. I haven't had any letters post-marked later than December 10. I guess the planes are pretty much grounded on account of the fog we've been having almost every day.

Letters To Home - December 23, 1951

I was fortunate to spend one Christmas in Germany. The following are two letters I sent home during the Christmas season in 1951. I know that these are out of sequence, but I will get back in sequence in a day or two. The first letter, the one dated December 23, 1951, was written home just after the battery came back to our barracks after some time spent at Wildflecken, where we shot on the artllery range.

Schweinfurt, Germany
December 23, 1951

We're back from Wildflecken after two days of firing. Right now we have a three-day holiday. We're off until Wednesday morning, with nothing to do except eat and sleep.

Today is the day of our Christmas party for the German kids. They've started coming in already. It should be a fine party. I just came back from the E. M. Club, there is a big tree with all kinds of decorations. The Germans seem to celebrate Christmas almost as we do. Schweinfurt is all decorated with lights and trees. There is even a Santa Claus walking around on the sidewalks.

The two days at Wildflecken were fun. We got in the most firing we've done since we left Benning, and for the first time we got a chance to do some direct fire. We shot at an old pill box about 1600 yards away. Scored five direct hits out of six; the first round was a complete miss, but the next 5 right in the front door. We could probably make things rough for a tank at that range.

The weather at Wildflecken was the best I've ever seen for December. It's so high up in the hills that we were above the fog most of the time. It was pretty warm, too. As soon as we started back, and got below the fog line, it turned cold. Still pretty cold today.

On Christmas day, I'm going into Schweinfurt to spend the day with a German family. Five from each Battery were picked to go if we wanted too, and I was one of the lucky ones. I'm going in this afternoon to meet them, then will go again on Christmas day, to spend the whole day. The German families asked us not to bring any presents unless we really wanted to. If we do take a present, it should be something like fruit or candy, nothing that could be re-sold on the black market. The families are afraid that their neighbors will accuse them of inviting us just to get coffee and cigarettes to sell. I think it's pretty nice of them to do this for us.

I'm making out pretty fair on Christmas packages from the States. I got two the other day, and from people I did not expect would send me anything. One came from Cleveland, and the other from Youngstown. One package had cookies, candy, two decks of small playing cards, and a pen and pencil set. The other was a box of fudge. I have found out that five more are on the way. I'm eating well.

It's almost time for dinner, and we're having chicken today.

SATURDAY SWING SESSION CHRISTMAS SHOW

Following is the line up of my live Christmas Jazz Radio Show on Saturday, 12/22/07 8PM EST at www.wqln.org
I hope that you can join me.

1. BRING A TORCH JEANETTE, ISABELLA - Philadelphia Brass
2. LIKE NUTTY OVERTURE - Shorty Rogers
(from CD "The Swinging Nut Cracker)
3. ARAB DANCE - Claude Thornhill Orchestra
4. BOUNCE OF THE SUGAR PLUM FAIRY - John Kirby Orchestra
5. WE THREE KINGS - The Swingle Singers
6. RUDOLPH THE RED-NOSED REINDEER - World's Greatest Jazz Band
Bob Wilber - clarinet
Billy Butterfield - vocal
Vic Dickenson - vocal
Bud Freeman - tenor sax
7. SLEIGH RIDE - Russ Peterson/Reuben Ristrom
Russ Peterson - flute
Reuben Ristrom - guitar
8. THE TOY TRUMPET - Raymond Scott Sextette
9. ONE HORSE OPEN SLEIGH - Robert DeCourmier Singers
10. BLUE REEDS - Shorty Rogers
(from CD "The Swinging Nut Cracker")
11. MIDNIGHT SLEIGHRIDE - Sauter-Finegan Orchestra
12. MEDLEY - Vikki Carr
JOLLY OLD ST. NICHOLAS
UP ON THE HOUSETOP
13. THE CHRISTMAS SONG - Nat "King" Cole
14. CHRISTMAS WALTZ - Russ Peterson/Reuben Ristrom
15. BELL CAROL BLUES - Scott Hamilton
16. ENGLAND'S CAROL (GOD REST YE MERRY, GENTLEMEN) -
Modern Jazz Quartet
17. SNOWFALL - Claude Thornhill Orchestra
18. DON'T WANT NO BLUES THIS CHRISTMAS - Dave McKenna
19. WINTER WONDERLAND - Johnny Mercer
with the Paul Weston Orchestra and The Pied Pipers
20. SILVER BELLS - Dave McKenna
21. CHILD'S PLAY - Sauter-Finegan Orchestra
22. MEDLEY - Dave McKenna
O LITTLE TOWN OF BETHLEHEM
MARY'S LITTLE BOY CHILD
23. JINGLE BELLS - Dick Wellstood
24. SANTA CLAUS IS COMIN' TO TOWN - Big Al Carson
25. HOOTIE'S CHRISTMAS BABY - Jay McShann/Jim Galloway
26. GOOD KING WENCESLAS - Sackville All-Stars
27. THE SHEPHERD'S PIPE CAROL - London Brass
28. IT CAME UPON THE MIDNIGHT CLEAR - Summit Reunion
29. THE NIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS - Louis Armstrong
30. O TANNENBAUM - Mr. Jack Daniel's Original Silver Cornet Band
31. SANTA CLAUS BLUES - Bob Wilber & The Bechet Legacy
32. AWAY IN A MANGER - George Shearing
33. MEDLEY - Mark Shane's X-Mas All-Stars
OH DU FROHLICHE
ALLE JAHRE WIEDER
34. MY FAVORITE THINGS - Tony Bennett
35. GREENSLEEVES (WHAT CHILD IS THIS?) - Kenny Burrell
with the Gil Evans Orchestra
36. JOY TO THE WORLD - Mark Shane's X-Mas All-Stars
37. SANTA CLAUS IS COMING TO TOWN - Nancy LaMott

Incidental music between tracks by Charlie Byrd - solo acoustic guitar

Letters To Home - June 12, 1951

Mannheim, Germany
June 12, 1951

Arrived in Bremerhaven 7:45 a.m. Sunday, after a very smooth trip from England. The Channel and the North Sea both quite smooth, but chilly.

After berthing, we stayed on the ship until almost 8:30 in the evening, then boarded a train. Had a mis-conception about German railroads. One might think that, due to the war, the German railway system would be in shambles. Not so. The train we rode would stack up to almost anything in the States; air-conditioned, smooth road bed. The engine was steam, and fast.

From Bremerhaven to Mannheim is about 600 miles, which we made in 12 1/2-hours, counting stops. Our coach developed a hot box, so we had to transfer into another coach at Hanover. We stopped in Bremen and bought sandwiches, then made another stop in a litle town to pick up a kitchen car.

First impressions of Germany are favorable. Pretty little homes in a pretty country. Beautiful gardens, too. The rows are planted so neatly, almost geometric in design.

We are now living in large squad tents. We're scheduled to move out Friday to our permanent base. We were originally scheduled to go to Grafenvere, but now has been changed to Schweinfurt. We'll be living in barracks formerly used by the German flyers in World War II.

Six of us went into Mannheim to pick up some supplies. Have never seen so many bicycles before.

Understand we will be getting a cigarette allowance of 15 cartons per week, plus a pound of coffee or Nescafe. There seems to be a lively black market in operation here. Cigarettes are supposed to sell on the black market for eighteen marks per carton, which is about $4.50 U. S. We will pay $1.00 per carton.

We received our army money yesterday. American money not allowed here, except on the black market. The stuff we were issued reminds me of Monopoly money. No coins, either. The dollar and ten dollar bills are large. The nickel, dime, quarter and half-dollar bills are small and different color than the big bills. We use this money in the PX only. If we spend money in town, we must buy German money at the going rate of exchange. The German mark is presently worth 24-cents; for a dollar bill, we get in return four marks and twenty pfennigs.

I tried some German beer last evening; quite strong compared to the American kind. The German versions of Coke and Pepsi seem to be sweeter than American. We can buy a can of pork and beans for 10-cents. Coke is 5-cents per bottle, beer 10-cents a liter. Milk is also 10-cents a liter, and comes from Denmark. Ice cream is 25-cents per pint.

Letters To Home - June 9, 1951

Aboard The William O. Darby
June 9, 1951

We went past the White Cliffs Of Dover at nine this morning. Beautiful sight, and the English Channel is as smooth as a duck pond. The North Sea has been quite smooth, too. Many fishing boats, quite far from land.

I got slightly sea sick the other day. Rough sea, and the propeller was coming out of the water once in awhile, vibrating the whole ship. One of the cooks gave me some soda crackers, told be to go out on deck and let the cold air hit me. It worked. I've heard that sour pickles will work, also.

The only bad feature of this trip, so far, is that I catch KP every other day. We also seem to lose two hours of time every other day, too, which means that I am short on sleep. Shipboard KP not bad at all. When we are finished after serving a meal, get to watch movies or loaf around.

Supposed to land in Bremerhaven about 7 a.m. tomorrow.

We all received the Royal Order of Atlantic Voyageurs from Neptune Rex, via Captain Hines. Something for my scrap book.

Letters To Home - June 7, 1951

Aboard the William O. Darby
June 7, 1951

We left New York on Friday afternoon, on the good ship William O. Darby. Almost 500 miles off the coast of England today, and only about a thousand miles away from our destination in Germany. The trip has been quite smooth so far.

The ship seems quite fast, as ships go, averaging 20 m.p.h. Our quarters are air-conditioned, we have ice water, and the PX opens for two hours each day. They sell almost everything except beer and ice cream. The ship' food is quite good.

We are supposed to land at Bremerhaven, then go to Mannheim by rail. Will stay at Mannheim until the rest of the division arrives. The tanks are behind us, as is one Infantry group.

Letters To Home - May 30, 1951

Camp Kilmer, New Jersey
May 30, 1951

The trip north was fine. Rode Pullmans, and I had a lower all to myself. Nothing to do except watch the scenery, or sleep. Food good, and plentiful.

Very busy during processing at Camp Kilmer during the day, but lots of free time.

Had the week-end off. Found out when I called Jean that her parents had invited my folks in for the week-end. I caught a southbound Pennsylvania local to Philadelphia, a bus to Haddonfield. Jean was waiting; we got to her home just as the folks arrived. They finally got delivery on a beautiful brand-new 1952 Dodge Coronet. Jean and I went out Saturday night for awhile

Spent most of the week-end at Haddonfield, then the folks drove me back to New Brunswick, where we spent Sunday night at a downtown hotel. Met Sgt. Petruzzi next morning in the coffee shop, went back to camp with him.

Monday evening 60 of us went by bus to the Polo Grounds in New York City to see the Braves beat the Giants. Good game, and close. Saw a rookie named, I believe, Mays hit a home run.

Got another overnight pass yesterday, so went back to Haddonfield. Jean met me at the bus stop. Spent the night at her home, then back to Kilmer this afternoon.

We'll be staying here until Friday, we hear. One of our officers went into New York to look over our ship. Has air-conditioning and fresh-water showers, he says.

Letters To Home - May 20, 1951

Fort Benning, Georgia
May 20, 1951

The only units left on Sand Hill are the 44th Field Artllery (us) and a tank group over on the other hill. Will leave Thursday morning, headed for Camp Kilmer, New Jersey and should arrive there Friday.

Went swimming this afternoon at the main post, in the largest pool I've ever seen.

Still no training being done. Never thought I'd want to do any training, but life is quite dull without the other outfits here.

When we move out, a colored airbourne unit will be moving in. Some have arrived already; all quite large, in fine shape and mostly pleasant.

The word is that we'll be riding Pullmans on the trip north.

Letters To Home - May 17, 1951

Fort Benning, Georgia
May 17, 1951

Still very hot during the day, cold at night. Went on a hike today; nothing else to do except play softball or sleep.

Many Canadian soldiers moving in. Our ordnance people left Saturday, and are to be replaced by the Canadians on Sunday.

Went to the main post last evening to hear the Charlie Spivak band. Another terrific outfit, less progressive that Elliott Lawrence, but good, just the same. Again ran into two friends from home. They are stationed in the Third Army, won't be going overseas.

Letters To Home - May 14, 1951

Fort Benning, Georgia
May 14, 1951

Back from Jacksonville Beach Friday morning about 2:15. Wild trip back. Rode from Jacksonville to Willicoochie, Georgia with a salesman. After being dropped off, were escorted out of town by the police chief of Willicoochie just as a thunder storm was about to break. Luckily, another salesman came along, brought us into Columbus, where we caught a bus to Sand Hill.

Now supposed to leave early a.m. May 24, destined to Camp Kilmer, New Jersey. We've been having some German language classes for the past few days.

Letters To Home - May 9, 1951

Jacksonville Beach, Florida
May 9, 1951

Too many troops doing nothing at camp, so most were given 3-day passes to go anywhere they want to go. McDonough, Bill Stewart and I hitched a ride here, have rented a small cottage right on the ocean. Went swimming in the Atlantic for the first time this afternoon. Locals thought the water was too cold, but seemed all right with me.
Got a ride from Columbus to Waycross, Georgia with two wild women; scary drivers, both of them. Then, from Waycross to Jacksonville, nice old couple in a big, new Cadillac.

Letters To Home - May 5, 1951

Fort Benning, Georgia
May 5, 1951

Still very hot, with thunder storms now and then. Still playing lots of soft ball in the afternoons. Too hot for touch football.

Monday morning we're scheduled to have a Division Review for the Secretary of the Army; supposed to be televised on Vaughn Monroe's show. Movies will be made of it, too.

After the parade, "B" Battery is trucking out to the rest area for a big party. We all chipped in 50-cents; that should buy enough beer. The privates are going to challenge the non-coms to a soft ball game.

Watched the engineers loading our guns and trucks on flat cars. Amazing the amount of equipment the 44th has. Almost two miles of cars, and not done yet. Hope my request for train guard comes through.

We're getting our overseas shots now; typhus and yellow fever.

Told the folks to sell my old Dodge for what they can get. They'll hold the money until I get home.

Letters To Home - May 1, 1951

Fort Benning, Georgia
May 1, 1951

Hottest weather of the spring so far. Not a cloud in the sky, not much of a breeze. Very little training since all our equipment is packed for the move. Have been playing lots of soft ball.

Out of sheer boredom, we talked the non-coms into a little close order drill. Some of the non-coms, who were in World War II, know about some of the fancy drills that the colored troops used, so we tried them out. We had fun, too, until the Colonel happened to spot us and put a stop to it. Captain Galloway came out, passed the word, then decided to drill the whole battery. Disaster, since the group was too large, and we couldn't hear his commands.

Supposed to leave May 20. I'm going to try for the job of guarding heavy equipment on the railroad trip north. Would ride in the caboose, see lots of the country.

I now have the rank of PFC, but, for some reason, the pay hasn't caught up with the orders. Maybe double pay next month.

Letters To Home - April 25, 1951

Fort Benning, Georgia
April 25, 1951

Back in camp after leave. Went on leave April 12, drove with Sgt. Wyatt to Birmingham in his car. He's not one of my favorite non-coms, but we got along, and the trip was pleasant. On the way to Birmingham, we drove through a "dry" county, which means that no alcoholic drinks can be sold in that county. This is a perfect example of Yankee (or should I say Rebel?) thinking. On driving west, just before you come to the county line, there is a saloon with a large roadside sign announcing "last chance for a drink." After you drive through the county, just before you reach the county line, there is a large roadside sign about 100 yards from the border announcing "first chance for a drink," with another saloon at the border. Of course, if you are driving east, the signs are reversed. We had to stop at both of them, just to compare. I understand both saloons are owned by the same man. Business must be good.

Sgt. Wyatt dropped me off at a hotel in downtown Birmingham, where I sat in the lobby from about 5 p.m. until 10 p.m., waiting for the airport bus. The time went fast; the hotel quite busy, with comfortable chairs. At about 8 p.m. a very good band started in the ballroom, so time went swiftly after that.

The flight was on time; left around 12:30 a.m. April 13, enroute Birmingham to Pittsburgh, with a 20-minute stop in Chattanooga, Tennessee, via Capitol Airlines. After leaving Chattanooga, the pilot wandered through, spotted me in uniform, passed on the information that President Truman had just sacked General MacArthur. Guess this will be the first "war" (we're supposed to call it a "police action') that the United States is not trying to win. Regarding the "police action." I once almost earned myself a 3-day spot on K. P. by declaring, in too loud a voice, that I could not possibly be sent to Korea until I was issued my police whistle and billy club. Anyway, nothing came of it, but I was warned not to be too smart.

Went to sleep shortly after receiving the news, and my seat-mate wakened me about a 1/2-hour out of Pittsburgh. We arrived in a heavy fog, but the pilot got us down safe and sound. My personal funds were pretty low, so I rode the airport bus downtown, where a kind street car conductor took me out to Route 19 without charge. A truck hauling steel came along, the driver picked me up. As luck would have it, he was hauling steel for new construction at the college in my home town, and he dropped me off right at my front door.

Leave went faster than it should have. The weather was chilly compared to Georgia; rainy and a bit snowy most of the time, but it was good to rest up. I cranked up the old Dodge (circa 1942). It ran very well. Did lots of dancing, dating and visiting, with much good food. Everyone seemed happy to see me.

Since leaving Dix, I had been writing regularly to Jean, so she arranged things for me to stop over for 1 day enroute back to Benning. I left Youngstown, Ohio on a Saturday morning on a Capitol Airlines flight, which was at that time still using DC-3s. The flight was Youngstown to Philadelphia, with a stop at Wilkes-Barre. Arrived in Philadelphia, caught a local bus to Haddonfield, New Jersey, and Jean was waiting. Went to her place, met her folks, who were friendly. She borrowed the family car, went driving awhie, then to a movie. Stayed over at her place, and she drove me to the airport in the morning.

Got a flight from Philadelphia to Washington, D. C. Beautiful Lockheed Constellation. Smooth trip. Spent some time on stand-by at Washington, finally left Washington on Eastern Air Lines, enroute to Atlanta. Very rough trip. We had a scheduled stop at Charlotte, but spent over an hour circling there due to a thunder storm.

Finally got down, about two hours late, with quite a few sick passengers. Were late getting out of Charlotte for Atlanta, and didn't seem to make up any time. Eastern must be one of the slowest, inept airlines in the business.

Arrived in Atlanta late in the evening, tired and cross. Found a bus to Columbus, Georgia, got back to camp about 2 a.m., checked the duty roster, found that I was on the K. P. list. Wonderful welcome.

Almost everything here is packed for the big move north. Scuttlebutt has it that we'll be leaving for Germany on May 22. We'll go either to Dix or Camp Kilmer, New Jersey for over-seas processing.

Now very hot, but can now legally wear our summer uniforms.

Letters To Home - April 10, 1951

Fort Benning, Georgia
April 10, 1951

Still on the job at Benning. Leave was supposed to start tonight at midnight, but, as usual, Headquarters screwed up and my new date is April 13.

Still quite warm, with lots of rain. Warm rain, though.

Saw no bear tracks near the chapel, but did carry the M-1, with the ends of the bullets filed off for expansion, just in case.

Letters To Home - April 6, 1951

Fort Benning, Georgia
April 6, 1951

Leave officially starts on April 11, and should be home on April 12. I get 11 days total. Red and I are going over to Maxwell Field tomorrow to see about a hop in an army transport.

Hot and rainy yesterday, cooler today.

The guard job is working out fine. Have every other day off, with all the sleep i need. Lon and I are trading posts to keep variety in our lives. Had the motor pool site last time, close to the Central Of Georgia tracks. A long, fast freight goes through every morning about three, so I try to manage the shift to be at the tracks when it goes through.

Lon claims he saw bear tracks near the chapel on his tour, but I wonder if maybe he's trying to work on my mind. He's from the hills of West Virginia, though, and maybe knows bear tracks when he sees them. Anyway, I'll be walking post around the chapel this evening with a borrowed M-1.

Letters To Home - April 1, 1951

Fort Benning, Georgia
April 1, 1951

Almost everyone is gone now from Sand Hill. Mighty lonesome. The leaves started coming through about 5:30 last evening, and from then until after midnight there was massive confusion. Things quieted down close to dawn.

Pulled my first tour of guard duty yesterday, have all day today off, go back on duty at 11:30 a.m. tomorrow. This week should be a snap. I'll walk guard duty for 8 hours out of the 24, then have 24 hours off; not exactly as promised before Lon and I volunteered, but acceptable.

We're all messing at Headquarters Battery. One cook from each battery stayed back, so food is excellent. Chicken today for dinner. Best I've had so far in the service. Should be on leave sometime between April 10 and April 15.

Got promoted to PFC yesterday, this time for good performance, not time-in-grade. Maybe Corporal in a month or two.

Weather still warm. Spring peepers now active, and the dogwood is blooming.

Letters To Home - March 25, 1951

Fort Benning, Georgia
March 25, 1951

Another very hot day. Violets in the lawn, and bluebirds everywhere. The robins have apparently all gone back up north, I guess. Many mockingbirds, though. I sure do wish we had them in Pennsylvania.

Hear that the folks are getting a new 1952 Dodge. Guess the 1941 wore out.

Went to the main post Sunday to catch the Elliott Lawrence Band in concert. Terrific outfit, even though one of the tenor sax men appeared to be elsewhere. The band has really changed direction since 1948. I caught them at a dance in Cleveland then; the band was playing dance-type music, and actually got booed by the Cleveland dancers, who were apparently more used to Sammy Kaye. Now, the band has some fine swing arrangements, swings wonderfully well. The audience at the main post was a sell-out, and quite appreciative of the music.

I ran into two of the guys from home while at the concert. I didn't know that they were in Georgia, let alone in the army. One told me that Paul, who went to Dix with me, is headed for Korea. Understand that he is in a 4.2 heavy mortar outfit. Strange. That's a pretty heavy weapon. Paul was always sick in high school, supposed to have heart problems then. The 4.2 is not for a guy with health problems.

Slight change in the leave situation. Ten guys have to stay behind to pull guard duty and K. P., so Lon and I volunteered (one should not do that, I know), with the understanding that we would pull guard duty only, no K. P. duty. We'll do this until someone comes back from leave to relieve us. Guard duty will be: two hours on and four hours off for 24 hours, and then free of duty for 36 to 50 hours, depending. This way, I'll miss all the rush in getting out of camp, since the 12th Infantry, and the 42nd, and the 29th Artillery are all leaving on April 1, too. I have finally decided to use the train to get home, subject to change.

Letters To Home - March 18, 1951

Fort Benning, Georgia
March 18, 1951

Raining again today. They call it a "Frog Strangler" down here.

Finished our training on March 14, don't have much to do. Saturday we'll be taking part in a big parade for General Church at the main post.

Got in 12 brand-new Garand M-1 rifles for the rifle team. Also, some of the big 3.5-inch bazookas.

Letters To Home - March 13, 1951

Fort Benning, Georgia
March 13, 1951

Weather has made a turn for the worse. Very cold, with actual snow. The natives appear to be in shock, as are most of the Californians. Only supposed to last a day or so.

The demonstration by the air force was terrific. A mortar company from the 4th. shot some smoke to indicate the target. An infantry officer then called in the air support. They worked the target over with their machine guns, dropped some 500-lb. bombs, dropped some napalm, finally finished with rockets. Very, very impressive.

While at the demonstration, ran into my old buddy, the disgraced squad leader from basic. He is still a Private, in the 22nd Infantry, appears to be the class clown.
Didn't have much to say.

We took our gunnery tests this afternoon, and "B" Battery took top honors for the entire 4th Division.

We took a 6-mile forced march yesterday afternoon; took just one hour to do it. Then, played two hours of touch football. We'll be playing football again this afternoon.

Latest scuttle-butt is, according to the Captain, that we will get leaves starting March 29. The whole battalion will shut down for 15 days, possibly less. The 42nd Infantry is shutting down the same time, so there will be a hectic time getting out of town.

Latest scheme; some are planning to hire a bus to Pittsburgh if enough guys are interested and can be located.

Signed up for the battalion rifle team today. We will be shooting competition against other outfits in the 4th Division.

Letters To Home - March 8, 1951

Fort Benning, Georgia
March 8, 1951

Back in camp after maneuvers. Haven't done much of anything since we came back. Tomorrow the air force is giving a demonstration. Sixteen F-84s are coming in from Polk Air Base to shoot up some targets, drop bombs, napalm, etc., and fire rockets. Should be a good show. The planes went over this afternoon, quite low, and in perfect formation.

Learning to shoot the .50-caliber machine gun this afternoon. The .50 will be our main protection against air attack, will be mounted on the roof of our gun truck's cab on an anti-aircraft mount. I shot the .50 at Dix in basic, but there was not enough ammo to really work it over, and the training guns didn't work too well.

Latest word on training is that we'll most likely be here until May 1, but that leaves will start around March 28. Hope my leave will be scheduled after pay day. Am looking into train schedules. Can leave Columbus on Centrl Of Georgia Railroad at 3 p.m., arrive in Pittsburgh at 8:55 the next morning. Not bad. Also, can get a special rate by rail.

Weather is still hot. When it rains, the rain is warm. Very beautiful in the country. Lillies in bloom, also peach and apple blossoms.

Letters To Home - March 4, 1951

Fort Benning, Georgia
March 4, 1951

Still on maneuvers. Will be out until Wednesday morning. Rained a bit this morning, and a bit cooler, but still better than being up north. Winter seems to be about over here.

Went out Thursday night and fired some time-fire for the officers. We were shooting at 2400-yards, with fuses set for 9.2 seconds, which made the shells burst about 100 feet off the ground. Quite pretty to watch. Driving back to the barracks, were quite startled to see (and hear, because of the language) bodies dropping from the sky. Seems that a night-training mission by the airbourne had gone astray, and they were falling directly into our area. No one hurt, I hear.

Friday afternoon we marched twelve miles; much griping and complaining from the softer souls. Not too bad, except Spring in Georgia is getting warm. We're in the hilly section of the state, so the terrain is rugged at times.

Captain Galloway told us this morning that as soon as we finish our artillery basic, we'll all get a 7-day leave, plus travel time. I should get either 10 or 12 days, travel time being figured at 500 miles per day. If I fly, that will put me away ahead of the game. Our 8-weeks training is finished on March 14.

Nothing doing this afternoon, so most of us pitched some horse shoes, then got together for a game of touch football. We use the packing shoes off the shells for horse shoes. They work quite well.

Letters To Home - March 1, 1951

Fort Benning, Georgia
March 1, 1951

We have been on maneuvers five days now. No major problems. We're sleeping twelve to a tent; nights are warm, and daytime temperatures are in the low 90s. I wouldn't care if we stayed out here for a month or so.

Now the story is that we will get just 7 days leave. The famous service scuttle-butt
is now working full-time.

Another story. The 4th Division (this outfit, included) will be going overseas, either to France or Germany after we finish artillery training. We'll be augmenting "The Big Red One," the 1st. Infantry Division there, which seems to make sense since all our cadre is former 1st. Division. Some have families back in Germany, too. That sounds much better than Korea.

Have fired quite a bit so far; tomorrow, our first experience in night firing. We put on a demonstration Tuesday for a colored infantry outfit. They didn't seem to be afraid of the gun, as many others are, especially our own Headquarters Battery when they happen to be around while we are firing. However, a few made the mistake of standing off to the side of the muzzle when we fired. They were warned to move back, found out that is a very bad place to stand, since most of the muzzle-blast goes to the sides and front of the gun; very little to the rear. Some left with ringing ears and headaches. Muzzle blast from a 105 can be rough. I found that out for myself early in the game.

"A" Battery shot over us Tuesday. We were allowed to go to within about 200 yards from the impact area. Quite impressive. War movies do not do justice to the actual.

Letters To Home - February 22, 1951

Fort Benning, Georgia
February 22, 1951

Quiet day today, but guard duty tonight. Time for a few thoughts about army life.

Basic training at Fort Dix was spotty. Our training cadre was from the New Hampshire National Guard, and was, in my humble, probably uneducated opinion, not up to par, except for a few exceptions. We did learn Military Courtesy, close-order drill, and were exposed to a variety of weapons. Some did not work as advertised, especially my personal M-1 rifle. People who, before they entered basic, knew little or nothing about guns did learn something, but, mostly, training resembled controlled riots. I was supposed to learn something about the 60 m.m. mortar, but, on the day my section was to go out in the field to shoot, I was put on something I will call "chair detail." Worked all morning carrying folding chairs from one place to another so that other sections could be briefed on a weapon or two. When Lt. Willis discovered that I knew nothing about the mortar later in training, he was quite upset. He had been in World War II, believes that training comes first.

Supplies in basic were a constant problem. Not enough cleaning supplies for weapons, a severe shortage of toilet paper.

Wrong people were put in positions of authority for no apparent reason. Here is a sample: we were loading onto trucks one morning, heading for the range. For some reason, our acting corporal wasn't happy about the slowness of loading, and actually kicked the fellow in front of me, telling him to move faster. I let the guy know that if he kicked me, his survivors would be weeping over him in a few days. Nothing happened over this, but certain threats were made. That guy should never have been in a position of authority, even minor authority.

I sincerely hope that the guys in Korea are faring better. And that is another sore spot with me, and not a few others. Why are we even there at all? We won the war, and let peace fritter away, apparently because it is politically unpopular to go all out to win anymore. Who has an answer? I had better destroy this portion, lest unfriendly eyes gaze upon it before I'm free to go home.

Went through the infiltration course twice last night, once with the lights on, and again in total darkness. Easier than the one at Dix. We carried just our carbines, not the big M-1 rifles, and the barbed-wire was high and loose. The machine guns shot quite high over our heads, and were using tracers almost exclusively. Really, I do believe that we could have probably walked through it safely. After all, we artillery men aren't supposed to be crawling around through mud and barbed-wire. We ride.

Leave Sunday morning on a 10-day maneuver. We'll be supporting the 22nd Infantry Regiment, and will be shooting over their heads. I think my old friend Ray is in the 22nd. We put on a demonstration Monday for the 22nd, and we've been practicing extensively so nothing goes wrong. We have one large tent for our gun section instead of individual 2-man tents, and were issued fine sleeping bags.

Lt. Cox says that when leave time comes, we'll most likely be getting at least 10 days, maybe two weeks.

Bought a radio last week-end in Columbus, but, to tell the truth, most of the music is pretty terrible. Hill-billy, or worse. Apparently all the good music is broadcast during the daytime, because it surely isn't on at night.

Letters To Home - February 15, 1951

Fort Benning, Georgia
February 15, 1951

Quite hot this week; 85 yesterday, 80 today. Robins are here by the hundreds, and so are the mocking birds. Trees are beginning to bud.

Went out with the gun today and shot a few rounds. Next week or the week after, we'll be shooting at tanks, and when we do, I'll be shooting the gun. Elevated from #5 to #2 man for this shoot. We'll be firing direct fire this time; on direct fire we use two gunners, so the #5 man (yours truly) gets to pull the lanyard.

All kinds of rumors about leave, but nothing certain as yet. I can fly from Atanta to Pittsburgh for just $39.00, so maybe that will be the best way to go. If enough of us from the Pittsburgh area get our leaves at the same time, we may even charter a plane. All kinds of schemes floating around. Kirby, from Mercer, Brown, also from Mercer, and Woods from the 20th Battalion (155 howitzers) will be involved if it comes off.

Having a big parade Saturday at the main post.

Laffey, from basic at Dix, got to Benning last Monday, goes into jump school. He'll be here for three weeks, then back to Camp Campbell, Kentucky for advanced airbourne training.

Letters To Home - February 9, 1951

Fort Benning, Georgia
February 9, 1951

The weather has been quite terrible for the past week. It was 12 degrees above zero, the coldest temperatures on record since 1917. Locals in panic. Monday was warm, and stayed warm until yesterday. Cold weather returned today until noon, then warmed up. Very strange winter weather.

Edgar Bergen was on the post last Friday evening, put on a terrific show. Some of the show was recorded and re-broadcast Sunday evening on radio. Terrfic artist.

Went out with the gun again today. My section wasn't scheduled to shoot, but the first section was short two men, so one of my buddies and I volunteered (there's that nasty word again)to help make up a full crew. We shot 90 rounds this time, all indirect fire, which means we couldn't see the target. NOTE: Almost all artillery fire is indirect fire; rarely is the target seen by the gun crew. "C" Battery was about a mile behind us, shooting at the same target. Spooky to hear their rounds going over us.

Our meals are getting better all the time. We must have the best cooks in the 4th Division. Good meals, and seconds for those who want seconds. Had KP yesterday, but a snap compared to Dix.

We've been training lately wearing just a shirt, pants, boots and helmet liner. On chilly days we can wear our field jackets. Off duty, we can wear anything we want, as long as it's a complete uniform. No formalities as in Dix.

I'll be promoted (?) from Recruit to Private later this month, not especially on merit, just time-in-service.

Letters To Home - February 9, 1951

Letters To Home - February 9, 1951

Letters To Home - January 27, 1951

Very strange weather. Mornings are below freezing, with a cold wind all day.
This morning we went to the firing range in open trucks; almost froze. I wound up in the pits, pulling targets most of the morning. Got a nice sunburn.

Fired the M-2 carbine for the first time. Had absolutely no trouble qualifying with it. In fact, shot top score of all the batteries, "B," "C" and Service. Grandpa must have taught me something with that old Stevens "Favorite" of his. At 200 yards I was three less than perfect. At 100 yards, for some reason, I dropped four points. I shot 193 out of a possible 200 for the day. One of the officers, who carries a .45 Colt pistol for his personal arm, had to qualify on the carbine for his service record. He borrowed mine to shoot for score. He did fine at 200 yards, but, somehow, he bumped the selector switch to "full-automatic" at the 100-yard range. The first shot was right in there, but then it went into full auto, started climbing, started punching holes in the sky. Took some ribbing from his fellow officers; we common soliders couldn't say anything.

I pulled targets all morning. Hard work, but fun, and I'm beginning to get acquainted with some of the guys in my new outfit. Some dumb ass, though, kept firing low all morning (on purpose, no doubt). Kept hitting the rim of the pit, knocking dirt down on us. Not dangerous, just irritating.

As I mention before, "B" Battery has a good feel to it. I'm making a few friends, enjoying myself. More varied personal backgrounds here. "C" Battery had many rebels in it; too many, for my way of thinking. Many Californians in "B," also many from New Jersey and New York. I've found only one Pennsylvanian so far. Haven't made up my mind about the rebels yet. Some seem fine, others very clannish.

Finally got assigned to the gun. I've been designated #5 man on the 7-man gun crew. My job is to put out the aiming stakes, also to put together the ammunition. The shell for the 105 m.m. howitzer comes in two parts, the projectile and the shell case. Inside the case are seven bags of powder, looking much like large tea bags of various sizes, strung together by a thin cord. When we start firing, the chief of section tells me what charge he wants, and I load the proper number of bags into the case. The #4 man sets the desired fuse on the projectile, and places the projectile into the shell case.

He then passes the complete shell to the #3 man, who in turn hands it to the loader. The loader throws it into the gun's open chamber. The assistent gunner then closes the breech and, on command, pulls the lanyard, which fires the gun. It sounds slow, but in theory is is supposed to be quite fast. I'm sure we'll find out just how fast it can be.

We've been doing some training with the gun, just learning it. The thing weighs 4900 pounds, with a barrel 91-inches long. The complete shell weighs 35-pounds. With a charge seven, it shoots a little over 8 miles.

Our crew will be firing a demonstration on Wednesday, so, naturally, we have the gun all cleaned and polished. Takes three men on the ramrod to clean the barrel. You first run a dry burlap bag through it, followed by a rag soaked in about a half-pint of oil. Quite a change from the rifle.

Got our Class "A" passes today. We now can go into town any time we're off-duty. Don't have to be back until reville. Dix was never like this.

Had three days of very warm weather, then rain for a day, and cold weather has returned.

Went into the hills today, about 20 miles out, and shot our cannons. I'm in the third firing section. Our gun had the honor of getting the target sighted in so the other three guns could fire on it. We shot 65 rounds of high explosive ammunition all by ourselves, while the other three guns shot about 25 rounds each. I really do enjoy shooting the 105; it's quite accurate, so I'm told, and isn't hard to operate at all. We shot at ranges from 3800 to 4500 yards, and were right on target most of the time. Our F. O.'s (Forward Observers) must have slept well last night. The commanding general was on hand, so we had to put on a good show for him. First on the target, first to finish firing, and the most accurate.

Was quite surprised at the lack of noise the gun makes, at least directly behind the gun. The noise seemed to be not much more than the small bazooka. Since I was handling ammo during the shoot, I was kept quite busy cutting charges and helping to load the shells. Fun, though. One of the sergeants, originally from the First Division, went all through World War II. He says we shot more rounds today than they usually shot during a week in combat.

I may go to Atlanta or Birmingham next week-end unless I'm on KP or guard duty. Some of the guards claim to be bothered by bob cats once in awhile. Haven't seen any yet, but did find some strange tracks, and the other night heard something I'd never heard before. At least the guards are allowed to carry ammo for their carbines.

Letters To Home - January 14, 1951

Fort Benning, Georgia
January 14, 1951

Another beautiful day in Georgia. Still nothing much to do. No official training yet; just a bit of close-order drill.

Eleven of us moved up the hill to "B" Battery this morning. Glad to be out of "C" Battery; too many rebels, none very friendly to a northerner. "B" Battery has a better feel to it. I'm now closer to the top of Sand Hill, which may make for problems when coming home from the beer hall. As a result of the transfer, I'm not assigned to anything at the present. Probably will have anothr interview to see what I'm suited for. I hope it's the gun section. Supposed to go to the range Saturday for qualification on the M-2 carbine.

Went into Columbus, Georgia last Saturday night. Large city with lots of soldiers, and, for some reason, some sailors. I'm told that there are a few fine restaurants. Ran into some of my old friends from Dix. They're away out in Harmony Church. We emptied a number of bottles during the evening. Good local beer; Jax and 76 Ale. Understand there is a den of iniquity called Phenix City, in Alabama, just across the Chattahoochie River. Will have to investigate some day. I'm told that the time zone changes the moment you cross the river.

Letters To Home - January 20, 1951

Fort Benning, Georgia
January 20, 1951

It's a beautiful Saturday afternoon, and I don't have a single thing to do. Things here are so much more relaxed that at Dix; quite informal most of the time. We all now have Class "A" uniforms, which means that we can go to town anytime we don't have duty. We don't have to dress in Class "A" in the evenings as we did in Dix, either. We don't have to wear ties except with Class "A" when we have guard duty. Temperature today is 82 degrees and no rain. Beautiful southern weather.

Guess I won't get to shoot the cannon after all. Have been assigned to the radio and telephone section (communications). Disappointing in a way, but I'll make rank faster, I'm told.

This is a pretty section of Georgia. Pine woods, a few hills, and red clay. Probably nasty when wet.

Letters To Home - January 18, 1951

Fort Benning, Georgia
January 18, 1951

Moved out Thursday morning, by bus, to a place called Sand Hill. The name fits. The barracks are located about half-way up a sizeable hill, in the center of a large pine forest. Beautiful place; I think I'll like it here.

The weather is wonderful. Tuesday was the coldest day since we arraived; 56 degrees.
The mornings are quite chilly, but by 11 a.m. it's warm.

We've been issued our personal weapons. No more Garrand M-1 that didn't work right. Instead, most of us will carry the M-2 carbine. Basically, it's the M-1 carbine. as we learned in basic, but with a selector switch to permit full-automatic fire if needed. Don't think much of the carbine as an offensive weapon, but artillery men aren't supposed to be offensive. Next week we all have to qualify with the carbine. Should not present any problems.

To date, have not been introduced to our main weapon, the 105 m.m. howitzer. That comes next week.

Of the gang that I trained with in Dix, not one remains. Lonely now.

Have to get to the tailor's and get my shoulder patches changed. Have to get a new garrison cap with red piping instead of the infantry blue. Some eager beavers, in order to make points, bought red caps before moving out here. Sergeants in charge don't seem impressed.

Most of the old gang, the ones that went to the infantry and to the 42nd Artillery Battalion, are stationed at a place called Harmony Church, quite a few miles from here.

Letters To Home - January 15, 1951

Fort Benning, Georgia
January 15, 1951

We left Fort Dix at 3 a.m. Saturday and arrived here about 3:15 p.m. Sunday. The route taken was: Pennsylvania Railroad to Washington, D. C.; Richmond, Fredericsburg & Potomac Railroad from Washington to Richmond, Virginia; Seaboard Air Line Railroad from Richmond to Savannah, Georgia; Central Of Georgia Railroad from Savannah to Fort Benning. The trip, with one important exception, was pleasant. The meals were excellent, due to a Pennsylvania Railroad diner, to Washington, and a Seaboard Air Line diner the rest of the way. I had an upper in a Pullman this time. No problem there, and slept quite well.

As mentioned, the trip was pleasant, with one exception, and that exception was caused by our former leader. He got smart with the sergeant-in-charge at roll call at the railroad station at Dix, was pulled out of formation and taken somewhere. That threw the ranks off, and as a result, I was thrown in with a bunch of complete strangers from another company. Of all the rotten luck; another case of a stranger-among-strangers. It was a pretty quiet trip on my part.

The weather at Dix was cold and snowy when we left, about 11 degrees above zero. It stayed cold and snowy as far south as Raleigh, but gradually moderated. The temperature upon arrival here was 72 degrees, and we in our wool uniforms and overcoats.

Upon arrival, I was thrown back with my buddies from Dix, thank God. We're stationed for the present time at the main post, in big brick buildings with concrete floors and sun porches. Tomorrow I move out to my new outfit, a field artillery unit. Laffey is already gone, transferred to Camp Campbell, Kentucky for basic airbourne training, but will be back here in a few weeks for jump school. The rest of the gang is pretty-well split up; some to the infantry, some to the tanks, and the rest to another field artillery unit. Seems as though I'm destined to live with strangers the rest of my army career.

New address: Battery C, 44th Field Artillery Battalion, 4th Infantry Division,
Fort Benning, Georgia.

Letters To Home - January 11, 1951

Fort Dix, New Jersey
January 11, 1951

Finally, orders. I leave early Saturday morning for Fort Benning, Georgia. Haggerty, Hansen, Laffey, Tom and most of the rest on this floor are going, too. Laffey has put in for the air bourne, damned fool. Can't imagine him jumping out of anything, let alone an airplane. Tyler, in the next squad, has also signed up for jump school, but he's a diffent case, completely. That's about all he talks about, morning-to-night.

Called home to give the glad tidings to the folks. I have a theory. Those that go to Benning won't go to Korea. We'll see.

Have been writing to the girls regularly ever since those fateful service club dances. Called them to break the news, but neither was home. Later, the CQ came to the barracks to tell me I had a phone call. Ended with two.

Letters To Home - January 9, 1951

Fort Dix, New Jersey
January 9, 1951

Stll no orders. The time is passing slowly, but we keep busy. Still acting as squad leader. Our former leader got homesick, went over the hill and got caught. Hansen was put in charge of a detail of one; our former leader, armed with a large sledge hammer, breaking rocks on the drill field. Guess Hansen got quite a bit of production out of him. Lt. Wills ver pleased with the result, which takes some doing.

Our training cadre and officers are quite relaxed about things. It was taboo to bring beer into the barracks on week-ends. A few of us, more foolish than brave, brought back a case last night. Had a visit from Lt. Carter about half-way through the party. No heads have rolled as yet. The hell with them; we'll be leaving Dix soon.

Letters To Home - January 8, 1951

Fort Dix, New Jersey
January 8, 1951

Very little new training being done now. Lots of close order drill, cleaning of equipment, etc. We're all on orders, rumor has it, but nothing definite as to where I'll end up. My job in the orderly room (the typing job) finished early, so I am back with the rest of the gang. Our useless squad leader, the litle noisy guy I mentioned earlier, who will remain nameless, screwed up last week, so I am now in charge of the squad. I would like to get out of the job as soon as possible; too many headaches, and too many screw-ups to deal with. The powers-that-be should never have made him a squad leader to begin with. His Coast Guard experience did not amount to a damn in this outfit. Very poor soldier, but able, until now, to bluff his way through most situations. I'll learn from this.

Letters To Home - January 6, 1951

Fort Dix, New Jersey
January 6, 1951

Took a physical exam for O. C. S. (Officer's Candidate School) yesterday, and passed. Pretty stiff physical, too. I think the army is wasting its time on me in this aspect, though. I have no desire other than to serve my two years and get the hell safely out.

Got just one day's training this past week. I was on Asst. CQ last Sunday, and was typing some letters. Sgt. Freeberg, our First Sergeant, noticed me typing; he wants me to work nights in the orderly room, typing copies of General Orders, S. O. P., etc. I get to work all night except for nights before we go out to the shooting ranges, then get to sleep all day. The job should last another week or so, possibly longer if I dog it a bit. We'll see.

Had a wonderful New Year's Eve at the main service club. Sam Donahue And His Band played; 350 or so girls came up from the Philadelphia area. The place was jammed. The band was excellent; Sam played all his recordings, plus lots of other pretty mood music for dancing. Met another very likeable girl from South Jersey. Anna Mae. Either feast or famine. Now I have two to write to, plus the others back in Cleveland. Just like the good old days.

Had K. P. on New Year's Day. Didn't sack out after the dance broke up at about 1 a.m. Went back to the barracks and read. Half the barracks are gone home on leave. About a half-hour before reville I went to the boiler room and fired-up the furnace. Warm barracks for a change. Greatly appreciated by all concerned.

Shipping orders now being posted. Guess I won't be staying here after all, but not yet sure just where I will be going. Many are going to Fort Benning, Georgia. Exciting times.

Letters To Home - December 31, 1950

Fort Dix, New Jersey
December 31, 1950

Back in camp after Christmas leave. Quite a hectic trip. Ed has his car in camp, so he, I, and three others rode home to Western Pennsylvania. Ed's car, a 1948 Chevrolet convertible, is a good runner. We picked up a quart of some kind of whiskey at the package store, right outside the camp's main gate, before we left. Can't remember how we got to the Pennsylvania Turnpike, but we did. The night was strange; no moonlight to speak of, but it was quite light, with excellent visability. Probably on account of the snow covering. We stopped at the Midway rest stop to use the facilities, got some black coffee. After about an hour, we stopped out in the middle of nowhere to let off one of the guys. The last we saw of him that day, he was starting up a sizeable hill, forified, no doubt, with some of the whiskey.

Got to Butler, Ed's hometown, about 5 a.m., December 24. Ed furnished some coffee, then took two of us out to the main highway so we could get a ride towards home. Got a ride to Mercer almost immediately, and then another quite soon, right to my front door. Didn't even get a chance to finish the bottle.

My folks had been up most of the night, waiting, and had a large breakfast waiting. After breakfast, I fired up my old Dodge and took the remaining guy to his home in Williamsfield, Ohio. We are both planning to ride back to camp by rail.

I slept a bit Christmas Eve day, visited around, and stayed up quite late on Christmas Eve.

Christmas Day was a bit of an anti-climax, since had to leave that night back to camp, but many relatives came in, and, after all, it was Christmas.

The folks took me to Youngstown, Ohio Christmas evening to catch the train. Took the Pittsburgh & Lake Erie train to Pittsburgh, then had to transfer to the Pennsylvania Station by street car, since it was snowing quite hard, and cabs were scarce. Caught a Pennsylvania Railroad passenger train that was running about four hours late. Good ride, but the train lost another hour between Pittsburgh and Trenton, and I was almost late getting back to camp. Got lots of sleep on the train. All-in-all, a very satisfactory leave.

Almost finished with firing the various weapons. Fired the B.A.R. (Browning Automatic Rifle) the other day. What a sweetheart! I've made up my mind that, if I ever do get into combat, somehow the B.A.R. is going to be the weapon-of-choice for me. Best thing I've fired yet, to my way of thinking.

Fired the .30-caliber air-cooled machine gun, too. Not bad, but easy to burn out barrels if you're not careful.

Lots of rumors are flying around. One of the fellows in the barracks helps out at Headquarters now and then, claims that I am on a list of 22 to stay here at Dix to give basic training to new recruits. That doesn't excite me one bit. Don't think I could face a new round of basic every eight weeks or so. Much better than Korea, though, I'm sure.

That big dance at McGuire Field turned out fine. I arrived about 7:30, and the place was already jumping. The band was fair; a civilian band, sounding much like Eddy Howard, which is O. K. as far as dance bands go. Danced a few times with various partners, then went out to the lobby for a coke. Noticed a perky blonde with one of my less-favorite comrades-in-arms from "I" Company; a nasty-tempered Australian. He excused himself for a minute, and I couldn't pass up the chance to take her to the dance floor. Wonderful dancer, fun to be with. I got her name, address and phone number. Jean. Beautiful name.

Letters To Home

So far, these postings have been letters to home. My mother, bless her, saved all my letters home while I was in the service during the Korean War. While home on Christmas leave in December, 1950, she suggested that I start a diary, which I did.

From this date forward, (December 31, 1950), the Letters To Home will contain happenings that were shared with the folks at home, plus other happenings. I hope this won't be too confusing.