July 11, 1943

Cpl Stanley W Safford

5^th Auxiliary Surgical Group

Dodd Field

Ft Sam Houston

Texas

July 11, 1943

My dear Mother

I am writing you today from the office when it is quiet and perhaps a little cooler than my tent.

Last evening I went into town to take some cleaning and laundry in also to eat in town for a change and just as I was going into (the) cleaners it started to sprinkle very large drops of rain and it was still doing such as I came out of the café but soon stopped and did not rain again until after I got home.  I came down to the office here and read a very little then went to bed but awoke this morning about seven o’clock to find it raining and blowing in quite hard so I got up and let the curtains of the tent down and returned to bed and slept until about eleven o’clock when I woke up, got dressed and ready for dinner.  After that I came down here and have written one letter to Esther.

Yes, I can well understand her story.  It is the same old in-law story.  Too bad that she can’t move out and live by themselves, but then who would stay with her mother?

What does the dark of the Moon have to do with the frogs being caught or not?

How has the weather been in LA recently? Thanks a lot for the suggestion of the OD.  I was going to bring a pair of them with me and I will, when I come, because August will be much cooler.  The temperature reached 110° here one day last week and 103° a couple other days and that starts out about eight o’clock and cools off about eight in the evening, if it were not for that we would not be able to sleep.

The cookies arrived here in very good condition and they were certainly very good, Just finished them a day or so ago.  Everything else of that type has always lasted and been in good condition upon its arrival here.

I would sure have liked to have been there to go out to Susanna to help pick apricots, for I always liked to do that.

You once asked about if we in the Medical corps ever carried guns.  We do only on some occasions in the actual battle area.  But we have never been trained with them here.  In fact I have never seen one even except at the pay table and he is always an MP which they borrow from the MP Battalion here on the post.

Well, I guess my OCS application is finally on its way.  It seemed to take it long enough to get away from this outfit and I am trying to study all kinds of things that they may ask me before the board which I hope will not call me for awhile because I want to study some more before going before them and as you know I want to go so badly.

Have you heard from the Prentice outfit as yet? Or do they think that you are going to forget it?

The news from the Sicilean battle front has certainly been very good and I certainly hope that it continues that way.  I think that Hitler is going to leave Italy to themselves more or less and withdraw into the Austrian Alps where he has a good stronghold.  I cut a nice large map of Sicily out of one the USG? Posters that they send out and it is really a good one to follow for it has all the names in large type on it.  They really turn out some good maps.

I was to Mrs Tedesco’s house the other evening with John Langstadt and Gladys Hitchcock and her sister were there.  She is the other lady in the picture that I sent home with the four of us in it if you remember. 

Mrs. Tedesco served sandwiches and a very nice buffet luncheon, it all made, also included were or was a very delicious salad and a punch made up of pineapple orange and grapefruit juice which was very good.  Her father you know, is a retired Colonel who used to be Flight Surgeon for the  United States  Air Forces with an office in Washington DC.  If he were still in now he would be a Major General which the man who he picked to succeed him is now.  He is quite a person, active and gets around quite a bit.  The reason for his breakdown (cause of retirement), the doctors told him, was overactiveness and overwork.  He spent several years in the Philippines’ and Hawaii.

Enclosed you will find he picture which you sent me some time ago of the family.  If you want me to have it you may put it away for me.  I am going to send some more home also at a later date.  Also I will send home some more old letters which you may put away for me.

It is about time that I sent you were wanting some more Mexican candy.  When I am up ton again I will, when I see some, send you a box of it since you like it.  I am quite fond of it myself.

They have gotten the new school building here at Dodd Field completed finally and the Sgt Ryan that I have spoken of is down there, while I remain up here in the office up to my neck in work. Capt Skinner told me that that down there would be my job, when the building was completed. But he won’t be back for five or six weeks yet and I understand that he may leave here yet with the other two that are thinking of going to Brentwood, Long Island with Col. Hill.  I would like to go if they go because it would give me a chance to see some more country as well as a change in jobs, but there is always OCS that I may work for and stand a chance of getting it. As you well know the demand for officers is much smaller now than it was previously so they are cutting down the quotas everywhere.

I took time out to go down to the new school building where Sgt Ryan is reading and he was telling me the great big news that everything is and how he can not get supplies and how the officers expect so much whenever they have a class and how impractical and unbearable they are, but he need not tell me about it because I deal with them all day.  And I get as tired of tem as I ever got of anything.  There is only about one or two of them that are real gentlemen here since Captain Skinner left.  The rest of them are a lot of people who never amounted to anything or were never anybody in civilian life and now they are made a captain or major and are really supposed to be somebody and they lose no time in telling you so either.

One of them asked me if I had any matches that he could use.  I told him no, that I did not and he came back with the remark that:”Your training has been sadly neglected.  You should always have matches for the officers.”  I told him since I didn’t smoke it was not necessary to carry them.

And you mentioned once that perhaps those got ratings who deserved them.  Well that works only about 1/3 of the time.  It works the same in the enlisted men as the officers.  Somebody who never was any good or never amounted to anything usually gets them and they are just the ones who should not be non-commissioned officers (according to the looks) I as well as a lot of others get disgusted with the whole affair.  There are others here who are corporals who have had nowhere near the training that I have had and then come out and tell you that they got theirs by working nowhere near as hard.  Or they ask you why you are not any higher in rank and some of the dopes that they expect you to work with.

There was a couple others here that were very much disappointed about the furloughs.  One was a driver who, they tell him they were going to let two drivers go on furlough at one time but they changed their minds the last minute and are only letting one go.  He is also moved up to August then the Jew Major that I have here tells me in one breath that it is alright with him that I go and in the next breath tells the lieutenant not to let me go.  The lieutenant told me that he would like to let me go only the major told him different. So here I remain until approx. the 15^th of August.  My furlough will be fifteen days when I do get it and then again in October I will be due another fifteen days, maybe. Well that is the way it goes in the army.

Well, my Dear Mother, I shall close now and will write again soon.  Don’t worry and take care of yourself.

Lots of love from your son,

Stanley

3 January 1943

Fort Sam Houston, Texas
January 3, 1942 (1943)

My Dear Mother
Well here I am just where I thought I would be and what a paradise this is. I was certainly glad to be able to leave Camp Barkeley. There were eleven of us from Co A 62 to go and I last saw the camp there about seven thrity AM. We gathered at Battalion headquarters and from there we went to Regimental headquarters where we joined others from there. We got on army trucks and went up to the 53 Battalion where there were more. We were then put aboard Greyhound buses - four of them – 36 to a bus and headed almost directly South for San Antonio which by the way is 260 miles from Abilene. We very soon left the country around Abilene and came into a richer looking part of Texas where we found larger trees, some evergreen and some deciduous what types they were I could not get close enough to tell. We crossed good sized streams saw large herds of cattle and sheep and a few pigs. Saw some nice apple orchards and I believe peach or something like that type. In all we came into a more beautiful country.
As we came into San Antonio we came through the richer residential section and what beautiful homes, with a lot of evergreen shrubs and quite a bit of dormant material and some beautiful poinsettias which in some places had been nipped by frost but did not seem to detract from their beauty very much. And the grounds here are very beautiful with just loads of interesting material which I am quite sure will interest me.
We alighted here and were sent to various barracks which are simply wonderful compared to Barkeley Heights. They are thermostatically controlled heated wonderful electric lights in abundance and everything in the building that a person would possibly have need for except writing tables which are just across the way in the Recreation room.
And we also find we are treated as students and not as soldiers and we do not have kitchen duty or the various other duties which we had to contend with back there. I am on the second floor in the corner and I can look out one window and see the swimming pool and beyond the class rooms and the answers below are lined with trees and other shrubs such as privet crape myrtle and believe it or not Bermuda grass lawns.
We arrive at 5:45 and the lights are out at nine. We go to classes from 8:00 until 4:00 with an hour our for lunch which is quite ideal, then on three days a week we have marching and barracks clean up from 4-5 otherwise we have the rest of the time to ourselves which we can go to town or study or do as we please and we can go to town which is about a half hour ride away on a very efficient bus system as we please without having to go through the red tape of a pass etc.
The kitchen is run by a very efficient crew of negroes and whites and the food is very good, served on nice trays.
We see very few officers here and when we do they are colonel, captains or majors and they do not bother us and in town the saluting is not compulsory to the extent it was in Abilene.
Now to tell you more of what kind of school I am going to here. It is called Medical Service School, which is broken up into a Medical, Surgical, Pharmacy, Laboratory and maybe one other, in other words a person coming here if he passes will get a technician rating such as technical Sgts or tech Cpl. I belong to the Surgical technicians school. Whether I will like or not I do not know. But time will tell. The schooling consists of 4 weeks in class, 1 week in practice ward and 3 remaining weeks in actual duty in the Brooke Gen. Hospital which I am sending you a picture of and then in my case of an unattached person and the rest of the same type they pick out the 10 best and keep them 3 months more in actual work in the hospital which usually earns them a rating of Staff Sgt.
There are all types going here. The attached ones are the ones that are already attached to such as Air Corps, Tank Destroyer divisions and a great many others, which upon their completion f their two months training they return t their stations. Some of them are Sgts, Corporals. Private First class etc and there is no distinction between us. We all eat at together etc while at Camp Barkeley the cadre eat alone slept alone etc.
But we have none of that here. The one class and I can also look out the window here and see the W A A C S who have not been here long and are stationed about a block away and they are not thought too well of her either. And from now on I am entitled to wear one stripe and my title Private First Class. What do you think of that?
I think I will draw this letter to a close and perhaps go into town with one of the boys.
Where is Camp Young there and what is the Nazarene church like?
Will you please send me back the packet of letter which I sent home for I put some of the wrong ones in. It is 11:00 AM so I had better be on my way.
PFC Stanley W Safford 39539976
Co “B” Med Serv Sch
Barracks #3
Ft Sam Houston, Texas

26 December 1942

Medical Corps
Camp Barkeley, Texas
December 26, 1942

Dear Folks:
Well here I am on the day after Christmas and quite an enjoyable one it was for me and quite a few very nice gifts and very pretty cards, which was quite a surprise for me considering the conditions.
First of all was the lovely gifts from you, but you should not have gone to the trouble and expense because you have already done so much for me. And I suppose you are wondering where my gratitude is with not even as much as a card from me, but as I said before, I could not get into town to find any. I did have one of the boys here who goes into town quite often to see his wife get me some in a box they were fair but not very presentable and sent them as far as they would go thru I knew I could and would be able to go into town the 24th so would then mail you a telegram but they have stopped all messages of greeting on the 23. So I was out of luck there also, had intended one also for Paul and Thelma Chapin, so you can tell her the circumstances and I will write her a letter of thanks very soon.
The camera is just what I wanted and was overly pleased with it, the candy is delicious and I am going quite easy on it and for myself only. I also enjoy the nuts very much and Muriel’s sewing kit will come in very handy as yet have not had much of that type of things to do. The clothes are all new so they do not need very much mending as yet. I have not as yet tried the camera but will tomorrow and will probably go over to see Fred K and take a couple of him. He was over to see me yesterday in fact he was here when I got your two letters and I told him about writing the letters you mentioned Harry asking him to write. He is having quite a good time and seems to be enjoying it and spoke of getting a drink from one of the Sgts so I think he will get along alright.
Mr. and Mrs. Matson sent me a wonderful tin box of salted nuts of five kinds (Brazil, Almond, Pecan, Filbert and cashews) It has been worth something and was very kind of them to send it.
Miss Mosher sent me a little leather case with comb and fingernail file quite nice as well as handy.
And Jay sent me two one dollar bills which he should not have done and I am going to write him immediately after writing this so as not to offend him, which would be the last thing I would want to do, or would never hear the last of it.
Maibelle and Ed sent me a very nice set of Coty’s Shaving cream and powder with wash cloth accompanying it which in all was very nice. I may send part or all of it home expect the cloth home.
Have not received the package from Nina and Bill as yet Jay mentions a promotion of some kind in his letter or note.
Paul and Thelma sent a very nice package only I wish they had not done so much. It contained some of her toll house cookies which were very good, some gum, tooth powder comb, caramel candies and a couple flashlight batteries for my little flashlight and they were all wrapped individually. In all, it was very lovely.
Then Joseph sent me a very nice atlas and Mrs. Scheltema sent me some fruit cake and some nuts which I have not tasted as yet but they both sure look very good.
My trip into Abilene was not much of a success and I found nothing as a gift for you folks but I am still young to continue trying, the main part of town is about 4 blocks wide and 4 blocks long, from there out the town is still there for quite a distance but nothing to see there and of course there was a nice crowd also but I did have a very good steak dinner, but waited long enough for it so in all came back rather disgusted with the whole works.
Well perhaps I have some very good news maybe. Last Monday they called a list of names at mail call and my name was not on it which was nothing unusual for they quite often call lists of some kind and my name is on very few of them so I went on about my business and went to the barber, but before I got back I was told my name had been called and they had wondered where I had been and when I got back to our hutiment they told me here that is a couple boys here, that my name had been called along with some others who were not there also so there might have been a second list as they quite often have around here to make it more confusing. And I have not been able to get over to Battalion headquarters to make sure of my name on the list as yet.
Well what it is, is a group of boys they pick out for further training as male nurses, X-ray experts, pharmacists and a couple others and they are going to take a three months training period in either Houston, Fort Worth, El Paso or Denver, Colorado. The latter would suit me, and the climax is they are leaving about the first of January which would also suit me and that would in advance of the others. Of course I am not quite sure, but any way I am going to send something home the first part of the week. Among them will be some letters which you can leave unopened and put away for me also there will be a small pin for Muriel and her Christmas present will be later also.
While I am thinking of it, could you get me a leather case for the camera? I do not believe they would cost very much. I think the book with camera lists on it about $2 so if you are downtown and have time will you pick one up for me, for I would hate to drop it while carrying it also it will keep it in better shape. I hope you are keeping track of all these things you are getting for me and also the postage in fact everything because I intend to pay for it.
The glove (extra one) you sent is the wrong one can also too small but thanks for sending it anyway. The note book and paper are very satisfactory. The news paper clippings are very welcome and the comedy are excellent.
I received cards from both Blairs, the Miners and one from Ann - and is their name spelled Reid – and one from one of the customers of the nursery whom I never paid much attention to, in fact never cared for too much, but she is one of the socialites of Hollywood so will have t write a note to her. I had better begin to think of closing for now because it is getting late and will write some more tomorrow morning when I awake. Goodnight.

Sunday AM
The wind blew all night and managed to blow up some clouds as well as make t quite cold this morning and we have both stoves going. The windows all shake which make the entire building shake.
The Christmas dinner was the same as the Thanksgiving dinner except we had fruit cake which was quite strong of whiskey.
But we here did not care for the meal as we did the Thanksgiving meal and it was quite cold also. All the officers and those that are married had their wives there and a few of the boys here who have wives here or other relatives also had them here. Some of the boys wives are staying here and a couple of their mothers are also here. One of the boys wives was already to leave L.A for here when his name was called to leave here next week, so he telegrammed home for her to stay there, he is looking forward to seeing her after getting to the next station.
One of the Sgts who has always put on. he is someone around here and is about 5’6 at most , showed up with his wife an awful looking small red head a little shorter than he all painted up and wearing green shoes and green accessories. We are all getting quite a laugh about it here. Of course some of them here don’t seem to have much else to do but talk about officers etc. but I myself have a lot more to do.
Well it is after lunch. I played cards before lunch which by the way was a pretty good one.
We have just finished having mail call and they called off a list of men to turn in their items which they were issued here but my name was not on it so evidently I am not going with them. I am going over to headquarters to find out about it tomorrow and then I will know for sure maybe.
Your speaking of Christmas cards as you say the one you sent is surely a lovely one. Mr. Ricks sent me a very pretty one but quite large and a display of money.
How did Muriel come out on her P O work?
Probably Don Finleys going will be a great aid to Mrs. Finley for now she may get some rest.
The Seis candy is certainly delicious and I am keeping it also.
I wrote Aunt Ina about a month ago. Have not had an answer as yet so now I know the reason.
The pink grapefruit I spoke of are quite real and they are much sweeter than the other type if grown in a nice warm location.
They raise them down in the Rio Grande valley where citrus fruit does quite well. And I am going to send you some if I have to go after them.
I am glad you liked your birthday present and I am quite sure Aunt Nina has very good taste on such things.
I am very surprised at Clair sending you another pictures of their spoiled beats. Quite a bit of ------
Mr. Ricks was not to pay for the azalea.
The lack of rain there is rather funny but you may get all of it after the first of the year as we have in previous years.
There is planted under the tree some of the small bulbs of narcissus and some anemones. How are the little bulbs coming along in between the house or fence under Muriel’s window or do you remember the little baby narcissus I had there. Sure hope the gopher didn’t get any of my bulbs. Why don’t you plant some sweet peas and have some nice cut flowers.
I had better think of closing before this letter become too bulky and they charge you extra postage or have they already. I hope you can read it because I am writing it on my knees again, for we have no desk or table in these gorgeous hutiments. I might call you some evening so do not be surprised. Good bye for now, dear Mother. I will write more later.
Your son,
Stanley
Did I send you the reception the insurance and I am enclosing one for the bonds which you can keep for me. Also thanks a lot for the Air Mail letter or envelopes rather.
Stanley