Camp McCoy in the Words of My Uncle: POST FIVE (First Letter from Camp McCoy) 28 Dec 1942

Archway to Camp McCoy Hospital Ramp

Pvt. Charles D Knight

A.S.N. 31217744

Co. 7 2nd Div. Training Center

A.P.O. 2. Camp McCoy

Wisconsin

Dec. 28, 1942

Dear Mother, Dad and All,

Well here I am a long way from home in Wisconsin. The last place on earth I had any idea of going. But no matter how far from home sweet home and all you loved ones my thoughts go back. In fact, many times I find myself living back in the good old State of Maine. If you promise me you'll try to keep smiling it will help out a lot. I just can't stop worrying. So be honest with me. Tell me everything and try to look at the bright side. Every cloud has a silver lining. {Most American soldiers of this time period in history had never traveled out of their state and many had only been around the local towns where they had been born.} I really thought I would go south or south mid-west around Mississippi or Texas. That I would be swimming this winter. Instead you should see the ice and snow up here. Now is your chance. The red light has turned green and you can go. So Rush on the Mail and Rush it fast. I have been waiting a year it seems. {In reality, he had left home only a week earlier.} Now send it until I tell you to stop. Write even if I don't answer. You'll never know what I've been through. I've taken a lot all around in just a short time. Hope it will let up just a little. I'll never give in. Mother, I'm going to make you proud of me. Yes, and don't forget someone else will be proud even if they can not or will not admit it. I have a feeling someday they will confess their mistake. Gee, will that day make me feel good. Not just so I can come out on top but to prove the fact it really pays in the end to throw back your shoulders, stick out your chin and take whatever you have to if you are in the right. I've put up a good fight so far, now if I can hear only two words "I'm sorry" I'll be happy, ------ in one way. {I don't think Uncle Charlie is writing about a family member. In an earlier letter he had mentioned about a person at his place of work at S.D. Warren. I am suspecting it is that person.}

I'm not sure but I think I may be on the big gun just like Uncle Dave. {Uncle Dave was Uncle Charlie's mother's brother, David Anderson. Uncle Dave served in WW I. He went to France but never went into battle because the Armistice was signed before their training in France was completed.} You can hear them firing all the time. They have the real thing up here. Maybe I should say over here. Ha! Ha! {Maine is further north than Wisconsin in the United States.} I am in what they call the 2nd Infantry Division and they sure made history in the other war. It is the only Division in the whole Army that has the right to wear a chord around their left shoulder. It is a scarlet braid* and was given by the French Government in honor of what the 2nd Division did in the First World War. What a pretty shield they wear to show their Division. It is on the left sleeve and looks likes this.* Never saw any thing like it before. Looks swell. It kind of takes my eye. You know how I go for something like that. {He was an Eagle Scout in the Boy Scouts of America and had received many badges including the highest one possible.} Oh yes, I forgot to tell you on my left pocket I hope to have a few medals for shooting and some other things! Wait till I get home. None of the boys have ever had anything on their uniform like it.

This Division had practice in every kind of warfare except submarine. They now have men farther north learning to ski for a ski unit all dressed in white suits. I haven't seen them but they say they're great. I'm just not sure what I may do. Had a little drill and the Sargent said I was doing well---about face---right dress---left face---right face---parade rest---march time---etc. Harold Joy gave us all that in the Boy Scouts. I kept my mouth shut and went on. If you go to church and get in with the chaplain it helps a lot. They have more to say than one thinks.

Tell Eugene {brother} to forget the money and get on a farm if it will keep him out of the Army. {Uncle Charlie wanted to make sure his only other brother would be able to stay home and help their parents.} Tell him to be a good fellow and remember a good sport isn't a fellow who does what everyone else tells him to do. His good time or fast life today gains him nothing tomorrow or in the future. I think a lot of him and would hate to see him go wrong. {Eugene is 8 years younger than Uncle Charlie, his big brother.} Is sister, Helen, still in love or has Joey and her parted? Ha! Ha! Ma, write a line for her. I know all her mail goes in one direction. South of the border down Florida. {Helen's future husband, Joey, works with a potato farmer that goes to Homestead, Florida, to plant a potato crop in the winter. In the summer, he plants a crop in Maine. Only a quarter of a mile from the Knight homestead in Gorham, Maine.} Be a good girl, Sis. I think you have a wonderful sweetheart. That is if you call him sweetheart. Don't let your face get red. It's O.K. I've said the same thing before, Helen. Yes my face is red. Her name was Helen too. Hee! Hee!

How is Dad the old scout. Tell him to take it easy on that light. How does he like it? I'll buy him some more batteries when they are gone. Tell him to use the car when he likes. I don't care. I never said much but he has been swell. I always knew it. {Grandpa Knight was not his biological father but had married Uncle Charlie's mother six months after his birth.} If he ever needs money for the doctor go up stairs in my suit coat pocket inside and you will find plenty.

Guess I will close soon for I know you want to sit down and write. I bet it has been hard waiting. So let's see what you can do. How about everything at home? I'm waiting. What a long ride out here. Wish I could sit down at home and tell you all about everything that has happened. Some day I will and it will be a long story. {He has no idea how long it will be!} Tell the Main's I was asking about them.

Mother, please send me a few things and I will send the money back later. My heavy brown sweater, army writing paper, stockings, men's toilet kit, the one Polly's folks gave me. Not the swank set. On my stockings and sweater sew a piece of white heavy cloth about so big for the number 7744 or sew it right into the cloth. Everything I have will be marked 7744 at all times. My whole number is 31217744 in Washington D.C. but 7744 is all I have to put on my clothes. Will that be asking too much? Thanks for everything. Looking to the day when I can come home. Good bye all. "Keep Smiling." Best wishes from the west.

Love xx

Charlie