Name/Title
Spalsbury: #55 Letters Home October 18, 1943Entry/Object ID
2021.2.299A-HScope and Content
Letter Home from Pvt. Robert C. Spalsbury, ASTU 3938, Loyola University, Los Angeles 34, Calif. to his parents Mr. and Mrs. G. C. Spalsbury, 806 South Eleventh, Street. Joseph 10, Missouri. Post Marked OCT 18, 1943, 3 PM, Los Angeles, Calif., 6 cent Air Mail stamp.Context
Sunday Evening -
October 17, 1943
Dear Folks,
I just returned a while ago from spending the weekend in Hollywood and L. A. I got a letter from Haglund last week, saying that he could make it in this weekend. He came all the way in from Camp Haan (about 60 miles east of L.A.) on various busses and streetcars. I met him a bit after five o'clock yesterday afternoon in the large U.S.O. down the street from the P.E. Station. We ate at Lyman's Restaurant there in downtown L.A. - he'd heard quite a bit about the place and so was particularly anxious to eat there. Haglund left his shell-rimmed glasses there - he's always forgetting something or other - and when we went back to get 'em they weren't there, and hadn't been turned in when we went back this afternoon, either. This afternoon he left a U.S.O. book in the lounge of Pantages Theatre in Hollywood, where we saw "Phantom of the Opera." We went back and luckily, it was still there. Poor Hag - he's continually losing or forgetting something - "everything happens to me," as he said. At Callan fifty-some dollars was stolen from him. When he and Stuart Nelson and I ate at Clifton's Restaurant once when we were at Pasadena, he forgot some stuff and left it lying on the chair. He's even worse than I am.
After eating at Lyman's we took the streetcar to Hollywood. There we got into a radio broadcast at CBS Studios. It was "Command Performance, U.S.A.," a half-hour program of miscellaneous entertainment. It is a short-wave program for the benefit of the boys overseas. Bette Davis was Mistress of Ceremonies; John Chas. Thomas sang a song; Rise Stenens, Met. Opera Star, sang a couple of songs; the Delta Rhythm Boys - a Negro Trio sang; Gary Moore, a comedian, made comedy; as usual, Meredith Wilson directed the orchestra; then a few other odds and ends.
We started hitchhiking out Sunset to the Guild Canteen, but had walked about half of the way before we finally got a ride. That was the longest I'd ever had to wait for a ride out Sunset. We slept there last night, and had breakfast there this morning. I'd made reservations for us last Wednesday, so we were assured of beds. After the movie this afternoon, we went back downtown into L.A., and Haglund caught his bus at the P.E. Station.
I hunted up the L.A. Y.M.C.A., where I intended to go swimming. But the pool was closed, so I just took a refreshing shower instead.
In L.A. this afternoon I cashed the big money order you sent. I'm going into Inglewood tomorrow, and send $40.00 home (by money order). I'm keeping $15.00, since we may not be paid at Camp Roberts when we should be, and I'll need some money to tide me over.
Haglund says Camp Roberts is not so hot. He was there five weeks before being sent to Camp Haan, and lived in a tent while there. So I'm not expecting too much. Haglund said Callan was really paradise compared to these other camps.
Enclosed is a postcard received from Duane several days ago. I haven't written him yet, but probably will tomorrow.
Oh yes, we learned Saturday that we leave here at 7:45 a.m. Tuesday - day after tomorrow. I, in fact we all were, was certainly glad we didn't ship out Saturday morning.
When I went into L.A. yesterday I took the tennis racket, and mailed it home. I didn't bother to take your wrapping off, even, because I knew I wouldn't use it. Thanks a lot for going to all the trouble to send it to me.
I didn't learn of the telegram until Saturday morning. I'd gone into Inglewood Friday night to a show, and didn't get back 'till about 10:30. So I called Sat. morn., and got it. I was glad you thought it was "maybe for the best." I was afraid you'd want me to try and persuade the Captain to let me remain here awhile longer. Father Malone said it was probably for the best, too. It certainly got on my nerves here - sitting around in classrooms all day - and even at night. I don't believe I'd ever sat around so much in all my life. Maybe some exercise will do me good. Haglund said he went on a 30-mile hike yesterday.
Oh, I almost forgot. Haglund and I went to the Hollywood First Presbyterian Church this morning. He's a strict Presbyterian. It was a fine church, and the service was very good.
Love, Bob
Pardon this rambling letter. I hope I haven't forgotten anything.
[Page 4 - writing around the sketch: Chester Abeud drew this sketch of yours truly earlier this evening while I was writing this letter. I think it represents me saying my prayers before I leave for Cp. Roberts. It's silly, but I thought I'd enclose it. I've just about stuck everything possible in this letter.Collection
Marshall WhiteLexicon
Nomenclature 4.0
Nomenclature Secondary Object Term
LetterNomenclature Primary Object Term
CorrespondenceNomenclature Sub-Class
Other DocumentsNomenclature Class
Documentary ObjectsNomenclature Category
Category 08: Communication ObjectsArchive Items Details
Title
Letter Home from Pvt. Robert C. Spalsbury, ASTU 3938, Loyola University, Los Angeles 34, Calif. to his parents Mr. and Mrs. G. C. Spalsbury, 806 South Eleventh, Street. Joseph 10, Missouri. Post Marked OCT 18, 1943, 3 PM, Los Angeles, Calif., 6 cent Air Mail stamp.Description
Handwritten letter home to parents back in St. Joseph after being called up to serve in the US Army during WWII. Pvt. Spalsbury, at the time of this letter, has completed Basic Training at Camp Callan, California, was stationed for a short time with a STAR Unit for ASTP (Army Specialized Training Program) soldiers in Pasadena, CA and is now stationed at Loyola University in Los Angeles, CA for additional training, preparing to leave for Camp Roberts after flunking out of the ASTP program.
This letter is three pages, front and back, written in blue ink on USO stationery. A fourth page is enclosed with a sketch and note. The stationery has a two color logo in the top left corner that features a flying USO flag with a cloud and sky back ground. The bottom of the stationery has a printed list of all the individual organizations that make up the USO in small block, all caps blue print. The letter was mailed in a plain envelope with a 6 cent Air Mail stamp. The paper is folded in thirds.Dimensions
Height
8-1/2 inWidth
5-1/2 inCondition
Overall Condition
Very GoodRelationships
Related Person or Organization
Person or Organization
Robert C. Spalsbury
