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 11^th 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