John Edward Binnion: 14: Return to Camp Blanding

After six weeks recovering from a fractured skull -- a milk bottle
tossed across the mess hall table had accidentally hit him in
the head -- John Edward was released from the hospital. 

  He was now back
at work, on guard duty, and taking part in training.

John Edward letter home, February 2, 1942, family scan

Rifle training commenced -- "for the first time
since I got into the Army" with a score
that could start him on the way to sharpshooter.

Small arms training, Basic Training Center No 7, 1942, Army photo

But not without repercussions. He had
"the durndest headache you ever saw. 'Sawful."
Headaches from his fractured skull would continue for months,
sometimes with significant times in bed and on pain medicine (15 Mar).

 

 

A few weeks later, a card and package with one of John Edward's
favorite treats brightened the barracks:
"Needless to say, WE all enjoyed it. Erstwhile, of course,
still enjoys his dried apricots" (14 Feb).

 

 The troops were busy packing to return to the training camp in Florida, Camp Blanding:
"Nobody knows what the deal is, but we are all hoping it will be just
a stopping off place before we go across to pay a formal visit to Adolph" (14 Feb).

Following the attack on Pearl Harbor by Japanese forces,
America was at war.

 

John Edward continued his letter with information about the purchase of life insurance,
one of many tasks soldiers undertook when faced with
the possibility of being soon shipped overseas and into combat.

 

 Then, in the middle of the letter, he added the latest news on promotions.

Letter home, February 14, 1942, family scan

"I guess I told you that I was about to be made a Corporal???" (14 Feb)

A promotion -- finally -- was in process.
After fourteen months of being disregarded, brushed aside, and bypassed.

 

Reflecting on those months,
John Edward Binnion II observed:

"his frustration could be overwhelming ....
and he fought back with
whatever was available to him.
Then he let
his natural talent and
passion for the job
and army take over."
(August 2024)

Letter home, February 24, 1942, family scan

 Promotion to Corporal came with an increase
from Private First Class pay of $36 a month.
"Gee--$54 a month
now. Ain't it wunderful!" (14 Feb)

 

He broke down expenses,
including $20 a month to his parents,
in the next letter.

When the regiment was packed and ready to leave for Camp Blanding,
John Edward was assigned to drive his Captain, a man he admired and respected.

Letter home, February 24, 1942, family scan.

Friend of John Edward, Camp Blanding, 1942, family scan

 

At Camp Blanding,
the troops found that the
Army had supplied
"replacements for
all the Division,
new cars for all those
having more than
10,000 on them,
and a complete
clothing allotment"
(24 Feb). 

 

John Edward's shirts
would now have two stripes,
signifying the rank
of Corporal. They
were sewn onto
the sleeves,
as we see with
his friend who
posed with their
new clothing and gear.

 

He wears an M1923 cartridge belt, which had ten pockets for rifle ammunition.
Grommets across the bottom were used to attach and efficiently carry
multiple items such as a canteen and pouch with first aid kit. Additional pouches
might hold a gas mask, maps, grenades, entrenching shovel, and other gear. 

 

Load-bearing suspenders attached to the belt assisted with
the weight of ammunition and other attachments.

 

The diagonal-strap field bag had several compartments to carry personal items such as a shaving kit, toothbrush and powder, socks, cigarettes and lighter, writing supplies, etc. 

John Edward personal items: razor, shaving brush closed, and shaving brush parts, 1942-1944, family scans

 

 

The description of Camp Blanding is much like the year before -- with a couple changes:
"The food is good. The officers and non-coms are above par."
As Corporal, John Edward would now eat in a
non-commissioned officer mess hall, which had better food.

 

Letter home, February 24, 1942, family scan

 

The men expect to be sent overseas, perhaps soon,
and John Edward had confidence in their Division:
"The 37th [Division] made a good record
in the La. maneuvers and is 'ready'" (24 Feb).

 

 

The next letter began with inquiries about employment for his father,
and then addressed his mother's concerns.

Letter home, March 7, 1942, family scan

His reply, "some of the boys have to go, and it is either me or them,"
was far different from his absolute frustration in previous letters.

A special request was made of his sister Helen, to make
arrangements for a gift for his girlfriend Ruth: "Wonderful girl.
And pretty. And sweet (to too many)" (7 Mar).

Letter home, March 7, 1942, family scan

 And a post-script reminded his mother that his "stuff (all of it)
is stored in Sweetwater" at the homes of three relatives (7 Mar).

The next day brought a highly unusual event.
A long distance telephone call.
"As you no-doubt saw, I was practically speechless," John Edward wrote.
"It's funny how, after not hearing your voices for all these years,
your voices sounded so natural" (8 Mar).

Letter home, March 8, 1942, family scan

 

To begin to understand how unusual this was, what a telephone
looked like in the 1940s, and how a long distance telephone call
had to be made through a switchboard, particularly to a military facility,
you might want to watch this video.
(It begins with 1950s long distance telephone technology, and just before 3 minutes
describes the extensive process required in the 1940s without that new technology.)

 

 

As the letter continued, John Edward sought to
ease the worry at home with his customary wit and humor.

Letter home continued, March 8, 1942, family scan

 

Letter home page 2, March 8, 1942, family scan

 

The addition of information about the staff meeting where he
 ran into Cousin Col. Jim Caviness, "Cuz Jim,"
is one of the rare glimpses we are sometimes given.

And the postscript echoed his opening words:
"P.S. -- I sure enjoyed talking to you."

The private letter to his mother sent a week later addressed a
completely different matter:
"Dearest Mother,
I'm sure that you mean well by saving all or part of the $35
that I sent you out of my pay. BUT --"

Letter home, March 15, 1942, family scan

 

Earlier, John Edward had suggested that some of his paycheck be deposited,
some spent on glasses for his mother, and some be put into U.S. War Bonds.

But with his father out of work for so long and experiencing heart problems,
John Edward's budget now included money for his parents (as
he wrote to them in his February 14 letter, above).

Unsigned end of letter home, March 15, 1942, family scan

This letter was sent unsigned.

Another letter was sent the same day to his sister Helen.
He wrote about their parents and then thanked her for making
arrangements to send a gift to his girlfriend Ruth.

Letter to Helen, March 15, 1942, family scan

This is the first letter with a signature different from John Edward or Erstwhile:
"Johnny."

Thanks for reading.
Join us for the next post where we
read about daily life at Camp Blanding.

John Edward Binnion: 12: Back at Camp Bowie

 

Letters that traveled cross-country, such as those between John Edward and his family,
were processed in a number of ways. Railway postal cars had supplemented and improved
delivery since the transcontinental railroad was established with the Civil War.  

US Airmail postage stamps
with 1941-1944 twin-motored transport planes

 Similarly, highway postal bus-like service
was initiated when highways were
improved and expanded.

However, the quickest
method of postal delivery
was by Air-mail.

It was also the most expensive.

But immediacy was paramount
with this next correspondence between
John Edward and his mother. 

A letter from his mother had reached him on the 30th of September; and
an air-mailed reply was sent on the same day. It included
a list of officers, any of whom could "get me promoted," he wrote in the margin.
Followed by a cautionary note typed in capital letters:
"PLEASE DON'T DO ANYTHING RASH."

John Edward air-mail letter to his mother, September 30, 1941, family scan

 

The letter continued with news of one more commanding officer
giving John Edward a dressing down because he was actively seeking
support and assistance with a promotion. This time it included a letter from
no less than the President of the University of Texas.

John Edward letter to his mother continued, September 30, 1941, family scan

  

 

There was also follow-up on a comment John Edward had made
regarding correspondence between Ruth and his mother:
"Ruth said that she had a 'real, homey, mother-in-lawish' letter from you.
Said that you sounded interesting, that she'd like to meet you, etc" (15 Sep).

John Edward letter to his mother continued, September 30, 1941, family scan

 A note for his sister Helen follows, with congratulations on her engagement to Roy:
"Give my regards to the prospective bride and groom -- when
is the gala affair to be?" (30 Sep)

The letter's closing reveals John Edward's suspicion that his mother
has some extravagant intrigue of her own in mind.

John Edward letter to his mother, September 30, 1941, family scan

 

Ten days week later John Edward dashed off a quick hand-written note
to his mother. It included banking instructions for his paychecks, bond suggestions,
and a request for her to purchase glasses with some of the money.

Defense Saving Bonds, later called US War Bonds, had
begun to be sold in May of 1941. Funds raised helped the government
buy uniforms, weapons, vehicles, and even ships or planes.
Bonds were purchased below face value, and upon maturity paid at
face value. This provided a loan to the government and support for the military.

WWII US War Bonds Poster, public domain

 

Soon after this, a short visit to family in Sweetwater in mid-October and
a trip to see Ruth did much to improve John Edward's  spirits.

In his October 30th letter, he wrote that hard work was also helpful.
With several officers away, he was doing the work of a Captain and several
non-commissioned officers -- in addition to his own responsibilities.

John Edward to his mother, October 30, 1941, family scan

 

 

The next letter began with inquiries about his father. These concerns
and questions were two-fold: for his father's heart condition, and also
for the financial viability of his parents' livelihood.

John Edward to his mother, November 1, 1941, family scan

Meanwhile, threats of war closed in on the country, and the one-year
anniversary of service for National Guard enlistees grew near.
John Edward knew that he had a decision to make,
one that might involve the needs of his parents.

John Edward to his mother, November 1, 1941, family scan

Mid-month, promotions once again passed John Edward by.

John Edward letter to his mother, November 18, 1941, family scan

 And so another conversation was held
with a commanding officer -- this time the Adjutant General.

John Edward letter to his mother continued, November 18, 1941, family scan

 

Which led to a request for the Red Cross to investigate the family
for Dependency and Hardship needs, in which case discharge could follow.
John Edward gave his mother a cautionary note to report facts without exaggeration.

John Edward letter to his mother conclusion, November 18, 1941, family scan

 

But then,
on the 25th of November,
the one-year anniversary
of his service,
John Edward wrote to both his mother and father:
"on the day which celebrated
the close of my first year in the Army,
the greatest compliment of my Army career
was presented me."

 

John Edward to his parents, November, 25, 1941, family scan

 

The significance of this offer is revealed in the following list of 1941 rankings:
Private; Private First Class
Non-Commissioned Officers: Corporal; Sergeant; Staff Sergeant;
Technical Sergeant; First Sergeant; Master Sergeant
 

John Edward continued:
"A hard decision to make. The confidence that was being place in me,
the "duty to my country," the increased pay which would let me send
some $30 or $40 (maybe more) a month to you, were all great inducements."

John Edward's letter continued, November 25, 1941, family scan

John Edward letter to his folks, page 2, November 25, 1941, family scan

 He added: "The outcome? Well, it isn't settled as yet."

John Edward letter, page 2 continued, November 25, 1941, family scan

If he did not take the promotion:
"I will still be a private, but a private who has possibilities."

John Edward, page 2 conclusion, November 25, 1941, family scan

 

Cousin Jim (Col. Jim Caviness) "will be back in camp Monday -- we'll play coy
and see if he calls us up. We've got lots of patience." 

He signed off: "love John Edward

still Erstwhile."

John Edward, page 3, November 25, 1941, family scan

 

 

 Thanks for reading.
Join us as in the next post
as we continue back at Camp Bowie.

 

John Edward Binnion: 13: Back at Camp Bowie, Continued

In the last post we saw a turn of events for John Edward. 

"The greatest compliment of my career was given me," he wrote on the 25th of November. 

Division officers (not the Regimental or Company officers directly above John Edward)
recommended him for a remarkable promotion that jumped multiple ranks.

 John Edward continued, "As I said -- a great trust,
a magnificent compliment, a hard decision" (25 Nov).

 

The next letter from Camp Bowie was written on the 8th of December. It followed
what has come to be known as a day "which will live in infamy."

Just before 8am on Sunday, December 7, 1941,
Japan -- an ally of Germany -- attacked the Pearl Harbor
Naval base on Oahu, Hawaii.

USS Arizona sinks in Pearl Harbor after being hit by Japanese bombs, December 7, 1941, National Archives

  The next day, on a live radio broadcast at 12:30 p.m., President Franklin Roosevelt
addressed a joint session of Congress. He began:
"Yesterday, December 7, 1941—a date which will live in infamy—the United States of America
was suddenly and deliberately attacked by naval and air forces of the Empire of Japan."  

Congress took a vote after the speech and approved
President Roosevelt's request to declare war.

President Roosevelt's live broadcast as he addressed a joint session of Congress
December 8, 1941, National Archives

We hear from Camp Bowie later that day. The letter was sent
from Cousin Jim (Col. Jim Caviness) to John Edward's
mother, Johnnie. A career Army officer, Jim had supported and
encouraged John Edward from the beginning of his military service, but
for some unknown reason had refrained from or was unable to step in
and secure a promotion for him. Toward the end of this letter he wrote:
"Well I guess some people feel a little peculiar today after
talking so long about how nobody would ever bother us and that
we were too powerful and etc. I think you have know for some
time what my sentiments were along that line."

 

But the purpose of this letter was to convey news about John Edward:
he had been in the hospital for over a week, and
did not sail from San Francisco on December 5 under promotion.

Col. Jim Caviness to Johnnie Binnion, December 8, 1941, family scan

By this time Camp Bowie had grown considerably. There were
213 mess halls -- one per several barracks -- as well as
 27 post exchange (military store) branches, 22 recreation centers,
14 chapels, and a hospital with over 2000 beds.

Enlisted men in Mess Hall, Italy, 1944, Army photo

With mess halls arranged by way of barracks, enlisted troops regularly ate with
bunk-mates and company colleagues. They collected food and
milk cafeteria-style and then ate together at long tables.

 

When John Edward was finally able to write, he had
been in the hospital for three weeks. 
He explained that the incident had been investigated and
found to be an "accident."

John Edward letter to family, December 20-23, 1941, family scan

 

Nonetheless, with a fractured skull, constant headaches, and
ten days of minimal eyesight, it was quite the injury -- much as
he tried to play it down here and later in the letter.

John Edward letter to family, continued, December 20-23, 1941, family scan

 

Writing a letter hand-written while lying on his side in the hospital bed
took several days to finish. This brought additional headaches and neck-aches.

For the headaches he was given "from 60-100 grams
of aspirin a day and 1 gram of codeine."  
Which "did not cure the pain" (20 Dec).

And, even though this was the 21st day on his back, and he was
not yet allowed to sit, much less stand, John Edward insisted: 
"I'm O.K."

John Edward letter to family continued, December 20-23, 1941, family scan

The letter continues with John Edward asking his mother to visit the mother of a hospital attendant
who lived in a town near her. Writing to soldiers, as we have seen his mother did,

Uncle Sam WWI and WWII poster,
National Archives

and visiting family members
was a common way for
people to support the troops.
"He's a swell guy, and we have
had some good 'bull sessions'
since I've been here.
He was a student at USC
[University of Southern California]
when Uncle Sam got him."

 

And, with Christmas around the corner,
John Edward asked
his parents not to send
anything and reminded them
of the military's strict uniform protocol: 
"What we can wear is at a minimum
and the government
furnishes most of that."

 

With that John Edward signed off and prepared to close his letter.

John Edward letter to family continued, December 20-23, 1941, family scan

 

But a few days later the same letter was continued.

John Edward letter continued, December 20-23, 1941, family scan

 Here John Edward thanks his father for writing to him. He adds
a few witty remarks regarding the ongoing problems with his mother's teeth. 

John Edward letter continued, December 20-23, 1941, family scan

 

In the closing page John Edward reflects on the offer of a promotion. 

John Edward letter continued, December 20-23, 1941, family scan

Four weeks in a hospital bed had given John Edward plenty of time for reflection. 

It would be another eight days before the doctor gave permission to
get out of bed. In his January 2nd letter he added:
"Of course, I have been up (unofficially) a couple of times, but
no one knew about it. So having official sanction made it a happy occasion."

John Edward letter home, page 1, January 2, 1942, family scan

 The letter continued with thanks for a package that arrived.

John Edward letter home, page 2, January 2, 1942, family scan

 

There is no further mention of the rupture. However, since the next letter
will not be sent until February, surgery may well have been performed.
 

 

Thanks for reading.
Join us in the next post where the regiment
returns to Camp Blanding in Florida.