Combat Course

Ben really appreciates the (P.X.) Post Exchange, a store on the base for soldiers.    Among other items he could buy a copy of “Life” magazine which was a very popular magazine filled with photos of the world.  Here he refers to his sister, Ruth, and his brother, Bob, who both work in the family deli store.

September 2, 1943
Camp Croft, South Carolina  
Thursday

Hello Folks,
Well the seventh week is almost over and time passes so quickly we hardly realize we’ve been here almost two months.  It doesn’t seem so long ago that we had our first hike & were so confused by all the commands.  We’re pretty used to all that now.  It’s just monotonous.

Still been shooting this week.  Tuesday it was stationary targets at ranges that we would have to guess at & then set our sights accordingly.  Wednesday was horizontal, climbing, diving, & overhead moving targets.  They’re hard as hell to hit.  Today we went thru a combat course.  That is walking along a path & targets would spring up unexpectedly & we’d shoot in a split second.  Tomorrow night is a little hike & practice in setting up tents in the dark.  That ought to be fun.

The weather here has been decidedly different the past two days.  In fact, it’s actually been cold in the morning.  Even had to sleep under the covers.  Something I haven’t done in a long time.  But we all loved it.  Reminds us of the weather up North. 

Had K.P. yesterday, again.  From 5 A.M. until 9:25 P.M.  I wish I hadn’t had it, not that the work was hard, cause it wasn’t, but because I eat too much.  And I was feeling so good because I lost some weight during range week.  All day long, we were eating strawberry preserve sandwiches. (You may not think it’s much, but it’s a treat to us).  We also had some cantaloupes that the cook gave us.  Besides the ones that we hooked, also hooked a cucumber.  Tasted swell, even without salt.  And being on K.P. we eat first & naturally can have all we want, so we take advantage of the opportunity.  Had macaroni & cheese for supper.  Was very good but not half as good as what Mom makes.  I saved that melon until tonite & went over to the Beer Garden & ate it a la carte.  Yum, Yum.

Say, you can include “Life” in the packages because I don’t always find time to get over to the P.X. before they’re sold out.  But don’t send it until you’re all thru with it, cause I don’t want it for the current news, but just for some interesting picture stories.  I just finished tonite catching up on the newspapers.

So the city waits until I get into the Army before they repair Plymouth Ave.  Dad probably remembers how I used to go home by a different route rather than ride on that noisy street.  Say, Ruth, are you driving yet?  You said you were going to learn again.  What with the pleasure ban lifted, you ought to get plenty of driving in.  Tell Dad that if he doesn’t need the car, too bad, to just ship it down here.  I’ll take care of the rest.  Say, what’s happening with Bob?  Is he going to wait until Ruth takes her vacation or what?

Speaking of vacations.  I’m sure that both Mom & Dad hated to get back to the ?XX?lT blankety blank store after spending such a swell time at Camp Yungvelt.  Well, I’m writing this letter on the steps because lights are out, but before I close, I want to wish Mom & Dad a very happy wedding anniversary.  And I know there will be many more to come.  Even though you’ve had your little quarrels, you’ve stuck together for 28 years.  Well, I guess that’s all for tonite.

Love,
Ben

Guard Duty

Ben is in Camp Croft, South Carolina   He's 18 years old, and began basic training in the middle of June.

July 24, 1943
Thursday

Dear Folks,
Well, we just got finished with another “floor” show & after we clean our rifles, shine our shoes, make our beds, (they were out to air), & take a shower, we can all hit the hay, & are we tired. 

We all had guard duty last night as you undoubtedly know by now.  I was a supernumerary & with another fellow was put in the guardhouse watching the prisoners, letting them in & out to wash, drink, etc.  It was the easiest job on the post because we sat all the time, could go next door to the P.X. (Post Exchange) & get cokes & stuff.  And then just as I was about to be relieved, I was called upon as a super, to walk a kid’s post who had bad feet.  And what a post.  Up & down a hill, up a dirt driveway, down a gravel driveway, up some stairs & up another hill.  And when I got back, I couldn’t sleep on account of the other kids were always getting up to go on their posts.  In fact, the air was so still, none of us got any sleep.  

And what do you think they gave us.  Two more A.S.T.P tests (Army Specialized Training Program) - in Sciences (Biology, chemistry, physics, etc.) & Mathematics.  Oh well, I didn’t want to go to college anyway.  It seems that whenever we take tests in the Army, we’re always tired.  At Camp Upton, when we arrived & the last A.S.T.P. test I was on Kitchen Patrol & got all wet washing dishes ( have to work at high speed) & as a result was squirming all over my seat.   About that bugler.  Is he lousy.  He actually stinks.  One day he was playing retreat & even the officers couldn’t hold back their laughs.  Say, in the next letter, would you mind sending me a list of what I requested.  I’ve forgotten most of the stuff.  And don’t forget to put in that subscription to the Times Union.

Saw “Dixie” last Sunday & there were a couple of scenes in there where we hit the ceiling.  Bing’s wife was pleading to go South & says something to this effect, “The sun will be good for me”!!!!!!  Also in another scene, Bing tells the cast of the show, - “Okay, Take a 10 min break.”  You don’t know how we’re always on the lookout for that message.  You probably don’t get the full effect of those scenes....but we did!  Hope Arnette’s feeling okay & everything is well at home.  Well, I’m sort of in a hurry &  want to get to sleep, so.....

Love, 
Ben