Newport News, Va.

June 25, 1942

 

Dear Nicholas;

            I sure was glad to hear from you and receive your interesting letter. I was sent here from Carry Davis on May 28th on alert duty and am located near the shipyards along the James River, near the outlet to the Ocean. I have it easier, as far as work is concerned, as any time since I’ve been in the Army. I am in Communications as a switchboard operator and our quarters are in and underground dug-out about ten feet below ground surface. It is very sultry in here as we have no methods of air ventilation except the one entrance door. It gets mighty monotonous sitting on your ass eight hours or more a day. I was formerly on the height finder, and even went to school at Camp Davis for this, but since coming here they have switched practically everyone to new positions. I had my two final interviews last week before the Regimental and Brigade examining boards for O.C.S I passed Regimental but haven’t heard Brigade results.  If I don’t make it I am seriously considering transferring to the Air Corps.

 

            I was all set for a Staff Sergeant rating on heilet finder when the shake-up occurred so I’m pretty well disgusted. They have transferred men in and out of our battery. We even got a bundle inform the Induction Station some from Fort Eustis direct, and some the other night from Fort Bragg (Field Artillery men transferred to Cost A). There are still a couple of us together that were at Fort Eustis together. Corporal Hoe Derenak and Corp. Harvey Faust.  Grandinetti (the first aid man) is now a 2nd Lieut. Somewhere. Many of our former buddies are stationed in Washington or rather were there a short time ago in the 427 the C.A. Can you imagine John Chardo is a communications Sergeant and was kept down at Camp Davis. He still gets pissed up like he used to get. We have a B.C. who hates to give ratings and there are a lot of them to be given yet. Other batteries had their ratings long ago. We have a lot of inspections and alert called day and night. We’ve had three Inspections so far this week. Only yesterday General Jannam inspected us (chief of all Coast Artillery) . I guess it’s still better than in actual combat.

 

             I spent three weeks in Camp Davis hospital shortly after transferring from Fort Eustis. I had pneumonia and was pretty sick for a while. Some of our Eustis buddies are abroad already. Michael Getz is in Ireland for one. I don’t have any idea how  long I’ll be here. I had my furlough from May 1st to May 10th . I got only seven days but took three more on my own hook.

 

            I was never even called into the office as there were 16 of us A.W.O.L. at one time. Three have never returned since May 1st. I had a wonderful time but it went so fast. At this past we get only one 6 hour leave in two weeks and this makes things bad. Wait till pay day, the whole battery will go over the hill. I visited Fort Eustis on Sunday afternoon. Both Corporal Brokering and Serg. Chapman had gone to Williamsburg to meet  Brokering’s wife who is coming to work here. All our Lieutenants and Captain Osterman and that old fat ass Serg. Kowgier were moved long ago to foreign duty. Serg. Morris is now top-kick of B-10. Well there’s not to much else to write about now so I’ll sign off and hope to hear from you soon again.

                        A friend

                        Plc. Warren C. Griffith

                        Battery C., 85th CA (AA)

                        General Delivery

                        Norfolk, Virginia