Bob Mason Letters - Stateside Training
9/17/44
Dear Dad:
Was very glad to get your letter. It makes me feel good to hear from you.
So you missed out on Manual of Arms & Marching? I might of too if I’d of joined the Army, but that’s the glory of the Corps.
The purpose of close order drills is to create discipline and alertness. We drilled most of the time for two weeks.
Now we are on the range and it is really nice out here. We hit the deck at about 05:00 and secure about 07:00. Deck is anything you place your feet on or the table. Secure again at 17:00 and have the rest of the evening to ourselves except for swimming. During this time we have to clean rifles and can go to the PX Post Exchange, write letters or nearly everything.
Every Marine has to learn how to fire a US rifle, caliber .30 M-1, and Browning Automatic Rifle. They have good training standards, including position in prone (laying), kneeling, sitting, and off-hand (standing) – correct sight alignment and trigger squeeze.
On record day you can qualify for expert, sharpshooter or marksman, depending on your ability. You fire 68 shots – 48 rapid fire – 16 each in prone, kneeling and sitting – 16 per minute or two clips of 8 rounds. The Army allows 79 seconds instead of 60. 340 is a perfect score – 306 Xpert - $5 extra pay. 292 Sharpshooter $3 extra pay – 278 Marksman – no extra pay. Army can qualify as low as 220.
I was right in saying the Marines had better training standards, and after you get used to it everyone is very friendly.
D.I. is drill instructor for marching or close order drill, and give you lectures and so on. They do the work that lieutenants in the army do. In other words they are schoolteachers. We have classes every day. They are in rank P.F.C., Corporals, and Sergeants.
We lost one Sergeant – he went to another ???. He was a good guy and we hated to lose him.
We start firing a .22 for practice tomorrow. Will fire about 500 rounds while at the range.
Got along fine and made as good time as anyone on the short obstacle course. The long one is timed, and harder. You jump off of the short one, a 20’ wall into sand. You have your rifle with you with sharp bayonet attached, so it’s best not to fall.
We use a sling on the rifle all the time here.
Is my mail coming regular? I’ve written about one letter per day.
Have you had a chance to use my saddle yet? Do you ever see Marble?
You said the Leathernecks were cocky. They are and it doesn’t take long to get that way either. Everyone is as dressy as possible.
We get our dress greens before we leave P.I. I guess I’ll end up in Fleet Marine Force, which is those guys that crack those islands over in the Pacific. If you can learn to handle your rifle and keep your head and ass down, and not [get] excited the Japs can’t get you. If you learn what they teach you here, you’ll get along O.K.
It has been said that the US Army is a damn good fighting machine, but the Marines are specialists, so we get the job done.
Well I’m tired of writing so take care of yourself.
Bob
Dear Dad:
Was very glad to get your letter. It makes me feel good to hear from you.
So you missed out on Manual of Arms & Marching? I might of too if I’d of joined the Army, but that’s the glory of the Corps.
The purpose of close order drills is to create discipline and alertness. We drilled most of the time for two weeks.
Now we are on the range and it is really nice out here. We hit the deck at about 05:00 and secure about 07:00. Deck is anything you place your feet on or the table. Secure again at 17:00 and have the rest of the evening to ourselves except for swimming. During this time we have to clean rifles and can go to the PX Post Exchange, write letters or nearly everything.
Every Marine has to learn how to fire a US rifle, caliber .30 M-1, and Browning Automatic Rifle. They have good training standards, including position in prone (laying), kneeling, sitting, and off-hand (standing) – correct sight alignment and trigger squeeze.
On record day you can qualify for expert, sharpshooter or marksman, depending on your ability. You fire 68 shots – 48 rapid fire – 16 each in prone, kneeling and sitting – 16 per minute or two clips of 8 rounds. The Army allows 79 seconds instead of 60. 340 is a perfect score – 306 Xpert - $5 extra pay. 292 Sharpshooter $3 extra pay – 278 Marksman – no extra pay. Army can qualify as low as 220.
I was right in saying the Marines had better training standards, and after you get used to it everyone is very friendly.
D.I. is drill instructor for marching or close order drill, and give you lectures and so on. They do the work that lieutenants in the army do. In other words they are schoolteachers. We have classes every day. They are in rank P.F.C., Corporals, and Sergeants.
We lost one Sergeant – he went to another ???. He was a good guy and we hated to lose him.
We start firing a .22 for practice tomorrow. Will fire about 500 rounds while at the range.
Got along fine and made as good time as anyone on the short obstacle course. The long one is timed, and harder. You jump off of the short one, a 20’ wall into sand. You have your rifle with you with sharp bayonet attached, so it’s best not to fall.
We use a sling on the rifle all the time here.
Is my mail coming regular? I’ve written about one letter per day.
Have you had a chance to use my saddle yet? Do you ever see Marble?
You said the Leathernecks were cocky. They are and it doesn’t take long to get that way either. Everyone is as dressy as possible.
We get our dress greens before we leave P.I. I guess I’ll end up in Fleet Marine Force, which is those guys that crack those islands over in the Pacific. If you can learn to handle your rifle and keep your head and ass down, and not [get] excited the Japs can’t get you. If you learn what they teach you here, you’ll get along O.K.
It has been said that the US Army is a damn good fighting machine, but the Marines are specialists, so we get the job done.
Well I’m tired of writing so take care of yourself.
Bob
[no date]
Dear Mom:
I want to apologize for not writing sooner, but I absolutely have had no time since Thurs. night.
I leave for Camp Lajune Wed. morning. Am promised a furlough from New River, probably a transfer furlough en route to Calif. That will mean about 10 days at home sometime next winter.
Had clothing inspection this morning. We have 8 pair of underclothes, 8 pairs of socks, 2 pair utility suits, 6 pair kaki shirts, 6 of kaki pants, one winter uniform, and 3 pair of shoes.
Worked in the poolroom yesterday, had to sweep and dust and had to sit around quite a bit.
My equipment is still in pretty good shape now, and is going to be better. All it takes is a little hard work, and long hours.
I guess I’ll be split from the rest of this Plt. because most of them,, all but four, are taking 10 days to get to New River.
I have been paid now and am fixed financially so if you haven’t sent the money I asked for, don’t. I am going to send some home.
Thanks for the cake cookies and candy. It was all delicious and the cake wasn’t dry like you said. I was stingy with it and it lasted until this morning.
Tell Aunt Hazel she should have asked you to her party. Is she still mad at you?
Got a letter from Aunt J. last week and she said Jane L. asked for my address. I don’t know what happened.
I owe so many people letters that I hope I have a little time to myself at Camp Lajune.
Tell Ray that this is not a Gerand Rifle – a Springfield.
We are supposed to run the bayonet course for record tonight. I doubt if I qualify, it calls for quick work and defined movements.
It is pretty cold here now. The wind blows all the time and it is raining today. We are supposed to be on a work detail(?).
Jane E (or S?) writes me about once a week, real nice letters.
Has Roxanna had ??? yet?
What is Russel Byberg going into? Tell him if he wants to work like hell and get tough and ??? and know how to take care of himself to join the Marines.
Just had mail call and got the five dollars ???. I am going to return with some more soon. Had a letter from U. Dave too.
Went to the dentist last night and he replaced 2 fillings in front and cleaned my teeth. They really shine now.
I think I’ll have plenty of money, we get half price on train fairs ???, and if I get a transit furlough the govnt. Pays for it.
Thanks for Bob N’s address.
Well, Mom, I guess I’d better stop for now. Will write as often as I can. Don’t worry about me. I’m nearly a Marine now.
With love to you all,
Bob
Dear Mom:
I want to apologize for not writing sooner, but I absolutely have had no time since Thurs. night.
I leave for Camp Lajune Wed. morning. Am promised a furlough from New River, probably a transfer furlough en route to Calif. That will mean about 10 days at home sometime next winter.
Had clothing inspection this morning. We have 8 pair of underclothes, 8 pairs of socks, 2 pair utility suits, 6 pair kaki shirts, 6 of kaki pants, one winter uniform, and 3 pair of shoes.
Worked in the poolroom yesterday, had to sweep and dust and had to sit around quite a bit.
My equipment is still in pretty good shape now, and is going to be better. All it takes is a little hard work, and long hours.
I guess I’ll be split from the rest of this Plt. because most of them,, all but four, are taking 10 days to get to New River.
I have been paid now and am fixed financially so if you haven’t sent the money I asked for, don’t. I am going to send some home.
Thanks for the cake cookies and candy. It was all delicious and the cake wasn’t dry like you said. I was stingy with it and it lasted until this morning.
Tell Aunt Hazel she should have asked you to her party. Is she still mad at you?
Got a letter from Aunt J. last week and she said Jane L. asked for my address. I don’t know what happened.
I owe so many people letters that I hope I have a little time to myself at Camp Lajune.
Tell Ray that this is not a Gerand Rifle – a Springfield.
We are supposed to run the bayonet course for record tonight. I doubt if I qualify, it calls for quick work and defined movements.
It is pretty cold here now. The wind blows all the time and it is raining today. We are supposed to be on a work detail(?).
Jane E (or S?) writes me about once a week, real nice letters.
Has Roxanna had ??? yet?
What is Russel Byberg going into? Tell him if he wants to work like hell and get tough and ??? and know how to take care of himself to join the Marines.
Just had mail call and got the five dollars ???. I am going to return with some more soon. Had a letter from U. Dave too.
Went to the dentist last night and he replaced 2 fillings in front and cleaned my teeth. They really shine now.
I think I’ll have plenty of money, we get half price on train fairs ???, and if I get a transit furlough the govnt. Pays for it.
Thanks for Bob N’s address.
Well, Mom, I guess I’d better stop for now. Will write as often as I can. Don’t worry about me. I’m nearly a Marine now.
With love to you all,
Bob
Marine Barracks
Camp Lajune, NC
[no date]
Dear Folks:
I’m not sure where I’ll go or when, but for the next few years I want you to know where I am at all times, and since it is not likely I will be able to tell you always, I’m going to work out a code.
Therefore in any letter you receive after I leave the states, look in the first paragraph and the first word of every sentence will contain a letter of the place. For instance, if I was on Saipan here is how it would go.
“Sometimes I wonder what will happen next. A great thing has happened. I had a lot of fun. People are nice here. A girl has given me her love. Now I am contented.”
That is the way it will be. Don’t forget this.
I think we will be gone from here by Mon.
One guy has been taking it easy. He gets up for roll call, hits the sack until noon chow, presses his clothes until 4:30, and then goes out on liberty until 4:30 in the morning. He hasn’t gone out to train yet.
The last two days I haven’t done much. I am getting rested pretty good. Should wash some clothes, but doubt if I will.
Still haven’t got the package from Evelyn.
Love,
Bob
Camp Lajune, NC
[no date]
Dear Folks:
I’m not sure where I’ll go or when, but for the next few years I want you to know where I am at all times, and since it is not likely I will be able to tell you always, I’m going to work out a code.
Therefore in any letter you receive after I leave the states, look in the first paragraph and the first word of every sentence will contain a letter of the place. For instance, if I was on Saipan here is how it would go.
“Sometimes I wonder what will happen next. A great thing has happened. I had a lot of fun. People are nice here. A girl has given me her love. Now I am contented.”
That is the way it will be. Don’t forget this.
I think we will be gone from here by Mon.
One guy has been taking it easy. He gets up for roll call, hits the sack until noon chow, presses his clothes until 4:30, and then goes out on liberty until 4:30 in the morning. He hasn’t gone out to train yet.
The last two days I haven’t done much. I am getting rested pretty good. Should wash some clothes, but doubt if I will.
Still haven’t got the package from Evelyn.
Love,
Bob
[no date]
Dear Dad:
This is what I joined the Marine Corps for – to dope off. Our Co. is on a working detail today, and my particular job doesn’t start until 10 o’clock so I have a little extra time this morning.
I called Alfred last night and we talked for about 30 min. He is going to try to get up here tonight.
Uncle Norm looks about the same except that he is a little more stooped. He runs a lathe in a brass foundry in Alhambra.
It has been very warm here the last two days – like summer time in N.P., and also for the last two days [I’ve] done very little, therefore making them very pleasant. I suppose that tomorrow hell will break loose.
All I did today was help sweep the movie house.
I’ve gotten a lot of letter from you lately, and I wish I could answer them as good as they are, but I’m not able to find anything interesting to say.
I got a letter from Dorothy Mason, and she said that Jim was making a hay loader on a big sled so he and another man could feed a few hundred head of cattle by themselves or he alone could do it.
I got a package of fudge from Colliges.
I bought Johnny Springstead, Parker’s [man?], a casserole meat roaster for a wedding present.
Bob
Dear Dad:
This is what I joined the Marine Corps for – to dope off. Our Co. is on a working detail today, and my particular job doesn’t start until 10 o’clock so I have a little extra time this morning.
I called Alfred last night and we talked for about 30 min. He is going to try to get up here tonight.
Uncle Norm looks about the same except that he is a little more stooped. He runs a lathe in a brass foundry in Alhambra.
It has been very warm here the last two days – like summer time in N.P., and also for the last two days [I’ve] done very little, therefore making them very pleasant. I suppose that tomorrow hell will break loose.
All I did today was help sweep the movie house.
I’ve gotten a lot of letter from you lately, and I wish I could answer them as good as they are, but I’m not able to find anything interesting to say.
I got a letter from Dorothy Mason, and she said that Jim was making a hay loader on a big sled so he and another man could feed a few hundred head of cattle by themselves or he alone could do it.
I got a package of fudge from Colliges.
I bought Johnny Springstead, Parker’s [man?], a casserole meat roaster for a wedding present.
Bob
Marine Barracks
Camp Lejune, N.C.
the damdest place on earth
[no date]
Dear Folks:
Damn it was hard to tell you what I had to this morning. If I only knew for sure, where I was going and why. I don’t, no one does, or when.
I’m pretty sure that where I go I’ll be a rifleman, and I may get as much as a year’s training, then again I might get only 3 or 4 months.
I wanted to say so much, and couldn’t say anything. Daddy’s voice got me. It costs so much to call home, but if I don’t get a furlough I’m going to spend my money that way. It is next best to being home.
There are very few men who don’t want out of here, and sometimes I wish I could get over there and wounded so I could get home, but that is bunk. I guess it’s best to come home in one piece or not at all.
Damn I hope I don’t have to see action. There have been enough [to] see it. Some of them are going back with us.
We might stay here until Dec 1. A lot of guys are going over the hill from here, and I don’t blame them, but I’m not.
I guess I’ll lay around for the next day or month, and I’ll be plenty glad to get away from here. Service isn’t so bad when you are training every day, but when you don’t know what is next you worry and get homesick, and it’s hell.
I think I’ll always be a better rancher than I will a Marine.
Hope you don’t feel too bad, and don’t worry. Please, because the chances are good.
As far as a friend, I had one in Boot Camp, but here I bunk with different guys every few days.
I have slept in 50 different buildings in my life – 4 here.
With all my love to all,
Bob
Camp Lejune, N.C.
the damdest place on earth
[no date]
Dear Folks:
Damn it was hard to tell you what I had to this morning. If I only knew for sure, where I was going and why. I don’t, no one does, or when.
I’m pretty sure that where I go I’ll be a rifleman, and I may get as much as a year’s training, then again I might get only 3 or 4 months.
I wanted to say so much, and couldn’t say anything. Daddy’s voice got me. It costs so much to call home, but if I don’t get a furlough I’m going to spend my money that way. It is next best to being home.
There are very few men who don’t want out of here, and sometimes I wish I could get over there and wounded so I could get home, but that is bunk. I guess it’s best to come home in one piece or not at all.
Damn I hope I don’t have to see action. There have been enough [to] see it. Some of them are going back with us.
We might stay here until Dec 1. A lot of guys are going over the hill from here, and I don’t blame them, but I’m not.
I guess I’ll lay around for the next day or month, and I’ll be plenty glad to get away from here. Service isn’t so bad when you are training every day, but when you don’t know what is next you worry and get homesick, and it’s hell.
I think I’ll always be a better rancher than I will a Marine.
Hope you don’t feel too bad, and don’t worry. Please, because the chances are good.
As far as a friend, I had one in Boot Camp, but here I bunk with different guys every few days.
I have slept in 50 different buildings in my life – 4 here.
With all my love to all,
Bob
United States Marine Corps
Camp Lejune
North Carolina
[no date]
Dear Dad:
Am I ever tired tonight. I haven’t got rested from Bivouac yet and we really got it rough today. Crawled under machine gun fire and had a forced march this morning, and this afternoon a lecture on attacking pill boxes. Tonight I’ve got to go swim.
----
Back from swimming so I guess I’ll continue with my letter.
You’re darn right I had a good time while I was [home?]. I was sure glad you got off those two days.
I guess I won’t send any X-mas cards this year on account of they don’t have any here on the base. Guess I’ll have to write everyone I know a letter.
I got a fruit cake from Uncle Jim’s family, a shaving box from [Rigte?], and a shaving kit from Grandma, Aunt J., and Uncle Dave.
Tonight I got a card from Eileen & Jill. It had a donkey on it saying something about the “Rockies.” I’m going to tell her I liked it on account of it reminded me of her.
I’m still hoping to get to Wash. for X-mas. I got a letter from Uncle Dave wanting to know, but I guess I won’t know until I get there. We, in this Bn., are all in a call for a draft and have 4 days training left before we are called up. The C.O. wants to give us two or three days. He’s sure a good guy.
Our red headed sergeant got back today. I hope he goes over seas with us. He’s been over 32 mo. and knows what it’s all about.
I’m going to bed now, and will write Mom & the girls as soon as I can. Tell Grandma hello. I’m sorry I haven’t time to write more often.
Love,
Bob
Camp Lejune
North Carolina
[no date]
Dear Dad:
Am I ever tired tonight. I haven’t got rested from Bivouac yet and we really got it rough today. Crawled under machine gun fire and had a forced march this morning, and this afternoon a lecture on attacking pill boxes. Tonight I’ve got to go swim.
----
Back from swimming so I guess I’ll continue with my letter.
You’re darn right I had a good time while I was [home?]. I was sure glad you got off those two days.
I guess I won’t send any X-mas cards this year on account of they don’t have any here on the base. Guess I’ll have to write everyone I know a letter.
I got a fruit cake from Uncle Jim’s family, a shaving box from [Rigte?], and a shaving kit from Grandma, Aunt J., and Uncle Dave.
Tonight I got a card from Eileen & Jill. It had a donkey on it saying something about the “Rockies.” I’m going to tell her I liked it on account of it reminded me of her.
I’m still hoping to get to Wash. for X-mas. I got a letter from Uncle Dave wanting to know, but I guess I won’t know until I get there. We, in this Bn., are all in a call for a draft and have 4 days training left before we are called up. The C.O. wants to give us two or three days. He’s sure a good guy.
Our red headed sergeant got back today. I hope he goes over seas with us. He’s been over 32 mo. and knows what it’s all about.
I’m going to bed now, and will write Mom & the girls as soon as I can. Tell Grandma hello. I’m sorry I haven’t time to write more often.
Love,
Bob