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.