A Soldier's Letters Home

Foreward

My father entered the United States Army in December of 1943 and the text for these postings are the letters he sent to my grandparents from early 1944 though 1946. My intent is to update this blog weekly and at that rate I will be able to share the three-years of correspondence within a single year. The prose is plain and the content reveals the pace of a soldier's life. These letters home truthfully reflect the experiences of one 19-year old American soldier during his service in the infantry. I am posting these letters as a tribute to my father and to all the men and women who served in the armed forces of the United States during that extraordinary time.

"We have faith that future generations will know that here, in the middle of the twentieth century, there came a time when men of good will found a way to unite, and produce, and fight to destory the forces of ignorance, and intolerance, and slavery, and war." - President Franklin D. Roosevelt, 1943

June 30, 1944

Dear Mother & Dad,

Days in the army are long, but the weeks go swiftly by. I recieved your letter and had intended to answer each, but some little thing was always coming up. Just today I began to think how long it had been, and it startled me. Never again (this may sound trite) shall I postpone writting for so long.

...The infantry may not be an ideal outfit, but it has some advantages. I have neveer been in better physical condition. It has made me more self reliant, but also more conscious of my fellow soldiers. I'm securing a greater understanding of men. this will be an asset when I get out of the army.

Our training schdule has not been very rough, but we have spent a lot of time in the field. Assistant Secretary of the Army Patterson is giong to review us tomorrow. All the brass (officers) in the division are amking plans on entertaining him.

I recieved a letter from Elo. He is now in North Africa. He's a member of the armed guard in the merchant marine. I sent Ruass a ltter several weeks ago, but I never received an answer. I'm going to write him again. I recived the package from teh cousins club, sent by Aunt Dena. I realize my obligations and will fulfill them.

I'm glad to read that Leo's finished his first year of high school and that he is working... So Lennie's in California again! I'm sure he'll be back in Chicago soon.

How is every at home? How is the store getting along and your (oil) property in California? --also the bulding. I hope everyone's health is good. Mom, tell Pa to go the beaches or to the parks on Sunday and not work so hard. Money is not everything.--and millions of men in the army will testify to that quotation.

Your loving son, Harold.

Postmark March 12, 1944 10-AM Fort Benning GA

From: OFFICE OF THE CHAPLAIN, STATION HOSPITAL, FORT BENNING GEORGIA
To: Mrs. G. Lederman, 923 N. Leavett Street, Chicago, Illinois

Dear Mrs. Lederman:

I have had the pleasure of meeting your son at the Jewish religious services which are conducted under my direction here at Fort Benning, Georgia.

We strive at these services to enable all Jewish soldiers to get to know one another and to strengthen their Jewish ties.

I want to be of whatever service I can to your son and would welcome any suggestions yuo may want to offer in this regard or any request you may want to make of me on your son's behalf. Please, therefore, be free to write me at any time, and I shall be happy to do whatever I can.

Cordially, SAMSON AARON SHAIN, Jewish Chaplain

Postmark Alexandria, LA March 24, 1944 10:30am

From: Harold Lederman, Co K-342nd Inf. APO 450 Camp Livingston, La
To: Mr. & Mrs. Ben Lederman, 923 N. Leavitt St, Chicago, Ill

Dear Mother and Dad,

I am now stationed in Camp Livingston, Louisiana with the 86th Infantry division--I and about 5000 other A.S.T.P. from Fort Benning. All these stories I heard about how lousy Camp Livingston is--is so much baloney. It really is a very beautiful camp - much better than Benning. The food is better then the food I recieved at Benning.

That burn I sustained at Benning a few weeks ago has healed up. the skin is a little red around the burned area, but this will disappear with thime.

I came down here in Pullmans. This was a surprise, because I had expected to come down here in a crowded troop train. It took about 24 hours. Inclosed Leo will find the divisional insignia. Love, Harold

Postmark January 8, 1944 Fort Benning GA

From: Harold Lederman, Eleventh Company Sixth Training Regiment A.S.T.P, Fort Benning Georgia
To: Mr and Mrs Ben Lederman, 923 North Leavitt St., Chicago Ill

Dear Mother and Dad,

I received your package of clothing and food. Mom, you ask me why I don't wash. If you got up at 6 o'clock in the morning. Made your bed, washed up, swept the barracks up and got all the clothes ready that I must wear during the day. And after I came back at 7 o'clock in the evening, I must polish 3 pair of shoes, so bright that you can see your face in them, and clean my rifle, oiling all parts. The lights go out at 10 o'clock. And you ask me why I don't wash?

However, they have just opened up a laundry down here. It will cost me $1.50 a month. I send the laundry out once a week. Mom, can't you get me pure woolen stockings? I need at least 2 pair of them. I take 15 mile hikes and I need them. As for more my cold it is not serious. Its just the damp weather that gets me down.

I hope you received the $20. I will get paid January 31 about $43. I'll send home about $37.

I received aunt Diena's letter and I will soon answer it.

Love, Harold