From a member of the 5th NCB.
July 17, 1942
Dear Ray,
I just received your letter of June 6. I guess the postoffice department had quite a time catching up with me.
Life over here isn’t so bad tho, we get up to lie around in bed until about 5:20. This of course gives us plenty of time to get washed, dressed, make our bunk sweep the barracks, and whatever else comes up before 5:45.
At 5:45 we are called out by the chief to stand in line while the mosquitos try to carry you away. After we are thoroughly chewed up we then march over to the mess hall which is only a 3 mile walk over and back. Breakfast usually consists of beans or rice, or rice and beans and some identified liquid and a choice of white or rye crusts.
After gorging (or gagging) ourselves in this delicious repast we waddle our way slowly back to barracks.
We have nothing to do until 6:30 so we just sit around and scrub the toilets, mop the floors, wash the windows and pick up all the cigarette butts and matches within a 150 yards of our barracks.
Soon the chief calls us out to enjoy a little of the south seas sunshine. Of course, we stand in dust or mud depending on the weather last night), which usually averages between 6 inches and waist deep. To limber up a bit we do a few calisthenics with both feet off the ground and grabbing yourself by the hair and holding yourself at arms length.
At 7:00 we put on our light packs and start marching. A light pack consists of rifle, bayonet, canteen, fork, fire extinguisher, tent pine, shovel, spoon, can opener, shaving kit, pup tent, cartridge belt, machette, first aid kit, helmet, gas mask and a few other items. A heavy pack also has a blanket.
You can just see the fun we have trapsing around through the jungle.
Behind us on these so called marches we have an observation truck which picks up those who faint or the ones that can’t go on. These are given six months in the guard house but dont have to face a court martial.
At 12:00 those who can limp go to the sick bay. At the sick bay patients are divided into two classes those who have colds and those who have atheltes foot. If you have a cold you get your throat swabbed with iodine if you have athletes foot you get your feet swabbed with iodine. Anyone who claims he has neither is sent to the guard house for impersonating an officer.
I am very popular at the sick bay.. I told them I had both cold and athletes foot.. What I really have is the piles but I know when to keep my mouth shut. And don’t get me wrong Ray, I like the navy.
Your Pal,