Dennis Hotel in Atlantic City

I am continuing my transcription of Uncle Bud’s letters home from the army, all undated.  One batch of three is pencil on plain paper.  The second batch of three is pencil on United States Army Air Forces stationery. Then another plain paper letter, and lastly, three letters written in ink, on Camp Rucker, Alabama, stationery.  As mentioned, no dates on any letters.  I’ll arrange them in close to chronological order later.  

Remember that Buddy was inducted into the army March 4, 1943.  He went to basic training, he may (or not) have been sent to another army camp before A.S.T.P. in Grand Forks, North Dakota.  From there, it was Camp Rucker, Alabama with the 66th Army Division.  In November, 1944, the 66th Panther Division embarked to England for staging and training.  December 24, 1944, they were shipped to France for further transportation to the battle front.

Here are more transcriptions:

4. [Pencil on 8.5×11” plain sheet.]

Dear Mother and Dad:

For the last 3 days and nights I have been traveling.  I now find my self in the swankiest Hotel in Atlantic City, New Jersey.  We left Fort Douglas [Utah] Thursday and arrived in Atlantic City Sunday night.  The big towns we went through are as follows.  From Salt Lake to Denver to Lincoln to Omaha to Burlington to Chicago to Fort Worth to Pittsburgh to Philadelphia and on in to Atlantic City.  The hotel we’re in is a great big tourist outfit.  I have a room overlooking the beach and Atlantic Ocean.  The bath tub has hot salt water, hot fresh water, cold salt water, and cold fresh water, four taps.  We only stay here a month or 6 weeks for basic training, marching etc.  We are then shipped to our various tech. schools.  There were forty three men that came out from Fort Douglas.  I was the only one from Kalispell.  After I have been here awhile I’ll know what the score and be able to tell you all about it.  Ever since I’ve been in the army I haven’t known what’s going to happen to me.  When we left Fort Douglas we didn’t know where we were going until we pulled in to Atlantic City.  You might send me about 5 dollars as soon as you can.

Love Bud

P.S. I took out 10,000 dollars of insurance and bought a $10.75 dollar bond a month.

5.  [Pencil on United States Army Air Forces stationery 6×9.5.” Three pages.]

Dear Mother and Dad:

From all information I’ve been able to get, I’m now in the army air corp.  This Station I’m at is a A.A.F.T.T.C. which means Army Air Force Technical Training Center.  We spend about 30 days here, marching, taking tests, listening to lectures, and so forth.  

During these 30 days we are interviewed and classified on the basis of the written tests and interview.  No matter how ignorant you are you’ll still get some job in the air corp.  I think that I have a very good chance to get in the radio end of it.  So much for that.

I got a pass last night any got around the city a little bit.  I walked up and down the world famous Boardwalk.  Little did I ever believe when I played monopoly I would really walk on that famous street.

You remember the Boardwalk on the Monopoly game.  There’s a shop on the Boardwalk that sells saltwater taffy, and they have a mail order service, so I ought a little barrel of and sent it to Mother.  All along the Boardwalk itself is a big wide side walk made out of wood with the beach and ocean on one side and huge hotels and theaters and shops on the other side.  My room is in the Dennis Hotel, overlooking the Boardwalk and ocean.  A room like we had would cost you 18 bucks a day in peace time.

I consider myself ben fortunate to be in such a place and also to be in the army air corp.

I’m fresh out of money so that you had better send me about 5 bucks.  I’ve had to buy quite a bit of stuff, such as soap and soap containtic [?] and stationery, hangers and various other articles.  If there is any particular thing you would like me to get you let me know.

I supposed I will be leaving here about 3 weeks or maybe four weeks, to some school in a different part of the country.

Were you surprised to get a letter from New Jersey.

Love Bud

6.  [Pencil on United States Army Air Forces stationery 7.25×10.25.” One page.]

Dear Mother and Dad:

I haven’t written for several days, but have received almost a letter a day from you.  Keep up the good work!  I’ve received letters from the girls too but haven’t answered them yet.  For the last three days now I have been out on the rifle range, we go out at 7 o’clock and don’t get back until 6 or 7 that night, when I do get back I’m too tired to do anything.

I signed the payroll yesterday and will be paid the first of the month.  Right now I’m flat busted, and have my laundry out getting washed.  I suggest you wire me about five dollars as soon as you get this letter.  I expect to be shipped out of here next week.

Love Bud

Did you send the pictures yet?