Dear Helen

Co. "A" A.S.T.U. 3920
U. of Oregon
12/3/43

Dear Helen,

One down and 5 more terms to go. Our term ended today with a strenuous week with, about 13 tests which made our heads whirl a bit. But being I'm still here I guess I made out alright. They certainly keep us busy from morning till night so during this one week off I have to answer about 30 letters I couldn't answer as yet.

Before I say anymore I must confess I started a letter as soon as I received yours but I never got a chance to finish it. But that's no excuse, I should have found time.

I don't want to say much about the unhappy incident, but I want to express my deepest sympathy. Yes Helen there is only one place and that is heaven and that's so easy to say knowing his family as I do.

And for the happy occurrence, your sister's baby reminded me of an incident that happened in my family about 20 years. When I was born, my Grandfather passed away in the same week. And when my mother was talking about it, she said they were more than happy when I arrived because it took their minds off the incident that they didn't want to happen. I hope it was the same for your family.

I hope your sister's baby isn't like the baby I was. I hear I was an awful pest.

The term was 3 months long and we have 3 terms in basic before we go to advanced engineering.

It certainly is swell here and it's so far from being like the army that if I would ever flunk out it would be just like leaving home again; for the army. But I'll try to stay here as long as possible being I am learning something, getting actual credits, and having a good time besides. I guess it's unbeatable for the army. huh?

The "Hello Dance" was a sure success and we had a swell time. The boys in the unit here formed a band and from time to time they give dances and "Jive" concerts whenever they can get the gym. The sorority houses on the campus are always inviting the boys over for dances. Last week they gave four dances and we had a rare time. I spend my weekends at the "Casablanca Lodge Sorority House." It used to be a fraternity (Alpha Tau Omega) but being there aren't many boys on the campus the girls took over.

The boys also organized a football team. They had several games on Sat. afternoons which were quite exciting.

About 3 weeks ago, Marjorie Lawrence, the noted Metropolitan Opera star, came to the campus and put a swell opera on. There is usually something happening when it comes to the weeks end.

It was really funny last weekend. I was invited to the sorority house for dinner. Just me and another fellow was there and about 40 coeds and if you think it was easy sitting there--well anyway I certainly felt awkward. That will be the last time I accept a dinner date although it was a lot of fun.

We get one week off but only 7 days is not enough to go home so I will try to amuse myself here. I have plenty to do at any rate. Christmas shopping & letter writing etc.

I think I talked enough about me so will change the subject. How are you and how is everything ticking way out there in the middle states?

The weather out here is still mild. At first we had plenty of rain but for awhile now the weather has surprised just about everybody and it's really nice.

I hope I hear from you soon again and when you do't hear from me so soon I hope you will understand and just drop a postcard once in awhile, OK. I think in the new year's resolution I will put in one to have a petition signed by all the boys to the army personnel to give us a period during the day for writing letters. But you know the army, so.....

I certainly liked the compliment at the bottom of your letter "Lt. A.J. Curcio." It sounds good but I think it's quite a ways off yet. Still your the only that mentioned it. You certainly have originality anyway.

I'll close now hoping you are in the best of health and very happy and hope you have a real good old fashioned holiday spirit like the kind I dream of that gets me so homesick. Be good and give your family and the little baby my best regards.

Sincerely As Ever,

Tony

Dear Ma, Pa, Barb, Ann, Ele, Letter No. 12

Pvt. Anthony J. Curcio Date 2-4-43
Flight "F" 360th Tech. Sch. Sqd. Letter No. 12
Jefferson Barracks, MO. Rec'd card 4 & 5-6-7-8-9-10-11-12

Dear Ma, Pa, Barb, Ann, Ele,

Well this [is] the first real chance I got to write since I last wrote you. Please check the no. of this letter. I'm not sure whether it's 11 or 12. But make this no. 12 anyway. Everybody was free tonight after working the past three days (nights) to fix & clean up the huts. Tonight anybody can get a pass into St. Louis & must be back by 1 o'clock. But I'm staying right here in my hut & catch[ing] up with my mail. I didn't receive any mail since I was here, but boy did it come in last night. I got 13. And tonight I got 1 from you ma. You really can't express the thrills I get when I get regular mail from you ma. I really got a kick out of the way you kept writing even though you couldn't send them. And then when I did get them all it was easy to keep track of & made it so much more interesting.
Before I answer your letters ma I don't want to keep you in suspense any longer. On one of my cards I sent you I told you I took those mechanical apptitude test. Well we all was interviewed and believe you mas I got a swell corporal as an interviewer. We talk together and discussed the drafting branches of the Engineers of the Air Corps and he said that I did exceptionally wel in my tests and with my background I should make out very good in my army career. They let you take [two] choices of schools & then try to send you to one of them. Most fellows will just go to school to learn how to run mechanical equipment. The first school I was recommended for was TOPOGRAPHIC DRAFTING, which requires 3 months schooling & then if you pass that you can fill out an application for officers training school. If I do make that school which is one of the top schools I will get a technician 5th grade which is corporal with a T under it. It looks like this [symbol]. Now after all that if I don't make the grade for drafting I could have taken basic drafting which (as the corp. said) is very elementary. So I took my second pick as surveying. But the grade will not be as high. The corporal said I got a pretty good chance. So I just got to sit back & pray.
What do you say about taking a trip out here. It would be very simple traveling & I'll pay all your expenses to come out here (when I do get paid). They have placese where you can stay here for a couple days. I'm quite sure I will stay a couple more weeks. It will take 24 hrs. by Grand Central R.R. You could leave [at] 9 (for instance on morning) and get here [at] 9 the next morning. No matter what time you get here they will call me no matter where I am. As I said it will take you 24 hrs. from N.Y. so St. Louis by train. Then you just have to step into a taxi cab and say take me to Jefferson Barracks and they will take you to the gate. Then a guard will take you to visitors information. Tell them who you want to see & they will call me. Pretty easy huh. Let me know. Well all week we went to shows getting lectures & pictures on first aid, reasons why war came, what to do in case of accidents, etc. We have to walk about [two] miles there after chow in morning & then back to chow at lunch time & then back again after chow & then back again for chow at supper then mail call & then clean up our huts and pass inspection. That's what we were doing since we go[t] into these huts on Sunday.
I'll start to answer your letters now. Ma your letters are most interesting & the longer the better.
The first is the card. It was really swell & don't worry ma I will keep my chin up. The next one is #5 the one forwarded from [Camp Upton] Boy it sure sounds swell to hear the way you fixed up my roon. I just can picture you all sitting there. It sort of puts a lump in my throat.
Talking about Frank, I asked for his address but I gues syou forgot it. That reminds me. When we were down in the theatre, we were singing all the songs (The air corps song is mine now ma). but anyway the leader said what about the marine's hymn, so we all gave a roar and they put the words on the screen. Well ma I got so much feeling inside of me I just couldn't finish the song. Tears actually started to roll down my cheeks.
How are those pills affecting you? To tell you the truth ma, you really don't need pills in my estimation.
I don't think anybody can get a furlough until about 6 months of service. Whether you are not doing anything or visa versa. The most you can get is a pass over the weekend. I think it's the same in all camps.
I must agree with you Pops letters didn't sound so bad.
The pictures are really swell, that's a couple more for my collection.
This letter #9 it came with the three in one. So Teenie is still crabbing. Well that's one thing I won't hear anymore.
I hope you keep me posted the way you've been doing in your letters. They're swell, especially when they come so regular.
Please acknowledge to Mr. Massa that the kit he gave me is coming in very handy & as soon as I get a chance I will drop him a line.
Thanks for sending the box ma. I certainly will be happy when I get it.
I am really sketching this I would like to say much more but this is really getting short I almost spent 2 hrs. on this now. The fellows are arguing (friendly) and I had to put my two cents in to[o]. I would write all night but we have to put lights out at 9 o'clock & I started at 7 right after chow. I wanted to write Ele tonight but I guess I'll put it off 'til tomorrow. I just dropped her cards as I did to you ma.
The last letter I received was from you tonight about the hair I sent you ma. That was certainly cute.
I guess you're wondering who I got the 13 letters from. Well I got 5 from you ma, 2 from Elfrieda, 1 from Grandma & Aunt Anna, 3 from Eleanor, 1 card from Pat & Dave, 1 from Joe's mother. Joe is in Miami Beach, Florida. He is in tech. training school the same as me.
Please tell Eleanor & Grandma I will answer as soon as I get a chance. I'll tell you more about the camp when I get plenty of time. Probably on Sunday.

Please let me know in a hurry
whether you would like to come
ma I'm really very anxious.
Your Loving Soldier Boy,
Tony