We were woken up at 10:30 P.M. last night and went down to load on. I got aboard about 1:00 A.M. we spent the rest of the day in the chamber. This is a British ship taking us over and it is also the flag ship. It is LST #415. We eat our own chow and our own cooks are doing the cooking. We were supposed to leave this afternoon but we didn’t. Maybe we will leave tonight.
Well there’s not much to do today. We packed up everything and now we are laying around waiting to move. I suppose we will go help the 5th Army out at Salerno. Just call the 3rd division and everyone starts to advance. Anyway its the quickest way to get home. Tough luck we had to unload our truck and pack it on a different truck. We just don’t seem to deserve a rest. Went to bed early as we are to get up at 4:00 A.M. and leave for the docks.
I was up most of the night getting in supplies and spent all day issuing them out. We worked hard all day and when night time came I was pretty tired. Giese, Towslee, and I went over to see a show, but came back as we had already seen it. We listened to the radio until 9:30 P.M. and then went to bed.
We laid around all morning until dinner time. We left 1:00 P.M. for Palermo to the staging area. We arrived at about 6:30. We were tired so I went to bed early.
I am going in town on pass. Breunig and I was sick all night last night and feel pretty tough today. Maybe I’ll better later on. We had just arrived upon top of the hill when Sgt. Levesque came up and said for us to get back to camp, we are packing up. We got some ice cream and started back. We tore down the tents and got ready to leave. I took a shower and went to bed.
Al Jolson
Joe and I worked hard on the issuing of the clothes this morning. In the afternoon Al Jolson put on a show for us. He was really good. After the show we had to take a shortage on the company clothing and get a requisition in on them. Received a few more clothes and was told the that we must be equipped by the 18th. I felt sick in my stomach so went to bed.
Dear Mother & Dad,
It kind surprised me that we didn’t make the invasion of Italy but I guess they thought we needed a break. So Snook is at Kiska is he? Boy I wouldn’t trade places with him for anything. That cold damp climate doesn’t agree with me. I’d have to admit ever since I have been overseas we have had of been in a nice climate. Yesterday and today we have been very busy. I went to the show last night and when we came home we had a truckload of clothes to get rid of. So Sundays we worked all day. We also had mail call today and I received a few letters. Also a picture of Gee and Lynda. How’s everyone at home? I’m OK. I’ll sure be glad when this is over and I know it will be soon. Goodbye and I love you both. Tell everyone hello for me.
Your Son
“Chick”
We received some more clothes today and I worked on them all day long. Joe Watters helped and being as Wellman is going to town tomorrow he will help me all day again. We played cards again as there are no shows close and there is nothing else to do.
We received a lot of clothes last night so now today we are issuing them out and what a job it is. We played cards in the evening until about 12 o’clock.
I had been on guard so I slept all morning. I go back on at 12:45 A.M. Tried to work on my knife a little but soon gave up. We went to the show tonight at 8:14.
