Many requests

This is the first of Ben’s many requests for his family to send items from home.  Being away for the first time might have seemed like going off to summer camp for this 18 year old in 1943. His requests through the years change to mainly food items which he shares with his buddies.  Serving in Europe, there was a time when he never changed his clothes for 67 days.  It wasn’t summer camp, but days of war.

Greetings from Camp Croft, South Carolina

July 5, 1943

Pvt Ben Kaplow
35th I.T.B. (Infantry Training Brigade) - Company B - 2nd Platoon

“Dear Folks- 

Send about 10 wooden or wire hangers immediately. Prefer wooden.  Also slippers, & if you can find heavy chain for dog tags, not plastic.  Also handkerchiefs & white underwear, not v-type, like Pop’s.  Will be busy so might not write.  Afraid I will run out of money in few weeks.  Only 20 bucks left.  High prices in P.X. (Post Exchange) on equipment.  Also large white Turkish towels.”