Postcards Home During World War 2

Robert E. Lannon received his induction notice (draft notice) on 19 October 1942. He had resisted his urge to enlist as either a pilot or paratrooper due to family pressure. The best jobs, and that basically meant non-infantry positions went to the enlistees rather than draftees. Nonetheless Dad reported to Columbus, Ohio entry center on 2 Nov 42. After processing they boarded trains for Camp Wheeler, Ga. It is obvious that Dad was aboard a steam powered train, as they made frequent stops, and this card was mailed from Cincinnati. Depicted on the card face were popular scenes from Ohio. He was immediately chosen for the infantry, as were most draftees.

Dad was fortunate to have a good strong relationship with his soon to be in-laws. This card was sent to his soon to be Mother-In-Law. We can see by the return address that he has settled in at Camp Wheeler. Our face card here shows a scene from the camp. Wheeler also had an air field where aviators were trained., Cochran Field. Over 400,000 troops came through these facilities during the war years. Basic lasted for 13 weeks. It was intense, tough, and designed to break you down and build you back up the Army way.

This card was sent while Dad was in route from Camp Wheeler to Fort Lewis, Washington. There was no time for a brief leave to visit. Due to wartime security he was not able to tell where they were headed. The possibility exists that he may not have known either! Although an interesting note is that he loved the Northwest. He had been there for time between 1937 and 1940 at a Conservation Construction Corp camp at White Mountain, Oregon. Dad fondly recalled the period, and said his stay helped prepare him for the rigors of military training.

Dad always presented a rough exterior to me as a child. So it was with great surprise to see the depth of his expressions of affection towards Mom. The most I had ever seen was when I had my paper route, I was still up when Dad went off to work, he would tell Mom goodbye and peck her on the lips. Mom then would watch the car until no longer in sight.

On their 25th anniversary Dad bought Mom a mink cape. She was so moved she cried. He just sat there under the tree unable to say anything while Mom held him tight!

Here we have the Richmond-Leland Hotel in Richmond, Indiana. The significance being this is where Mom and Dad had there one day honeymoon. They were married on 1 June 43 by Father Al Shoemaker of St. Brigids parish in Xenia, Ohio.

On the card Dad expresses surprise on how fast the train made it from Dayton to Richmond. 30 minutes! Not bad for a 50 mile ride. The honeymoon was short because of the commute time. They could not afford airline tickets, so he took the troop trains. I vividly recall Dad saying some of the cars were old and in poor shape. The railroad companies had a heavy load to carry during the war years. And it was harder still as they were recovering from a depression and a government take-over in the first World War.

This card is also the first to identify his unit. CO. E, 381st Infantry. This would not change till his discharge in September 1945.

Again we have the newlywed sending home a remembrance from the honeymoon. Dad was never a romantic after he came home to Mom. She kept these cards against his will in a cedar chest hidden away in her walk-in closet. When Dad passed away she tearfully asked me if they would be of any help to this web site. We gladly accepted them.

You might take notice in this and the last card set that Dad addressed Mom now as "Mrs. Robert E. Lannon".

For the first time we see a stamp. All of 3 cents! If you look closely at the other cards they all are marked "free" in Dads' handwriting. It was a franking privilege that was very good for both the military and the morale of the troops.

We also see more evidence of the poor conditions of the troop trains, with his complaint of the cold. Which is very unusual for a man who NEVER complained. Dad once compared them to cattle cars.

What a difference the war made on my Father. He never expressed himself very well, or at least not unless he was furious. In all these cards he is quite descriptive about the surroundings and his feelings. Here he finds himself amazed by the snow on the Rockies in June.

He would have loved the snow storm we had in Thule, Greenland on 4 July 75!

Dad had a short furlough home before deploying for amphibious training in California and jungle training in Hawaii. This leave was on the heels of him picking up an AWOL for the Company Commander, although I cannot confirm this in our research.

Dad did recall this trip to us many years later, saying he really was impressed with Chicago. But he never had any desire to live in a metropolitan area.

Notice also that his address has changed. He has left Ft. Lewis and went down the coast to Camp White. Check our other galleries for photos from these installations.

Without exception we all called my Grandfather "Pop". Here apologizes for having not said "goodbye" that morning when he left. The bit about "not hiding in the bedroom" was from Pop teasing Dad and Mom about their brief visit.

The reason he missed saying goodbye to Pop was the fact that my Grandfather had to leave a lot earlier to get to work than Dad left and out of respect they did not wake my parents up. It would be September 1945 before they all saw each other again.

The last card we have. Dad loved breakfast till the day he passed on. Ask anyone who ever enjoyed his bacon and eggs! Or his special pancakes. So, it is no surprise to see a mention of good food here.

One odd note is this was postmarked from Salt Lake City but was written in Wyoming.