Dear Ma, Pa, Barb, Ann, Ele, Letter No. 11

Pvt. Anthony J. Curcio Date 1-31-43
Flight "F" 360th Tech. Sch. Sqd. Letter No. 11
Jefferson Barracks, MO.

Dear Ma, Pa, Barb, Ann, Ele,

The weather up here is pretty nice. It isn't so cold & if it is cold you don't feel it because the air is dry. In the afternoon, if the sun is out it's just like a spring day.
No matter what we do here or where we [go] we always have to fall in and we march in formation. It's part of their basic training to keep you in shape.
Friday night we took showers & washed our clothes.
Sat. we were awaken[ed] at 4:30 had to fall out in 15 minutes, we were given ten minutes to go to the latrine, went to chow & direct from chow we had to walk about 2 miles to the theatre to see the picture on the projector of disease again. We saw it at Camp Upton but some saw it here & some didn't so we all had to see it over again. Then we were given a speech by the chaplain. Then we had to walk back. In the afternoon after chow we had to walk there again & was given the articles of war & a picture of march of time. Then we had to walk back again. Boy my feet are starting to hurt. I feel it in the heels.
Boy what a break we got. In the night the U.S.O. sponsored a play in the tent arena. Guess what it was. It was "Arsenic and Old Lace." Boy it was good. But I was kind of tired. I just fell asleep when I hit the bed. (Program enclosed)
I figured we would be off on Sunday but we had to move to new huts. I'm glad we did. It's nearer to the mess hall. We have 8 in a hut instead of 6. We don't have cots anymore, but double decker beds. (I sleep on the bottom). We also got foot lockers to put our stuff in. Boy it feels good to have your stuff in order. It took us all morning to move because it was raining cats & dogs. In the afternoon we had to work. We had to take the foot lockers out of old huts and bring them to ours. More walking. I guess I will break them in after awhile.
So here it is Sunday night the first time I had to write since I last wrote.
I got a little leaflet on the history & map of Jefferson Barracks. It's quite interesting.
I also include an emblem we wear on our arm. It's for ma. It's the air corps insignia.
Say ma, ma[y]be you would like to come out here for a couple of days? We have a place here where visitors stay. It would be about a 24 hours trip by Grand Central R.R. I don't know it may be kind of tiresome for you, but I certainly would like to see you ma. It's been very lonely. Think it over ma.
I think I will turn in early tonight because we will be given [a] test tomorrow so that we can be classified in certain branches of the air corps. So so long for awhile. Hope you all are still in the best of health & ma let me know what's what with examination. I'm positive it's O.K.

Your Loving Soldier Boy,
Tony

P.S. I didn't receive any mail here yet. Some mail was forwarded from Camp Upton but none for me. It will probably come tomorrow.

Dear Mom, Pa, Barb, Ann, Ele, Letter No. 10

Pvt. Anthony J. Curcio 1-29-43
Flight "F" 360th Tech. Sch. Sqd. Letter No. 10
Jefferson Barracks, MO

Dear Mom, Pa, Barb, Ann, Ele,

Well here I am reporting from Jefferson Barracks, I'm in the air corps, that's official now. But I do feel a little lonely way out here, about a 1,000 miles from New York.
As soon as we came in to the camp we had to march and keep in order. Hats on all times, O.D.'s on at all [times] unless specified, buttons buttoned at all times, your flight cap 1" over your right eye, shoes always shined, etc. They have a system here at least. You don't have to wait very long for chow. And here the chow is good. You really can look forward to eating. But of course it still doesn't compare to home. When we got up for breakfast this morning at 5:30 we had oatmeal, potatoes, sausages, 2 bottles of milk, 2 slices of bread & butter, 1 cup of coffee, 1 cupcake, 1 tangerine. For dinner we had 2 pork chops, mashed potatoes, lima beans, bread & butter, coffee, (plenty of sugar on the table, how is the rationing at home?), I piece of cherry pie, ice cream, & tangerine. What ever you can't get [at] home we have here.
Yesterday afternoon after I wrote the letter #9, we had to go to get our teeth examined. Of course we don't know if anything is wrong. What sort of an exam it was we don't know. In the night after chow we went to wash our clothes in the latrine. Boy what a job, especially when you don't have any hot water. But they usually do have hot water, something must have gone wrong. Boy now I know what ma has to go through when ma washes the clothes. It's no joke. It's something more kids home should do. Wash & take care of your own clothes.
Well this morning when I got up I was pretty tired, but once you wake up it's OK. We were taken on to the drill field & taught different things & taking order. How to salute & different things we should take heed to. Boy he was a nice drill sargent, you couldn't help but give him good results. We also had calisthenics. We drilled from 8 to 11:30. Boy I was tired after that. But I'm getting used to it. The sarge told us that we get 7 days of processing today being the 3rd. After that we get 18 days of drill & etc. called basic training. During the 7 day processing we will get tests & interviews, so that we can be classified and placed in the air corps. I hope I can be sent to school.
Ma after chow we were given time out to get hair cuts. Well you know what that means Ma. All off. But ma I don't look so bad. In fact it looks pretty good. It was really a measure anyway. I'll enclose some so you can see how much they cut off. It costs me 35 cents. After I got my haircut I came right down to the day club. Which is a little barrack where you can write letters & play games, etc. There are 6 fellows in my hut, which I told you all in the last letter & they are pretty nice fellows. One is a married man and he is also a very nice man.
Say ma, I just recalled you had to report the 27 for the examination. It was perfect results, wasn't it? Let me know right away. Send me the dope on calling up Barb at the office & if I get a chance during the day I'll call up. If you could send a shoe polishing kit it would be swell. Well I guess that's all for [now]. From your loving soldier boy reporting from the air corps.

Tony

I would send airmail but I can't get stamps as yet.
I will also include the scapular I left out of the other one. Please show it to Grandma. I put the stamp on I got from one of the fellows. I thought it was a bit heavy and I didn't want them to return it.

Dear Mom, Pa, Barb, Ann, Ele, Letter No. 9

Pvt. Anthony J. Curcio 1-28-43
Flight "F" 360th Tech. Sch. Sqd. Letter No. 9
Jefferson Barracks, MO

Dear Mom, Pa, Barb, Ann, Ele,

Well here I am in Jefferson Barracks, Missouri, 14 miles south of St. Louis. We left Camp Upton at 11 o'clock Tuesday morning. We left in R.R. cars & the seats were able to be converted into births. It was the Pennsylvania R.R. Our first stop was Philadelphia, after passing through L.I., N.J., at 4:25 PM. From there we went to Harrisburg, PA, Altuna, and Pittsburgh during the night. All during the night we went through Ohio making stops at Columbus. During Wed. we hit Richmond, Ind. & at 9:30 we hit Indianapolis. From there we went straight thru to St. Louis to Jefferson Barracks.
We finally found out we were in the air corps. as you can tell by the address. After all the riffing we do about people coming from Missouri & here I am in MO myself. This place is very cold but the only place I feel it is in my feet & when I got up this morning. The air down here is dry & I don't feel it on my face, it just penetrates through the feet. We live in barracks or shall I call them huts. Wood frame with a small stove in the center. There are 6 in each hut. Our trip from Camp Upton was a bit tiresome & we didn't see much scenery because the windows were dirty & the steam from the locomotive blew right in front of our window. The food on the train was awful but the food here at the camp is swell. When we got here we were assigned to our huts & then we had chow. The dishes & silverware were immaculate compared to C.U. [Camp Upton]. After chow we went to get our bedding which consisted of 2 woolen blankets, 1 quilt, 2 sheets, 1 pillow case. We needed them all. The country around here is very hilly. After we got our bedding we went to the U.S.O. to send the telegrams. I sent one to you mom & one to Elfrieda. I sent them overnight because I didn't want to scare you. It would have probably came during the night. There is a lot of colored fellows here & are separated from us partly. They have a separate routine down here. The southern officers have a prejudice here against them. I really don't like the officers down here they seem to think they're a bit better than we are from N.Y. I don't know. But it is sure hard to understand them with their accent. This morning we were awaken about 5:30.
I slept fairly well. Then we had chow. When we came back we were shown how to make our beds. Boy what a screwy way. You have to break up the entire bed. Take the slip off the mattress & off the pillow. Fold your blankets, fold the quilt (in a certain way) fold your mattress. Where as in Upton we just had to straighten our fed and we were OK. Well we all do what we are told & we will keep our noses clean. I hope I like it here. He said we will stay here from 3 weeks to 2 months. So ma could you please send me a sleeveless sweater & some stationary (The stuff I got printed) say about 2 dozen sheets & envelopes & a few packs of cigarettes. Thanks ma. I would buy the stuff here but my money is running low. Sometimes we buy crackers & coffee & cards & etc. Besides I would feel much better if I did receive a package from home. Ma[y]be you can get a couple milky ways?

Love,
Tony

P.S. Did you get my telegram the first thing there mom? Please read this letter to grandma. I may not get a chance to write to grandma for a couple days so please read this to her. Will write again as soon as I get my first free moment. Be sure to put 360th in the address.

Dear Mom, Pa, Barb, Ann, Ele, Grandma & Aunt Anna, Letter No. 8

Pvt. Anthony J. Curcio 1-26-43
4th Receiving Co. Barrack Z Letter No. 8
Camp Upton, NY

Dear Mom, Pa, Barb, Ann, Ele, Grandma & Aunt Anna,

It was an afterthought to include Grandma & Aunt Anna because I didn't think I should send a letter to Grandma telling her that I was going to be shipped. Was I right?
I [am] leaving sometime today, when or where I don't know. But I do know that at my first opportunity I will write. You all will probably not hear from me for a few days. But don't worry. I can take care of my self, especially after the bringing up I had & the things I was taught by mom.
Boy it feels kind of funny. It's the first time I will be going to a different state. Well that's the way it goes. Now don't worry & all take care of yourselves & say a prayer it will be someplace close. So long for awhile

Your Loving Soldier Boy,
Tony

Dear Ma, Pa, Barb, Ann, Ele, Letter No. 7

Pvt. Anthony J. Curcio 1-25-43
4th Receiving Co. Barrack Z Letter No. 7
Camp Upton, NY Rec'd 3

Dear Ma, Pa, Barb, Ann, Ele,

I received your letter along with one from Ele, I was so glad to get the mail, I just couldn't wait to open it. (I got them last night).
Mon. morning we got another shot in the arm. We will get them every week now. Your arm gets a bit stiff after awhile but I'm getting used to it & it doesn't bother me any more.
Boy that's certainly a thrill getting my name on the plaque. I'll feel proud to see it on my furlough.
Last night I went to bed about 7:30, I was a bit tired.
We didn't get anymore K.P. yet. I think once you serve it here you don't get it anymore.
I don't fell so bad ma. Last night I didn't sleep very good but I generally do. I dreamed I got a pass. So sometimes dreams come true ma.
As for Albert listening to radio. Ma you can listen to Australia can't you? Just put on short wave. I believe it's listed on our radio. They probably have the same thing there. Just vise versa. We have on our radio Australia, they have on their radio U.S.
Just now ma it's 2:50 and we are being called out. We have to get dressed in our O.D.'s with our field jackets on & our leggings on. Boy what a laugh, half of fellas couldn't get their leggings on right. I got mine on backwards. But it was all right. Boy ma I don't look so bad. It feels pretty good all dressed up. We had to go out & we were given drill for about 1 hr. Boy it was swell. It put a little spirit back in you. It's not regular drill but they do it every time one of the generals come around. That's the best thing that happened to me since I came here. I think I'll make out pretty good when I get to a permanent camp.
I didn't get any mail today. I guess it will come in tomorrow.
Today I saluted a captain & a lieutenant. It wasn't so good but when I get more complete instructions I guess it will be very impressive.
I think I will wash to right before I go to bed, I mean clothes.
Well I think that's all for now ma. I would have finished this afternoon but the drill came through & I'm glad it did, because it was interesting. Well so long for awhile. I hope you feel OK ma, & I hope everybody is OK to[o].

Remaining
Your Loving Soldier Boy,
Tony

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. 5

Pvt. Anthony J. Curcio 1-23-43
4th Receiving Co. Barrack Z Letter No. 5
Camp Upton, NY Rec'd 1

Dear Mom, Pa, Barb, Ann, Ele.

I received your letter yesterday ma, in late mail. Boy was I glad to get it.
Now ma don't worry about any doctor bills. It's not worth worrying about; the only thing is that you get better in the best possible way & means. Isn't that right?
I am glad Ele wrote to you mom. It will be so much better if you all keep in contact with each other.
You ask me how am I getting along with Joe. Well Joe was shipped Wed. as I told you in my last letter. Joe never got K.P. duty. Clifford is complaining about the food huh. Well I think we all are complaining. As for my feet I have no trouble yet. Was Clifford shipped yet?
While I think of it, will you send me Frank's address?
I really don't know whether all my clothes fit me or not. I didn't put on my O.D.'s yet. (Official Dress) The fellows wear them at night & they have to wear them when they are shipped. I usually stay in the barracks at night & write letters or go to sleep early, unless I have to get something from the P.X.
The shoes are very comfortable even tho they are heavy.
I can't answer the question about how army life is affecting me because this really isn't any life. There is no drill here, just details & that's a waste of time until you are shipped & believe me everybody wastes time, even the bosses.
On Thurs. we got a detail leveling off dirt outside our barracks. It was about 6 degrees out here. Boy was it cold. Later in the afternoon it started to snow. But it didn't last long.
On Fri. I got an easy job in the afternoon. I got guard duty detail in my barracks. There was a shipment going out & they met at our barracks. (My friend went on that shipment. That was the only one I got friendly with). I couldn't let anybody out without a guard. I guess it's just a safe precaution. I am friendly with them all but mostly him. I didn't want you to think that I didn't have any friends.
After that shipment there are only 12 on our roster. So I thought I would leave today. So I took a shower & shaved but I'm still here, ma[y]be I leave Sunday.
I certainly would have liked to have been shipped with the other fellows. But that's the way it goes. Ma[y]be it's because I have different qualifications.
Say did you get those pictures developed? As soon as I get to a new camp you can send them.
Did Ele go skating yet? How are they making out with the piano lessons? Or did you sell the piano? Joke.
Is grandma feeling OK?
How is Bobby's [Barb's nickname] event coming along?
& I don't have to ask you about my gloves. One is finished already. That's swell.
Well I think that's all for now. If I am shipped I will probably have time to drop you a line before I leave here. So so long for awhile, hoping you are all OK & send my best regards to Frank.

Your Loving Soldier Boy,
Tony

P.S. This fellow who was shipped yesterday which I mentioned above, his name was James Crowley. I lent him a dollar. He will send it to you when he gets to his new camp.