Monday, March 19, 2012

Dear Ma, Pa, Barb, Ann & Ele Letter No. 117

3/19/44
#117
Rec'd 179

Dear Ma, Pa, Barb, Ann & Ele,


It's Sunday afternoon and I am writing letters, catching up a little.  I got two letters from Tiny and went home Tues.  She couldn't walk much but I guess by now she is up and around and really feeling fine.
Thurs. night the boys put on a little show at the Service Club.  The boys that put on little skits at the U. of O. did it again at the Service Club and it really went over big.  On Fri. night the boys had a beer party so they ate late (about 7 o'clock).  All the officers were there and they had a pretty good time singing etc.  But they had a little too much to drink so the 1st Sgt. broke it up at about 10 o'clock.
During the day we have lectures and studying the nomenclature of the different vehicles and pieces.  Fri. night before the beer party we G.I. the barracks.
Sat we got off at 10 o'clock and they gave us passes the last minute so I went into Santa Maria.  I got in about 3 o'clock.  It's about 26 miles from Camp Cooke.  It's a very beautiful town and very clean.  It has a population of about 8,500.  I went to get a place at the dormitory they have there.  They only charge you 50 cents.  Something like they had in Seattle, Wash.  I went in alone just to get away from camp for awhile.  I walked around town looking at the different houses.  They are all beautiful.  The architecture is different and they are all light colors to reflect the sun's rays.  I went to the St. Mary's Catholic Church for a visit and gosh it's the greatest little church.  I said my rosary & lit a candle.
Then I went to a show and saw "Hey Rookie" and "The Ghost that Walks at Night."  They both were very humorous and were very good although they didn't have much of a story.  I got out at 9:30 & went to the dormitory and slept till 7:30 this morning and then went to 8 o'clock mass.  Then I came back to camp--ate dinner & here I am writing letters.  This outfit is pretty good and I guess I'll make out alright.
Say ma would you like to make Tiny a few crocheted handkerchiefs or something.  I would appreciate it an awful lot.  Let me know.  O.K.?
I picked up a few post cards which I will send in a separate envelope and also the pictures of the U. of O.
I received your letter, the ones you addressed to 11 Armored Div.  I guess I told you that in my last letter.  I am glad you liked the pictures and I hope you like the rest just as well.
We got a new commanding general and he lifted the restriction on civilian shoes.  It's a good thing I didn't send them home like the rest of the boys did.
I'll write soon again and until then I hope you all are in the best of health and very happy.

Your Loving Soldier Boy,
Tony

Wednesday, March 14, 2012

Dear Ma, Pa, Barb, Ann & Ele Letter No. 116

Anthony J. Curcio
Co. B - 22 Tank Bn. A.P.O. 261
Camp Cooke, Calif.

3/14/44
Letter No. 116
Rec'd

Dear Ma, Pa, Barb, Ann & Ele,

I'm free tonight. I didn't think I would be because twice a week the Co. goes on a hike from 7 to 11 at night but we won't have to go for a while yet.
I don't think I said too much about the camp in yesterday's letter but frankly there isn't much to say about it. It's barracks, barracks and more barracks. There are very few trees and it's very sandy as we are but a few miles from the Pacific Ocean between Santa Maria & Santa Barbara. (In fact we can see the water from the camp.) The camp is spaced out over miles and miles. It's very large. They have a service club (that's where I am now) for entertainment and writing etc. They have a couple of shows also. They have a pamphlet out about Camp Cooke. If I can get one I will send it home.
The outfit (any branch of it) isn't very appealing. But it's getting a little better now that we are getting to know the boys.
Today we had calisthenics in the morning and thru some drill and then some more review lectures on wearing of the uniform. There we had a lecture of the organization of the 11th Armored Division. It includes all branches of the service artillery, cavalry, infantry, etc. The 22 Tank Battalion is one branch of the 11th Armored Division. If you want me to explain that more let me know. O.K. Then they showed us the different tanks and their parts. It doesn't look too appealing but I don't think it will be too bad. I still feel luckier than some of the boys who were put into some of the other outfits. In the afternoon we went for a 3 mile hike. The sun is out all day and there is not a cloud in the sky but it's still very cold. There is a constant breeze coming in off the ocean and regardless of the sun it's very windy and cold. Then we had lectures on chemical warfare and maintenance of the jeep. We had most of that in our basic training.
Then when we were finished at 5 o'clock I took a shower and etc. The food is pretty good only some of the boys claim there isn't enough. But it's enough to suit me.
Did you get the box I sent home?
Ma I know your birthday is on the 24th of this month but I hope it will be all right if I send it a little late. O.K. I want to look around town (when I get in). I don't know when we will get passes yet. I just wanted to let you know so that you knew I didn't forget.
I don't think I told you in yesterday's letter but we are not allowed to wear civilian shoes or garrison caps with the peak. Boy they are really G.I. around here.
The armored division also wears their hats on the left side of the heads instead of the right side like other outfits do. I guess it's pride or something.
How is everybody home and how are things going?
I am in the best of health. Don't worry about anything and as soon as things get set over here I'll see the sergeant about a furlough. I know it won't be for a while but I got a pretty good chance. Don't count on it and don't worry about it please. I'll do the best I can. O.K. Until my next letter I remain

Your Loving Soldier Boy,
Tony

P.S. Please tell Grandma not to send me anymore airmail stamps for awhile. Effective March 24 airmail stamps will be 8 cents instead of 6 cents. I will have enough until that time comes. O.K.

Tuesday, March 13, 2012

Dear Ma, Pa, Barb, Ann & Ele Letter No. 115

Anthony J. Curcio
Co. B - 22 Tank Bn. A.P.O. 261
Camp Cooke, Calif.

3/13/44
Letter No. 115
Rec'd 178

Dear Ma, Pa, Barb, Ann & Ele,

Well we finally left U. of O. I got up to see Tiny. She is up at Salem General Hosp. I went up to see her on Wed & Thurs. On Wed. she didn’t feel good. It hurt her so much. She got tears in her eyes but on Thursday she was a lot better. We left Eugene about 7 o’clock Fri. night and got Pullmans. We traveled most of the trip at night so we didn’t see much. We went to Oakland, Calif. (right across the way from San Francisco) and then headed down the coast to Camp Cooke. We arrived here about 3 o’clock in the morning. Then we had to take a shower and got thru a medical exam. We were taken to a field house until everybody arrived. So from 4:30 to 6:30 the boys played basketball. Then at 6:30 they hold us there would be no classification and they put us into outfit of the 11th Armored Div. I was put into the 22 Tank Bn. Tony my ex-roommate was put into the Cavalry Reconnaissance Bn. Some boys were put in the infantry, some engineers, etc. Why we got put where we did nobody knows. But they’re all rugged. We were then taken to our outfits and we cleaned up ate and then given uniforms. I was put in Headquarters Co. In the afternoon we straightened up a little. I went to bed early as we didn’t have sleep for two days. Then today we got up at 5:30 and all day we went over basic rules etc. We had calisthenics, close order drill and a hike. We will get this all week and on Sat. we will be given a test. If we pass we don’t have to take our basic training over again. Keep your fingers crossed. When we got finished today the captain told me I was to be transferred to Co. B. Why, I don’t know. I don’t even know why I am in this outfit. But I’ll have to make the best of it. There are A.S.T.P. men here from 4 colleges so far, and I believe more are coming.

Boy this a rugged outfit. These fellows have had training for a year and a half in this outfit. I’ll know more about things later on. I am sorry I couldn’t write sooner ma. I didn’t send a telegram because I let you know where I was going. If we are free tomorrow night and Wed. night I will write more and will probably know more. I want to drop a line to grandma yet tonight.

The food is pretty good and I am in the best of health. I’ll try to write as soon as possible and I hope you didn’t worry any. With all my love I remain

Your Loving Soldier Boy,

Tony

Tuesday, March 6, 2012

Dear Ma, Pa, Barb, Ann & Ele Letter No. 114

Anthony J. Curcio
Co. "A" A.S.T.U. 3920
U. of O. Eugene ORE

3/6/44
Letter No. 114
Rec'd 176

Dear Ma, Pa, Barb, Ann & Ele,

Well we found out where we are going. It's back to California again. The whole unit is being transferred to the 11th Armored Division, Camp Cook, California. It's about 120 miles from Los Angeles. Santa Barbara I believe it is near. It seems to be a pretty good outfit. We will leave Thursday or Friday of this week and will be about a two day trip.
The term ended on Sat. and as soon as it did Tiny and I hopped on a bus and went to Salem. You see Tiny's term ended Sat. too and she has the whole week off. After we ate at Tiny's house we went to a show. I can't remember for the life of me what the name was. I'm getting awful forgetful. I think it was "What a Woman" with Rosalind Russell. It was awful good tho even tho I'm not sure of the name. Maybe you saw it?
This time I didn't want to cause Tiny's mother any trouble so I got a hotel room for Sat. night. She said I should have stayed at the house but I thought it would be better that way. Sunday morning we went to church and then after church Tiny, her parents and myself went for a ride to Silver Creek Falls. And boy what a beautiful sight to see. The more you see of the west coast the more beautiful it becomes. The Silver Creek Falls is 183 feet high and is in center of a beautiful park. A path winds down the side of a hill and goes right under the falls and it certainly is a thrill to walk under it. I'll try to pick up some pictures if I can.
When we came back we ate a swell meal and we sat around and talked and Tiny played the piano. We left about 8:30 and when I said goodnight to Tiny's mother, Tiny said she got tears in her eyes. It made me feel funny. Tiny drove me down to the station and we talked our parting words. At least I thought they were but I'm going to try to go up and see Tiny Wed. because she went to the hospital today to have her appendix out. They have been bothering her for quite a while now so she thought it would be best. I hope she's O.K. I'm going to call her later on tonight.
Today we went for a short hike this morning and have the rest of the day off. I cleaned up my room and I am sending the letters and some books etc. home. I am sending it C.O.D. if I can because my wallet is low. I hope you don't mind.
I am sending some pictures I got of some of the boys. I have more and will include some in each letter. O.K. I am also sending a group picture of our section last term.
I am in the best of health and Sat. morning I went to Company's dentist and had my tooth fixed. One of the fillings fell out a little while ago. I hope everybody is O.K. If Sandy gets too fresh you better strap on on him. He can't go around biting people. I hope Grandma's arm is better. I'll close now remaining
Your Loving Soldier Boy,
Tony