January 21, 1944
(Camp Abbot, Oregon)
(Camp Abbot, Oregon)
Dear Folks,
I will have probably called you before you get this letter, but as funny as it may seem I didn’t call last Sunday because I thought only a week had past (sic) (how do you like that) passed since my last call. Imagine! It must be the altitude. I probably couldn’t tell you what day it is if you were to ask me. Oh hell! who cares what day it is in this army anyway.
This last week has been pretty hectic but next week is really going to be a dilly. Oh groan! 23 miles hike--, 10 miles reconnaissance trip—a `pied, heavy rigging, heavy fixed bridges and other horrors too numerous to mention. Today we ran the obstacle course with gas masks on. The only consolation is that we’ve only 2 weeks basic left. The bivouac is more like (maneuvers?) war games.
In about 2 hours I go on guard duty so I’ll have to cut this letter short and get some sleep, but first I want to answer some of the questions you’ve asked in your latest letters.
As I already wrote I think the bracelet is wonderful. No one I’ve seen has one anywhere as nice. I always wear it so everyone can see it. The fellow in the middle of the picture is named Johnny Melonas—it was his camera. Speaking of Blair Hamilton, he’s been in the hospital for almost 3 weeks and it looks as if he may get a medical discharge. I don’t know exactly what’s wrong with him.
As far as A.S.T.P. is concerned I don’t know any more than I did before but it seems the army is reaching its peak and there are no openings anywhere. It seems I got in the army at the wrong time. As for as the transfer is concerned it’s out. No one can obtain a transfer from the Eng. as of Jan. 1—so there. I’m afraid they’ve got me “schnookered”. Yes I got my medal. I think it’s made of lead. I’m afraid to fool with it for fear of breaking the damn thing. It looks nice though. Ain’t that sumpin’ about Boogums Ciary though. I think we had better make peace now.
Best Love,
Bill
Greg,
ReplyDeleteGreat site! I could see my own letters in his as I read them. It made me understand even better the nature of us old soldiers.
Mike
Mike,
ReplyDeleteWelcome aboard. If you so desire I would love to hear a little about your own letters and experiences. As I read my dad's letters it is almost as if I'm at Camp Abbot going through basic training with him. There is no substitute for a first hand narrative like these letters to get a feel for what life was like for "you old soldiers".
Regards,
Greg
That's a very interesting photo at the top of this letter. Was it taken at Camp Abbot?
ReplyDeleteThis photo is from Vol. 1- No. 1 of the "Camp Abbot Panoram". Two issues of this camp picture magazine were published during Camp Abbot's lifetime. It was produced entirely by army personnel at the camp and was printed by the Bend Bullitin for distribution to the camp and addititonal distribution to families and other interested parties. I was able to purchase a copy of both issues through ebay.
ReplyDelete