Jan 16, 1943
Saturday 6:30
Dear Mother and All,
Just a letter to let you know why I haven't written before. You remember I told you I had a cold. Well, it hung on about two weeks. My throat got raw and began feeling really sick. I just had to give up. Had a temperature of 103. Have been in bed for two days and tonight was the first time I've had anything to eat in those two days except a couple of oranges. Guess I'll be O.K. by Monday. Notice my new address on the envelope. It is the 3rd cold I have had.
The day before I went to bed I moved a mile and half up the camp. This sure is a big place. Will be here about 11 weeks then may change again. Some other time I feel more like it I'll tell you all about that shield*1 you see in the corner. Everything has a meaning. The five white lines you see stand for the five rivers our 2nd Infantry Division captured and held during World War #1. It is the only Division decorated by the French Government. It is the only Division in the U.S. Army that wears a cord around their shoulder.*2
Ma, here are my insurance papers. In case anything happens put in the claim for the money ($5,000). You'll not be able to get it all at once. About $50 or $60 a month. Be sure to keep these papers. The policy may come later. Pa's name is on there but it's good for either one.
The weather is just the same cold and cloudy. The sun never shines.
They are trying something new. We are going to train with an artic outfit.*3 When I get all my equipment it will be over $800.00 worth. My sleeping bag cost $70.00. You sleep right in a snow drift at 20 or 30 below zero. Everything is white. White skis, white jacket with hood, white pack, white mittens. Ski boots cost $15.00. Everything white.{$1 then is worth $14.83 in 2019}
Have just got a band new gas mask. Some guys got the old ones. Mine was never out of the package. Have had it on. It's not too bad.
Have had some mail I was surprise to get. From Merrilyn Thomas, Magna Nelson, Mildred Ladd and a few more. It sure seems swell to have mail from anyone. Even if you can't write. How is Dad, Eugene and Helen? Got Eugene's letter. The mail has been all mixed up. Hope it will be better now. Helen Ladd told me just before I left she was coming up to see you. Has she been up yet? Maybe she's married now.
Remember I told you about that boy finding that tag of his brother in a Jap's pocket. Well here it is.*4
Well folks will close now and write you in a couple of days. Don't forget my new address. Be good. Keep smiling. I'm O.K.
Love Your Son}
& Your Brother} Charlie
KissYour Sister}
Ma, here are my insurance papers. In case anything happens put in the claim for the money ($5,000). You'll not be able to get it all at once. About $50 or $60 a month. Be sure to keep these papers. The policy may come later. Pa's name is on there but it's good for either one.
The weather is just the same cold and cloudy. The sun never shines.
They are trying something new. We are going to train with an artic outfit.*3 When I get all my equipment it will be over $800.00 worth. My sleeping bag cost $70.00. You sleep right in a snow drift at 20 or 30 below zero. Everything is white. White skis, white jacket with hood, white pack, white mittens. Ski boots cost $15.00. Everything white.{$1 then is worth $14.83 in 2019}
Have just got a band new gas mask. Some guys got the old ones. Mine was never out of the package. Have had it on. It's not too bad.
Have had some mail I was surprise to get. From Merrilyn Thomas, Magna Nelson, Mildred Ladd and a few more. It sure seems swell to have mail from anyone. Even if you can't write. How is Dad, Eugene and Helen? Got Eugene's letter. The mail has been all mixed up. Hope it will be better now. Helen Ladd told me just before I left she was coming up to see you. Has she been up yet? Maybe she's married now.
Remember I told you about that boy finding that tag of his brother in a Jap's pocket. Well here it is.*4
Well folks will close now and write you in a couple of days. Don't forget my new address. Be good. Keep smiling. I'm O.K.
Love Your Son}
& Your Brother} Charlie
Kiss
over Ha! Ha! I couldn't very well be a sister and brother too.
P.S. Ha! Ha! Just had a letter from the Lutheran Chaplain. It began like this.
"Dear Lutheran Brethren."---------------
Your name has come to me through the National Lutheran Council.--------
Bring your Communion card so I can sign it for you.-------------------etc.----
P.S. Pictures will be taken so plan to attend-----------etc.--------.
Ha! Ha! not only a soldier but a Lutheran. Guess it's a secret I didn't even know about.
Charlie
Always look up. Never look down.
#1
#3
#4 sad
**January 11 – The United States and United Kingdom give up territorial rights in China.
^^Jan 13 Soviet offensive at Don under General Golikov
^^Jan 13 US infantry captures Galloping Horse Ridge, Guadalcanal
**January 14 – The Casablanca Conference, where Franklin D. Roosevelt becomes the first President of the United States to travel by airplane while in office (Miami, Florida to Morocco to meet with Winston Churchill to discuss World War II).
^^Jan 15 1st transport of Jews from Amsterdam to Concentration Camp Vught
**January 15 – The world's largest office building, The Pentagon, is dedicated in Arlington, Virginia
*Source 1
https://www.thoughtco.com/world-war-ii-battles-2361453
*Source 2
https://americasbesthistory.com/timeline2ndworldwar1943.html for major battles
**Source 3
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1943_in_the_United_States
^^Source 4
https://www.onthisday.com/events/date/1943
##Source 5
https://www.history.com/topics/world-war-ii/us-home-front-during-world-war-ii
copyright of letters and any original material Peter Lagasse
