Clifford to Folks

EDITOR’S NOTE: The 768th Field Artillery Battalion (Motorized 155 Howitzer Tractor Drawn) was activated on May 9, 1944 at Camp Barkley, Texas per General Order No. 2, Hq 418th FA Group Camp Barkley, Texas dated 8 May 1944. The enlisted men cadre was made up from the 248th Coastal Artillery Regiment, 1st Battalion which had previously been stationed at Fort Worden, WA. This is the first letter Clifford sent home since March 28th, over two months ago. June 1, 1944* Approximate          2110          CF          Camp Barkeley, Texas Clifford tells the Folks he is really sunburned; it hasn’t rained and is really dry; the climate is hard on the fellows that were at Fort Worden before the war; hears they are to be reserve field artillery in case anything goes wrong with the invasion; went through the filtration course at 10:30 last night – tracer bullets looked pretty but he really hugged the ground; has 155mm Howitzer now; will probably never get a rating -doesn’t really matter; is with soldiers of the old school and will follow the old-timers any place.

Mar. 18, 1944          1680          CF          Fort Worden/Port Townsend, WA Clifford writes to the Folks; has it pretty easy lately; got letters from them and Winfred; glad Margaret got to visit them; asks about Patsy Ann in school and her long division; not much else to write about.

EDITOR’S NOTE: Two letters were written home on March 17, 1944; one from Winfred and one from Clifford to the Folks. Mar. 17, 1944 (2)          1670          CF          Fort Worden/Port Townsend, WA Clifford tells the Folks he got back from a pass to Seattle yesterday; will not be going to California but will soon leave; Winfred told him coal was black gold there in England; got a letter from an old schoolmate – Loretta; weighs 176; left home a year ago today; and will close and go to a show at the camp.

Mar. 15*, 1944  *aproximate date          1650          CF          Service Men’s Club Seattle, WA Clifford writes home he is in Seatle on a 3-day pass; went to an all-night show; went to a Jewish private men’s club with a friend; and talked to a Canadian cadet but doesn’t like that English accent.

Mar. 9*, 1944 *aproximate date          1620          CF          Fort Worden/Port Townsend, WA Clifford is kinda’ slow writing the Folks but can’t find the time; been having a lot of all day hikes; hears the bombers are opening up on Berlin and guesses his brother is in the middle of it; got the picture of Winfred and his crew; is listening to Gabriel Heather now; not much to write about so is going to write his gal; and is getting the news they send.

Mar. 4, 1944                     1570      CF           Fort Worden/Port Townsend, WA Clifford tells the Folks he got a letter from them today and yes, he has been hearing from them often and likes it; not much to write about from there; don’t worry, when he moves it will still be in the States; today, it’s a nice, beautiful day there but when the weather is bad it’s the worst.

Mar. 3, 1944 (aprox)                      1560      CF           Fort Worden/Port Townsend, WA Clifford tells the Folks he had a pretty good time on his pass last week; asks about the post office; says it’s another rainy day; was on guard again last night; won’t be there much longer; asks what his dad thinks of the Barkley-Roosevelt feud; thinks the war will be over soon; and signs off telling them not to worry about him.

Feb. 28, 1944                    1530      CF           Fort Worden/Port Townsend, WA Clifford promises the Folks he will write more often; has been eating out of Mess Kits; guesses Winfred is giving the Nazis heck; comments on Winfred’s censor’s comment; hopes for a few pics – Winfred & crew, Patsy Ann, & Mom – Dad – Patsy together (like the other soldiers have).

EDITOR’S NOTE: In addition to the journal entry made on Feb. 25, 1944, Winfred wrote a letter home to the Folks. No mention was made of the bombing mission he was on that morning. Clifford also sent home a letter. Feb. 25, 1944 (2)                             1520      CF           Fort Worden/Port Townsend, WA Clifford scribbles a letter home after receiving his vaccine to prevent yellow fever; hasn’t heard from them for a few days; has a cold; comments on the F.D.R/Barkley feud; had chicken today; asks if Margaret has visited lately – she doesn’t write often; still waiting to be shipped out – probably to California; asks about his friends – Bob Merrill and Rolla; and promise to write his sister Patsy Ann.

EDITOR’S NOTE: Three letters were written on Feb. 21, 1944. Winfred wrote one letter to his Folks and one letter to his sister Margaret; Clifford also wrote a letter home to the Folks. Feb. 21, 1944 (3)                             1470      CF           Fort Worden/Port Townsend, WA Clifford writes the Folks saying he got three letters from Staff Sgt. Winfred today; is getting along with his gal; will do better writing them; is sure tired of that place; still awaiting transfer orders; and one of the soldiers there was sentence to 10 years for going AWOL (Absent WithOut Leave).