Once again we were running, doing exhausting physical training exercises,  and mastering intricate landing apparatus and training devices.

We spent our evening hours learning to ‘pack’ parachutes. We were told we would use the parachutes we packed during our qualification jumps, and we did.

Finally, I learned that parachute pay would be $50.00 per month. [So much for the $50.00 per jump.]  However, the food was good, but we walked or ran everywhere, WW II airborne units did not have vehicles. 

On February 26, 1943, we in Hq1 completed our five qualification parachute jumps. We pinned on our parachute wings, bloused our trousers in highly shined brown parachutist’s boots, and had a blue and white parachute patch sewn on our caps. You could not miss us; we were proud, cocky parachutists.  Finally, we were given ten day furloughs, our first days off since October 1942.   

We returned to Fort Benning, from our furloughs, packed up and moved to Camp Mackall, NC. The camp consisted of new wooden buildings erected in a swampy wilderness with muddy ruts for roads. We quickly learn-ed to clear brush and pickup debris.  

In the following months, we developed our combat skills. Our days were spent doing advanced infantry training, crew served weapons drills and firing, and individual weapons qualification. We made night jumps and maneuvered in South Carolina and Tennessee. 

Our training continued into December and I began to think about spend-ing Christmas at Camp Mackall or perhaps at home on furlough. Instead, we were ordered to pack everything we owned for a move. No one knew where we were going!  However, on December 19, 1943, we marched to the railroad station. We had the feeling that we were destined for a long overseas voyage.

We arrived at Camp Shanks, New York December 20, and spent Christmas Day in camp. No passes but good food. 

We loaded aboard the "James Parker" on December 27. In the morning, we joined a convoy of ships and sailed into the Atlantic Ocean.

Eleven days later, we landed in Ireland, and began orientations and traveling.  On March 10, 1944, we started a journey by boat and train to Nottingham, England.