Mrs. Cordie's Soldier Son: A World War II Saga

"Over Here"

“OVER HERE” At Camp Wolters, D.C. was replaced by a WAC. His eyesight could not be corrected with or without glasses; however, he quali- fied for a combat unit and remained in the U.S. Army. Several times D.C. attempted to obtain government-issued eyeglasses (in fact two pairs), but the U.S. Army would not issue glasses unless they resulted in improved eyesight. As a result, he wore his civilian glasses. Because D.C. had good office skills, he received additional training to work in the Civil Affairs department, which went along with the U.S. Army’s advancing units as they moved through newly occupied territory. Depending on the circumstances, the purpose of Civil Affairs was to free up the U.S. Army to carry on its tactical and strategic mission ; it was also to provide food, health care, housing, and security for the civilian population and to restore civil control in the newly occupied areas. Civil Affairs was not considered a front-line assignment, but it was close enough. At the end of January 1944, D.C. left for Camp Reynolds, Mercer County, Pennsylvania, to begin training with other officers and enlisted personnel who would become part of this new and expanded function within the U.S. Army. Camp Reynolds was an assembly and training facility for the newly established Civil Affairs units of the U.S. Army; there they received their initial assignments for Europe or other destinations. For those who had not had extensive military training, as D.C. had at Camp Wolters, these soldiers also received small arms and basic military instruction. Depending on the background of the individual soldier, some of the personnel considered a significant portion of this preparation boring “Over Here” 33 and even a waste of time. The U.S. Army had not yet worked out the details of preparing people for civil affairs. For some time, D.C. was not sure what his role would be once he reached Europe. In the U.S. Army’s Civil Affairs units, several of the officers had received direct commissions immediately from civilian life. Many of the soldiers in these new units were classified as “Limited Service” (e.g., eyesight or age), as was D.C. While at Camp Reynolds and prior to his inevitable departure overseas , D.C.’s letters were perhaps typical of other soldiers’ letters. Though the men had to deal with the mundane, they were fed the best meals the military could provide. Camp Reynolds, Pennsylvania, was not far from Youngstown, Ohio. With some leisure time available, many of the soldiers went to Youngstown whenever possible. Their duffle bags were checked and rechecked, letters were written, and paperwork such as insurance beneficiary designation was filed, especially if it had not been done before their arrival at Camp Reynolds (or more importantly, if the soldier had changed his mind after leaving the replacement depot; absence and the sudden reality of one’s circumstances cause one to rethink such matters). Also, ever present in their thoughts was a concern that the mail had not caught up with them after departing, and they wondered whether it would ever find them. From his “upper-story bunk” D.C. wrote the following: Dearest Folks I’ve just eaten my noon meal which consisted of chicken, potatoes, slaw, coffee, ice cream, and another unidentified food. It was real good I thought. We had to get up this morning for reveille but since then we’ve done nothing but lye [sic] around. I’m fixing to go to the latrine & shower room to clean up. I’m really dirty. The sun is out today—really the first time since I’ve been here. A boy has just come from the shower he said the water was 43° below. Everytime [sic] I clean up its [sic] about that way. (about freezing here) I’ve packed all of my extra clothes in my little bag & am going to send them the first time I go to town. Had to send my new shoes, woolens, shoes, sweater, scarf, leather gloves I found, 34 Mrs. Cordie’s Soldier Son socks, underwear & towels. Daddy can wear them all I imagine. I hope he can. I’ve written DD, Mary Alice, Stella, Mary Anne, Doris, and you all this week. I should get...