From OSU to Camp Shelby

Pre-War College Days

In the fall of 1940, 21-year-old Michael Halaiko enrolled as a Junior majoring in Mechanical Engineering at The Ohio State University.  He roomed with G. (Gideon) Deming Seymour, a young man that he had been friends with all through his school days at Rootstown, and his first two years at Kent State University, and as he describes in his early letters home, they darn near starved to death.  In a letter dated October 1, 1940 from 37 W. Frambes Street, Columbus, Ohio, Mike details how far he would make $5.00 go in cereal, milk, and school supplies.  He once told that there was a plum tree not far from where they roomed, and he lived, for awhile, on plums and cereal.  He also related that he would make a few dollars shoveling coal into neighboring residents’ coal bins.  Mike also landed an NYA (National Youth Administration) Job which was scheduled to start for him on October 16, 1940.  Mike tells his older brother Andy and sister-in-law, Esther, in his first letter home, “That portal job (at Ohio Stadium) is pretty easy and interesting.  All I have

to do [is] stand in the entrance 2A with 5 other guys and keep the people from running out across the field.  Other things I have to do is watch out for drunks, carry out women who faint, and watch the game.”

On November 8, 1940, Mike wrote his older sister, Mary, his brother-in-law, Mickey, and his 2 year old nephew, Jerome.  In this letter from OSU to Wayne Avenue, Akron, Mike talks some more about the prospects of him being drafted.  He tells them that his draft number is 2468, order number 1535, and the order in which he is listed in Portage County is 107.  Mike tells them that the last number is the one to pay attention to and says, “…if I were not in school, I probably would have to go in a short time.”  Mike also says, “ If I am asked to go, I can either go right away or have it deferred until July.”  You can tell by the tone of the letter that the draft weighed heavy on him.  He says later, “Maybe I will never have to go because I am in engineering, but if I do have to go, I think I will and get it over with.”

In a letter to Mary and Mickey dated 12/13/1940, Mike thanks his sister Mary for sending a Care Package or “Box”.   He describes how all the guys in the house were waiting for him to get home from class to be able to “share” in the delectable contents of the box.  Mike tells Mary and Mickey that fall classes are now over and that he will have exams the following week and will return home on Friday, December 20th.  He tells them that he may not be able to stop at there place right away as the guy he is getting a ride with may drop him off downtown.  He lets them know he will be over sometime during the Christmas Vacation, that he is getting letters regularly, his boss is good, and everything is fine in general.  He asks if their son, Jerome, is still full of pep?

Mike used to refer to the irony of FDR’s statement made around 1939 that, “….our boys will not set foot on foreign soil…”.  The first draft registration for WW II was held 16 October 1940 for all men between 21 and 36 years of age.  Mike registered and often related that he thought he would never get caught in the first draft.  Well, as his personal history shows, he got caught in the first draft which led to sweeping changes over the next four years of his life.

Induction and Stationing 

According to his penny post card sent to Andy, Esther, and sister, Betty, he passed his army physical given in Cleveland on February 11, 1941, and was on the train to Camp Shelby, Mississippi on February 12, 1941.

Mike also stated on that post card that the train left Cleveland at 8:00 P. M..  They slept on the train as the trip would take 36 hours.

When he mailed the post card, they had gone through Kentucky and part of Tennesee.  The post card is post marked Chattanooga, Tennesee, February 12, 1941.  Mike relates that they have part of Georgia, Alabama, and part of Mississippi to go through before arriving at Camp Shelby.  Mike states that, “…this is a long train ride…”, and that his bunk mate is a guy named Mickey Dover.

Letters dated 2/13/41 to Andy and Esther, and 2/15/41 to Mickey and Mary give Mike’s address as Private Michael J. Halaiko

               Company I  145th Infantry

              A.P.O. 37th Division  Camp Shelby, Mississippi

Mike states that he is writing from an 8 man tent during a thunderstorm, and some of the water is leaking in.  He re-states how long and dreary the trip down was, and that the homes along the tracks were rundown shacks.

"The first night we came down here, we darn near froze.  It was raining and the wind blew very much."

Private Mike tells that everything is a rush in the camp.  They turn in about 10:00PM and rise at 5:00AM.

Upon arrival in the camp, Mike tells them, the draftees were greeted by a priest, and he also mentions,   there is mass every Sunday.  Mike believes that there are about 40,000 guys in the camp, and that the camp is about 10 miles square.

[37th Division Logo Above.  The "Buckeye Division".  Also sometimes referred to as the "fried egg".]

Mike also notes that the ground at the camp is mostly red mud.  The “veterans” in the camp treat the new guys pretty well, and all the guys in Mike’s tent are from the Kent area.  One member of his tent, later on, is a sailor that was in the Merchant Marine and got drafted.  Mike tells Andy and Esther that Mickey Dover was moved to another place in the camp, and that Ernie Sullivan is in the same Company.  Mike also says that one of Bob Crosby’s saxophone players is down there, and that there is a good orchestra which he is listening to while writing their letters from the mess hall.  He asks them all to please write him soon.

On February 16, 1941, Mike writes Andy, Esther, and his sister, Betty, on Company I stationery that has two crossed rifles as a logo.  Mike states that it is a Sunday and he went to Mass.  They were fed a good meal of chicken with ice cream for desert.  They were just issued their rifles with bayonets, and Mike states how wicked looking they are.

He asks if they received his letter.  He says he has a good suntan now.  He asks them to send stamps because they are hard to get in the camp and that mail takes 2 to 3 days to get there.

Mike says hopefully, “Well, only 51 weeks to go and my year will be up.”  He believes that he will get transferred in about 3 months because this is basic training.  He asks Andy to take good care of the farm and to go out and cheer ma and pa up.  “Tell them everything is ok, and I will probably get to come home before my year is up.”

He states that there are all kinds of guys at the camp…”Smart Allecks, serious guys, but mostly good guys.”  Some were married and got drafted.  One young guy was married only one month before being drafted.

He asks them again to please write.

On February 22, 1941, Mike again writes to Andy, Esther, and Betty.  He asks how Junior is doing [David J. Halaiko].  Mike says that there is something in the wind and that it is rumored that they will be moved out of the camp in about 6 months due to the overload of draftees in the camp.  He says that they are doing drills now that the guys who had been there 2 weeks were doing.  Mike talks about the vaccinations they were given upon arrival to guard against typhoid and dyptheria.  He says that they are to receive three shots, and he has had two.  The second one made him and many others very ill.  [Years later, Mike  had a vaccination scar on his upper left deltoid about the size of a quarter from these shots].

Mike again continues his letter on Sunday morning, Februaur 23, 1941, and talks about getting to sleep in until 7:00AM.  He doesn’t like the Mississippi Weather which changes 30 degees between night and day. 

Mike likes the regularity of things like getting up at 5:00AM and having reveille at 5:30AM. Then they eat at 6:00AM.  He describes “Policing the Streets” at 6:15AM (which is cleaning up the company street), then it is out for drill at 7:00AM.  When they fall out for reveille, a sort of roll call, they are in full dress with rifles and bayonets.  They march out to drill as a solid company, and do various drills with a break of 10 minutes on the hour.

He tells them that the papers paint a pretty picture of Camp Shelby.  ‘Well don’t believe this crap.  Only about half of it is true.”

He continues, “The other day we were  instructed in the use of the bayonet.  This is really sickening.”

The previous Friday, it had rained all day, and the men were taught various fighting formations on a blackboard including how to scatter when a plane dove on them.  Mike says that this particular day is quite cold, but because they have a fire in the tent it is quite cozy.  Suddenly, though, Mike and another fellow named Hammond are ordered to go clean out the boiler room and build a fire.  Mike returns to the tent with soot stained hands and says, “Well, so much for this army crap.”

Mike gives his sister, Betty, some encouragement on her upcoming beauty school exam in Columbus, and asks, “Have you been going home regularly to cheer mama and father up?  Well, don’t forget to do this!”  Mike asks for Mary’s address because he has forgotten it, and asks if they saw the picture of his group of draftees that his sister Rosie had sent from the Record Courier (see above photo).  He asks them to let him know if anyone from the Kent area comes down to Camp Shelby, so he can look them up,  and inquires if they had received his cards and letters.

He continues his letter on Sunday evening at 4:25PM.

At the Service Club earlier that day, he played checkers and drank a couple of cokes.  He had a chance to weigh himself and noted that if the scales aren’t lying he went from 147 to152 lbs.

The fellows he is with are good guys he notes, and only two are from Kent, Raki and Meek.

He saw a friend named Kermit Reynolds march by when they were in formation, but could not say anything because his group was at attention.

A band plays for them every morning, at noon, and in the evening when they go out to drill.  Then he asks Andy to please send his Thermodynamics Book and slide rule.  [I must editorialize here and ask the question:  “How many other men out of 40,000 would have asked for a college Engineering book in an Army camp?”  This proves to me that our Mike was/is a very exceptional man.]

Mike then describes the army theater being like a big circus tent, and tells them that when the Hit Parade is shown, he won’t miss seeing it. 

The beer sold at Camp Shelby is only 3.2 beer because Mississippi is a dry state with boot legging still going on.

“Haircuts cost 25 cents.” He says, “And don’t forget to send me some stamps and write.”  He says he started this letter with”Dear Folks”, because that’s what they are to him.  He says that he is getting hard hearted.  Kay Kiser is on the radio and he wants to know if they are listening.  “Pretty good, no?  Yes!”  They get the Beacon Journal once in awhile, but it is always 2 days old.  He wonders if they are still reading Mickey Dover’s letters at home that are being published in the Kent Courier Tribune.  Their tent is getting more like home now with a small rug, a table, a chair, and some swell clothes racks, as well as a rifle rack.  He finishes with, “The Tobacco Auctioneer is blabbing now.  Are you listening?”  He didn’t mail the March 5th letter until March 6th because he took another look at it, and it was too short. Another mock battle was staged with the whole battalion. The officers were pleased with their performance, and told them they learned more in just two weeks than previous groups.  They practiced diving for cover when a plane attacks them.  And planes would fly over and dive at them, so they could get the feel for it.  At about 5:15 PM there is a down pour of rain. Mike bought a 2 day old Beacon Journal while another man bought a Cleveland Plain Dealer.  Again Mike expresses his feeling about not receiving any mail. It’s the best time of the day for him and he has been disappointed for four days.

“Dear Folks”,  Mike begins on March 5, 1941, “I haven’t heard from you in quite some time.  In fact, I haven’t heard from you at all since Sunday.  "I’m wondering because I sent some money home, and I’m wondering if you got it. Did I do something wrong?  How’s father, How’s mother?  Has Mary and Mickey been out?”  They are drilling a lot, and it has been one month since he arrived.  It’s starting to get warm and he says it may get miserable.  They have a sargeant in their tent who is a machine gunner.  He keeps his machine gun in their tent.  “That is quite a piece of apparatus.”  Mike asks again for his slide rule, his Thermodynamics Book, and his Trigonometry Book to be sent.  He writes them a letter on the average of every other day.  “So write.  Will you?  He concludes with, “Goombye Pleeze”.

On March 11, 1941, he begins by calling his sister, Rosie, a dear, dear girl for sending him the best letter he has ever received because Rosie had written and told him she had received the $10 he had sent her.  Mike tells her to buy anything she would like with the $10. “You need it.  I know.” He says.  He tells Rosie that he received a letter from  the Klines (I believe Esther (Kline)Halaiko’s family), and Johhny Mlasopky.  “When ever I get letters, I feel much better.  So, write often.  Every guy here feels the same way about getting mail.”  He thanks her for the money and stamps she has sent, and then asks her to do him a big favor.  With his mom’s birthday approaching on 3/19, he asks if she won’t take some of that $10, and get her a nice gift and say it is from him.  He says he doesn’t have enogh money to buy her a nice gift, but can only send a card.  “So, do your stuff, Rosemary.”  He asks, “How’s Father?  How’s Mother?”  Mary had sent him a nice long letter and told him how proud she was to have a guy like him for a brother. “This letter really made me puff out my chest.  Brag, Brag.”   He then humorously reprimands her for not sending a box. “ And did Andy send his textbooks yet?  No!”  He tells her not to show any of his letters to Mrs. Bingham, unless it will help her get a job.  In that case, he would write what would assert her a good position in this cruel, cruel world.  He relates that he has adopted a devil may care attitude about everything but home now, and he is going to try to get a better position in the army.  He wants to know if Father and Mother have said anything about including June in his letters who is like a little sister.  Raki shares the top bunk in his tent, and they staged a mock battle to put on a show for the colonel the previous Monday.  “This is a bunch of bull.” He concludes.

Mike then drew a few cartoons with captions in them as a joke.

On March 13, 1941, Mike sent a penny post card to Andy and Esther with the picture of the Hattiesburg Post Office on the front.  He says, “I saw this place last Saturday.  How’s the Farm?  How’s Everybody?  Take good care.  Your Brother, Michael.”

In a March 17, 1941 (St. Patrick’s Day) letter to Andy and Esther, Mike wrote that he had heard a rumor that they may get an Easter leave of about 10 days.  He then tells them he will have to borrow some money to get home.  A round trip ticket would cost $19.50.  He was to get paid $21, but was afraid that after the army deducted what he owed for laundry and some other things he bought, he would not have enough money to get home and back to base.  He asked Andy if he could borrow $10.  “If I can’t come home, I will send it back to you.”  Out of the last pay of $14, he had sent $10 home and said until next pay, he would be broke.  He tells Andy to do his best, and asked if he received the cartoons he sent from the last letter.  They were cartoons of Andy and Esther in Black Face, and he says that if he was insulting them, please let him know.  Mike then tells that the non-commissioned officers (non-coms), the corporals and sergeants, are tough unfriendly guys.  They respond to any complaints with, “Go tell it to the chaplain.”  Mike tells them that his intensive training period is about over, so maybe he will get transferred.  He concludes with, “Boy, I sure hope I will be seeing you guys soon!” and in a note at the top and bottom of the letter:  “Don’t tell ma and pa about this because maybe I won’t get to come home.  I want to surprise ma and pa if I do come home for leave.”

And again on March 21, 1941, he sent another penny postcard to them.  This one is a rear view of a large number of soldiers marching in formation and is entitled, “Infantry on the march---Camp Shelby near Hattiesburg, Miss.  On the reverse side in the upper left corner it says, “Camp Shelby near Hattiesburg, Mississippi was established during the World War.  Situated on high rolling pine clad hills this camp will be one of the largest in the country.”  Mike says, “Dear Brothers and Sisters:  How goes everything?  OK.  I hope.  You know, I went to church tis [sic] morning.  Our weather is getting warmer.  Your weather must be real cold.  Huh?  Mike”

On March 23, 1941, in a letter to Mary , Mickey, and Jerome, Mike tells them that he is glad to hear that Jerome is getting to be such a big boy, and he thanks them for the news clippings they sent.  He lets them know that today being Sunday, he received Communion, and next Sunday a mission is planned.  He says that the hard part of their training is over now, and that they are building walks and fences to improve the appearance of their company street.  The previous day they had inspection the entire day.

The previous week, their company mascot, Boots, died and was given a full military funeral with a 21 gun salute.  Mike says, “Boots is now in the place where all good dogs go.”

In a letter with an unmarked date, but I have electronically saved as 32341a.pdf which could be March 23, 1941, Mike says he is writing from the 37th Division Service Club.  He says they come there to write letters, play checkers, buy soft drinks, ice cream, and read magazines.

He tells them that he reads Mrs. Davenport’s columns, but part of what she writes is not true.  Her husband, Captain Davenport, he continues, was his company commander and would give anyone a square deal if they deserved it.

In the same letter, he waits until the next night (Monday) to tell them that Company I is on guard duty.  Mike’s particular guard duty was from 3:00AM-5:00AM.  He talks about having to hike 15 miles out from camp, and that they will probably do that again the next day.  He thanked Mary ahead of time for sending a box, but had not received it at the time of the letter.  He did receive a nice card from Rosemary and Betty.  Betty will pass her test, he says, and Rosemary is a smart girl and will get in at Firestone.  He says that Jerome must be growing into a husky boy, that he will write Cyril and Helen soon.  Mike tells Mary that if she wants to send him a religious medal, he will wear it.

On March 27, 1941, Mike writes to Andy and Esther in disappointment, “I will get no leave until I have served 6 months here.”  The order was read to them the day before to the effect that only emergency leaves would be given.  He tells them that he is going to keep $20. train fare aside because orders could change at any time.  “I was never so disappointed in my whole life.”  He says.  “Don’t say anything to mother or father as orders can change at any time.”

He tells Esther thanks for sending the box, and as before all the guys crowded around to partake in the great baked goods that were sent.  They now have five guys and a sergeant in his tent, and they all took part in the “ceremony”.

He lets them know that the stamps they sent were all stuck together, but he will steam them apart when he has KP.

On March 30 1941, it is a Sunday, and Mike says that Monday, 3/31/41, is a payday and he will be a rich man in that he is getting paid $21.  Mike says he is going to keep the dough this time for possible future train fare home.  He says that the orders are changeable at any time.  The orders have to come from head quarters and currently state that no new recruits will get any leave for 6 months, but Mike hopes that may change at any time.  He tells Andy and Esther that if he gets leave, he won’t tell everyone just them.

Mike thanks Esther for sending such a wonderful care package and tells her that not only he enjoyed it, but everyone in his tent did as well.

On April 5, 1941, Mike writes to Andy and Esther that there isn't much he can write since he just wrote to Mother and Father.  "Same stuff", he says.  

He then proceeds to tell them that, "...today is the first day since I have been here, we played some ball.  We all took part in the ball games.  Boy!  Today was a real day."

Mike also writes that the next day Company I of the 145th Infantry will be in a parade ( on April 7th) in preparation for upcoming "Army Day".  He adds that this will be the biggest parade since the World War (WW I).  It is rumored that the parade will be seven miles long.  The general was going to look them all over, and he continues, "As you know, Company I is always on top.  We are always the best looking outfit as we strut through our paces during the parades."

The next day is a Saturday, and Mike makes a correction concerning the parade scheduled for that day.  "I was wrong about the parade. We had Inspection instead and Company "I" as usual was on top.  We are on the ball at all times.  Our tent was one of the best."   Mike went on to say that The Chaplain, who was part of the 145th Inf. Inspection Tour along with other officers complimented the members of his tent on how neat everything was kept.

"We really have a swell bunch of guys in Tent 176:  Raki, Meek, Schuck, Rubin, Sgt. Duncan, and Halaiko."

Later that day Mike was going to go into town for the sergeant to pick up supplies like paint, screen door hinges, lamp shades, and brushes for their tent.

He received a letter from Joe Frient, a friend back home, who says his work is going pretty good.

Mike then asks Andy how his work is going.  "Is Firestone having any strikes?  We do get to read the paper you know, and Ford is having a hell of a time.  Isn't he?  This world is a funny place."

He goes on to say that he is glad to hear that Betty passed her exam, and asks if they got the "dizzy" cards he sent.

Mike tells them he has had some pictures taken and will send them as soon as he gets them developed, and "I probably won't get to see you guys for about six months yet.  Unless orders are changed.

He then closes with, "Well good luck to you and Esther in your blessed everything   

                                                                                                                                          your brother

                                                                                                                                                Mike"

In a PS to this letter, Mike says, "Congratulations!".  He had just heard the good news about their baby boy's arrival in a letter from Mary and Mickey.  "Well you write instantly and tell me all about him.  This is swell!  He his going to be a tough guy too I'll bet."

And then an afterthought:  "You know, Andy, Bruno Egger or Aiger is down here, he plays in the band.  I was talking to him last night.

good luck to you and Esther."

And then responding to Mary and Mickey about Andy and Esther's exciting new arrival, on April 8, 1941, Mike wrote how their news cheered him up quite a bit.  He tells Mary that he made the Catholic Prayer Mission the week before.  He goes on to relate that the priests are all very good speakers and they gave good advice.  There is one other Catholic boy in his tent, but on Palm Sunday, all the guys in his tent went to the service with them.  Mike says that thousands attend the services at one time.

The Saturday before was the day of the huge Army Day Parade.  General Brightler reviewed the troops, and Company I of the 145th Infantry was the lead Company of the parade.

Mike adds, "Boy, this really gives a guy a thrill when the band is playing."

The very next day, (Good Friday) Mike writes a follow up letter in which he describes Mass being said in a military tent that will hold 2,000 plus soldiers.  Some of the men even came in from field exercises wearing nap sacks and carrying their weapons. Mike says the chaplains are down to earth guys and give good sermons that the men can relate to.  Mike also congratulates Andy and Esther on their "New Joy" [who is  Cousin David].  Mike lets them know how much he and the other guys in his tent appreciated the cigars and candy they sent.  Mike tells them what a great thing it must be to have children.  He mentions also that he has not seen a friend of theirs named Bill Stoner yet, but will save him a cigar or two.

Mike continues on in this letter to the events of the next day, Saturday.  His Company just arrived back in camp from an overnight hike (bivouac).  They left home base about 4:30PM and hiked until 5:30PM.  They then had mess and laid around until about 9:30PM when they were all loaded on trucks (without lights) and driven a good ways in the dark until about 11:30PM.  They then bivouacked their tents and slept until about 3:45AM.  After cooking breakfast over open fires, they hiked all the way back into camp and arrived about 8:00AM.  They had the rest of the day off.

Mike says a friend of theirs by the name of Eddie Darrah is an "old man" in that he has been there at Camp Shelby for 6 months in the National Guard and will get to go home on leave soon.  Mike says that he personally won't be able to get leave until the coming July.

Another friend that Mike mentions getting leave by the name of Cyrroid is an officer's orderly and has asked if Mike would want his job for the 15 days he is on leave.

Mike also tells Andy  and Esther to let Mother and Father know that the box they sent was good, and how much he appreciated getting the box.  "All the fellows liked it so, and so did I!"

He apologizes that he won't be able to be their new arrival's godfather because he won't be on leave.  Mike thinks they should name him Andy.  He concludes by thanking them again for the cigars, candy, and everything.

"So-long, Mike" he writes.

Two days later, on April 18, 1941, Mike writes Andy and Esther calling them Pa and Ma.  He asks how junior is and tells them that he can not wait to see their little cherub.

Mike asks Andy how his work at Firestone is going and comments that the situation in Europe is looking pretty black.

Mike's Company has started night maneuvers. They leave camp about 2:30PM and don't return to camp until sometime the next afternoon.  Mike says that these night maneuvers are going to take place more and more as the weather becomes progressively hotter.  On these maneuvers, lizards, snakes, and even alligators can be seen.  The snakes are everything from common gardner, to deadly copperheads, coral, and rattlers. 

Mike then shifts into describing a beautiful letter he received recently from their youngest sister, Rosie.  Mike particularly liked this letter from Rosie because she went into detail about how pretty the farm was looking with the coming of spring.  "This was a real letter," he says.  "ten pages long".  "How I wish I could be there to see it.  We have a real farm brother.  When I get out, I'm going to start planning to get a farm.  Being in the army gives a guy a lot of time to think.  The farmer is the best of them all.  You take care of the farm, brother, and take care of mother and father too."

"How is Esther doing?  I hope OK after the grind she has been through.  It's great to be a mother, though, eh Esther?  And a father, too, eh brother?".

"Did you know that Company I is one of the best in the 37th Division?  Did Rosie show you the clipping that I sent?  I would have sent you one, but I just don't have one, so ask Rosie to show you the clipping.

"How is Betty doing?  She should be leaving home now soon, no?

"Have the guys around the farm started to plow yet?  You know it is time to do that don't you?  A common phrase around here is "You know that don't you?".

"Well here is wishing you and junior and Esther good luck, health, and all that goes with making life happy."

Your brother

Mike

PS "I know that you are busy.  I just have not heard from you lately.

Did you get the Easter Telegram that I sent?"

On Letterhead inscribed in red letters that says, "U.S. 37th Division Special Troops Camp Shelby, Miss.", Mike describes Guard Duty to Andy, Esther, and Betty on May 2, 1941. The Letterhead has a 1  3/4" Gold Banner with a 1  1/4"  Diameter White Circle in the middle of the Banner Letterhead.  Concentric with the White Circle is a 1" Red Circle. He says his whole Company I is on Guard Duty of various places and prisoners at Camp Shelby.  Mike explains that Company I is guarding the Explosives Dump during this 24 Hour Guard Duty.  This is where the "live ammunition" is stored in 5 wooden buildings in a semi circle that are sufficiently spaced so that if one building explodes, the others won't be harmed.  This particular duty, Mike explains, is called the "Cossack Guard" because they sleep right at the guard area and are on for 24 hours.  There are six soldiers and a corporal who have pup tents for in between shifts.  Mike says he is on active duty for 2 hours and off for ten hours.  His duty was from midnight to 2:00AM. " Nothing happened."  Mike continues, "This is really some experience!  This guard duty is really the nuts!  Nobody ever knows what will happen next.  We are given orders that if anyone is caught prowling around we are to call out, 'Halt! Who is There?'.  If there is no answer, we call, 'Halt!' twice more, and then if they don't stop, we have to shoot.  If a prisoner gets away, the guard gets to take his place.  Just like that."  Mike was to go on duty again from noon to 2:00 o'clock and then be done until the next time his company goes on Guard Duty.  Mike explains further that some guard prisoners (while the prisoners work), while others guard prisoners that are in the guard house.

"There are a heck of a lot of posts for guards to guard.  Brother, I have some real tales to tell when I come home.  I will probably see you in July."  

Mike tells them to keep what he tells them under their hats.  He tells them, "You know The 37th Division is considered one of the  four 'crackdivisions' in the US Army, and there are a lot of rumors around." He continues to tell them that they have orders to be prepared to move out at any time, and that on May 27th they are going to Louisiana for about a month of maneuvers.  From there he does not know where they may go.  He speculates that they may go to South America, Greenland, or any of the locations the US obtained from England in that "destroyer deal". He says that this is all rumor but there is something in the wind.  He again cautions the family to, "Keep all of this to yourselves."

Mike then changes the subject of the letter and tells them the snapshots they sent were really good and make him homesick.  He adds, "David John must be a cute little rascal."  He tells them the picture of the barn, [and I believe Andy and the horses] look good also.

Then Mike responds to Andy's apparent advice about suggestions on the farm's upkeep.  He tells Andy to get rid of the cows for now.  Only keep a couple of cows for milk.  And, he tells him, not to plant a lot of rye because it is hard to keep.  Andy should only keep some rye seed for later.  He says to plow the fields under for now.  And he tells him to not leave any fields uncovered so erosion won't tear the hell out of them.  He tells Andy to not do more than he can handle and that the farm is going to really come in handy in the next couple of years.

He goes on to say that the day before they had a "big battle" in which it was hot and dusty.  They started at 6:40AM and went until 6:00PM with only 2 sandwiches to eat at noon.  "Boy!  I really mean it when I say they are giving us the works.  We are a tough bunch now.  I have an attitude now of I don't give a damn what happens.  Strange but everyone feels about the same."

Mike concludes with the hope that they see one another soon and signs it, "Your brother, Mike".

Then in a PS to this Letter, Mike notes that the negative that he had sent them was of him in his denims on a day off.

In a second PS, he lets them know that he has been carrying this letter in his pocket for the last couple of days and that is why it looks so crummy.  It is Saturday, May 3rd, and he just got a letter from Rosie telling him that Father's ear is bothering him.  Mike remonstrates, "You guys take care of Father!  Understand!".  Then he shifts to telling them that they had an inspection this day and how they really have to toe the mark during the inspections.  He will let them know more about this when he sees them next.  Again Mike remonstrates, "How's Ma?  Nobody ever says anything about her.  What the hell's the matter with you guys?  How about some pictures of Ma & Pa?  I will send you some pictures of me in action.  Just be patient.  I don't have any stamps.  Well so-long slugs  Mike

In a letter to Mary, Mickey, and Jerome on May 5, 1941, Mike apologizes for not writing sooner, but explains that it is because he has not had the time to do so.

Company I is doing night maneuvers, and the last time they were out at night there was a severe thunderstorm.  They slept right out in the rain on the cold, wet ground.

Mike goes on to say, "The infantry is a tough place, but I can take everything they've got.  I haven't gotten sick yet or had any blisters on my feet.  Of course sometimes things look black, but they won't stop me."

"Today was a heck of a day," he tells them.  "It was hot and dry, and we had sort of a dust storm.  It was like a fog outside.  This is the first time I have seen so much dust in the air."

He thanks them for the news clippings that they sent and then asks them if they had read in Mrs Davenport's about the guy who had saluted while lying on his back.  "Well, that guy is in our company and he is a crack pot.  He is sort of nuts."

Mike comments on Jerome taking an interesting in writing.  "Well, he is an ambitious young fellow to start this at so young an age.  He must be quite grown up by now.  I can't wait until July when I will be able to come home for about 15 days to see you all."

He tells them further that if they don't hear from him it will not be because he does not want to write but because he is at a place where he can't write.

Again he asks if they go out to see Mother and Dad and when they do don't forget to cheer them up.  He again mentions he has some snapshots to send soon and would they send some of Jerome.

Mike concludes with:  "Well, so-long to you until a later time

                                                          Your brother

                                                               Mike"

On May 11, 1941, Mike wrote to Andy and Esther, "Today marks the 3rd month I have been in Camp Shelby.  One fourth of my time here in the army has been served."  The previous Friday some of the sergeants made recommendations for Private First Class.  Mike was going to receive that boost which would mean a stripe on his shoulder and a pay raise from $21 per month to $36 per month.

He mentioned that he thought he could get into the army air corp but was uncertain about attempting it because it would mean an additional 3 year commitment and he already had a good amount of time in the army.

Mike says he has pictures to send them.  They are not of him in his uniform, but pictures of when they were working around the camp.  The uniform picture will come at a later time. 

Mike asks about Junior and then quickly shifts into:  "Where are all those letters you should be writing me?  Lately, I have not been getting any mail at all."

Mike concludes with, "Well write, will you?  Your brother

Mike"

In a letter to Andy and Esther on May 17, 1941, Mike asks Andy to please send his Algebra book by Hart."There's a guy here that wants to do some algebra in preparation for a test, and he wants me to help him.  This algebra book is the one he has to use.  So if you have that book please send it t me.  Will you?"Mike thanks Andy for the pictures that Andy sent or Rosie sent or somebody sent, and asks if they like the ones that he had sent them.Mike says he now owns a camera and will soon have a lot of pictures to send.The temperature is very hot on that particular Saturday.  His friend Meek's wife is down for about 10 days and Meek is really a happy guy."According to the pictures you sent, the old farm looks O.K.  How's father and mother?  I hope they are feeling well.  Well, why don't you write?  So-long I will write again later.  Your brother  Mike"