Dear Ma, Pa, Barb, Ann, Ele, Letter No. 11

Pvt. Anthony J. Curcio Date 1-31-43
Flight "F" 360th Tech. Sch. Sqd. Letter No. 11
Jefferson Barracks, MO.

Dear Ma, Pa, Barb, Ann, Ele,

The weather up here is pretty nice. It isn't so cold & if it is cold you don't feel it because the air is dry. In the afternoon, if the sun is out it's just like a spring day.
No matter what we do here or where we [go] we always have to fall in and we march in formation. It's part of their basic training to keep you in shape.
Friday night we took showers & washed our clothes.
Sat. we were awaken[ed] at 4:30 had to fall out in 15 minutes, we were given ten minutes to go to the latrine, went to chow & direct from chow we had to walk about 2 miles to the theatre to see the picture on the projector of disease again. We saw it at Camp Upton but some saw it here & some didn't so we all had to see it over again. Then we were given a speech by the chaplain. Then we had to walk back. In the afternoon after chow we had to walk there again & was given the articles of war & a picture of march of time. Then we had to walk back again. Boy my feet are starting to hurt. I feel it in the heels.
Boy what a break we got. In the night the U.S.O. sponsored a play in the tent arena. Guess what it was. It was "Arsenic and Old Lace." Boy it was good. But I was kind of tired. I just fell asleep when I hit the bed. (Program enclosed)
I figured we would be off on Sunday but we had to move to new huts. I'm glad we did. It's nearer to the mess hall. We have 8 in a hut instead of 6. We don't have cots anymore, but double decker beds. (I sleep on the bottom). We also got foot lockers to put our stuff in. Boy it feels good to have your stuff in order. It took us all morning to move because it was raining cats & dogs. In the afternoon we had to work. We had to take the foot lockers out of old huts and bring them to ours. More walking. I guess I will break them in after awhile.
So here it is Sunday night the first time I had to write since I last wrote.
I got a little leaflet on the history & map of Jefferson Barracks. It's quite interesting.
I also include an emblem we wear on our arm. It's for ma. It's the air corps insignia.
Say ma, ma[y]be you would like to come out here for a couple of days? We have a place here where visitors stay. It would be about a 24 hours trip by Grand Central R.R. I don't know it may be kind of tiresome for you, but I certainly would like to see you ma. It's been very lonely. Think it over ma.
I think I will turn in early tonight because we will be given [a] test tomorrow so that we can be classified in certain branches of the air corps. So so long for awhile. Hope you all are still in the best of health & ma let me know what's what with examination. I'm positive it's O.K.

Your Loving Soldier Boy,
Tony

P.S. I didn't receive any mail here yet. Some mail was forwarded from Camp Upton but none for me. It will probably come tomorrow.

Dear Mom, Pa, Barb, Ann, Ele, Letter No. 10

Pvt. Anthony J. Curcio 1-29-43
Flight "F" 360th Tech. Sch. Sqd. Letter No. 10
Jefferson Barracks, MO

Dear Mom, Pa, Barb, Ann, Ele,

Well here I am reporting from Jefferson Barracks, I'm in the air corps, that's official now. But I do feel a little lonely way out here, about a 1,000 miles from New York.
As soon as we came in to the camp we had to march and keep in order. Hats on all times, O.D.'s on at all [times] unless specified, buttons buttoned at all times, your flight cap 1" over your right eye, shoes always shined, etc. They have a system here at least. You don't have to wait very long for chow. And here the chow is good. You really can look forward to eating. But of course it still doesn't compare to home. When we got up for breakfast this morning at 5:30 we had oatmeal, potatoes, sausages, 2 bottles of milk, 2 slices of bread & butter, 1 cup of coffee, 1 cupcake, 1 tangerine. For dinner we had 2 pork chops, mashed potatoes, lima beans, bread & butter, coffee, (plenty of sugar on the table, how is the rationing at home?), I piece of cherry pie, ice cream, & tangerine. What ever you can't get [at] home we have here.
Yesterday afternoon after I wrote the letter #9, we had to go to get our teeth examined. Of course we don't know if anything is wrong. What sort of an exam it was we don't know. In the night after chow we went to wash our clothes in the latrine. Boy what a job, especially when you don't have any hot water. But they usually do have hot water, something must have gone wrong. Boy now I know what ma has to go through when ma washes the clothes. It's no joke. It's something more kids home should do. Wash & take care of your own clothes.
Well this morning when I got up I was pretty tired, but once you wake up it's OK. We were taken on to the drill field & taught different things & taking order. How to salute & different things we should take heed to. Boy he was a nice drill sargent, you couldn't help but give him good results. We also had calisthenics. We drilled from 8 to 11:30. Boy I was tired after that. But I'm getting used to it. The sarge told us that we get 7 days of processing today being the 3rd. After that we get 18 days of drill & etc. called basic training. During the 7 day processing we will get tests & interviews, so that we can be classified and placed in the air corps. I hope I can be sent to school.
Ma after chow we were given time out to get hair cuts. Well you know what that means Ma. All off. But ma I don't look so bad. In fact it looks pretty good. It was really a measure anyway. I'll enclose some so you can see how much they cut off. It costs me 35 cents. After I got my haircut I came right down to the day club. Which is a little barrack where you can write letters & play games, etc. There are 6 fellows in my hut, which I told you all in the last letter & they are pretty nice fellows. One is a married man and he is also a very nice man.
Say ma, I just recalled you had to report the 27 for the examination. It was perfect results, wasn't it? Let me know right away. Send me the dope on calling up Barb at the office & if I get a chance during the day I'll call up. If you could send a shoe polishing kit it would be swell. Well I guess that's all for [now]. From your loving soldier boy reporting from the air corps.

Tony

I would send airmail but I can't get stamps as yet.
I will also include the scapular I left out of the other one. Please show it to Grandma. I put the stamp on I got from one of the fellows. I thought it was a bit heavy and I didn't want them to return it.

Dear Mom, Pa, Barb, Ann, Ele, Letter No. 9

Pvt. Anthony J. Curcio 1-28-43
Flight "F" 360th Tech. Sch. Sqd. Letter No. 9
Jefferson Barracks, MO

Dear Mom, Pa, Barb, Ann, Ele,

Well here I am in Jefferson Barracks, Missouri, 14 miles south of St. Louis. We left Camp Upton at 11 o'clock Tuesday morning. We left in R.R. cars & the seats were able to be converted into births. It was the Pennsylvania R.R. Our first stop was Philadelphia, after passing through L.I., N.J., at 4:25 PM. From there we went to Harrisburg, PA, Altuna, and Pittsburgh during the night. All during the night we went through Ohio making stops at Columbus. During Wed. we hit Richmond, Ind. & at 9:30 we hit Indianapolis. From there we went straight thru to St. Louis to Jefferson Barracks.
We finally found out we were in the air corps. as you can tell by the address. After all the riffing we do about people coming from Missouri & here I am in MO myself. This place is very cold but the only place I feel it is in my feet & when I got up this morning. The air down here is dry & I don't feel it on my face, it just penetrates through the feet. We live in barracks or shall I call them huts. Wood frame with a small stove in the center. There are 6 in each hut. Our trip from Camp Upton was a bit tiresome & we didn't see much scenery because the windows were dirty & the steam from the locomotive blew right in front of our window. The food on the train was awful but the food here at the camp is swell. When we got here we were assigned to our huts & then we had chow. The dishes & silverware were immaculate compared to C.U. [Camp Upton]. After chow we went to get our bedding which consisted of 2 woolen blankets, 1 quilt, 2 sheets, 1 pillow case. We needed them all. The country around here is very hilly. After we got our bedding we went to the U.S.O. to send the telegrams. I sent one to you mom & one to Elfrieda. I sent them overnight because I didn't want to scare you. It would have probably came during the night. There is a lot of colored fellows here & are separated from us partly. They have a separate routine down here. The southern officers have a prejudice here against them. I really don't like the officers down here they seem to think they're a bit better than we are from N.Y. I don't know. But it is sure hard to understand them with their accent. This morning we were awaken about 5:30.
I slept fairly well. Then we had chow. When we came back we were shown how to make our beds. Boy what a screwy way. You have to break up the entire bed. Take the slip off the mattress & off the pillow. Fold your blankets, fold the quilt (in a certain way) fold your mattress. Where as in Upton we just had to straighten our fed and we were OK. Well we all do what we are told & we will keep our noses clean. I hope I like it here. He said we will stay here from 3 weeks to 2 months. So ma could you please send me a sleeveless sweater & some stationary (The stuff I got printed) say about 2 dozen sheets & envelopes & a few packs of cigarettes. Thanks ma. I would buy the stuff here but my money is running low. Sometimes we buy crackers & coffee & cards & etc. Besides I would feel much better if I did receive a package from home. Ma[y]be you can get a couple milky ways?

Love,
Tony

P.S. Did you get my telegram the first thing there mom? Please read this letter to grandma. I may not get a chance to write to grandma for a couple days so please read this to her. Will write again as soon as I get my first free moment. Be sure to put 360th in the address.

Dear Mom, Pa, Barb, Ann, Ele, Grandma & Aunt Anna, Letter No. 8

Pvt. Anthony J. Curcio 1-26-43
4th Receiving Co. Barrack Z Letter No. 8
Camp Upton, NY

Dear Mom, Pa, Barb, Ann, Ele, Grandma & Aunt Anna,

It was an afterthought to include Grandma & Aunt Anna because I didn't think I should send a letter to Grandma telling her that I was going to be shipped. Was I right?
I [am] leaving sometime today, when or where I don't know. But I do know that at my first opportunity I will write. You all will probably not hear from me for a few days. But don't worry. I can take care of my self, especially after the bringing up I had & the things I was taught by mom.
Boy it feels kind of funny. It's the first time I will be going to a different state. Well that's the way it goes. Now don't worry & all take care of yourselves & say a prayer it will be someplace close. So long for awhile

Your Loving Soldier Boy,
Tony

Dear Ma, Pa, Barb, Ann, Ele, Letter No. 7

Pvt. Anthony J. Curcio 1-25-43
4th Receiving Co. Barrack Z Letter No. 7
Camp Upton, NY Rec'd 3

Dear Ma, Pa, Barb, Ann, Ele,

I received your letter along with one from Ele, I was so glad to get the mail, I just couldn't wait to open it. (I got them last night).
Mon. morning we got another shot in the arm. We will get them every week now. Your arm gets a bit stiff after awhile but I'm getting used to it & it doesn't bother me any more.
Boy that's certainly a thrill getting my name on the plaque. I'll feel proud to see it on my furlough.
Last night I went to bed about 7:30, I was a bit tired.
We didn't get anymore K.P. yet. I think once you serve it here you don't get it anymore.
I don't fell so bad ma. Last night I didn't sleep very good but I generally do. I dreamed I got a pass. So sometimes dreams come true ma.
As for Albert listening to radio. Ma you can listen to Australia can't you? Just put on short wave. I believe it's listed on our radio. They probably have the same thing there. Just vise versa. We have on our radio Australia, they have on their radio U.S.
Just now ma it's 2:50 and we are being called out. We have to get dressed in our O.D.'s with our field jackets on & our leggings on. Boy what a laugh, half of fellas couldn't get their leggings on right. I got mine on backwards. But it was all right. Boy ma I don't look so bad. It feels pretty good all dressed up. We had to go out & we were given drill for about 1 hr. Boy it was swell. It put a little spirit back in you. It's not regular drill but they do it every time one of the generals come around. That's the best thing that happened to me since I came here. I think I'll make out pretty good when I get to a permanent camp.
I didn't get any mail today. I guess it will come in tomorrow.
Today I saluted a captain & a lieutenant. It wasn't so good but when I get more complete instructions I guess it will be very impressive.
I think I will wash to right before I go to bed, I mean clothes.
Well I think that's all for now ma. I would have finished this afternoon but the drill came through & I'm glad it did, because it was interesting. Well so long for awhile. I hope you feel OK ma, & I hope everybody is OK to[o].

Remaining
Your Loving Soldier Boy,
Tony

Dear Mom, Pa Barb, Ann, Ele, Letter No. 6

Pvt. Anthony J. Curcio 1-24-43
4th Receiving Co. Barrack Z Letter No. 6
Camp Upton, NY Rec'd #2

Dear Mom, Pa, Barb, Ann, Ele,
I received your letter at 4:30 again and I was so happy. I also received on from Grandma & Aunt Anna.
You say the kids say that you ask me a lot of questions. Well ma here's my answer. I try to write as much as possible to give you an idea of what camp is like & how I feel about army life, but there are always some things which slip my mind or never even occur to me. So if you want to ask me any ques. it's OK. In fact the more ques. the better, then I can get more of an idea of writing interesting letters. Isn't that right ma?
I'll admit of course that ma[y]be my letters aren't to[o] interesting now. But once I get to a permanent camp things will start to happen. I will get drill, and learn things, then I assure you better & interesting letters. As I said before this is a camp where they try to place you in the place where you'll be most fitted for. In the meantime they give you something to do to keep you busy, so that you won't be idle. So they give you details to do, some you just sit around, some you have to do a little manual labor. In fact no matter what you do here [it] makes no bit of difference because there are only buck privates who are just like one of us to tell us what to do. I'm getting used to this now and it isn't so bad. In fact when I get to my permanent camp I really think I will like it except that I am away from home. I guess it's much harder for all you at home, because when I get to any other camp they will keep me busy. But I will never forget my home, and all those I love, that's one thing I can always dream of an hope I can resume in a very short time. Having a good home like I have and receiving letters from home will make me one stp better than the rest of the soldiers. That's a medal I will have pinned inside of me all the time even tho I don't have a couple of stripes on my arms or the power to tell others what to do. The more dreams I have & the more letters I receive the medal will increase in morale, courage and all the other qualities that make a good soldier.
It takes the army to make one appreciate the comfort and pleasures of home.
Ann thinks a log for giving the scarf to Dot. It was really swell. I don't think a family can get along without a kindhearted person as yourself. Ma[y]be we did bicker once in a while, but I guess you really appreciate the things you did,, once you're in the service.
It's too bad [you] all didn't receive the package. But I guess he will get it when things calm down.
I will certainly look forward to see you if I do get to a near camp. Ma[y]be you call can come out & see me, including Elfrieda. Boy if you all could come out that would be some treat.
The stamp on the envelope make me feel like somebody. I bet they do rush it to[o]. Right.
To take up where I left off in the last letter; On Sat. I got a detail at one of the warehouses, from 9:30 to 11:00 we listened to the radio. There was really nothing to do so the sarg. left on the radio so we could enjoy ourselves. That was the first time I heard a radio since I got here. Although they have got a jukebox at the P.X. But it's too crowded there you really don't get a chance to stand still and listen to it. But I really don't mind.
In the afternoon we got a detail sweeping around the coal boxes. That took us about an hr. Then we went to the barracks & rested.
Sun., today, there was another shipping list but I still wasn't on it. The sarg. said we could go to church so I went to 8:30 mass. Boy was is jammed. Upon leaving the chuch we all go[t] a a scapular to protect us. I will enclose it so you can see it, then you can send it back to me. I had the rest of the morning off. In the afternoon I watched the barrack and that is where I am writing this letter.
Boy there is certainly a change in temperature out here. First when we came here it was muddy, then the mud froze. Then it snowed. & today it's so warm out you can go out without your coat. But I won't ma. That's one thing I learned at home.
I hope Ele came over Sunday (today). I only got one letter from her so far I guess she thought I would be shipped. If you get a chance to call her it would be swell. Do you have any trouble calling here? The number is WA5-2300 & ask for ext. 4.
Well I think that's all for now. Ma[y]be I will got to the show tonight if I can get on the line soon enough. You have to wait for everything around here. So until my next letter, all take care of yourselves. I am.

Your Loving Soldier Boy,
Tony

P.S. This letter is written a little clearer. I got a hold of a table to write on.

Dear Mom, Pa, Barb, Ann, Ele, Letter No. 5

Pvt. Anthony J. Curcio 1-23-43
4th Receiving Co. Barrack Z Letter No. 5
Camp Upton, NY Rec'd 1

Dear Mom, Pa, Barb, Ann, Ele.

I received your letter yesterday ma, in late mail. Boy was I glad to get it.
Now ma don't worry about any doctor bills. It's not worth worrying about; the only thing is that you get better in the best possible way & means. Isn't that right?
I am glad Ele wrote to you mom. It will be so much better if you all keep in contact with each other.
You ask me how am I getting along with Joe. Well Joe was shipped Wed. as I told you in my last letter. Joe never got K.P. duty. Clifford is complaining about the food huh. Well I think we all are complaining. As for my feet I have no trouble yet. Was Clifford shipped yet?
While I think of it, will you send me Frank's address?
I really don't know whether all my clothes fit me or not. I didn't put on my O.D.'s yet. (Official Dress) The fellows wear them at night & they have to wear them when they are shipped. I usually stay in the barracks at night & write letters or go to sleep early, unless I have to get something from the P.X.
The shoes are very comfortable even tho they are heavy.
I can't answer the question about how army life is affecting me because this really isn't any life. There is no drill here, just details & that's a waste of time until you are shipped & believe me everybody wastes time, even the bosses.
On Thurs. we got a detail leveling off dirt outside our barracks. It was about 6 degrees out here. Boy was it cold. Later in the afternoon it started to snow. But it didn't last long.
On Fri. I got an easy job in the afternoon. I got guard duty detail in my barracks. There was a shipment going out & they met at our barracks. (My friend went on that shipment. That was the only one I got friendly with). I couldn't let anybody out without a guard. I guess it's just a safe precaution. I am friendly with them all but mostly him. I didn't want you to think that I didn't have any friends.
After that shipment there are only 12 on our roster. So I thought I would leave today. So I took a shower & shaved but I'm still here, ma[y]be I leave Sunday.
I certainly would have liked to have been shipped with the other fellows. But that's the way it goes. Ma[y]be it's because I have different qualifications.
Say did you get those pictures developed? As soon as I get to a new camp you can send them.
Did Ele go skating yet? How are they making out with the piano lessons? Or did you sell the piano? Joke.
Is grandma feeling OK?
How is Bobby's [Barb's nickname] event coming along?
& I don't have to ask you about my gloves. One is finished already. That's swell.
Well I think that's all for now. If I am shipped I will probably have time to drop you a line before I leave here. So so long for awhile, hoping you are all OK & send my best regards to Frank.

Your Loving Soldier Boy,
Tony

P.S. This fellow who was shipped yesterday which I mentioned above, his name was James Crowley. I lent him a dollar. He will send it to you when he gets to his new camp.

Dear Mom, Pa, Barb, Ann, Ele, Letter No. 4

Pvt. Anthony J. Curcio 1-21-43
4th Receiving Co. Barrack Z Letter No. 4
Camp Upton, NY

Dear Mom, Pa, Barb, Ann, Ele,

I am sorry the other letter was delayed but there was nothing I could do about it. We were inside the prison camp and there was no way of mailing it.
Boy K.P. for 16 hours. What a job. It was like hell working there. There was a buck private there who thought he was General. He thought he could give all the orders he wanted. But take my word for it he didn't have a brain in his head. If he did, he wouldn't have cursed at the fellows like he did. He would have treated them nice so that they wouldn't mind working. We had to wash big kettles & trays, scrub floors, etc. In the afternoon I [got] a little wise and got a soft job taking my time cutting celery & cleaning it. The dishes were washed in a sloppy way, no sterilizers, just hot water, soap & scrubbing brush. The food is O.K. but probably the only reason we like it is because the day is long and you get tired, so naturally anything you eat tastes good. Sometimes at night I can just picture moms food before me. Boy what a treat.
Boy you get a funny feeling working around those prisoners. I don't know what sort of a feeling it is, but I hope I don't see any more.
I hope anything I said didn't dis[gust] you all, because it [isn't] like this in a regular camp. You won't have to wait so long to eat & the food will be much better, & they don't waste [any] time.
Here everybody wastes time unless you get a special assignment. Wed. we got a detail to go to the rubbish dumps & report to a corporal. He told us to pick up papers for 5 minutes then come back to the fire & warm up. We got warmed up & then went back to the barracks. In the afternoon we just went there & sat around the fire. Pretty easy huh. Everybody here wants to get out & start to drill etc.
There was a shipment yesterday. Joe & Bill went out with that shipment. I really don't know when we'll be shipped. I hope you got my letter & wrote back in a hurry.
I dropped a card to Dot & Dave thanking her for the writing kit. Yesterday I got a letter from her. I didn't think she would write so I didn't think I would put it on the cardI sent her. So she wrote me & I got it without any trouble. Boy I hope I hear from you all quickly that's the main thing.
Ann I was issued a pair of gloves, but they are working gloves so that your gloves will come in very handy.
The things I will need when I get to my permanent camp will be shoe polishing kit, sewing kit, & some instructions how to wash my clothes. Joke.
How is Frank working out?
I hope Grandma feels better.
And I know you are OK ma, right? & everybody else. I wrote Grandma & Elfrida also. So until my next letter I hope you remain all OK & if I should be shipped I will do my best to drop you a line.

Your Loving Soldier Boy,
Tony

Dear Mom, Pa, Barb, Sis & Ele, Letter No. 3

Pvt. Anthony J. Curcio 1-18-43 7:00 PM
4th Receiving Co. Barrack Z Letter No. 3
Camp Upton, NY

Dear Mom, Pa, Barb, Sis, Ele,

This morning we got up at 5 o'clock. We got half hr. to wake up and then we went to breakfast. We always have to wait about half hr. in line before we get into the mess hall. We got sausages, eggs, apricots, bread & butter, coffee, milk & a pear.
After chow we reported back to the barracks an dwere given details to do. These details are to keep us busy until we are shipped. So from 8-11 & 1-4 we are supposed to carry out our details. Everybody gets something different to do. Joe had to go around & pick up pieces of paper. 8 other fellows & myself were taken in a truck to a warehouse to pack some stuff away. That took us about 20 minutes. Then we came back because our job was finished. Then we had dinner. From then on we had all the time for our self, because it rained all afternoon, so we weren't given details in the afternoon.
You really can't say when you are going to be shipped because some guys have been here 49 days. Some were here only a couple of days. So ma youcan write if you want to. They send the mail right after you if you are shipped. But address the mail as I have it above.
I find the only way to keep from getting lonely is to write or sleep. I am getting a bit tired but I still would rather write.
Ma I met a fellow this morning on our detail who lives right across the street from us. He lives at 2032 Harmon St. His name is Bill Daffendale. His birthday is June 10. Some coincidence. Huh.
They say if you stay here for 21 days you can get a 36 hr. pass. I would hate to stay here for 21 days but if I was positive I was going to get the pass I would certainly like to stay here.
We walked around the camp today and went to the post exchange; they have about everything down here. Cigarettes are 15 cents (by the way I forgot my cigarettes, but don't send any), candy is 3 cents, cough drops are 3 cents and most everything else is cheaper. I may buy myself a cigarette lighter.
I wrote to Grandma & Ele also.
They have movies down here but you have to get on line about 1 1/2 hr before time so I just stay in my barracks and write. In case I am shipped you won't hear from me for a couple of days, so don't worry. But I don't think I will be shipped for a while. So until you all hear from me, I hope you all are OK. I am feeling OK except that I am away from home. I'll probably have time to write tomorrow.

So Until Then I Remain
Your Loving Soldier Boy,
Tony

P.S. I think I'll shave before I turn in my beard is starting to get a little dark.
P.S. I wrote this letter before turning to bed. Goodnight. I wanted to mail it the first thing in the morning but we had to get up at 4:30. We couldn't wash or go to the latrine. We had to report to the Prison Camp for K.P. we worked from 5 am to 9 at night. I will write a whole letter on it tomorrow.

Boy am I tired.
That was about the hardest 16 hrs. I
put in. But now when I come home
you can give me all the dishes
you want and I won't say
a word. Goodnight from
your loving soldier
boy -- Tony

Dear Ma & Pa & Barb & Ann & Ele, Letter No. 2

Pvt. Anthony J. Curcio 1-17-43
4th Receiving Co. Letter No. 2
Camp Upton, NY

Dear Ma & Pa & Barb & Ann & Ele,

Things are starting to slow down now. So I'll start to tell you about everything from the beginning.
We arrived about 4:15 PM and we were given company no's. Then we got a checkup for diseases and then went to chow. The food is far from that at home ma but it's not bad. At any rate they certainly give you enough of it. I got lima beans, spare ribs (which I didn't eat), potatoes, rice pudding, rice, macaroni, coffee, bread, and butter. I usually don't finish it there is so much.
Oh I forgot to tell you as we arrived the army band played "You're in the Army Now" and the "Strip Poker," some fellows felt like dancing, but they had to stay in line.
As we went from the reception house to chow the fellows said "watch out for the hook." Well we heard that so much we were beginning to get scared. Well I'll tell you what it means at the end of the letter. I'll keep you all in suspense.
From chow we got toilet articles which composed of 3 towel, a neat little shaving kit, shaving brush, tooth brush, & comb. Then we were assigned to our barracks, I got the very last one in my company, the letter is Z. The barracks are pretty nice, they are made of wood frame construction, and are ke[pt] warm by 3 coal stoves. The first night we were taught how to make our beds.
After we got in our barracks, we had to go right out again to take our I.Q. tests. Boy I was so tired I could hardly keep my eyes open. When he was reading the instructions I didn't hear a word he said. My head was spinning with confusion, not because it was hard, but because I was tired & trying to catch on to everything. But I'll tell you how I made out a little way down in the letter.
From the exam we went to get our "dog tags" as they call them. We have to wear them around our neck at all times no matter where we are. They are two brass plates with my name on & my no.
We finally got to bed about 10:30 - Everything was alright.
They woke us up [at] 5:30 in the morning. They woke up Joe at 4:30 - why I don't know. Then we washed up & came back to our barracks. One moment we wash in the next minute we were to chow. But before we went to chow we had to make our beds for inspection. For breakfast we had ham & eggs, milk, coffee, an apple & 3 plumbs. From there we got off a little time so I wrote you a letter & Grandma a short letter for fear that I wouldn't have chance to write today, but here I am writing, waiting to be called out for something or another. Then we went to the classifying office & I was interviewed. I stressed structural drafting, so where they will place me nobody knows. There I found out that I got 120 & 131 in my I.Q. test. Joe got 107 & 116. So I guess I made out alright. I thought surely he was going to top me, but those are the results. Ma[y]be because I was tired, I thought a little more, who knows.
From there we got our clothing. Gosh it was so heavy some fellows couldn't carry it. But I did. See ma you got a pretty good soldier anyway. We got 64 pieces including toilet articles which I mentioned earlier in the letter. We got one overcoat, one jacket, full jacket, 2 pair of woolen pants & 2 k[h]aki, 2 woolen shirts & two k[h]aki shirts, 2 pair of fatigue pants & jackets, two sets of woolen underwear, 3 summer underwear, 2 ties, 2 barracks bags to carry all your clothes in, 1 canteen, 1 cup, 1 portable eating tray with spoon, fork & knife, 5 pairs of socks, 2 pairs of shoes, 2 caps & 1 jeep hat. I may have forgot something but they gave us so much I don't think anybody could remember it all, no less carrying it all.
From there we got the "hook," finally. You get 3 inoculations--with the first one, you can't move your arm for a day. You keep it bent--known as the hook. Then we ate spinach, potatoes (mash & sweet), ham, cauliflower, coleslaw, bread & butter, ice cream & coffee. We also got our receipt for the insurance (enclosed). In the afternoon we got a speech and a picture on self protection from diseases. Then we had chow. We had the night to ourselves. Now we just get assignments and wait for shipment. I believe if you can get over 110 in the I.Q. you are eligible for candidates school. I'll have to check on that. I think I am on K.P. tomorrow for 19 hrs. but if I get a chance to write, don't worry ma I will.
You feel alright, don't you ma? That's good. I knew you would. Well so long for a while.

Your Caring Son & Soldier Boy,
Tony

The envelope also included a copy of his Application For National Service Life Insurance. On the back it says:
Keep this ma for your record.
Love,
Tony

Dear Mom, Letter No. 1 (continued)

1-17-43 12:30

Dear Mom,

We were issued all our clothing this morning and we were given boxes to send our stuff home in, so I am sending all my stuff home as the others are to[o]. I'll tell you about all the clothing in the next letter. It seems I made out pretty good in my I.Q. believe it or not. I'll sign off now & you will hear from me at my first free moment.

Love,
Tony

Dear Mom, Letter No. 1

Anthony J. Curcio 1-17-43 6:30 AM
4th Receiving Co. Letter #1
Camp Upton, NY

Dear Mom-

We reached Camp Upton about 4:15 PM. Then we got a check up & got grouped into companies. Then we ate (I'll tell you about it later). After that we got our toilet articles and was assigned a bed. After that we got two stiff examinations - I.Q. I hope I made out OK. We been on the go all day. And although this is early in the morning (we got up at 5:30) I feel it's the only chance I will get to write because we will get classified today and our clothing issued & a couple of inoculations. I hope you are alright ma and everybody else. And don't worry ma everything is alright. They aren't so bad here as they say. But I sure feel lonely even if it is only the first day. I'll probably get a chance to write a nice long letter tomorrow unless they ship us, but I don't think so. So until then don't worry, ma.

Your loving Soldier Boy,
Tony

P.S. They certainly keep us on the go, but I guess it is good for me.
P.S. They say you can't write back here because there are so many fellows going in and out it's hard to keep up with the mail.

Love,
Tony

Dear Ma

Jan. 15, 1943

Dear Ma,

Now I leave, & don't worry ma everything will be alright,
I'll be marching home before you know it, at the end of this bitter fight.
And it will be home again, home again, a much improved fellow,
And we can live again, and do the things we want, peaceful & mellow.
And it will be peace forever, and the radicals done away with forever more,
And we can enjoy once again democracy, spirit, pride & glory,
and live just like before.

Your Loving Son (& Soldier Boy)
Tony

Photos

Here are pictures of the main recipients of the letters my grandfather sent:

His mother, my great-grandmother, Helen Curcio

photo taken in either 1943 or 1944

His future wife, my grandmother, Helen Riley
photo taken after they were married (after 1946)

I will post more photos as they relate to the letters written.