Category: Military Postcards

Military Postcards, Postcards, United States

A Full House: Coastal Artillery [1943-Watsonville, California]

Kate

1943 Comic Postcard image - Watsonville California lg

Private Ellis jotted this quick and lighthearted note to a friend while stationed on the West Coast. Camp McQuaide was an active post during WWII which specialized in Coastal Artillery, and was located on the Pacific coast in Santa Cruz County, California. (source).

1943 Comic Postcard message - Watsonville California lg

Hello Sarg

How is Trisha[?] by now. As for me everything is OK. Save that da[?] for I am going to get that furlow sometime. I hope. Ha Ha.

Love Mart

From:
Pvt. Marvin H. Ellis
Btry C 102 Trng Bn.
Camp McQuaide, California U.S. Army

To:
Mr. Ed Mathis
Detroit, Michigan

Postmark: Watsonville, California – Jan 18, 1943 Continue reading “A Full House: Coastal Artillery [1943-Watsonville, California]” →

Commentary, Military Postcards

Gory, Gory, what a Hell of a… National Airborne Day

Kate

Curtiss : C-46 : Commando

In honor of National Airborne Day, here’s a bit of dark paratrooper humor.

Presumably intended to instill proper respect for the grim dangers of jump school, Blood on the Risers has been sung by U.S. Army Airborne trainees since WWII and follows the tune of Battle Hymn of the Republic.

Have a listen.

Blood on the Risers

He was just a rookie trooper and he surely shook with fright,

He checked all his equipment and made sure his pack was tight;

He had to sit and listen to those awful engines roar,

“You ain’t gonna jump no more!”

(CHORUS)

Gory, gory, what a hell of a way to die,

Gory, gory, what a hell of a way to die,

Gory, gory, what a hell of a way to die,

He ain’t gonna jump no more!

“Is everybody happy?” cried the Sergeant looking up,

Our Hero feebly answered “Yes,” and then they stood him up;

He jumped into the icy blast, his static line unhooked,

And he ain’t gonna jump no more.

Continue reading “Gory, Gory, what a Hell of a… National Airborne Day” →

Europe, Military Postcards, Postcards

No sign of moving yet [1919 – Bar-le-Duc, France]

Kate

Great War Postcard Feb 1919 back lg

The Treaty of Versailles had not yet been signed, but Umberger can certainly see the light at the end of the tunnel. With a location-less postmark from the U.S. Army Postal Service, there’s no telling exactly from where in Europe this postcard was sent.  Umberger would likely have been in the vicinity of Bar-le-Duc at some point to have acquired the image of this town in Northwest France. Hopefully he arrived back on American soil not long after his postcard did.

I have two postcards from this WWI soldier, A.C. Umberger. Here is the other, sent in March 1919.

Great War Postcard Feb 1919 lg

A pretty nice place. Hope to be home soon to play with you but there is no sign of moving yet.

Yours

A.C. Umberger

To:

  • Miss Jean T. Hunter
  • 326 E. Bucynus St.
  • Crestline, Ohio
  • U.S.A.

Postmark: U.S. Army Postal Service, Feb 18, 1919 / “Passed as censored” stamp

Image: Bar-le-Duc

Military Postcards, Postcards, United States

If you don’t pull the string! [1943 – Jefferson Barracks, Missouri]

Kate

1943 Postcard image - Jefferson Bks Missouri lg

“It Won’t Mean a Thing If You Don’t Pull The String!”

This bright paratrooper cartoon referencing a famous big band hit pokes fun at the serious and dangerous training service members face. On the reverse, Dick inquires about Felix’s new truck. Perhaps it was a Chevy.

I couldn’t find any information about Cpl Chapman’s unit, but Jefferson Barracks, Missouri is a small installation located on the western bank of the Mississippi River active during the Civil War and still home to Army National Guard and Air National Guard units.

1943 Postcard message - Jefferson Bks Missouri lg

Hello Tyson

Wonder how things are there now. I hear you are doing ok. How about the new truck? Wish I could be there for a while at least. Write.

Dick.

To:

  • Felix Tyson
  • Morrison, Ave
  • Gallatin, Tenn.

From:

  • Cpl. R. h. Chapman
  • 24th T. Ga.A.F.T.T.C
  • Jefferson Bks, MO.

Manufacturer: Beals, Des Moines, Iowa

References:

Jefferson Barracks, Mo Wikipedia

Military Postcards, Postcards, United States

Darling [1943 – Topeka, Ks.]

Kate

Marress - Sept 1943 Topeka Image lg

Lloyd Marress WWII Postcard Series (#4 of 5)

Sept 1943

This postcard matches a previous one, from Buddy sent in August. It seems he jotted a note just to send a little something back to his wife in Tennessee. He was working hard doing his part for the war effort. I wonder what her days were like at home in his absence.

Marress - Sept 1943 Topeka message lg

Monday morning

Darling,

No. I haven’t forgotten you, just been awfully busy. Will write tonite. I promise. Hope you’re feeling good as usual. My cold is lots better.

I’ve been to the fair 2 nites. Bye for now.

Love, Buddy

To:

  • Mrs. L. H. Marress
  • Lobelville, Tennessee

From:

  • L. H. Marress
  • 21st Sq. (S)
  • Topeka, Kansas

Postmark: Sep 13, 1943 – Topeka, Kansas

Image: “Topeka Kansas U.S.O.” Promotional postcard produced by John Morrell & Co.

Other postcards from Lloyd “Buddy” Marress

 

 

Military Postcards, Postcards, United States

TH-55 Osage Helicopter [1984 – Dothan, Alabama]

Kate

1984 Dothan, Alabama postcard image helicopter lg

I imagine that this postcard was sent by someone with a connection to Fort Rucker (located near Dothan, Alabama), which remains 30 years later the home of Army Aviation and the flight school for the Army’s rotary wing pilots. I can personally attest to the fact that there are many spiders and snakes in Lower Alabama, as mentioned by Brad, the sender.

For more info about the training aircraft pictured: Hughes TH-55 Osage Helicopter

1984 Dothan, Alabama postcard message lg

Hi Friends!

Tim, I really enjoyed our phone call the other night. Don’t forget about the spiders and snakes headed my way in a week or so, okay? You both take care and keep thinking about January, also know that you two cross my thoughts fondly very often.

More later, Brad

The Hughes TH-55A “Osage” Helicopter

The Huges TH-55A is the helicopter used by the U.S. Army for primary training of Army pilots in rotary wing aircraft. The army aviation training facilities are located at Fort Rucker in southeast Alabama. Every pilot will long remember his first “Solo” in the TH-55A, even after years of flying in far more sophisticated aircraft.

Postmark: Dothan, AL – October 29, 1984

Military Postcards, Postcards, United States

Out Where the West Begins [1942, Utah]

Kate

Marress - 1942 Utah image lg

Lloyd Marress WII Postcard Series (#1 of 5)

August 1942

Here we find Pvt. “Buddy” Marress in Utah, Summer of 1942. I wonder how well he knows Gladys Bell. The wording is familiar, but a bit stiff.

I have to say, as an East coast native myself, I don’t care too much for the poem over-idealizing “the West” with such saccharine poetry. Oh well.

Info about Kearns Air Base, constructed near Salt Lake City during WWII.

Marress - 1942 Utah message lg

Wed-Nite

I’m so glad the Dr. thought you were doing fine. You’ll be a big girl, if you keep going. I enjoyed the letter from Mrs. Bell a lot. I’ll write more next time. I’m studying hard, as usual.

I love you, Buddy

To:

  • Gladys Bell
  • Lobelville, Tennessee

From:

  • Pvt. Lloyd Marress
  • Army Air base Salt Lake City

Postmark: Salt Lake City, Utah – Aug 1942

“Buy Defense Savings Bonds and Stamps” No postage: Military Mail

Image: Out Where the West Begins poem.

Other postcards sent by Lloyd “Buddy” Marress

Military Postcards, Postcards, United States

Sgt. Marress [1943 – Topeka, Kansas]

Kate

Marress - Aug 1943 Topeka Image lg

Lloyd Marress WWII Postcard Series (#3 of 5)

August 1943

This time we find Buddy, a Sergeant now, writing to his wife in Tennessee. He most likely was serving with the 21st Bombardment Wing which was located in Topeka, Kansas as of May 1943 (Wikipedia). The primary function of Buddy’s unit was “processing heavy bombardment crews and aircraft for overseas movement, and then processing men returning from overseas, from 1942–1946.” He seems to be staying stateside for the war, so perhaps he was an aircraft mechanic or other tradesman prepping bombers for overseas deployment.

I wonder if this postcard was provided for free by the United Service Organization (USO). I’m not sure what else “U.S.O.” could possibly stand for in this context.

Link: History of the Topeka Airport (aka Topeka Army Airfield in 1943).

Marress - Aug 1943 Topeka message lg

Saturday Evening

Darling,

I’m staying on the base tonite, as I said I will. I didn’t work this aft. got caught up on my work, at last.

I hope you’re feeling alright, s–[?] the old medicine made you sick.

I’ll go now, but[?] will be back tomorrow.

Forever yours, Buddy

To:

  • Mrs. L. H. Marress
  • Lobelville, Tennessee

From:

  • Sgt. L.H. Marress
  • 21st Sq. (S)
  • Topeka, Kansas

Postmark: Aug 29, 1943 – Topeka, Kansas

Image: “From Topeka Kansas U.S.O” John Morrell & Co. Meat packing Promo Postcard featuring Kansas Jayhawk

Other postcards from Buddy Marress

Save

Military Postcards, Postcards, United States

Worn out yes, sir [1943 – St Louis, Mo.]

Kate

Marress - 1943 St Louis Image lg

Lloyd Marress WWII Postcard Series (#2 of 5)

Perhaps Buddy was on a pass for his trip to St. Louis.

Turns out, Shaw’s Garden (pictured on the card) is now the Missouri Botanical Garden.

Marress - 1943 St Louis message lg

Monday aft.

Maura B.

No, I haven’t forgotten you, have I? I’m worn out yes, sir. Will be glad to get back. Bye for now.

Buddy

From:

  • L. H. Marress
  • 21st Sqd. (Squadron)
  • Topeka, KS

To:

  • Mrs. E. Bell
  • Lobelville, Tennessee

Postmark: Saint Louis, Mo. – April 5, 1943

“Buy U.S. Savings Bonds / Ask your Postmaster”

Image: Interior, Floral Display room, Shaw’s Garden, St. Louis, Mo.

Other postcards sent by Lloyd “Buddy” Marress

Europe, Military Postcards, Postcards

Another view of the Castle [1919 – Marseilles, France]

Kate

Great War Postcard Mar 1919 back lg

Through some quick census research, I’m fairly sure this postcard was sent by Herbert to his father. It boggles my mind that this postcard was sent nearly a century ago.

Tarascon-sur-Rhone Wikipedia

Great War Postcard Mar 1919 lg

Another view of the Castle. Am on my way to Taulon and St Raphael. Am in Marsailles now.

Yours

A. C. Umberger

To:

  • Mr. G. E. Umberger
  • 326 E. Bucyrus St.
  • Crestline, Ohio

From:

  • Herbert C. Umberger

Postmark: U.S. Army Post Office M.P.F.S. Mar 20, 1919