GRAPHITE ON WHITE: The World War II Letters of Earl Reinhalter (1922-1953)

Based on the letters of Earl Philip Reinhalter (1922-1953). Edited by his son, Earl Philip Reinhalter (1950-).

November 6, 1942 *
Camp Meade, Maryland NEXT LETTER ->

	November 6, 1942 * Camp Meade, Maryland	NEXT LETTER ->

* Two days after enlisting.

11/6/42

Ma, Daddy, Yvonne, Phus, Kitty; etc:

We went by bus from Camden Station to Camp Meade. Got in at 10:45 Wednesday night. Today, Thursday, we got up at 5:15 A.M. and then washed after dressing. Ate breakfast at 7:05 A.M. After that, they gave us a test in "mechanical ability" of 150 questions. After this, another test in "radio and communication." Then we drilled for about a half hour up until 11:00 A.M. From 11 to 12:30 we have off. During that time, I wrote this letter. We are supposed to eat lunch at 12:40 and then get another written test. So far, we have not received our uniforms or any needles for inoculation. They showed us how to make up beds this morning. We probably won't get any leaves over the weekend - so says the sargent. We are supposed to leave for Middletown either Monday or Tuesday. Have to go now to eat lunch.

Earl

On Sunday, November 8, 1942, Earl's parents came to visit him at Camp Meade, bringing
along his little sister Yvonne. It would be three years before they saw him again.

Earl at Camp Meade. By now he has been issued a uniform, though not yet the
brass insignia for the lapels. The automobile behind him is a Willys Americar.

Earl and his father at Camp Meade.

Earl with his mother and Yvonne at Camp Meade.

NOW AVAILABLE AS A KINDLE BOOK!

The Kindle book includes the letters; all 23 issues of the unit’s wartime newsletter “The Squadron Pulse,” which was originally edited by Leonard Stringfield; all 12 issues of the “Pennant Parade” newsletter that Stringfield published while sailing home after the war; complete text of the U.S. government booklet “Pocket Guide to Australia,” which soldiers heading Down Under were given to read; more than 200 photos; pre-war and postwar family history; and over 700 explanatory endnotes.

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This page established: November 11, 2018 Last updated: May 6, 2023