Clifford to Folks

EDITOR’S NOTE: Two letters and a postcard were mailed/postmarked home to the Folks from the boys on September 29, 1943; one letter and one postcard from Winfred, and one letter from Clifford. Sep. 29, 1943 (3)             0550      CF           Pocatello, ID      defines H-D-P-S Clifford is on the switchboard. He explains to the Folks what H-D-P-S means and why he is irritable.  (This is the third letter sent home on Sept. 29, 1943 by the boys.)

EDITOR’S NOTE: On September 15, 1943, four letters arrived home – Two were from Winfred, one to the folks and one to Margaret; the third was from Clifford to his folks; and the fourth was to come to FIZZ, via his folks, from Bob Merrill (Clifford’s best friend). Sep. 15, 1943 (3)             0510      CF           Fort Worden, WA           Clifford likes Communications, worries about Italy, met someone from Flat River, and saw ‘This is the Army’, and needs to clean his rifle.  (Letter 3 of 4 – Sept. 15, 1943)

Sep. 8, 1943                      0480      CF           Fort Worden, WA            been on maneuvers Clifford tells the Folks he has been on maneuvers, has changed from radar to communications and will write more often from now on.

EDITOR’S NOTE: It has been 3 months since Clifford’s last letter home. Jul. 22, 1943                      0370      CF           Fort Worden/Port Townsend, WA Clifford tells the Folks he has finished bootcamp and is now stationed at Fort Worden, WA.   He’s okay; on guard again, but at a different post; heard from Margaret; gets to see shows at HQ; and his battery is taking control over Coast Guard equipment. 

Apr. 19, 1943                    0220      CF           Camp Roberts, CA Clifford writes he feels okay physically but has poor morale.  He has guard duty tomorrow and starts a week of drilling on Monday. He feels sorry for Winfred who needs a pep talk from their parents. And, Clifford needs his Folks to send him a few things.

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.

This is Clifford’s second postcard home.

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.