Camp McCoy in the Words of My Uncle: 2020-04-12

Monday

May 10, 1943

Dear Mom,

We have had an easy day so will drop you a short letter. I can hear the bugle blowing taps but I'm not very tired.

Just awhile ago the Staff Sgt., our chief of the gun section, came by my bunk and asked me to come outside. A Staff Sgt. has four stripes. Three up one down. I said to myself, "What can be up?" I went outside. He said, " I have something to tell you. You're soldering with a hard fellow, but don't say anything. (you know the one I told you about) Keep bucking. (keep soldering as you have been doing) There are going to be a lot of changes made around here. I want to tell you the Battery Commander has his eyes on you. He told me you were a good soldier and felt you could give orders and do the work. Now don't forget what I told you. It don't make any difference how long you've been in here. The main thing is to do the job. Even if you know you stand a chance if you want it. I also put in a good word for you. Keep bucking. You may have a gunner job with a Corporal rating before a month. Forget what the rest say. You know it's hard to put a new man in over older men heads but I still say you can do the job." (This letter is making sense of what I saw on my uncle's discharge papers. On all his letters even overseas that highest rank he ever wrote on his letters was Pfc., however, on his Separation Qualification Record it states, 3 months Pvt. (Basic), 29 months Cpl. (Gunner Cpl.) 2 months Sgt. (Charge of Section). I will let you read the rest of the Record down below the "Posters and Pictures for the Post.")

Gee, Mom, that sounds good to me. Just think that is the same Staff Sgt. I had words with about the damn old Yankee. (post 19) Guess he found I had a little back bone at the right time. As far as that Mexican I don't care, now that I know he can't hold me down. I'm still going to watch him and keep my mouth shut. If I get it I'll be the same rank as he. Won't he blow his top and p--- (I won't say what we do in the army.) Darn old army way of talking. I forget and write it sometimes. Oh well, Mother, I always did tell you about everything. I'm older now so I guess a slip once in awhile won't hurt much. Now keep it to yourself (except Dad) until later. Hey, how does Dad rate knowing it Ha! Ha!
I forgot to tell you why I was so mad about not going out last week. You see, Marian asked me to come down Saturday. Sunday morning we were going to take the bus to Tomah, her home for the day. It being Mother's Day her mother was going to have a nice dinner. I would have had a good time. I called her up and told her I couldn't come. She was out getting her hair fixed so I haven't heard from her. The woman at the house answered the phone said she knew Marian would be disappointed. I expect she'll send me a letter to-morrow. Do you blame me for being mad? You have to be a good little boy or you don't go out. Ma, can I go out the first Saturday night I'm home? Ha! Ha!
Guess it may rain before morning. Well, I have to shave so will close. Love to all.
Love Charles

^^May 7 Liberty Ship George Washington Carver, named after scientist, launched. In November 1943 the ship was allocated to the United States Army by the WSA and was converted to hospital ship USAHS Dogwood. The ship made multiple trips to ports in England from its home port of Charleston, South Carolina, before sailing for duty in the Philippines in 1945.
In January 1946, the ship was converted to carry a combination of troops and military dependents as USAT George Washington Carver. The ship was laid up in the National Defense Reserve Fleet in 1947 and was sold for scrapping in 1964.

Liberty Ship George Washington Carver

^^May 7 US 1st Armour division occupies Ferryville, Tunisia.

^^May 7 US 9th Infantry division occupies Bizerta/Bensert, Tunisia.

^^May 8 Admiral of the Fleet Sir Andrew Cunningham of the British fleet: When Axis forces in North Africa were on the verge of surrender, he ordered that none should be allowed to escape. Entirely in keeping with his fiery character he signaled the fleet "Sink, burn & destroy; let nothing pass".