Dear Ma, Pa, Barb, Ann & Ele, Letter No. 49

Pvt. Anthony J. Curcio
1875 En. Avn. Bn. Co. H & S
McChord Field, Wash.

Date 5/29/43
Letter No. 49
Rec'd 74 & 76

Dear Ma, Pa, Barb, Ann, & Ele,

Hello everybody, this is your soldier boy reporting again. Everything is fine except for a slight cold which doesn't amount to a needle in a haystack. I was all set to write a nice long letter tomorrow but something always comes up. In my last letter I told you about surveying a baseball field. Well they started construction on it & they want to get it finished by Monday so we have to work tomorrow. So it throws all my plans out the window.
I wrote last Sat. nite so I should continue from there on with the weeks doings.
Last Sunday morning I went to 11:30 mass. It seems to be a habit going to last mass, as we sleep almost all morning. In the afternoon I wrote & wrote catching up with the mail. And in the nite we went to the post show and saw "Assignment in Brittany." It was an excellent picture. Try to see it.
All week during the day we have been surveying the R.R. job & this baseball field.
Tues. night we went to the U.S.O. dance. Our post band was there. We had a nice time. But I sure wish Joe D'Angelo was with us. I sure miss him.
Thurs. nite I went to the post show again and saw "The Human Comedy" with Micky Rooney. Ma don't miss it. It was a swell picture. I got tears in my eyes a couple of times.
One of the fellows (Bruno Borella) went to learn about diesel engines at a different camp. He will be back though. It's only a 4 week course.
I got a surprise the other day. I got a 4 1/2 lb. box of cookies from Mable Anderson, the secretary at John Thatchers. Wasn't that nice of her? And boy was I surprised.
The picture frame that Ann sent me I got hanging up in the tent with your pictures all around the outside. It looks swell.
Maybe it was nothing to laugh at about Grandma's tomato plants, but I did laugh. I can just picture Grandma, Oh she is so sweet.
Yes ma, there are only 3 fellows in our tent now.
In your letter your put a P.S.--Please send tin box home. What tin box do you mean? The only tin box I had was the one that Sis sent me with the cookies in it and I sent that home with the palm in it & the tooth brush holders in it. Let me know.
Well I think that about all the news.
Please let me know right away about the doctor said. Hope you are all feeling fine & send my love & kisses to Grandma.

Your Loving Soldier Boy
Tony

Dear Ma, Pa, Barb, Ann & Ele, Letter No. 48

Anthony J. Curcio
1875 En. Avn. Bn. Co. H & S
McChord Field, Wash.

Date May 22, 1943
Letter No. 48
Rec'd 72 & 73

Dear Ma, Pa, Barb, Ann, & Ele,

How is everybody? I feel pretty good.
Nothing too much has happened this week. It's just a regular routine. We got to the R.R. everyday and work until 5 o'clock. We eat out there at noon time. It's really turning out swell and everything is in control. There wasn't much work on the R.R. for the surveyors today so we got another job, surveying a baseball field. It's pretty interesting.
In the night we got to bed early or go to the show or clean up our tent or G.I. our shoes & equipment.
Last night we went to the show and saw "Dark Command." It was good. I didn't see a western picture for a long time.
We are on the alert. In fact the whole post is and nobody can get passes until the alert is over. So this weekend I guess we'll just have to stay here.
I turn my laundry in each week now. They do it pretty good. It certainly is a relief not doing it anymore.
Yesterday I received two packages. A swell picture frame from Ann. It really is sweet & has a swell saying on it. Thanks, Ann.
Ma, when I opened the other package I didn't know what to say. I really don't know how you got all those things in that small box. I tried to put them back in but I'll be darned, I couldn't get it back in again. Everything is certainly useful. I can use handkerchiefs, socks I certainly can use, especially the kind you sent me. And they are plenty big enough around the top. The candy is always useful. The razor blades I certainly did need. I was on my last one. As for the shaving cream, I got a couple more shaves in it. I forgot to say. I like those handkerchiefs an awful lot. The writing paper I needed badly. The tobacco I always can use & cigarettes. In other words you hit the nail on the head. Boy our minds run along together, don't they ma? Telepathy again.
We have a little day room for ourselves now. It hasn't much in it yet. But they fix it up a little more each day.
I am going to enclose a couple of dollars to buy some flowers for Aunt Jo's grave. And please say a prayer for Aunt Jo for me. O.K. Ma?
Well I shall close now hoping you are all healthy & happy & hope Ann feels better. I hope the doctor can do something. And please send my love to Grandma.

So until my next letter
I remain Your Loving Soldier
Boy
Tony

Dear Helen

5/20/43

Dear Helen,

Before I start this letter I must tell you a couple of preliminaries. First, I have a feeling that this letter will not be up to par, to which you so richly deserve. Because I am a bit tired and maybe a bit blue. But I do want to write to you so much & don't want to put it off any longer. We have been working quite a bit & I guess I should make it my business to get more sleep. But maybe you do know me a little and know that I like to work and have fun too. And the reason I am feeling a bit blue--well Joe D'Angelo was shipped and I really hated to see him go. He was just like a brother to me, and we got along so good together. In fact when he walked out of the tent with his barracks bag on his shoulder, and strutted down in his old fashioned way, tears came to my eyes. I really miss him an awful lot. I hope he gets a good break wherever he goes. He certainly deserves it.
When I wrote to you last, I was on guard duty and I shall try my best to relate everything that happened since then.
On May 4 we were assigned to schools (or should I say jobs) which were supposed to last for two weeks. Well, being there was no drafting at the present time, I signed up for surveying. We were lucky though, for after the first week a job came up for us to take over. So we surveyors (5 of us) went to work & after we got things set, actual construction was started on the job. The job is a R.R. We work all day on the field & eat there too. (I wouldn't forget that).
On May 5 we had a party for our company. We went to a nearby lake, to one of the boy scout lodges. They had a huge fireplace & we made a fire with tremendous logs. Well Helen, I could have sat there all night just looking at the fire & listen to it crackle. That's something I really enjoy. We all sang songs & some of the boys put on little acts & played instruments etc. We had a swell time.
Our commanding officer was there & he said it really made him feel good inside to see a bunch of fellows have a good time, without any rowdyism & liquor. We had sandwiches & coffee for refreshments.
Thurs. May 6 we had our battalion dance. We had a nice time but it's the same old story, not enough girls, and especially girls that could dance. And when I say girls that can dance I could be thinking of someone very dear.
Sat. May 8 we moved from the barracks to tents. Boy did we have to work. But it was a lot of fun. First we had to move all our stuff to the tents. Then we had to G.I. the tents. We managed to stick together. My three buddies and I. But now there are only two left. We really scrubbed that place & built rock garden in front. It took us all day Sat & Sun. We had to be ready for inspection by 3 o'clock. We passed as usual. Then Sun. nite we went to the show and saw "Arabian Nights." It was exciting & I enjoyed it quite a lot.
Last week & this week I am trying to catch up with my mail once more. But I still have to go to the show with the boys once in awhile so--we saw "My Friend Flicka" & "Casablanca." Both were O.K.
Well I think I covered everything except the weather again & I must say the sun really shines when it does. The sun here doesn't set 'til about 8:30. They say in the summer, nite only lasts about 5 hrs. I learn something new each day.
And another thing I forgot to tell you. We are going on the alert & that means no passes for awhile. I could tell you a lot more about it but, you now it's a military secret.
By gosh Helen, your handwriting isn't so bad. In fact it's O.K. Or shouldn't I have said that?
By this time your sister is well on her way to Florida or should I say in Florida. When you write please send my regards & hope she has a most enjoyable time.
Say maybe in your next letter you will tell me your life history? You were only kidding in your last letter but by gosh I bet it's interesting. Should I count on it?
Well I'll try to write more next time & also more interesting. So until then I remain,

As ever
Tony

P.S. Regards to your family.

Dear Ma, Pa, Barb, Ann & Ele, Letter No. 47

5-17-43
Letter #47
Rec'd #70 & 71

Dear Ma, Pa, Barb, Ann & Ele,

Today is a week since I last wrote. Just now I'm 10 letters behind. I guess I'll just have to try to write some each nite.
Well Ma, I wanted to catch up on my mail yesterday but I felt to blue. You know Joe D'Angelo, the one that sent you the letter (my buddy). Well he was shipped out Sat. nite with some other fellows. Where to & for what reason I don't know as yet, but he was just like a brother to me and hated to see him leave. In fact as he walked out of the tent with his barracks bag on his shoulder I got tears in my eyes. I really missed him an awful lot. We got along so good together. Well I guess that's one of the things we have to face in the army but I hope it doesn't happen too often.
Now there are two swell fellows left in my hut. One is Bruno Borella from S.I. & Delmar Davidson from Phil. Bruno Borella comes from Corum S.I. and Corum is about 1 mile from Seldon. They have a farm & they sell these cement blocks to all the people around there. He said he probably sold some to uncle Tony but is not sure. Ask Dad & see whether he recognizes the name. Let me know, O.K.
Well not too much has happened during the last week. We were surveying the railroad & today they started actual construction on it. So maybe I'll be on the surveying squad permanently. You know as much as I do.
Thursday I went to the post theatre & saw "My Friend Flicka." It was a horse picture. I like it an awful lot.
Friday night we all went in to Lakewood & went to the show with the girls we met on Easter Sunday. We saw "Casablanca." I enjoyed it very much. Before we went to the show one of the girls took us all in to meet her parents. Well she lived in the most beautiful house I ever saw. It was on the lakeside with huge trees & grass all over the place. I just can't describe it ma but ma it's a dream house and by gosh we are going to have one just like it. You wait and see ma.
Well I guess there isn't any more to say. I could tell you about the surveying but that's nothing to write home in letters & I guess I should keep it a secret anyway.
I forgot to mention in my last letter about a letter I got from Ann. Thanks Ann. Today I got another package from Ann with cards in it. Believe me they will come in handy catching up with my mail.
Ann, I don't think a picture frame would be too good as we can't hang any up in our tent. Thanks anyway. And by the way, that's a nice salary you are getting. And most of all you like the job. That means a lot more.
About Grandma's house. The deal wasn't good at all but maybe Grandma would settle for less, to get the house off her hands in a hurry. I don't know but I think Grandma would be a whole lot happier if she didn't have the house to worry about. What do you think?
I think it took 4 days for the Easter candy to get here. I wasn't sure so I didn't write it when you asked me awhile ago.
I feel fine and am in the peak of condition. I hope you all are in the best of health. How are you coming along with the doctor & how is Ann coming along with her doctor. Let me know. The picture of Boby & Ann are swell & thanks a lot. But how about you ma, & Grandma & Eleanore?
I shall close now. Until my next letter I remain

Your Loving Soldier Boy
Tony

Dear Ma, Pa, Barb, Ann & Ele, Letter No. 46

Letter #46
Rec'd #66-67-68-69

5-10-43

Dear Ma, Pa, Barb, Ann & Ele,

Gosh I don't know where to start. I got so much so say. But to start off with, I hope everybody is in the best of health. I hope you all had a very nice Mother's Day. In fact I know you did. I hoped you liked the flowers?
I wrote last Sat. so I shall continue from there on. On Sun. I went to church as usual 11:30 mass. I wrote letters in the afternoon & then at 5 o'clock I had guard duty. 24 hrs - 2 on 4 off. But this time I was corporal of the guards. You just relieve the old guard with a new guard & sit in the tent & wait 'til the 2 hrs are up, that your guard is walking his post. Then the next 4 hrs are free. Some racket huh. I caught up with some of my mail I owed to a lot of people - Fio, Joe, Dot & Dave, Helen Riley, and some others.
Something has happened here to my advantage. They are sending everybody to school on the post. It will only last for 2 weeks but it's something. I applied for surveying as there wasn't any drafting.
So since Tuesday we have been using the instruments (brand new). There are 9 of us and our luck is running still stronger because a job came up. They want to build a R.R. extension on the post. So we got the job. Just know we are working with U.S. Eng. Dept. (Surveyors). They are swell fellows & teach us a lot. After the job gets underway, we will take it over into our own hands. It's quite interesting. We only work on it a half a day. The other half is still our basic training.
Tues. nite we went into to town to get our clothes pressed as it takes so long at the post tailor. But the tailors in town was already closed so we dropped in at the U.S.O. and guess what, they had a bingo game for the soldiers. The one that won got cigarettes. (I didn't win any and neither did my friends).
On Wed. night we had the party for our company as I told you in my last letter (#44). We went to one of the nearby lakes, in a (old) boy scout lodge. And at one end of the room was a huge fireplace & we made a fire with big logs. Boy was that nice. You know I could have sat there all night just looking at the fireplace & listening to it crackle. We sang & some of the boys played the piano & sang & put on little acts. And we boys had a swell time together. Our commanding officer was there & he said he had a swell time. He said he really felt good to see a bunch of fellows have such a good time without any rowdyism (& without beer). We had sandwiches & coffee as refreshments. All & all we had a nice time (we were taken in G.I. trucks).
Thursday nite was the battalion dance. We had a nice time but there wasn't enough girls. But anyway they had a jitterbug contest & I managed to get a girl that could do it half way, anyway. And I came in second. She got nervous & we made a few mistakes. But the guy that won in my platoon & he also comes from N.Y. The officers were there with their wives & they were all very friendly & we all had a good time.
Friday night we were invited to a concert held in Clover Park H.S. That's where that girl that sang for us goes (The captain's daughter). It was a very nice concert. I enjoyed it a lot. The capt. daughter sang "The Man I Love." (Her name is Merry Jo Arends). Boy what a swell voice she has. I really think she has a future ahead of her. (I will include the program in this letter).


She invited us all out Sunday (last night). So the four of us went in & went to the show (the only show in Lakewood Center) (that's where they live). She got girls for the other fellows (my buddies) and we saw "Arabian Nights." It was a nice picture. Very exciting. Did any body see it. After the show we went to the house & her mother made sandwiches & she sang & played the piano. We got in around 12:30.
Sat. morning we had to move from the barracks to the tents. Well ma, we four buddies are still together. We get more like brothers everyday & I'm glad. Now that we got our own tent we have more pride in it and boy did we make it clean. Boy we worked all day on it. Sat. night we went to bed early. Sunday morning we went to church & then worked on our tents again for inspection at 3 o'clock. We passed. Then we took showers & shaved & by that time we had to leave on pass to go to Merry Jo's house.
Boy what a busy week huh! And I think I'm a bit tired. So as soon as I finish this letter I will go to bed & take a good nap. I sort of kind of like it living in this little tent. It's a bit cool sleeping at but it's nice. We have a litle stove in the middle of the tent but the fire dies out & the tent gets cool.
Well I think that's about all.
I received a letter from Ginger (?). It was a very nice letter. Her boyfriend is in Alaska.
I also received 2 letters from Eleanor & a little mail pack. It was so cute. Thanks a lot Ele. Thanks for the baseball scores.
By the way I got a baseball book. Like the one that Red Barber advertised last year. Who sent it?
You could drop a line (postcard) to the J.B. Postmaster & ask him about the package. I may do some good.
Say ma, I would like a picture of Barb in her uniform? Besides the rest you took O.K.
I receive mail from Elfrieda about twice a week. I also receive mail from Helen Riley from time to time.
We get our wash within a week. Boy I'm glad we can get our wash done because we have no time to do it ourselves. They take a dollar & a half out of our pay a month. Pretty cheap huh?
I got paid on Wed. (May 5). I got $47.
Please tell me all about Grandma's house. I hope Grandma can come & live with you all. I know she will be a lot happier with you. I hope everything turns out Ok. And Grandma can have my room if she likes too. I just know she will be so much happier. Don't you ma?
Well I shall close now as it is getting late. I am going to try to stay in all this week & I will try to get another letter to you at the end of the week. So until then I remain on the beam.

Your Loving Soldier Boy
Tony

P.S. I ran out of paper (my [?] kind). Will you please send me some.

Dear Ma & Pa & Barb & Ann & Ele

5-9-43

Dear Ma, Pa, Barb, Ann, Ele,

I was all set to write a nice long letter today because there is so much to tell you all. But yesterday we moved into tents and ever since then we have been G.I. the tents & the barracks we moved out of. And we have to be ready for inspection at 3 o'clock. And tonight the fellows are going into town. So I'll write tomorrow night. Boy I'll write you a book because there is plenty to tell you.
I feel fine, still have plenty to eat & I believe still picking up weight.
I hope you all feel fine and are in the best of health.
So until tomorrow night.

I remain
Your Loving Soldier Boy,
Tony

P.S. I hope you liked the flowers Ma.

Dear Helen

5-3-43
Mon Nite

Dear Helen,

It seems such a long time since I wrote to you. Eleven days & nights. Wow. I should write twice as much, then I would have twice as much enjoyment. And believe me, Miss Helen Riley, I'm not going to give up so easy. Maybe I should take up a course in letter writing just to find the right words, to tell you sincerely & honestly that your letters are the most interesting & enjoyable letters I receive & have received. When I read your letters my heart just inflates with sincere happy laughter; And by the time I finish the letter it overflows into a perpetual smile & if you say I have a perpetual smile, just double it to stress the point. And another thing--it's no old line because I can truthfully say, I never wrote it to any living soul on this earth. If you still have any doubt in your mind, I can write plenty more. Convinced?
You say you had a gruesome Easter Sunday. And from what you told me I guess it wasn't to gay. Well believe it or not, my Easter turned out pretty good. We were supposed to go on a picnic, but instead we were sent to private homes. My three friends & myself managed to stick together & we were sent to a beautiful country home about 4 miles from the camp. In the afternoon we went row boating on a nearby lake. After that, we had a swell home cooked meal, set up by our hostess. (It reminded me of the one I missed back at your home. I'm still sore at the army for not waiting a while longer). In the night, the next door neighbor came over & sang for us & played the piano. So all in all we had a nice time.
During the week days we have barely time to breathe with this training program. Calisthenics twice a day, lectures, construction etc. They keep us plenty busy during the day & the nights are so short.
This past Thursday we had regular routine during the day & at night we went on a little hike. We started out a 11:30 & marched 'til 4:30 in the morning. We covered about 15 miles. It wouldn't be half as bad, but walking during the night, you barely can see the man in front of you. And we didn't walk on cultivated roads either. And believe it or not I didn't get one blister. This hike is part of our training & we are promised many longer ones. But it all makes us better soldiers right? Joke.
Talking about Uncle Sam liking me, he loves me. Because this time I am corporal of the guards. You relieve the old guards with the new one & then you sit and wait 'til the two hrs. are up & then put a new guard on. Then you have the next 4 hrs. off. So this time guard duty was a pleasure. By the way, I'm on guard duty now writing this letter. It's about 2 o'clock in the afternoon & my guards are walking their posts. Some racket, huh! Boy I finally got a chance to catch up with some of my mail.
Just a word about the picture you sent me. I couldn't ask for anything better. It's real sweet. Thanks a lot. And if it wouldn't be asking too much, it would be just perfect to see you in your Easter bonnet. Honest I would love one.
As for my picture that was the only one I had & your have it.
I was never up in the statue of liberty. But most of my family has. I really am ashamed of myself. Living in such a large city all my life, & there are so many interesting things I didn't see. Maybe when the war is over you can come & visit us & I'll show you some of the things I never seen myself. And I'm serious.
That same thing happened to a friend of mine. His cousin came in from the west & he showed her all around N.Y. When it was all over, he said he saw more during that week than he did in his whole life. Wonders will never cease.
My buddy is Joe D'Angelo. He was at the last dance (K of C). I don't know whether you remember him or not.
My sister Ann works for Hall Bros. (not the oldest one). I don't know whether N.Y. is their main office, but they have a large place there. She sent me some cards which are really tops. I'll send you some from time to time.
I think I covered everything but the weather. And the weather is getting nicer all the time. The sun is shining more regular each day (except one day) (we were drenched right thru. You know the army doesn't stop for anything).
So until I hear from you again, and I hope it's real soon. I hope you are all in the best of health & very happy.

Sincerely As Ever,
Tony

P.S. Thank your sister for the lovely card. It was very thoughtful of her.
P.S. In your last paragraph of your letter you say "Try to be good." I resent that. You know I'll always be good. And I'm not being conceited either. I chose my friends & I make sure they're good. And believe me I did an excellent job in meeting you.

Dear Ma, Pa, Barb, Ann & Ele, Letter No. 44

Pvt. Anthony J. Curcio
1875 En. Avn. Bn. Co. H & S
McChord Field, Wash.

Date 5-1-43
Letter No. 44
Rec'd 64-65

Dear Ma, Pa, Barb, Ann, & Ele,

Well here it is May already. Boy time flies.
In your 65th letter you say it took 8 days since you got my last letter. Well ma, we all complain about the mailing system here. I guess it isn't too good. But besides the mailing system, I'm afraid I can't write more than once a week & maybe twice. They are always finding something for us to do. So ma if you only hear from me once a week you know the reason why.
During the day we don't get any time to write letters. In the night the time is very short. On Mon. & Tues. (26 & 27) I wrote letters. On Wed. night I had to sign the payroll & get a hair cut. That took all night.
On Thursday we had regular routine during the day. Then at night we took a nice long hike. We started at 11:30 at night & marched 'til 4:30 the next morning. It was a 15 mile hike. And it's not so easy walking in the night especially when you hardly can see the guy in front of you. Believe it or not my feet held out pretty good. I didn't get any blisters. After the hike was over those that wanted to got to chow went & the others went to bed. I was one that when to bed. We slept until noon & then we had to G.I. the barracks. A lot of the lieutenants had trouble with their feet & had to get them treated.
Friday night we went into town to get our suits pressed for inspection on Sat. (today). We were lucky to find a tailor open.
Inspection went over pretty good. Something happened that we all got a good laugh over. All your pockets in the clothes on the rack are supposed to have nothing in them. This one fellow had plenty in his overcoat pockets & the lieutenant found it. Well we were all standing at attention & the lieutenant started to take out the stuff in the pockets. Well he had a shoe brush, 3 pairs of gloves, an apple, a braid for the hat, an arm insignia, a piece of candy & a lot of small odds & ends in his pocket. Well that was the funniest sights I ever saw. A few of the fellows couldn't hold it in & started to laugh & they got gigged. I really don't know how I held it in myself.
This afternoon we were introduced to all the lieutenants of the battalion. They really are a swell bunch. The adjutant lieutenant said that he looked over our records & he said that it is the best outfit on the field.
He also said that the Engineer Aviation Battalion are becoming more & more popular every day. (They weren't used in the last war) and he said after this war we will be proud to say we came from the 1875th. They had a lot of spirit & I think we are going to have a superior outfit.
This afternoon we also played a little game of softball.
One of the lieutenants arranged a dance for this Thursday (May 6) right at our recreation hall. We should have a good time.
On May 5 (Wed) the sergeant arranged a party for the H & S company only, so that we all can get to know each other. I think it's a very good idea, don't you?
And tomorrow (Sun) I am on guard duty with my buddy. We start 5 o'clock PM & finish up 5 PM on Monday. From what I mentioned you can see why I have very little time for writing.
The weather here is getting pretty nice. They say the summers here are pretty nice. OH I forgot to tell you last week I saw a rainbow in the sky. It extended from one end to the other. A complete half circle. And the colors were so distinct. Boy was that beautiful.
I also bought some postcards in town last night. I will send them in another envelope.
I also received a letter from Bob & Dad.
In Bob's letter she asked me about Garrison hats & leather belts. Well at this post we are not allowed to wear them. Other posts have different ruling on the subject. As for the leather belts around the shoulder we can't wear those. In fact you never see them except on an officer.
As for the black ties, I don't know what they are for & we can't wear them anyway. Some fellows from other organizations wear them. We don't.
Tell Dad thanks for his letter & I hope he passes the test.
I got an Easter card from Aunt Margarette with a dollar in it. That was nice wasn't it?
I got a letter from Fio (?). He is in the air corps also. He is in Nashville, Tenn. He likes it pretty well. Send his regards.
Say ma, I lost the medal that Ele gave me. But I still have the the chain. Maybe you could get one for me?
I sent the box home with the palm in it. I also put the post cards etc. that I sent to Helen in St. Louis. She also sent tome cards back. So I put those in too.
Well I guess that's all the news. I still feel fine & probably gaining more weight.
I guess the next opportunity I will have will be next weekend. So until then I hope you are all in the best of health and happy.
Send my love & kisses to Grandma also.

So until then I
remain Your Loving Soldier Boy,
Tony

P.S. I still didn't get the package with the socks in it. Where that is only the Lord knows.