20 April 1952, Sunday
A week ago yesterday I flew from San Antonio to Pueblo by Continental DC-6 and Convair, nearly missing my plane before a late taxi dash through the city. I made the plane just before take-off. El Paso seemed very interesting, semi-desert partially enclosed by barren mountains. Pueblo was cold. It was nice to see the folks.
I went to church Easter Sunday with the family, and to see Ed, Pat, and Scotty Emery in the afternoon. Pat has been discharged from Woodcroft Hospital, improved after much shock treatment. Monday and Tuesday I took interesting rides to Canon City and Colorado Springs – Salida – Pueblo circle with mother. Colorado still seemed bleak and cold. Wednesday I nursed a case of acute gastroenteritis all day, and boarded the plane for Denver feeling very weak.
I visited in Denver with Mr. Ivy, Cori’s friend and caught the plane for Washington at 4:00 a.m. The flight was perfect and lasted only five hours, arriving at Washington National airport. I then went to the Walter Reed Army Medical Center (where I shall not be long) and saw several officers, etc. about my assignment. Evidently my 1st Provisional Medical Detachment is bound for Greenland to support the building of an Air Base there.
Friday was spent in shopping and walking around the American Museum of Natural History (extremely interesting), the tidal basin, the Potomac, the Jefferson, and Lincoln monuments etc. Our old Earlie Belkan Room of 1948 was rather dilapidated, but the food was good. Saturday and Sunday were spent on Arlington, Mt. Vernon tour, and a nice visit with Mr. Harvies, John Daniels, and Dana Tow.
27 April 1952, Sunday
Last Monday I met my four enlisted men, Sgt. Noll, Sgt. Rudd, Cpl. Jones, and Cpl. Zabel, and we entrained from Washington. Things were fouled up from the beginning. One man was missing, so Sgt. Noll was substituted at the last minute, nearly making us miss the train. Then the men piled their bags on an Air Force colonel’s – consequently he began throwing his rank around. Then we missed our bus for Camp Kilmer at the New Brunswick station due to faulty sign marking. Finally they let me off at the wrong place at the camp and it took me some four hours to get properly located.
Since arrival the week has been spent in checking equipment, which I find myself pecuniarily responsible for, going over medical records, taking sick call at the dispensary, and becoming familiar with the post arrangement. Camp Kilmer is huge – temporary in nature. It has been raining steadily for the past three days, so the place has now become a sea of mud. My footlock finally was obtainable yesterday.
Evidently we are scheduled to provide medical support for a group of men of battalion strength at several landings along the coast of Labrador. Another group is going to Greenland.
The tremendously inefficient army moves on!!
Updated: July 29, 2002