Bill continues at Van Dorn. His birthday is April 29. He is 22 years old.
The family fortunes improve and they buy a cow. Now there are not only fresh eggs but, also fresh milk; Anna can now make cottage cheese and butter. They also have the usual large garden.
Bill’s dad, William Banis is strict and authoritarian. He is demanding of the sons. He was born in eastern Pennsylvania near the coal mining area of Scranton.
He worked in the mines as a youth and held jobs in manufacturing, railroading and construction. As he ages he is in poor health. He is asthmatic, has a hernia and is diabetic.
As Victor Banis recalls “… our father was a man of violent temper and strict rules. Children did not speak to an adult unless addressed first and then we used the appropriate ‘sir’ or ‘ma’am’ when we responded. Children did not talk at the table. Children did not… well, you get the idea. You could never be quite sure when punishment – physical punishment – might be meted out. When it was, you were not allowed to cry.
“Was my father a monster? No, not really. He exemplified the sort of strict Eastern European (Lithuanian) upbringing I am sure he experienced himself.”
On the US Front:
- SIGSALY, referred to as the X System vocoder or “Green Hornet,” goes into operation for use in secure phone conversations between U.S. President Roosevelt and U.K. Prime Minister Churchill. The new system, encrypts speech into electronic signals that can be decrypted at the other end, permitting the two wartime leaders to talk to each other without being understood by wiretappers. The terminals for transatlantic calls are at The Pentagon in Washington, D.C. and in the basement of Selfridges department store in London.
- The Detroit Red Wings defeat the Boston Bruins 2-0, to sweep the 1943 Stanley Cup Finals in four games.
- In Washington, DC, President Franklin Roosevelt dedicates the Jefferson Memorial.
- The U.S. Army establishes its first overseas “V-Mail” station in order to use the “Victory Mail” process to get letters to and from servicemen. The facility based in Casablanca, Morocco, uses the process of photographing on microfilm, pre-screened letters to the United States so that mail can be transported to the U.S. with a minimum of space. V-Mail letters from the U.S. to servicemen are also put on microfilm, and enlarged prior to delivery.
- Ayn Rand’s novel The Fountainhead is released and will become her first bestseller.
On the War Front:
- Admiral Yamamoto, chief architect of Japanese naval strategy, is killed when his plane is shot down by American P38s shoot down his plane over Bougainville. He is on an inspection tour.
- The Warsaw Ghetto uprising: On the Eve of Passover, Jews resist German attempts to deport the Jewish community.
- Allies attempt to close the mid-Atlantic gap in the war against the U-boats with long-range bombers.
April 10, 1943 — Camp Van Dorn, MS
Dear Mom:
Sure pleased to get your letter. Got one from Eve today. She sent me a paper from Eaton. And some jokes. By the way how is grandpaw these days. I should write to him and Aunt Clara someday but I never get around to it. Gee but is sure is hot here lately. A person can’t hardly stand it. And we sure don’t mind seeing it rain. It won’t be long before we’re taking some extra combat training like the marines get. That means crawling along under a network of barb-wire while someone shoots live ammunition at you. And I pity anyone that forgets to keep his hind end down close to the ground.
By the way Mom I tried to make connections for an Army plane North but they won’t let us guys go on them. There’s to many officers and flying cadets there that they take up all the space.
I hope I get to see Abe while I’m home. Does he know for sure how long he’ll be in Atterbury. I haven’t heard from him and Velma for a long time. I guess I’ll have to write. Oh yes! I got a letter from Almeda the other day and she sent me a picture of her and Clyde Yocum and neither one of them have changed as far as I can see except to grow a little older. She told me that Eddie has passed his last exam and was drafted into the Navy. She says Bobby has only had one exam so far. And George is still in the same camp. Expecting a furlough after he gets thru with his firing on the range.
Say I could sure use some of those pocket books if you have any of them lying around. Only don’t go to any special trouble to get them. I received your box OK. And it was wonderful. Believe me I almost have to hold the guys off with a rifle. But it only proves that Mom’s cooking is still the best.
Boy here’s hoping I get to come home when those chicks are big enough to eat. And say Mom I sure hope you get a lot more chicks. And it looks as though we’ll be having a milk cow on the farm one of these days. First thing you know we’ll be first class farmers.
How is Dad these day. Is he well. And how does he like it out on the farm. That’s a pretty long ways for him to go to town isn’t it. Say Mom does my money amount to a whole lot more than your pension did. Can you get along better on it. I mean are you able to keep most of your bills up and still have enough to buy a few extra things that you need.
Say what is Dick doing these days. Is he working anywhere or going to school. How are the rest of the kids getting along in school. Tell them I said hello and good luck.
Say Mom keep those rabbits around and I’ll eat them for you when I come home. Ha! Ha! Gee you know I’d sure like to see Pat. I’ll bet he’s sure getting cute.
By the way Mom the next time they get a shipment of chewing gum in here I’ll send you some.
Well I’ll be seeing you. I don’t suppose I’ll be in camp at all this coming week unless they change their plans. So tell Dad and the kids I said hello and Good Luck.
Lots of Love to All
Bill
ww2letterproject 
this is such a great series – thanks to you both for taking this project on
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