Category: Letters

December 3, 1941

Dear Friends:

Received your letter Bob and I’ll try and make it to your house for Christmas. The way the situation now looks in the Pacific we are liable to move and move fast any day now. At least we drew supplies today for an Expeditionary Force.

I am now located at the base in San Diego with the Division of Special Troops Quartermaster. Although I imagine I will be transferred to the Paymaster branch any day now at least that is the way it looks. I still however receive my mail at the same old address through the tank company at Camp Elliott.

We are having one of those unusual California rains this evening.

Here I am living in barracks with steam heat and already I have caught a terrific cold. Since I have been living like an Indian in a tent I can’t get used to steam heat.

Since last writing you I have been promoted to a P.F.C. Now I will start drawing $36.00 a month the 14th of December instead of $30.00. Oh well every little bit helps and the stripe on my sleeve lets me get by with more in Marine Corps. At least the boots jump when they see it.

It is swell of you kids to ask me down and don’t think for one minute I am not looking forward to eating those onion sandwiches.

Bob, maybe you should go back to Monmouth and take over the job of cashier at the 2nd Nat’l what with Everett deceased, Dell at camp and Dell Cable ill.

Received a letter from Arizona offering me a round trip ticket but I’ll stay away as I am afraid that gal is determined to get me. Oh! yes I also received quite a letter from Leota. Beats all hell how these old gals go for me.

Will dr0p you a line latter letting you now whether I can make it or not. You can bet I’ll sure try

Sara, I sure do miss that salad of yours.

As ever,

Leo

P.S. The are filming the show “From the Shores of Tripoli” in front of the barracks I am now quartered in. Randolph Scott is the star. He used our head this morning.

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December 1, 1941

Dear Folks:

Well this morning I moved into the base at San Diego.  For the present you may still address my mail to the old address at Camp Elliott.  I am on what is known as detached duty from the Tank Company.  They sent me to the Quartermaster Division of Special Troops but I am still attached to the Tank Company.

This has been a beautiful day.  The sun shined all day and it was quite warm.

Received a letter from Elizabeth today.  Golly: I am always glad to hear from her.  I don’t hardly see how she has time to write and take care of those three children.  She is a wonderful woman.

It surely won’t be long now until Christmas.  It doesn’t hardly seem possible that it is so near at hand.  Will be a tough one for me being away from all of you.

In the Quartermaster Department you have charge of all the purchasing and disbursing of supplies from gasoline to tents.  It should prove to be very interesting.  But there surely is a great deal to learn.

Was surprised to hear about the Beatty’s.  Seems sort of strange to me with all of their property being in Monmouth.

I’ll bet Myrtle hates to leave.  Hope Ed has luck out here.  If he wants to live here I guess that is his business.  What happened to his other job?

They are filming a movie here at the base.  The name of it is The Shores of Tripoli.  The movie set is right in front of my barracks on the parade ground.  Living in barracks surely has its advantages over tents. The barracks are very modern and very clean.  We also have steel lockers to keep our clothes in.  Then we have a game room (ping pong table, radio, large overstuffed leather chairs & magazines).  Quite a bit different from Camp Elliott.  The post exchange is also near the barracks.

Will have to mail this in the morning as the P.X. is closed for inventory and I am out of stamps.

Also I received a letter from Aunt Ella this week.  Was glad to hear from her.  I’ll drop her a line latter this week as well as all the rest of you.

Hope this fins all of you feeling fine.

Love to all, Leo

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27 November 1941

Dear Folks:

I am enclosing my warrant which shows my promotion.  If you will keep it for me.

Had my stripes sewed on my shirts and blouse today.  Oh: yes and also my overcoat.  Cost 10 cents per pair.  I had six shirts, one blouse and one overcoat.

Received a letter from Robert today.  I’ll write him over the weekend.  It has been quite chilly here today.  Had to wear a sweatshirt under my shirt.

Tomorrow will be another busy day.  A parade in the afternoon and in the morning I’ll have to check over the payroll.

I imagine that Monday I’ll be transferred into the base at San Diego to the Quartermaster Division of Special Troops.  That is I’ll be detached from the tank company to the base.  By this I mean I will still be on the pay roll of the tank company.

Yet this evening I must shine my leather goods and also take a shower bath.  Then I’ll read for awhile and retire.

Robert sent me a dollar in his letter.  Gee:  one doesn’t realize how little things like that puts pep into an individual.  He also said he wanted a picture of me so I’ll send him one.  Will have some printed and should be able to get them by Monday.

Mr. Hardin surely didn’t last long.  I imagine it was a pretty big funeral.

Not a great deal of news but a line to let you know I am thinking of you and to let you know I am advancing rapidly in the Marine Corps.

Love to all,

Leo

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25 November 1941

Dear Folks:

Received the transcript and the letter of Dean Clelands.  Thanks a great deal.  It is going to prove a big help.  Today I got my PFC warrant.  I’ll send it to you as soon as I get my chevrons.  Have to have it to get them from the quartermaster department.  I guess I must be doing o.k.  You are supposed to be in four months before you even take the exam.  Well, I made it in three months.  However I won’t get my pay increase until the 14^th of December.  Then my pay will start at $36.00 per month instead of $30.00 per month.  In other words it is a $6.00 a month increase in pay as well as the increase in rank.

Wouldn’t be a bit surprised but what I will be transferred to the base at San Diego this coming Monday to the Quartermaster department of the Special Troops and take my preliminary training there before being transferred to the school at Philadelphia in March.

Just finished taking a good hot shower.  It is now 2000 or 8 p.m.  After I finish this I’ll do some reading and then go to bed.  They also have had me start reading chapters 14 to 23 of the Marine Corps manual as all of it deals with the Quartermaster department and what I mean there is plenty to learn.  But I believe I can get it in this thick noodle of mine.

Don’t know what I would do if I hadn’t brought my pipes along to smoke and also get to smoke a cigar now and then.  Golly: I surely do love to smoke and read.

See by the paper where the Marines visited Monmouth.  Did they recruit any?

Oh: yes I’ll also drop Dean Cleland a letter and thank him.  He surely did give me a good send off.

Not much news but a line to say hello and let you know I am thinking of you.

Hope all of you are feeling fine and I also hope that some winter you can spend it in California.

Love to all,

Leo

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23 November 41

Time 1500

Dear Folks:

What a beautiful day this has been.  Have been running around in an undershirt most of the day.  My clothes dried in less than an hour.  That is how hot is it.

This morning I went to church with J. Miller.  He is a chap from Waterloo, Iowa.  He happens to be a Catholic so I attended church with him.  However, I’ll attend Protestant services from now on as I don’t particularly like the way they do things.

After services I washed six pair of government issue hose, two pair of my own hose, three towels, one sweatshirt and four pairs of skivvies.  Dad, I agree with you I don’t see why Roosevelt couldn’t buy each company of the Marines a washing machine instead of us having to chip in and buy our own.

Well I suppose Elizabeth told you I have started my Christmas shopping and also that I was promoted to P.F.C. or Private first Class.  So now on my mail will be addressed P.F.C. McLoskey instead of Pvt. McLoskey.

Oh: yes I also washed my elephant hat and it came out very nice.  Couldn’t put it in the machine though.  Had to wash it with brush and water.

Golly: the flys surely are bad today.  They are about to eat me up.  Am sending you an envelope.  Keep it and I’ll put it in my scrap book.  I mean the envelope I am mailing this letter in.

For dinner today we had fried chicken.  But it surely doesn’t taste like the chicken I get at home.

This evening I think I’ll go to a show and than read my landing force manual and retire about nine pm.

Sent Bobby and Anne a picture.  Thought they might like it.

I don’t see where the Wilson’s think they are going to get any place.  Around Christmas I hear we get five days off so I am going to try and get up to see Joe and May.  Maybe I can get some more information from them.  Mother, did you ever answer May’s letter?

Would like to see all of you.  Sure will be glad when we can all assemble again at home.

Glad both of you are able to continue to go and enjoy yourselves.  I want you to always do it.

Suppose you two are busy thinking about your Christmas shopping.

Will send this letter by regular mail as I sent you the last one air mail special delivery.  I like to do it once in awhile.

Love to all,

Leo

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20 November 41

Dear Folks:

Well here it is Thanksgiving.  It surely doesn’t seem like it to me with the sun shinning and none of the family here.

This morning I got up at 7:30.  Went over and got the mail, sorted it and returned to my tent as today is Holiday routine in the camp.

Although we are not together today I realize more than ever that we have a great deal to be thankful for.  I know that I have the swellest family in the entire world.  We can also be thankful that God has spared us the death, destruction and greed that is now going on in the European Continent.

Mother, I received your letter with the dollar in it and I want to thank you very much for it.  It makes tears come to my eyes when I get little gifts like that and the stamps Dad sends to me.

My Bunkie and the fellow who works with me in the office got a letter with a dollar in it from his mother this morning.

Am sending you some pictures.  Hope you will like them.  The one in the helmet with the goggles is what I wear when I go out in the tanks.  The one with the rifle and trench helmet is the prone position we use when firing the rifle.  The one with me setting on the locker box in my tent shows you the box we keep our clothes in.  This box we use as a chair & also as a writing desk at times.  The other is a picture of the other fellow who works with me in the office.  Before his entry into the service h was a photographer for the Des Moines, Iowa newspaper.  Later on I will have some snaps made of me in my other uniforms.

Mother, you ask me how much weight I have lost.  Well I expect I have lost about twenty pounds.

The reason I need my college transcript is that they are now planning on sending me the first of March to Philadelphia, Pa to the quartermaster school to finish up my training and then leave me in the quartermaster department.  But they change their minds so often you don’t know until about two hours before you go.  If I do get to go I am going to plan on stopping off at home either on the way out or the way back.  The school lasts for four months.  I hope they do send me as I believe I would like it very much.

Dad, have you been notified yet that you are the beneficiary on my government insurance policy?

Bobby doesn’t think any more of his Uncle than his Uncle thinks of him.  I also think Robert has one swell family.

You haven’t told me what you folds want for Christmas.  As for me you & the rest of the family can just pool your interest and send me the money as what I need I can buy at the camp post exchange so much more cheaper than you can buy on the outside.  Such as shaving soap, tooth paste, cigars and etc.

I am also enclosing a match folder for you to give to Wilda to give to Donald.

Hope all of you are feeling fine and I surely do miss all of you.

After I eat dinner today I am going to the movie.

Love to all,

Leo

P.S. As I can’t mail this letter until tomorrow I am also sending you our menu we had at eleven this morning.  On top of that Phillip Morris gave each one of us a package of cigarettes, Baby Ruth candy bar and also a sack filled with nuts and hard candy.  The meal was really good and we had a large variety of food as you can see from the menu.  Save the menu as I’ll want to put it in a scrap book I am starting.  Show the pictures & menu to the rest of the family.

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18 November 1941

Time 1500

Dear Folks:

You will find enclosed a letter to the registrar and the Dean of Men at Monmouth College.

Dad, please take this out and get my records from the college plus a letter from the Dean as the Captain of the tank company wants it as soon as possible.

The sun is shinning today but I have a sweatshirt on under my shirt as it is quite cool in the tent.

This evening they are giving a dance for us here in the tank company.

I will write you more details tomorrow evening as to why I need the records and the letter.  

Hope this find all of you feeling fine.  Was surprised to hear from you in Quincy, Illinois but I am glad you can get out.

Love to all,

Leo

P.S.  Have some more urgent work to do for the Captain.

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16 November 1941

Time 1500

Dear Folks:

This has been sort of a dismal Sunday.  Today it fell upon me to have the watch at the office this morning so I was unable to attend church service.  When you have the watch you march the men over to breakfast and then have charge of them until the officer arrives at noon.  Probably won’t have it again for another three months.  You know I actually missed not going to the service this morning.

I just finished putting blanco on my pack, my first aid kit, my bayonet scabbard, my cartridge belt, my leggings, and my canteen holder.  Then I also shined all my leather goods.

Mother, we all chipped in a dollar a piece and bought a maytag washing machine.  Now, all I have to send to the laundry is my kakhi pants and shirts.  Yesterday afternoon another fellow and I carried hot water and did our washing.  I had quite a washing; six pair of hose, four towels, four pair f skivvies, four handkerchiefs and my three civilian shirts.  I can readily see why it makes you worn out when you wash.

Dad, I still enjoy the magazines and the papers very much.  Got a great kick out of Durbin and Loxley not being able to pick up Doc Fleenar in Denver.  Looks as if the trip cost the taxpayers a little money for nothing.

In this mornings mail I had a letter from Mary Dickson & Leota.  Mary tells me that Robert is their agent for the farms and that he will have to learn farming.

Today is quite chilly.  Have to have the kerosene stove lighted.  It is the first time in quite awhile.  We also haven’t had any rain for quite a spell.  Afraid I’ll have to dry my washing over the kerosene stove.

For chow today noon we had white rabbit.  It tasted pretty good for a change.

Am always glad to hear from all of you and I hope this letter finds all of you feeling fine.

You had just better forget getting me anything for Christmas as you already have done more than enough for me.  What do you and Dad want for Christmas?

Not much news but a line to let you know my thoughts are always with you.

Love to all,

Leo

P.S.  Thanks Dad for the stamps.

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November 12, 1941

Dear Folks:

Well I have plenty to write in this letter – as Monday was the anniversary of the Marine Corps and Tuesday was Armistice Day I was off from Saturday until this morning.  So I spent the holidays with the Whitemans.  I am enclosing my pass and property pass to show you how rigid a check they keep on us.  Keep them as I will want to put them in my memory book.

The Whitemans drove me up to Hollywood where we saw Jack Benny’s, Wallace Beary, Robert Montgomery and several other movie stars homes.  Then we drove on over to Pasadena and had a look at the Rose Bowl.  It reminds me of Soldiers Field in Chicago.

The Whitemans and I drove out to have a visit with the Laws.  They surely do have a swell home.  In the back of their yard they have quite a fish pond and barbecue place with fancy seats, tables and even cupboards to keep the dishes in.  We had quite a time reminiscing about the fishing trips we used to have in the old ford and buick.  John Jr. left Saturday for the army.  He was drafted and sent to St. Louis, Mo.  He wants to get into aviation.  Didn’t get to see Maynard and his wife but I will some weekend in the future.  Tuesday morning Bob & I and two fellows from the bank played golf and Tuesday afternoon Bob, Barbara and I went to a baseball game.  Struck it lucky as I got a ride to Long Beach and back with a lad named Key who is in the tank battalion.  He visited the Vice President of the bank where Bob works.  He is from California and a graduate of Santa Clara.  His father is a doctor here in California.  He has a 39 ford convertible coup.  We rode down to Long Beach with the top down and in our shirt sleeves.  The temperature was 87 degrees.  I even got my bald spot sunburned playing gold Tuesday.

Last evening on the way home it rained all the way and didn’t stop until about ten this morning.  As a consequence I have the kerosene stove lighted this evening.  It is awful funny weather.  Warm one minute and awful chilly the next.

Received a nice letter from Elizabeth today and also your letters which I am always glad to receive.  Thanks Dad a million for the stamps.  They surely do come in handy.

Mother, in the letter to Leota I merely was kidding her and you needn’t worry.  I am behaving myself and it is just as I told you they really lock them up here for drinking and gambling.  I think the civil authorities should have as good control as the Marines do over their men.  Really it is wonderful.  When one is thrown in the brig they take away first your Marine emblems and then your liberty card.  Then they make them work all day long such as cleaning the streets and etc.  For each three men there is a Marine standing guard and if one of the prisoners escapes you take his place. At least the Marines get work out of their prisoners and don’t just let them sit in the brig and eat.  Also, on their uniforms they stamp “BRIG” all over them.

Also, I received a letter from Mrs. Hayes today.  By the way did Grandfather Shawler say anything about receiving my letter?

The Whitemans surely are a swell couple and they treat me swell.  They surely do seem glad to see me.  Bob’s Plymouth wasn’t running so good so he and I cleaned his carburetor and the needle float.  Much to our amazement the car started without any trouble at all and runs fine.  As Sara says the Marines have landed and have the situation well in hand.

Will close for this time as I want to shine my shoes before retiring this evening.

Mother, Mae mentioned something about Wilson’s and the will.  I’ll get more detail when I see them again.

Hope this find all of you feeling fine.  Don’t worry about the trunk.  I even believe if it fell two stories it wouldn’t hurt it.

Love to all,

Leo

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November 5, 1941

Dear Folks:

I must admit that the past few days have been swell.  The sun has been shinning and we haven’t even had to use our kerosene stoves.

This weekend I am going to visit the Whiteman’s again.  Dad, I received the Law’s address and I will also look them up.

Last Sunday morning I went to church and in the afternoon we took some pictures.  I am enclosing one of them and I will send you the rest when they are finished next week.

Am reading a good book.  The name, “The Ramparts We Watch.”  It is very interesting.  If you ever get a chance be sure to read it.

This evening after chow I went to the movie.  Saw “They Met in Bombay” it was a pretty good show.

The paper I am writing on it the type we use in the office.

Received a letter from Robert today.  Was glad to hear from him.

Tomorrow evening after work I must wash some clothes.  Yesterday afternoon we drew some more khakis. I got 3 shirts, 3 pair of pants, three pair of hose, 3 pairs of shorts and shirts and a new pair of dress shoes.  Oh: Yes and 3 garrison caps.  Wait until I send you a picture in them.

Oh: yes in the picture I am sending you notice the steel helmet & the bayonet.  The tent in the background is my home.  It isn’t much but I’ll admit it is a little cozy.

Tomorrow evening some radio and movie stars are giving a show out here for the 2^nd Marine Division.

I notice Aunt Vera’s birthday is the seventh of this month so I am going to drop her a line this evening.  Dropped them a line a couple of weeks ago.  As yet I haven’t heard from them.  But, I suppose Aunt Ella is kept quite busy.

Drop me a line whenever you have time as I am always looking for 

mail from home when I am sorting the company mail in the morning and afternoon.

Hope this finds all of you feeling fine.

Love to all,

Leo

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