[Diary of Audrey Meyers, 1944-1945]

              WOMEN VETERANS HISTORICAL PROJECT
DIARY TRANSCRIPT
CREATOR: Audrey Meyers
DATE: July 20, 1944 – October 13, 1944
Pvt. Audrey Meyers
A208724
Name: Audrey Meyers
Rank: Pvt.Serial Number: A208724
Unit: Second Service Command, M.D.
Stationed at: Halloran General Hosp.
Religion: Lutheran
Date of Birth: Jan 7, 1924
Color: BrownColor of Hair: Black
Height: 5ft 6inColor of Eyes: Brown
Nearest Relative or Friend
Name: MotherMrs. Edith Alias
Address: 103-46 177 Street
City: Jamaica L.I.State: NY
Service Record
Transfers:
Basic. Fort Des Moines
Halloran Gen. Hosp.
Changes in rank:
P.f.c 3/ /45
T/5 6/27/45
Physical Record
On Entering Service
Date: June 20
Weight: 139
MY BUDDIES IN THE SERVICE
25 Aug. 1944
To My Best Friend Audrey,
Remember all the fun we had in Basic together? May all the success in the world be yours. And I
hope you and Scottie have twelve children, then name one after me.
Lovingly,
Pvt. Dorothy Banks
259 W. 152nd St
New York, NY
Remember "" Bugs
Pvt. Norma J Miller A-708915
St. Louis Missouri
3027 Laclede Ave
Dear Audrey, I hope you have much success & happiness throughout your army career. Think of
me always as you friend & remember the nights we used to sit on our beds & gossip. When you
get old & feeble I will come to see you because I will still be young. Ha Ha Ha
Forever your Pal
Pvt. Norma J. Miller
P.S. I hope you have twins
Pvt. Mary L. Rogers A-406736
Pensacola Florida
2112 North Guillemarde St.
Dear Audrey, I hope you the best of success in army & civilians life, that also goes for your best
man. And when you are all down & out think of Old Snake eye, Mac, and please don’t take no
wooden nickels.
Always a Pal of yours,
Pvt. Mary L. Rogerws
P.S. I hope you have lots of children
Pvt. Florine B. Smith A225915
1846 Price St.
Phila. 44 Pa.
Dear Bugs Bunny
Here’s hoping I see you in B.&C. May your Army career be as pleasant as it can be.
Love a Buddy
“Smitty”
3 Sept 44
Bldg 523
Dearest Audrey,
I wish you much success and happiness in all your undertakings.
Sincerely,
Kathryn Mitcherson
300 Jefferson Ave.
Buffalo 41, N.Y.
Sept 3, 1944
Dear Audrey,
I was awfully nice knowing you. You are a nice person, and I hope where every you go, what
ever task you undertake you will always have success.
Always your friend
Pvt. Marion A. Boyd
A 225895
7 Jackson St
Princeton N.J.
Sept 3, 1944
Dear Audrey
May you sail on the ship of happiness and land on the shore of success.
It has been nice going through basic with you.
Lots of luck
Pvt. C. Burnett
1 W 1 31 St
N.Y.C. 27 N.Y.
Dear Audrey,
Remember me as a pal. I’ve always thought you to be a swell person try to stay that way. Lose
your temper as less as possible and keep your chin up.
Wishing you a load of luck.
A friend
Sadie E. Cason
4941 So. Prararie Ave.
Chicago, Ill.
Dear Audrey
Remember ") is much a good basic comrade is hard to find. When you found me I was a riot so
place in your memory for-get her not…
May your career be very successful filled with pleasant memories.
Lois B. Flayel
102 W. 119 St #5W
New York, NY
Bessie Joyner
Rocky Mt, N.C.
511 Goldleaf St.
Audrey,
You are all ways right on time for every thing & Scottie is on the ball too. You know what I
mean. Good luck.
3 Sept 1944
Dear Audrey
Yours of course will be the best along with loads of happiness and success in the field.
Your Pal as of the ""
T.R. Cusch
Sept 3, 1944
Dear Audrey,
Shakespeare and I hope you find life “As You like It”
Good Luck to you
Pvt. Alice Dean
A-208680
7 Bryant Ave.
No. Elmsford, N.Y.
Dear Meyers,
Let’s hope when this mess is all over we shall meet again and enjoy the privilege that is
rightfully due our race. So keep on fighting and I am sure you’ll be one of the best WAC’s ever
to come out of Fort Des Moines.
Pvt. J.G. Lee
Yonkers, N.Y.
A208749
3 Sept 1944
3 Sept 1944
Dear Audrey
I’m wishing you all the success that Halloran has in store for you.
May God bless you always.
Your “97” Basis pal,
Pvt. Charlotte Ferris
A-222343
356 Stont Ave.
Scotch Plains, N.J.
To a Pal,
If happiness was something that I could give, I would give it to you first, you have not only been
a pal to me but as a sister and my God bless you, guide and keep you, send you back to Halloran
safe.
Yours truly friend
Pvt. Jessie B. Mitchell
A 407286
454 Vamacraw Village
Savannah, Georgia
4 Dec 1945
Dear Audrey
We have had some grand times in the barracks. Remember the chage of wall lockers? Some stuff
eh kid! Minnie Glover
11341 S Ada St.
Chicago, Ill
Dear Audrey
Its been very nice knowing you. Whatever your task may be make the best of it
Your character and personality is wonderful. Keep it up and to gain success won’t be hard for
you.
Your basic Pal
Pvt. Eleace Bosley
90 Battle Rd
Princeton, N.J.
Audrey,
Amdist life’s turmoil keep one eye on the better things of life and aim for them.
Fairweather
P.S. sublimate your energies and you can reach them. A.F.
Sept 1944
Dear Audrey
As long as life in you is free, I wish you health, and happy memories. When ever you may need a
friend I’m yours forever until the end.
Pvt. Dorothy M. Davis
Sept 1944
Dear Audrey
When things get tough think of the swell times we had in basic together. I think you are a swell
kid. Lots of luck
Pvt. Beatrice Green
2067 Madison Avenue
New York 35, N.Y.
Sept 1944
Dear Audrey
Roses are red
Violets are blue
The WAC is swell
And so are you.
Well pal I hope we stay together through our army career. Because B&C isn’t so bad at all and
just think we will not have to stand in line behind so many W.A.C’s just to get a hot dog and a
chicken back.
So after basic I will meet you at To. 8 when you drag your clothes up to the gate.
Pvt. Devan
Good luck & happiness
3-9-44
914 E. Wright St.
Pensacola, Fla.
Dear Audrey
Sure has been nice knowing you here at Ft. Des Moines, hope this friendship will keep up after
war is over. You are a nice and cheerful kids. Audrey please don’t tickle me anymore
Lots of luck and happiness
A friend
Pvt. Celestine Manwell
Sept 3, 1944
Dear Audrey,
When twilight pulls its curtains down & pins it with a star, remember dear, you have a friend no
matter where you are.
Good luck and success in every field you go.
A Basic Mate
“Pu Wu”
Pvt. Alfreida Gilbert
6319 Manastash Pl
Seattle, Wash.
Co. 6, 3d Regt
Ft. Des Moines, Io
Dear Audrey,
May our friendship remain throughout our lives both in service & out.
The best of luck to you
Pvt. Violet Sales
512-8 St
Rock Island, Ill.
Co. 6, 3rd Regt
Ft. Des Moines, Io
Dear Audrey,
If Uncle Sam can spare the consideration I sincerely hope you are sent and given what you want
out of army life as a fear you will not be satisfied in any other post if you are not sent to Halloran
in “Ye Ol New York”
Pvt.""
4848 Dearborn St.
Chicago, Illinois
Kenwood 7186
Dear Audrey,
Best wishes to the girl who would make the “ideal best friend”
Pvt. Doris V. Wright
11 Sept. 44
Pvt Meyers
I wish I could say something to make you sad, but instead is something make you glad. “you are
a very fine WAC”
Sgt. M. E("
Co. 6 Regt.
Fort Des Moines, Iowa
4 Sept 1944
Dear Bugs
Friendship is a lovely thing. Yours is one I’m glad I didn’t pass by.
In case we don’t go in the field together drop me a line sometimes. Above all don’t forget “Pvt.
Red”
Best of luck and God bless you.
Pvt. Red
Florence Jeffries
Route 1, Box 462
Union, New Jersey
Co. 6 – 3d Regt.
Ft. Des Moines, Io.
Sept. 4, 1944
Dear Audrey
When we are so fortunate in this brief span of life to spend a few pleasant weeks together they
will not soon be erased from our memories. Rather, we will and must cherish them as long as we
can.
Sincerely,
Norma L. Watts A208756
Co. 6 – 3d. Regt
Ft. Des Moines, Io.
Sept. 4, 1944
Dear Audrey
True friends are like diamonds precious, rich, and rare, false friends are like autum [sic] leaves
found everywhere.
May your life be as Shakespeare puts it “A Midsummers Night dream”
Remember good ole Company 6-3d. Regt and the parade ground. “I’l be seeing you”
Your ole Pal
Violet Williams A217245
Co. 6 – 3d Regt
Ft. Des Moines, Ia
4 Sept 44
Hi Audrey:
There aren’t many girls like you in our company. So I am taking the liberty to express my many
few thoughts. You are a swell girl. I do hope you continue to be the same way all the time. So
keep smiling, punching and keep laughing and everything will be alrite Pal. Smile.
Your Basic Pal
Pvt. Gwendalyn F Smith
A208667
4 September 1944
Ft Des Moines, Iowa
Dear Audry,
Knowing you have [sic] been a pleasure. Only wish I could have met you in New York. No
matter where you go make the best of life, and by all means remain a fool.
Your pal,
Pvt. Sue K. Lacy
408 E. Blount St.
Pensacola, Fla
OFFICERS I HAVE MET
Pvt Meyers,
Best of luck. You have what it takes to be a good soldier. Keep your chin up.
Lt. JH William
Dear Audrey,
The best of luck and happiness in the future.
It was so nice knowing you even if it was for such a short time.
Sgt. Doris B. Shy
12424 Imperial Ave
Cleveland, Ohio
12/4/45
Dear Daughter,
You are a swell child, words can not express.
Your [sic] Truly
214 H. C. Wilson
1424 Ave M ½
Galvaston, Texas
Phone 4583
Be very sweet to Scotty
105 Consert Ave Apt 12A N.Y.C.
5 Dec 1945
Dear Audrey:
History is full of the great accomplishments of individuals who are in the armed forces, and will
be after the WAC Corps.
Always remember that lines by great men reached and kept were not attained by ") flight, but
they while their companions slept were tailing ") through the night.
It was great knowing such a nice person as you. Wishing you and yours all good luck and
happiness as ever.
Dorothy E. Brooks
535 ½ E. Okla Pl
Tulsa, Okla.
5 December 1945
Dear Audrey:
It was swell having you as a bunk mate. And what a soldier you turned out to be! Remember to
get the best of life & not let life get the best of you.
Lots O’ Luck
Beth Dunham
348 E. Short St.
Lexington (42) Ky.
1401 N.W. 65th St.
Miami, Fla
Dear Audrey,
We’ve had a wonderful friendship as sister WAC. Here’s hoping it continues as civilians. As one
of your bridesmaids I do wish you and Scotty the best of happiness, comfort and pleasures.
Remember the gang and building 5 especially our good friend M/Sgt J.W. Smile.
With lotions of love I remain your friend
T/5 Lenore McLeod
339 Hugent St.
New Rochelle, N.Y.
Telephone New Rochelle 2-8755W
[BEGIN DIARY ENTRIES]
July 20 – 1944
I left home for active duty in the W.A.C.’s.
I wonder what life will hold in store for me. I hope I will be able to fufill [sic] my hopes and
prayers.
July 21, 1944
I reach Des Moines at 10:30 P.M. Tired, sleepy, and yet very excited.
July 23, 1944
Lt. Hall came to tell us good-bye before she left to come back to N.Y.C.
July 25, 1944
We marched to “Boomtown” to tell you the truth, I’m inclined to dislike the place. The girls
seem rather mean.
August 1, 1944
Our day of Basic. I’m honestly scare [sic]. Drilling, meeting(" to and from classes. Parading on
Tuesdays and Thurdays [sic]. Needles on Fridays, along with cleaning up for inspection.
Saturdays – Inspection Day.
August 3, 1944
The day after a great night. We went to town. It’s not half as nice as New York, but the “(?)” is
rather nice. Boyd, Banks, Scutter, Smith, Floyd, Dean, and a few others. We danced until 11
o’clock. We would be dancing until now but we had to stop to get in bed before 12. We are
“Army Cinderellas.”
August 20, 1944 (Sunday)
Tessie Mitchell did my hair, and I went along with Banks, and had my pictures taken.
Sept 10, 1944
Dorothy Davis, did my hair. She gave me a fine hair do.
Sept 9, 1944
13 of us got called in office and charged with insubordination. That’s when to dirt came out.
Reids spit her guts out.
Sept 13, 1944
We got thought [sic] with Basic.
Sept 14, 1944
Colonel McCroskie inspected us. He said that we were “the best dressed set of cottons that he
had inspected all summer.” He chose Scutter, Smitty, & Banks for the best posture.
We then marched in our last “Retreat Parade.” Then we marched out of “Boomtown.” The end of
our “Basic Days.” We left behind Loretta Johnson, Lillian Lewis, Sarah Wilson, Ruby Wilson,
Florence Jefferies, and Norma Watts. The first two went to B.&C. and the rest went to Clerk
School.
Sept 14, 1944
We marched in town for the “G.A.R.” We took the cake.
Sept 15, 1944
“Pee Wee” (Gilbert) Alice Dickerson, Rosa Farrington and Clarice Roberts. We told them “So
Long.” They went to Douglas Field, Arizona. C. Roberts went to Fort Huchago, Arizona.
Sept 21, 1944
I bed so long to Banks, Scutter, and many of my buddies. They left for California. I cried my
eyes almost out.
When I came back from “Orindetion Class” I was called to the Orderly Room and was told to
move the next day.
Sept 22, 1944
I left Fort Des Moines at 1200, I bid Baker, Floyd, & C. Smith “So Long,” and left for the field.
With me came Boyd, Fairweather, Smitty, V. Williams, Owens, and Bosely.
Sept 23, 1944
Arrived at Halloran General Hospital, Staten Island, at 2400. The girls seem to be nice. But there
was a fight in which several girls got hurt. I was terrible frighten [sic].
Sept 24, 1944
Sunday, Inquire a pass to come home, and got it. The transportation seemed very slow. Simply
because I was so anxious to get home. I met Granny on the bus. It sure felt good to be home
again.
Dad was home while mom went to church. I enjoy myself, but left to return to Camp. Arrived
there at 11:30 P.M.
Sept 25, 1944
Assigned to work, but didn’t do anything.
Sept 26, 1944
Started my job as a “Medical Technician.” I saw the activities of my first convoy. The boys were
well guys. They were terribly cheerful in spite of their wounds. Those fellows are heros in his
own individual way. I felt that at least if women left home should be true to their love ones in
service.
October 1, 1944
Attended church it felt very good to be in the House of God again. If more people would attend
church more often, they would realize that this war will be won by pray, and pray only.
October 7 to 12, 1944
Post was restricted for military reasons.
October 13, 1944
My day off. When to the “Hairdressesers.” Also saw Scottie’s mother.