Thursday, 28 September 1944 Camp Kilmer, New Jersey1Camp Kilmer was an American Army camp built in New Jersey in 1942. It served as the largest troop mobilization center in America during World War II, processing over 20 divisions for action in Europe. The camp was declared inactive in 1949, and in 2009, the camp was officially closed. “Camp Kilmer,” Accessed April 24, 2014. Globalsecurity.org.
I awakened about 0630. It was just an ordinary morning, a bit on the unpleasant side, but it was also the day for which we had waited so long. After giving the men a cheery good morning I packed my personal equipment & clothing and spent the rest of the morning checking a man here & there to see if he had snafued in any way.
We boarded our train about 1700, helped on our way by a band and a freezing drizzle, which later developed into a full-fledged rain, which lasted the rest of the day. Arrived and took ferry to N.Y. Pier (Hudson River). Every one was carrying so much equipment. It seemed almost impossible to make it.
When we hit the pier, we were welcomed by a band and also by some Red Cross girls, who passed out do-nuts, coffee and candy. We could barely see the ship which was to be our home until we touched land again. I don’t know how the others felt as they went up the gang plank, but I was as excited as a man could be without showing it. Just as I hit the deck, the name, HMT HIGHLAND MONARCH, loomed out of the shadows, a british vessel of 15,000 tons.2A steel screw motorship built by Harland and Wolff of Belfast, the Highland Monarch was commissioned in 1928 for the Nelson Line. It was one of five “Highland” class ships and ferried Allied soldiers from America to England. It was eventually scrapped in 1960. “Gallery No. 39—Troopships,” Accessed April 24, 2014. Britisharmedforces.org Once aboard, we were shown to our quarters, and what quarters. Two decks below in what used to be a refrigerator room, of a fruit transport, they crowded twice as many G.I. Joes as normally would be assigned to such a space, gave us a quick lecture on safety precautions, told us how to swing hammocks and then “Thank God” let us alone. We weren’t happy but we were tired. We soon hit the sack.
Friday, 29 September HMT Highland Monarch
Sailed at 0430. Had run 63 miles by noon. Was awakened about 0630 by a destroyer which came [continued on next page]
