Hello Mom,
I got off mess duty yesterday, and boy, was I glad! I also got paid, so I went to town yesterday evening. I went to the town that is 42 miles from here. Didn't have much fun there, so I doubt I'll go there again.
I am going to send you 10 bucks in this letter. It won't help you much, I know, but maybe it will a little.
I hope you and Dad have a good time while you have Red's car. Mom, there isn't much use of you to write every day because I know how hard it is to think of things to write about.
I guess Helen is glad to get her a job, but I'll bet it doesn't pay much. Maybe she can at least buy her clothes.
We had a pretty big rain storm this evening, and here I was laying out there firing my rifle. I couldn't even see the target through the rain. I don't know why they made us fire. It was a lot of shells wasted, and I got soaked.
....We fired 60 rounds today. I love to fire the rifle. We go out at 7:30 in the morning and come back for noon chow, then go right back out and stay until 4:00 or 4:30. Later on, after we start firing more, we won't get in until 6: or 6:30.
They have a show here every evening, but I've only been once.
Is anybody helping Dad on the truck now? I guess he just got paid straight time while he was on vacation, didn't he?
...I went over to the slop shoot this evening and drank a beer, then went to the show. It was "Return of the Ape Man."
I saw 3 of the boys I was in Washington with. They went to New York for a while, then they got sent here.
We fired over 100 rounds today.
I will leave here about the 4th of next month and go to tent camp. That is about 22 miles from here, and we have to walk every step of the way. After that, I will get a furlough, so I should be home around the 19th of next month.
Well, that Pete doesn't have any sense at all. He must sure love her to send her a check for $100. That money could have done his mother and dad more good than her. I would never get married while I was in the marine corps because if something happened to me, she would get the money and not you and dad.
We got off yesterday around noon, so I thought I'd go on liberty. Drank a few beers and had a pretty good time. I went to a carnival for a while. Had fun teasing the girls working there.
....
It's so hot here that it is hard to sleep. The flies and mosquitoes are bad. It hardly ever rains.
Sorry I haven't written for a while, but I've been really busy. Monday night we went on a hike, and we got in late. Wednesday and Thursday nights we also went on a hike. I have walked 60 miles this week. So, we got off today, for the rifle range tonight, but then we had to wash all the windows.
We will have a lot of work to do next week. We have to fire the B.H.R next week. We will fire it during the day, then we will fire the M1 at night. We will fire every night until about 9:30 or 10. On Saturday, we will leave here to go down to the main base. It is about 22 miles from here.
....We went out last night around 11:00 to fight fire. They called out the army, navy and marine corp for a really big forest fire. We got back in about 15 minutes till 7 this morning. We worked all night, and this morning they had another bunch of marines to come to take our place. They told us we could sleep all day long today if we wanted, but I only slept until about 11:00 because it is too hot to sleep.
We went on three 20-mile hikes last week, and I think we have to go on one this week.
I wish you would go to a doctor about your arm hurting so bad.
I didn't work too hard today. We didn't do nothing but fire this morning, and this afternoon, I just sat around and watched the rest of them fire. We have to go back out this evening and fire after dark. I don't mind firing after dark because it is a little bit cooler. The rifle we are firing now weighs 23 lbs. and is hard to hold. It kicks a good bit. It shoots automatic, and you can fire 20 rounds in no time. All you have to do is hold the trigger. But it moves you backward if you fire that many at one time.
Yes, I read in the paper about that tornado. That was a shame.
I guess Jewell was glad to get that 26 bucks.
Mom, I won't get to come home for the 4th, but hope to get home soon after that.
We fired preliminary today, and I would make marksman. It doesn't count, though, because tomorrow is record day. I think I can make sharpshooter. At least I hope I can.
The boys who came here with me got a $20 check today. Everyone but me and another boy. That is the check that we had coming to us from Parris Island. I hope I get mine in the next day or so.
I'm going to go eat chow now and get ready to fall out at 7:00.
Friday, August 27, 2010
Thursday, August 26, 2010
May 1944
I played ball for a couple of hours this evening. We are going to have a game on Friday with a team from somewhere in Washington.
I'm going to quit writing to Louise. If she asks you where I am, just tell her you don't know because you haven't heard from me for a while. Now, don't ask me any questions. Just tell her that.
...
Two of the boys were uptown yesterday and had an awful fight with 6 policemen. They got into it over something, and another marine happened by and started helping them, and they sent 3 of the policemen to the hospital, and one of them got hurt. It was on the front page of the paper today. The boys are in the brig now, and I don't know what they are going to do with them.
Mom, I'm going to ask you something. I hate to, and if you can't do it, that's all right. If you can, get Jewell to give you 3 dollars, and Betty 3, then you put it 3 or 4, and then send it to me. If they don't have the money, don't you send me any. The reason I need it is that I might get to come home before I leave here. If I don't, I'll send it back to you. I don't know for sure where I'm going or when, but I think it will be before the 20th. Now Mom, if Jewell or Betty don't have the money, don't you go out and borrow it, because I don't have to come home. And I might not even get to come. I've got enough money right now to come, but I have to get laundry and dry cleaning out.
We started wearing our summer pants yesterday, and I don't like them worth a damn. I need to go press them now.
.....I'm glad Dad is raising a garden this year. I know it will really help you all out.
May 19, 1944 Camp Lejeune New River, North Carolina
We got here this morning. I believe it's going to be all right. We had a swell time on the train last night. There were about 50 of us in the car. There were men coming around selling ice cream. We did have one boy to slip off the train. They will be hard on him when they find him.
Today was pay day here, but we didn't get paid. We will get paid on the 5th. I will get about 50 bucks. The closest town is about 10 miles from here, so I won't have much use for money. Maybe I can save a lot. I know I will get more rest here than I did in Washington. They say we will get every weekend off, from Saturday evening to Monday morning.
I don't think we will be here for more than a month or two. Then, we will be moved to some other camp.
I will try to write you every day.
...well, they have slapped me on mess duty for 30 days. They picked me out of about 150 others, so it looks like I got shit on again. I hate mess duty.
The closest liberty town is about 20 miles from here, so I guess I won't go on liberty again until I leave here.
It's not bad here. Except there are no women. haha
I haven't missed a meal since I've been here. I think I had started losing weight while I was in Washington. I ran around too much and didn't get enough rest. I'm glad I got away from there.
They've got me washing dishes now. I sure wish I hadn't gotten this mess duty. We feed about 1400 boys every day.
I had to have a short arm inspection yesterday. I guess you know what that is. haha
I went to see a show tonight. It was called The Pride of the Yankees. I heard Roy talk about it a lot, so I thought I'd go see it. It was pretty good.
No Mom, this place isn't close to Parris Island. This is North Carolina, and Parris Island is in South Carolina.
I guess Ruth is glad that school is out now.
I hear all the boys out firing on the rifle range. I sure wish I was out there instead of in the mess hall.
Did Louise ever call you or come up to the house? I have written her a couple of letters since I've been here
I'm going to quit writing to Louise. If she asks you where I am, just tell her you don't know because you haven't heard from me for a while. Now, don't ask me any questions. Just tell her that.
...
Two of the boys were uptown yesterday and had an awful fight with 6 policemen. They got into it over something, and another marine happened by and started helping them, and they sent 3 of the policemen to the hospital, and one of them got hurt. It was on the front page of the paper today. The boys are in the brig now, and I don't know what they are going to do with them.
Mom, I'm going to ask you something. I hate to, and if you can't do it, that's all right. If you can, get Jewell to give you 3 dollars, and Betty 3, then you put it 3 or 4, and then send it to me. If they don't have the money, don't you send me any. The reason I need it is that I might get to come home before I leave here. If I don't, I'll send it back to you. I don't know for sure where I'm going or when, but I think it will be before the 20th. Now Mom, if Jewell or Betty don't have the money, don't you go out and borrow it, because I don't have to come home. And I might not even get to come. I've got enough money right now to come, but I have to get laundry and dry cleaning out.
We started wearing our summer pants yesterday, and I don't like them worth a damn. I need to go press them now.
.....I'm glad Dad is raising a garden this year. I know it will really help you all out.
May 19, 1944 Camp Lejeune New River, North Carolina
We got here this morning. I believe it's going to be all right. We had a swell time on the train last night. There were about 50 of us in the car. There were men coming around selling ice cream. We did have one boy to slip off the train. They will be hard on him when they find him.
Today was pay day here, but we didn't get paid. We will get paid on the 5th. I will get about 50 bucks. The closest town is about 10 miles from here, so I won't have much use for money. Maybe I can save a lot. I know I will get more rest here than I did in Washington. They say we will get every weekend off, from Saturday evening to Monday morning.
I don't think we will be here for more than a month or two. Then, we will be moved to some other camp.
I will try to write you every day.
...well, they have slapped me on mess duty for 30 days. They picked me out of about 150 others, so it looks like I got shit on again. I hate mess duty.
The closest liberty town is about 20 miles from here, so I guess I won't go on liberty again until I leave here.
It's not bad here. Except there are no women. haha
I haven't missed a meal since I've been here. I think I had started losing weight while I was in Washington. I ran around too much and didn't get enough rest. I'm glad I got away from there.
They've got me washing dishes now. I sure wish I hadn't gotten this mess duty. We feed about 1400 boys every day.
I had to have a short arm inspection yesterday. I guess you know what that is. haha
I went to see a show tonight. It was called The Pride of the Yankees. I heard Roy talk about it a lot, so I thought I'd go see it. It was pretty good.
No Mom, this place isn't close to Parris Island. This is North Carolina, and Parris Island is in South Carolina.
I guess Ruth is glad that school is out now.
I hear all the boys out firing on the rifle range. I sure wish I was out there instead of in the mess hall.
Did Louise ever call you or come up to the house? I have written her a couple of letters since I've been here
Friday, August 20, 2010
paragraphs from letters dated 4/20-5/1/44
....I got paid today, but I had to pay the 7 bucks I owed, and I also had a 2 bucks cleaning bill to pay.
Yes, I did get into a little fight here one night. If I had known Louise was going to tell you, I wouldn't have told her. I was fighting with two boys who weren't in the service. My jaw was swollen up after the fight but it is alright now. And no, they didn't tell me I would get sent across for fighting, either. I'm not going to drink anymore.
....So Grandpa hurt himself at work. I knew he was too old to be working in the mines.
....I think I've already seen just about everything there is to see in Washington. The Potomac River is pretty, and I've also seen all the monuments. The Lincoln Memorial is awful pretty. I've been down to the White House about a dozen times. That is where me and another boy always take our girls. There is a park right beside the White House where we can go and sit and talk.
....So Dugie (cousin) is in Ireland now. He sure has traveled a lot since he joined the service.
April 26, 1944
Made it back ok, but I was 59 minutes late. I don't think they will say anything about it. I hope not, anyway. It was sure good to see everybody. I had to pay a dollar for a taxi to bring me here from Union Station. But, Harold slipped me 2 dollar before I left Charleston, and Jewell also gave me a dollar.
....There are 5 boys leaving here tomorrow, and 12 more are leaving on Wednesday. The 12 are just moving to Philadelphia because they can't have any men in the District of Columbia who hasn't been across. All of us will be out of here by June. We will just be transferred somewhere else for guard duty. The reason they are doing this is there are so many boys coming from overseas into Washington, and they have to find something for them to do.
May 1, 1944
I started to go to Frank Knox's funeral today. He was the Secretary of the Navy. But, it's too hot to wear a coat, and we can't go unless we wear one.
I will be glad when payday comes because I have to borrow money to get my cleaning out. We will get paid Friday. They say we might get that 19 bucks we have coming to us from Parris Island.
.....I just ate chow and it was good. We had spare ribs and I ate a lot of them.
Your son,
Pedue
Yes, I did get into a little fight here one night. If I had known Louise was going to tell you, I wouldn't have told her. I was fighting with two boys who weren't in the service. My jaw was swollen up after the fight but it is alright now. And no, they didn't tell me I would get sent across for fighting, either. I'm not going to drink anymore.
....So Grandpa hurt himself at work. I knew he was too old to be working in the mines.
....I think I've already seen just about everything there is to see in Washington. The Potomac River is pretty, and I've also seen all the monuments. The Lincoln Memorial is awful pretty. I've been down to the White House about a dozen times. That is where me and another boy always take our girls. There is a park right beside the White House where we can go and sit and talk.
....So Dugie (cousin) is in Ireland now. He sure has traveled a lot since he joined the service.
April 26, 1944
Made it back ok, but I was 59 minutes late. I don't think they will say anything about it. I hope not, anyway. It was sure good to see everybody. I had to pay a dollar for a taxi to bring me here from Union Station. But, Harold slipped me 2 dollar before I left Charleston, and Jewell also gave me a dollar.
....There are 5 boys leaving here tomorrow, and 12 more are leaving on Wednesday. The 12 are just moving to Philadelphia because they can't have any men in the District of Columbia who hasn't been across. All of us will be out of here by June. We will just be transferred somewhere else for guard duty. The reason they are doing this is there are so many boys coming from overseas into Washington, and they have to find something for them to do.
May 1, 1944
I started to go to Frank Knox's funeral today. He was the Secretary of the Navy. But, it's too hot to wear a coat, and we can't go unless we wear one.
I will be glad when payday comes because I have to borrow money to get my cleaning out. We will get paid Friday. They say we might get that 19 bucks we have coming to us from Parris Island.
.....I just ate chow and it was good. We had spare ribs and I ate a lot of them.
Your son,
Pedue
Thursday, August 12, 2010
April 17, 1945 Washington, D.C.
Hello Mom,
Will answer your letter received this morning.
Also got a letter from Louise, and she was mad because she said she hasn't got a letter from me in five days. She also said that someone told her that you said you didn't want me to go with her because she wasn't good enough for me.
I got another 32 hour pass this evening, and I'm not going anywhere. If I had some money, I'd go see Tom Slack.
You asked if I was broke or needed anything. Well, yes, I am broke, and have been for over a week. It's because I went out too much and drank. I get paid on Thursday and I owe a boy 7 bucks. I am not drinking any more. There is no sense in going out and spending all my money and then not having anything.
That was sure a good payday that Dad drew. I wish he could draw $100 every payday. That would sure help you all, wouldn't it.
The boys are trying to get me to go out tonight. They said they'd pay all the expenses, but I said no.
I'll close for now because I can't think of a thing to write.
Your son,
Pedue
Will answer your letter received this morning.
Also got a letter from Louise, and she was mad because she said she hasn't got a letter from me in five days. She also said that someone told her that you said you didn't want me to go with her because she wasn't good enough for me.
I got another 32 hour pass this evening, and I'm not going anywhere. If I had some money, I'd go see Tom Slack.
You asked if I was broke or needed anything. Well, yes, I am broke, and have been for over a week. It's because I went out too much and drank. I get paid on Thursday and I owe a boy 7 bucks. I am not drinking any more. There is no sense in going out and spending all my money and then not having anything.
That was sure a good payday that Dad drew. I wish he could draw $100 every payday. That would sure help you all, wouldn't it.
The boys are trying to get me to go out tonight. They said they'd pay all the expenses, but I said no.
I'll close for now because I can't think of a thing to write.
Your son,
Pedue
Wednesday, August 11, 2010
April 6, 1944 Washington, D.C.
Dear Mom,
Will answer your letter received this morning. I don't understand why you say you don't hear from me. I write you just about every day. You don't have to worry if you don't hear from me. I will call you if they move me. Or if anything would happen to me, they would let you know. So, please don't worry about me.
I don't know where to go tomorrow evening. I get 32 hours of and have anywhere to go. I wish I knew Tom's address. I think he is just about 2 hours from here. The boy who came here with me is going home on a 48 hour pass tomorrow. He just told them he wanted to go home. They are pretty good about letting anyone go home for 48 or 60 hours.
Well, I got letters from Louise and Betty this morning, and Louise said she hasn't gotten but three letters from me since I've been back. She said she isn't going to write me anymore until I start writing her more often. I know I have written her 10 letter since I've been back. I feel like writing her back and telling her I don't care if she writes me or not.
I got paid yesterday. Got 24 bucks. I owe 6 of it, so that just left me 18 bucks. I wish I could save a little money and send you and Betty that money you all gave me when I was home.
Well Mom, I will close for now and will write again tomorrow.
Please don't worry about me, because nothing is going to happen to me.
Your son,
Pedue
Will answer your letter received this morning. I don't understand why you say you don't hear from me. I write you just about every day. You don't have to worry if you don't hear from me. I will call you if they move me. Or if anything would happen to me, they would let you know. So, please don't worry about me.
I don't know where to go tomorrow evening. I get 32 hours of and have anywhere to go. I wish I knew Tom's address. I think he is just about 2 hours from here. The boy who came here with me is going home on a 48 hour pass tomorrow. He just told them he wanted to go home. They are pretty good about letting anyone go home for 48 or 60 hours.
Well, I got letters from Louise and Betty this morning, and Louise said she hasn't gotten but three letters from me since I've been back. She said she isn't going to write me anymore until I start writing her more often. I know I have written her 10 letter since I've been back. I feel like writing her back and telling her I don't care if she writes me or not.
I got paid yesterday. Got 24 bucks. I owe 6 of it, so that just left me 18 bucks. I wish I could save a little money and send you and Betty that money you all gave me when I was home.
Well Mom, I will close for now and will write again tomorrow.
Please don't worry about me, because nothing is going to happen to me.
Your son,
Pedue
April 2 and 5, 1944 Washington, D.C.
Hello Mom,
Will try to answer your letter received this morning. Hope you are all feeling well. I am feeling pretty good. I went to school twice today. We have to go twice a week to learn about some things around here. I have been off since 4:00 yesterday afternoon except for going to school for a couple of hours. I have to go on duty tonight from 12:00 to 4:00.
You don't have to be in any hurry about sending my shoes back to me. I don't need them for anything. I would just tell Dad to wear them, but I am afraid they might ask me where my other pair of shoes are.
I hope to be able to get you a little something for your birthday, but you know a service boy don't have nothing.
I got two letters from Louise today. She says she loves me. I think she got over her mad spell about me not stopping to see her.
Betty never did answer that letter I wrote her. I think she must be mad at me.
I got have gotten a 48 hour pass and come home this weekend, but I wouldn't have gotten to stay very long. I think I am going to wait until I can get a 72 hour leave and I'll get to stay longer. I get 32 hours Friday evening. I had Tom Slack's address I'd go see him. I guess he told them that he was just 16 because he sure hated the Marines. Well, he can get out if he wants to, but I'm staying until they throw me out. I'm a whole lot better off here than I was at home, because I am learning a little something.
Mom, the funniest thing happened yesterday evening. I was standing on guard duty, and the sky just got as black as could be, and everyone thought we were going to have a big rain storm. All at once, it started pouring the snow down. The ground was covered in about 2 minutes. It was the hardest snow I ever saw. It snowed about 10 minutes, and while the snow was coming down, a big lightening came up, and then a big crack of thunder! And here I was out standing duty, and boy, I liked to froze to death.
Mom, tell Dad to stop working so hard, or he's going to kill himself. I wish I was making enough money to help out.
I can't think of anything else to write, so I will close for now.
Your son,
Pedue
Will try to answer your letter received this morning. Hope you are all feeling well. I am feeling pretty good. I went to school twice today. We have to go twice a week to learn about some things around here. I have been off since 4:00 yesterday afternoon except for going to school for a couple of hours. I have to go on duty tonight from 12:00 to 4:00.
You don't have to be in any hurry about sending my shoes back to me. I don't need them for anything. I would just tell Dad to wear them, but I am afraid they might ask me where my other pair of shoes are.
I hope to be able to get you a little something for your birthday, but you know a service boy don't have nothing.
I got two letters from Louise today. She says she loves me. I think she got over her mad spell about me not stopping to see her.
Betty never did answer that letter I wrote her. I think she must be mad at me.
I got have gotten a 48 hour pass and come home this weekend, but I wouldn't have gotten to stay very long. I think I am going to wait until I can get a 72 hour leave and I'll get to stay longer. I get 32 hours Friday evening. I had Tom Slack's address I'd go see him. I guess he told them that he was just 16 because he sure hated the Marines. Well, he can get out if he wants to, but I'm staying until they throw me out. I'm a whole lot better off here than I was at home, because I am learning a little something.
Mom, the funniest thing happened yesterday evening. I was standing on guard duty, and the sky just got as black as could be, and everyone thought we were going to have a big rain storm. All at once, it started pouring the snow down. The ground was covered in about 2 minutes. It was the hardest snow I ever saw. It snowed about 10 minutes, and while the snow was coming down, a big lightening came up, and then a big crack of thunder! And here I was out standing duty, and boy, I liked to froze to death.
Mom, tell Dad to stop working so hard, or he's going to kill himself. I wish I was making enough money to help out.
I can't think of anything else to write, so I will close for now.
Your son,
Pedue
Sunday, August 8, 2010
March 29, 1944 Washington, D.C.
Hello Mom,
Well, I'm feeling pretty good today. Yesterday evening I went to bed around 6:00, and the girl I've been seeing called me up around 9:00. She wanted to know why I haven't been up to see her in a while. We talked a while, and then I went back to bed and slept until 7:00 this morning. So, I have caught up on my sleep. When I woke up, the snow was pouring down, but it has turned to rain now.
I don't guess I'll be doing any farming this year. I don't guess Dad will kill the pig until next winter, will he. It should pretty big by then.
I hope Jewell does get that job at Davis, because it would be a whole lot better for her. But, that will make it hard on Betty staying in Charleston by herself. Betty never did answer the last letter I sent her. I guess she is working all the time.
I am going to go down and get a carton of cigarettes. They are giving us all a carton. I haven't done much all day except go to class for an hour and a half. I have to go on guard duty at 12:00 tonight.
I'll close for now. Tell the family I said hello.
Your son,
Pedue
Well, I'm feeling pretty good today. Yesterday evening I went to bed around 6:00, and the girl I've been seeing called me up around 9:00. She wanted to know why I haven't been up to see her in a while. We talked a while, and then I went back to bed and slept until 7:00 this morning. So, I have caught up on my sleep. When I woke up, the snow was pouring down, but it has turned to rain now.
I don't guess I'll be doing any farming this year. I don't guess Dad will kill the pig until next winter, will he. It should pretty big by then.
I hope Jewell does get that job at Davis, because it would be a whole lot better for her. But, that will make it hard on Betty staying in Charleston by herself. Betty never did answer the last letter I sent her. I guess she is working all the time.
I am going to go down and get a carton of cigarettes. They are giving us all a carton. I haven't done much all day except go to class for an hour and a half. I have to go on guard duty at 12:00 tonight.
I'll close for now. Tell the family I said hello.
Your son,
Pedue
March 25 and 27, 1944 Washington, D.C.
Hello Mom,
Will write another short letter while I'm laying around. I guess you weren't expecting me to call you last night, were you? I was just sitting up there with a girl and decided to call you. You don't have to worry about me drinking too much because I know better than that. And there is no danger of me shooting myself with my gun.
I went on duty at midnight last night and got off at 4:00. Then I had to get up at 6:30 a.m. So, I'm going to stay in tonight and for three or days and get caught up on my sleep.
Well, I haven't gotten a letter from Louise yet, and I wrote her twice. I like her, but if she doesn't want to write, that suits me. I got an awful sweet letter from Eileen today. You know, that's an awful nice girl. I guess I like them all. haha. I also like the girls here in Washington.
I'll close for now and try to get a little sleep. I'll write you again tomorrow.
Your son,
Pedue
March 27, 1944
Hello Mom,
Will answer your letter received this morning but don't have much to write about.
I ate 3 meals today. That is the first time I've eaten 3 meals in one day since I've been here. I thought they feed good at Parris Island, but they feed a whole lot better here. We have ice cream every day.
So Pete is going to get married. I thought he had better sense than that. Well, if he is willing to give her 50 bucks a month out of his pay, I guess that's his business.
I think I will stay in for about 2 weeks. This girl called me up last night and wanted to know when I was coming back up town. I told her I got restricted for two weeks so she wouldn't keep calling me. She said I should try to slip off and come see her.
You mean Grandpa is loading coal at Wet Branch? They shouldn't let him work. They know he's too old for that. He don't need to work, anyway.
I got a letter from Louise today, and said she thought I did her wrong by not stopping when I was home last time. She was awful mad but said she would forgive me this time.
Well Mom, I'm going to lay down and try to get some sleep before I go on guard duty tonight at 8:00.
Tell Roy to write to me and tell me the news around Dry Branch.
Your son,
Pedue
Will write another short letter while I'm laying around. I guess you weren't expecting me to call you last night, were you? I was just sitting up there with a girl and decided to call you. You don't have to worry about me drinking too much because I know better than that. And there is no danger of me shooting myself with my gun.
I went on duty at midnight last night and got off at 4:00. Then I had to get up at 6:30 a.m. So, I'm going to stay in tonight and for three or days and get caught up on my sleep.
Well, I haven't gotten a letter from Louise yet, and I wrote her twice. I like her, but if she doesn't want to write, that suits me. I got an awful sweet letter from Eileen today. You know, that's an awful nice girl. I guess I like them all. haha. I also like the girls here in Washington.
I'll close for now and try to get a little sleep. I'll write you again tomorrow.
Your son,
Pedue
March 27, 1944
Hello Mom,
Will answer your letter received this morning but don't have much to write about.
I ate 3 meals today. That is the first time I've eaten 3 meals in one day since I've been here. I thought they feed good at Parris Island, but they feed a whole lot better here. We have ice cream every day.
So Pete is going to get married. I thought he had better sense than that. Well, if he is willing to give her 50 bucks a month out of his pay, I guess that's his business.
I think I will stay in for about 2 weeks. This girl called me up last night and wanted to know when I was coming back up town. I told her I got restricted for two weeks so she wouldn't keep calling me. She said I should try to slip off and come see her.
You mean Grandpa is loading coal at Wet Branch? They shouldn't let him work. They know he's too old for that. He don't need to work, anyway.
I got a letter from Louise today, and said she thought I did her wrong by not stopping when I was home last time. She was awful mad but said she would forgive me this time.
Well Mom, I'm going to lay down and try to get some sleep before I go on guard duty tonight at 8:00.
Tell Roy to write to me and tell me the news around Dry Branch.
Your son,
Pedue
Thursday, August 5, 2010
March 19, 20, and 23, 1944 Washington, D.C.
Hello, Mom
Will write you a few lines while I'm sitting around. Had a good time last night and got back in about 15 till 4 this morning. Some of the other boys just went back out, but I'm broke, so I thought I'd better stay here. I get paid tomorrow, at least I hope I do. They pay off on the 5th and the 20th.
Well Mom, here I am again. It is Monday morning. I went out last night after all. I borrowed 3 bucks from one of the boys and went out and had a pretty good time. I met this girl and have seen her the last three nights. She's a pretty nice girl. Last night, she just wanted to walk around, but it is just too cold to do that, so I slipped off from her. She is plenty mad at me now.
The roads here are a solid sheet of ice. It snowed just about all night last night.
I went down and got paid about 20 bucks a while ago and I was sure glad to get it. I guess I'll be able to keep this a while because I'll be on guard duty from 4:00 to 8:00 this evening, and then back on at 8 in the morning until 12:00 noon.
I tell you, I'm not going to be worth nothing if I stay around here very long. All I do is lay around and go on duty once in a while for four hours. I don't do no hard work at all. I could go out every night if I wanted to, but I'd stay broke if I did. There are lots of girls here. One of the boys here, Red, and I met a couple of WAVES last night, but they had to be in by 10:00,
I'll close for now. Tell Betty I'll write her tonight or tomorrow. You and her sure helped me out while I was home. I hated to take your money because I know how much you all needed it, but I'll give it back as soon as I get another pay or two.
Your son,
Pedue
March 23, 1944
Hello Mom,
I just got off guard duty at 4:00 this evening, and it is 5:30 now. It rained all day, and I had to stand out in it for 4 hours. I was watching the gate for the WAVES today to see that no one else came in. There's about 3,000 of them here.
Mom, they don't furnish dress blues anymore. They stopped that. I sure would have liked to have had a suit o them.
That call when I called you only cost 50 cents. That wasn't bad. I'd give that anytime to talk to some of you.
I will close for now.
Your son,
Pedue
Will write you a few lines while I'm sitting around. Had a good time last night and got back in about 15 till 4 this morning. Some of the other boys just went back out, but I'm broke, so I thought I'd better stay here. I get paid tomorrow, at least I hope I do. They pay off on the 5th and the 20th.
Well Mom, here I am again. It is Monday morning. I went out last night after all. I borrowed 3 bucks from one of the boys and went out and had a pretty good time. I met this girl and have seen her the last three nights. She's a pretty nice girl. Last night, she just wanted to walk around, but it is just too cold to do that, so I slipped off from her. She is plenty mad at me now.
The roads here are a solid sheet of ice. It snowed just about all night last night.
I went down and got paid about 20 bucks a while ago and I was sure glad to get it. I guess I'll be able to keep this a while because I'll be on guard duty from 4:00 to 8:00 this evening, and then back on at 8 in the morning until 12:00 noon.
I tell you, I'm not going to be worth nothing if I stay around here very long. All I do is lay around and go on duty once in a while for four hours. I don't do no hard work at all. I could go out every night if I wanted to, but I'd stay broke if I did. There are lots of girls here. One of the boys here, Red, and I met a couple of WAVES last night, but they had to be in by 10:00,
I'll close for now. Tell Betty I'll write her tonight or tomorrow. You and her sure helped me out while I was home. I hated to take your money because I know how much you all needed it, but I'll give it back as soon as I get another pay or two.
Your son,
Pedue
March 23, 1944
Hello Mom,
I just got off guard duty at 4:00 this evening, and it is 5:30 now. It rained all day, and I had to stand out in it for 4 hours. I was watching the gate for the WAVES today to see that no one else came in. There's about 3,000 of them here.
Mom, they don't furnish dress blues anymore. They stopped that. I sure would have liked to have had a suit o them.
That call when I called you only cost 50 cents. That wasn't bad. I'd give that anytime to talk to some of you.
I will close for now.
Your son,
Pedue
Wednesday, August 4, 2010
March 17, 1944
Hello Mom,
Well, this place isn't so bad after all. We get to go out in the town every night. There are plenty of women here and also beer if we want it. We can stay out all night if we want, just so we are back by 6:00 the next morning. That is, if we are off duty.
I am not where I thought I was going to be. We stayed last night down about five miles from here, and then they moved us here this morning. There is a boy here who was in Guadalcanal, and he has told me a few things that happened over there. Boy, they really had it tough. Anyway, he and I went out last night and stayed out until 2:30 this morning going to different places. This place isn't nothing like Parris Island. We have all kinds of freedom.
We don't start guard duty until Monday morning. We get to carry a big 38 special and a Raising submachine gun. We guard government buildings. We just stand and look at all passes and make sure no spies get in.
Jewell told me that Betty got mad at me right before I got on the train. I guess they did think I didn't act right, but there were so many friends there that I wanted to see. I think she got mad when I went out in a car to see four girls from Decota, and she thought I had left. But, all of them wanted to kiss me goodbye, and you know I couldn't refuse that. haha
So tell Betty I will write her tomorrow and she'd better not be mad at me.
I don't know what Louise thought of me not stopping to see her, but I guess I just didn't want to.
Mom, we won't be getting a 72-hour pass every other week, but we get a 32 hour once a week, so I don't guess I'll get to come home so often after all. I guess I should have stayed home more than I did when I was there, but I just wanted to go out and see everyone. Maybe the next time I come home, I will stay in more.
Your son,
Pedue
I am going to stay in as much as I can for a good while, so I can send you all a little money since you helped me out so much when I was home.
Well, this place isn't so bad after all. We get to go out in the town every night. There are plenty of women here and also beer if we want it. We can stay out all night if we want, just so we are back by 6:00 the next morning. That is, if we are off duty.
I am not where I thought I was going to be. We stayed last night down about five miles from here, and then they moved us here this morning. There is a boy here who was in Guadalcanal, and he has told me a few things that happened over there. Boy, they really had it tough. Anyway, he and I went out last night and stayed out until 2:30 this morning going to different places. This place isn't nothing like Parris Island. We have all kinds of freedom.
We don't start guard duty until Monday morning. We get to carry a big 38 special and a Raising submachine gun. We guard government buildings. We just stand and look at all passes and make sure no spies get in.
Jewell told me that Betty got mad at me right before I got on the train. I guess they did think I didn't act right, but there were so many friends there that I wanted to see. I think she got mad when I went out in a car to see four girls from Decota, and she thought I had left. But, all of them wanted to kiss me goodbye, and you know I couldn't refuse that. haha
So tell Betty I will write her tomorrow and she'd better not be mad at me.
I don't know what Louise thought of me not stopping to see her, but I guess I just didn't want to.
Mom, we won't be getting a 72-hour pass every other week, but we get a 32 hour once a week, so I don't guess I'll get to come home so often after all. I guess I should have stayed home more than I did when I was there, but I just wanted to go out and see everyone. Maybe the next time I come home, I will stay in more.
Your son,
Pedue
I am going to stay in as much as I can for a good while, so I can send you all a little money since you helped me out so much when I was home.
March 3, 1944
Hello Mom,
Well, I found out where I am going. I am going to Washington, D.C. I think I'm going to be a guard there for a while. I'm going there instead of New River. It will be a whole lot closer to home. I think it takes about 12 hours to get home from there. There are about 11 or 12 of us boys going there. All of them are pretty good boys.
Tom is going to Maryland. Just him and another boy are going there from our platoon. The boy who is going with Tom lives about 10 miles from where they are going to be stationed. After we get settled down in Washington, we will get our dress blues, and boy, are they nice looking! Four or five of the boys bought them a set of dress blues here, and it cost them 52 bucks, but we will get ours free since we are going to Washington.
Well, I got me another haircut a while ago. I wish they hadn't cut it because it was starting to grow in pretty good. I bought me a garrison cap the other day, and it cost me 4 bucks.
Well Mom, I will close for now because we will have to fall out in a few minutes to run bayonet for record. Hoping to see you soon. I hope to have a long talk with the President when I get home. haha
Your son,
Pedue
Well, I found out where I am going. I am going to Washington, D.C. I think I'm going to be a guard there for a while. I'm going there instead of New River. It will be a whole lot closer to home. I think it takes about 12 hours to get home from there. There are about 11 or 12 of us boys going there. All of them are pretty good boys.
Tom is going to Maryland. Just him and another boy are going there from our platoon. The boy who is going with Tom lives about 10 miles from where they are going to be stationed. After we get settled down in Washington, we will get our dress blues, and boy, are they nice looking! Four or five of the boys bought them a set of dress blues here, and it cost them 52 bucks, but we will get ours free since we are going to Washington.
Well, I got me another haircut a while ago. I wish they hadn't cut it because it was starting to grow in pretty good. I bought me a garrison cap the other day, and it cost me 4 bucks.
Well Mom, I will close for now because we will have to fall out in a few minutes to run bayonet for record. Hoping to see you soon. I hope to have a long talk with the President when I get home. haha
Your son,
Pedue
Tuesday, August 3, 2010
February 29, 1944
Hello Mom,
Will answer your letter received this morning.
It was pretty windy today, but the sun is awful hot.
The sergeant told us we wouldn't be able to go to the dentist this evening, but I told him my tooth was hurting awful bad. So, I went up and let the dentist look at the boil on my gums. He said he couldn't freeze it or put a needle in it because it was abscessed. He asked me do I think I can stand it, and I told him that I would sure try. Boy, he had a time pulling it. While he was trying to get it out, sweat started popping out on me, and everything went black in front of me. The dentist said I fainted. He said he didn't blame me for fainting and that he would have done the same thing if he had went through that. My jaw is still swollen a good bit. After I came back, the sargent told me not to go out of the barrack the rest of the day, but he made the other boys go out and drill a while.
We got paid today. I drew 64 bucks instead of 69 bucks. I paid 5 bucks for a magazine to be sent home. The name of it is The Leather Neck. Tom only drew 35 bucks. He has been winning a little money, so I think he's got about 45 bucks.
Mom, we should be home the 11th or 12th, if they don't change their minds again. There is no use in you writing any more letters after you get this one because I leave here Monday. We don't have to stay in New River but about 2 days.
I will close for now. Hope to see you all about the 11th or 12th.
Your son,
Pedue
Will answer your letter received this morning.
It was pretty windy today, but the sun is awful hot.
The sergeant told us we wouldn't be able to go to the dentist this evening, but I told him my tooth was hurting awful bad. So, I went up and let the dentist look at the boil on my gums. He said he couldn't freeze it or put a needle in it because it was abscessed. He asked me do I think I can stand it, and I told him that I would sure try. Boy, he had a time pulling it. While he was trying to get it out, sweat started popping out on me, and everything went black in front of me. The dentist said I fainted. He said he didn't blame me for fainting and that he would have done the same thing if he had went through that. My jaw is still swollen a good bit. After I came back, the sargent told me not to go out of the barrack the rest of the day, but he made the other boys go out and drill a while.
We got paid today. I drew 64 bucks instead of 69 bucks. I paid 5 bucks for a magazine to be sent home. The name of it is The Leather Neck. Tom only drew 35 bucks. He has been winning a little money, so I think he's got about 45 bucks.
Mom, we should be home the 11th or 12th, if they don't change their minds again. There is no use in you writing any more letters after you get this one because I leave here Monday. We don't have to stay in New River but about 2 days.
I will close for now. Hope to see you all about the 11th or 12th.
Your son,
Pedue
February 27 and 28, 1944
Hello Mom,
Will try to write you a few lines while I have time. I haven't written but one letter today. I've been lying around sleeping all day long after I got off guard duty. Sorry I got ice cream on this letter. Every time I eat ice cream, I get it all over the place.
I've got a boil or something on my gum next to a tooth, and it sure hurts.
I think we get paid Tuesday. I'll be glad to get 69 bucks, if I get that much. I haven't got but about $1.50. I got my dress shoes and some more shirts and other things. I guess we will leave out o here Monday morning. They said if we do go to our next base before we get our furlough, we will get it after we get to the new base. I hope we do have to go to our next base first, because it is about 12 hours closer, and that means I will get to stay home 12 hours longer. Also, I can save a little more money.
Well, I will close for now. I have to go on guard duty at 2:00 in the morning until 4:00.
Tell everyone hello for me.
Your son,
Pedue
p.s. I just got back from playing cards, and I lost 1.50. So I am broke now until Tuesday. The sargent came in and saw us but didn't say anything. I don't like to play cards now because I haven't played in so long.
Will try to write you a few lines while I have time. I haven't written but one letter today. I've been lying around sleeping all day long after I got off guard duty. Sorry I got ice cream on this letter. Every time I eat ice cream, I get it all over the place.
I've got a boil or something on my gum next to a tooth, and it sure hurts.
I think we get paid Tuesday. I'll be glad to get 69 bucks, if I get that much. I haven't got but about $1.50. I got my dress shoes and some more shirts and other things. I guess we will leave out o here Monday morning. They said if we do go to our next base before we get our furlough, we will get it after we get to the new base. I hope we do have to go to our next base first, because it is about 12 hours closer, and that means I will get to stay home 12 hours longer. Also, I can save a little more money.
Well, I will close for now. I have to go on guard duty at 2:00 in the morning until 4:00.
Tell everyone hello for me.
Your son,
Pedue
p.s. I just got back from playing cards, and I lost 1.50. So I am broke now until Tuesday. The sargent came in and saw us but didn't say anything. I don't like to play cards now because I haven't played in so long.
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