Camp Shanks

It was October 13, 1943, when the 741st moved to Camp Shanks, New York, known as "Last Stop USA." Staging at Camp Shanks was at its peak during this month, when 78,354 troops arrived while 85,805 troops departed. Transient soldiers were temporarily house in barracks that measured 20' x 100', and consisted of two rows of bunks and three coal-burning pot-belly stoves, which provided limited heat.

Soldiers were shipped out within twelve hours of being put on Alert status. They removed their division sleeve patches, and their helmets were chalked with a letter and a number, indicating the proper marching order as they left the camp for troopships.

October 15 — Just waiting for word to take off on a grand twelve-hour pass. Phones and telegraph lines are now restricted.

October 16 — Went on guard duty tonight. Had a letter from Dad today and they are pretty worried. They need reassurance. We're still in a concentration camp. Can't go anywhere at all, just our immediate area. Been cold and rainy here since we arrived. I wish we would either get up and go or they would give us some freedom.

October 18 — Sitting around again tonight. Been a vacation since coming here, but I can well imagine that once aboard ship, that will cease. My number is 13. Thirteenth man in the Company to hit the plank.

Dennis attached special meaning to the number 13, much of it good. It was Gertrude's birth date.

October 19 — Phones and telegraph lines both out and in are restricted, practically the same as being aboard a ship.

On October 21st, the unit boarded a luxury liner, the MS Capetown Castle, sailed past the Statue of Liberty, then on to England, the final training ground for the European Theatre.