Last edit of this page 2021.DEC.10
Highlights
Nate helps with money, in letter postmarked June 4. On letter postmarked June 9, Abe asks about ration cards for gas. Abe is happy with the work with auto parts, but he is advancing to OCS. On the June 30 Amoco card, Abe said that he made the trip back in 11 hours.
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June 3, 1942
Dear Nate:
Received your letter and check. Thanks a million. I haven’t cashed it yet. I really haven’t had time to do anything. Let alone spend some money. Yesterday my K.P. turn came up and boy was it a day. Today I tore a Chev motor apart, but everything I even took the camshaft and crankshaft out, tomorrow I assemble, I already put in the camshaft, and crankshaft, and adjusted the main bearings. Not bad eh. I think that I will be sent to Holabird, but it will not affect my OCS, So on top of that I may get transfered to parts next week. I really don’t know which.
I think I’ll go in to Petersburg for the weekend to break the monotony of camp. It really has been a hard week.
I mailed you a picture of our company and enclosed the Chrysler application. [We seem not to have a picture of the company, although there was one photo in the May letters.] Please fill it out and mail it you know just in case. Tell Carol that I will write her this week and I sure appreciate her letters. Got a box of Fanny Farmer candy but do not know who sent it. Tell Dora to send me some underwear from upstairs in my room, I sure use them up, also to send me about 3 prs of my pajamas.
Gosh I guess I’ve asked for plenty, sorry for all the bother.
Love to all. I’m writing this sitting on a garbage can.
Love – Abe
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Letter from Abe to Nate, postmarked June 9, 1942, Camp Lee, Va. Nate notes in green ink date of receipt 6-10-42 AM. Letter is on U.S. Army stationery.
June 8, 1942
Dear Nate:
Trust this finds you and the rest in good health. I’m fine. To-day I was transfered to auto parts and gosh it’s a cinch. We get one week in a school learning how to make out the numerous forms and next week we get some practical training after that I don’t know. We come out of school rated as specialists and get a base pay of $5600 per month even without the expected raise. So it isn’t so bad at that. I had my interview as I told you but I am not banking on OCS so much. If I don’t make it I won’t feel bad so don’t you either. Your registered letter came in but as yet I haven’t picked it up. The Post Office was closed so will pick it up in the morning. If I don’t make it (OCS) this time I can apply later. So there is really nothing lost.
My instructor at the part school is a Hebe from Linden n.J. a swell fellow and nice to the fellows. His name is Sgt Joe Deutsch. I was going to run down to Norfolk next weekend but our company is on camp Guard so we are confined to regimental area from Sat to Sunday nite. Nothing else much now so will close with love to all. Trust biz is good.
As ever
Abe
If I got to bring my car down here what sort of ration cards for gas can I get?
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Letter from Abe to Nate, postmarked June 10, 1942, Camp Lee, Va. Nate notes in green ink date of receipt 6-12-42 AM. Letter is on U.S. Army stationery.
June 9, 1942
Dear Nate:
I’m going to start this letter off with some good news. I passed the regimental board for O.C.S. Thank God. Now all that is left is the Camp Board. I hope I make it. Boy was I thrilled. I was one of 33 picked out of 734 applicants. Don’t quote those figures as it is not to be publicized. If I pass the Camp Board then you can advertise it. Today I also had a sergancy [unsure what this is] thrown at me but I turned it down. The captain that interviewed me about this job felt bad about my not taking it but said I was definitely right in choosing OCS to that job. I also instructed in my class today on the method required to use a parts book. I guess they just can’t hold a good man down.
Now, trust all are well. Me I’m just walking on air and feel all O.K. Hope that business is very good.
Enclosing a photo of myself and another fellow. [The photo was not with this letter.] His name is Ralph Cozza Italian from Pittsburgh, married, 2 children, he married a divorcee. He is a swell feloow and we get along well. If you notice I was wearing shower slippers. Tomorrow I go on guard again, as a prisoner guard. A very easy day.
Nothing else new so will close with best wishes to all
Love
Abe
Kiss Carol for me, and tell her I love her.
I had to turn the letters in as soon as I got them. Didn’t show them to Hy. Used all except Bloss! It was too farmerish. Others OK Thanks a million.
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Letter from Abe to Nate, postmarked June 15, 1942, Camp Lee, Va. Nate notes in green ink date of receipt 6-17-42 AM. Letter is on U.S. Army stationery.
May 14, 1942 [Again, Abe confuses the months.]
Dear Nate:
A hurried note but nevertheless long due. I have had quite a busy week and therefore my neglect in writing. I’ll try not to let it happen again. To date I haven’t heard from any post interview. Will let you know promptly how I made out. They are really getting to take notice of me around here and about time. Even the Captain talks to me like one of the boys. So it really isn’t so monotonous as it was. In fact its getting so that I really like the routine of things.
Nate, about my post board interview I can only say that the officers were really impressed with me. My knowledge of dramatics, and parts and even complimented me on my rapid fire response to their queries. So you see I’m just waiting to find out how I did make out. If I didn’t make it I’d be surprised but will not let it get me down. I can advance in parts so you see I am really not worried.
Nothing else except I sincerely hope all are well and that biz continues good
Love
Abe
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Note on back of Amoco antifreeze card. Nate notes in green “Rec’d 6-30-42 AM.”
Arrived safely without incident in 11 hrs. 20 mpg – Regards
Abe
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Postcard from Abe to Nate postmarked Petersburg, Va, July 1, 1942. Nate notes in green ink receipt 7-2-42 AM. [Written in June, though postmarked July.]
6-30-42
Dear Nate:
Trust this finds all well. Not much new here. Found most of the boys gone but the Brosnes [name unsure] boys are still here and am sure glad they are. Really put in a tough day today but don’t mind. Will write again this week
Thanks again for everything
Regards Abe
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