Eventually, it became the largest processing center for troops heading overseas and returning from World War II handling over 2.5 million soldiers.

The camp was named for Joyce Kilmer, the soldier-poet of World War I, most famous for writing the poem, Trees. His home was in nearby New Brunswick, New Jersey.

This is a booklet given to Private Grubb explaining the do’s and don’t while waiting to be shipped back to his safe home in Columbus Ohio.

Things of note in this book include the following advice:  You’re home now and will be able to do al the things you have probably dreamed about. Don’t ruin it right off the bat by going out and getting "stinko" or seeing if you can run the tap dry the first night. Liquor is prohibited… If you get all "slopped up" here you may get into trouble."

Other advice:  "It’s always the unloaded gun or the "dud" that does the killing and maiming…. Turn in all GI small arms and all live ammunition."

"You’ll be out of here before out can say "Jack Robinson." No visitors are allowed on the Post at any time."

"Do not carry knives or pistols on you person, leave them in your baggage. Do not throw ammunition, etc into the rubbish.  Several serious accidents have occurred because of this."

This is what the original book looked like.	Our book is water damaged and a few pages cannot be opened.
	The back cover is heavily damaged and surprising appears to be in German.

The article reads BERLIN AUG 24.

The famous 82nd Airborne (All American) Division has taken over the duties of the occupation force for the United

States Zone in Berlin, replacing the Second Armored Division. The 82nd contains men from all the 48 states of the

Union and from 388 cities and towns. The Division participated in the campaigns of Sicily, Salerno, Normandy, the Ardennes

and Central Europe.  Twenty-seven men in the Division from Columbus as listed by the Army include:

Capt. Albert Trefny Jr 1451 Neil Ave., Pvt. Joe L Tabowitz, 609 S 22nd St., Sgt. Ralph D Link, 422 S Richardson Ave., PFC David H Schaffer, 439 E Mound St., Cpl. Harry C Miller, 594 Clark Ave., PFC Harry G Sowers, 230 W 1st Ave., Pvt. Joseph W Gygi, 377 W Cherry Drive, PFC Joseph J Danter 2626 S 5th St.

S/Sgt Joseph P McMahon 456 Stoddart Ave.,  Pvt Donald G Bandy 548 Hampton Road, T/Sgt Oris F Weaver 1512 Parsons Ave., PFC James R Bro, 2016 Denunne Ave, Cpl. James D Schaffner 174 12th Ave., Pfc. Paul L Davis 333 E Kosuth St..  S/Sgt. Richrad Lonsdale Wikinson 255 Avondale Ave., Sgt. Joseph L Cassidey 253 E Kossuth St, S/Sgt .Richard Lonsdale Wilkinson 253 Avondale Ave., Sgt. Joseph L Cassidey 253 E Maynard Ave., Cpl. Victor C Salome, 128 E Brickel St.

Pvt. Larry B Bukey 144 E Maynard Ave., Pvt. Earl R Rife 967 E Fulton St., T/SGT. LLoyd F Cornwell, 982 1/2N High St. Cpl. Jack L Bomer, 34 E Tulane Road, Sgt Danie Tonequzzo 801 E Third Ave.,  PFC Joseph E Sabo, 317 Barthman Ave., S/Sgt Earl W Shepard, 250 S Burgess Ave., S/Sgt Carrroll C Carter 2394 Indiana Ave.,  Pfc. James M Grubb 19 N Skidmore Street, Cpl. Eugene G Colburn 434 Thurman Ave.

This is booklet explaining about Berchtesgarden

Private Grubb was assigned here until discharged from the war. The cover is damaged

and it looks like it was mailed home to his mother.

This is an important photo as we can clearly see the screaming eagle on his uniform.

He also appears to have a sergeant stripe.  He has his paratrooper wings and some campaign

buttons and one of the buttons has three arrows.  It also looks like he as the distinquised

unit citation on the right breast.  He has grown a mustache.  This is not an early photo on his

career.

This is an important card as it established he arrive in Italy. His birthday was May 20, 1925 so his arrival date in Europe is the last week of May 1944. We believe he may have landed in Sicily.

It looks similar to the other pay books but has an important stamp.  AR35-1495.  This means he receives the additional $50.00 a month for jumping out a plane.  A Marksman award would also result in an extra $5.00 a month.  And combat pay once sent overseas would bring in another .30 cents a day.

These pictures were taken on my first time home since I had been in the service.

Which was the first week  of April had seven days which went all to soon for me.

These pictures were taken at Grandma’s. Al, Raymond Bill and I.

Photo on the left appears to be James in uniform with his sister Carrie.

Photo on the right is clearly James in uniform with sister Carrier who is also picture in the dark dress.

Sister Mary is pictured in the hat below Carrie.

you can see he has his paratrooper wings and his screaming eagle on his jacket.

He also has the classic lace up jump boots.  What a youthful face.

This parachute log record has the dates 3-14-44 and 3-15-44.  Under activity or individual it says:
John J Doe with initials.

I’m not sure why it says John Doe.

We moved again we are right across the street from the Wars unit right by the airport. We are not rich Kings now.

With Love Marcum  Postmarked March 7 1944 Ft Benning

Pvt Grubb tells us:  My first two weeks with the Paratroops was not an easy task.

It was T.S. and plenty of it from morning till night. The first week was spent in exercises.

TS was a term referring to tough shit.  FUBAR and SNAFU also came out of the war.

FUBAR meaning "Fucked Up Beyond All Repair", or beyond all recognition.

Not to be confused with SNAFU:  Situation Normal: All Fucked Up.