March, 1944: Las Vegas Army Gunnery School (Maggie)

 

March 14, 1944

Dear Maggie

Well here I is. I don't quite know how I got here but.I am. We got notice Friday we are shipping Mon then Sat they told us to get ready we were shipping Sun morning. Well we rushed around getting stuff together & then stood around to wait. We left Denver around 1 oclock Sun after noon & got here Tues (this morning) around 3 oclock. We had a very dull trip we only had 1 one chanch to get off the train & that was at Salt Lake City we had the whole sum of 15 min to be off. It snows on us all the way here so that made things that much nicer. I also got K.P. the 2nd meal & my O.D's could be boiled & made soup out of. 

We found out we are going to be gunners & that we won't go to a teck school. When we get through here in about 8 or 9 weeks we will be through have our wings -- if we make it, and get a 15 day delay in route. We will then get with the rest of the crew & get ready to go over. When we get though here they say they give us the whole sum of 1 strip. Personally I say they they can jam it all I want is the money.

The Camp here is a whole lot nicer than Buckley at least thats that I say now. The barracks a 2 story job and are constructed a little nicer than the.others. Also the chow seems to be a while lot nicer not so much slop. It does look like it could get darn hot her & it also looks like the dust blows quite a bit. 

We never went through the town of Las Vegas but from what the fellows say "Little Bill" better not go in. He's liable to get drunk & they say its a rough town. I guess we don't get too many passes so I won't worry about it too much. We didn't do any thing to day except carry our barracks bags about a ½  mile to let them check our cloths. I had every thing so it made me made to have to do it. Thats all I can do is to carry that thing any way & thats all I have been doing since we heard we were shipping. 

We don't know how long we are going to stay in this student pool but we probable won't be here over a week or 2 at the most – I hope. I want to start to school and get it over with as soon as possible. The way they are closing every thing down they may close this down befor we get a chance to get through. 

Oh yes I told you I might ship across well the bunch I should have been with are at the P.O.E. now so I guess I was rather lucky not to have shipped out with them. 

Well I guess its about time for the lights to out so so I'll close for now. 

Bill.

March 20

We May be I ought to get on the ball & mail this. I got side tracks on I.P. for 2 ½ days & on top of that I think I caught the flue. I sure have been feeling miserable evey since I went on K.P. I guess they think I like K.P. or some thing because it seems like evey time they put up a list my name is on it. 

We start to school some time today so in 7 weeks we should be getting all packed & ready to go home. (I hope) 

Well we have to fall out in a few minents so I better close

Bill

March 29 1944

Dear Maggie

I got a letter you wrote & was sent to Buckley so I guess you didn't have my address when you wrote you. I guess you recived a letter from me since I arrived here haven't you. If I rember correctly I wrote one. 

I have started to school, infact I have gone 3 days now & had one test. The time goes rather fast while we are in class but the days sure do drag. It seems like we have gone for at least 3 weeks by now. We are studying the 50 cal machine guns in craft reconition and sighting. It sure makes my head swim the way they go over that stuff. They go over it so fast & expect you to get it all but me most of it drifts right on over my head. Oh well I guess may be I'll make the grade.

Eveyone is in a very good mood to night we were just informed that we didn't get 15 day delay enroute. That made eveyone feel very unhappy then on top of that we got eat out about the barracks being dirty. We also had a hard day including exercise period. Infact you can't talk to any one with out them start griping about something – including me. 

You ask me to get Mal. address for you, I imagine Wayne has it so I will write him & ask him for it. You might have to wait a while because He writes me on the avg. of once in 2 months. I don't know if I told you or not but Mal. was back to see him not too long ago. I guess the folks were scared he was going to marry her – but he didn't. From what I hear he is having quite a time the last few months. 

Well belive it or not but I went into town on my first pass in 6 weeks & didn't even attempt to get drunk. This town is quite a town, all gambling houses & drinking joints. I spent the whole sum of $1 while in there, but I only stayed about 2 hours. 

We didn't have time to do much & we had to get up at 4:45 the next morning so I was a good boy. They Tell us we will get only one more pass while here so I guess I won't have to worry too much about doing in. 

I never saw so much silver money in all my life as I didn't while I am there. Every thing is silver, and I don't like it.

Well Ill close for tonight & try to finish this tomorrow morning. 

Well we got up at 4:30 this morning & I am sleepy. I have done gone & eaten & made up my bed – swept the floor mopped & shined my shoes, & its only 6:00. I think I have done a good days work befor I have even started the day. This is about all the time we will have to our selfs now untill we get off tonight. 

The weather up to yesterday has been rather chilly. Yesterday turned up like 

III

Well this will probable look funny but over look it the time.

The weather was warm about 2 weeks a go then it turned off cold. I was even tempted to put on on my long underwear. If it had been clean I probable would have. 

Well we will be able to start wearing out suntans Sat but if it doesn't warm up I dont think too many fellows will. I don't think I will like to wear them from what I have seen of them. They get all messed up too easy & don't look very nice after you have used them once. 

You ask about that sailor, no I haven't found out who it was. Infact very little of that stuff he told me has been the truth or should I say has come out right. The fellow who told me all that stuff is here in the hospital & will be there 3 months. Me I think the is bucking for a discharge – not that I blame him much. 

Well we have to fall out in a few minents so I better close. 

Love 

Bill

Feb-Mar 1944: Bathtime hijinks (Maggie)

 Feb 19, 1944

 

Dear Maggie

 

This is Sat. night & belive it or not but I am staying in camp tonight, & it's not because I don't have a pass its just because so there too. I did go to town last Sat night & had quite a time. We had a couple of shots of whiskey & then bought a qt of Rum & a qt of Vodka. Well we killed those & went to a dance (I still dont dance) & started drinking beer. I don't know how we ever got in or how we ever stayed there. They had a cop stationed at the door & a couple of M.P.s there but we didn't have any trouble. We had a hotel room so when we got there I decided to take a bath it was only 3 A.M. A couple of the fellows came in & started washing my hair. They finally went out, they also turned the light out & shut the door. I had the idea I would drownd so I really crawed out. I wen to bed & they said I ask for a drink so one of them brought over the rum bottle & finished pouring it on my face. It burnt like the devil so I got a towel & had it about wiped off when they brought a pitcher of water over to wash it off. Well they poured it all over my head & all in all I got a nice cold over it. The next morning I thought a mad Russian had hit me in the head with a axe it's the worst head ach I have ever had – me I have sworn off.

I thought you knew better than to drink my wine. That stuff will kill you – if you remember what it use to do to "little Bill" Me I never touch wine any more one of the fellows said he wanted a bottle of wine last night but I finally talked him out of it. 

You made some crack about the sarg making me hurry up – well you weren't just kidding. They are always riding me a bout lagging while we are marching but I just can't help it because I am slow. I also got bawled out by a officer on the drill field just because I was smirking. I was just thinking how silly the things we were doing & he caught me. That one thing I like about the army you aren't supposed to think & I can't come to realize it. 

You wish you could have a few more Sat nights like we use to, well you aren't alone. I sure wish I could go out like we use to again, maybe after the war we can get together again I hope, or may be sooner. That is if Wayne doesn't get married, I half way think he might later on. You said we ought to tell him they ain't worth it (women I mean) I think he ought to know it after what happnd to him but I guess he doesn't. 

Well my first week of basic is over now so I only have 15 more days that is if I can take it. The first few days were sure tough on me. I would come in & just hit the sack & try to rest. My poor old [___] aren't as young as they use to. They just want to make me tough & I don't want to be tough I just want to me "little Bill" I did hit a buddy of mine, who is 6'-6", & really laid him on the floor. He is so tall about all I could reach was his chest & I let him have it, see I am getting mean.

Some times this army has its brighter moments like one of the fellows just now. He is sewing P.F.C. strips on one of the fellows cloths because the fellow is trying to get a head by acting smart & etc. There is always something  happening in the barracks but still I would rather be a good old civy.

Say what does your roommate look like you never did tell me, not that I am interested but the army has made me want to know what all of these guys _^ ^girls look like. 

Some of these fellows really get mad at me for wanting to read letters from there best girls. I guess its not right but some of them are really all right, they ought to make a book out of them. Don't get me wrong I don't let them read my mail but some of theres is really good reading.

I was telling you about sewing P.F.C strips on the guys cloths, well he is sewing up the buttons of the guys pants now. He is doing a good job of it too even If I have to say so myself. 

Talking about sewing I got all my sholder patches sewed on now & I think I did a good job of it too but thats just my opion against the whole barrack. Thats where a woman is nice. 

I have my income tax filled out now so all I have to do is mail it. Belive it or not they owe me the whole sum of $12. I really think they owe me more but the way I filled it out thats all it comes to so I'll let it go at that.

Say how on earth does anyone read my writing I sure can't but I guess it's all right.

I heard a new rumor the other day to the effect that we get shipped over seas for our training. One fellow I know is going either to Australia or England. If I cam shipped I hope I go to Austriala.

You ask about how my fortune came out well it hasn't worked out up to yet so I don't know what to think. I guess it's all right but I still am doubtful.

Everyone has gone to town tonight & the barrack sure is quiet infact too quiet to suit me there isn't a whole lot doing.

Well may be this is enough for a while so write soon

Love 

 

Bill. 

March 6 1944

 

Dear Maggie 

I recived your letter so will try & answer it while the barracks are 1/2 way quiet. Every one is out eating the slop they call food so it will be peaceful ? for a while.

You tell me I ought to stop my drinking  –  well I have. I havent been drunk since the last time I wrote you. Infact I have only been in town once in 3 sundays & then it was only for about 6 hours. A week a go Sunday I had a pass but no money last Sunday I didn't even get a pass. We are on the alert so couldn't go any place. We are expecting a shipping list out so we can't do any thing. I can't even turn in my laundry. We expect to leave this week some time & also get a 15 day  delay in route which will be very nice.

We went out on biovac last week & stayed the whole sum of 3 days. They darn near starved us and, we nearly froze to death to top that off. We were sleeping in tents, 6 of us, with one little stove. My head was out the flaps about half the time so I had a nice cold over the deal. We also had to crawl 60 yard while they were firing machine guns over our head & land mines blowing up on each side of us. I survived o.k. but was a muddy mess when I got through. I made some of the fellows mad because I talked to them as we were crawling, they didn't seem to like my cracks

We were having wonderful weather & then all of a sudden it started snowing then to top that off the wind has been blowing the roof of the place. Evey place & thing is covred with dust which makes it nice.

Well I can't think of much more to write & I also have a few things to do as usual so will close

Bill

 

We sure are learning more about Jack and Maggie, aren't we?

 

Here are Jack's letters to Gram during this period:

Mid-February 1944: Basic Training Begins & What About Wayne?
March, 1944: Biovac, Guns, and getting ready to ship

 

 

 

 

Jan-Feb 1944: Chatty Bill (Maggie)

 

Margaret had stapled Bill's address to the top of the letter.

Jan 25, 1944

Dear Maggie

I guess I ought get out of this lazy spell (or is it tired) and answer your letter while I have a little time.

Well I didn't make cadets but from what I found out I must have been right on the border because they told me if they ever lowered the standards I would get a chance. I guess at the present I am a gunner I don't know what kind but will probable find out in a few days. Oh well I wanted to be gunner any way & I'll try to make the best damn gunner the army ever saw.

You ask where Wayne was stationed he is still in Maryland he has been there evey since he left Fort Bliss. You also ask If I knew where Bergy is the lat I heard from Wayne, Wayne saw him in Baltimore & I guess he was going to school there.

We went out last Sat night & no kidding you really should have been with us we really threw a big on. We rented 2 hotel rooms & had a gay time. From as near as we can recall it must have cost around $175 for the night but I think it was worth it. Evey time you opened the door the fumes would make you drunk all over a gain. All in all I got about 5 hours sleep in fact I am still tired from the thing. 

Please don't remind me of the good old days of "Deep in the Heart of Texas." I was not just a kidding but it really makes me sort of home sick every time I hear it played. I think about all the good times we use to have but after this mess is over we will get together won't we?

I don't know if you have heard but Wayne has a new Flame that lives in Ind. I thought may be he had gotten married but he wrote & said he didn't but he did have me guessing for a little while. 

So you like your job well that's swell but don't get mixed up in your work too much Just what do you do you never wrot just what you did.

You ask how I get along in the army with my talking well theres about 50 to the barracks so I can always corner some one to talk to so there too. If I ever get another chance I'll really talk both your arms off. 

We have a new set up, we have been getting guard duty 2 hours a day for 2 days & on the 3rd we get 4 hours & a pass evey night. The only trouble is we don't make quite enough money to go in to town over once or twice a week so we just stay home & save our money for Sat night. Oh well at least we won't draw K.P. as long as we have it this way.

Say while I am thinking about it won't you please send me a picture or a snap shot or some thing on the order of your self. I really would like to have one so please do so. 

I guess that's about all for the time being so please write Soon as we never know when we will be shipped

Love Bill 

$175 for a party?! Wow! They spent the equivalent of $2664 today! What a bash!

Here's the letter where he tells Gram about the party. We learned a little more today!

Hmmmm....I wonder if "Deep in the Heart of Texas" was "their song." 

Feb 7, 1944

Dear Maggie

I got your letter this morning so while I am trying to keep off detail I'll try to write you a letter. I may have to do like you mentioned in your letter only I won't stuff it in a draw & get busy. Me I'll just grab my shirt and run for the back door. It really is a hard job trying to keep off detail in the army but I have been pretty lucky so far. A fellow told me about my future this morning & told me I would get into some kind of trouble the next 2 weeks, he also said I couldn't avoid so I'll just set here an see if he was correct or if he was just trying to score one.

He came over and told me all about my self last night while I was on my bunk. He also described several of my friends that I use to know & also told me what one of my sisters looked like. He also told me some girl I know has been going out with a sailor & I don't know who it could be is it you? I am trying to check to see how correct he is. He also told me I would be going over seas in Oct – that might be a guess, & that I would have one head injury but out side of that I would come out of it o.k. He also told me I would get married about 3 months after I was 21 but he thought I was about 19 so that may be a year off. Don't get me wrong I haven't fallen for a lot of mind reading & such but if the things he has told me turns out to be true I'll have a lot more fath in fortune telling than I have had. 

So they really have been spending money on you – you ought to tell them not to spend so much that they go broke doing it. But more power to anyone who can get any one to loosen up and spend some money on them now. I sure can't get the government to spend any on me now. I guess they figure they have given me too much all ready. You know I have been paid by the Government for the last 3 years, N.Y.A. Navy yard and the dear old army.

Personally I would even take the N.Y.A. to the army any day of the week and twice on Sundays. at least you could tell them what you think in the N.Y.A. but not in the army. In army you aren't supposed to think & thats my trouble I try to think too much. At least I think I think – if you get what I mean.

You made cracks about me getting sick when I do out – I want you to know I haven't gotten sick for at least 2 years. I guess I just learned how much I could drink with out getting sick. The last time I went out with Louie he was the one to get sick & little me I had to drive him home and did I laff at him. He was always bragging that I was the one to get sick so I showed him. No I haven't been on any partys since the last one, one reason because I didn't get a pass this week & didn't go out last week. I can't afford very many partys like that from now on though. I got paid last week, & belive it or not I'll be getting $16 a month from now on. Its hard to take after making that much on one day of over time. Oh well may be some day I'll get some strips and a little more pay. If I make gunner Ill get a corp rating after I get out of armor school & then make sgt after I get out of gunners school. Then when I go over seas I'll make at least S/sgt. Thats thats what they tell me any way. 

So you are going to get another dog I don't know about that, if you remember about the last one & how much trouble it was. I guess you were the one to take care of her at that werent you.

That reminds me Malc. is planning on going back & seeing Wayne in the near future & Wayne just got throug fixing it up with the Indiana girl about a blond in N.Y. I imagine he will have some more explaining to do. That guy will never learn about women will he?

Say where is your bro. been stationed latley you never did say & I am wondering. You allso say you hope he never hopes to fight the Jap's well heres another Joe who hopes he doesn't have too either, When they ask me what theater of war I wanted to fight in I said European & Ill stick with it. I have heard too much about the japs from the sailors who have seen action 

You ask about Waynes car it is still parked in the barn at home. He had a chance to sell it but wouldn't said he would keep it till after the war so may be we can go out in it agin. 

He & I also plan on building a house after the war is over we haven't quite decided where we want it but it will be out in the mountains where we can have peace & quite. I really think it's a good idea what about you? It will be a duplex (I guess that the way you spell it) and will be on the on the spanish style. 

You ask about a picture I think I have some in my foot locker & will send you one if I rember it when I get back. I forgot to tell but the barracks got to hot & I had to leave – I was afraid that they would want me for some detail so I left in a hurry. They came in & got about 8 fellows just befor I left. 

They didn't give us passes Sat because we are suppose to be on the alert. They are shipping a bunch out & we have to be ready, I sure hope I ship from here even though it's only to Lavery, thats only 5 miles from here but they have permanent barrack. He we have to go about a 1/2 block when we have to go & have to carry coal the same distance. Also the food is poor as I may have said befor.

The last few days we have had wonderful spring weather infact it made every thing muddy Sat. We had to go out on parade Sat afternoon & it sure was nice mud ankle deep & we had our O.D.s on. When we got back we were coverd with mud from head to foot & the marching looked wonderful. No one could keep his footing although no one fell down we couldn't have gotten much mudder if we had of. 

Well I guess Ill close now so write soon. 

Love 

Bill 

P.S. I'll send you this picture of Florence & me Hope you like it

the address is 769 – I think you had it 761 or something because the letter did get her on tine & had a bunch of writing on face of it. 

Whew! For what Jack lacks in frequency, he makes up in volume in his letters to Maggie! Chatty!

Postcard postmarked DENVER FEB 12 1944

Dear Maggie, 

I am just droping you a line to let you know of a change of address We moved again & evey tine we move our mail get about 2 weeks behind. It has been cold here & it tried to snow the other day – while we were moving & I darn near froze to death. I guess I have been out in colder weather but I don't know when. We havent been doing any thing since we moved but lay around. which I like to do best. We will start our basic Mon so may be I'll need the rest, but in doing it I am getting lazyer than ever. Well I have run out of space so will close

Bill 

 

A year's gone by... (Maggie)

The last letter we had from Bill to Maggie was November 14, 1942 while he was still in Bremerton, a "civy" welder working in the Puget Sound Naval yards. Here we are a year later, when Bill's mother reaches out to Margaret.

504 Grand

Las Vegas

Dec. 21, 1943

Dear Margaret

Just a note to wish you a very merry Xmas and all good things for the new year.

Had my first letter from Bernard at Buckley Field yesterday.

He thinks he likes army life. 

And poor Louie – I wish you could read the lonesome letter I got from him.

Bernard has been in since Dec 3. passed his tests for cadet so he should be happy. if you remember how badly he wanted to get in two years ago. Well he is in and I hope he makes good and is not washed out. 

We are enjoying plenty of ice - snow and slush. The streets are a sight. 

Best Xmas wishes

Neva M. Eutsler

Pvt. Bernard C. Eutsler 39215612

T.S.S. 769 Flt 176

Bks. 339 E

Buckley Field

Denver Colo.

Maggie must've sat right down and mailed him a letter, because we have one from him just over a week later.

Dec 30 1943

Dear Maggie

I recived your letter today so thought I had better answer it right away & not put it off.

I sure have been on the go since I last saw you & I mean on the go. I had that operation & as soon as it was healed I took off for Bremerton. I was there exactly 3 days & was classified back into 1A which made me very happy. Well I worked about 2 months & recived my induction papers & 3 weeks later I went to dear old Fort Lewis. We were there 2 weeks & took my 1st test for the air corp & passed. They shipped me here to Buckley which didn't make me mad at all so here I am. 

I got home for Xmas I got home on a 3 day pass so I don't think I did so bad. I got home 5A.M Friday morning & left 3 PM the 25. It didn't leave me much time & I was tired by the time I got back but it was better than not being home at all. I got in to the field about 4:30 in the morning & slept till 8:30 & then my dear friends & buddies requested me to get up so what could I do, its about 5" to the floor. 

We went out Tues night, five of us, & went to a dive in Denver, the first thing you know we were all drunk & having one swell time. If dear old Maggie & the rest of the old gang were there it would have been just like old times. One kid got mad & pulled the wash basin off the wall & we sure cleared out of the wash room quick. We made so much noise I though they we going to kick us out, but they didn't so we had quite a time all in all. We got back at 12:30AM & had to get up at 3:00 for k.p. so you know I was really feeling good when I got up. My old head was swimming & my stomach felt like it was just 1/2 there, but I lived through the day.

I haven't heard from Louie the last few weeks but I guess he is still out there. He sure hated to see me leave when I did leave. 

You ask if I were a cadet or not as bad as I hate to say it no. I have to start taking test next week to find out if I can make the grade. I guess if I don't I'll probable be put in as a gunner. You also ask how I like to be "government property." to tell you the truth I'd still rather be a cilvinin. It's not to bad but they tell you when you do this & when you do that & etc. If hey would let me set around & talk all day & get t least 2 hours sleep each day it wouldn't be bad.

Yes I have Waynes address so if you want it you just set down & write me another letter & I'll send it to you.

Say if you ever come to Denver let me know ahead of time & I'll try to get a pass.

Well I'll close now & hope to hear from you soon.

Bill 

"little"

Cheeky!

Christmas, 1943 was on Saturday, so he had just about a day and a half at home.

Here are Jack's letters to Gram mid- to late-December, just before and just after he had his pass to go home for Christmas. 

 

Last half of 1942 (Maggie)

We have just three letters from Jack to Maggie in the last half of 1942, and there are no corresponding letters to Gram during this period.

June 27, 1942

Dear Maggie

I got your letter today and was glad to hear from you. I thought you had forgot me all together. I know how we were running around befor we left but that was for only a period of 3 days not a month. 

I still don't like Wash, wish I were back in N. Mex, but will stay while I am making money. I passed my test and am working on the U.S.S. Nevada, too bad it wasn't sunk at Pearl Harbor. It is a hot and dirty job. I only work about 2 hours a night though, just stand around and wait on the ship fitter.

You think you have soldiers there you ought to be here, we have sailors , soldiers, and marines plus a few forgien " & etc. They are just every place all the time thats all you see, it gets tiresome after a while

I may move in with Louie after a few weeks I don't know, I would have moved in befor this but I hate to move.

Say have I've been smoking latley, more than a pack a day. I've got to quit or it will kill me (I hope)

Am I smart, I just took my watch off and put it on backwards.  It has been nice the last couple of days, the sun has actualy been out for more than a hour.  I have to close and get some sleep so write soon and let me know what you have been doing.  

 

Bill

 

Again, a letter written on folded paper. It starts on the upper right, then lower left, lower right, and ends on the upper left.

Oct 4 1942

1243 - 5th St

Dear Maggie  

 

Well it is Sunday and I woke up early & thought maybe I should drop you a line to let you know I am still alive.  

 

I am still putting in my time here but that's all. Things have been rather dull of late, no work just stand around and hope a naval officer doesn't find you loafing. I haven't done a real days work in a month. I am still on the Nevada but it is almost done so I'll probable  get changed over to the U.S.S. Tenn. or new construction in the near future.

You ask what I have been doing in my spare time. Well we have been boating several times but out side of that not a – – thing. The only thing there is to do on our day off is go to a show or Seattle, if we go to Seattle we always end up at a show. I have got so I go to sleep in every show I see. I went to a good show, last day off, and really wanted to see it, I tried hard to keep from going to sleep but did any way. Louie bought a car so that helps break the monotny once in a while, we have seen some very pretty country while we ride around. I just wish I had a movie camera to take some color pictures of it.  

 

You talk of Alb. soilders – if you want soilders, sailors, marines, English salors and air pilets both RAF & RCAF and our own you should come here we have them all. You see them all if you stay here a little while the English salors are in town most every day, they are crazy & drunken. You can't understand a word they say, it sounds like a hog grunting.

You say you have reformed as far as drinking goes, well you should see this little boy – hasn't even smelt a cork since he's been here. Oh of course tried to drink a few beers but this stuff here isn't fit for nothing or no body.

In this state they don't serve whiskey by the drink – bottle only & you have to be setting down to drink beer. You can't even carry it to your table a waitress has to.

You talk about N.Y.A. it is one big laugh up here. That N.Y.A. training doesn't do any body any good, they put you in whatever shop needs you. The Nyaa gives you training then you come here and they have to train you all over. My training in welding actually didn't do me a bit of good. I had to start all over again when I came in the yard. We don't do much of any thing the way we were taught in N.M. The only thing they do that helps the boys is send them out here. I just wish I could get some time off & come back and try to show those instructors just what they want up here.

Talking a bout getting off to come back – a guy can't get off for love nor money now. The only way you can get any time off is to quite & then the army has you so there you are again  

 

Well I guess I ought to close now. Write soon.  

 

Bill.

 

 

 

Nov 14 1942

 

Dear Maggie

 

I guess I owe you a letter in – – fact I have owed it to you for quiet a while.  It has been rather cold here, not by the thermometer but by feel. It just goes right through you like nothing. It has been raining too not hard but rather steady it has come down for better than 24 hours now and sure makes a guy want to come back to N. Mex. 

You asked if I was disgusted with the whole world, no not quite, just this part of the country. I guess I wrote those two letters to you when I was down in dumps. It gets very tiresome just putting in your time and not feeling like doing anything when you do have a day off. It is hard to do anything here, unless you want to spend a lot of money, and then you don't have the fun we use to have.

On our day off all Louie wants to do is go over to Seattle and ride around. Well to my notion he isn't the driver he thinks he is and it soon gets on my nerves so I come home all worn out.

I am working on the U.S.S. Idaho now, I meant putting in my time I welded for about 30 min. last night so you see I really work. Every once in a while I get to talking (as usual) to a sailor who has seen action and they really can't tell some real stories. Not the kind you read in news papers but the straight stuff.

One gave me some money from Iceland and told me all about it up there. In fact I have been around the world several times. I have heard stories about almost all the foregien countries except Africa.

You ask about Wayne. He is still in Aberdeen as far as I know he hasn't written me in a couple of week. And for Malcolm she is in Vegas from what Ma says. I guess she goes up to see Ma every once in a while. She never has written me so I have done likewise.

No I haven't been on a spree since I came out here (almost 7 months) but one of these days I am going to realy through a big one. I am going to get as drunk as I did the time we went out with Claude, J.C. Quack & ect. If I ever get back to Vegas & Wayne is there I'll really go on another one, maybe we could talk to you on being there too. That is if I ever get back there. If the weather doesn't start getting a little better I am afraid I'll die with my boot on. You ought to see the boots I have now they weigh about 10 lbs. Boy they are really heavy.

I almost fell over board the other day. I fell on a platform on the side of the ship and tried to get up befor a officer caught me. Any way I skined up my shins and did they hurt for a while.

I guess some of these mexican kids are going home. They don't like it here and want to go back to their girls. Dick the kid from Alb went home to join the army, I told him to look you up I hope he did but doubt it. His brother referred to you as Miss Murphy – I didn't know who he was talking about. 

 

Well I better close now and get some sleep. I am still on the graveyard shift so I need it.  

 

Write soon  

 

Bill

Well, well! Jack and Maggie were drinking buddies! The things we learn!

 

May 1942: Welding Woes (Maggie)

Information from my sister Margaret/Peggy/Peggers/Pagrs:

 

Re Dad’s nicknames. We asked the aunties about all the nicknames at the first EutslerFest in ABQ back in the 1990s. When Dad was a little fella, their milk was delivered in a horse-drawn wagon pulled by a horse named Bill. After the milkman had made his delivery, he’d get back on the wagon, shake the reins, and say, “Gid up, Bill!” Auntie Bobo said her little brother would race around and holler, “Gi up, Bill! Gi up, Bill!” Our grandfather, the source of many of the nicknames (his sister Minerva was “Pinny Pinerva” and eventually Penny), called him “Bill,” and I remember that many of his old friends in Kansas still called him Bill in the 1950s. 

 

Where did “Jack” come from? From the nursery rhyme “Jack, Be Nimble.” He learned the rhyme, Bobo said, and ran around the house leaping over everything that remotely resembled a candlestick all the while reciting the rhyme. (She said he made them all nuts, because he was indefatigable with running and rhyming.) We have Grandfather Eutsler to thank for that one, too.

*

These letters have a bunch of money figures so I've embedded the value in today's dollars [in brackets].

  

 

 

 

May 13, 1942

4026 Brooklyn

Seattle Wash

Dear Margaret I got your letter of May 8 yesterday but had to go get it. I had several letters or rather cards & letters out at the camp and went and got them to day after work.

Well I am working a Puget Sound Naval Yards as a welder. I found out that I don't know a thing about welding. Yesterday the instructor started me in on flat beds & I have to learn all over a gain. We certainly got good training under N.Y.A., we hardly use any thing they taught us down there & a lot of what they did teach us was wrong. Well any way I am making 8.48 [$138] a night & 6¢ [$1] a hour for graveyard. I forgot to tell you I am working on the Graveyard shift from 12:30 to 8:15 so I have changed my way of living. I also do a lot of fast walking & running here belive it or not. Well going back to the money end of it after I have worked for 10 day as a 1st class welder & don't pass my test I'll be lowered to a trainee and only make $6.00 [$98] a day & the 6¢ [$1]. You can tell Ray & Zorn & everybody that they don't work us hard & let us smoke on the job & rest any time you take a notion for as long as you please. Boy don't think I don't take advantage of it too. Every one takes there own sweet time & are all swell guys. They all just treat a guy as nice as if they had known him a long time.

Boy there is a lot of work in the yards & they are plenty big. They have 6 cruisers, in one dry dock, that they are building & the Saratoga, that they are repairing & the U.S.S. Nevada also under repairs. There I go reviling military secretes. 

Boy it is hard to get in over there, we spent 2 days going through all the government red tape. But now I am in I can't get out with out about twice as much red tape. We have to wear a badge all the time, it has our picture, you should see me, thumb print, height age, when taken, race, signature & evey thing about us. 

Well Louie & Carl Dick (from Alb.) & I room & board together in the same house. Louie & I are on the same shift so that makes it rather nice. Carl is on the Day shift, Dick on the swing. So you can see we are in and out all hours of the night & day. 

Well we have to put in about 13 hours to get 8 hours of work in so you see I have a lot of time to run around. We have to ride the ferry back & forth & that take a hour each way. We would move over to Bremerton if we could find a place but we can't. You can tell Malcolm I would look up her uncle but I never have time while I am over there or I'll miss the ferry. 

Well I have been getting all of 4 to 6 hours sleep a day so you can see I changed my way of living again. I usually go to sleep on the job for a hour or two but didn't last night because I was working out side & it was rather cold. It looks like it will be colder to night than last so I'll have to put on the rest of my cloths. I had on about ½ of what I brought with me last night. 

Well I guess that is about all I can think of at the present time so I'll close. 

Bill 

His joking about running or walking fast meaning he is "changing his way of living" -- Ha! I always thought through the years that he walked sooooper sloooow because he was old. Nope, he was just Jack.

 

 

Sat May 23, 1942

4026 Brooklyn

 

Dear Margaret

 

 Here I am writing again. I see you write letter about like I use to. If you write once a month your doing rather good.

I haven't been doing much except go to work, come home go to bed & get up to start all over again. I am in training now and realy learning how to weld, not like I did in N.Y.A. The instructors here are certainly good welders & they can teach us how rather good. I work in a dry dock which is about 20 feet below sea level, all we have is a roof over us & it does get rather chilly here at night. I have been working a little harder latley more than I did when I started, because one instructor informed me I better or else.

I saw the Vegas boys, the last bunch) as I was getting of the ferry this morning. They were just going over to try & find room & board. Well I guess Dick, Louie, & I will move over there the first of the month. We have a apt rented, it sure is a nice place. It has a front room kitchen, bed room, sleeping porch, & private bath. The kitchen has a electric stove & a electric ice box. Does that sound like its worth $50 [$813] a month. It certainly is nice though & is only a bout 15 minets walk from the yards, not the way I use to walk either. 

Our landlady here realy put the spurs to us, for 2 week room and board she charged us $17 [$276] then the next week she charged us $13 [$211], some fun.

Well I made some money last week, my check was for $68.45 [$1112], but I don't have ½ that now. I won't make that again untill I pass my welding tests though, I probable be dropped to a bout $40 [$650] a week & will I have to save to make any thing.

I got a letter from Wayne yesterday & he told me what he has been doing and how much he had been spending so I took & sent him $5 [$81], I'll bet he loves me for it.

Well I'll have to stop & go to work now. And I do mean work.

May 24

Well I worked last night and had quite a time trying to keep a wake. I didn't do much except talk to a couple of fellows. I got my derating last night, from now on I'll be making $6.96 [$113] a night I don't know if I can live on that or not. 

I was talking to a fellow that has just got back from Pearl Harbor. I may go there If I can pass my welding test and can get a transfer. It pays $1.26 [$20.48] a hour and I guess living expenses aren't to high.

Well I guess I'll close & get some thing to eat and get to work.

Bill

May 25

Well It looks like we lost out on the apt. I don't know what we will do now except look for another place. Write soon.

I remind you: Jack just turned 19 years old. Maggie was a couple months from turning 22.

 

Here is the post with Jack's letters to his mother from this period: May 1942: Jack Arrives in Seattle and Bo's Birthday

 

SCREEEEEECH!

 SCREEEEEECH! <throws this machine into reverse>

Another long-lost cache has been found!

Jack's letters to my mother Margaret (Maggie) are in hand and are begging to be scanned. 

Before we go forward, we are going to back up to 1942 and catch up Maggie's letters. Once we're caught up, we'll dovetail the letters. Jack wrote to Margaret much more infrequently, so it will be a (relatively) quick catch-up.

While we're talking speed -- I have to apologize for stalling out. It's for a couple reasons. First, I'm working a job and a half, and it got a little crazy over the last couple months. Secondly, I want to add details about Jack's missions, and my brain was still working out how to do it. So I stalled. 

 

For now.....

Let's throw this machine into reverse and git her goin' again!

 

 

Postcard postmarked April 18 1942

Dear Maggie

We arrived in Denver to late to get 8:30 train so will have to lay over till 5. 

Have had a fair trip so far. It has been raining on us since we left Springer. All of us caught a lot of sleep last night. We slept from about 2-6. there isn't very many boys this trip. 5 from Albuquerque 4 from Santa Fe and our bunch. Louie found his sister and went home with her so I don't have anything to do for a while. I sent Gene a wire and maybe he'll come over from Greeley. Thanks a lot for the billfold. 

 

Love Bill

 

Bill is Jack, and Jack is Bill. Neither are his given name (Bernard). Jack's family is The Family of the Eternal Nickname. Not sure how he got either of them.

 

 

April 22, 1942 (in Margaret's handwriting)

Dear Marg

Well here I am writing you. I just came back from breakfast and don't have any thing to do untill 4 except eat again. Boy how I eat here. I eat more in one meal here than I did all day there. The food has been good so far & so has every thing else.

Carl and I got the swing shift on K.P. all the N. Mex boys got K.P. It isn't bad though all we do is eat while we are on duty. I have been washing pots & pans, even garbage buckets.

Carl & I went to Seattle yesterday morning and walked all over town. It is a rather nice place about like Vegas only Vegas is a little better. You could put Vegas on on block & still have plenty of room. It is a very hilly place every place you go is either up or down hill.

Every thing around here is nice and green the weather is rather chily in the mornings but warms up in the after noon.

We have been having a lot of fun since we started for this place. All we do is eat & sleep. 

Well I had to stop and clean the windows behind my bunk. We have to keep our beds made and every thing clean. It is just like being in the army only with out the strict disiplin. 

It looks like we are only going to stay here 10 days total time. We will then go to work in the naval yards. I will start at $8.48 a day for at least 10 days. I then will take a test. If I don't pass I will get 75¢ a hour for 20 day then take the test again. If I still don't pass I go to school for 30 day at 75¢ It seems like I can't lose. 

I think Carl & I will go over to Bremerton Sun and see what it is like because that's where we have to work. 

 

We have to wear buttons all the time here. If we are caught with out one we get 4 hours extra duty. It also looks like we won't get any training befor we go on the job. Just work in the kitchen.

I wrote Ray a letter, as you probable already know, and told him all about it here. 

Tell Malcolm we might try to find her uncle Sun.

Well I have run out of every thing to write. You see I am not as windy with my writing as I am with my talking. 

Yours 

Bill [with a flourish]

6677 Corson Ave

Seattle Wash

 

$8.48/day is about $128.35 today (about $16/hour if he worked 8 hours). 75¢ an hour is worth $11.35 now. 

 

Apologies for the orientation of this next one.  He wrote on folded paper, and I'm not going to take the time to crop them. I doubt anyone wants to try to decipher his writing anyway!! Start on the upper right, then lower right, then lower left and last page is upper left.

 

 

April 27, 1942

Seattle Wash.

Dear Maggie

I just got your letter and you don't know what a letter does for a guy. Too bad little Bill wasn't there to celebrate with you but such is life.

Talking about washing dishes boy do we wash em. I have washed so many I wish they would use paper plats. We have a automatic dishwasher though. But still theres a lot of work to be done. We have to skrub the kitchen evey other night. 

It seems like us welders won't get any training here but the machinest & sheet metal workers went in the shops today.

Well we went over to Bremerton yesterday and had a nice time. It takes 55 mins. to get over there by ferry. Bremerton is a nice clean little place (30 000) but a very hard place to find room and board. We started to look up Malcolms uncle but allmost missed the boat to get home in time to eat. I had to change my way of living very fast & run (Belive it or not)

It looks like we will leave here 2 weeks from the date we arrived. The pay for me will start at $8.48 a day put will probably be lowered. (read Ma's letters)

Sat we went to Seattle and saw a show & a [____]. You can even smoke in the theaters here. Yesterday we went to Georgetown to mail some letters. It is only about 8 blocks from here but we wanderd off and got lost by the time we got back we had walked about 2 miles. 

I certainly like the country out here. everything is nice and green but rather chilly. It trys to rain every day but that doesn't seem to bother.

There are soilders all over the place here. Every 2 or 3 blocks it seems like there are some soilders stationed. They put up a ballon barage over the whole town every night too. They claim that Seattle will probable be one of the first towns bombed in U.S., but they also claim it is the bet fortified too. Every thing out here is war talk. If this place is bombed we will be in the thick of it because we are only 1/2 mile from Boeing air plant and when we get to Bremerton we will be at the navy yards so things don't look to hot. Talking about navy yards there are a big bunch of sailor in Seattle too.

The camp is swell except for the work. The food is also good when they have some thing I like, but I am getting to eat evey thing except fish. Evey one treats us swell here. 

Say if this gets there befor you send any more boys out tell them to bring all the money they have because if they want to do anything it cost something. The trip to Bremerton cost 95¢ & 2 bus tokens. and etc & etc. Now don't get me wrong and think I am broke because I'm not. 

I have been having a swell time here. Carl & I have been running together but he was changed to Day shift so I'll be the lone wolf unless I can get changed too.

I was telling some Neb. boys about New Mex. Boy I have them scared at even the sight of a mexican. Deep in the heart of Texas is on the radio now I make me just a little home sick. So far I haven't gotten home sick but probable will as soon as I get away from all these fellows & get a job. 

Well don't get to lonesome there or we'll make you come out here. 

Write soon

Love 

Bill

P.S. Don't feel to bad about the dog, may be its for the best.

He's a little looser with Maggie than with his mom. He didn't mention to his mother -- understandably -- the danger that Seattle was facing.

 

Barrage Balloons were large balloons tethered by steel cables and worked to defend against enemy aircraft. Aircraft had to fly at higher altitudes or risk hitting the balloon cables. The balloons could also fire upon the enemy. Notably, the 320th Barrage Balloon Battalion at Normandy was manned entirely by African American soldiers, the only battalion at Normandy manned exclusively by black soldiers.

 

Just to remind you: Maggie worked for the National Youth Administration (NYA), a New Deal program that sent women and men to school and work. When the war started, they sent them to work for the war effort, but the agency soon disbanded. It's part of the story of how they met. Mom's friend Malcolm was dating Jack's uncle Wayne, and Jack and Maggie were introduced. Maggie helped Jack get a job as a welder up in Seattle through the NYA.   

I'll be linking these new posts back to the corresponding letters to his ma, but these are earlier than the first ones we had from that cache.

 

This going to be fun!