Pvt. Robt. Gimbel
U.S. ########
Co. "C" 69th Med. tk. Ba CCB
6th Armd. Div.
Fort Leonard Wood, MO
Dear Mom and Dad,
Well, I suppose you are wondering what in the heck is the matter, as i haven't wrote in quite a while.
Well, I bet the weather is swell there, isn't it?
Well, I started my 12th week. Just two more weeks after this.
Some of the outfits here are shipping out and they are getting 17 days and 3 days traveling time. I think that is what I will get. It will be in the last week of April when I'll be home.
It sure will be swell.
We go on bivouac the week after this.
If everything goes okay, I will be home this weekend. The 8th that is.
We are getting training on bridge building, tomorrow we are going to build one.
I am sending lots of pictures, the best ones are in this letter, the others are separate in another envelope.
Bob Fess, Frizzo, Hill, Canavan and me went down by big Piney Sunday, climbed hills and rocks, took pictures, had a darn good time.
I am not sure if we are shipping out or not but that other company's guys went to Washington or California, depends on where you live.
Don't worry about this as there might not be anything to it.
It snowed a little here today, seems like it hates to stop, but Sunday was really swell.
I took my uniform to the cleaners tonight so it would look nice for this weekend.
How's business? Bet it's really rushing.
Seen Bush (Russell Bush, one of his friends) lately? I heard he's going to be a Poppa in about 4 months, maybe that will help him keep out. (Of the service)
A lot of guys had things stolen today, but not me.
Well, this is all for now, if I get a pass, I'll be home. They are clamping down a little, kind of late, I think.
Write soon.
Love Bob.
Monday, August 9, 2010
Sunday, August 8, 2010
March 27, 1951, Tuesday
Pvt. Robt. Gimbel
U.S. ########
Co. C 69th Med. Tk. Ba. CCB
6th Armd. Div.
Fort Leonard Wood, MO
Dear Mom and Dad,
I hope this letter finds you all well.
Did you have a nice Easter?
This is 4:30 in the afternoon and I was supposed to fall out in my class "A" uniform for retreat parade, but I put all my clothes in the cleaners and they were supposed to be done tonight but weren't so that's why I am writing at this hour.
We have a big inspection tomorrow and I.G. asked Neil about them. It's really a strict one. Everything has to be perfect or even better than that. It's really a chicken inspection, if you know what I mean. I.G. means "Inspector General" that's all they do. These barracks are so dirty it's impossible to get them that clean, and only one company in this whole camp has passed it, and that was a Medical Outfit. Then the Inspector took the shelf out of one of the fellows foot lockers and rubbed his glove along the track that the drawer runs on and gave the whole Co. heck for it being dirty.
How's the weather? It's been cloudy and cold her, today.
I have only 3 weeks to go then I should get a leave. I am not sure if I'll be home this week end as I have K.P. and I might not be able to get anyone to take my place, I have a rid though, with Frizzo and Fess and the Gang.
I suppose you are awful busy at the shop also.
I got the candy. It sure is good.
We had Engineer Reconnaissance all day today. Kind of boring but educational.
In a couple of weeks we go to Engineer bivouac again, this time we go out and build bridges, lay mine fields and things that the Engineer's usually do.
I went to the show Sunday, one with Dennis Morgan.
Well, i guess this is all for now, so write soon and take care of yourselves.
Tell my sister's Hello.
Love Bob.
P.S.
I am getting some pictures back if they are finished, I'll send some home. Bob.
U.S. ########
Co. C 69th Med. Tk. Ba. CCB
6th Armd. Div.
Fort Leonard Wood, MO
Dear Mom and Dad,
I hope this letter finds you all well.
Did you have a nice Easter?
This is 4:30 in the afternoon and I was supposed to fall out in my class "A" uniform for retreat parade, but I put all my clothes in the cleaners and they were supposed to be done tonight but weren't so that's why I am writing at this hour.
We have a big inspection tomorrow and I.G. asked Neil about them. It's really a strict one. Everything has to be perfect or even better than that. It's really a chicken inspection, if you know what I mean. I.G. means "Inspector General" that's all they do. These barracks are so dirty it's impossible to get them that clean, and only one company in this whole camp has passed it, and that was a Medical Outfit. Then the Inspector took the shelf out of one of the fellows foot lockers and rubbed his glove along the track that the drawer runs on and gave the whole Co. heck for it being dirty.
How's the weather? It's been cloudy and cold her, today.
I have only 3 weeks to go then I should get a leave. I am not sure if I'll be home this week end as I have K.P. and I might not be able to get anyone to take my place, I have a rid though, with Frizzo and Fess and the Gang.
I suppose you are awful busy at the shop also.
I got the candy. It sure is good.
We had Engineer Reconnaissance all day today. Kind of boring but educational.
In a couple of weeks we go to Engineer bivouac again, this time we go out and build bridges, lay mine fields and things that the Engineer's usually do.
I went to the show Sunday, one with Dennis Morgan.
Well, i guess this is all for now, so write soon and take care of yourselves.
Tell my sister's Hello.
Love Bob.
P.S.
I am getting some pictures back if they are finished, I'll send some home. Bob.
March 24, 1951, Saturday
Pvt. Robt. Gimbel
U.S. ########
Co. "C" 60th Med. Tk. Ba. CCB
6th Armd. Div.
Fort Leonard Wood, MO
Dear Mom and Dad,
Well, it is Saturday afternoon and I am waiting to go relieve my man as I am on guard duty.
I hope you have a swell Easter, write and tell me how the weather is, it's lovely here.
Tomorrow, I am going to take some pictures.
I wouldn't mind being home to play Easter Bunny. I think I will be home next weekend, I am going to try anyway.
Jack Johnson is sitting in the bunk underneath me, writing also.
I don't know about my car, Dad, it makes me feel kind of bad. I'll pay you back but are you sure you can afford it. It will take me quite a while at $75.00 a month. I suppose it's the best thing to do, as it's like you said, I couldn't get anything for it like it is. Cars don't seem to be going up any.
I see where MacArthur is going to try to make a compromise at the 38th parallel line. I hope so.
Our Fort said today, that if the war over there stopped, he didn't think that us fellows would serve our complete 21 months. That sure would be nice, huh!
I got a letter from Leon and Laura (Remmele, Leon was Orpha and Bud's best man, so they were friends of the family forever, Uncle Laura and Uncle "Dud") yesterday, said they was going to send me some fudge.
I haven't got my candy you sent me yet, probably will get it next week sometime.
Well, write soon and I'll see you soon.
Love Bob.
U.S. ########
Co. "C" 60th Med. Tk. Ba. CCB
6th Armd. Div.
Fort Leonard Wood, MO
Dear Mom and Dad,
Well, it is Saturday afternoon and I am waiting to go relieve my man as I am on guard duty.
I hope you have a swell Easter, write and tell me how the weather is, it's lovely here.
Tomorrow, I am going to take some pictures.
I wouldn't mind being home to play Easter Bunny. I think I will be home next weekend, I am going to try anyway.
Jack Johnson is sitting in the bunk underneath me, writing also.
I don't know about my car, Dad, it makes me feel kind of bad. I'll pay you back but are you sure you can afford it. It will take me quite a while at $75.00 a month. I suppose it's the best thing to do, as it's like you said, I couldn't get anything for it like it is. Cars don't seem to be going up any.
I see where MacArthur is going to try to make a compromise at the 38th parallel line. I hope so.
Our Fort said today, that if the war over there stopped, he didn't think that us fellows would serve our complete 21 months. That sure would be nice, huh!
I got a letter from Leon and Laura (Remmele, Leon was Orpha and Bud's best man, so they were friends of the family forever, Uncle Laura and Uncle "Dud") yesterday, said they was going to send me some fudge.
I haven't got my candy you sent me yet, probably will get it next week sometime.
Well, write soon and I'll see you soon.
Love Bob.
March 14, 1951, Wednesday
Pvt. Robert M. Gimbel
U.S. ########
Co "C" 69th Med. Tk. Ba. CCB
6th Armd. Div.
Fort Leonard Wood, MO
Dear Mom and Dad,
How is everyone? I hope Dad is feeling better now.
When that allotment comes home, I'll owe you $15.00. The fuel pump went out in Robertson, Missouri about 5 miles southwest of St. Louis. The Company Commander was real nice, gave me a 24 hr. pass to go get it fixed. So, I got it fixed now, the car ran real good except for that, it doesn't have the oil pressure it should, but on the highway at 55 miles per hour it stays there, at 40 but it takes a little while for it to build up it seems.
We were lucky and got a ride with 2 other guys that were at the fort. We made it at 4:45 the next morning.
The others just got out of bed and we were coming in, seemed kind of funny.
It sure was nice to be home for a little while, and I really loved that dinner.
Grandpa Gimbel (Otto Louis Gimbel) sent me some cookies, got them today.
I got your candy bars, thanks.
I guess this is all for now, except, we have winter weather again, 2 inches of snow, cold, wind.
Love Son,
Bob
U.S. ########
Co "C" 69th Med. Tk. Ba. CCB
6th Armd. Div.
Fort Leonard Wood, MO
Dear Mom and Dad,
How is everyone? I hope Dad is feeling better now.
When that allotment comes home, I'll owe you $15.00. The fuel pump went out in Robertson, Missouri about 5 miles southwest of St. Louis. The Company Commander was real nice, gave me a 24 hr. pass to go get it fixed. So, I got it fixed now, the car ran real good except for that, it doesn't have the oil pressure it should, but on the highway at 55 miles per hour it stays there, at 40 but it takes a little while for it to build up it seems.
We were lucky and got a ride with 2 other guys that were at the fort. We made it at 4:45 the next morning.
The others just got out of bed and we were coming in, seemed kind of funny.
It sure was nice to be home for a little while, and I really loved that dinner.
Grandpa Gimbel (Otto Louis Gimbel) sent me some cookies, got them today.
I got your candy bars, thanks.
I guess this is all for now, except, we have winter weather again, 2 inches of snow, cold, wind.
Love Son,
Bob
March 4, 1951, Sunday
Pvt. Robt. Gimbel
U.S. ########
Co "C" 69th Med. Tk. Ba. CCB.
6th Armd. Div.
Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri
Dear Mom and Dad,
Well, today is Sunday and Orie and I are at the service club writing letters. How is everything, swell I hope.
How is the weather? It's real nice here, just like spring, rains a little then clears up.
Well, 1 week of engineer training is up, it's pretty interesting, but is kind of on the order of construction work and I am not so sure whether I'll like that or not.
We had a little camouflage, map reading, knots, rigging, that is, we constructed booms and derricks for lifting. Jin pole, tripod, shear. It's all done with ropes and block and tackle.
I sure hope you didn't have too much planned, because I sure thought I was coming. Some Kazoo guys were waiting in their car for us and everything. I would have been home by midnight Saturday night. We were pretty disappointed. We're going to try next weekend.
I have to have public and liability for my car. Did it run out? I have to have it to get my car on the post, and registration or title too.
Everyone expects to get some time off for Easter, which we should, that is with good Friday being in there too.
Orie and I are going to talk to the company commander about it to see for sure.
I sure hope so.
I am sending some pictures, they're not so good. I am going to take some with my camera today.
I sent Isabel a silk scarf that girls wear around their heads. It's a map of Missouri, kind of different.
Went to a show yesterday, Virginia City, Randolph Scott, Humphrey Bogart. It was an old picture, had seen it before.
Well, this is all for now, I hope I'll be seeing you soon. Tell Claudia Hello for me.
Love Bob.
P.S. This negative has a pretty good picture of me and Orie.
U.S. ########
Co "C" 69th Med. Tk. Ba. CCB.
6th Armd. Div.
Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri
Dear Mom and Dad,
Well, today is Sunday and Orie and I are at the service club writing letters. How is everything, swell I hope.
How is the weather? It's real nice here, just like spring, rains a little then clears up.
Well, 1 week of engineer training is up, it's pretty interesting, but is kind of on the order of construction work and I am not so sure whether I'll like that or not.
We had a little camouflage, map reading, knots, rigging, that is, we constructed booms and derricks for lifting. Jin pole, tripod, shear. It's all done with ropes and block and tackle.
I sure hope you didn't have too much planned, because I sure thought I was coming. Some Kazoo guys were waiting in their car for us and everything. I would have been home by midnight Saturday night. We were pretty disappointed. We're going to try next weekend.
I have to have public and liability for my car. Did it run out? I have to have it to get my car on the post, and registration or title too.
Everyone expects to get some time off for Easter, which we should, that is with good Friday being in there too.
Orie and I are going to talk to the company commander about it to see for sure.
I sure hope so.
I am sending some pictures, they're not so good. I am going to take some with my camera today.
I sent Isabel a silk scarf that girls wear around their heads. It's a map of Missouri, kind of different.
Went to a show yesterday, Virginia City, Randolph Scott, Humphrey Bogart. It was an old picture, had seen it before.
Well, this is all for now, I hope I'll be seeing you soon. Tell Claudia Hello for me.
Love Bob.
P.S. This negative has a pretty good picture of me and Orie.
Wednesday, August 4, 2010
February 22, 1951, Thursday
Pvt. Robt. M. Gimbel
U.S. ########
Co "C" 69th Med. Tk. Ba. CCB
6th Armored Div.
Fort Leonard Wood, MO
Dear Mom and Dad,
Well, today is a Holiday on account of Washington's Birthday. So I thought I better catch up on my letter writing.
How did you make the trip home? How's the weather?
Well, there is only 2 days left of basic training. In fact by the time you get this letter, I will be through with it.
We sure have been busy this week. Monday we went on the combat firing range all day. Tuesday, we marched 7 miles out where we threw hand grenades, shot rifle grenades and fired the bazooka. That was the 2.3 bazooka not the 3.5 which is the new one.
Me and Orie found Jim Foster the other night but just missed him. He's married and lives off the post and drives in every morning. I wrote him a note and gave him my barracks number, so we ought to be seeing him pretty soon.
Orie isn't going to Texas for sure. Some of the fellows are leaving this Saturday for Texas.
I think I am staying here, I hope so as it is a lot closer to home.
Dad you don't have to fix all those fenders if you don't have the time. I know you are awful busy, but I would like to have a new clutch, fix windshield wipers and that motor a little bit. I have a car load all ready.
I got a letter from Grandpa Gimbel (Otto Lewis Gimbel) He says he knows a captain down here, his name is Lester Gobeyn, he said he has something to do with the personnel. He said he is going to write to him and give my name, as he might do me some good. Maybe he'll make me a lieutenant..Ha! Ha!
He said he would have been down but the roads have been bad.
I should know in a few days for sure whether I'll be here or not.
Isabel asked me for a picture in her last letter.
I want to thank you for that box, everything was swell, candy bars too. The apples were swell.
Next Wednesday, we get payed again. I haven't had time to change the allotment, so when the money comes, send it back to me.
We got a 12 hr. pass today, but I didn't take one, as that's not time at all. The ought to at least give us 24 hrs.
Well, yesterday we went through the Infiltration Course, under machine guns, in the day and again last night. It was done in 6 inches of mud and clay, just like that stuff Dad slipped into when we was trying to get that rock. We sure were a mess belly and backs.
Well, write soon and take care of yourselves.
Love
Son
Bob
U.S. ########
Co "C" 69th Med. Tk. Ba. CCB
6th Armored Div.
Fort Leonard Wood, MO
Dear Mom and Dad,
Well, today is a Holiday on account of Washington's Birthday. So I thought I better catch up on my letter writing.
How did you make the trip home? How's the weather?
Well, there is only 2 days left of basic training. In fact by the time you get this letter, I will be through with it.
We sure have been busy this week. Monday we went on the combat firing range all day. Tuesday, we marched 7 miles out where we threw hand grenades, shot rifle grenades and fired the bazooka. That was the 2.3 bazooka not the 3.5 which is the new one.
Me and Orie found Jim Foster the other night but just missed him. He's married and lives off the post and drives in every morning. I wrote him a note and gave him my barracks number, so we ought to be seeing him pretty soon.
Orie isn't going to Texas for sure. Some of the fellows are leaving this Saturday for Texas.
I think I am staying here, I hope so as it is a lot closer to home.
Dad you don't have to fix all those fenders if you don't have the time. I know you are awful busy, but I would like to have a new clutch, fix windshield wipers and that motor a little bit. I have a car load all ready.
I got a letter from Grandpa Gimbel (Otto Lewis Gimbel) He says he knows a captain down here, his name is Lester Gobeyn, he said he has something to do with the personnel. He said he is going to write to him and give my name, as he might do me some good. Maybe he'll make me a lieutenant..Ha! Ha!
He said he would have been down but the roads have been bad.
I should know in a few days for sure whether I'll be here or not.
Isabel asked me for a picture in her last letter.
I want to thank you for that box, everything was swell, candy bars too. The apples were swell.
Next Wednesday, we get payed again. I haven't had time to change the allotment, so when the money comes, send it back to me.
We got a 12 hr. pass today, but I didn't take one, as that's not time at all. The ought to at least give us 24 hrs.
Well, yesterday we went through the Infiltration Course, under machine guns, in the day and again last night. It was done in 6 inches of mud and clay, just like that stuff Dad slipped into when we was trying to get that rock. We sure were a mess belly and backs.
Well, write soon and take care of yourselves.
Love
Son
Bob
Tuesday, August 3, 2010
February 11, 1951, Sunday
Pvt. Robert M. Gimbel
U.S. ########
Co "C" 69th Med. Tk. Ba. CCB
6th Armd. Div.
Fort Leonard Wood, MO
Dear Mom and Dad,
I hope this letter finds everyone swell and happy.
Well, this is the end of another week, I lost 10 lbs. in the last 2 weeks, I have to have my uniform tailored so it will fit me more snugly. It is a little baggy as it is.
Did you get the money for the insurance for Ted Lawrence.
Yesterday the whole company got 24 hour passes. We went to Waynesville, a little town about the size of Otsego, but there's not much to do there. We had some pictures taken. I don't seem to take too good a picture but, anyway, they will give you an idea how I look anyway.
When I come home, I'll go down to some where like Powell's Studio and get some good ones taken. We had a group picture taken, which I think looks good.
Left to right, Orie, Jerry Flack, So of Kazoo, Virgil Extrome Winsconsin, and me, Virgil and me had to face each other as our glasses will glare in the lights and spoil the pictures.
In my last letter I told you I wouldn't get any letters on Bivouac, well, we will after all, I think. At least I heard a rumor about it, and believe it, this Army is full of rumors.
Next Saturday starting at noon I think the whole Co. has a pass again only for 36 hours instead of 24.
If you and Dad were down here, then I could go out of the Fort to one of the towns with you. The leave is from Saturday noon till Sunday at midnight. Which would give us quite a lot of time, but I am sure looking forward to the time when I can come home and see you all.
It seems like a long time since I have seen all of you. Of course I'll have other passes so don't break your neck if you can't mike it as I wouldn't want anything to happen on your trip. And you know whether you are set to come or not. I am going to try to call you today that is if the line isn't to big.
I hate to say this about the weather here, as every time I say something good about it, it snows or gets colder, but it is really like spring and we have seen lots and lots of Robins in flocks of 50 or more.
Saturday, we had a parade, in honor of the new General, of the 6th Armored, band and everything. It was quite a thing. It only lasted an hour, but seemed like 4 hours, you know how I like to stand or sit in anything like that I am not enjoying very much.
How's the weather in Kazoo, according to the papers it has been pretty cold.
And I bet when the wind blows across that field in the rear of the house it really is cold.
You asked about television. Well, we don't have one any where on the Fort as I know of. Anyway, none of the Service Clubs have one and I sure wanted to see that fight between LaMotta and Robinson, but I guess I'll just have to miss it.
Well, I guess I'll close for now and see how long that phone line is, maybe I'll be talking to you in a few minutes.
Lots of Love,
Son Bob
P.S. Tell Claudia Hello and thanks for all those nice pictures.
I don't know what you have planned but Orie kind of hinted that maybe his girl could ride along with you, if you had room, but do what you want to about it. She's going to call you about it.
I don't like to ask for money but I could use $10.00 for to get my uniform tailored. It doesn't seem like I spent much but if a guy doesn't go to a show, and like that he sure gets lonesome. But if you send it, you can take it out of next month's check.
Bob.
U.S. ########
Co "C" 69th Med. Tk. Ba. CCB
6th Armd. Div.
Fort Leonard Wood, MO
Dear Mom and Dad,
I hope this letter finds everyone swell and happy.
Well, this is the end of another week, I lost 10 lbs. in the last 2 weeks, I have to have my uniform tailored so it will fit me more snugly. It is a little baggy as it is.
Did you get the money for the insurance for Ted Lawrence.
Yesterday the whole company got 24 hour passes. We went to Waynesville, a little town about the size of Otsego, but there's not much to do there. We had some pictures taken. I don't seem to take too good a picture but, anyway, they will give you an idea how I look anyway.
When I come home, I'll go down to some where like Powell's Studio and get some good ones taken. We had a group picture taken, which I think looks good.
Left to right, Orie, Jerry Flack, So of Kazoo, Virgil Extrome Winsconsin, and me, Virgil and me had to face each other as our glasses will glare in the lights and spoil the pictures.
In my last letter I told you I wouldn't get any letters on Bivouac, well, we will after all, I think. At least I heard a rumor about it, and believe it, this Army is full of rumors.
Next Saturday starting at noon I think the whole Co. has a pass again only for 36 hours instead of 24.
If you and Dad were down here, then I could go out of the Fort to one of the towns with you. The leave is from Saturday noon till Sunday at midnight. Which would give us quite a lot of time, but I am sure looking forward to the time when I can come home and see you all.
It seems like a long time since I have seen all of you. Of course I'll have other passes so don't break your neck if you can't mike it as I wouldn't want anything to happen on your trip. And you know whether you are set to come or not. I am going to try to call you today that is if the line isn't to big.
I hate to say this about the weather here, as every time I say something good about it, it snows or gets colder, but it is really like spring and we have seen lots and lots of Robins in flocks of 50 or more.
Saturday, we had a parade, in honor of the new General, of the 6th Armored, band and everything. It was quite a thing. It only lasted an hour, but seemed like 4 hours, you know how I like to stand or sit in anything like that I am not enjoying very much.
How's the weather in Kazoo, according to the papers it has been pretty cold.
And I bet when the wind blows across that field in the rear of the house it really is cold.
You asked about television. Well, we don't have one any where on the Fort as I know of. Anyway, none of the Service Clubs have one and I sure wanted to see that fight between LaMotta and Robinson, but I guess I'll just have to miss it.
Well, I guess I'll close for now and see how long that phone line is, maybe I'll be talking to you in a few minutes.
Lots of Love,
Son Bob
P.S. Tell Claudia Hello and thanks for all those nice pictures.
I don't know what you have planned but Orie kind of hinted that maybe his girl could ride along with you, if you had room, but do what you want to about it. She's going to call you about it.
I don't like to ask for money but I could use $10.00 for to get my uniform tailored. It doesn't seem like I spent much but if a guy doesn't go to a show, and like that he sure gets lonesome. But if you send it, you can take it out of next month's check.
Bob.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)