Camp McCoy in the Words of My Uncle: POST THIRTY-SEVEN (Alligators to Diamondbacks) 28 May 1943

May 28, 1943

Friday Morning

Hi Ma,

We were just working on the guns cleaning them when up came a shower, did it get black. In a few minutes you could here the rain come over the hills. We all made a rush for the woods and our tents. This started out to be a swell day. The sun was out this morning with only a few white clouds in the sky. If it keeps up I'll turn to a Duck I'm sure.

(After chow at night) It's no joke, Mom, it cleared up this afternoon and we took a 10 or 12 mile hike. We have just finished chow and I don't think all the boys are done when up came another heavy shower. Here I am inside with my raincoat over the front of my tent. (Remember they went out into the woods with their howitzers for two weeks.)

I got those pictures. I mean the ones with the cat (Billy Boy) on the rail. Gee, the barn looks great. Ha Ha that old gas can. Oh yes, have you got a chain over the back porch? I can see something black just above the stairs.

I sure would like to run in and see the kiddos. I wonder what they would do if I should pop in on them? Seems to me they'll all be grown up when I do see them. (He is talking about his two nephews and three nieces.)

I thought Raymond Jr. was going to sign up in the Service. (cousin) When I left they were all talking about it. Had better take my advice and stay out as long as he can.

You know, Mom, when the old people fall in love they haven't anything to say about the younger people. I've seen them riding in cars before. Ha Ha. I wonder how many more could have sit in front with Uncle Dave and his sugar pie. Ha Ha Ha

I wish I were home so I could see all that's going on. Keep on, the pair will be steady, it'll be sweet. (He is writing about his mother's brother. He lost his first wife in 1940. He is 49 and dating a lady the same age. She will become his second wife.)

Thanks so much for getting up to write Sunday night. At 10:30 pm I was about half back to La Crosse. Did you ever stop to think just where I was or was doing right at a certain time?
The boys have caught about 25 gray squirrels with only sticks. What they won't do. I know they would tackle a bear. Let me tell you this one. While they were in Louisiana with only a mosquito net and a tent rope they got an alligator 6 feet 6 inches long (1.982 meters), another time with a long stick and a loop made of tent rope they caught a Diamondback Rattlesnake 14 feet long (4.2672 meters). They don't give a darn and anything for some fun. On outside life you wouldn't think they could do it.

Gee, it was swell for Wesley and his wife to send me the announcement of the arrival of a boy 8 pounds 1 ounce. Little things like that mean more now than ever before. Oh Boy, Grammie York, I bet she can talk fast now. Did she have anything to say about my trip up there or when she was down. You never said anything about it. (Wesley was a son of Uncle Dave. Grammie York was Uncle Dave's mother, therefore, this new baby was her new great grandson.)
How is Dad? I may have some junk around home he'd like to use, it's O.K. Some day you and Dad let someone snap your pictures.
It's not raining much now. Guess, I'll close. Give my love to Helen, Joe, Eugene. Good night, Mom. I'm still looking to come home.
Love Charles, X Mother

*May 30, 1943 – Battle of Attu, Alaska Territory Ends (Pacific Theater)

Troops: USA/Canada 15,000 plus; Japan 2,900.

Casualties (Killed/Wounded/Missing): Allies 1,697; Japan 2,850.

Final attack in Aleutian Islands campaign begun after Japan invaded American territory June 6-7, 1942. Two week battle in Arctic conditions against fortified Japanese position. Bonzai charge at end of battle surprised American position, but ended with Japanese losing almost all of its men. Only land battle on U.S. soil in the war.