MY LIFE IN THE SERVICE: Handwritten entries in a printed diary

by Barth, Walter J

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Description

Chicago: Consolidated Book, 1943. First Edition. Hardcover. Very Good. Designed as a diary for men and women serving in World War II. Barth's handwritten entries occupy 8 pages, are limited to May 4-13, 1943, and are of considerable interest. He was called for active service on March 19, 1943 and classified as a navigator in the Army Air Corps on April 4th. In addition to the names and addresses of a few buddies he has met (Barth himself hails from 326 W. Fishers Avenue, Philadelphia), the diary entries occupy five pages in blue ink while he is stationed at Nashville, Tennessee. He is ill on May 4th, so he "accepts a job as Barracks orderly" and sleeps most of the day. He talks about dinner with a civilian family which he cannot attend, parting with buddies who are shipping out, etc. On garden detail on May 5th, he muses over why he hasn't been paid after 46 days in the service. His health improves and he spends a lot of time marching in formation: "All this constructive exercise is ultimately for the purpose of destruction." He goes with a buddy to the West End of Nashville for an evening but can't pick up any women, even at the bowling alley. On May 11th, during dinner at a civilian's home, he meets a girl who is a minister's daughter--"but cooperative all the same." By May 13th, on a company hike, he learns that shipping orders have come through, "open port" has been canceled, and his unit is "pulling out" for foreign ports unknown. This brief record offers insight into the stateside experiences of an intelligent, humorous draftee in the days before he is shipped overseas and the diary ends. 6" x 4.25".

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