Today (and Yesterday) in Company History, 1944

On Shipboard
June 8, 1944

Dear girls,

News last night, by wireless, of the invasion. Cheering hadn’t died down before I suddenly got a flash realization that this war may be over in our time. For so long now it has seemed that the war would last indefinitely – just couldn’t see the end of it, stretching on for a couple of years at least. But now, with luck, it is possible at last that I might be home by a year from now, with no more than a couple more campaigns under my belt. Seems impossible of course, but it could happen. God knows, I’ve never wanted anything so much in my life.

Nothing much has been happening. A lot of briefing, and exercising in the steaming heat. Played a lot of Monopoly, of all things. In fact, it’s quite the rage, the Red Cross having broken out with a couple dozen games – it’s ideal for passing away the time. Also playing some bridge – wisely I didn’t bring much money, so I can’t play poker. Funny, though, how much time you can waste, just in the daily business of living – showers, sleep, eating – only an hour or two of real work in the day, and yet somehow the rest of it passes.

One has to be in the mood to write a letter, or it is worse than none at all – I’m not in it this afternoon – maybe tomorrow.

Love,

Eagle

Able Company and the rest of the 24th were still on their transports, in the vicinity of Eniwetok Lagoon where the assault force was assembling for the final voyage to Saipan.

As Phil Wood notes, there wasn't much to do except kill time, attend the lectures, exercise, and wait.



Chow time for Marines aboard an LST.
(photo from www.lst794.org.)