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

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 2^nd. 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 9^th, 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

November 5, 1944: Johnny is walking to chow now

Sun., Nov. 5, 1944

England

My Darling

         Hello Sweetheart! !

I got your letter of the 19^th 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

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 14^th 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

Our WWII Soldier Sends A Christmas Card to his Sweetheart

Click on the card to enlarge it; then hit the "Back" button or arrow to come back to the blog.

Dec. 17, 1944: Our WWII Soldier Sends A Birthday Telegram To His Sweetheart

WESTERN

UNION

1944 DEC 2 PM 3 36

KQ70 INTL=CD SANS ORIGINE VIA MACKAY RADIO

EFM MISS MARGARET MINGHINI=

1606 WEST 39=

LOVING BIRTHDAY GREETINGS. YOU ARE MORE THAN EVER IN MY THOUGHTS AT THIS TIME. ALL MY LOVE=

         JOHN JAMBROSIC.

Oct. 20, 1944: Our WWII Soldier Is Still Recovering In Bed

Oct. 20, 1944

England

My Darling Mark

         Hello Sweetheart! !

I got your letter of Oct. 3 today & was very glad to hear from you. Feeling pretty good today – but still in bed. I guess it’s a good place to be – it rains 6 out of 7 days here.

         It takes about 3 or 4 days for a cablegram to get here honey – I’m not sure.

         We had a show in the ward here last night.  “Larceny & Music”. It was pretty good – at least I hadn’t seen it before & after all I laid right in bed & seen it.

         After they sew my leg up again, I should be out of bed a couple of days thereafter.

         Well, honey here comes chow so I’d better sign off for the present.

         Well, honey – I have to close – I just can’t think of a damn thing to write about.

         The Red Cross is supposed to be here tonite & have a songfest. Here she is now.

         I’m missing you more every day honey, & thinking of you always. Bye for now – Write Soon.

         I love you!

         All My Love -      Johnny

Oct. 17, 1944: Our WWII Soldier Has Been Too Sick To Write

Oct. 17, 1944

England

My Darling Mark

         Hello Sweetheart! !

I haven’t written for several days – mainly because I was too sick. I sure felt rough. I’m feeling better today – but could feel a lot better yet. I’m taking penicillin shots every 4 hours. My [arm?] gut so sore. I started taking it in my cheeks!

         I got a letter from you a couple of days ago – that was a couple months old.

         It’s been raining for 5 days straight now – doesn’t seem like it’s going to stop. I got a letter from Cec. that he wrote in July yesterday. I guess by the time this war is over – I’ll get all my back mail.

         There isn’t much to write about honey – so I guess I’ll close & sleep till chow time. I love you & miss you more every day. How is Lu & the baby coming along? Tell Dee Dee Uncle Johnny said Hello!

Bye for now honey. Write Soon.

         All My Love                         Johnny

Our WWII Soldier Gets Word from the Doc

Oct. 11, 1944

England

My Darling Mark

         Hello Sweetheart! !

I got a letter from you today – Aug. 17. A little late. The clipping about me was in it.

         There was a Joe from the medics in our ward just now - & was playing the violin. He was really good.

         The Doc. said my chest would be allright & he wasn’t going to take the shrapnel out of my lung – but they are going to graft a little skin on my leg wound. I’ll be here a couple of [weeks? – sic] yet then – I guess & then go to reconditioning for a couple of weeks & then probably back to the front – if this damn war isn’t over yet! Doesn’t seem to be any hope of me getting home for Christmas does it?? We can still hope anyway honey!

         It’s rained all day here & cold as hell. Sure hate this miserable weather. Kind of weather to be home with your girl-friend!

         My mail sure is coming slow here. I hope it picks up.

         I got a v-mail from Frank today of Aug. 18. – but it had been sent to C.P. Directory

         Well honey I’d better close now & get this in the mail before lights go out. Time now I hope I can make it. Seen Cec & Lu lately? Honey – I love & miss you more every day. I hope you don’t get tired of waiting for me so long.

         Tell everyone hello honey. Goodnite Darling – I love you!!

All My Love Always             Johnny

Our WWII Soldier Stares At The Snapshot of His Sweetheart And Loves Her All The More

Oct. 4, 1944

England

10 a.m.

My Darling Mark

         Hello Sweetheart! !

I got your letter of the 18^th yesterday - the one you wrote at work. I got another letter from Cec. yesterday. He seems pretty proud of his baby girl.

         I just came back from Physio & there isn’t a thing to do but write or sleep.

         I was just staring at that snapshot of you I got in your last letter before I was hit. Remember the one of you in shorts & striped jersey? Makes me miss you all the more! Honey I got to love you more every day. I hope to hell I get to see you this year yet – bit it doesn’t look very promising – does it?

         Anyway – I pray & hope so.

         I think I’ve got most of the mail you sent to my old address now honey. Once in a while I get one about 2 months old – that’s been beat up pretty bad.

         Well, honey I guess I’ll close for now. The nurse is coming to change dressings. Bye for now Darling. I love you. I miss you so much!!

Write Soon.

All My Love Always     Johnny

Our WWII Soldier Is Awarded the Purple Heart While Recovering in England

WAR & NAVY

DEPARTMENTS

V-MAIL SERVICE

    _______

OFFICIAL BUSINESS

Sunday Sept.2 1944

England           

My Darling Mark

         Hello Sweetheart!  How you was? I’m sorry I haven’t written oftener – but I’ve been sleeping my fool head off! Have you seen Cec. & Lu lately.  Tell them hello for me.  I think I’ll write them this afternoon too.

         I’m coming along okay honey – I have a lot of time to think about you laying here day after day!  Brother I wish I was back there! I sure miss you honey!  Was awarded the Purple Heart a couple of days ago. Well sweetheart I guess I’d better close. Will write soon. Bye for now Darling I love you!

Write soon.                                          All My Love        Johnny

The V-Mail Johnny sent to Mark from the hospital in England

  (click on the letter and it will open in a larger image, then click on the "BACK" arrow to return to this page)

Our WWII Soldier Has Been Evacuated From Paris and Is Back in England

August 31, 1944

England

My Darling Mark

Hello Sweetheart!  I write again after that long delay. Those Jerries can be very amazing at times! I’m finally out of their hands out of Paris! Its sure good to be back in England & in a Am. hospital. We were evacuated from France by plane – a – 47 S. This is all the stationery I have at present honey – so this letter will be quite short! Tell Cec & Lu. hello & will write them soon. How are you honey & what’s the news! I’m coming along okay now – Still bed-bound tho – dammit!! Bye for now honey!

Address.                                      I miss you like hell!

Detachment of Patients             Write Soon.

#4116 U.S. Army Hosp Pl.           All My Love Always -

A.P.O. 207                                                             Johnny

c/o P.M.    N.Y.  N.Y.

Our WWII Soldier is Seriously Wounded

Weeks go by without a letter. 

While patrolling in the tank through the fields outside of St. Lo, France, Johnny looked up to see a bright orange ball, like a setting sun, heading straight for his tank. A German mortar shell hit the tank and blew it to bits and set it ablaze.  Two of the men in the tank were killed, and Johnny and the fourth man were blown completely out of the tank and critically injured.  The two soldiers who died were both married with children.  Johnny always felt guilty that he survived, when he was single, and those men with families died.

Johnny landed yards away from the tank, riddled with shrapnel through the neck and chest, and his left thigh split open from hip to knee.

He felt his spirit leaving his body, rising up and leaving it behind. He said he could look down and see his body lying there in the green field in France, wounded, bleeding, dying.

Then the German soldiers came, looking for survivors.  Two of them picked up Johnny to carry him away, and the toe of his injured leg caught in the dirt.  The pain snapped him back into his body, to endure the pain of his injuries.  He was taken to a German-run hospital in Paris and became a German Prisoner of War.

Our WWII Soldier Says It Looks Like Rough Sledding Here On Out

July 2, 1944

France

My Darling Mark

Hello Sweetheart

I haven’t written for quite some time so will write a few lines. I have been pretty busy lately honey – or would have written sooner.

I won’t have much time to write honey – but will every chance I get. We haven’t had any mail for some time now.

I’d like to write & tell you of a lot of stuff here but can’t you know.

It looks as tho its going to be pretty rough sledding here on out.

It rains nearly every day here – enough to make it muddy & miserable.

Dode is in the Navy in Texas now – they finally got him too. Heard from your brother lately?

Honey – I sho miss you & all that loving that goes with you. I could sure use some now. I can remember the times I’ve missed loving you and I rue it to this day. I’ll know better when I get back. I’ll know better than to pull any more of those stunts I did at Manhattan!!!!!

One never knows till its too late – does one? Huh?

I got some pictures from Cec. a while back.

Well, honey I’d better close for now – I’ve got some water heating for coffee. Synthetic coffee! I’d like to taste some good coffee again.

I’d better write home too I guess so will close for now. I miss you and love you more every day honey. Write soon. Bye for now. I love you Sweetheart.

All My Love Always,    Johnny

P.S. This 10 franc (20 cents) is French invasion money)

10 Franc note, front

10 Franc note, back

Our WWII Soldier Goes To a Quaint Old Pub in France

June 21, 1944

Wed. Eve. 10:00 P.M.

My Darling Mark

Hello Sweetheart!!

I just got your letter of the 9^th yesterday and the one of the 11^th today.

I was mighty happy to hear from you honey.

So you got the letter I raised all the hell in huh? I’m sorry I wrote it now honey – but I had to blow my top sometime. It’s all over now anyway.

Let’s just keep the mail regular now huh?

I’ve got two letters from Cec. in the last two weeks too. You both seem to be getting on the ball! He told me he was going to be a daddy in August!  He must have fired for effect pretty quick!

I got a letter from my bro. Bobby today. He’s in the hospital again taking treatments for 10 days. I hope they help him soon.

I just finished playing a little ball & tired as hell. Then I gripe about not getting enough sleep.

I’m Cpl. of the guard tonite from 12 to 6 so I know I won’t get a hell of a lot of sleep tonite. It won’t be any use to go to sleep now for an hour or two.

I went to town last nite. Well – there was seven of us. We had a party all by ourselves at a pub. We had it in a room that hadn’t been used since the first of the war. It was really a nice place. Kinda old & quaint. The man that ran the place fixed us chicken dinners & two cases of the best beer I’ve had in England & whiskey. We really had a time! We didn’t get drunk just feeling pretty good. I did have a headache this morning tho.

The owner of the pub married an American woman.

Honey – he had the smartest & prettiest cocker spaniel I ever seen. He talked to that dog just like one of his sons & damn if he didn’t know what to do. He’d even dance with him.

Have you seen Cec. & Lu. lately? Tell them hello for me.

Did you get that 10 shilling note I sent in a letter a while back?

Well, honey I’ve got to get ready for guard & should write to Bobby yet too.

I will write you as soon as I can tho, honey. I miss you - & love you honey. Bye for now. Write soon.

All My Love Always,    Johnny

I love you sweetheart.

Our WWII Soldier Is Catching Up Answering Letters While Most of the Boys Are On Pass

June 10, 1944

Sat. Eve.

My Darling Mark

Hello Sweetheart!!

I got your letter of the 29^th today & was glad to hear from you again so soon. Just keep it up honey.

I’m on C.Q. tonite & have a chance to catch up on some writing. Most of the boys are on pass or to the show. I just finished writing to Sis & Bobbie.

No, honey I can’t have any pictures taken here & even if we had a Kodak – film here just can’t be had.

I guess you’ll have to wait honey till I get back to the states & then you’ll have the chance of seeing me in person & action!

I guess I told you I heard from Cec. & he mentioned the baby.

I’m looking over your letter of the 15^th again too.

I’m feeling okay honey- but mostly for you.

I’m not gaining any weight – but I’m not losing any either. I’d be willing to let you love off about 10 lbs tho – how about it?

Did you get that letter with all the hell in it? I really blew my top in that one! Huh? Forget about it! I wouldn’t save that one if I was you!

I’d like to have a little of that nice weather you’re having back there. I’d like to have anything back there in fact!

Dora is still with Ralph in Lakeland Florida.

Has Cec. & Lu. been over lately? How is Larry? Tell them hello for me.

How is Dee Dee? Tell her I said hello.

Well sweetheart I’ve run dry on writing – I’m surprised I wrote 5 pages.

I guess I’ll go to communion in the morning. I haven’t went since Easter.

This will have to be all for now honey. I’ve got a little work to do yet & have to shave too. Bye for now, Sweetheart. Write Soon. I love you & miss you honey.

All My Love        Johnny

Did you get the 10 shilling note?

Our WWII Soldier is Sorry He Wrote The Letter Where He Gave His Sweetheart Hell

Author’s note:  The return address now has the rank of Corporal.

June 8, 1944

Thurs. morn

My Darling Mark

Hello Sweetheart!!

I got your very nice and welcome letter of the 15^th yesterday.

I guess you’ve got the letter I gave you all the hell in by now. I wish I hadn’t of written it now – but I was plenty hot around the collar anyway - you had it coming don’t you think? It’s too late to talk about that now anyway I just hope you keep writing like you have been doing lately & more.

I finally got a letter from Cec. too – I sent him a kinda nasty letter too – He wrote before he got it I know. He told me about the coming event.

I’m glad you got the threepence – I'm sending a 10 shilling note in this letter – its worth about $1.00 in Am. money.  [Author’s note: mostly illegible, blacked out sentence here – something about $??? in Am. money] That’s the kind of money we’re using here.

I have to go back on guard in a little while so I’d better start closing this letter. I hope you get to go out to the folks – I know they’d be glad to see you.

I sent Mom a cablegram on Mother’s Day – but I don’t think it ever went thru.

I haven’t received the stationery as yet honey but I guess I will in time.

Honey – you can send those pictures you took – I’m always glad to get pictures of you. I’ve got to go now – honey. Write soon. I love you sweetheart!!

All My Love always - Johnny

Ten Shilling Note

Our WWII Soldier Can't Write About What Goes On, And Is Ready to Catch Up On Loving With His Sweetheart

BLUE ENVELOPE MAIL

ARMY OF THE UNITED STATES

May 16, 1944

Thurs. Eve.

My Darling Mark

Hello Sweetheart!!

I got your letter of the 2^nd the other day. We were in the field & just got in last nite late. I couldn’t answer sooner honey – or I would have. I have to write to Mom & Sis tonite too.

Honey you know better than to ask me if I love you enough to write long letters. Honey I love you & miss you so much it hurts. I could write pages on what I do & what goes on but you know it would never go thru the censor. Someday I’ll tell you all that I’ve left out of my letters. That is after I catch up on the loving I’m missing – probably take a year or more to catch up huh? There won’t be any time for talk honey. That day couldn’t come soon enough or last long enough – as you say honey!

If you think I’ll think a wild woman’s got a hold of me & I think you’ll have a wild man got hold of you there’s going to be a hell of a fight honey. Nice fight!

That’s a fine thing to tell me honey, about the “Three Feathers”. Here we’re lucky to get what they call beer – let alone whiskey. Once in a while they have Scotch – you’re lucky to get 2 shots.

By the way – I’d have got what honey????? Or am I being silly?

Honey you don’t like it because I don’t write a long letter & then you don’t write at all for a week or two. Tain’t being fair honey. I guess you’re pretty busy – so am I but I can always make time to answer your letters. I don’t like to write you a short letter honey – but sometimes I get so damned disgusted I just can’t write at all. I don’t mean at you honey. But honey I do wish you’d write more often.

Sis gave me a dick in her last letter saying that she got the longest letter I wrote her – 3 pages. I know I’ve written her 4 already.

It’s been rainy & cold here lately – very disgusting weather. I wouldn’t [mind] this in K.C. tho.

Well honey I guess a 7 page letter isn’t so short now is it? I’ll try & make them all this long or longer honey.  I’m going to write to Mom & Sis now & the get in my favorite position – mainly horizontal!

Honey – I could write 7 more pages & tell you how much I love & miss you.

Honey I do love you – some day I hope to prove it. Goodnite for now honey. I love you Darling.

All My Love always,   Johnny

Our WWII Soldier Sends Home a British Sixpence

May 4, 1944

Thurs. Eve.

My Darling Mark

Hello Sweetheart!

How goes everything? I’m missing you more every day, & that picture makes it all the more so.

I haven’t much to write about tonite. I’ve got to answer a letter to Mom and one to Mary.

Honey how long does it take for my letters to reach you. Lately I’ve been getting mail between 7 – 8 days from the states.

How are Lu & Cec.? I haven’t heard from them for quite some time.

How is your Mother and sisters and Dee Dee? Tell Dee Dee I said hello.

We had a little rain here today – but the weather has been unusually nice here lately.

Is your brother still in Sicily?

Well honey I think I’ll call it a nite and hit the horizontal position.

Goodnite Darling.

Write Soon.

All My Love        Johnny

This sixpence is worth 10 cents in Am. money.

British sixpence, c. 1934