Welcome, 2024! To say that I am glad 2023 is now in the rearview mirror would be the understatement of the century. Last year wasn’t ALL bad, mind you, just mostly. Thank goodness 2024 is off to a much better start and I am looking forward to the next 12 months with hopeful anticipation.
80 years ago a lot of folks felt the same way as I do now – reflecting on a year best forgotten and praying for peace (both in the world and in the heart) in the days to come. January 1, 1944 saw World War II in full swing and, unbeknownst to the weary world, D-Day was still a year and a half away.
One of those undoubtedly praying for peace was my dearest Grandpa, pictured above, handsome as could be, in his US Army Signal Corps uniform taken on December 6, 1943 in Naples, Italy. My grandfather served honorably, like so many other brave men, from 1942 until October of 1945. He was the epitome of The Greatest Generation.
Unfortunately, my Grandpa passed away when I was just 10 years old, so I was never able to know him as an adult and ask the limitless questions I have about life back then. I do, however, have the journal he kept during his time in the service and am grateful to be able to read his unfiltered words. What have I learned from reading his journal?
I’ve learned that war isn’t all guts and glory. I’ve learned that war, like everything else in life, is multifaceted. I’ve learned that, sometimes, war is boring. I’ve learned that, sometimes, it’s mundane. I’ve learned that, sometimes you even laugh. I’ve learned it’s true that there are no atheists in fox holes and I’ve learned that homesickness is sometimes the worst sickness of them all.
To that end, my Grandpa was the original familial author of Dispatches from 1944 and throughout this year I will post selections from his wartime musings in his honor. Let us remember and learn from the past. History forgotten has a tendency to repeat itself and the darkest days of 1944 should remain in history books and not on the nightly news.
So without further ado, I bring you Dispatches from the Front.
New Years Day, 1944 in Naples
More rain and no mail yet. Got up in time for dinner. Spent very quiet day. Played 500 with Bunk & Doop tonight and won 2 out of 4 games. Finished last game 2000 –
Sunday, January 2, 1944 in Naples
Went to church this morning and had Holy Communion. Had turkey for dinner. Worked on protector frame at IC this afternoon. Received two journals but still no letters. I wonder why?
Monday, January 3, 1944 in Naples
Worked all day at IC on frame. Went to 15th FC dance at wing theater. WAC’s were there. We had ice cream, coffee, punch, and cookies. Very nice party.
Tuesday, January 4, 1944 in Naples
Worked in IC all day on frame. Played cards tonight with Bunk, Voj, and Doop. Received two journals but still no letters.
Wednesday, January 5, 1944 in Naples
Worked in IC on frame all day. Still no letters. Am getting worried. Spent a quiet evening reading in bed.
Thursday, January 6, 1944 in Naples
Worked on protector frames in our hut all day. Had supper and spent the evening at Tony and Rita’s house. Still no letters.
Friday, January 7, 1944 in Naples
One year ago today I joined the 562nd in Drew Field. I have come a long way since then. Worked in IC on frame all day. Played 500 with Bunk, and Voj, and Doop. Doop and I won 2 out of 3 games. Still no letters.
Saturday, January 8, 1944 in Naples
Well, I finally received a letter dated December 20 and I feel very much better now. I worked on frame in IC all day. Went to show tonight and saw “Five Graves to Cairo”. It was very good.
Dispatches from 1944 