April 1942
Apr. 29
Left Fort Dix by train at 3:30 p.m. Passed through Jersey City at dusk. Had a last look at Journal Square and Downtown where people cheered from windows and streets as we passed. Boarded ferry at Exchange Place to uptown New York where we embarked on Aquitania. Saw Normandie in next pier still lying on its side. Our quarters leave much to be desired. Walters and Rabbitt bunked above me with Sgts. Styrlund, Reberg and Blackie Oliphant on the other side. Some of Coast Artillery were pushed in with us. Someone said we were to be in "C" deck staterooms but someone made a mistake.
Apr. 30
Awoke at 6:50 a.m. to learn we were passing the Statue of Liberty. Had boat drill at 9:45 and then spent most of the day watching our convoy. The C.O. passed on info to non-coms that we will be part of the largest convoy in history. Present plans seem to be to go first to Halifax before starting over. The meals are terrible: mutton, bad corned beef, badly cooked vegetables, etc. Everybody griping about something.
Two cruisers, at least 10 destroyers and an aircraft carrier form our protection. One of the other transports is the Cathay.