This was a story of a young man form east Bronx on his journey through basic training to the front and home once again. He described the events and people along the way, including his true feelings. He was eighteen when he was drafted just beginning college. Harry was a very intelligent young man who entered a program called the ASTP, which was the Army Specialized Training Program. It was a program for those who scored high on exams.
             After being drafted he soon went to Camp Upton in November of 1943. On that morning he took a train to the Camp, where strangers surrounded him with no friends in sight. As soon as they got off the train they were taught how to march and then sent to get something to eat. The first night there was hard on many of them. Some cried while some snored. He didn't stay there very long and soon went to basic training at Fort Benning. Here he made friends and felt like he fit in more than at Upton. He was surrounded by a group of men that shared his intelligence. Here he and his platoon here were trained very well in many different areas. Here he received his infantry badge by passing a series of difficult tests, which only a hand full did.
             He waited for the news that he would have to leave for Europe, which was his biggest fear. His family was very close to him and he often wrote them and even got to spend thanksgiving with them. Then in the fall he was shipped to Europe on a big ocean liner along with many other soldiers. By this time he was nineteen and knew that he was most likely to be a single replacement for an infantry unit. The long ride over was not a pleasant time. Here he received the worst food of his whole experience, but soon was on dry land again. From there he went to Raville where he was a single replacement. Upon arrival he was taken to a field to display his ability in firing a mortar. After his ability was confirmed after two shots they then returne
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