Letter from Unidentified Locale, 1944 February 20

Creator

Robert D. Davis

Files

Creation Date

2-20-1944

Keywords

WWII, letters, World War 2, German language, Army Specialized Training, AST

Subject

World War, 1939-1945; United States--Army; German-speaking

Description

Davis shares the news that the Army Specialized Training (AST) program is being shut down and describes the logistics.

Transcription:

Pfc. Robert D. Davis, 18107121

SCU 3709 AL 4

Love U N

Lincoln, Nebr.

Mrs. R L Davis

1619 Boston

Muskogee, Okla.

Special Delivery

Feb. 20^th

Saturday apt.

Dear Folks:

Well, I guess by now you’ve heard the dismal news, they’re going to shut down AST, and no foolin’. By April 1^st. Most of us have accepted that we’ll go, but the picture still isn’t too dark. Our Co. Commander told us to keep on the ball today, because if we were in good standing scholastically when we left we’d get our credit, and probably be used as translators just the same. In other words, he doesn’t believe we’ll be sent back to the troops promiscuously, which was what we all dreaded. So it seems that even now we’ll get some kind of a rating and special berth out of it. We have six weeks more ‘till April 1^st, and by then will have finished 2 terms of our program. There are other things that give us hope. The major told us this afternoon that two weeks or so ago- you know when I wrote you- they found out that A and L would finish here in July. That is they know of the appropriations made up there that time. And some of the news announcers have said that nothing was said of A+L. So it’s very possible that they’ll let us finish and change our name. For instance, before the AST1̊ program got started, the Japanese schools were known as Japanese Interrogators schools [They sure aren’t going to dismiss the Japanese schools!], but since the ASTP, they have been incorporated into the general body. I think this has been done for administrative reasons and I don’t think that the program (our) is going to be scrapped at this stage of the game. My guess is they’ll change the program name, but keep training us.

Well, so much for that. I found out I made a 95 on my last week’s exam in area. This gives me three week’s exam’s of 95, 96 and 95, and a mo’s exam of 90. I’m not sure if I’ve written you since Thursday

We changed German conversation teachers (once a mo.); our new one is a real German gal- Austrian I think, Frau Mott. She’s very good with her expression.

Thursday evening I had a date for a while before study hall- after dinner. Last night the fagams had a dance; I took a new little girl I just met a week or so ago- Joan Huntzinger, from Omaha. Very & clever kid, has studied 4 languages and is taking flying, has 62 hours in the air. Our Phi Gam prof. and his wife chaperoned the dance (Prof. Chompe) and Larry and I double-dated.

Last Tuesday nite someone in our plantoon spoke out of turn and we had to double-time 8 blocks in slush to atone for it. Then yesterday at noon same thing happened again, but I was marching back from chow in a small group. I just had to double-time 4 blocks this time. A total of 12 blocks for something I didn’t do. The army’s idea of justice.

Then I got one gig last Tuesday, for having a map tube “projecting from barrocks bags,” which was where I’d had it for two months, plainly visible with no word said. But it takes two first gigs to keep you in a week-end, (you’re “allowed” one.) and I passed inspection this afternoon in flying colors, so I’m o.k. Garry and Geo Cummings (Dartmouth boy) are going out tonite, to a show I guess. No dates.

Don’t you all worry about this report. Whatever happens we’ll be alright and together, and there’s a good chance nothing will happen.

Love,

Bob