November 13, 1943 - Camp Pendleton

Upon graduation from boot camp, Daddy went to Camp Pendleton for training.  He remained there until January 1944.  His training record lists it as "Field Artillery Instrument Course", which must have been how he was a fire control specialist at some point.

November 10, 1943 Commandant of the Marine Corps' Birthday Message

LtGen Thomas Holcomb is seen delivering the Marine Corps Birthday message in 1943.

Major General Clayton Vogel cuts a piece of cake at the Marine Corps Birthday celebration in San Diego, 1943.

November 9, 1943 - End of boot camp into Camp Pendleton

I'm not sure what the date of Daddy's official graduation from boot camp into the Marine Corps was, but he obviously was "set free" to some degree on November 9th, because he sent a telegram home asking for money.  He probably figured this may be his last time to ask before being shipped overseas.

October 1943 - Boot Camp

As boot camp continued at RDMCB San Diego, Daddy had quite a few memories in the making.  He recounted a few of those experiences to our family over the years.

September 1943 - Boot Camp

70 years ago, Daddy was in the first two weeks of boot camp.  This was a whole new life for someone as pampered and spoiled as he was.  I'll spare details, but there was plenty of proof as to just how spoiled he (and probably his sister) were.  My grandparents were great people, and provided a wonderful life on a quaint city street that was a scene right out of a movie.

In His Own Words - September 13, 1943 : USMC Boot Camp

RDMCB San Diego Circa 1940's

The days of "living it up" had come to an end.  September 13, 1943 brought the arrival of Daddy and the other future Marines to San Diego, where they were transferred to buses and brought to R.D.M.C.B (Recruit Depot Marine Corps Base) in San Diego.

September 10, 1943 - In His Own Words : Active Duty and Train to San Diego

Not sure that Daddy and his fellow Marines-to-be were in troop sleepers, as they were not in full use until late 1943, but he does mention being in a nice Pullman coach.  Daddy always liked to talk about his trip from Jackson to New Orleans to San Diego via the train.  It was a calm before the storm; he was very impressed with the food (always a high priority to him!)  I think he considered it a grand conspiracy to treat them like kings before they got off the train and stepped onto the yellow footprints at boot camp.