24 Feb February 24, 1944

letter
from: Pvt George W. Shonkwiler
to: Mrs. Alice Shonkwiler
2-24-44, 7:35 p.m.
Noteworthy: Army evaluates Dad’s IQ at 123; Dad descrubes the amenities.

Dear Alice and Ronnie,

I’ve been in the Army one week now and I am still alive.  But maybe one week from
today I won’t be able to say as much.  We start our regular basic training Monday
with some of the fellows, not doing anything, took some exercises today Army
style.  They are moaning plenty tonight.  I got out of it because I had a soft
job stenciling duffel bags.  There were four of us doing it and we do it tomorrow
again, they say and I hope.  All we do is sit on a bed and stencil.  We don’t
work any too fast.  And we rest quite often.  In fact on all detailed work around
here, so far there is plenty of loafing on all jobs.  Of course they are making up

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a new class now and I think the officers are none too strick [strict] while that
is going on.

They still claim around here that so long as we had to be in the infantry, the
Messenger Center Division is the best of the lot.  They claim your classification
tests and IQ had to be above average considerably, to be assigned to this company.
Of course it sounds like the boys are bragging a little bit but we’ll see.
Anyhow, I accidentally saw my IQ rating and it was 123.  Whether that is good or
not, according to Army standards, I don’t know.

The food has been pretty good to day[,] for breakfast we had bacon and eggs and
cereal, orange, toast and coffee and milk.  Lunch, we had pork chops (2) baked
potato and either green beans or corn and <? levia> beans, apple pie, lettuce
salad[,] coffee and bread.  For supper, we had beef and liver, lima beans, salad,
chocolate cake, coffee.  Butter (plenty), with every meal, so far we have only
had milk for breakfast.  I guess they want us to drink coffee as the guys all say
it is doped with

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salt peter.  Me, I can’t tell the difference and don’t care.  Of course all the
meals are not as good as they were today, but they are reasonably digestible.

I am writing this in what we call the day room.  It is a small building for this
company only (160 men).  Privates and noncommissioned officers are all allowed in
here.  There are writing tables, radio, ping-pong table, Coca-Cola machine,
lounges, some magazines and books.  It’s not bad.  Then we have a post-exchange
(called PX) where we can buy almost anything from beer to underwear.  There are a
number of theaters, bowling alleys, volleyball courts, and baseball grounds, and
of course swimming.  I haven’t taken advantage of any of these yet, but probably
will soon.  There has been no KP for me yet, but I am keeping my fingers crossed.
I understand they take men for KP alphabetically unless we do something wrong.

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So I am not due yet.  The boys say it is not so bad though.

I called you from one of the recreation halls last night.  There is one booth
there and it took me 1 hr to get thru to you.  How much did it cost, do you know?
Certainly sounded good to hear you and Ronnie.

Well that is pretty much of the news to date.  Outside of many of the small
things they are teaching us every day.  Yes, I can make my bed - and in a hurry.
We get up at 6 A.M. - so far.  Make our beds clean up barracks wash and be ready
for roll call at 6:30.  I make it.  Most of the boys here are from the southeast.
A lot of them from Georgia.  They certainly are a lot of Southern drawls wherever
you go.

Ronnie, ol’ boy, how is mommy treating you?  I certainly miss you both.  Wish I
were there right now reading you all about big bad wolf - and Mama bears and then
tucking you in bed after wards.  The only consolation I have is that at least 75%
of the men here are in the same boat I am.  We all run around showing off our
wife and offspring, and some of them have quite a flock.  Well maybe this damn
war will be over yet someday.

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What is Murray going to do now that he is 4F?  And have you heard any
more from Ray Hitchcock?  What is this fellow Evers doing in Camp Grant?  Boy
some guys sure as hell get all the breaks.

Well Mommy, I’ve done pretty well for one night for a change,  don’t you think?
I miss you lots and Ronnie more yet, if that’s possible.  So take good care of
yourself and especially good care of him for me and I’ll see you around July 1st
all sun tanned and tough as hell.  The guys going out of here now, having just
finished their training, look like they could take anything.

Oh yes, the weather today was perfect.  It was chilly (about 60 degrees) this
morning.  About 75 degrees at noon and now about 70 degrees.  The only thing,
there is plenty of humidity.  Clothes take a long time to dry.

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But the fellows who have been here during summer say it gets hot.  And what I
mean hot.  Looks like we will get a taste of it.

Is Eleanor going to stay with you and how are things working out also with the
Pages?  Tell them all hello for me and I hope things are satisfactory.  Did you
get the letter I sent you from Fort Sheridan with the insurance and allotment
papers?  They were copies, and you should keep them.  How are the finances
holding up?  I still have $14.  Haven’t spent much yet.  But will over week end,
I suppose.  We don’t get any passes for three weeks, so don’t do much at that.

I am expecting to hear from you not later than Sat.  So...
Lots of love, Daddy.