June 22 and 23, 1943

{Two letters came in the same envelope}

Jefferson Barracks

Missouri

June 22, 1943

Dear Mother;

This is going to be a short letter because I want all the sleep I can get.  We had our last typhoid shot tonight and I want to feel as well as possible in spite of the shot tomorrow.  I am also trying to break up a cold and I am taking everything possible for it.  I had to go on sick call to get the medicine.  They really have a system.  You all go into the dispensary and sit down.  You are eventually called to a desk and asked to give name and number.  They then stick a thermometer in your mouth, if you have sore feet you get a thermometer, if you have a broken arm you get a thermometer, no matter what you have you get a thermometer.  I guess the cold will break up soon.

Today we got our gas drill.  We went into a house full of tear gas with our masks on.  We stayed in the room ten minutes and then made a test for gas which consists of letting a little gas in the mask to see if it is present in the area.  That wasn't bad but when we had to take off the masks in the room everyones eyes  ran immediately and most were  looked like they were crying when they dashed out.  Tear gas not only irritates the eyes but burns any place in comes in contact with swet (sic).  When I came out my arms, hands and neck burnt pretty badly.

We next went down in the wood and had to run without masks through screens of gas that move, Mustard gas, Phosgene, Lewisite, and chloropicrin.  They are very mean gases and we ran through only to get an idea of what they smelt.  You could however become very sick if you fell in any of the screens by mistake.  No one was injured.

With Love
Austin

I wrote this on my knee.

Jefferson Barracks

Missouri

June 23, 1943

Dear Mother;

I cannot write much today either because I go on K.P. tomorrow and want to get all the sleep I can.  We have had it easy all day because of the typhoid shots last night but they didn't bother us at all.  Usually they half kill the gang but we just had a day of rest today.  All day long we sat in the woods in the natural amphitheaters that are found everywhere and listened to the baloney that the instructors slung at us.  They told us all about St. Louis, the U.S.O.'s, the amusements, the dances, the good times, and everything in general.  The city seems like a swell place to go.

I am going to try to get a pass for Sunday when the whole hut will go, if they get passes.  We hope that we do so we can go and see things together and find out just what there is to see.

Maybe I haven't told you how we are fed.  Since I am going to help, along with 90, to feed the boys I suppose I can tell you the procedure.  Outside the chow hall a chow line is formed.  After waiting 20 minutes to get into the hall you pick up a tray, a cup, and maybe a bowl.  You then stand in line again along the wall for another 20 minutes until you come to the silverware.  You then proceed to have different things put into different compartments of the tray.  You then pass out of the place you get your food and sit down at tables in a room that can hold about 700.  Double this because the mess hall is in 2 parts and you have the works.

June 21, 1943

Pvt Austin Rounds
Squadron C
29th Training Group
Jefferson Barracks, Mo.

Mrs. Albert P. Rounds
15 Wilson Road
Stoneham, Mass

Jefferson Barracks

Missouri

June 21, 1943

Dear Mother;

It is getting harder and harder to write letters.  This one is being written by a street light as I find time to write now only after "lights out".  They are getting tougher and tougher out here.  We must now fall out always with shoes shined even when you have gotten mud all over them an hour before.  I have just read my mail as this is now the only free time I get.  We had to scrub the floor tonight on our own time and it took most of the time after supper except for 1/2 an hour singing with a group composed of enlisted men and W.A.A.C.'s.  I got there late and the singing lasted till dark. I then made my bed in the dark after 9:00 and decided I could now read my letters and correspond.  If you don't get a letter once in a while it will be because I just can't find time.  I will try.

Today we had some more gas drill.  We were also given a smell of all the major gases.  You might say that I was really gased (sic) because I was nearly choked on some Lewecite (sic) gas.  It burnt my nose and throat.  It took about 3 hours to really feel good again.

Warning poster used to help soldiers identify gases.  See more here.

Colds are really going around camp now.  I got one and everyone in the hut has one.  I thought I was getting over mine until after the gas.  Most of the kids go to the dispensary and get fixed up. They really do a good job.

Tomorrow we go into the tear gas chamber.  This is going to be something new.  There is really no danger and is really a test of equipment and the person.  My gas mask fits very well and I won't have trouble.  We stay in the chamber for 10 min. with an instructor.  We are then required to take off the mask, take a breath and walk out.  That will make the tears run for a short time but that is all.

Tomorrow I am eligible for my first pass to St. Louis.  I can take it or wait and try for a week and pass for Saturday and Sunday.  I will try to get in touch with Harold and see if he has any ideas on the subject.

If you could send some soap I am sure I could use it.  Although the water is not always cold it is safe to say that it will be cold most of the time.  The trouble is about 1000 men want showers before supper.  When they have all taken them the steam is pretty well down and the next real hot water comes in the morning.

As I wrote in the letter before I will send my coat home the first time I get a suitable box.  Now!  if you could send some candy and cake and good things, and soap and such in a big box I am sure the coat will go home by return mail.  Don't send the bag back until I ask for it as we must not keep it where it can be seen.

As I think of the stuff at home I can't think of much I will need for quite a while.  Mary/William can use some of the stuff.  As for the junk in general just put it anywhere out of the way.

Don't send the Boston Herald even though I don't see it or any part of it.  Our day room was taken over by the office staff and we can not use it.  We see the St. Louis paper everyday and get most of teh news for it.  I don't have time anyway.  I almost called up last Sunday but found that it would have taken more than 3 hours to get a call through.  I would have to call at 12:00 to get you at 1:00.  That's another thing that is funny.  Hearing Bob Hope at 9:00 instead of 10:00, Baby Snooks at 7:00 rather than 8:00 etc.  It just isn't right.

Mary probably told you that I went to church Sunday.  I really wished that I was home rather than 1200 miles away.  The chaplain seems to be a swell fellow.

The food out here is nothing to talk about but it is hardy and fattening.  While we were being processed, that was before we began to work, I gained about 8 lbs.  I guess I have lost most of that in the last day or two.  We swet (sic) every where we go.  Yesterday I tried to write Mary's letter in my bunk and just couldn't stand the water dripping off my arms.  However I am beginning to get used to it and I expect I won't mind it in a few more days.  

I looked up my friend Dick Moir yesterday and he sure was glad to see me.  He was also glad to see someone from school and especially that picture. The whole gang down there got a great kick out of that even the fellows who had their picture taken.

It is really getting so late that I shouldn't stay up any later.  William will get his letter soon but not tonight.  I am too tired.  The 1 3/8 mile run and the obstical (sic) course leave you with very little pep.

With Love

Austin

Don't forget the eye drops!!!