Bill continues training at Camp Van Dorn, Mississippi, where the average daytime high temperature is 60 degrees, or about 30 degrees warmer than the average temperature in western Ohio. Bill’s pay is about $50 per month. Average wages for 1943 are $2,000.
On the US Front:
- The average cost of a new house is $3,600.00. The cost of a gallon of gas is 15 cents. The average cost to rent a house is $40.00 per month. A bottle of Coca Cola is 5 cents.
- The Georgia Bulldogs defeat the UCLA Bruins 9-0 in the Rose Bowl before a crowd of 93,000 as the postseason college football game returns to Pasadena, CA; #1 Ohio State does not play in a bowl game.
- The United States Office of Price Administration (OPA) bans pleasure driving in 17 states in the eastern U.S.
- The Pentagon is dedicated. The building covers 29 acres.
- “War Food Order No. 1” goes into effect in the US, requiring for the first time that white bread be enriched with niacin, riboflavin, thiamin and iron.
- The classic film “Casablanca,” starring Humphrey Bogart and Ingrid Bergman, is released nationwide in the United States, after a successful opening in New York on Thanksgiving Day, 1942. Coincidentally, U.S. President Roosevelt was secretly in the Moroccan capital of Casablanca at the time of the film’s release.
- Duke Ellington plays at New York City’s Carnegie Hall for the first time.
On the War Front:
- Soviet troops launch an all-out offensive attack on Stalingrad.
- The Royal Air Force begins a two-night bombing of Berlin.
- The Jews in the Warsaw Ghetto rise up for the first time, starting the Warsaw Ghetto Uprising.
- British capture Tripoli, Libya.
- The Japanese continue their fight in western Guadalcanal.
- Fifty bombers mount the first all-American air raid against Germany.
January 3, 1943 — Camp Van Dorn, MS
Dear Mom
Just received your letter last night and sure glad to hear from you. And say this sunny south isn’t all it’s cracked up to be. Sometime it rains here for days. But you folks are getting plenty of rain these days. Yesterday I got a letter from Eve & one from you. Say Mom you should see me bending over a tub with a big washing. And on KP I’m an expert at it. I told Ardis about being on KP and it sure brought a laugh from her. She used to kid me about it when I was in camp. How is Pat and all the kids tell them I said hello. I’m going to bring them some things from the south whenever I get a furlough . Gee I was sorry to hear that your fruit froze. And would I have enjoyed being home for a Chicken Dinner on Xmas. We didn’t do so good. But it was healthy chow. And we always eat Hardy.
And since they’ve started to crack down and get tough a fellow doesn’t have much time to do anything to do except eat sleep and work. I’m going to try to get some pictures taken and make a few enlargements. I don’t know when that will be but I’ll send you one when I get them. Hold everything there goes chow call.
Well now that chow’s over I can get back to business again. Don’t worry about sending me anything. Because you all probably have better use for your money than that. Say all there is to see down here is negroes and soldiers
When I get a camera I’ll take some pictures and send to you. Tell Grandpa to take care of himself. And I’ll be seeing you all some day.
Lots of Love to you, Dad and all the rest.
Bill
PS: my aches and pains never bother me anymore.
January 19, 1943 — Camp Van Dorn, MS
January 22, 1943 — Camp Van Dorn, MS
Dear Mom & Dad
I received your package yesterday and your letter today. And boy were they swell. Only you shouldn’t be wasting you sugar and stuff on me. You need it more at home.
But just the same it sure was swell. I wondered about the picture when I opened the box though . And I’m glad you’re sending it. And believe me we sure get plenty of hard work. Some days (this last week for example) we haven‘t even had time to write letters. Usually we’re away from 5:00 o’clock at 9:30 at night and sometimes they keep us going all night.
Gee I ‘m sorry to hear you are having such cold weather. Be sure and be careful. I’d hate to have anyone get bad sick. If I get a chance I’ll send some of this sunshine up you’re way. Whenever it’s not raining the weather here is plenty hot. On that card you got from the war dept. Did they say when you would start getting your money. Let me know how it comes out
I was sure sorry to hear Annie was sick. Tell her and the other kids I said to hurry and get well and stay that way. I’ll see you all whenever I get my furlough which probably won’t be until about April sometime. Say I’ll bet Cliff makes up some good excuses for money. Which reminds me I’ll try to send you some more this payday. Are you getting along Ok. Is Dad working. How is he. Oh! Heck I’ll have to postpone this letter until tomorrow. The lights are going out. Hold everything.
Well here it is Saturday eve and I haven’t been off duty only about an hour. I forgot to shave this morning so I worked this afternoon. Live and learn as the old saying goes. Well its all in the day’s work. And say I got that picture today and thanks a million. I’ve got it sitting right out in front were everyone can see it. That sure helps. And believe me this last week’s training sure put a strain on the boys. We had two fights in the barracks last night and one this morning. Some of these guys in here aren’t tough enough to take it. I got a letter from six different people today. And two yesterday. So I’ve got plenty to do this evening.
Here’s hoping those cherries don’t spoil before I get home. Because I could sure enjoy some home cooked pie. Well I should be closing this letter. Pay day isn’t far off. So I’ll be seeing you.
Best of Love to all
Bill
PS did you get that picture enlarged.
Lots of Love
Bill
ww2letterproject 