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.
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| 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).
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).
"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.
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.
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.
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| 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.
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)
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 |
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.
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. |
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| 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).
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.
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 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.
"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).
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.
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.
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).
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).
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).
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.)
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.
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.
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."
"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 --"
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.
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.
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."
"Johnny."
Thanks for reading.
Join us for the next post where we
read about daily life at Camp Blanding.
Join us for the next post where we
read about daily life at Camp Blanding.
