Camp McCoy in the Words of My Uncle: POST FIFTY-NINE (BOY, DOESN'T SHE JUMP BACK!) 3 AUGUST 1943

August 3, 1943

Dear Mom,

A note before going to bed. I have just washed and starched 4 suits of khakis. You see, the motor Sgt. asked me over and over again if I'd please fix up two suits for him before Saturday. As we are going into the field for three days I had to do them to-night. I ironed them late Friday night after we came back. I'll have to iron them in his room. He said he'd pay me $1.75, also do up a cap. I had a lot of work but couldn't pass up $1.75. (Worth $26.60 in 2020) While I did his, it didn't take much more time seeing I had the soap, water and starch to do two up for myself. You know we have been issued an extra suit of khaki. It's about 12 o'clock now. Guess everyone is in bed.

Here is a joke. We haven't had much rain here but to-day and to-night it has been raining hard and seems cold. We're going into the field for three days. Sleep on some more wet ground. The boys say now, "If the farmers ever want rain all they have to do is let us know. We'll get ready to go into the field"---- well that seems to be all there is to it. You'll have the rain.

I may send home my bed roll. If I do I'll send it to South Windham Express.

We have been out firing most of the day. I got a letter from Tiny. The way she writes I think she's feeling better. I hope so.

Mom, you take care of yourself and Dad. Don't worry about things at home, that's the way. If you don't say too much I think things would be a lot better. (I must admit my grandma was known to sputter a lot.)

I was firing the gun to-day and you should see it jump back. The ground was soft so until she got dug in boy, did she jump back. You see the ground is dry to-day but I guess after to-night it will be plenty wet.

Well, Mother, guess I need a little shut eyes so will sign off. I may not write for three days but will send a letter as soon as I get in. Tell Dad we are giving them ## and guess we have the upper hand now. Love to all.

Love,

Charles

**August 1 – Operation Tidal Wave: 177 B-24 Liberator bombers from the U.S. Army Air Force bomb oil refineries at Ploieşti, Romania.

A B-24 Liberator called Sandman during a bomb run over the

Ploiesti Astra, Romania refinery during Operation Tidal Wave

In April 1943, 25-year-old John F. Kennedy arrived in the Pacific and took command of the PT-109. Just months later on August 2, 1943 around 2:30 am, the boat collided with the Japanese destroyer Amagiri, killing two of his men. (John Fitzgerald Kennedy Library, PC101).

LT. JOHN F KENNEDY 1943

JOHN F KENNEDY AND PT-109

PT-109 AND JFK

JAPANESE DESTROYER-AMAGIRIPT AND PT-109 COLLIDED AUG 2, 1943

JAPANESE AMAGRI IN193

*July 24-August 3, 1943 – End of Operation Gomorrah (Firebombing Hamburg) - European Theater More information: https://www.thoughtco.com/operation-gomorrah-firebombing-of-hamburg-2360535