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very inflated egos over our successful mission. This experience taught us well and we eagerly anticipated a forthcoming mission in Virginia and Maryland.
Next, we boarded naval craft and headed for the Maryland and Virginia coastline for a sneak infiltration of a large concentration of enemy troops. This was also very exciting because it allowed us to match wits with the enemy defending that area.
After the specialized training, I returned to Camp Pickett, Virginia, and to a limited garrison life. I was then given a furlough to visit with my family in Kiln, Mississippi.
Upon my return to Camp Pickett, Virginia, an atmosphere of
anticipation prevailed throughout the Division------this was it! !
We were alerted for overseas duty and the unknown. We were transported by train to Hampton Roads, Virginia, where we boarded the troop ship S. S. Cape Cod.
On 2 March 1944, we departed Hampton Roads, Virginia, and headed out of Chesapeake Bay into the Atlantic Ocean and the beginning of a trip to an unknown destination. Approximately thirty-six hundred troops were on board the SS Cape Cod, so space was at a premium. We were assigned to vertically arranged (stacked on top of each other) canvas bunks, so sleeping conditions left much to be desired.
As we headed into the Caribbean Sea, the ship became unstable due to rough water swells, causing the ship to wobble abnormally. Almost everyone on board, including the naval crew, became seasick.
From the Caribbean Sea, we entered Limon Bay to commence cur journey through the Panama Canal. A navigational pilot boarded our ship to take charge of navigation and movement of our ship. Our vessel was connected to towing locomotives by heavy cables. The locomotives moved on rails as they pulled us through the Gatun locks, in three steps, from sea level to Gatun Lake approximately 85 feet above sea level. We traveled the 24 mile section of Gutan Lake to Gamboa where Gail lard cut begins. While in Gatun Lake, we were treated to fresh v*ater showers. This was the only fresh water shower we had during the entire 36 day voyage. The ship now moved a distance of eight miles through the Gaillard Cut to the Pedro Miguel locks. The Pedro Miguel locks is a one step (31 ft descent) to the intermediate Miraflores Lake, 54 feet above sea level. We travelled about one mile on the Miraflores Lake before reaching the Miraflores locks. Then, we were drawn through