1943 Manuscript Diary and Personal Items of a US Navy Recruit from Ohio Who is Delighted to Join Up and Describes Daily Training with Enthusiasm and Rare Detail

On offer is a diary that doubles as a coming-of-age tale of a 20-year-old newly inducted US Navy serviceman from Nellie, Ohio, kept for three months in 1943 while he trained at the Great Lakes Training Center near Chicago, graduated, took a short leave back in Ohio, and headed to his next base in Hitchcock, Texas. During this time he describes in very impressive and rarely-seen detail every aspect of his training and adjustment to army life. 

The author of this diary is Charles Albert Rodock (1922-2012), who worked as a grinder at the Timken Company in Canton, Ohio for his entire career. He married bookkeeper Mary Kathryn Jones (1927-2017) and together they had one child, Deborah Jean (b. 1952). [To learn more about Charles and the Rodock family of Ohio, see BIO NOTES at end of listing]. 

Charles registered for the army in 1942 at age 19, and was inducted into the army on March 9, 1943 and began training at the Great Lakes Training Centre on March 19, 1943. He kept this diary carefully until a few days before he was transferred to the Naval Air Station Hitchcock, Texas in late June, 1943.

Charles follows the flow of his My Life in the Service diary to the tee. He fills five pages titled “My Buddies” and “My Buddies in the Service” to record and have his pals record their names, addresses and some well wishes. He leaves the intervening pages blank and picks back up at the “diary” section of the book, and begins right at the beginning: 

“I was sent to Columbus for induction into the US Army. I chose Navy and was held over that night” [March 9].

Over the next several days he writes of each day’s events related to his induction into the service, from his swearing in to his medical checks to his travel to Chicago, where he arrived on March 18. 

His energy for his new job as a member of the US Navy cannot be overstated, nor can the detail with which he describes his daily routine as he trains into his role. Excerpts give a sense for the vigour and detail with which Rodock writes:

“Up at 5:30 in the morning. Took a physical exam. Passed with flying colors. Got a real set of clothes and sure wasn’t sorry I joined the Navy. Sure got my first taste of navy chow. Breakfast was good, Dinner (fish) and Supper (stews). What a time when I first got into my Navy blues which made me feel like I just became a man” [March 19].

“Went to morning quarters (inspection) for the first time. We have it every morning from here on out. Had a class in Navy statutes and then clothes rolling. I got all of mine done in good shape. Bag inspection is soo so the C.P.O said. Company is beginning to go to work and get things done. We got our smokery privilege but no canteen privilege yet. Got a very nice picture from Betty” [April 7].

“Got a class in boxing and final two shots. They were the worst two and one fellow fainted as we were about to leave the drill hall. Then we drilled four hours in the afternoon. I stood guard while the boys went to a show…” [April 8].

“To day was a long, tiresome and very disgusting day. We were on regimented work detail. Started off with early morning quarters and then fire drill….ended up by standing guard from 8:00PM util 12:00 midnight” [April 9]. 

“We got up and then started to pack our things sea going style. We cleaned up the barracks and started to our new camp at 8:30 AM. Arrived in Camp Green Bay at 10:00 AM and met our new C.P.O. He gave us instructions on first about every thing. I met Buck at the canteen at 5:30PM. He sure was glad to see Jack and I. We had quite a get together. I took him into my barracks and I went into his afterwards. Then I had charge of taking the boys to the show. We saw “Cabin in the Sky”. Then we got back to our new barracks and prepared for bed. It sure was a great day and a busy one. Because of our first time for moving” [April 24].

“This looks as if the last day Jack and I are going to be together. He is being drafted to Saben Pass, Texas and I am going to Hitchcock, Texas air base. We packed our gear and left New Orleans naval station at 8:30. We rode the train all night and got in Houston Texas” [June 11].

“I unloaded bombs weighing 325 lbs almost all day long. I then cleaned up and went on Liberty. I sure was tired and didn’t feel like doing much. Met several nice gals and sure had a good time” [June 21].

While this diary does not contain the action that a frontline WWII diary might, the detail with which Charles describes his experience, leaving nothing out from the moment he is inducted into the army through his graduation from training and trip to his first naval base, makes it a true treasure. This diary would be of interest to anyone interested in World War Two from the perspective of the young recruit, or the lived experience of a young small town man coming-of-age in the army. 

This diary measures approximately 6x4.5 inches. 53 pages are filled with long, newsy, legible diary entries, an additional 5 pages have names and addresses of the author’s pals, and approximately 4 other pages in the diary have been filled in. The diary is hardcover and in good condition with only typical signs of age and wear typical of a diary of its age. Included with the diary are a number of Rodock’s photos, ephemera and a personal bible gifted to Rodock and inscribed by his reverend. These accompanying pieces add colour to Rodock’s story.  

BIO NOTES: Born in Nellie, Coshocton County, Ohio, Charles Albert Rodock graduated from Warsaw High School in the Class of 1940. He then moved to Canton to work for Timken Company as a grinder in the Bearing factory, where he would work his entire career until his retirement in 1985. In 1947, Charles married Mary Kathryn Jones, a bookkeeper at First National Bank and later at the Bearing factory. Charles and Mary had one daughter, Deborah Rodock Maiese (b. 1952). Deborah married Dr. Philip M. Maise in 1978. Deborah is a highly educated and accomplished researcher who attained a Master’s degree in public administration from George Washington University. Charles was an active member of his community, being involved in the Dueber United Methodist Church, Canton Lodge No. 60 F&A.M., Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite, Valley of Canton, and Goodyear Hunting and Fishing Club of Akron.