The next morning, May 22, 1943, I was at the bus station at the designated hour as stipulated. We had a roll call to see if everyone was present. I would soon find that I would answer many roll calls before my time in the service was completed. We loaded up and we saw Littlefield disappear behind us. I and we had no idea where we were headed. About mid morning we stopped for a coffee / coke break, and after reboarding the bus, of course we had a roll call. We had a stop for lunch (on our own), an afternoon rest stop and of course more roll calls.

Late that afternoon, we arrived at our destination---Fort Sill, Oklahoma, located near Lawton. A uniformed individual got on the bus, he called the roll to see that everyone on his roster was accounted for. He took us into a rather dark, musty smelling barracks and assigned us to a bunk. Each bunk had a mattress. There were two wool O.D. blankets, two sheets, a pillow and a pillow case on the bunk. The officer told us to pay attention as he was going to show us how to make our bunks "army style". He left, but said he would return to take us to chow. I got the bed made but I am sure it would not have passed muster. We were taken to the Mess Hall to experience our first meal in the army. I haven't the slightest notion as to what would have been served that evening.

After chow, we were free do whatever we wished. We could attend the post movie, visit the P.X. (Post Exchange) or return to our barracks. Several choose the P.X. as beer was available. I and a few others returned to the barracks to sit outside on the steps and get acquainted with each other. Taps was sounded and we were told that everyone was to be in the barracks and in bed as the wake up call the following morning would be very early. I doubt that many of us had much sleep that night.

Yes, morning arrived about 5:30 A.M. The person in charge told us to make our bunks, then fall out for breakfast. We were to return to our barracks and "police" the area around our bunks. Later that

WW2,3-5 P.4.