Everett Schafer's Letters
Letter #1
Going To Try To Win A Couple Medals
To “Mom & All”
27 October 1942
Oct. 27, 1942
Dear Mom + all,[1]
Today I received three letters from home. They had been held up because you had the wrong platoon number on them, it is platoon 860 and Battalion 12th Marine Barracks. I sure was glad to hear from you and glad also that everyone is getting along alright. It makes me feel good to know that you enjoyed your visit at LaFerhn’s.[2] It seems that you really got around that Thursday. I believe that you may be riding that clutch or you are shifting too fast and the clutch isn’t all the way in. That clutch shouldn’t go bad that soon. Whatever it costs, deduct that amount from a bond, and let LaFerhn know so there isn’t any mixup. Also the speedometer, because I was going to have it fixed anyway. If you keep up that thirty five miles per hour driving, that car should last for three years at least.[3]
Well this morning was our first cold morning. It was around forty five or fifty degrees but by nine o’clock it was around eighty. It’s very warm during the day and has been at nights, until this morning. Yesterday it sprinkled rain a little but soon stopped. That is all the bad weather we have had in three weeks. And it is now a little cool but clear and the sun is out very bright.
Our meals are very plain, and nothing very elaborate. Cereal, coffee, pancake, potatoes, bread, butter, eggs + bacon for breakfast. Only one of the things such as either egg + bacon or pancakes, or creamed beef on toast. It varies every morning. For now chow is a drink, bread, butter, a couple of veg and a piece of pie about twice a week. Practically the same thing for evening chow. We get enough, and it’s supposed to make us tough.
We spend most of the day drilling, and learning new skirmishes of which I can’t write about. The end of this week I go out on the rifle range for three weeks and then I either have a week of mess duty or some other police duties. Every recruit in boot camp has to have it. I expect to be out of here and to a new post by the first week in Dec. I hope. I really will like the range and I’m sure going to try to win a couple of medals.
I received a letter from LaFerhn and also a book of cookies. They were very good but slightly mashed. Also a letter from Roma and Shirley’s card.[4]
It was very nice, I appreciated that very much. Tell her to write me a letter and as soon as I get time I’ll write her. Tell Delwin or Doris to drop me a letter, and when I get their house number I’ll write them.[5] Well my rifle + bayonet has to be cleaned and I have a bit of studying to do and more letters to write so will close for now. The stamps will come in handy for air mail, but all my letters go free. I’m sending Luther that card and will also drop him a letter. Tell Aunt Tish I send my best regards.
Lots of love to all,
Marine Schafer
Footnotes
1. Everett’s mother is Dora Etta (Belch) Schafer
2. Everett’s older half-sister, LaFerhn Alvaretta (Jones) Kolling lived in Dayton, Ohio with her husband Henry Kolling, known as “Dutch.”
3. Probably a reference to the family Plymouth – a vehicle that earns repeated mentions in Everett’s letters.
4. Roma is another older half-sister; Shirley is a younger sister.
5. Delwin Vard Schafer, Everett’s older brother, and wife Doris.