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Monday, August 29, 2011

August 30, 1943


Desert Training Center, California
Aug 30, 1943
12:00 P.M.


Darling Mark,

Hello Sweetheart!!

I got your 5 page letter today. I’m glad it came today, we’re moving out at 2:00 for another week in the field. That means I’ll be  - CHOW –



As I was saying I’ll be pretty busy. I only had time to write 3 letters last week. I go to observation school 2 nites a week now too. I usually have a little nite work along with my regular routine. I’ll never catch up on sleep.

Sat. nite I was on guard till 10:00 & Sun. from 6-8 & 12-2.

Next week end will be our last in camp till Oct. 16. The nites are plenty cool now out in the field.

Yes I got a letter from Cec yesterday – it made me a little blue not being able to see him. I like the picture honey & you know damn well I’m going to keep it. Yes, I still want the other one & anymore you’ve got.

The folks are all okay & the baby that was burned is alright now too.

I don’t think I’ll be able to see Ralph here, till after maneuvers anyway. No, he doesn’t like it at all. He told me every evening when school is out he expects to go home like he did in high school. Honey, there’s sure a lot of stars in the sky out here & one nite I timed the moon coming up over a mountain. It took 1 min & 40 seconds for the whole moon to come up above the mountain. It was really beautiful. I have a pastime on guard duty at nite. Mainly thinking of you – what you’re doing – how are you, when will I see you, & how I’d like to be with you. Just dreaming honey.

I’d better close for now. I haven’t quite the time to write a 5 page today – but the first chance I get I’ll write again. I’ve got to pack now & it usually takes me quite a while to get all the stuff I need & want to take along in this mussett bag.

WWII mussette bag


It takes 5 days for your letters to get here.

I’m okay honey – maybe not as happy as I’d like to be – but okay. I know you’re alright – aren’t you? Gotta go now.

Write soon, Honey.
Bye now                     All My Love
                                           Johnny              X O X
X   O  X       O  X
X   O  X   O       X       O

Sunday, August 28, 2011

August 27, 1943


Desert Training Center, California
Aug 27, 1943

Darling Mark,

Hello Sweetheart!!

Believe it or not I got a letter from you today. They’re nice honey – but too far between. I’d write more often if I got a few more letters from you.

We were in the field again last week – just got back 2:30 this morning. They woke us up about 1:00 to come back to camp. Haven’t been getting much sleep either – usually guard duty every nite & now 2 nites a week I go to observation school.

I did get to go to L.A. – had a wonderful time. Wish you were there!!

From now on we’ll be out on maneuvers every week... if we can keep our cars in condition. Last week our co. broke 8 at $18 apiece. They said if we break anymore we’d have to pay for them – but they can’t do that – or can they?

My brother Ralph is in Sacramento Cal. now going to radio school. He’s got the best go.

It’s getting cooler at nite here too. I about froze the other nite in the field. Along about the last part of September & October it goes down to freezing at nite, & then hot again in the afternoon.

I just finished taking a shower & shave. We’re having another beer party tonite. The last one till after maneuvers are over. I’ll get my fill of Coke!!

How is Lucy? Do you see her very much?

Well honey I’d better close for tonite & go eat chow & then??? I’m not getting drunk – so don’t raise your blood pressure honey & I know you can.

We’re only getting $10 this payday till after maneuvers are over & then they’re going to give it to us all at once. I suppose it’s better that way – I’ll have something to come home on.

Well – Bye now honey – I miss you very much & I know all about those long lonesome nites.

Please write soon – honey.

                 All My Love                         X O X
X O X                 X X            Johnny                      X       X
    X      X          X          X


Thursday, August 25, 2011

Fall 1943

There are long stretches between letters during this time.

Mark confessed that she had a "crush" on a blond young man while Johnny was away, and didn't write as often during that time.  She was a little distracted, you might say.  So, when Johnny scolds her about not writing often enough...... now you know why!

She also loved her independence, being young and single, working and earning money at the radio crystal factory.  She often went out with her friends to go dancing, and enjoyed playing tennis at the local tennis courts down the street.  Even though in the letters Johnny often mentions marriage, Mark was in no hurry to settle down.

Then there came a time when she realized she was madly, deeply in love with Johnny and suddenly just couldn't wait to get married to him.  

But I get ahead of myself.....






Saturday, August 20, 2011

August 20, 1943


Desert Training Center, California
Aug 20, 1943
Fri.   8:00 P.M.

Darling Mark,

Hello Sweetheart!!

I received your letter today – I guess it was about time you were writing.

I’ve been doing a lot of reading too of whatever I can find – only because there’s nothing else to do. It takes my mind off a lot of things too.

I guess that letter did sound screwy – but I was so mad – I didn’t know which end was up.

We just came in out of the field this morning. I should go to sleep now – but I’m going to the show instead.

Yes – honey I’m sure I wasn’t thinking of other “Babes” when I missed that command. You didn’t have to make a crack about it. I do miss you – honey! You never did send the words to that record.

My brother Ralph is in Sacramento Cal. now going to radio school for 14 weeks. He’s really got it made.

My oldest bro. Frank is in Illinois now completing his radio course.

Well honey I’d better close for tonite. By the way how is Lucy? If you ever see her, tell her I said hello.

Goodnite honey.                 X O X
Please answer soon!
All My Love                 Johnny

Wednesday, August 10, 2011

August 11, 1943


Desert Training Center, California
Aug 11, 1943
Tuesday 1:00 P.M.

Darling Mark,

Hello Sweetheart!!

I got your letter yesterday. It was delayed because you didn’t put my full address on it. I went to L.A. last Thurs. & just got back in time for reveille Monday morning. Our car broke down in Santa Anita on the way back. Had a swell time at Ocean Park & Long Beach. A Soldier’s Paradise!

I didn’t have time to answer yesterday we left in the afternoon to go out here. We’ll be out till Sat.

I’d like to get into a nice poker game & clean up. (Only kidding honey!)

We had a heavy rain yesterday & a flood in the lower parts. We had to wait 2 hrs. before we could get back across to camp. If I didn’t see it I wouldn’t have believed it. It’s hot as ever today again.

Believe it or not I have been good. I went to communion 2 weeks ago. There’s no other way to be out here.

Well honey its’ time to move again so I’ll close & drop this in the mail at the first chance. Write soon – if you can find time.

                                  Bye now.
All My Love        Johnny

X       O      X       X       O      X

Monday, August 8, 2011

August 9, 1943


Desert Training Center, California
Aug 9, 1943

Darling Mark,

Hello Sweetheart!!

I thought I’d better write tonite while I have a chance. We’re supposed to go out tomorrow nite & stay out till Fri. I’m going to try & get off & go to L.A. for 3 days. Almost a week & no letter from you. You’re slipping honey.

I just came back from the dispensary – I had to have this heat-rash treated. It’s driving me nuts!

Sat – I was out all day on a navigation problem charting roads in our maneuver area.

Tonite our Bu. played ball against 2nd Arm’d Regt. & beat 2-1. They told everybody they had to go, so I didn’t go. They’re going to try & make us go to a show tonite too. By the sounds of things I guess we’ll have to go anyway.

Well honey – they’re hollering there heads off. I guess I’ll go down & come right back.  Bye now

Write Soon – honey.

All My Love                 Johnny

Saturday, August 6, 2011

August 6, 1943

Desert Training Center, California
Aug 6, 1943
8:30 P.M.

Darling Mark –

Hello Sweetheart!!

Received your letter yesterday – but was out in the field & didn’t have a chance to answer. I just finished writing a letter to Cec. I’m writing by a flashlight now.

We go out for 5 days next week. We had a lot of fun this week out. We fired a combat course with M.G.’s. & small arms & fired the 37 M.M. – A.T. also.


37mm Anti-Tank Gun


We didn’t do much today. Most of the time I was keeping out of the “Louies” paths.

Honey – it’s a beautiful nite out – how about a little lovin’? You bet we’re going to make up for the kisses we’ve missed. I can taste them already – oh

Honey – much as I hate to I’m sending the picture back. I’d like to know who you’re giving it to tho.

I plan to go to L.A. next week end – if nothing goes wrong.

I’d like to call you some time honey – when will you be home???

Well – honey I’d better close for tonite & get to bed. I’ve got to get up earlier in the morning & go on another navigation problem.

Those guys that got lost were from Camp Young – about 150 miles from here.

Write soon – sweetheart!!                    X O X
Goodnite now.   X O X
X O X                 All My Love                 Johnny     X O X
                                                   X X X X

Wednesday, August 3, 2011

August 3, 1943


Desert Training Center, California
Aug 3, 1943

Darling Mark,

Hello Sweetheart!!

No letter today – but I said I would write anyway. It’ll have to be short cause we’re falling out in about 10 min to go on the range. I didn’t think we’d go out till tomorrow nite. We’ll stay out till Thurs. so I won’t get a chance to write before then.

I was thinking about you today while we were marching – when all of a sudden we got a right flank – and I keep on marching – a buddy asked – what’s the matter – Kansas City? He’s from K.C. too & was thinking of K.C.

You’ll have to excuse this scratch honey – I’m trying to rush & get thru before we fall out.

A buddy just brought me a beer. It sure tastes good out here.

Well honey I’d better close. I’ll write when I come in again.

Bye now. Write soon. I miss you an awful lot, honey.

All My Love                 Johnny
X                                         X                                X
                 X                                         X
                 HAD          TO             FILL                   IN

X               THIS                  X               SPACE                X
                 X                                         X      
X                                         X                                         X


Monday, August 1, 2011

August 2, 1943


Desert Training Center, California
Aug 2, 1943
Mon.    6:00 P.M.



Darling Mark –

         Hello Sweetheart!!!

I finally got a letter today. First one since last Tues. I thought you was already in the Marines or I would have written. I hope you got the idea out of your head by now.

         I didn’t hear the record but I’m curious to know what the words were.

         I thought things were tough around here, but I’ve found out how much tougher they can be. Mainly – we have to dress in khaki every nite for chow. We have to dress in khaki to leave the co. area – go to a show & go see the ball-game, which is right next to our tents. I’m going to just sit in my tent & watch it. We can only get out of camp on week-ends from 5:00 Sat. nite till 12:00 Sun. nite. We get 1 -3 day pass between now & Oct. 16! I think I’ll go to L.A. in a couple of weeks & hibernate till Oct.

Wed. we go out & fire the 37 M.M.  We’ll probably be out a couple of days.

         I started to a show last nite when a guy walks in & starts telling me how blue he was. By the time he left 10:00 P.M. I didn’t see any show & was blue myself. I don’t know why in the hell they have to tell me about their girl friends – as if I don’t think a hell of a lot about a certain girl friend & miss her more than any of them miss theirs.

         Things are getting monotonous around here – same old drill – we’ve had dozens of times before.

         I’m getting so I don’t care what they do – I’ve taken this much – I can take anything they can hand out. Even restrictions. But they had better not cut out mail call or they’ll be about a Div. that would go over the hill.

         I guess this is enough griping.
         How is everybody home? I got a letter from Mom yesterday. She & Dora went up to see Ralph in Lincoln last Sat.

         Well honey, I’d better close for tonite. I’ve got to shower & shave yet. I’ll write tomorrow – letter or no letter.

         Honey – don’t forget I miss you & think of you an awful lot.  Bye now.  Write Soon.

         X       X       X
All My Love                 Johnny              X O X
X       X       X       X       X       X       X       X       X       X       X       X       X

P.S.   I just happened to look at the picture of you & Lu & seen the question you asked inside the envelope? Well – I had a guy mail it for me that went to Las Vegas, cause I thought you would get it sooner. See?

P.S. AGAIN.        I just run across that post – card – all I can say is I wish I was the plumber - Murder!!