• June 1942 – January 1943
June 1942-January 15, 1943
William Russell Hinckley
Early Diary
On December 7, 1941 when Japan bombed Pearl Harbor, Russell Hinckley was a senior at Madison High School in Rexburg Idaho. He finished school enlisted and on June 30, 1942 he left for the war. He started a diary on January 9, 1943. The intro duction tells of his first six months and I felt it best to transcribe what he wrote.
Camp Kilmer-New Jersey Brk’s T-108- Jan-9, 1943
In starting this diary I have one regret. This regret is that when I left Pocatello, Idaho that 30th day of June-1942, I did not have this book. I am going to pen as clearly as possible my past six months in the army. In no way can it be as complete as I would wish it- but it will be more dependable than my memory will be in years to come. With these thoughts in mind I will try to relive my past six months of army life.
My army life began on July 2, 1942. Half because of a shady story and deal about a motor boat and half because my cousin was leaving for the marines was the whole reason for my enlistment. Securing my mothers necessary signature was the hardest of the details. This victory was followed by a farewell drink at the club with all the boys and the boss. Bidding farewell to my mother, sister, relatives and friends I boarded a train at Pocatello, Idaho June 30th bound for Salt Lake City.
My arrival at Salt Lake was marked by a 7 block walk to my Hotel and a sleepless night. My trip and board and rooms was at the govt’s expense. The next two days was spent in undergoing various physical and mental exams. Finally after a “hell-ava” lot of unnecessary waiting I took my oath and was a member of the air corps of the United States Army. The next 5 days and nights I spent being processed at Fort Douglas, Utah. After 5 days of being kicked around I was shipped to Sheppard Field, Texas.
We traveled first class pullman and journed by way of Ogden, Utah-cheyenne, Wyoming-Denver, Colorado-across new Mexico and thus to Wichita Falls and Sheppard Field. The next two weeks was spent in taking basic training and exams to determine what technical school if any I was to attend. At the end of my two weeks I boarded another train and was on my way to Scott Field, Illinois. This time the journey ran parallel to the Red River for a number of miles before cutting across into Oklahoma.
Cutting the corner of Arkansas we sped through the green fertile valleys of Missouri up to St. Louis. From St. Louis we were taken by G.I. taxi to Scott Field. It was on this trip that I first saw the Mississippi River. It was a majestic sight. From July 27 to Oct 31 1942 I went to school at the radio university of the world. Scott Field only 28 miles from St. Louis, Mo. those were great happy days. Cares were few and very light.
November 8, 1942 found me on my way out to Kearns, Utah. This time by way of ST. Louis, Omaha, North Platte, Cheyenne and
Salt Lake again. For 44 days I was at Kearns keeping out of “overseas” training. My mother and sister visited me there. I also had a chance to see Helen, Etsel, Reed S. and a few others whom I knew. Finally on xmas eve, I was on my way again. I ate xmas dinner on top of the continental divide at an elevation of 10042 feet. The same day also took me through the “Royal Gorge” of the Rockies and out into the plains of Kansas.
From There the way led to Kansas City, Missouri up through Iowa and across the Mississippi River at Rock Island, Illinois. From there, it was Chicago, Indiania, Ohio, Pittsburg, the appilacian mts. Washington D.C., Maryland, Delware, Philidelphia and New Jersey. spent a week end in New York City with Bill Cozart and his folks and wife. New Years day, I called home and talked to mother. I really started the new year out right. Missed my boat for “overthere” when my brk’s was Quarantined for German measles. Food is plenty good here at camp Kilmer. Nothing to do but eat and sleep. (this ends the recap and then he had the following section in his diary–I have transcribed the same spelling as my father however since my is so bad I cannot tell whether his is pretty good or not.)
Entries from his “Service Record” “Transfers and Changes in Rank”
Spent six days as a PVT. At Fort Douglas –Salt Lake City-Utah. Had two weeks
experience as a pvt. At Sheppard Field- Wichita Falls, Texas. Attended Radio school at Scott Field-Illinois, as a Pvt. From July 27 1942 until Oct. 31. Spent the next 44 days as a Pvt in an over seas training squadron at Kearns-Utah. From the 28th Dec. until Feb 7, 1943 I did nothing but eat sleep and raise hell in New York City while I was officially stationed at Camp Kilmer, New Brunswick, New Jersey. The next two weeks was spent aboard the “Acadia” at sea. From Feb 21 until March the 9th I was bivocaced at St. Lucica replacement pool near city Bal Abbas. March 9 to 14th was spent at Lasinia air port near Oran to wait outfitting and movement to an operations point. 4 days were spent at the operations point of “tehoipt” (sp) from there we moved right on the front lines at Sableita. My next move was up “messerschmitt Lane” Faid pass to the start or our infantry’s latest push. After a few days of operation we moved back to a bivoac area near Maktar the northern coast for a rest. Little resting. Made a tour to Tunis moved through med-Jez-El Bab past Tunis up to Cape Bon operating 522 sets. Also crating equipment for another boat ride made P.F.C. at rest camp near Maktar CPL came on Cape Bon. The first day of my 3rd week I was made a “latrine General” Received special praise for performances beyond the call of duty-in shining bowls.
4-25-43—made p.f.c.Olive Grove
4-29-43 – received African campaign ribbon – Olive Grove
6-6-43- made cpl stripes Cap Bon Bivoac