June 29, 1943

Desert Training Center, California
June 29, 1943

Darling Mark,

Hello Sweetheart!!!

I got your card today. It was nice – but out here for each cloudy day we have a month of “sunshine”.

Didn’t do much today. Listened to some lectures & practiced crew drill.

Tomorrow I go on another navigation problem & tomorrow night we go on an overnight problem & come back Thurs. noon.

I don’t mind this place so much – I’m getting used to the heat – this dust drives me nuts tho. We’re so damn far from any town & staying cooped up on 32,000 acres of desert gets me mad or something! I guess we’ll be out here till fall. I guess I told you my brother – Ralph, is in Lincoln Neb. in the Air Corps. Boy – how I’d like to go on a nice big drunk for about a week. The first 3 day pass I get I’m heading for the nearest bar even tho it is 300 miles away. I’m just going to get on a nice peaceful drunk – if you know what I mean honey. I probably won’t get a pass till I finish this navigation course which lasts for a month.

Well honey I guess I can take it tho if I have to. I’d better close now & go give our co. ball team some moral support. Bye now. Answer soon.

All My Love Johnny

I miss you honey! XOX

X X X X X X X X X X X X X

June 28, 1943

Desert Training Center, California
June 28, 1943

Darling Mark,

Hello Sweetheart!!! What do you know – got a letter from you today! Sounds kinda catty doesn’t it? I’m sorry – I really was glad to get it – as you’ve learned by now. Yes, I know you haven’t written – this is the first one since last Wed. That’s a long time honey. But then it was 6 pages. Surprised to get 10 pages from me – honey? Why – I write “almost” that much every time - !

All kidding aside I would like that picture of you in a bathing suit. I’ll be waiting for it honey – for a special “pin-up” girl. Oh!

Honey, if you don’t get my picture soon, I’ll write to Riley & give a little “hell” & see what happens. I think this is only the third letter I’ve gotten from you so far – maybe its four.

Today I started navigation training. You really got to be on the beam to find your bearing – twisting thru these mountains. We’ll probably be lost half the time out here.

We’re restricted this coming week-end again – I guess I’ll never get out of this hole. You’d better watch out honey – I’ll have a lot of “lovin’” stored up when I get back to K.C. Well sweetheart it’s getting kinda dark so I’d better close – near the end of the page too. Goodnite now. Answer soon

All My Love Johnny XOX

“Honey how I wish I was with you! XXXOOXXX X

June 21, 1943

Desert Training Center, California
June 21, 1943

Darling Mark –

Hello Sweetheart!!! What’s doin’? I didn’t have anything to do, so I guess I’ll write to you, as yo’ can see.

I just got tired of playing ball – wore myself out. After 6:00 this place looks like a nudist camp – we leave our shorts & socks on tho. It’s getting kinda dark so this will be a short letter – honey.

Today was the first day I walked 5 hrs. It was bad. You don’t notice the heat so much as when you’re laying around.

I’m playing blackjack now & trying to write too. I just lost a nickel. Another one. I just as well go broke out here.

I sure miss you an awful lot honey! Will I be glad to get back to K.C.

I got a letter from Cec today. He just came off maneuvers for 2 weeks.

Honey it’s getting too dark to write anymore so I’d better start closing. Well they just broke me. Just not my lucky day. I won $2 on the train coming down tho.

Well honey I’d better say goodnite. I miss you so & don’t forget I’m always thinking of you.

Bye now. Please answer soon honey.

All My Love

Johnny XO X

XXX XXX X

XOXOXOXOX