Camp McCoy in the Words of My Uncle: 2021-04-11

NOT MUCH LONGER

September 27, 1943

Monday Night

10:45

Dear Mother,

As I promised, you may be sure I'll do it. I'll write everyday up to the last.

To-day sure has been a big change. As I wrote last night, yesterday was a good day but to-day has been just like summer and to-night you'd think for sure it was a summer night. For a couple of days due to the cold wind I put on a woolen undershirt, but you may be sure I took it off to-day. This evening you could sit outside without a shirt and be plenty warm.

Here I am in the shower room writing. Dan is over the other end taking a shower. I just told him to turn that shower down. He had it on full force and how the water was flying. Guess he did it for a joke.

How is little Pauline [my sister] making it in school? I'd like to see her starting off to school like a little old lady. [She must have behaved older than her age since he makes the statement of her being a little old lady often in his letters.]

I felt Helen might send me a note seeing as I was going away. I'll give up after to-morrow. I'm going to take that flower and picture of you and Helen with me. I got that air mail letter to-day.

I don't blame you for telling Eugene he had enough work without going in town. He needs a little enjoyment. That is why I say let him use anything of mine he likes. We can think about getting more when this is over with. I only wish he could use my car more. I'm glad brother is going to look after my car then I won't worry anymore. I bet it has saved a lot being inside.

As for the pictures I don't know what to say. You tell me what some of the rest think.

Mom, did it seem a long day Sunday waiting for the call? Guess Dad stayed up with you that night.

You tell Grammy Mains for me that the Germans have their hands full now and lost all chances of ever coming over here.

I remember most all that song by heart. I can't sing but I sure know the tune.

I'm not afraid Dad, and I can be brave when I think it's for freedom for those back home like you, Mom, brother and all my sisters. I can take it but I hate to think of the long hours at night Mom will lay awake thinking. Please don't worry. If you worry yourself sick I won't have anyone to come home to. Gee, you both sounded good over the phone. Wish I felt you were as good as you sounded.

I sent a shoulder patch home. It's the new division.

I'll say good night as all here can not be written which leaves little news. I feel alright.

Love to all back Home

Charles

P.S. To-morrow is Tuesday. I'll write to-morrow night if I can.

Good bye Mother

**Elements of the British Eighth Army entered Foggia and occupied the surrounding airfields unopposed. The capture of the airbase put the Allies within range of the Balkans, southern Germany and Poland.

FOGGIA, ITALY

**Assistant Professor Sam Ruben of the University of California, Berkeley, the 29-year-old co-discoverer of Carbon-14 that became the basis for radiocarbon dating, was fatally injured while conducting a laboratory experiment. Dr. Ruben was working with a defective ampoule containing the deadly chemical warfare compound phosgene, and inhaled a lethal dose when the ampoule leaked. He died the next day.

SAM RUBEN

**The Drysdale River Mission at Kalumburu, Western Australia, a community of Aboriginal and European Benedictine Roman Catholics, was attacked by 40 Japanese bombers and fighters, with the destruction of four of its buildings and the deaths of five people, including its leader.