1943 - May - A Letter from a WAAC

In 1943 World War II is omnipresent.

This letter is from a friend who joined Women's Army Auxiliary Corps. 

Letter - Page 1

"April 30, 1943

Dear Margaret, Barbie, Jim and Bill1,

It was wonderful getting your letter this morning, but you probably won't feel the same when you get this as my arm is so sore I can't write decently. 

We arrived here Monday nite about 9:30 and were we tired.  IT was so hot all the way and also dirty.  I like it very much so far..."

Letter - Page 2

"...but as yet we haven't our uniforms and at nite we are all so dirty.  There are 38 in our barracks and our beds are only one foot apart.  It is about 100 degrees down here everyday and the camp is in a big wide sand field with no shade.  We are not allowed to tell anything about this place at all, but it is very different from other army and WAAC camps.

It was just started one month ago and there are more than 1500 here now with more coming all the time.  It seems like all we do is march, but we have classes about six hours a day.  We get up about 5:45 and drill or study all day with lights out at 10:00.  We had shots yesterday and were already nearly sick from the sun.  Several of the girls passed out on the field and all of us feel pretty punk, but guess we'll live.

I am so glad you finally are decided about where you are going to live..."  

Letter - Page 3

"...and hope you will like it.

Give Barbie a great big kiss for me.  I sure miss you all, and don't let Jim & Bill1 forget to write.  It isn't any fun to stand in line for mail call and not get any.

Must close and get busy.

Love, Ruth

My address is

Ruth J. McCammon

A.S.N.A. 906596

Co. 5 - 2 Bn - 42 Reg.

Branch A Fifth WAAC Trg Center

Ruston, Louisiana"

Envelope - Reverse

1 - Bill Hucka bordered with the Waning family in Portland.