Moving
The train came on time and we boarded it and
found vacant seats that were pretty much all together. After we had gotten
settled just a little, we all adjourned to the Club car so that we could
continue our drinking. Several of the guys had bought bottles of whiskey
from the "O" club before we left so all we needed was some set
ups and ice.
Every thing was fine and we were having a good time. Most of us went to
the diner so ate a very good dinner. We then returned to the Club car where
some of the guys were now getting a bit more than happy from drinking.
A couple of us said something about it to one of them, he laughed, then
said, "What are they going to do, send me overseas!" This was
the first time that I realized that some of them really resented being
sent overseas!
I had not really thought about it that much except to wonder why my roomate
had arranged some how to get his knee all swollen.
Some of us went back to the seats where we had loaded our gear. I tried
to get some sleep but the others that had been drinking in the Club car
came back and began to bother us. The train had progressed nicely so we
were now in Mississippi. The guys that were now drunk really began to bother
the other passengers! The result of this was that the Conductor kicked
all of us off the train in Meridian, Mississippi. All our gear was put
off along with us. I knew that we were in trouble so I sent a telegram
to the Commanding Officer at Camp Patrick Henry, Va. telling him that we
were off the train at Meridian and signed it Lt. Hinkle, Courier. I then
received the fastest promotion in history for the telegram from the Colonel
came back addressed to Lt. Colonel Hinkle! It said, "To all that it
may concern! Put these men on the next train coming here for they are scheduled
to be sent overseas!" needless to say, we were on the next train!
Camp Patrick Henry was the"staging area" that shipped us out,
so they issued us several things.
We were issued our .45 Colt automatic, watch, for all pilots got them.
A gas mask, leggings, canteen, mess kit and several other items. One of
these was a new foot locker (trunk) that we were to use for a lot of our
clothing. We were told to pack our winter clothing in the foot locker and
that gave us an idea as to where we were going. It was not conclusive however
for it was July 1944 so we were not sure that we were not going to England.
After we were issued our stuff, there was not much to do except wait until
we were called to be put on the ship to go to wherever we were headed.
I did buy a good knife for I wanted something better than the bayonet that
most guys had for it was too big to be strapped on when we flew.
Finally the day arrived for us to board
ship. We were taken to the dock in trucks for now
we had more gear and needed more than one truck. We were taken by a tug
out to a Liberty ship that was anchored in the harbor. There were practically
no waves so they lowered the gangplank and we walked up aboard. They took
our gear up in nets hooked onto a crane. This is what the ship looked like.
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