CALIFORNIA

Postcard: Mr. and Mrs. Wm Gunderson, R.R #3, Stillwater, MN
Aug. 12, 1942

Dear Folks,

I am now in the lower part of Kansas going about sixty miles an hour.
I am kind of tired, but traveling first class in a Pullman. I will write when I get there.

Pvt. Lawrence Gunderson

Aug. 15, 1942

Dear Folks,

I spent eighty two hours on the train, and I was glad to get off. We had a fairly good trip though aside from the long days of sitting in one seat. There were nineteen cars in the train and only two diners so we ate at odd times. They took a round-about way to get here, we went through Minnesota, Iowa, Missouri, Texas, Oklahoma, Arizona to Los Angeles and up the coast about two-hundred forty miles. Minnesota has them all beat. There were places, six hours at a time where we didn’t see a living thing. California isn’t so bad, but it’s pretty hot. It was 130 degrees last week so they say. We are all scattered around in the camp, there are only four men that came on the train down here that are in the same barracks with me, but I guess I won’t be lonesome with “45,999” men around. It’s a very big camp, their parade ground is four miles square. I haven’t been here long enough to know if I will like or not, but it doesn’t seem so bad. I don’t know what my address is yet, so there is no use writing. I am fine but kind of tired. It is now 8:00 so I am going to bed.

Here’s Hoping,
Pvt. Lawrence Gunderson

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Aug. 17, 1942

Dear Mother,

Just a note to say I am well and sweating everyday. I would like to hear from home as soon as possible. We get some of our shots tomorrow. It gets as high as 118 degrees during the day and below 50 degrees at night. We get up at 6 o’clock and work till 4 o’clock. We were given our rifles today and shown how to make our packs. We haven’t really time to spit with our washing and cleaning. I guess I will be in this one barracks for the “thirteen” weeks. Please write soon. 

As-ever,
Pvt. Lawrence Gunderson

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Aug. 21, 1942

Dear Gene,

Don’t get into the Army any sooner than possible as it’s not like farming. There isn’t so much work, but they sure keep you going all day and half the night. We went on our first hike today and it was so hot the water was dripping off my chin and “through my shoes” before I went a mile. I guess it was about 120 degrees in the shade. We have all our things from a gas mask to a trench tool and it means a lot of work to keep them clean. I haven’t much time to write but I get a letter written now and then. I haven’t got any fatter but I feel pretty good. There is only one guy in this barracks I know, I only saw Ronny one time since we were here. Tell my address to some of the kids around so they can write. I might not have time to answer for a while but I like to hear from them anyway. I don’t know when I get paid but if you need any money to pay on the car, I can send it. Well, keep the cows milked dry. 

Your Brother,
Pvt. Lawrence Gunderson

P.S. Find out Jess Munsons address and send it

Postcard: Miss Mary Gunderson, 924 North 4th St, Stillwater, MN
Aug. 22, 1942

Dear Mary,

I haven’t got around much yet to buy anything, but happy birthday anyway. I haven’t much time to write but you write anyway. It’s pretty hot out here and I have walking to do.

Your Brother,
Pvt. Lawrence Gunderson

Aug. 30, 1942 

Dear Mark,

I got your letter the 29th, along with two others. One from Bernadine and one from Caroline. I have written about twenty and only got four back. We have Saturday afternoon and Sunday off, but I have to wash then. I went to 7:00 Mass this morning and got my haircut after. Wit Plamerville is in the Company and cuts hair for two bits. This darn training is sure tiresome, everyday walk two or three miles in the hot sun and run up and down the steep gravel hills and walk back for dinner. Then come in at 4:45 and change clothes and stand retreat, eat supper and fallout at about 6:30 for two hour class. It’s the same everyday. I haven’t seen any green grass since I left home. It’s all brown out here and it’s awfully dry. There hasn’t been any rain since March. Well I am going to a show now, so have to sign off. Write again sometime.

Your Brother,
Pvt. Lawrence Gunderson

P.S. I don’t know if you read this or not. I am in a hurry. 

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Sep. 6, 1942

Dear Mother,

I got your letter tonight and was glad to get some real writing from home. I got one letter from John and Mark and two from Mary. Caroline writes about every other day. The Army is not what it’s cracked up to be, they walk the legs off us all day and have classes at night. The only time we have off is Saturday afternoon and Sunday and then we have to get some washing done and write a few letters. I go to church at 7 on Sundays. There’s two guys I always go with, Martin Hauble and Ray Klees. They both came down with me from Minnesota. I see Ronny once in a while, he is in another Company. You spoke about my seeing the ocean. Well I saw about 150 miles of the coast. It sure looks big. You can’t see anything but water and big waves. That was the best thing I saw all the way down here. We did see a few nice orange trees. One time the train stopped for a few minutes and we got off and picked a couple. That’s one thing I didn’t like, I only was off the train three times, and five minutes at a time. They sure are strict about every little thing. It’s kind of hard to get used to it. I got to know quite a few guys now and it’s a little better. There’s about sixty men in my barracks and most of them are from Missouri. They talk sort of funny, but I’m getting used to that too. We each have our own bed and foot locker, and we have to mop out the floor every morning. We get up at five, have breakfast and cleaning done by six-thirty and then the day begins. We have second chow out in the field, so we’re in the sun all day. It gets awfully hot in the day and pretty cold at night. It changes so fast you don’t know what to wear. I think the rainy season will start pretty soon and when it comes I guess it’s really bad. Well I don’t know much more so I’ll stop for now.

I remain as always your Son,
Pvt. Lawrence Gunderson

P.S.Write soon

P.S. I started this the 6th and finished the 7th

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Sep. 12, 1942

Dear John,

I’m a busy man today. We had inspection this morning and it had to be the day I get table waiting. I had K.P (kitchen patrol) only once since I have been here and this is the second day for table waiting. Every week now they get a little tougher on inspection, our guns have to be perfect, clean sun tans, haircut at least every two weeks, shoes polished and shaved. We have just one hour to get ready for that and the K.Ps have to get ready the night before. I took some pictures yesterday at noon with a full field pack. I don’t know how they will come out. If they are good, I’ll send some home. We got paid today. After all expenses out, I got thirty-five dollars. I think that will be plenty to keep me going for a month as I haven’t spent that much since I left. We had a hike yesterday morning and a shot right after dinner, boy there was more than one keeled over. I only have one more to get and then I’ll have them all except the one for yellow fever. We don’t get that til we get shipped to a cooler place. There isn’t much more to say so I’ll say goodbye. 

Your Brother,
Pvt. Lawrence Gunderson

P.S. We have more magazines than we can read. Don’t send anything, it costs too much. I can buy it cheaper here.

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Postcard: Miss Mary Gunderson, 924 North 4th St, Stillwater, MN
Sep. 14, 1942

Dear Mary,

Connie says she hasn’t from you since I left. Write her sometime. I guess she is kind of lonesome. Write me sometime too. 

Your Brother,
Pvt. Lawrence Gunderson

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Sat. Sep. 19, 1942

Dear Mother,

I got a letter two days in a row now and it seems pretty nice. You said you wrote seven, well I only got three. I don’t know if you get all the letters I sent but I try to send a couple a week. Caroline writes every other day so I get quite a few from her. I got one from Ida and Johnny and one from the Munsons. I try to answer them all but as you know I’m not much at writing. I write about a page and a half and then I can’t think of any more. I guess I didn’t describe the camp very well to you. It’s kind of hard to put it in writing. Well there’s just one row of barracks after another, they keep going all around in a big circle and the parade ground is in the center and that’s one mile long and half a mile wide so you can imagine how big it looks. The camp is really like a town. I think it covers more space than Stillwater. There’s four show houses on the post and a post exchange for every Company. You can buy quite a few things there but not much variety. I get a pint of ice cream nearly everyday but I don’t think I gain much weight because we get so much walking. I’m going to take some pictures soon and send them home. I bought myself a camera but haven’t had much chance to use it yet. I took a couple today,  but I don’t know how they will come out. They have a studio here too, so I might get some pictures taken over there. I think it costs about 75 cents. There’s quite a few guys from Missouri here, some from Michigan and Minnesota. I didn’t get to church this morning because we’re on the task force and we can’t leave the Company area. If there is an alarm we have to be ready to go anywhere in twenty minutes. We were on the rifle range all last week and we sure put in some long days. I at least made marksman, but my shoulder was pretty sore for a couple days, those rifles kick like a mule and we did a lot of shooting. I shot about two hundred rounds in one day. Next week, we start the automatic rifles and machine guns. Well I’m just laying around this morning and reading the funny paper. There’s a poker game going across the room. I’m glad it don’t affect me. Some guys lose quite a bit sometimes. Well there isn’t much more to say. I’m sending some pictures that were taken at the rodeo last Sunday. I didn’t go myself because it was so hot but they said it was pretty good. If I want to get something to eat I better go, the chow whistle just blew.

Your Son,
Pvt. Lawrence Gunderson

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Postcard: Mr. Eugene Gunderson, R.R.#3, Stillwater, Minn.

Sep. 19, 1942

Hi,

Mother said you wrote. Well I never got it. I only got three letters from her too. I wrote quite a few. I don’t know how many. I get a letter from Caroline about every other day. It’s still hot here and no rain. I’m plenty busy here too. Well I’m short of room so goodbye.

Pvt. Lawrence Gunderson

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Sep. 24, 1942

Dear Mother,

I haven’t had time to write for a few days now. We have been so busy I haven’t had time to get my own work done. It’s Thursday night already and I didn’t write any letters all week. Tonight we didn’t get in til about seven and I’m pretty tired and I still have to clean my rifle and meat can and shave. Some of the boys in the Company have been on guard and I expect to be on next week and that’s twenty-four hours steady on duty. They can say what they want about the army life but I don’t care for it. I seem to be all tired out every night, but I gained about twelve lbs. The muscles in my legs are twice as big as they need to be. I took some pictures last Sunday and I’m going to send some home after I get some more prints. We are supposed to have an all night hike yet this week so I better sign off for now.

Yours with Love,
Pvt. Lawrence Gunderson

P.S. If you would like me to send home some junk or souvenirs I might get a chance to pick up some. 

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Sep. 27, 1942

Dear Mother,

I’ve been pretty busy all week and haven’t had time to write much. I didn’t get any letters today so I thought I better write some. It’s still hot here in the day time and still no rain. We were on the rifle range most of this week and I’m getting sick of that too. I was going to get a pass this week, but I didn’t put my name down in time so I have to stay here. Twenty seven men from my platoon are on guard this weekend so I’m kind of lucky, but I’ll get it this week I think. We got off the task force today so that’s a relief. I don’t know much to say except I’m fine, but not happy. I’m sending a couple pictures. They aren’t much good. You can get the general idea what I look like. Write soon again.

Yours with love,
Pvt. Lawrence Gunderson

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Oct. 11, 1942

Dear Dad,

I got your letter with Mother’s and it sure was nice to hear from you. I wish you would write more often because you write about things I am more interested in. I feel a lot better since I got my teeth fixed but they sure bothered me for a while. My thumb is nearly healed now, but it was so sore for about a week. I couldn’t touch nothing. It was a regular boil so you know how sore it was. I sure got letters today. Four letters and two cards so I have some writing to do. The Major told us the other day that we would get nearly a years training before we went to battle but it might be on the other side. I’m getting so I don’t worry one way or the other and I guess it doesn’t make much difference. I have talked with some fellows who came back from furloughs and they said they would never go home again because all the boys they chumed around with had gone. Sometimes I get sort of lonesome but they keep us so busy we don’t have time to think. I was supposed to get my pictures yesterday, but they weren’t ready. But I’ll send it as soon as I get it. Well can’t think of much more to say so I’ll say goodbye. 

Your Son,
Pvt. Lawrence Gunderson 

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Postcard: Miss C.F. Elliot, Willernie, Minn.
Oct. 13, 1942

Dear Aunt,

Got your letter but never seem to find time to answer. I am well and going everyday. I like it a little better here now, but I get sort of lonesome some times. Write again when you find time. 

Pvt. Lawrence Gunderson

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Oct. 24, 1942

Dear Folks,

Just a note while I’m waiting for a pass. I haven’t got any letters for over a week now and I’m beginning to think everybody has forgotten the address. Well we are just as busy as always but I guess we have had all the training and from now on it will be all review. I was in a demonstration squad this morning and it was the same as real combat. We had to run and hit the dirt and keep down or get shot. It was rather tough but we had quite a bit of fun. We started wearing our OD’s last week but we really don’t need them yet. It still gets hot in the day time. Well I haven’t much time so I’ll sign off for now. 

I remain,
Pvt. Lawrence Gunderson

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Oct. 27, 1942

Dear “Sisy”

I received your very welcome letter yesterday and I wish you would write more often. I got a box of candy from CF Elliot tonight and it sure is going fast. Every time anybody gets something it’s set out and everyone helps himself. Well I was out on pass last Saturday and boy I had a time. I’m going to try for one this week too and go down to L.A. As you know, Saturday is my birthday and also pay day so I’ll be in funds. I never was short though, but I spent more than I really should. The weather has changed a little, it stays cold and cloudy til about noon, then gets hot again. I’m glad you liked the picture as I went through a lot of trouble to get it. I waited three weeks after it was taken before I could get it and then had to pay four bucks and a tax for it. Well I don’t know much as usual so it’s hard to write if you don’t know nothing. I am thinking of joining the Airborne Infantry (or the parachute troops) but I haven’t made up my mind. They tell us we will all get shot so might as well make it short and sweet. Well I’m going to a show so I must sign off for now. 

Your Brother,
Pvt. Lawrence Gunderson

P.S. You won’t have much to do now so you can write often.

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Nov. 1, 1942

Dear Folks,

Your package reached me in good shape, all except the grapes, they looked a little worse for wear. Thanks ever so much. I sure was glad to get them. Well I spent my birthday walking my post in a military manner or rather part of it. I went on duty at six last night and I’ll be off at seven tonight. I haven’t had a very hard post but it gets tiresome, on two hours and off four. I didn’t get much sleep but I’m laying down now as you can probably see by my writing. Well my training is just about over now. We start on our last hike Tuesday at midnight and won’t be back till Saturday at 3 a.m. As I said in my last letter the weather has changed some. It gets darn cold at night. I bet we will freeze sleeping out on the ground. There really isn’t much to say and I’m not in a mood for writing anyway. Dad, you ever get my insurance policy? They were supposed to send it in a couple months. You will probably get a bond soon too. Well I can’t think of anymore so I’ll close for now, thanks again for the candy. 

I remain,
Pvt. Lawrence Gunderson

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Nov. 14, 1942

Dear John,

I received your letter today and I thought I would answer and get that off my mind. Well I’m all done training here and will be leaving tomorrow or Monday. I just got done washing all my clothes so they would be clean when I go. We had a big steak dinner last night, I’ll enclose the menu, and we got our diplomas this morning. Then had a big parade in dress uniform. All the officers told us how sorry they were that we were leaving, but I think they were darn glad they didn’t have to go with us. They sure worked us the last two weeks, we hiked every night till midnight and started out again at seven. I didn’t have time to even read my letters, let alone write any. Some of the boys are going to officers training and some are going to N.C.O school. But me, I came in as a buck private and that’s the way I’m staying. I guess there’s not much to write about, but I’ll write as soon as I get to my new camp. I’m sending some pictures that I don’t want to be bothered with. Don’t write til you hear from me. 

I remain,
Pvt. Lawrence Gunderson