4/7/45 Saturday
It's been one
full year on this island today (Oh, Brother)
Orientation at 1300 hours. Played
poker, won about seven bucks. Took a shower, shaved, washed items
of clothes, & brushed teeth - all in 20
min.
Wrote a 3-pager to Pugs. Listened
to Hit Parade. No. 1 song, Accentuate the Positive, was sung by
Lawrence Tibbetts & it was murder no end! Sold ½ case of
beer for Four Checks. Hit the hay at lights
out.
4/8/45 Sunday
Went to church &
communion, made Easter duty, last service of Father Neagle.
Rec'd letters from Janie & Marion & 2 from Pugs.
Wrote to Janie & Marion. Had
tough time getting a vehicle from motor pool. Drove down to
hospital to see Bearman, stayed 10 min, returned
to area in time to see movie "And Now
Tomorrow" starring Alan Ladd & Loretta Young. Did some
bookkeeping. Hit the hay just before lights
out.
4/9/45 Monday
Read Time, Look, Pic,
Yank magazines. Forgot Novena & class in practical electricity.
Rec'd letters from Johnny & Pugs. Wrote Pugs a 3-pager.
Drank one beer just before lights out. Insect made noise
like a riveting machine, spent 15 min.
tracking it down with flash-light, threw pest out the door. Hit
the hay no earlier than 2330 hours.
4/10/45Tuesday
Read new Time
magazine. Watched part of basketball game - then the lights
all over the place dimmed out - generator trouble.
Saw movie "Ministry of Fear" with
Ray Milland & Marjorie Reynolds - she sure is a sharp
looker. That's against my motto 'cause I don't go for blondes. Wrote
to Johnny. Hit the hay at 2230.
4/11/45 Wednesday
BUSY DAY - BUSY DAY
Used rake on movie area.
Grenade range - expended but
one, which took up rest of morning. Miller, our driver, nearly got
done away with thru his own carelessness of course. He pulled ring,
released lever, prepared to throw it while it was sizzling. Lucky
for him he didn't hold it long enough to explode.
Socked the
new punching bag till my arms nearly fell off.
Put together the
parts & pieces of a grenade to keep as a
souvenir.
4/11/45
Saw good movie
"Hollywood Canteen" with millions of
stars & Joan Leslie & Bob
Hutton. She's awfully nice-looking -- my
ideal of a girl friend. Was part of
a general discussion session which was held after the movie in the
mess hall. C.O. gave main points on TDRR&R
& rotation. Questions asked were
answered to the best of his ability. My choice was TDRR&R, the
technical army name which in all respects is
just a furlough with immediate
return to same overseas outfit. Hit the hay at 2310
hours.
4/12/45 Thursday
Mess hall
inspected by a General (Gilbreath) was not to his liking. Later,
Bn, C.O. looked it over and also found it the same way. Fixed water
barrels. Sprayed oil to kill grass around our barracks. Went to
movie, saw"Greenwich Village" (Don Ameche - Vivian Blaine),
"The Fighting Lady" story of a carrier narrated by Lt. Bob Taylor,
U.S.N.R. a short on the
birth of a B-29 Superfort. Wrote
3-pager to Pugs. Hit the hay at 2310 hours.
4/13/45 Friday
Last nights movie
took in more than three hours. During the night, a detail worked on
mess hall so it could pass the inspection tomorrow. Col. Trower is
expected to be the inspector. Cleaned our barracks also for the
inspection & we better pass 'cause I
sure don't like working on Sunday.
Punched the bag again till the arms nearly fell off. Finished
Lesson 12 in bkkg. It's ready for mailing. Had a slight
storm, rain came in sudden burst came in
buckets and just sudden it stopped. Wonderful place for fishes in
this place. Saw movie "Mark of the Whistler", Richard Dix. It was sort
of a stinkeroo, just as bad as Lawrence Tibbett's
singing. Wrote a two-pager to Bob's folks in answer to the
letter of theirs that I received today. Have yet to write to the
kid bro.
Hit the hay at 2240 hours.
4/14/45 Saturday
Read "Valley of
Silent Men" novel - pretty good.
Author James Oliver Curwood.
Orientation 1300 hours. Passed inspection.
which is a mystery to me. Paid in
advance for Monday's beer. 6 bucks.
Indulged in poker, came out a
little ahead. Saw movie "Dark Waters" Merle Oberon, Franchot Tone
- Fair. Missed Hit Parade. Listened to records in orderly
room instead. Hit the hay sometime after 2300
hours.
4/15/45 Sunday
Yesterday received
two letters one each from Pugs and Mom. Mom said she mailed radio
& extra tubes to me, April 4. Dick may
go home on leave (I hope so). Went
to church, new priest, Father Kuhn.
Played softball, won 9-8 in extra
inning. I stunk. Had three ice creams
at P.X. Bought two Park lighters.
Indulged in poker, came out a little ahead.
Washed clothes. Didn't shave
'cause my face was a bit sunburned from
this morning's softball game.
Intended to take pictures but time flew too fast. Saw "Winged
Victory" - fair. Should write a letter to Mom & to Pug
but I'm too tired. Hit the hay at 2230
hours.
4/16/45 Monday
Stood memorial
parade in honor of president's death.
Had most of morning off, in which
time I had my picture taken 3 times. Wrote to Dick, to Mom & a
three-pager to Pugs. Had ice cream & cokes at P.X. Missed half
of Novena. Saw movie "Rainbow Island" Dorothy Lamour & Eddie
Bracken - fair. Hit the hay right at lights
out.
4/17/45 Tuesday
Bought four tubes
of Ipana, my favorite tooth paste, yes, yes. Watched basketball
game. Bn won. It's about time the M.P.'s got beat. Saw
movie "One Body Too Many" with Jack Haley, Jean Parker -
fair. Wrote to Frank Powers. Hit the hay at 2130
hours.
4/18/45 Wednesday
For dinner we
fried ourselves a steak with french fried potatoes & onions.
Toasted my bread a bit and everything went swell with the beer I
had stacked away. Didn't get any ice cream -- the line at the
P.X. was from here to Madison Ave. Group was alerted last week,
been packing ever since. Saw movie "I'll Remember April",
Gloria Jean growed-up to nice proportions - fair. Played
pinochle. Hit the hay at 2245 hours.
4/19/45 Thursday
Third time this
week we had fresh sunny-side-up eggs. Had two bits worth of ice
cream & coke. Sprayed oil to kill grass around barracks.
Received letter each from Pugs, Mom, & Treble. Wrote a
three-pager to Pugs. Gave five beers to Joe Bucher for nix on
account of two of his buddies came to see him. Hit the hay no
earlier than 2200 hours.
4/20/45 Friday
Wrote to Trebie. Saw
movie "Keys of the Kingdom" Gregory Peck, Thomas Mitchell. Good,
something on the order of "Going My Way." Had a bull session of
memories on things we remembered most from back home. Hit the hay
at lights out but didn't start chasing forty winks until
about 2340 hours. Two pictures were good from the two rolls that
were taken Sunday & Monday. (Give me
strength)
4/21/45 Saturday
Read
Reader's Digest. Orientation 1300 hours. Played softball
against the officers, trimmed 'em alive. For myself I got one
good double & a fielder's choice. Score 12-2. Washed a
stack of clothes. No movie tonight for a change. Indulged in poker,
was going O.K. till Kraft sat beside me. Then I lost 7 bucks.
Forgot to listen to Hit Parade. Hit the hay at lights
out.
4/22/45 Sunday
Went to church
- 0830. Straightened my junk. Borrowed camera from Biff
because we were doubtful about Bob's. Took pictures, one
whole roll. Wrote to Bob's aunt & uncle in answer to
letters of theirs I received yesterday. Heard Sammy Kayes's
program. Turned in shoes for salvage. Got a serum shot in left arm.
Hit the hay just at lights out.
4/23/45 Monday
4/29/45 Sunday
Co. now packing
boxes. Special details only went out to work. Worked fifteen &
one-half hours on Tuesday. Sprayed D.D.T. on clothes. Bought
turtle-shell necklace for seven bucks - it's for Pugs.
We were all set to move but the ship isn't docked as yet.
Church service was given by a missionary, performed in our chapel.
Been playing poker all along and I either won or came out even.
Hope it continues to my benefit. All during the week we had it
pretty easy - except MON. & Tues. when we tried to get
ready for moving.
4/30/45 Monday
5/6/45 Sunday
Received letters from
Janie, Bob, Moe, Bob's folks and Helen. Answered all except
three of four from Pugs. Turned in roll of film to be developed
next Tuesday. Saw quite a lot of movies - among them "Kismet"
& "Murder My Sweet" - both were good. Received picture
from Sailor Dick - he's changed a bit already. Also got
a letter from Mom. It has to be answered today, Sunday.
Haven't received radio as yet -- but I guess it's due
in this week. Had training lectures all last week with afternoons
off. Calisthenics gave me sore muscles - cadence exercise for
twenty minutes all last week, Due to see "Guest in the House"
tonight. Reveille was changed from 5:30 to 6:30 - good deal.
Movie was changed to "Here Comes the Waves". Golly, that Bing can
sing! Answered Mom's letter.
5/7/45 Monday
Played poker, lost a
few bucks, then won to get back to my original thirty-five. Saw
"Guest In the House" starring Ann Baxter, Ralph Bellamy -
good picture, she did a nice bit of acting. Had more of same stuff
of last week. Forgot to mention we had from seven to ten shots in
the last ten days.
5/9/45 Wednesday
Packed all our
stuff & equipment, emptied the barracks. The band played solid
for us right in front of our company. Went to see three-fourths of
"A Tree Grows in Brooklyn". Then we were called to the company
area. Piled 100 fellows, duffel bags, packs etc. into cattle truck.
Left at nine o'clock, boarded the Bluem Fontaine, a Dutch (?)
ship, at ten.
5/10/45 Thursday
Docked at Tulagi
in the morning. At sea sometime in the
P.M. In the next two weeks we had
air raid drills, exercises, long lines for P.X. & chow &
you had to be a contortionist to find a decent place to park your
carcass. Chow wasn't any too good. The hold was next to hell.
I had five days of K.P. & it was murder.
5/24/45 Thurs.
Docked at Batangas,
P.I. in anchorage. Hit the shore in "Ducks". Flips greeted us with
joy. I caught a blister-rash which caused me a lot of agony. Made
friends with Jon, Mary & Eusabio. Invited to a chicken dinner.
It was good. The first three days we slept in pup tents -
with centipedes crawling over our stomachs. Then we changed to
pyramidals. The first thing I noticed was that most of the kids had
jungle ulcers all over their legs. Then we moved to the Guadalupe
ruins on the outskirts of Manila. It was another hill-camp almost
like Guadalcanal.
6/4/45 to 7/16/45
Stayed in camp most of the time,
saw quite o bit of movies. That lasted about 5 to 6 weeks. Then
Ronnie introduced me to Lydia and you couldn't find me in
camp. Her brother taught me basic tango and rhumba. Rec'd my
radio in good condition. It came 7-7-45 or thereabouts. Also about
this time, I rec'd the photo album from Pugs, filled it with
pictures I had on hand.
8/18/45 Saturday
Went to a dance
with Lydia. She duked-up. Took a picture, it came out dim but
I'm glad even at that. Boy that gal can dance! I'm
still a rookie at it. Took 5 steps in the first tango then
screwed-up.
8/19/45 Sunday
Took pictures of
Makati church & hospital (P.E.C.) & Lydia, Sylvia & the
baby - and Cheetah the monkey. They're half &
half.
Got another cholera shot on Friday
the 24th. We were set on the alert last week -
company worked on crates & boxes. Had our old packs turned in
for new ones. Rec'd letter from a Felix Hall, told me where
Rich was. Sunday 26th saw him on
the battle wagon USS New Jersey. I wasn't kidding when I said
he'd changed.
Monday the 27th
he (Rich) came to see me, said he was leaving tomorrow. Took a ride
with him up to the dock at Jones Bridge. Had ice drinks at the Red
Cross Club. Bought him a ring, then he bought me two rolls of film.
He left for the N.J. at 5. Sure made me feel bad - and
mad.
Took Lydia to show Mon. nite,
forgot the name of the picture.
Turned in my school book on Tues.
Then Ron & I took the long way to camp thru Santa Ana &
Makati. Stopped in at the Busy Bee.
Wednesday 29th
took
Lydia to the movies again, saw "Jr. Miss", a fair picture.
Yesterday I took some swell shots of the country around here.
Turned 'em over to Mike for developing. Wed. Lydia's
bro-in-law, John, was the escort.
Thurs. 30th
invitation
to supper with Johnson, Wilson at Lydia's (Ron couldn't
make it). Fried chicken, lettuce & tomato salad, coffee &
bread, bananas for dessert. It was D-lish!! Lydia had tears in her
eyes. Said goodbye at the B-B. Meny played "Ikon ay akiu" on the
piano, the whole B-B sang it, then Meny burst out in tears. It was
tough saying goodbye to Lydia, Sylvia, Cecile &
John.
Then they came up to see us Fri.
31st, stayed until it started to get dark. Snapped a
picture of Lydia, Syl, Cecile & John, Ron, Wilson, Johnson
& I. I doubt if it's O.K. cause Mike said the film was
terrible. The other roll was black. Lydia was on the verge of tears
again when she gave me some bananas with a note. Went to
Bob's outfit to tell him we're moving but he
wasn't there. Gave Mike 80 pesos for the camera. I hope the
four rolls I have now will turn out to the good or it'll set
me back 20 pesos.
Sept. 1st
'45 Sat.
Moved lock, stock & barrel to Paniqui in the province of
Tarlac. The camp had previously been set up with bamboo floors. We
set our tents up.
In the next three weeks we
didn't do much work. It was more of training, marching, etc.
- and competition sports.
Sun. 9-2-45
Rode back to Guadalupe
with Mackey to pick up our spray cans -- but the main purpose
really was to see the Leono's again. Mackey picked up his
girl in Manila, said he'd pick me up in a few minutes (yes
few minutes). 1-1/2 hrs later I took off to Makati thru Santa Ana,
hitch hiking. Snapped photos of the B-B
personnel
9-7-45 Fri
3-day pass to Manila,
visited Lydia & family, slept there two nights. Lydia got a job
as a clerk at the 22nd replacement Depot. When Lydia
lets her hair down making ready for bed she looks pretty good. From
the way she does the rhumba, I bet she'ld be nice to go to
bed with. One of the guys from the Signal Corps sold me 5 rolls of
Agfa film at 3 pesos a roll -- that was a good deal for
me.
9-1-45 - Mon.
Last night came
back to camp from the 3-day pass. Yesterday, went to church with
Lydia. From this date to Sat. Sept. 15, it was dull. The company
went all out for sports & did good in everything. I'm
still on "M.C." duty. Played Bingo, won a straw hand bag
(Philippine souvenir). Cost me P2.50 to play & the bag cost
P2.50.
Amateur program, Thurs., was won by
Clem. He was half stewed & played it up on the
stage.
9-15-45 Sat.
Battalion dance.
[portion of page excised] Flips, thank the good
Lord.
9-16-45 Sun.
Went to Tarlac to get
some prints & to have another roll developed. Roberts was with
me. We saw Josephine another sweet & shapely kid, just 22 yrs
old. Took a picture of her. [comment xxx]
9-17-45 Mon.
Was another dull day.
Played Bingo again - won one bottle of ink & a blitz
cloth. All prizes were purchased thru the company
fund.
9-18-45 Tues.
The company got 2
days off for winning most of the games in the sports program of
last week. We could have a 2-day pass either to Manila or to Baguio
or stay in camp. Naturally I went to Manila. Again slept at
Lydia's house. Nothing of importance
happened.
9-19-45 Wed.
Our passes were due to
end at 0800 Thurs., so we met at the old motor pool. Sat in the
weapons carrier that brought us up to Manila, waiting for the
driver. The other trucks took off & then we found out that the
W.C. had been salvaged. Was to stay at the 353rd but
changed our mind & started hitch-hiking back to camp at 2200.
Younce, Tasky, Brogan, Tumillo & myself went thru Manila at
2310. Caught a ride halfway up to Paniqui. At 0030 we then caught a
ride in a long empty semi that took us to Tarlac Red Cross. Had
coffee & hot do-nuts. Hit camp about 0230, listened to 5
innings of game No. 1 of the World Series between the Cubs &
Tigers. It was a short-wave broadcast and the Cubs won that game. I
may be a little mixed-up in the dates but at least I remember what
was what.
9-20-45 Thurs.
Rec'd a letter from Lydia.
9-23-45 Sun.
Invitation by Marcus
& wife to a chicken dinner with pans it, sunnyside-up eggs,
& fried fish. Made a hog of myself. Took pics of them &
Clarine. The pics developed swell. The rest of the week up to
Friday 28th was nothing exceptional. We're not
doing so good in sports, lost some of the games by forfeit -- on
account of that free two-day pass (give me
strength).
9-29-45 Sat.
Took an over night
pass to Manila - naturally to see the Leano's again.
Little Cecile is beginning to know me more & more. It's a
shame she has to be covered with tropical ulcers - or is it
tropical ulcers? Looks just like the blister rash I had at
Batangas. Besides that she had the worst cough I ever heard, poor
kid. Headed back to Paniqui about 1600 hours Sun. 3oth,
reached camp about 2000, good connections all the
way.
10-1-45 Mon.
Received pay, all of
56 pesos, 80 centavos equal to $28.90. The rest of the week was
another unexceptional period.
10-6-45 Sat.
Another overnight pass
to Manila, stayed at Lydia's again, & stretched the pass
three more days (AWOL). Bought 13 rolls of Agfa from Sig. Corps
guy. Returned to camp Wed. 10th the boys covered for me
& the C.O. didn't know I was gone.
10-13-45 Sat.
I was a substitute
for Yaeger in softball game, at bat once & hit, percentage
1.000 for that game.
10-15- Mon.
Played bingo.
19-16 Tues.
at 2000 hours we pulled
down the mess hall, shower & day room.
10-17 Wed.
Moved to White Beach APO
70. Visited the town of Dagupau thrice, had films developed. Trip
to Paniqui, saw Nina the singer, took pic of Marcellus & wife
& Francine. Promoted to T/5 23rd Oct. Guard only
25th. C.Q. 27th. "70-pointers" left for
37th Div.
11-5-45 Mon.
Snapped 2 trick
pictures with flash bulbs. One in our tent, one in the orderly
room. The first one may be good -- & it's a doubtful No. 2.
11-6-45 Tues
Tents went down. And I
mean they went down fast! Took a picture of Mary. Nice girl, the
one I wouldn't mind going back to - if I were going
back to the Philippines. Also took a picture of the Piper Cub that
crash-landed near our area. Moved off to the beach about 1730. We
called on detail to lash & chain down the vehicles on LST-1122.
Worked till 2230. Snapped 2 pictures previous to the
work.
11-7-45 Wed.
Nice & bright day.
Used sun glasses as a filter to snap a pic of the shore line from
our L.S.T. Shoved off about 2000 hours. A convoy of eleven
LST's & a small lead ship. Saw a movie on board ship. "A
Night of Adventure" - Tom Conway - was previously seen
on the 'Canal. Yesterday received ration of cigs, got a
screwin', was handed a carton of
Raleigh's.
11-8-45 Thurs.
Snapped pictures of
the ships ahead of ours. They may turnout too small. Surprise is on
me to see the good chow they give us. It's swell compared to
the other ships & trips.
11-9-45 Fri.
Slapped on guard duty,
4 hours on, 8 off, for the next two days. Played knock poker &
won 4 pesos. Played Monopoly and won that too. Movie "Johnny Come
Lately" James Cagney. It was swell!
11-10-45 Sat.
Nothing exceptional
has happened. The two lines of ships turned out to avoid a floating
mine, said mine was reported to be between the two lines of ships.
But I didn't see it. One hour before darkness the ships swept
to their original positions. Had an "abandon ship drill" while I
was on tour of guard duty. I held my post - General Order No.
5 for guards states: To leave my post only when properly
relieved.
11-11-45 Sun.
Indulged in Gin Rummy
just to pass the time. Pretty good game. Pretty good game.
It's the game all Hollywood is raving about. And I see why
they're raving about it. Movie "Swing Time Johnny" previously
seen at the 'Canal. I stayed for half of its showing. Andrew
Sisters were in it. Ships slipped into single file, straits ahead.
We rocked & rolled like a storm tossed row
boat.
11-12-45 Mon.
Played Gin Runny
again - and I am going nuts over it & because of it.
Passed Okinawa 0400. Sighted the Ryukyus Islands 0730. The ship
stopped rocking. It was a beautiful sunrise. The ships went to
their original double file at 1130. The weather turned to a deep
autumn cold. Been a long time since I felt this kind of weather.
Movie "The Heat's On", Mae West, Victor Mature. It stunk. Mae
cracked the corniest jokes ever heard. She must've got into
the movies by proxy or by mistaken identity.
11-13-45 Tues.
Ship had the rocks
& rolls last night & its still with us today. Its another
chilly day -- & very invigorating, yes, yes. Gin Rummy again
(what else is there to do). Wright & I vs. Bearman &
Cieplinski -- trimmed their pants to a royal blue. The ships formed
a single file again. The sea has quited somewhat. Line was formed
about 1700 hours. Movie "Ministry of Fear", Ray Milland, Marjorie
Reynolds. O.K., was previously seen on the
"Canal.
11-14-45 Wed.
Got colder again.
Land sighted on starboard (right) side. We now have land on both
sides of us. And the ships are still in single file. Packed my
stuff, ready for disembarking. Gin Rummy again - (still what
else is there to do). Anchorage in Kyushu harbor. Weather is
wonderful. Er - maybe its Nagasaki Harbor near Kyushu. Movie
:Swing Fever" Marilyn Maxwell, Kay Kyser.
11-15-45 Thurs.
A beautiful morning
-- compared to last nights drizzle. Snapped pictures of the harbor.
Docked, onloaded vehicles. Cleaned & swept the tank deck at
2000 hours. Played Gin Rummy. Hit the sack at
200.
11-16-45 Fri.
Reveille at 0445.
Breakfast at 0500. Piled into trucks at 0615. Boarded train at
0800. On our way at 0825. Its nothing but hills and mountains --
& cold. Left the train at 1210 hours, at Zasshonokuma, boarded
trucks & rode to a Japanese aircraft factory - empty long
& wide buildings -- & lots of 'em. This is better
than pup tents & sleeping in mud. Moved around, picked up a few
odds & ends for souvenirs. Kitchen was quickly set up & we
had hot coffee for supper. Was amazed to learn that toilets were
used by both sexes. And what stinkin' holes the toilets are
- nothing but oblong holes in the ground with concrete around
'em & fairly good constructed shacks over 'em.
Issued extra blanket. Slept a 10:35
o'clock.
11-17-45 Sat.
Almost froze to death
over the night, really cold. Went roving again. Picked up a Jap
micrometer. Its in half & half shape. Ciep picked up one that
was almost brand new. Got my mattresses -- they were wet -- &
my box & bag. Also got Ciep's stuff for him. Was issued a
second blanket, makes a total of four, we'll need 'em.
Spent most of afternoon drying the one
mattress.
11-18-45 Sun.
Detail getting 90
drums for battalion use. Mass at 11 o'clock. It's a
nice chapel, reconverted from a Jap building. Yesterday I wrote
three letters before going to bed. One letter each to Pugs, Mom
& Dolly. Was issued a sleeping bag. Eisenhower jacket, OD field
cap & suspenders for foul weather clothes. Found an item to
fire-up to keep warm. Ciep helped me bring it
in.
11-19-45 Mon.
Our detail got the day off.
With Osowski's help, I washed 17 items of clothing. Took a
cold shower -- & the water got colder every time I stepped into
it. Then I noticed a queer looking red rash on my legs. Saw movie
"Without Love", Spencer Tracy, Kathryn Hepburn. Issued a ration of
cigs.
11-20-45 Tues.
No work for me
again. Read a book, played with Cheetah, the monkey, got her mad at
me. Received ration of beer which was yesterday - 7 bottles
of Jap beer & 12 cans of Pfeifers. Monkey was freezing. I found
her when I went out to brush my teeth. Brought her to the fire.
She's on a truce with me.
11-21-45 Wed.
Cheetah slept all
night with me. She's a pretty good sleeper, too. Sobeck &
I, a detail of 2, fixed the mess counters. My bed & equipment
was moved twice during the day. Partitions are being put up to cut
the building into respective company areas. Rec'd 3 letters,
2 from Rich, one from the Sobezyk's. Wrote 3-pager to Rich.
Rec'd also a package from Treble -- it was a wonderful
pkg.
11-22-45 Thurs.
Thanksgiving Day.
Cheetah slept with me again. Forgot about church this morning. Had
fresh eggs for breakfast. Weather - warmer. Guard duty
- prisoner - cold at 2:00 - off at 2200. Issued
OD's, got a fit. Hope to get just as good a fit in the darker
color.
11-23-45 Fri.
Guarding prisoner
from 0600 to 1000. Was cold again. Went to town of Fukuoka. Took
two pictures, otherwise the town holds nothing much of interest.
Need an interpreter to talk to the people. Wrote 2-pager to Treble
thanked her for the package.
11-24-40 Sat
Movie. 'Blonde
Fever' a fair picture.
11-25-45 Sun.
Church - 11
o.clock, Day off for the entire company. Sewed stripes, wreath
& overseas bars on the Eisenhower jacket. Set up the G.I. store
'cause no one else would do it.
11-26-45 Mon.
Detail -
Battalion dispatch office making bins for parts. Movie -
forgot the name. Clark Gable, Lana Turner - an old picture --
good - was previously seen by me in the States. "Blues in the
Night" also - a fair movie. Wrote 2-pager to Frank.
Rec'd letter from Lydia. It was mailed a month ago. Fast
service, eh what? Bought a Jap naval flag from a Jap woman for 3
packs of weeds.
11-27-45 Tues.
Some detail. Movie
- don't know the name, starred John Wayne, Jean Arthur,
two of my favorites. Wrote a 2-pager to Lydia. Received 4 letters,
Dick, Bob's folks, Treble, & Helen.
11-28-45 Wed.
Detail called off.
Line Co's no longer work for H&S Co. No detail for me.
Wrote 3-pager to Rich. Sent laundry, 33 yen 90 sen amounts to $3.21
for 34 pieces. Cheap compared to Luzon.
11-29-45 Thurs.
Didn't go to
the movies for a change. Played Pinochle, won a few yen & sen.
Rec'd Mom's package with the "polish-pop" in it.
Rec'd an influenza shot. Had the shivers. I think it was the
affect of the shot. Most of the company has been partitioned --
& its still cold.
12-2-45 Sun.
Missed church. Slept
till 11:15 of the morning. Made a few yen sewing stripes for
Butscher. Had most of the fellows sign their names on the Jap flag
in indelible pencil. This is the best souvenir yet. Helped clean
the stove pipes.
12-3-45 Mon.
The rest of the guys
signed their names to the flag. In the middle of this, the orders
came thru stating that 65-67 pointers would leave for replacement
center Wed. The place then became a mad-house -place being
the company area - as a matter of fact it could be the
battalion area.
12-4-45 Tues.
Turned in most of our
excess equipment. I bought a roll of silk for 1 carton of "nails",
some candy & gum & 300 yen. It amounted to $21.50.
Otherwise, straight cash would have set me back $40. This was a
good deal. Osowski took the mail clerk pot left open by Moffat.
Ciep & I cleaned the stove pipes again. I gave most of my stuff
to Ciep.
12-5-45 Wed.
High pointers (me,
too) left the company at 1:30. With the replacers coming in, the
area looked very busy. Reached Fukuoka depot at 2:00. Snapped a
picture. Boarded the train at 2:15, Left the station at 3:00. Boy!
was the train crowded. Had meals of 10-in-1 rations. Kelly said
sold stuff to the Japs at each stop - made a damn good profit
on it, too.
12-6-45 Thurs.
Still riding. What a
cold night it was, too. I dozed in small minutes like a sick dog.
Left the train at Okazaki depot, 25 miles from Nagoya, after a
23-hour train ride. Snapped a picture. Boarded a truck & headed
for 11th R.C. Had coffee at Red Cross. Lined up to have
our papers checked & to find out what camp we're headed
for. Am in 491st, K Company. Hit the sack at midnight.
What a long day that was.
12-7-45 Fri.
Awoke in middle of
morning to put more stuff on myself because it was so cold. Slept
till 9:00. Roll call was held at that time - as if any one
would go AWOL!! Had our Jap stuff looked over. Got rid of more
stuff. Saw Walker. He's been here since Monday. The movie at
the "Palace" was previously seen on the trip from the Philippines.
Have to walk almost a half mile for chow. The mess hall feeds a lot
of guys in an hour.
12-8-45 Sat.
Slept till 9 again.
Walked to the Red Cross for coffee & donuts. Played pinochle,
pay-day stakes, won $2.55.
12-9-45 Sun.
Slept late again. Went
to church. Walked to the Red Cross Club for "java and" again. While
there I defeated Victor in checkers one game. The first game was a
draw, To the Red Cross in the afternoon. Played the "Big-Pole" five
games of ping-pong, I won four out of five. Should've done
that against Wallaby in the battalion tournament on White Beach.
Yesterday I wrote 6 letters to tell them I'm coming. One each
to Mom, Pugs, Bob's folks, Rich, Ciep & Ida. Mailed them
today. Will see how many days difference there will be between the
time they're received & the time I reach home. Forgot
about church yesterday - Feast of Immaculate
Conception.
12-10-45 Mon.
Almost froze during
the night. Helminski left so there goes my pinochle winnings. Got
up for chow for a change. Had money converted to U.S. currency
Rhodes, Hoffman, & Nirgiotis. Meanwhile some more of the boys
left for their ships. Seems this R.C. is cleaning out the east
coast guys. Orders for Camp Grant were out at 1930 hours. Most of
the Chicago boys were on it. Don't know what time we are
scheduled to leave.
12-11-45 Tues.
At 2 in the A.M. we
fell out for short arm & to get a "K" ration. The time of
leaving for the ship was put at 9 A.M. I went back to bed, slept 4
more hours, got up for chow, ate. packed my bags & made ready
for the trip. Took a picture, also. A large amount of men,
including the Camp Granters fell out at 9:30 A.M. Boarded trucks
that took us to Okazaki depot. 15 hr. ride to Nagoya, one mile walk
to the docks, filed into LCT's by roster order and set away
to the SS Lurline, a luxury liner. Man it surprised me no end to
find myself on such a ship. Boarded the ship at 5:30 P.M. & ate
a good supper at 7:45. Found myself in a compartment with 11 other
guys - 4 Jews, 3 Niggers, a Polack & who knows what else.
Hit the sack about 9:30 being very tired.
12-12-45 Wednesday to 12-14-45 Friday
Knock on door awoke me for breakfast. The knocker was a
marine Sgt. Never thought this would happen. This evening, the
entire day of the 13th & the morning of the
14th I worked in the galley on re-fills. We shoved off
at 10 A.M. of the 12th. Passed a Liberty ship the P.M.
of the 14th. On the first shift of K.P. I ate 9
ice-creams. The 2nd shift I had 5 more. Man, I could eat
a dozen with each evenings servings
12-15-45 Sat.
Have the entire day
to myself. Had yesterday P.M. off & tomorrow, too - in
the A.M. Taught the Polack gin rummy. If it were taken from a money
angle he'ld owe me 48¢. I think the teacher needs a few
lessons.
12-16-45 Sun
Went to church,
showered, shaved & am now back on K.P. for another 4-meal
stretch. One of the ships crew told us we would stay over in
Seattle from 3 to 10 days. Ye gads, give me strength. Didn't
do much K.P. Sun. eve. - about one hour. Went to play
pinochle instead, won about 4 bucks. Bought a Schick Injector Razor
w/blades 2 ctns cigs, Dr. Lyons tooth powder & a deck of cards.
The pinochle winnings paid for these items. Did K.P. the
17th & the a.m. of the 17th. Ate ice
cream till my ears overflowed. Played pinochle again, won $1.60. We
passed a couple ships besides two LST's. Read three books.
Was relieved of K.P. - good deal! If I stayed on any longer,
I'ld surely be a fat man when I got off the boat. Bought
another Schick razor, may give it to someone as a present. We had
two Mondays due to the crossing of the 180th
meridian.
Sat. 12-22-45
Its G.I. day (?)
- cleaning up the entire ship by the troops. Expect to enter
Puget Sound this evening or during the morning. Destination is now
Tacoma, 29 mi S of Seattle. We're to get a pre-Christmas
dinner today . . . w/the works.
The name of the camp in Tacoma
escapes me. A number of days was spent getting examinations and
turning in excess clothes. The upper echelon tried to total the
amount of money each GI would and should receive on discharge. The
exact date of boarding a train heading east escapes me, also. But
on that date, they had us turn in everything, right down to the
barest necessity. In the process, I had set a small box with my
medals, pictures, letters etc aside - and forgot them!! Most
of the process was handled by German prisoners-of-war. Who knows
what happened to the box. There were two Jap micrometers in that
box, also.
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