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Sunday, August 4, 2013

Nov. 29, 1944: Our Soldier might be leaving soon



WAR & NAVY
DEPARTMENTS
V-MAIL SERVICE
 ______________
OFFICIAL BUSINESS



11-29-44


My Darling Mark,
         Hello Sweetheart! How’s my honey? Just answered a letter home, so thought I’d write you a few lines too. Let me know how long it takes for this to get there too. Everything is about the same with me honey. Everyday is the same. I guess I’ll be leaving here now – hope to see you.
Well sweetheart I’ll close for tonite. I love & miss you more everyday, honey!! Bye for now,
Write Soon                 All My Love,                Johnny

Friday, July 26, 2013

Nov. 19, 1944: Johnny Goes To Surgery Again In The Morning



Nov. 19, 1944
5:00 P.M.



My Darling Mark
         Hello Sweetheart!
I got your letter of the 2 & the v-mail of the 7th today.
No honey I didn’t get to vote this year – I didn’t feel like bothering with it in the first place – Roosevelt won anyway – I was going to vote for him.
         It’s practically impossible to get any pictures taken here now honey – but if I ever get a chance I’ll have some taken & send them to you.
         Honey, you’re still sending your mail to 4116 if you would use 4117 I’d get it a couple of days earlier.
         I’m feeling pretty good honey & coming along okay.
         I go to surgery again in the morning – so if you don’t get any letters for 3 or 4 days after this one – you’ll know why. I don’t think I’m going to feel much like writing for about a week.
Well honey I think I’ll write the folks & go to sleep if I can. Is that bowling alley finished yet?
Bye for now Sweetheart. I love you & miss you more every day. Write Soon. All My Love Always   Johnny

Thursday, July 4, 2013

Nov. 17, 1944: Next Week They'll Cut the Scar Out of His Leg



Nov. 17, 1944
England



My Darling Mark
         Hello Sweetheart! !
I got a letter & a v-mail from you today of the 2nd. They both got here the same day – but the v-mail would have got here first if you had of used the right address.
I could read the v-mail very plain honey. The ink didn’t make ay difference. Honey, you can [catch? sic} a bus at the Terminal at 9th, maybe that will take you out home.
I’m feeling okay honey & my leg is nearly healed up. I guess about next week, they’ll cut the scar out & close it. Then I’ll be thru – I hope!
It’s been raining constantly all day & it’s getting pretty cold.
I slept most of day, didn’t even get up for breakfast. It’ll sure be a shock to get up for reveille in the mornings again after I leave here.
How about some more pictures honey? I love you & miss you more every day honey. Got to shave now before lights out! Bye for now, Sweetheart! Write soon.
All My Love
Always      Johnny

Nov. 12, 1944: It's Been About A Year Today Since He Was Last At Home



With what joy and trembling fingers she must have opened each envelope – some are opened neatly and carefully.  Others appear to be ripped open with eagerness.  What news will each letter bring?   Is he healing?  Is he getting worse?  Any chance that he will come home?  And soon?

Oh, to be so far away, knowing he’s injured and lonely so far from home.  How heart-wrenching that must be!




Nov. 12, 1944
England


My Darling Mark
         Hello Sweetheart! !
I got 2 letters from you today honey – 26 – 27. Was really glad to hear from you. It takes 3 to 4 weeks now it seems to get any mail from the states.
I’m feeling okay honey & up & around all day – when I’m not sleeping – I’m getting lazier every day. My leg is coming along alright – a little slow. I don’t have much trouble with my chest – except for being short-winded as hell. I don’t think it’ll slow me down on loving you tho honey.
It’s been a year about today – that I was last home – too damn long to suit me!
Maybe it won’t be much longer – I’ve gained most of my weight back – but have 15 lbs to go yet. I don’t think I’ll gain much as long as my leg keeps draining. It should be okay in a week.
Well honey I guess I’ll answer Sis’ letter, & call it a night. I miss you more every day honey. Bye for now. Write soon. I love you Sweetheart.
All My Love Always     Johnny

Tuesday, June 25, 2013

Nov. 12, 1944: His Leg is Coming Along Allright



With what joy and trembling fingers she must have opened each envelope – some are opened neatly and carefully.  Others appear to be ripped open with eagerness.  What news will each letter bring?   Is he healing?  Is he getting worse?  Any chance that he will come home?  And soon?

Oh, to be so far away, knowing he’s injured and lonely so far from home.  How heart-wrenching that must be!


Nov. 12, 1944
England



My Darling Mark
         Hello Sweetheart! !
I got 2 letters from you today honey – 26 – 27. Was really glad to hear from you. It takes 3 to 4 weeks now it seems to get any mail from the states.
I’m feeling okay honey & up & around all day – when I’m not sleeping – I’m getting lazier every day. My leg is coming along alright – a little slow. I don’t have much trouble with my chest – except for being short-winded as hell. I don’t think it’ll slow me down on loving you tho honey.
It’s been a year about today – that I was last home – too damn long to suit me!
Maybe it won’t be much longer – I’ve gained most of my weight back – but have 15 lbs to go yet. I don’t think I’ll gain much as long as my leg keeps draining. It should be okay in a week.
Well honey I guess I’ll answer Sis’ letter, & call it a night. I miss you more every day honey. Bye for now. Write soon. I love you Sweetheart.
All My Love Always     Johnny

Monday, May 27, 2013

Nov. 9, 1944: Johnny Writes News about his Brothers



Nov. 9, 1944
England



My Darling Mark
         Hello Sweetheart! !
I received two letters from you today – 7th & 23rd. Was really glad to hear from you honey. I also got a letter from the folks. The first one I’ve received written to this hospital.
How you  feeling honey & what’s new around K.C.? I’m feeling okay – coming along okay – this leg is a little slow in healing tho!
Dode has left N.O. for duty & Ralph sent his clothes home so I guess he’ll be hitting for the S.P. before long. Ralph & Dora are expecting in May – I think. Imagine that my kid brother getting ahead of me with a family.
Bobby had to register – I didn’t realize he was that old already. I’m pretty sure he won’t get in – thank God!
Well, honey I’ll cut this short – lights go out at 9:00 now & it’s pass time for lights out.
I’ll try & write more next time. I love you & miss you more every day honey. Write Soon.
All My Love        Johnny

Monday, May 20, 2013

November 5, 1944: Johnny is walking to chow now



Sun., Nov. 5, 1944
England


My Darling
         Hello Sweetheart! !
I got your letter of the 19th today. The first one in about a week. I got a couple from home too.
         I don’t know why you haven’t received any of my Oct. mail – unless they’re holding it or the mail is just slow. My mail has been coming in slow too. I’ve been here 3 weeks now & haven’t received any letters I wrote from here.
         Haven’t been doing much. We see about 3 or 4 shows a week – that’s about all there is to do. I’m walking to chow now & my leg is coming along pretty good. It’s still a little weak in the knee. I think I’ve got one more operation on it – the Doc said he was going to cut the scar out when it heals.
         Went to Mass this morning – first chance I’ve had in 3 weeks.
         It’s been raining pretty hard all day – as it usually does.
         I’m gaining some weight – but still have about 15 lbs. to go yet.
         No, honey I’m not using a cane any more – it was more in my way – than it did good.
         I’ll let you know when I get your Christmas package, honey. I haven’t heard from Frank or Ralph lately. I guess they’re still in the same places. Dode is in New Orleans for 30 days – after that I guess he’ll go on duty. Mary was with him for 3 weeks in Gulfport.
I don’t know when I’ll be coming back, honey – the chances are pretty slim. But since I was a prisoner – I don’t think I’ll go back to combat on this front. If I was ever captured again I could be executed – a ruling of Geneva Conference.
This piece of shrapnel in my lung has left me pretty short winded anyway. I guess in time it will be better.
No, I didn’t get to see Bing Crosby while he was in England. He spent most of his time in London & the front.
It’s a year this month that I last seen you, honey. Long time, huh? I hope it isn’t another before we’re together again. I miss you more every day. I’ll close for now honey. Write soon. I love you Sweetheart!
All My Love -      Johnny

Tuesday, April 30, 2013

Oct. 29, 1944



Oct. 29, 1944
England



My Darling Mark
         Hello Sweetheart! !
I got two letters from you today – July 11th & 30th. Slow but sure.
I got the picture frame I sent for in June for your picture – but your picture burnt in the tank so it’s useless.
I also got a 3 month old package - that was too weatherbeaten to bother with.
         It was pretty nice today – the sun was even shining – a treat over here!
         I’m feeling pretty good now – still spend most of the time in bed. I can walk around – but it doesn’t feel so good yet – so I don’t stay up too long.
         What have you been doing lately honey? Being good?
         I’ll bet Dee Dee is getting big – huh?
         Well honey I guess this will have to be it for tonite – there isn’t anything to write. I miss you & love you more every day.
         We’ll have that double ring wedding yet.
Bye for now. Write soon.
All My Love Ever         Johnny

Sunday, February 24, 2013

Our WWII Soldier's Leg Wound Had to Be Opened Again



Oct. 27, 1944
England


My Darling Mark
         Hello Sweetheart! !
Got your very nice letter today. I also got one from Cec.
How is everything with you, honey. Are you still working 5 days a week now?
Honey, I don’t know what the hell to write in a letter anymore – there’s not anything worth writing. Don’t do anything unusual – same stuff day after day! I even hate to try & write a letter anymore. If I kept writing for the time it took me to write 2 pages – I could write you a book.
         Went to the show this afternoon & seen Charles Laughton “The Man from Down Under”. Pretty good – but I had seen it before.  I’ve seen some of the pics 4 times already just because there wasn’t anything else to do.
They didn’t graft any skin on my leg honey – they just cut the scar out & closed – but it became infected & had to open it again. I don’t know whether they’ll cut the scar out this time or not. Time will tell what’s what.
I don’t think I’ll get a 30 day leave honey – I’ll be lucky to get a short furlough over here! If I was back in the states – I’d probably get a long leave.
I honestly don’t think I’ll be sent back to the states honey – I would even say maybe. We’ll just have to sweat it out together & see what happens.
Well, honey I guess I’ll close this for tonight - & get washed & shaved – before lights go out. Then if I have time I’ll write Cec! He’s pretty proud of his kid!
Tell everyone hello honey.
I miss you & love you more every day.
Bye for now Sweetheart!!
Write soon.
All My Love
Always               Johnny


~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~


Johnny’s leg was definitely a long time healing. The gash in his leg had also developed an infection, and the British doctors were leaving the wound open so it could be cleaned regularly and could heal from the inside out.  One of the Army doctors ordered them to sew up the wound and get him back to the front lines.

They did as they were told and sewed it up.  Over the next two or three days, the leg began to swell and turn red.  On the third day, one of the other patients a few beds down who was a medic, called to the nurse to go tend to Jambrosic, that he was going into shock.  The doctors and nurses came running, took a look at him and at his leg, and cut the stitches open.  Pus literally squirted out of the wound.  They had to start over again, cleaning it out and letting it heal from inside.  The Army doctor didn’t give any more orders about Johnny’s care!

The scar on that leg was over a foot long, from his hip to his knee, and about 5 inches wide.  He rarely wore shorts because he didn't want the scar to show, but the injury didn’t slow him down.  He was on a bowling team for years, and later played golf several times a week.  You’d never know he had been injured by looking at him.

Saturday, February 9, 2013

Our WWII Soldier Is Able To Get Up 3 or 4 Times a Day



Oct. 27, 1944
England



My Darling Mark
         Hello Sweetheart! !
I got your letter of the 14th today – was really glad to hear from you after a while. How’s everything with you honey? I’m sure lonesome for you!!
         I’m feeling okay & coming along pretty good. I get up 3 or 4 times a day & walk around a bit.
I got a letter from Cec. a couple of days ago. He’s seems pretty proud of his kid.
         I got a package from home – they sent me Dad’s apple crop / apple. It was good anyway! I’ll let you know honey – when I receive yours.
Gracious honey – I can’t think of anything to write. I don’t do anything – except eat, sleep & read. We had a movie in the ward last nite – not so good – but it helped pass the time & I could see it laying in bed!
         I’ll close for tonite honey – I’ll try & write more tomorrow. Bye for now. I miss you.
All My Love Ever         Johnny