Jan 27, 1943
Dear Mother and All,
This letter may be short but it will be a letter. I got some of your letters you sent about the first of the month, to-night. The package you sent and insured for $25.00 hasn't come yet. If you want to ask Joe about it O.K. I got my stockings. They were just a little small. I can wear them. Things that are loose are warmer. {His mother had made them.}
Gee, thanks for the picture. It was swell. I don't think Helen took it. Ma, you keep your sugar. I can get some candy. {Remember sugar was rationed.} Just keep writing. Pauline {girlfriend} sent me a pair of gloves and a box of cookies.
We have had a good day here to-day. {weather} Good days are few and far between. We went through the gas chamber to-day. I had faith in my mask. Had no fear it wouldn't protect me. One buddie stayed close to me. I began to realize something was wrong. When we marched up to the gas chamber he said, "You don't mind if I stay close?" I said, "No, what is the trouble?" "Gee! I feel shaky," he said. I put my hand on his shoulder and told him he would be O.K. Then the Lieutenant cried, "Make ready for gas." I put my mask on and looked around. Poor fellow. I gave him a lift. After he had it on, I pinched off his air. He put his arm up and shook his head for air. I gave him a couple pats on his back and laughed inside my mask. I shook my head and made signs that his mask was O.K. I guess I helped him some. It pays to help out. Some boys can't help it. I know one fellow that can't take a needle. It hurts him because his muscles in his arm get just like a rock. I may need help some day. So I help others.
I made another 100% on a test the other day. Took another to-day. I got a letter from Ione and Grandpa Ladd {friend} to-night. Gee ,Mom, I can't be all wrong. They both wrote swell letters to me. Sometimes I think it's all my fault. I do say I have my mistakes. Guess Helen {Helen Ladd was his old girlfriend.} saw them all. I felt if I came into the Army I'd forget. But-----
Gee, Joey {sister's boyfriend} lucky in some ways. Even Mildred Ladd said she missed me like the devil even if I never came down to see her. Do you think Helen Ladd feels she made a good bargain?
Mom, you're always stuck with me. Your face has helped me many nights when I've come home. Helen Ladd may talk to me someday. Be good to her if you ever see her. Tell her to be a good girl. It pays in the end. Oh well, what do you care about such junk. I guess I just write it because I can't think of any news. {Uncle Charlie had Pauline as his girlfriend when he entered the war, but we can tell his earlier girlfriend, Helen Ladd, still had his heart. Many readers most likely can relate to my Uncle's feelings.}
Ione writes that Mildred Ladd saw you uptown. Gee, the bus must be crowded now. No cars on the road.
How is Dad? News looks good Dad. The next letter I am going to write to him. When you get the barn done send a picture of of it.
Will close now. Good night Mother, Dad, Eugene and Helen.
With Love and Kisses
Charles
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| Charles Overstreet drew instead of writing. 26 Jan 1943, Camp McCoy  |
^^Jan 27 1st US air attack on Germany
(Wilhelmshaven) The Wilhelmshaven bombings by the Allies of World War II destroyed two thirds of the port's buildings. From spring 1943 until November 1943 slave laborers of the SS-Baubrigade II from the Neuengamme camp were transferred to Wilhelmshaven to clear up after air raids.
^^Jan
29 New Zealand cruiser Kiwi collides with Japanese submarine I-1 at
Guadalcanal
Basic Training in Gas Chamber
Terrified Soldier in Gas Chamber
*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
