On December 15, 1942 we left Fort Benning for New York City, traveling by train. Shades down, we had no idea where we were headed, except that this was the first leg of our trip overseas. We were wearing woolen uniforms which had been standard for us, so we couldn't speculate on our destination based on our apparel.  We arrived at Camp Kilmer, where we encountered a sea of mud and below freezing temperatures. There was no heat in the barracks where we were prepared for our embarkation.  We were given our immunizations;  our equipment was inspected to make sure we had the requisite supplies. Every morning for fifteen days we did calisthenics and close-order drill.   We were given "trial runs" several times a day to make sure we could pack and be ready to leave when a whistle was blown. Finally one of these runs proved to be the real thing, and we were loaded on trucks.  We had two bags.  One went ahead to the ship; the other, weighing approximately 100 pounds, we carried on our backs. We wore full uniform including helmet, gas mask, mess kit and winter overcoats. We boarded the USS Ancon which would leave the Port of New York at 05:15 hours on January 14, 1943.

SHIPPING OUT

Getting on the ship was a lengthy procedure.  We walked up the gangplank and were checked off and assigned a "compartment" below deck which was to be my home for the duration of the trip.  Four bunks were on each side of the passageway and I was on the third one up. Our ship was definitely not a luxury liner. We still did not know where we were going.

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