Battle Creek was a Seventh-Day Adventist town. The church provided many activities for the soldiers. We attended many of the activities and became very close friends with the Langworthy family which included three lovely girls. Lloyd, Chester East, and I were at their home when Pearl Harbor was bombed. We had just finished dinner when the announcement came over the radio. Without even discussing the need we immediately jumped into the car and returned to the base. The entrance to the base was crowded with soldiers returning.
There was also a unit of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. I don't recall how we found them but we did and became active in the church. It was the first time we had been able to attend an organized branch. We received the Aaronic Priesthood and many blessings through the church. We never went to the Seventh-Day Adventist meetings.
The draft made a great change in the type of men in the army. The new officers were ROTC college graduates and many of the enlisted men were leaders in business and industry.
The Signal Corps’ job was to establish and maintain communications. The equipment was telephone and telegraph. Radio communication was also part of the signal corps but we were not involved in radio. The telephone and telegraph both had to be physically connected by wire. My assignment was installation and operation. The officer who used the phone always had the same pair of colored wires wired to his phone. Lloyd was a telegraph operator. We practiced these operations in the fields around Battle Creek in mud, snow, and all weather and then went to Louisiana on a maximum maneuver. On that maneuver General Lear got a new nick name. he punished some soldier for calling "yoo hoo" to some southern belles. The troops nicknamed him Yoo Hoo Lear.
One night I was brought awake. I looked to see who was disturbing me and said "Johnson what are you doing here?" he said that he had just made sergeant and wanted me to celebrate with him. he had a bottle of whiskey with him and asked me to drink with him. I refused the drink, congratulated him and asked him to leave. The next morning I learned that he had bet money that he could get Reasor to take a drink. We were respected for our stand on alcoholic drinks because we could be depended on to be on the job and capable of functioning at all times.
When war was declared, we had to get rid of all civilian clothing and our car. We had moved up to a 1935 Ford. For an early Christmas we drove the car home and gave it to Dad. After visiting with everyone, especially Wanda and LaVerne [Lloyd’s girlfriend] we left the car and rode a bus back to Battle Creek. Lloyd's letter says we arrived back at the base on December 24th with 5 minutes to spare.
February 27, 1942 Lloyd and I were reading an announcement in the paper at nearly bedtime. The announcement said that the examination for Aviation Cadet training was being given in Kalamazoo Michigan at 8:00 A.M. the next morning. I don't think we had ever discussed flying before but right then we decided to take that exam. Our sergeant was out so we put a note on his pillow stating where we were going and that we would miss reveille. The records show that I scored 111 and Lloyd 110 on the written test. I passed the physical but Lloyd had to get some repair work done.
Orders came through removing us from the Signal Corps. The 5th Infantry Division including the Signal Corps departed for a secret destination overseas in just a few days. Their secret destination was the cost of North Africa where they fought their way to Italy. Our friend Chester East was killed in North Africa.
Lee and Lloyd
Letters Home
Battle Creek, Michigan
Feb 5, 1942
...Yep we have got swell girls. The best there is anywhere. But then the best is none to good for us. Wanda didn't say a word about sending you a card. We sho' had a time alright, alright! We had a notion just to keep them while they were here.
We really paraded last Friday nite. We put on a fencing program at the service club. We sure did some blade clashing alright. One of these days we're going to good at using a sword or spear. It's very interesting and gives a body all the exercise one can use.
Well we went to S.S. again last Sunday. It is conducted just about the same as ours, We divide up in classes and study a lesson. The two elders and I went out to dinner Sunday Evening, chicken dinner too. It was mighty good. So I dried the dishes and the lady fell in love with me. Now she wants me to come just any time I can. They are an elderly couple with no children at home. I'm liable to visit her quite often cause she really can cook. We, Lloyd & I have a dinner date at another home Sunday. They have a nice looking daughter too. Lloyd had to go on duty last Sunday afternoon so he missed out on that one. If we just had time we wouldn't have to eat here at camp very much. Maybe we should have been preachers. I wish you and Dad could get to the Mormon church regular. It is really interesting and sounds OK to me. I didn't know it but they have been advising the members the last two years to lay away enough food and grain to last at least a year. Seems like they think of everything.
One of the Elders would like to take Lois away from me if he was allowed too. Guess I shouldn't say from me for she is engaged to another boy in N.Y. She and I have a time when we get together anyway. I showed her my ring and told her we were even. They can let off a little steam anyway. It does them good just to talk to us. They feel free to talk to us and don't to the other members.
Battle Creek, Michigan
Feb 29, 1942
...Oh, yeah! You should see us fence, and I don't mean rail fence either. We have our equipment now and are sorta catching on to how it's done. We'll put on a show for you sometime. It's really lots of fun and mighty good exercise. We wanted to take ju jutsu but can't find anyone to teach it. It also helps fill in time. I'm mighty glad we got started to church. I'm liking it better all the time. The two elders are mighty nice boys. They we're getting very lonesome so Thur nite we invited them up to watch our square dance and introduced them to all our girl friends. Two of the best ones invited them for dinner Saturday and I guess they really had a time. The girls are "7th Day Bapsist". We went to church Sunday and took the boys to dinner and had a general good time until meeting Sun. nite. The whole church is mighty nice people. One lady is talking about adopting us. She operates a Beauty Parlor. Oh! We really snow em under alright. Do we have a "Babtism certificate" if so we'd like you to send them to us if you can before next Sunday. I don't remember having one but they say we do have. You might send my Christmas tie up too. I'd better get some good out of it.
Wednesday nite we decided to try for flying cadet Thur. So I got us a pass bright and early. Lloyd borrowed a car and we took off. Shucks they don't make the test near hard enough. We both passed the 2 hr. mental exam with flying colors. I beat him one point. He got a score of 110 and I got 111 out of 150. We could have got by on 80. Half the 40 that tried got below that and failed. Lloyd is temporarily stopped on his physical but I went right on through. I'm standing by now for a call. It might come in two weeks and it might not come for months. I bet it'll be fun to float through the air with the greatest of ease. The pay is $75.00 month while in training and up to $245 after getting the commission. The decision was rather sudden but seems like we're getting a habit of that. We're liable to decide to get married one of these days and wake up with a wife. A cadet also get a $10,000 insurance policy free of charge and $150 to buy a uniform when the training is completed. If a man is going to be in it he'd just as well do the best he can.
Battle Creek, Michigan
Mar 2, 1942
...Why! Mom why don't you want us in the air corps? I still say there is no safe place. If a bullet is going to find you it'll do it anyplace. As far as the safe part goes we'll probably be out of hostilities 6 or 7 months longer and then when the war is over we will have learned something that will help a man make a living. Wanda said her first reaction wasn't very favorable either but she guessed I was right. She trusts my good judgement absolutely. If it's good? I think I've about got her snowed under and vice-versa. I went to a birthday party last nite and had lotsa fun and good eats. One of the members had a birthday. She's 22 and good-looking single too. Her parents are the English people. It was a complete surprise to her and she blushed so pretty when we all went in. She's a swell kid alright.
Battle Creek, Michigan
Mar 11, 1942
...I didn't get to go to church last Sunday either. Everybody had to stay in Camp and work. I was on C.Q. anyway. Am hopin' that I get to go next Sunday. I have a Chop Suey dinner coming. The Langworthy family has invited the Elders and the Crawford County boys. You can bet it will be good too cause when that family fixes something it's alright.
There's a lot happening around here but I've already said more than I should have. Some of these things might be considered military secrets.
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