PART I

February 18, 1942
We entered Boston during the blackout and were hustled aboard, 2160 strong "green" Air Corps men.The 6th Squadron had its usual rotten luck and we were hidden on F-Deck in the tourist gymnasium next to the swimming pool. We are just below the waterline and the engines pound steadily at our starboard. However, it's right homey, as we are piled in 3-decker bunks.The 1-1/2-foot aisles are usually so crowded that you can walk right out to the vestibule without touching the floor. The crew is English or Australian so all we hear is, "Right-O" or "Bloody blighter" or "We're from Haustralia, not England". The rest of the speech we don't understand at all.

The chow is lousy, sugar and butter for breakfast only; sometimes fish for breakfast. One lad poured himself two cups of "tea" before the steward told him he was drinking dishwater. (The dishes are washed right at the mess tables). The ship is a beautiful one—very elaborate paneling and wood carvings depicting travel all over the world. There must be 12 or 14 decks plus hold space. Anti-aircraft guns stick out like pins everywhere.

February 19, 1942
Oh, oh! A bit sea-sick this morning but o.k. in the evening. Had boat drill—have to climb 18 stairs to get to boats, of which there are enough for half of us only. Tasted sea-water for first time while taking shower and lost my dog tags at same time.

February 21, 1942
Heard a rumor that the Queen Mary was sunk last night with loss of all on board—probably just propaganda—anyway, my feet aren't even wet. Sighted land, ships and 3 airplanes off [to] starboard...the land [is] probably Miami, Florida.

February 22, 1942
Anchored at noon somewhere off Key West. The Ocean is as blue as Althea's eyes, blue as her evening gown, and looks much like the bluing in mom's laundry water.

Finally got K.P. First thing we learned was to save the sugar left over from each sitting at breakfast, put it all in one bowl and hide the bowl behind the table so that we, at least, will have sugar with all our meals. I was lucky enough to get at a table seating of 10 only instead of the usual 20.

February 23, 1942
First full day of K.P. Had horse meat for dinner. Saw an orderly dragging a pan of it across the kitchen floor. [When] a piece fell off and dragged across the floor, he merely stuck a hook in it and dragged it back into the pan again. We didn't move at all today. Destroyers are near on all sides and a sea plane cruises about us continually.