March 22, 1943

(from Vic to his parents, Peter and Emilie, written on Fort Sill stationairy from Fort Sill, Oklahoma to Racine, Wisconsin)

Monday evening,

Dear Folks,

I intended writing you a letter soon but have been busy the past week on field communications. We out most of the time but are fortunate in having no nite classes this month except for the slow-speed radio operators. I passed the minimum code speed required and am exempt from those nite sessions along with about half the students.

Is Paul home at this time? You never did tell me whether he was just coming home for a visit between semesters or intended leaving school.

Over the week-end I visited the city of Chickasha which is about 55 miles northeast towards Oklahoma City. Met Dave Altman there where he's assigned an Army hospital there. Don't know whether you know him as he's from Milw. Bill Fiala and Ray Reed should be acquainted with him. He's a veteran of the Abraham Lincoln Brigade. I ate two meals with his mess hall and Sun. afternoon we spent horse-back ridind which finds me rather stiff today. His hospital base is most unusual in that though being fully staffed it has no patients. They're awaiting overseas casualties.
Received Johnny Rodes address from him and note Johnny is just about as close, being located just over the line in Texas. Perhaps we can all get to-gether some-time.

Has Vic Valenti been home on furlough recently. Imagine he is or has been up to Racine. Has Danny Sugar been inducted yet? How do Ray Reed and Pete White stand?

Hope you're in the best of health and that Pa is steadily employed. If Paul is home at this time, kindly have him send a long letter immediately.

Your son,
Vic

Had a nice letter from Symmes to-day and they say Dick is now at Chanute Field, Rantoul, Ill. learning teletype. They send you their best regards/ Bob Greubel wrote me and said he is resigning from Air Corps OCS at Miami 'cause the commission given is in administrative work (office work).

March 5, 1943

(letter from Vic to brother Paul, written on Camp Roberts stationary, but likely sent from Fort Sill. Illustration shows field radio test.)

Dear Paul,

Seems you're thater slow in replying. didn't you mention the time lapse between letters from New Jersey? Getting so you write about as frequently as them.

Having an exam on the new C.W. and voice proceedure in msg. form including fire-control code. Been studying so much lately for various tests and seemingly memorizing so damn much theorty that I can't see any point in burning up the bean. Especially when I'm startled to learn too much stress was put on formula and such, only to sadly learn the writ is on theoretical mental application.

On Wed's radio theory exam I made a little over 80. Should've been more alert though and made 95 and up, and thereby been excused from study hall for the coming week. Can't say how I'll do tomorrow. About a month ago I miserably flunked a wire exam. Just came out of the hospital tho in time for that one. Miss all the theory and practical work in telephones, switchboards, various circuits, splices and laying methods.

Just learned of my grade and imagine anotyher U will mean my dismissal. That's how the recent flunk-outs came about. Two Indian fellows from my barrack (one a Pawnee and the other an Apache) were shipped back to their units last Sat. A fellow in our group from Roberts was called into the C.O.'s office and told he'd be next unless he picked up.

Our chief radio theory instructor, Major Gibson, is a former Professor of Radio Engineering at Purdue University. It's no wonder he's so well acquainted with the subject. 'Cause he and the other instructors are so adept in that field, they expect us to become so in a few short weeks. The Major is busy on new artillery radio tactics and books, I understand, in his spare time.

During the first part of the week, we underwent a terrific change in temperature. Suddenly it dropped down to zero and a light snow-fall developed. After three days of this freak cold spell, it broke with rain falling during the first part of this morng. Now it's gone down to freezing and one never knows what's in the future. Should go back to normal soon, which at this season in Oklahoma compares to Wis.'s September.

Wrote to Ray Campbell recently. What'd he have to say last he wrote you? Has Bob Greubel written you from Florida recently?

Folks sent me some cookies the other day but they were pretty well busted up upon arrival here. The food is very bad here in case I've never mentioned it to you. It doesn't even favorably compare with that dished out in the C.C.C. That's not much of a compliment but it's a fact. Mess at Roberts was a vertible paradise as compared to the unfit trash given out here. Every single item is more or less rationed, and for the most part, actually should be labeled unfit for human consumption.

When we're allowed that rare treat, coffee, it's so damned dilluted it has little coloring. Did you know, or can you believe, we're regularly feated to goat meat?!? Believe the class majority practically subsit on candy-bars purchased at the P.X., and they're even rationed along with cigerettes and gum to three packs per soldier.

Report to the hospital every morning at the Physiotheraphy Clinic for hot liquid treatment that's supposed to aid nervous system in my hand.

Couple of us plan to do on weekend pass commending to-morrow afternoon for a good tear. Hope the damn B.C. decides to issue us passes!

Hope you're getting along OK in school. Let me know how you're doing.

Regards from you brother,
Vic

February 26, 1943

(letter from Vic to brother Paul, written from Ft. Sill on station log radio operator paper, hand printed in telegraph operator script as illustrated)

Dear Paul,

Thanks for the letter. I received it to-day and heard from the folks yesterday. Neither Ed, Rose, Gloria, Rudy nor Ann have written of recent date. Did you know Git is staying with Ed? They last mentioned Ed is head of the grievance committee of the Fairlawn plant. Being a vice-president of the local I guess he's kept busy.

Yuts wrote the other day and from his letter I gather (his version of course) East Lansing is a rather dead burg. Couldn't you show him anything to his interest?

Am printing these line on rad. oper. stationary as you can gather, and again am doing it during nite class. We've so damned much homework and reading that most of the boys have become so discouraged as to give up all pretense of even studying. Quite a few appear for the first role-call and then take off and head either for the P.X., Rec Hall, Theatre, or town. To our surprise, the nite instructor pulled a fast one the other nite by having a role-call at dismissal (2130). Absentee names were submitted the 1st Sgt. and same were given one weeks' KP or table-waiter. Boys've found means of avoiding such happenings since.

We're damned deep in radio at this writing that I doubt if it's possible to return to normal life again. You mentioned you would it touch - well how the hell do you think I find it? Having had no prepatory practical or theoretical work in this field and little algebra, you can well imagine the utter confusion amongst the class. Were you able to get the scope of our course from recent schedules I've forwarded you? Will enclose another these pages and also clipping from Racine J-T.

My foreman, ass't foreman, and various officials of the J.I. Case Co. have written me of late due one letter on my part concerning situations. Discretely mentioned bonus and wage increase (retroactive) yet they apparently fully understood and in replying covered everything but that. However, Mother has cashed my bonus check and I should receive that other check.

At Roberts majority of army rad oper come out slow speed (under 25 w.p.m) and I only made 17 by graduation. Here the proceedure is so different I can't pass the 14 tape (table and field tests). My tranmitting has picked up somewhat of late, but seems they discourage knocking it out fast when you're not up to where they think you should be in receiving.

Dropped a brief line to Ray Campbell the other day. Have you heard his way? Had card from Bob G from Floria but he said he's so damned rushed he didn't have time to take a crap. Sounds familiar. Waiting for more word from Phil M.

Leonard Hoey (Bob's brother) writes me off and on from upstate N.Y. where he's taking some Navy course, but Bob doesn't write. Lenny said the folks had a Xmas teleram from him but didn't mention whereabouts. Never hear from Jake V. or Bob M.

Bunch I was with at Roberts, that is the largest group assigned on div., are getting or are on 15 day furloughs at this writing. Several of them keep me posted from East Garrison (Tactical Unit) and believe they're going across come April.

Can make O.C.S. but have no iniative in that line at this time. Reason - I wish to remain somewhat balanced mentally. that bug-house turns out products for us to associate with here at the F.A.S. and I definitely do not wish to fall into their category.

Wishing you the best of health and luck,
Vic

(written on side of letter)

In writing Bill Fiala, definitely remind him to write me! That guy is really getting lazy. Ray Reed syas he has to keep pushing him for results and Tony Schifano has the same story to tell. How much ambition did he show while you were home for the holidays?

Believe you should be qualified for O.C.S. material. If at all possible endeavor to get into Signal Corps. If that's possible work towards the Ft. Monmouth, N.J. school. That set up is ideal and very instructive. Would try it myself but it's so damnaged hard to get out of the F.A. once they spend so much time training personell in their tactics. Don't go into Infantry as it's a rugged deal and I doubt if you can stand it.

Have hopes of getting into a newly-formed or just being equipped mechanized armored division. Trouble is we're assigned from here and completion and can't apply for transfer until we arrive at designated station. Am going to pester my unknown btry. commander for a furlough at that time too. Now believe I shouldn't take the fourth month here (radio technicians course). By the way, yesterday a big bunch was flunked out.

Question: Exactly what do you mean you continually refer to "the mill"?

February 13, 1943

(letter from Vic to brother Paul, written on U.S. Army stationary, written from Ft. Sill, Oklahoma. On second page is a drawing illustrated reading "IN MEMORY OF THOSE WHO TRIED AND DIED ECC-FAS FT. SILL")

Saturday afternoon

Dear Paul,

I just recieved your letter and thought I'd answer promptly. Didn't I mail you a reply the other day other than a postcard?

To-day we wound up the week with a three hour exam that I flunked according to acceptable solutions. Have only gotten only one corrected exam returned, and that was the 2 hr. communications one in which I made S. There's only three given grades and they are SEX (Excellent solution), S (Satisfactory) and U (Unsatisfactory). The latter grades are common class marks. Seems about 80% barely gives the pupil an S.

Did Yuts get to see you last week-end as he planned? Are you near the end of your finances? Ruts and Ed both mentioned writing you and the folks after I'd pressed them. Do they write regularly?

Am enclosing some clippings the folks just sent down and a clipping from Life. Also some weekly schedules.

Did I tell you I'd received a long letter from Phil Mascaretti this week? He's on an island in the south-west Pacific below the equator where the spoken language is French. In the clipping taken from the J-T you just forwarded there's a letter from a loui at the same location.

Haven't seen "Moon and Six-Pence" but did see "In Which We Serve" which is an outstanding sea warfare film. Beinging this week we're shceduled to have additional classes - 1830 to 2130. This will go on for at least the first month in advanced practical and theoretical radio work. Having had no physics and little algebra I'm going to some time!

Think I could manage to make OCS but as that a continuation of this nightmare I'd intend staying within the commissioned level. Drop a line!

Your brother, Vic

Forward any or all of clippings to Rudy and Ed.

February 7, 1943

(letter from Vic to J.I. Case in Racine, written on the back of employee bonus notice illustrated here. Part of a letter sent to Vic's parents, written on United States Army letterhead.)

Enlisted Specialist Specialist School
Class #30 - Section A - Bldg. t 379
Fort Sill, Oklahoma.

Case Pay-roll Dept.

Dear Sirs:

I understand a check has been issued me in the form of a bonus for the year 1942. Undoubtedly it's not cashable at this late date because of date of issue so would you please re-issue a duplicate and make same payable to my parents, Mr. & Mrs. Peter A. Petersen, 1950 W. Prospect St., Racine, or make this statement acceptable terms for cashing of one issued in my name?

I was recently transferred here from Calif, and then confined to the hospital here so that my parents weren't fully aware of my address until my release of recent date.

Appreciably,

PFC. Victor Petersen
A.S.N. - 36262157

--------------------

Sunday evening,

Dear Folks,

Yesterday I recieved the two letters you kept refering to. Seems they never quite caught up to me. Majority of my mail layed around in the school area until the day I was released from the hospital. Then it was forwared up there and I had to await it here.

On the reverse side of the letter concerning the bonus check issued me by the J.I. Case Co you will find a note properly addressed. Bring it to the Payroll Dept. located on the north-east corner of State St. and Douglas Ave. I believe Mr. Larson of Harriet St. is head there and can arrange it.
I was surprised that you hadn't included the check in the letter that might have indorsed it and had you add your signature and cash it in Racine.

It's very hard to cash any check, draft, or money order in the army and statement from one's battery commander is usually required. The red-tape method of banks is discouraging.
Please use the amount of the check that exceeds $30.00 and bank the remainder ($30.00) in my account at the Farmers and Merchants Bank on State St. You'll find my bank book in the contents of the C.C.C. trunk I asked you forward me.

Make sure you use the book I've an account in as one of them is closed.

Paul has written several times recently and Ed and Rudy both wrote the past week but haven't forwarded the watch as yet. Must close now and get to work on our home-work.

Your son,
Victor

January 10, 1942

(letter from Vic to brother Paul, written on Camp Roberts stationary)

01052110

Dear Paul,

Are you caught up on your school work yet? Guess the holidays put you behind some, eh? Imagine you must be due for some exams soon. How're you coming at school and what subjects are you carrying and intend taking?

You shouldn't have taken that cab-driving job in Racine. It's too damn strenous in that the long hrs. you work. What could you make at it? How'd you spend New Years'? Guess you weren't around with Yuts over the holidays, but did you get around much with Bill Fiala and who else? Did you Bob Greubel?

Saw our shipping orders yesterday. We travel via Pullman 1st class to Ft. Sill and are supposed to arrive there on the 16th. However, it doesn't specify when we leave here. May not be 'til next week. T0-day we were moved to less-crowded 1st platoon and to-night a bunch of rookies moved into our old quarters. Eight of us are to attend the Ft. Sill Radio part of the Communications school there. I understand the course lasts a good 13 additional wks, but tho the work is strenuous the ratings are good. On our shipping orders we're all listed as P.F.C.'s so we've started already.

The rest of our graduating class left in two bunches last wk. One group only went across the road (East Garrison) into tactical outfits, but the others haven't been heard from.

I may send you some technical magazines that should greatly interest you so keep your mouth shut and keep them out of sight.

Your brother,
Vic.