Maxwell's Letters Home

Mar. 29, 1943 0190 CF

EDITOR”S NOTE: This is the first actual letter sent home by Clifford. Mar. 29, 1943                   0190      CF           Camp Roberts, CA Clifford writes the Folks.  It is Sunday afternoon and he likes it fine out there, the camp is like a picture.  He’s gaining weight but has to grab for the food to get enough. He rooms with a good bunch of fellows but someone swiped his dress shoes and razor on the train. He’s broke, has seven more weeks of basic training, and is sure the soreness will be worked out of him before long. EDITOR’S NOTE: Ctrl + CLICK here to see more information on Camp Roberts.

Mar. 29, 1943 0190 CF Read More »

Mar. 22, 1943 0170 CF

EDITOR’S NOTE: This is the first letter sent home by Clifford Maxwell after his enlistment in the U.S. Army at Jefferson Barracks near St. Louis, MO. This postcard was written as he traveled by train from Jefferson Barracks to Camp Roberts, CA. to begin his Basic Training. Mar. 22, 1943                   0170      CF           Ogden, UT Clifford tells the Folks of his travels so far to Wyoming and that they will continue on past San Francisco to Camp Roberts, CA. EDITOR’S NOTE: This first postcard sent home by Clifford as he travelled from St. Louis by troop train to basic training at Camp Roberts in CA was provided by his daughter Dixie.

Mar. 22, 1943 0170 CF Read More »

Mar. 19, 1943 0160 WM

Mar. 19, 1943                   0160      WM       AAFTS/ Sioux Falls, SD Winfred writes Margaret.  He is almost halfway done with Radio School and is tired of the ‘Santa Claus’ weather in South Dakota.  He comments that Clifford is now in the army and will have to make some changes.  Winfred says he would make someone a good wife because he now knows how to keep up the home. He apologizes for a short letter but received 8 letters yesterday that and needs to respond.

Mar. 19, 1943 0160 WM Read More »

Mar. 8, 1943 0150 WM

Mar. 7, 1943                      0150      WM       AAFTS/ Sioux Falls, SD Winfred thanks Margaret for the candy; asks about her work; and has heard Cliff goes in on the ninth. He stood inspection in the subzero weather; struggles in code & theory; and built his first working radio. They are out of envelopes in the camp; he was ‘arrested’ yesterday and put on K.P. (Kitchen Patrol). EDITOR’S NOTE: Today, March 9, 1943 is the day that that Clifford S. Maxwell enlisted into the United States Army at Jefferson Barracks, MO.

Mar. 8, 1943 0150 WM Read More »

Mar. 3, 1943 0140 WM

EDITOR’S NOTE: Below is the first letter Winfred wrote to his younger sister Patsy Ann. She was 9 years old at that time. Mar. 3, 1943                      0140      WP         AAFTS/ Sioux Falls, SD Winfred asks Patsy about school and comments on the weather. He writes from his bunk and has heard from a friend in Alaska. He asks if Clifford is still at home, or in the army.  Wants her to tell mom a bunch of his class has shipped out. Asks about her cat Dot and will send her a picture of him in his uniform.

Mar. 3, 1943 0140 WM Read More »

Mar. 2, 1943 0130 WF

Mar. 2, 1943                      0130      WF         AAFTS/ Sioux Falls, SD Winfred writes the Folks that he has been making progress in code but struggles in theory. He got a picture of his girl – Lois – today and wonders how he rates her. He got paid yesterday and may send some home. He has heard from his friends – Bob M., Stack, and Monk.

Mar. 2, 1943 0130 WF Read More »

Feb. 26, 1943 0120 WF

Feb. 26, 1943                    0120      WF         AAFTS/ Sioux Falls, SD Winfred writes the Folks complaining about the camp; they had a ‘jam’ session in the barracks last night listening to the radio and ‘jitterbugging‘; he got a letter from cousin Joyce (Dickey) and comments on her younger sister Erma; Margaret is pretty busy working; he asks about Clifford, his friends and his dad’s job at the post office.

Feb. 26, 1943 0120 WF Read More »

Feb. 24, 1943 0110 WM

Feb. 24, 1943                    0110      WM       AAFTS/ Sioux Falls, SD Winfred writes Margaret; letters have been scarce; he describes camp conditions, school work, missing friends, and the need for sweets. He is still wooin’ Lois and hasn’t looked at any other girl (There aren’t any there!) He misses Missouri and no one even mentions it there!

Feb. 24, 1943 0110 WM Read More »

Feb. 21, 1943 0100 BMC

EDITOR’S NOTE: This is the second letter from Bob Merrill to Clifford in response to a letter received by Bob from Clifford. Feb. 21, 1943                    0100      BMC      San Diego, CA Bob (Merrill) replies to a comment Clifford made about his niece; asks about the weather; shares that he has been swimming and has a great tan (He’s in Southern CA); asks about the Irondale pool room; leaves for the rifle range next week; still likes it pretty well; drills like hell!; been getting shots; bunks in a cabin near the movie actor Tyrone Powers; asks about how Cliff and Pat are getting along; tells Cliff to take care of the girls BUT to lay off his!

Feb. 21, 1943 0100 BMC Read More »