Dear Ma, Pa, Barb, Ann & Ele, Letter No. 40

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

Date 4-14-43
Letter No. 40
Rec'd 55 & 56

Dear Ma, Pa, Barb, Ann & Ele,

How is everybody? Still all O.K. Right? I feel fine.
Since Monday nothing too much has happened. On Monday we had calisthenics & lectures. Most of the lectures we had all ready.
One of the lieutenants gave us a speech on army organization. He also told us how we stand. We are attached to the air corps. And Ma I'm pretty lucky I think. As you remember I wanted to join the Sea Bees, and their job was to build the air fields for the navy and defend what the they build. Well the Engineer Aviation Battalion has the same function. They build the air bases for the army. Pretty good huh. If the navy don't want me, I'll do it for the army. O.K. huh.
I asked the lieutenant what were my chances of a draftsman or a surveyor. He said if you have past experience in it they will give you one of those jobs if possible. They will call us when they need us. But between you and I ma, my chances are pretty good I think. I'll just have to see how things run.
Monday night at 5 o'clock I had to go on guard for 24 hrs. 2 on 4 off. It was pretty easy. So I got off guard last night at 5 o'clock. My buddy got it tonight.
So today we had calisthenics as usual & a couple more lectures & this afternoon we had a hike (6 miles) and for the last half mile we had to double time (run). Boy I'm a bit tired but it's not so bad. As long as I get my regular sleep it's O.K. And I have been going to bed at 9 o'clock.
I got a letter from Joe Cohn. He is being shipped again. He tried for meteorology & made it, but it seems like there is no room for him as the W.A.A.C.'s are taking over. So he is going to radio school instead. He said he would write as soon as he reaches his new camp.
On Grandma's pillow case there is a little air corps pin like the one I sent to you. Make sure Grandma gets it.
I sent Aunt Anna's handkerchief separate.
As for Aunt Tennie you are perfectly right ma. The heck with her. You know ma, when I was back home we always agreed on everything. I always saw your side so clearly. I miss you so much ma. Your little pat on the back made me feel so good. And when you're home all alone just write me a nice long letter. It doesn't matter too much what it is even if it's about those little plants in my room. I know you can't write too much especially when you write me so often but no matter what it is I enjoy it because it's from you ma. If you only could send a word everyday that everybody was alright that's all I want to hear. That's all I need to keep me feeling like a million. But always let me know everything that happens like you always have been doing.
Tomorrow night there is a dance in the recreation hall. So my buddy & I are going. We had to get the tickets (free) from the orderly room & the lieutenant was there. He asked me whether I was going to the dances that are going to be held by the 1875th in the near future. I told him I wouldn't miss them. I told him I was one of those Jitterbugs from N.Y. He said he knew that when he looked at me. Boy it makes it a lot nicer when the lieutenants talk to you & kid around with you. They are all pretty young & are all swell.
Thanks for filling my request ma, by having that little party for just you & I. I guess we both couldn't be so happy so far apart but the spirit was there wasn't it ma. We just had to have a party together, right?
Thanks for making the corsage for Elfrieda. I'm positive she will like them. I got a letter from her today. I also got a card from the girl in St. Louis & she says she is writing me a letter. She is a very nice girl ma. And I also got a letter from Dot & Dave. She said Ann was in the store. She said what a nice girl Ann was. And by gosh she's right. We all know that.
I will enclose the little clipping I left out of the other letter.
So I will close now for awhile. Give my love to Grandma. Please ma and my love to all.

Your Loving Son
& Soldier Boy,
Tony

P.S. Din't get the package yet.

Dear Ma, Pa, Barb, Ann, Ele, Letter No. 29

Pvt. Anthony J. Curcio
U.S. Army
23 TNG. GRP.
SQD. "A"
Jefferson Barracks, Mo.

Date 3-11-43
Letter No. 29
Rec'd 38

Dear Mom, Pa, Barb, Ann & Ele,

How is everybody today? O.K. That's swell.
I'm still fine & I believe I'm still picking up weight. I wish I could weigh myself some place.
Well as I told you in the last letter I'm a casual and get details or something as we are waiting for shipment. They are shipping quite a few out everyday. But I'm still here. One fellow was shipped out today but was sent back because his temperature was 99.2. The won't take anybody over 98.
Yesterday all the details were filled up so we just drilled a bit& walked a bit and went back to our huts early. In the night right after chow I went to mass & received ashes on my head. Then I came back & wrote a letter to Ele (Elfreida).
Today my name was on detail so we went to a different part of the camp & was shoveling dirt. They were pouring concrete foundations for one of the buildings. I don't mind details. They aren't so bad here.
Tonight I'm going to bed early because I got K.P. I'm glad I got it tomorrow. Then there will be less chance that I get it on Sunday.
Today I got a letter from Mary, Frank & Roberta. It was a very nice letter. She says she's been married 5 years now & only saw the family a few times but the more she sees them the better she likes them. It was the nicest letter I received from Pop's side.
I also received two cards from Dot & Dave. She drops me a card or letter every now and then. I think it's very nice of them. Does anybody drop in once in awhile? I wish you would if anybody gets the time.
Maybe Ann's eyes are the cause for her headaches. I hope the eye glasses will cure it. Being she has a job now I think she will feel much better.
Today I also received the package Boby sent. It is very complete and I'm sure Helen Riley will enjoy it very much. And thanks Bob for your interesting letter.
Well I think that's all for tonight. I want to write a letter to Grandma & maybe have time to answer another letter before lights go out. So until my next letter I remain,

Your Loving Soldier Boy,
Tony

P.S. One fellow just walked in our hut (he came from N.Y. also) and told us he was shipping in the morning to a school in N.Y. How is that for a break. I wish I would get a break like that.

Dear Ma, Pa, Barb, Ann, Ele, Letter No. 15

Pvt. Anthony J. Curcio Date 2-10-43
Flight "F" 360 T.S.S. Letter No. 15
Jefferson Barracks, MO. Rec'd 17 & card

Dear Ma, Pa, Barb, Ann, Ele,

How are you all? I am O.K. I'm getting used to this drill & calisthenics & obstacle courses. It seems to grow inside of you like anything will once you get used to it.
Today we drilled & did calisthenics as usual & as our obstacle course we had to hike up & down steep hills & I do mean steep. Boy it got you tired but after its all over you feel pretty good.
Tonight we are confined to our huts.
Tonight I also received a letter from Eleanor. Thanks, Ele. (You better get that march down pat, I'm beginning to like marches).
I got a beautiful card from Ann. Thanks Ann. And I do miss you all the same as you miss me you all know that. And I hope you & ma can come to see me.
It's too bad about Frank, but don't worry everything is going to be all right. I'll tell you why. Anybody which has high as spirits as him makes out O.K. It's never failed yet. Take my word for it.
Boy I'm waiting for those cookies. I hope they come in a hurry. Ann I will express my honest opinion of them when I taste them but I can almost smell them already. I know they will be good. Especially 1000 miles from home.
I really need that shoe polishing kit also. We shine shoes everyday. We also [are] supposed to shave everyday also. Anything that looks a little dark they make it hard for you. Good training huh. I'm not kidding.
As for Edie coming home to work in spring, I don't think it's possible. I never heard anything like it. We'll just have to wait and see.
Boy it's good to hear my name called out on that mail list each day. You don't know what it does to you. I also got 2 from Ele today & Dot & Dave. Each a card & a letter.
Well I think that's all for now except that I think I wrote to everybody Sunday I forgot to tell you. I dropped a card to all our relations etc. Well so long for awhile hoping you all remain in the best of health.

Your Loving Soldier Boy,
Tony

P.S. I almost fort the other day I got a letter from Joe. He is in Miami Beach, Fla. He is in the same sort of T.S.S. as I am. His dog tag No. is 32712132. My no. is 32712172. Isn't that a coincidence.

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. 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