Monday, October 28, 2019

POST SEVEN (Wearing a White Suit) 16 Jan 1943

Jan 16, 1943

Saturday 6:30

Dear Mother and All,

Just a letter to let you know why I haven't written before. You remember I told you I had a cold. Well, it hung on about two weeks. My throat got raw and began feeling really sick. I just had to give up. Had a temperature of 103. Have been in bed for two days and tonight was the first time I've had anything to eat in those two days except a couple of oranges. Guess I'll be O.K. by Monday. Notice my new address on the envelope. It is the 3rd cold I have had.

The day before I went to bed I moved a mile and half up the camp. This sure is a big place. Will be here about 11 weeks then may change again. Some other time I feel more like it I'll tell you all about that shield*1 you see in the corner. Everything has a meaning. The five white lines you see stand for the five rivers our 2nd Infantry Division captured and held during World War #1. It is the only Division decorated by the French Government. It is the only Division in the U.S. Army that wears a cord around their shoulder.*2
Ma, here are my insurance papers. In case anything happens put in the claim for the money ($5,000). You'll not be able to get it all at once. About $50 or $60 a month. Be sure to keep these papers. The policy may come later. Pa's name is on there but it's good for either one.
The weather is just the same cold and cloudy. The sun never shines.
They are trying something new. We are going to train with an artic outfit.*3 When I get all my equipment it will be over $800.00 worth. My sleeping bag cost $70.00. You sleep right in a snow drift at 20 or 30 below zero. Everything is white. White skis, white jacket with hood, white pack, white mittens. Ski boots cost $15.00. Everything white.{$1 then is worth $14.83 in 2019}
Have just got a band new gas mask. Some guys got the old ones. Mine was never out of the package. Have had it on. It's not too bad.
Have had some mail I was surprise to get. From Merrilyn Thomas, Magna Nelson, Mildred Ladd and a few more. It sure seems swell to have mail from anyone. Even if you can't write. How is Dad, Eugene and Helen? Got Eugene's letter. The mail has been all mixed up. Hope it will be better now. Helen Ladd told me just before I left she was coming up to see you. Has she been up yet? Maybe she's married now.
Remember I told you about that boy finding that tag of his brother in a Jap's pocket. Well here it is.*4
Well folks will close now and write you in a couple of days. Don't forget my new address. Be good. Keep smiling. I'm O.K.
Love Your Son}
& Your Brother} Charlie
Kiss ~~Your Sister~~}

over Ha! Ha! I couldn't very well be a sister and brother too.

P.S. Ha! Ha! Just had a letter from the Lutheran Chaplain. It began like this.

"Dear Lutheran Brethren."---------------

Your name has come to me through the National Lutheran Council.--------

Bring your Communion card so I can sign it for you.-------------------etc.----

P.S. Pictures will be taken so plan to attend-----------etc.--------.

Ha! Ha! not only a soldier but a Lutheran. Guess it's a secret I didn't even know about.

Charlie

Always look up. Never look down.

#4 sad

**January 11 – The United States and United Kingdom give up territorial rights in China.

^^Jan 13 Soviet offensive at Don under General Golikov

^^Jan 13 US infantry captures Galloping Horse Ridge, Guadalcanal

**January 14 – The Casablanca Conference, where Franklin D. Roosevelt becomes the first President of the United States to travel by airplane while in office (Miami, Florida to Morocco to meet with Winston Churchill to discuss World War II).

^^Jan 15 1st transport of Jews from Amsterdam to Concentration Camp Vught

**January 15 – The world's largest office building, The Pentagon, is dedicated in Arlington, Virginia

*Source 1

https://www.thoughtco.com/world-war-ii-battles-2361453

*Source 2

https://americasbesthistory.com/timeline2ndworldwar1943.html for major battles

**Source 3

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1943_in_the_United_States

^^Source 4

https://www.onthisday.com/events/date/1943

##Source 5

https://www.history.com/topics/world-war-ii/us-home-front-during-world-war-ii

Sunday, October 20, 2019

POST SIX (We Want Mail) 10 Jan 1943

Jan 10, 1943

Sunday afternoon

Dear Folks,

Here goes for a letter. Gee, I thought you were never going to write. We were told the mail got mixed up. I never knew before and you'll never know what it means to a soldier to receive mail. We have a mail call twice a day. Go over to the classroom and they call out our names from there. Some times they come around with it. I've seen big men go day after day and find no mail for them. They come back to the barracks and lay on the bunks and cry. A letter means a lot. Remember, we're a long way from home.

I didn't get up until about about 11 today {Sunday, day off}. Guess I am fighting off a cold. Had a little ~~dinner~~ I mean chow, Ha! Ha!, feeling a little better now. Hope I'm not sick because what they once had the boys do in six weeks we're doing in two so you can see why I have no time. If you miss a day or two it puts you back. Had an exam the other day and what do you think? Out of 60 or 70 men three or four made 100% and I was one.

Oh, before I forget it write and let me know just what each part on the car cost and the total amount. Hope Joe did send me a shaving set because that's one thing you have to do in the army -- shave everyday. I was glad to get Helen's letter and will write later. But anytime someone wants to write it's O.K. The more the better. The letter sounded just like her. {most likely his sister}. Sent Grammy a card. Had a letter from Waneta. {sister} What did Tiny have to say the other day? Was she glad to see you? I really think Tiny liked me. I tried to do what was right and be good. We all make mistakes. Guess I've made a lot.

Have you got the kitchen all done? How is Dad? I bet he could go skunk hunting with that light. Tell Dad the news looks good and I guess he may be right. Seems funny Helen says so much about Joe, Joe, Joey. {sister's boyfriend and soon to be fiance}. She must like him a little, tiny, sweet bit. I'll tell you Ma -- don't let her fall in L---- will you. If she ever does, oh, dear. Of course Eugene {brother} never will because he told me himself it was foolish. {Eugene has a change of mind in about a year. ha, ha.} Ask him how Grammy Mains is? {She is Uncle Charlie's dad's mother.} Does he still go down to see her? Tell him when the river freezes over he can go cross country. Glad to here the good news about Eugene. Maybe that's why I came here. If so it's worth it. Tell him to be good and if he wants to go ice fishing use my traps or anything. When I come home with my chocolate baby I won't care about fishing. Ha! Ha! Guess I'll have to go South for that. {It is amazing how in the 1940's the black racial issue was still so strong. Even in the army the blacks and whites couldn't be in the same regiments etc. Though racial issues are not completely solved even today, I know my uncle and other family members changed their attitude. Not one family member had a problem when my wife and I adopted an African-American as our son, Paul. Sadly, he passed away unexpectedly in 2016 at the age of 25.}

Yes, I have my watch. I think a lot of it. Joey or Eugene haven't got a better watch than mine. What a family, Mother. Well I love my watch and sometimes when I look at the back ----- oh well it's all in the lifetime.

Hope you do send some pictures. I can send them back to you later. I just sit here and keep on writing anything I think so this letter may seem a little mixed up but it will be just as if I were talking to you.

Tell Mr. & Mrs. Mains I was asking about them. Sorry I can not write but you tell them why. Wish I could see my Xmas card but it would cost too much to send them. Gee, we have some big mouth Frenchman here. You know the rest. They're so smart when it comes to shooting out their lip but one big blow got 55 in the test the other day. I don't worry; they look good now but they'll be found out someday before long. You know how it makes me mad. In the army you keep your eyes open and your mouth shut. {His mother's mother was French and she had quite a mouth and attitude. That is where he got his thoughts about the French. My great grandmother could scare any of us!}

I am going to buy some bonds. I'll have them made co-owner in your name. That is, it will belong to you as well as me. If you ever need them you have a right to cash them in your name. I started one as beneficiary but you could cash that only in death so will have it changed.

Do these guys gamble here. All the time. They're foolish because some fellows here are card sharks and they clean the small guy out. One crook made $390 in one week. {That would be worth $5,783.68 in 2019}. Boy, they don't get any of my money. I'm going to save it to go home someday if I get the chance. I'm going to try hard so I can.

Kind of running out of words to write so will have to close soon. You look up on the map of Wisconsin and I am about 35 to 40 miles north of La Crosse. It has 70 to 80,000 people. Hope to go there some weekend on a pass. Will send something home if I can.

Well it's about 5 o'clock. "Chow time." So long, Mother. Tell Dad not to hang around the corner at night and Helen and Eugene be good. Someday we'll have a big dinner together. Even Joey "brother-in-law" and Dot "sister-in-law." {both "possibilities" at this time}

Good bye

Please write often.

Love & Kisses to all

Son Charlie

P.S. Just came back from chow. Got coughing and away went part of my supper on the floor. Oh dear.

La Crosse, Wisconsin

##Baseball and the Battlefield

In January 1942, Kenesaw Mountain Landis (1866-1944), the national commissioner of baseball, wrote a letter to President Roosevelt in which he asked if professional baseball should shut down for the duration of the war. In what came to be known as the “green light” letter, Roosevelt responded that professional baseball should continue operations, as it was good for the country’s collective morale and would serve as a needed diversion.

During the war, 95 percent of all professional baseball players who donned major league uniforms during the 1941 season were directly involved in the conflict. Future Hall of Famers Bob Feller (1918-), Hank Greenberg (1911-86), Joe DiMaggio (1914-99) and Ted Williams (1918-2002) exchanged their baseball jerseys for military fatigues. Feller, in fact, enlisted in the U.S. Navy one day after Pearl Harbor. Because baseball was depleted of so many able bodies, athletes who otherwise likely never would have made the big leagues won spots on rosters. One of the more notable was Pete Gray (1915-2002), a one-armed outfielder who appeared in 77 games for the St. Louis Browns in 1945.

Not all those who served in the military were superstars. Elmer Gedeon (1917-44), an outfielder who appeared in five games for the 1939 Washington Senators, and Harry O’Neill (1917-45), a catcher who played in one game for the 1939 Philadelphia Athletics, were the two big leaguers who died in combat. Over 120 minor leaguers also were killed. Other players overcame debilitating wartime injuries. One was Bert Shepard (1920-2008), a minor league pitcher turned air force fighter pilot. In 1944, Shepard’s right leg was amputated after he was shot down over Germany. The following year, he pitched three innings for the Washington Senators in a major league game.

^^Jan 5 William H Hastie, civilian aide to secretary of war, resigns to protest segregation in armed forces

^^Jan 9 Japanese government in Java limits sale & use of motorcars

^^Jan 10 Soviet offensive against German 6th and 4th Armies near Stalingrad.

John Michael Montgomery

Letters from Home

Official Music Video

*Source 1

https://www.thoughtco.com/world-war-ii-battles-2361453

*Source 2

https://americasbesthistory.com/timeline2ndworldwar1943.html for major battles

**Source 3

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1943_in_the_United_States

^^Source 4

https://www.onthisday.com/events/date/1943

##Source 5

https://www.history.com/topics/world-war-ii/us-home-front-during-world-war-ii

Monday, October 14, 2019

POST FIVE (First Letter from Camp McCoy) 28 Dec 1942

Archway to Camp McCoy Hospital Ramp

Pvt. Charles D Knight

A.S.N. 31217744

Co. 7 2nd Div. Training Center

A.P.O. 2. Camp McCoy

Wisconsin

Dec. 28, 1942

Dear Mother, Dad and All,

Well here I am a long way from home in Wisconsin. The last place on earth I had any idea of going. But no matter how far from home sweet home and all you loved ones my thoughts go back. In fact, many times I find myself living back in the good old State of Maine. If you promise me you'll try to keep smiling it will help out a lot. I just can't stop worrying. So be honest with me. Tell me everything and try to look at the bright side. Every cloud has a silver lining. {Most American soldiers of this time period in history had never traveled out of their state and many had only been around the local towns where they had been born.} I really thought I would go south or south mid-west around Mississippi or Texas. That I would be swimming this winter. Instead you should see the ice and snow up here. Now is your chance. The red light has turned green and you can go. So Rush on the Mail and Rush it fast. I have been waiting a year it seems. {In reality, he had left home only a week earlier.} Now send it until I tell you to stop. Write even if I don't answer. You'll never know what I've been through. I've taken a lot all around in just a short time. Hope it will let up just a little. I'll never give in. Mother, I'm going to make you proud of me. Yes, and don't forget someone else will be proud even if they can not or will not admit it. I have a feeling someday they will confess their mistake. Gee, will that day make me feel good. Not just so I can come out on top but to prove the fact it really pays in the end to throw back your shoulders, stick out your chin and take whatever you have to if you are in the right. I've put up a good fight so far, now if I can hear only two words "I'm sorry" I'll be happy, ------ in one way. {I don't think Uncle Charlie is writing about a family member. In an earlier letter he had mentioned about a person at his place of work at S.D. Warren. I am suspecting it is that person.}

I'm not sure but I think I may be on the big gun just like Uncle Dave. {Uncle Dave was Uncle Charlie's mother's brother, David Anderson. Uncle Dave served in WW I. He went to France but never went into battle because the Armistice was signed before their training in France was completed.} You can hear them firing all the time. They have the real thing up here. Maybe I should say over here. Ha! Ha! {Maine is further north than Wisconsin in the United States.} I am in what they call the 2nd Infantry Division and they sure made history in the other war. It is the only Division in the whole Army that has the right to wear a chord around their left shoulder. It is a scarlet braid* and was given by the French Government in honor of what the 2nd Division did in the First World War. What a pretty shield they wear to show their Division. It is on the left sleeve and looks likes this.* Never saw any thing like it before. Looks swell. It kind of takes my eye. You know how I go for something like that. {He was an Eagle Scout in the Boy Scouts of America and had received many badges including the highest one possible.} Oh yes, I forgot to tell you on my left pocket I hope to have a few medals for shooting and some other things! Wait till I get home. None of the boys have ever had anything on their uniform like it.

This Division had practice in every kind of warfare except submarine. They now have men farther north learning to ski for a ski unit all dressed in white suits. I haven't seen them but they say they're great. I'm just not sure what I may do. Had a little drill and the Sargent said I was doing well---about face---right dress---left face---right face---parade rest---march time---etc. Harold Joy gave us all that in the Boy Scouts. I kept my mouth shut and went on. If you go to church and get in with the chaplain it helps a lot. They have more to say than one thinks.

Tell Eugene {brother} to forget the money and get on a farm if it will keep him out of the Army. {Uncle Charlie wanted to make sure his only other brother would be able to stay home and help their parents.} Tell him to be a good fellow and remember a good sport isn't a fellow who does what everyone else tells him to do. His good time or fast life today gains him nothing tomorrow or in the future. I think a lot of him and would hate to see him go wrong. {Eugene is 8 years younger than Uncle Charlie, his big brother.} Is sister, Helen, still in love or has Joey and her parted? Ha! Ha! Ma, write a line for her. I know all her mail goes in one direction. South of the border down Florida. {Helen's future husband, Joey, works with a potato farmer that goes to Homestead, Florida, to plant a potato crop in the winter. In the summer, he plants a crop in Maine. Only a quarter of a mile from the Knight homestead in Gorham, Maine.} Be a good girl, Sis. I think you have a wonderful sweetheart. That is if you call him sweetheart. Don't let your face get red. It's O.K. I've said the same thing before, Helen. Yes my face is red. Her name was Helen too. Hee! Hee!

How is Dad the old scout. Tell him to take it easy on that light. How does he like it? I'll buy him some more batteries when they are gone. Tell him to use the car when he likes. I don't care. I never said much but he has been swell. I always knew it. {Grandpa Knight was not his biological father but had married Uncle Charlie's mother six months after his birth.} If he ever needs money for the doctor go up stairs in my suit coat pocket inside and you will find plenty.

Guess I will close soon for I know you want to sit down and write. I bet it has been hard waiting. So let's see what you can do. How about everything at home? I'm waiting. What a long ride out here. Wish I could sit down at home and tell you all about everything that has happened. Some day I will and it will be a long story. {He has no idea how long it will be!} Tell the Main's I was asking about them.

Mother, please send me a few things and I will send the money back later. My heavy brown sweater, army writing paper, stockings, men's toilet kit, the one Polly's folks gave me. Not the swank set. On my stockings and sweater sew a piece of white heavy cloth about so big for the number 7744 or sew it right into the cloth. Everything I have will be marked 7744 at all times. My whole number is 31217744 in Washington D.C. but 7744 is all I have to put on my clothes. Will that be asking too much? Thanks for everything. Looking to the day when I can come home. Good bye all. "Keep Smiling." Best wishes from the west.

Love xx

Charlie

2nd Infantry Division uniform

copyright of letters and any original material Peter Lagasse

Wednesday, October 9, 2019

POST FOUR (Fort Devens, Massachusetts and Sore Arms) 25 Dec 1942

Camp Devens, Massachusetts

Dec 25, 1942

Dear Mother, Dad, Helen and Eugene,
My arm is feeling better. Now it is my left one. With two more shots to go. Oh well, it's all part of the army and I can take it if the rest can. The only trouble is they all aren't able to. The next morning after arriving, three fell flat at 4 o'clock in the morning when we lined up to start our day's work. We landed at camp about 5 o'clock. {Knowing Uncle Charlie left Portland, Maine on December 22nd, I would assume this is the afternoon of the 22nd.} Checked in had chow and a few other things, up to 9. Went to bed for the night. At 10 they called us out for a jab in each arm and a check up. Got to bed at 12:30 up at 4 {23rd}
On the go all the next day. I.Q. test and classification after our test had been ranked on an electric ranking machine. My interviewing officer gave me a tip and a swell write up. He said he knew my rank in the test but was not allowed to tell me. Here's what he said, " I am going to write you up for all I can. You have great mechanical ability and had higher rank than some of the college fellows."
I may go to school, not bad for an old hick {age 27} from the sticks of Maine. Some day I am coming home and when I go down to S.D. Warren {paper mill in Westbrook, Maine where he had been working before entering the army} I'll show them a little. I'll make them sit up. Maybe they won't think I'm such a damn fool after all. I can't help it, but I'd like to make one person regret. Haven't much more time before bed. It's been a little quiet here today but a big day tomorrow. Wish I could write to Polly {girlfriend} but I just haven't the time. Work from 5 to 7 Thursday on duty. What a hard day. But I still have more backbone than some of these babies and I mean that (a big baby). You should see them. By the looks of the ink and mistakes guess I'm tired. Hope you are all well.
Don't worry Ma. Don't write because --- I think I know something but I cannot tell. It's one of those military secrets you're not suppose to write. But --- I may ship out anytime. Get it? Tried to send you a telegram today but couldn't make it. Too many ahead and I had no time to wait. Hope you had a Merry Xmas and will have a Happy New Year.
Love from your boy in the Service
Charlie xx
P.S Hope Dad's OK. Don't worry, Cheer up. Keep smiling. I'm OK.

{Enclosed was this Christmas Menu brochure and Uncle Charlie wrote on the back the following words.}
Christmas dinner at Camp Devens, Mass. 12-25-42. All chow is not like this but thanks, Mom, for bringing me up not to be fussy. It's a big help in this man's army. One fairs kind of slim if he doesn't like this or that. You know, Mother, I never kicked. Some things aren't so tasty as your cooking but -------- I'm o.k.
Charlie

Christmas Menu

Inside menu

Fort Devens Entrance

Fort Devens Barracks and Chapel

S.D. Warren Paper Mill, Westbrook, Maine, where Uncle Charlie Worked

##Did you know? During World War II, as an alternative to rationing, Americans planted “victory gardens,” in which they grew their own food. By 1945, some 20 million such gardens were in use and accounted for about 40 percent of all vegetables consumed in the U.S.

In the earliest days of America’s participation in the war, panic gripped the country. If the Japanese military could successfully attack Hawaii and inflict damage on the naval fleet and casualties among innocent civilians, many people wondered what was to prevent a similar assault on the U.S. mainland, particularly along the Pacific coast.

This fear of attack translated into a ready acceptance by a majority of Americans of the need to sacrifice in order to achieve victory. During the spring of 1942, a rationing program was established that set limits on the amount of gas, food and clothing consumers could purchase. Families were issued ration stamps that were used to buy their allotment of everything from meat, sugar, fat, butter, vegetables and fruit to gas, tires, clothing and fuel oil. The United States Office of War Information released posters in which Americans were urged to “Do with less–so they’ll have enough” (“they” referred to U.S. troops). Meanwhile, individuals and communities conducted drives for the collection of scrap metal, aluminum cans and rubber, all of which were recycled and used to produce armaments. Individuals purchased U.S. war bonds to help pay for the high cost of armed conflict.

RATION BOOKS FROM UNCLE CHARLIE'S PARENTS

## Source 5 https://www.history.com/topics/world-war-ii/us-home-front-during-world-war-ii

copyright of letters and any original material Peter Lagasse

Thursday, October 3, 2019

POST THREE (Off to War by Union Station in Portland, Maine)

Union Station will be where Uncle Charlie
gets on a train in Portland, Maine
to enter the US Army.

Union Station was a train station in Portland, Maine.

The building was opened on June 25, 1888, serving trains of the Boston and Maine, Maine Central and Portland and Ogdensburg railroads. Designed by Boston architects Bradlee, Winslow and Witherell, it was inspired by the designs of medieval French châteaux. It was a primarily granite building, with an 188 foot (57 m) clock tower.

The Maine Central ended passenger rail service to the station in September 1960, and it closed on October 30 when the Boston and Maine moved its remaining trains out of the facility. On August 31, 1961, the building was demolished, and a strip mall built on the property.