Nov. 25, 1944 - Went to the show and saw Jack London

Nov. 25, 1944

5:00 P.M.

My Darling Mark

          Hello Sweetheart

Was very happy to get your letter today.

          Just finished chow – so thought I’d better write now before I go galavanting around.

          I got a letter from the guys of my old outfit. They’re in Luxembourg now.

I don’t ever hear from Kobonic – he was transferred to a R.R. outfit & I don’t know his address & he doesn’t know mine. I think he’s still in the states.

Went to the show this afternoon & saw Jack London – pretty good – but had seen it before. Usually seen them about 3 times anyway around here.

Got a couple of letters from my H.S. teachers today – they write pretty regular. I haven’t heard from Cec. lately. He writes about every two weeks tho. Mail takes about 3 to 4 weeks now.

I’m feeling pretty good honey & walking around quite a bit.

Don’t worry about my chest honey – it’ll be okay. I still won’t even say maybe I’ll be home honey – but don’t give up hope!

Well, I’ll close for now honey – I’ll write again tomorrow. I love & Miss you very much – honey –write soon. A Very Merry Christmas Darling!  All My Love Always.        Johnny

USE 4117 ON MY ADDRESS HONEY

Nov. 23, 1944: Sending Money Order for Christmas

Nov. 23, 1944

My Darling Mark

         Hello Sweetheart!

This is just going to be a short letter.

Did you have your turkey dinner today?

Honey – it isn’t very convenient to try & send any Christmas gifts from here & you would be lucky to get them by Easter – so I’m sending you this -  this $50 money order & let you get what you really want & then you can let me know, okay? Maybe next Christmas it’ll be a lot different.

         Let me know when you get it- huh? I know you don’t like it this way & I don’t either – but it’s about the surest way. Bear with me – what’s say – honey??

I’m coming along okay & feel alright. Just one more minor operation to close my leg & that will be all – I hope!

I’ll close for now honey – hope you get this before Xmas.

I love you & miss you more everyday.

Bye for now.

Write Soon.

All My Love Always             Johnny

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. 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 7^th 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

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

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

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 – 7^th & 23^rd. 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

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

Oct. 29, 1944

Oct. 29, 1944

England

My Darling Mark

         Hello Sweetheart! !

I got two letters from you today – July 11^th & 30^th. 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