Howard Lyford

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This collection consists of thirty-one letters written by Howard D. (Duke) Lyford to his family, primarily to his sister Lela. This collection documents Lyford’s military career after he enlisted in the U.S. Army. Without having gone through basic training, he was sent with Company D of the 2nd California Infantry to guard a copper company in Utah against possible enemy espionage. After five months he was sent to Camp Kearney for basic training, where he joined Company M of the 159th Infantry.

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Monday evening November 19th

Dearest Newah: -

Non-coms school is just over, so I will write you a few lines to let you know I am still living or rather existing as I haven't got over that said cold yet, and I surely do not feel like I am living. My lips and nose are all chapped and as sore as a boil. Everyone in camp is complaining of a cold, and this is certainly

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an ideal climate to get one in. Today was so hot I almost roasted to death. In fact is has been terrible warm for almost a week.

I was made corporal last Wednesday so you can address my letters that way from now on. If you think there isn't plenty of responsibility attached to wearing those two stripes I wish you were in my shoes for one day. I feel proud to think I was made over so many old men but you certainly get hell (excuse my French, but I am just explaining my sentiments) every so oftern and a number of times when you do not deserve it, but they all get it so I am not alone. I have to go to school every night, and believe me it is no cinch. It is more than worth the six dollars a month more I get.

More than likely you read in the papers about the big review we had last Saturday. There were 30,000 spectators present, and between 20,000 and 30,000 troops marching. It was the biggest strain I was ever under trying to keep our line straight. Every corporal was responsible for his squad, and was warned ahead

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of time what was going to happen if there was a breach in his section of the line. When we passed the generals' stand I was some nervous as I was afraid all the time the strain would be too great and the line would breach. As luck would have it it was perfect. Just think of 250 men marching in two lines side by side or in other words marching in what's known in military as a company front. You want to try and keep a line straight when you are walking along with ten or fifteen girls and then you will have some idea of what 125 would be like. Every thin went off fine and without a hitch. There was a rear-admiral in the reviewing stand with a number of other high "mucky-mucks."

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How is all the family? Especially mama and papa. Say hello to Mrs. Adams and Mrs. Clark and all the rest of my friends. I received two cakes and a box of candy from Vivian and Ester.

It was some sight and the first opportunity anyone on the Pacific Coast ever had to see a whole division marching in review. I would have liked to have seen it all myself. A division consists of every branch of the service. All we had a change to see was a few companies marching on the parade ground when we were marching back to quarters. Our regiment was second in line and it was over an hour before the last company passed the reviewning stand of the last regiment. After standing

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and marching all morning I waited from 12:45 to 4:30 in the afternoon to get a train to San Diego. I had to stand in line all that time too. It is awful hard to get out of here on Wed., Sat., and Sunday. The train was only two hours late Saturday on account of a wreck.

I went to San Diego Sunday to and that meant two nights in succession until one o'clock. That is a whole lot different thatn seven or seven thirty, my regular bed time. I always go to be right after school, which only lasts a hour or so instead of three hours which I thought it would at first. If it lasted three hours I would be dead. We have to do plenty of studying on the side. I think you can tell by this letter I am almost asleep. It's all I can do to see the paper but I haven't written for quite awhile so I just had to write tonight. I am through with this Sunday night stuff. Five forty-five comes too early.

The military police thought sure he made a haul last night when he searched me and found a bottle in my pocket but it happened

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