Camp McCoy in the Words of My Uncle

Friday, April 9, 2021

POST EIGHTY-FIVE ( "The Call Home" ) 26 SEPTEMBER 1943

Six Days Before Bugle Call to Leave Camp McCoy

Stationary Used in Today's Letter

September 26, 1943

Sunday Night

8 o'clock

Dearest Mother,

Have just completed calling home. Gee, it seemed good to hear your voice but guess I don't remember much I said. Wish Dad only felt as good as he sounded. Sorry I couldn't talk to Eugene. What time was it when I called? I mean at home. I told you over the phone I'd write everyday so you can check on the dates. I was calling from Service Club number two right near where the group picture of my Battery B was taken.

Mother, I am going to send home my good pen you gave me. Last Friday I dropped it on the floor and bent the point. It doesn't write the same. When I was in Tomah, seeing Marian Saturday night, I got another pen for a dollar. That's what I am writing with now. It will be ok for awhile but as you know the points don't last very long. Send my pen away to the company and have it fixed. I will send a money order for five dollars to cover the cost of all the things I'm behind on. It should cost only about $1.50 or so. Remember it is a Sheaffer Pen. Have a medium point if you can. If not make it next finer. I sent it to La Crosse by Mary. A girl that rooms with Marian but they told her it would have to be sent back to the factory and it would take 8 to 10 days. I haven't the time to wait for it so am sending it home. I'll write letting you know when to send it back. For a dollar this pen doesn't write too bad. It would also make a big difference if someone else was using it.

Maybe when I go back to the barracks to-night I will have more mail. You see I came in at 1645 o'clock or 4:45 as I had to go on detail. You know in the first place I wasn't suppose to be out on pass. As I wrote Saturday, I'd find a way out. Well, my pen did write a little so I had to be sure to be back here on time. What a detail. Had to work at the dances. Stand by the door so the U.S.O. girls could not leave the building. It only lasted from 6 to 8 o'clock. I had a fellow stand by the door while I placed my call as I thought it would take 2 to 3 hours but instead the operator put it right through while I waited. I could here her all the time. Sounded good when I heard her say, "Calling Portland." Then the Portland operator answered, "This is Portland." I was wishing and thinking how I'd like to be able to jump on those wires and be home as quick. Oh, will this thing ever get over with? It cost me 45 cents more to talk over my limit. Wished I'd have talked longer. Money couldn't pay for that few minutes. That was worth more than any present. [He will not speak to his parents again by phone for over 19 months. Only by letters.]

Marian will send a few things home later. Put her picture away if it ever comes home. [If it ever came home. His sisters may have tossed it out with all his personal letters after he died or it never got home.]

Gee, I can't think what to write. I'm still thinking about that call. If I only had that feeling if I wanted to go home I could. It wouldn't be so bad. Being so far away with no chance of coming home makes you feel lost. I sure get lonesome at times but then a letter from Mother and it helps a lot.

That phone call went by too soon. Hope I can sleep to-night.

Here a couple of pictures.

What can I write about? All I'm thinking about is home.

Will have to close for to-night. It has been a wonderful day here. The best we have had for a long time.

Give my love to Dad, Brother and all when you see them. Good night, Mother dear. I'd give a lot to see you. Keep your chin up, Mom.

Love for your Son,

Charles

*September 26, 1943 – Operation Jaywick – Pacific Theater Operation Jaywick was a special operation undertaken in World War II. In September 1943, 14 commandos and sailors from the Allied Z Special Unit raided Japanese shipping in Singapore Harbour, sinking six ships.

Z SPECIAL UNIT

The MV Krait is a wooden-hulled vessel famous for its use

during World War II by the Z Special Unit of Australia

Calling from Camp McCoy Could Take Two Hours

Men of the 2nd Infantry Division

1940-1945 OFFICIAL SPOT

Friday, April 2, 2021

POST EIGHTY-FOUR (A Fox Sends Flowers) 25 SEPTEMBER 1943

HEADING TO CAMP SHANKS IN 7 DAYS

September 25, 1943

Saturday Afternoon

Dear Mother,

Here it is Saturday afternoon and I'm sitting in the corner of my bunk. Most of the boys have taken off for the weekend. I couldn't get a pass as only a few or percentage can go at a time. Nearly every boy wanted to go out this weekend. I may go yet when things quiet down a little. More than one way to get out even if you have to write out your own pass.

Got your letter to-day telling about the sinking sun behind the big tree. Yes, I sure remember that place.

Don't you ever worry about spelling for I could read between the lines even if you left a part of it out.

Ha ha ha said you couldn't tell if the pigs were growing or not. How about the three bears? So everything will be alright if Daddy goes down to see them with you. Thinks a lot about your - your - er - r - r Old Man? Don't blame you, Mom, he's a good egg or scout or any way you put it.

I don't see why someone doesn't drop a line for Grammy York. Hope she's o.k. and I feel her children have used her good and think just as much of her as any of the others.

No, Mom, you didn't tell me about Doris' husband. If he's in the Merchant Marines he sure is making plenty of money. I will say it's a little dangerous. (1 in 26 of Mariners who served aboard merchant ships in World WW II died in the line of duty, suffering a greater percentage of war-related deaths than all other U.S. services.) I bet she has some nice things. You know, Ma, he always spent money on her. I think he'd been OK if she'd been different. I bet June is quite a girl now. It doesn't take many years for them to grow up. Now just listen to this or your Old Maid talk. Where do they live now?

You should have a letter everyday even if it's only a card but I haven't missed a day for more than two weeks. I don't think the mail always leaves on time but you can check the dates.

To-day I also got a couple of papers from home. Maybe later I can find a little more news of home. I read about some people I know that you don't so it helps to add a little more of what's going on at home.

I'm sending Eugene a couple of Camp McCoy papers but don't be mistaken by all the news. As you know they only print the best.

Well, I see the sun is out. Guess I'll look at it before it goes behind the clouds again.

Did Dad get many potatoes this year? About how many cans of things did you put up this year? Have you any wood for this winter? It may be hard to get. I sure hope you have an open winter with little snow or cold weather.

I'm Mad!!! this cold weather have driven the flies inside and they hang around this window in the corner. I don't mind them landing on my face or mouth but when they sh-- in it, I give up. Don't say anything, Mom. I just wrote that for a joke.

Well, I want to wash, shower, and shine up before chow as I may slip out if I can find a way after chow. There goes the sun out of sight. Talking about wash, shower, shave, shine does that make you think? Oh yes, and on top of it all it's Saturday afternoon. (No white shirt here. Oh, for that day.) (Remember in the 1940's both men and women would dress up whenever they went out. They didn't just throw on a pair of jeans and a short sleeve pull over. They might even put on a tie and sports coat.)

Is brother going down to see Grammy to-night. (This would have been his father's mother. She had been married four times. Her first husband died in 1895 after having two boys and a girl. Her last husband died in 1937. She was know as Grammie Mains due to 4th husband. She lived until 1953 at the age of 84.) Tell him the difference between a wolf and a fox is this, a fox sends flowers. Is he able to get any gas now so he can use my car? I hope so.

Don't worry, Mother, everything will be alright. I know you pray every night for me. Anything may happen to change things. Get your rest and don't work too hard. Keep up your courage. To the best Mother in the World.

Love

From Your Son in the U.S. Army

Camp McCoy, Wisconsin

Charles

P. S. Don't forget Dad & Brother.

When you see my Sisters tell

them I always ask for them

and feel I'm part of a family

to be proud of. Charles

^^Sep 24, 1943 Soviet forces reconquers Smolensk a city in western Russia and liberates it Sep 25, 1943.

Battle of Smolensk (1943)

Man and child in Smolensk (1943)

In Conflict and Commerce.

Every Time. Everywhere.

We are the USMMA.

Merchant Marines

Thursday, March 25, 2021

POST EIGHTY-THREE (More Than Military Stuff in Those Back Packs) 24 SEPTEMBER 1943

Eight days before heading to Camp Shanks.

Will leave from there on October 7th for Northern Ireland.

September 24, 1943

Friday

Dear Folks,

Another letter before going to bed. It has rained most all day but has cleared off tonight. Oh yes, it's still cold. You said it, Mom, no matter what you write it's a letter from home.

Now, Mom, don't you wonder and worry too much about me moving as one never knows in this Army what will happen. I know you and all the rest will remember me at all times no matter what comes or wherever I may go.

I got a nice letter from sister, Helen, to-day. She sent me some pictures which were swell. Gee, she and Joe looked swell. I'm going to send them right back to her as she asked me to after I was done with them. I sure enjoyed them.

So you think I've got my Helens mixed up. Ha ha a good joke. Once, Mom, I didn't have to worry about getting my names mixed up. It was one and yes, one and only one. I know we had trouble but I was square. Guess, I'm not the same fellow I was once. I had to reopen an envelope the other night to make sure. I never believed in that stuff once. I know now what it is to have something hang with you. I made a mistake, Mom. I had only one reason to not be sorry. I was coming in the Army. When I left I had a little feeling inside me but it didn't work. I've found that miles are only a matter of distance or space between. Many things I think but have no answer. The hardest thing now is that I don't have you, Mom, to talk to. I can see you now coming down the stairs to meet me as I came home late at night. I couldn't do wrong because I could always see you. I just took my car and rode until late at night trying to forget. Many times I'd see things that hurt. Oh well, it's all over with now so -- ha ha maybe I'll find the answer someday. The big thing now is have this war end. (Some may think this long paragraph has nothing to do about the war. It does have something to do about war. When a man or woman serves their country and has to be deployed, they have more than a filled backpack of military stuff on their backs. They have other burdens on their backs that comes with them. Those burdens can be many possibilities. For my uncle, it is leaving his family and still trying to figure out why a relationship with a young lady hadn't worked out. A relationship where marriage had been a real responsibility. A soldier can't leave their every day normal life behind when they are deployed. This paragraph shows our military need our prayers and thanks because they are all carrying a heavy load. A load including more than a backpack of military gear.)

I liked to have seen the cat in your plant. Of all the places for a bed.

That's o.k. about the shirts. Let Dad or Eugene wear those things I sent in that box too. That's one reason I sent them. He can have those two arrow shirts if he wants them.

Where is Leroy (I believe he is writing about his brother-in-law) going to work? Guess it won't be hard to find a job to-day. He'd better not hang around too long.

Well, Mom dear, guess I'll have to close for to-night. Didn't do a thing all day but, will pay for it. Wish they'd start a little fire to take the dampness out of the barracks. We did do the floor to-day and due to the fact it was raining, the room seems damp tonight. I sleep plenty warm. Keep your chin up, Dad. So long, Brother. I feel o.k. Be good.

Love,

Son Charles

**Fourteen coal miners were killed September 25, 1943, in an explosion at the Moffett Scharaeder mine near Forrestville or Minersville, Pennsylvania. From the Indiana Evening Gazette, Pennsylvania – 14 Dead in Blast at Mine (AP) -- All 14 victims of an explosion which ripped through the fifth level of the Moffett Scharaeder coal mine at nearby Forrestville yesterday were identified by rescue workers today, but ten of the bodies remained in the underground ruins as precautions were taken against a second blast. Richard Maize, State Secretary of Mines said the cause of the blast had not been determined, but he expressed belief methane gas was ignited by a spark from mechanical loading equipment. Grief-stricken friends and relatives huddled near the shaft of the anthracite mine awaited removal of the ten victims still underground. Taken from the pit last night were the bodies of August Fell, Robert Thompson, Steve Keystock and Nicholas Stanko. Still in the fifth level ruins at the time when this was written were the bodies of Andrew Kanykewskie, John Plahn, George Bobrick, Michael Liptok, John Dando, Archie Miller, Robert Edwards, Joseph Blase and John Adams. (One not named.)

**John Anderson replaced the late Kingsley Wood as Chancellor of the Exchequer. The Chancellor of the Exchequer, often abbreviated to the Chancellor, is a high ranking Minister of the Crown within the Government of the United Kingdom, and head of Her or His Majesty's Treasury. As one of the four Great Offices of State, the Chancellor is a senior member of the British Cabinet.

John Anderson,1st Viscount of Waverley

Courtesy Of The Red, White And Blue

(Official Music Video)

Toby Keith

Saturday, March 20, 2021

POST EIGHTY-ONE & TWO ("Grenades, Hiking, Blisters") 22 /23 SEPTEMBER 1943

September 22, 1943

Wednesday

Dear Mother,

Here it is 7:30 pm and dark. I just got down from my bunk. I've been lying up there since chow to-night, about 5:30. Gee, I'm sore all over. We've been throwing hand grenades to-day and ending up with a 15 or 18 mile march. I don't know why it took ahold of me so unless it's because I'm coming down with a little cold. I feel all tired out, my eyes smart, so I guess it's a touch of a cold. I have a small blister on my left foot big toe. Ha! ha! guess that's all wrong with me, but I'm going to take a shower, shave and be in bed just as soon as I can get there. It's been a good day here. A little cool but not like it has been in the pass.

No news here so sometimes it is hard to write but know you you like to hear even if it's just hello - goodbye. May have more to-morrow night.

Mom, I'm going to hit the hay very soon. Give Dad and brother my love. Good night all.

Love

Charles

[While reading what he had been doing during the day, I would have been exhausted and with a blister on every toe.]

September 23, 1943

Thursday night

Dear Mother and All,

Another day gone by and I sure feel a lot better than I did last night when I wrote your letter. Have a little cold but guess it won't amount to very much.

Maybe you're wondering why I am writing with a pencil. This morning I dropped my pen on the floor and bent the point. To-night after chow I took it down to P.X. #1. There's a girl there that knows Marian; she lives in La Crosse. They had no points there but she offered to take it to town and have it fixed in the morning if she can. Now you see why I'm writing in pencil. Sure hope I get it to-morrow as I miss it a lot.

I wrote Helen and Joe a long letter to-day or this morning as I didn't have much to do. Seems to me I'm all caught up on mail now.

Got your letter to-day that you wrote last Saturday. You're right, Mom, some of us are as young as we were two years ago, so I don't know see how you can be. Did you ever stop to think I'm twenty-eight (28) going on twenty-nine (29) years of age. Will be an old man soon.

Do I remember Scottie Grant. He always had a remark to make.

Glad Cora and Mrs. True could come over. Hope they will come often as it will help shorten these long winter nights. I noticed the sun as I went down at five minutes to seven. I was walking down the road alone and as I looked back at the sinking sun it made me think of home, how the sun would go down behind the Pines at the same time making its way down toward the brick chimney to set directly behind it on the shortest day of the year.

No, Mom, don't kick as things could be worse and it won't be long before everything will be alright.

Seems funny why they don't write for Grammy. Guess I told you I sent her a letter with a picture or two. Do they say she is well or what do they write?

Has Lester Rogers gone yet? I know he was suppose to leave about the 20th of September.

Have you heard anymore about Warren? [His cousin]

If you see Mrs. Wilcox tell her I was asking about her and sent my best wishes.

Guess I'll have to say So Long to the three Bears for to-night. Don't worry. Keep that chin up.

Good Night

Mom

Dad

Bro

Love

Charles

^^Sep 21 Soviet 13th/61st Army reconquer Chyernigov, a city in northern Ukraine. In its historic center, Dytynets Park is home to churches like the Troeckiy Cathedral.

^^Sep 21 The Battle of the Dnieper was a military campaign that took place in 1943 on the Eastern Front of World War II. It was one of the largest operations in World War II, involving almost 4,000,000 troops at a time stretched on an 870 mi long front.

CROSSING THE DNIEPER

BATTLE OF THE DNIEPER

^^Sep 22 British dwarf submarines attack Tirpitz and was damaged and subsequently subjected to a series of large-scale air raids. Tirpitz was the second of two Bismarck-class battleships built for Nazi Germany's Kriegsmarine (navy) during World War II. It was sunk 12 Nov 1944.