August 4, 1943

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Bn - Battalion (A battalion is a military unit of around 300–1,300 soldiers usually consisting of between two and seven companies and typically commanded by either a Lieutenant Colonel or a Colonel. Several battalions are grouped to form a regiment or a brigade.)

The terms 'problem' and 'gliding' refer to field training exercises. I believe the soldiers used these terms so their letters would not be censored. The name of a solider might have been modified slightly to avoid being censored.

August 4, the day my Uncle Paul wrote this, was also his birthday. This was his 21st birthday. What a way to celebrate, being in the middle of a war.

These type written letters to me are very interesting. They usually are not signed. One could think that someone else could type and send them. My father, even after the war, typed letters, and would end the letter with his typed name. Perhaps he picked up this habit while in the military.

July 30, 1943

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A.S.T.P. - Army Specialized Training Program

O.C.S. - Officer Candidate School

The terms 'problem' and 'gliding' refer to field training exercises. I believe the soldiers used these terms so their letters would not be censored. The name of a solider might have been modified slightly to avoid being censored.



Click the link below for the Wikipedia article on the M1 Thompson submachine gun:

Thompson submachine gun

July 22, 1943

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A.S.T.P. - Army Specialized Training Program

O.C.S. - Officer Candidate School

The terms 'problem' and 'gliding' refer to field training exercises. I believe the soldiers used these terms so their letters would not be censored. The name of a solider might have been modified slightly to avoid being censored.

Click the link below for the Wikipedia article:
Glider training

Click the link below for the Wikipedia article:
Army Specialized Training Program

June 13, 1943

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To find out more about the Women's Army Corps click the link below:

Women's Army Corps

Article provided by Wikipedia.

May 31, 1943

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T.O. - Tactical Officer

O.C.S. - Officer Candidate School

The terms 'problem' and 'gliding' refer to field training exercises. I believe the soldiers used these terms so their letters would not be censored. The name of a solider might have been modified slightly to avoid being censored.

Click the link below for the Wikipedia article:

Tactical Glider Training

May 11, 1943

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This is a very interesting letter. The terms 'problem' and 'gliding' refer to field training exercises. I believe the soldiers used these terms so their letters would not be censored. The letter mentions a Steve Hockay, but I believe this is Steve Bockay. I do not know if this was intentional. Again, the name of a solider might have been modified slightly to avoid being censored.

April 28, 1943

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In this letter, you briefly hear Paul comment on Joe not receiving his promotion in rank. My dad relayed the following about his war days. During the war, a soldier would gain rank almost automatically. However, commanding officers were hesitant to do so, as with an increase in rank, the probably of moving to a different company increased. In order to retain his men the commanding officer would withhold the promotion. I will discuss this in more detail in a posting on my blog: Where I'm From Is That What Makes Me at a future date.