Camp McCoy in the Words of My Uncle: 2020-06-07

June 4, 1943

Hello Folks,

I should have a letter from home to-morrow. It is now late and I soon will be in bed as we get up at five in the morning to go out firing the 105 mm howitzer. I hate to fire on Saturday because after firing you have to swab the floor for three days in a row, which means you're working Sunday morning. Some of the boys go out on pass, that leaves a lot of work for those left behind.

We fired some special 22 caliber rifles the other day. I made 342 out of 400 (no good). I lost 20 points for firing a wrong position. I just couldn't zero in my rifle because of the wind. It never blew the same all day, first you'd fire off-hand or standing with no wind at all and the next shot the wind would nearly knock you over. (Wind deflection of a bullet is a direct, linear function of wind speed. For instance, a wind blowing from a 90 degree angle at 10 mph will deflect a bullet twice as far, at a given distance downrange, as will a 5 mph wind and half as much as will a 20 mph wind.) I was still up near the top. Monday the pit men go out at 3 o'clock in the morning while the rest fire at 5 o'clock. We do not do all our training right here in camp. We go out on the range or training grounds. We'll fire the 30 caliber carbine Monday. You have to make 145 out of a possible 200. The guns are new and none of the boys seem to be doing anything with their scores. One fellow from the 9th Infantry called a good shot only made 166, so you can see how it is. Don't feel very sure of myself but do hope the wind won't blow.
We started wearing khaki last night. I think they'll be hard to keep clean and also pressed.
You've heard of the bazooka gun haven't you. Well, we have some that just came in. Sorry, that's all I can say. We haven't fired them but some prisoners in North Africa said when Americans started carrying 105 mm howitzers it was time to give up. What they won't do. One man can stop a tank. Sorry, but you'll have to guess the rest.
I think to-night was Helen's shower. (sister's wedding shower) Was it? Hope you all had a good time. Did she get a lot of good things?
It has been warm the last two days. Think of it, no rain.
I made about $5.00 (worth $74.10 in 2020) washing equipment for the boys after we came in from the field. It came in swell because I paid to have my watch fixed and still it won't work.
How is weather out home now?
I see by the paper where Lloyd Mitten, a fellow from SD Warren and from the same room I worked in, was home on furlough. He left after I did.
Well, Mom, will close for to-night. Hope to hear from you to-morrow. Give my love to Dad and all.
Love
Charles

^^Jun 3 A mob of 60 from the Los Angeles Naval Reserve Armory beat up everyone perceived to be Hispanic, continuing the week-long Zoot Suit Riots.