Lt. Reichard’s WWII Diary Project and Recap: On January 1, 2009, WorthPoint began a three year project following the life of a WWII soldier through the daily pages of his diary.To read about the inception of this project, or to add your own comments, click here.
Recap: We first met Lt. Reichard in January, stationed at McClellan Air Base in Sacramento, where he was in charge of a motor pool unit. Expecting to be sent overseas, their orders were changed and they became restless to see action. Lt. Reichard’s sweetheart, Ginnie, would write frequently, and he would go to dinner and movies with local girls – Dorothy, in Sacramento, and Marie, when the unit moved to Gowen Field in Boise, Idaho. The men have spent their days in lectures, and physical demonstrations to try to keep sharp mentally and physically. But they are getting increasingly restless.
Transcript of Diary Entry February 24, 1943
Wednesday, February 24, 1943
Gowen Fieid, Boise, Idaho
Today is just another one of those lull days although what it is a lull between I don’t know. Maybe tomorrow will be interesting. We are going up into the mountains for our weekly hike and so far we have had a grand time each trip. We are certainly seeing Idaho at government expense. We have to have something to keep our moral up. Well I got some news today that struck me dumb. Of all five men to go before the O.C.S. board yesterday only one passed, Sgt. W__________, and he is the one I don’t think can make the grade. He doesn’t have the education and is nothing but a kid. It’s a relief to me but I hated to see those boys disappointed that much. Well maybe everything happens for the best. This morning we had lectures on map reading and gas warfare. I gave the lecture on map reading and it sure turned out some heated discussion. Some of these lectures turn out to be pretty interesting and all the men take part in them. This afternoon was taken up by drill and physical exercise. I am still keeping up my boxing lessons and have gotten pretty fair at it. My endurance is a hell of a lot better. I had a date tonight and we saw the “Commandos Strike at Dawn.” It was very good. I wonder what a soldier would do without movies.
Production Credits:
Diary transcription: Kathleen Long
Diary photos: Claudia Forbes
Video production: Alison Harder
Narration: Mountain Vista H.S. Theater Department
Jeremy Goldson, Department Chair; Sean McGill – voice of Lt. Reichard
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