Boy did we ever have a rugged day of it today. We hiked 6 miles down to the beach and had a course in demolition. It was mostly on British explosives. In the afternoon we had a lesson on how to put a tank out of order and also a lesson on booby traps. Boy they had some good ones, such as a sign “Americans are Yellow”, Hitler pictures, a helmet, a dead soldier, a toilet, a broom, a table chair, book, fox hole, etc. We then hiked back. I was pretty tired and went to bed early.
Dear Mother & Dad;
Right now I’m dirty, cold, just finished eating some good old army stew and wishing I was home so I could take a nice long hot shower. Instead I will have two settle for a bath in a bucket, ha ha. Oh well you are supposed to be rugged anyway. What is Snook doing? Has he left the states yet? Tell Gee I’ll write him just as soon as I get time. slowly, but surely, I’m catching up on my letter writing. Hey Dad did you get in on any more pools up at the store? How did you come out? It looks as if the war over here will soon be over. Well for my part it all can’t be over too soon for me. Well mother and dad I had better close now. Goodbye and I’ll be loving and thinking of you both. Tell every one hello from me and have them write.
Your Son ‘Chick’
Not much happened today. we didn’t have to go out today. I just did a few odd jobs today. Boy had it ever been windy today. It just about blew our tents away. The 36th moved out today so there wont be any movie shows for awhile. Guess I’ll wash up and go to bed. Good night.
During an interview, Chick discusses moving from place to place toward their final bivouac area near Bizerte.
This audio is from an interview conducted by Uni High students Natalie Dullerud, Claire Dickerson, Michael Anukwu and Joaquin Malik, as part of the Uni Class of 2016’s oral history project on the experiences of people associated with the U.S. military from World War II to the present. It was recorded in January 2012, in Urbana, Illinois, through a partnership between University Laboratory High School and Illinois Public Media, both on the campus of the University of Illinois at Urbana – Champaign.
Well I didn’t go out today, so we just worked around in the supply room. I kept busy most of the day, but didn’t kill myself any. I have just finished shaving and now I think I will write a letter or two. Badali and I went to the show last night and will go again tonight. I saw my first amphibious 2 1/2 ton truck today. They sure look funny. Well we went to the show and saw Abbot and Costello in “Who Done It?”
I went out with the company today and we had scouting and patrolling up in the Mts. Boy we are getting ready for that big invasion and its coming soon. We got to buy some candy and thing from the P.X. tonight and then Badali and I went to the show.
Dear Mother & Dad;
How is everything at home, all right I hope. I am fine but right now I’m a little tired, ha ha. We are pretty busy and I have little time to write. You will have to tell every one hello for me and not to expect any letters. They can all hear through you anyway. There is not anything I have to say, but I know how you worry When you don’t hear from me, but you are going to have to get over it as I just won’t be able to write very much. I received a new bunch of letters the other day and I just won’t to be able to answer them all. Some day I will be able to write and tell you about everything, and if things keep going like they are now I might even be home by Christmas. I hope so anyway. Goodbye, please don’t worry, and I will be loving and praying for you both.
Your Son “Chick”
I went to confession last night and after that I went to the show and then to bed. This morning the company went on a hike, but I stayed in. In the afternoon we all went to take a shower. In the evening went to the show again and then to bed. Oh yes I forgot I went to mass and communion before the show.
We put up our tents today, and got all of our supplies put away. Boy is it ever rugged here. I have been a lot of places but one never like this, and from all of the rumors its really going to be rugged. The company started out on a 10 mile hike just for a starter this afternoon, but we didn’t have to go today, but we will from now on. I put up my tent and dug my fox hole. I can look out my tent door and see the Mediterranean Sea. I am pretty tired tonight so I think I may write a few letters and go to bed.
We were up at 5:00 AM this morning and we are ready to go at 6:00AM. We are supposed to be at our Bivouac area tonight. Well here we are and what a place. No trees plenty of rocks, and a few shrubs. I saw a lot more country today and I don’t believe I have seen any other place that was as beautiful. We went through Oran at about 4:00 PM and then came on out here. We are about 30 miles from Oran and are camped between two towns, Arzew and St. Leu. Towslee and I put our tents up and went to bed.
