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CAMP STONEMAN, PITTSBURG CALIFORNIA
From the moment the squadron left the train, their pleasures and leisures were over. Captain Mitchell was there waiting to meet the train. Everything went according to plan, no mishaps, no mix-ups.
The trek from the train to the barracks was painful. There were no trucks to render their services, so the men were forced to trudge with full equipment and both barracks bags, in what seemed an endless affair. There again, the will to overcome discomfort, gave support to the slogan "Nothing is impossible for the 3rd."
After temporary assignment to barracks, formation was called. Captain Mitchell read the 69th Article of War1 and the base regulations, then the squadron was turned over to the base medical authorities for personal inspection.
Intense training was the program. Not an hour of any day was wasted. For two hours each day, the squadron was marched to a theater to see training films, covering a multitude of tactical subjects. Two mornings were devoted to grenade practice to which the men showed some degree of skill. Gas training was resumed and again the men had to go through chamber. Several afternoons were spent climbing the 50 foot debarkation nets. The men met this challenge easily. The second time up they carried full field equipment and arms as issued. Another day was spent practicing with the carbines. Again impressive scores were made. The men were as confident with their firearms as was the Commanding Officer with his men's abilities if they should come up against the enemy. Later, all arms were checked by the base ordnance.
The morale, while at Camp Stoneman, remained exceptionally high, despite the fact that passes were granted to only a few. But the food was excellent in quality and variety, and entertainment was plentiful, subsequently, the morale remained in check.
One of the most outstanding features for a proud squadron, was the 15 mile hike. This was done with full field equipment, and blanket roles2. Wearied and footsore, the troops scaled a 2300 foot mountain, and on reaching the summit, fell with exhaustion to the ground. And the officers with them, Captain Pollock, Captain Mitchell and Lt. Young were much the same. But the job was only half done. The prospects of ever making it back to camp in the same night loomed dimmer and dimmer in everyone's eyes. But again the men proved that they could more than take it. By 1900 sundown3, the doubty4 troops reached the premises of Camp Stoneman. They were too tired to cheer.
With the rigors of the hike sustained, the men found little difficulty running the obstacle course. Four days were devoted to this stout training.
In the melee of preparation, clothing shortages were checked and double checked. The shortages were filled, anything salvageable was turned in and replaced with new. All men were issued new shoes, raincoats, and in addition were issued impregnite clothing, mosquito bars and head-nets.
There was not a healthier and sturdier squadron than the 3rd when it left the portals of Camp Stoneman.
The squadron's strength at the time of departure was 11 officers, Lt. Drummand having been hospitalized, and 263 enlisted men.
Source: Pages 249-250 of PDF file made from microfilm reel A0514, obtained from the Air Force Historical Research Agency.
SAILING TO AUSTRALIA ABOARD THE MORMACSEA
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Footnotes:
1. 69th Article of War - Part of military law concerning non-judicial punishment for minor infractions not serious enough to merit a trial by court-martial. Similar to modern-day Article 15.
2. blanket roles - Meaning to say blanket rolls.
3. 1900 sundown - 7:00 p.m.
4. doubty - Likely intending to say doughty, which means brave, courageous, or resolute.
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