Everett Schafer's Letters
Letter #7
They Call It A Rest Camp
To “Mom & All”
12 March 1944
March 12 1944
Base Camp
Dear Mother + family
Since I last wrote you a few new things have taken place. First and best is that I’m now a sergeant. I received my warrant last week, and now I’m a lot happier this week. It means more responsibility, but more money.
I now have a section, instead of a squad, and that’s what I’ve wanted for quite some time. All around, things seem better.[1]
Where I am now, they call it a rest camp, but the majority of fellows give it another name. Some of the territory around here is quite scenic, and I suppose I’ll see most of it while I’m here.[2]
Yesterday we went over an obstacle course, I named it, indurance [sic] test. It was three and a half miles long with nearly one hundred man-built obstacles, and Mother Nature didn’t play around with the terrain. There were plenty cliffs, big rocks, and tough climbing. The average time was two hrs. but most of the fellows made it under that.[3]
The life here is much the same as in Calif. altho we live in tents + see a little less city life.
I suppose it won’t be too long and Shirley will be back home. That will make more company for you + perhaps a little help.[4] Here’s a little money that I know will help along, I don’t need it so don’t worry about me. If you ever need any, just don’t hesitate to let me know. Are you receiving the allotments regularly? If not, let me know and I can check on it. How is Ronny getting along with his new dog. I suppose it won’t be long till he will be wanting to go rabbit hunting. Is the Plymouth still running good? How are Roma + Ray getting along?[5] It sounds like I’m writing a book, but just thinking about things.
This is about all for now,
As ever
Your loving son
Everett
Footnotes
1. Everett was promoted on March 3, 1944; a machine gun section consisted of two squads. In early March, the battalion reorganized along the F-series Table of Organization, which dissolved heavy weapons companies. The Second MG platoon of Dog Company joined the gunners of Baker Company to create a dedicated machine gun platoon with six squads
2. The Fourth Marine Division is at Camp Maui, Territory of Hawaii. Troops were expressly forbidden to reveal their location for the duration of the war, hence Everett’s careful description. Camp Maui was still very much under construction when Everett arrived in February 1944, and the primitive conditions led to much grumbling about the so-called “rest” camp.
3. This is probably an Army training facility; Marines would eventually build their own.
4. Younger sister Shirley Opal Schafer, age sixteen.
5. Half-sister Roma and husband Ray C. Kivett. In about two weeks they will have a daughter, Donna.