He's Left Camp Polk and is Somewhere in New England

1944

Jan. 10, 1943

Mon. Morn. 10:00

My Darling Mark –

Hello Sweetheart ! !

I’m finally getting time to write again. I haven’t received any mail here yet, but probably will in a few days.

I can’t tell you where I’m at honey – just somewhere in the New England states.

We’ve got this morning off & there isn’t much to do except write. Its too cold to be out side.

We got here last nite about 7:00. It was a nice trip! This letter won’t be very long honey – I don’t know what to write about as yet. As soon as we get settled here – I’ll be able to write more.

I didn’t get to write Cec. before I left – but I’ll probably write him today. I’ve got to write home too.

What goes on in K.C. now? I’d sure like to be with you there – but I’ve got an appointment to keep. Someday I will tho honey.

I’ll close for now – I’ll write again tonite if I have time. I miss you very much honey!

Bye for now. Write Soon.

All My Love        Johnny

I love you more every day Darling
 

WWII Soldiers Are Moving Out of Camp Polk

Camp Polk, Louisiana

1944

Jan. 5, 1943

Wed. Eve.

(inside flap:)

I

love you

Darling

There’s a picture in here!

 Write Soon

Love   Johnny

My Darling Mark –

Hello Sweetheart ! !

I got your letter today. I was sure glad – cause it will be the last one I get for 4 or 5 days. This will be the last one from me for a couple of days honey. I’ll write the first chance I get tho honey.

How about a nice long letter when you get this one huh?  I will probably need it then – not getting any for a week.

I guess you found the picture I’m sending in this letter by now. I had my hair cut ½” yesterday. Everyone had to. We look like cue balls now.

The hike was called off last Friday – we stayed in all day & got issues of clothing & equipment. I was glad of it – my feet just can’t take it.

Tonite is our last nite here. I’m glad we’re moving out of here – but I’ll be further away from you honey is what I don’t like. I’m going with a couple of Sargeants on an advanced detail to wherever we’re going. We’ll probably get there about a ½ day before the rest of the Troop.

I got a couple of letters from the guys in my old outfit. They’re still on maneuvers.

Cec. should have known that was my ring – I told him I gave it to you. He’s a great guy tho honey – I don’t think he’s really mad at you. I’ll have to write him a letter tonite too.

I hope we can get married this year too honey – I really do!

Gosh! Honey I’ll sure miss not hearing from you for a week. When I don’t hear for a day or two is bad but a week! Honey be sure & write – a long one.

We have to get up at 3:00 in the morning & then probably wait till noon. Its what they call the “Old Army game” – hurry up & wait, & it’s true.

Well – Darling I guess I’ll close for now. I’ll have to take these letters to the Service club & mail them. We can’t mail them here anymore.

Honey – I love you & always will. Someday I’ll be back honey & we’ll make up for the lost time.

There goes a whistle honey – we have to fall out. I’ll finish when I get back.

Well we’ll be on the train for 4 days. We might be able to mail letters on the way. If we can I’ll write.

Bye for now Darling –

Write Soon

All My Love        Johnny     x o x

I love you

Sweetheart!!

Our WWII Soldier Goes into Leesville For the Last Time

Camp Polk, Louisiana

Jan. 4, 1943 (sic)

Tues. Eve.

My Darling Mark –

Hello Sweetheart ! !

No letter yesterday & no letter today. Kinda slipping aren’t you?

I didn’t write last nite as you know. I went into Leesville for the last time. I had a picture taken which I’m sending in this letter.

Haven’t been doing much lately to talk about.

Honey – I sure miss you! I wish I was with you now.

I got a letter from Ralph today. He likes the Army about as much as I do.

Honey – I can’t write a long letter unless I get one from you.

We’ve been having a lot of physical torture too – hikes & calisthenics!

Honey - I guess I’ll have to close for tonite – write soon.

Good nite Darling!!

Love & Kisses     Johnny

I love you Darling – I love you. Miss you more every day honey!

Our WWII Soldier's Brother Gets Married!

Camp Polk, Louisiana

Jan. 2, 1944

(inside flap:)

I

Love you

Darling – Write

Soon.

My Darling Mark –

Hello Sweetheart ! !

Honey – I got two letters from you today of the 29 & 30. You did write before you went to the party didn’t you honey. I’m glad you did.

I’m taking a break off K.P. right now. I’m trying to finish this letter now so I can go to town tonite. I might have another picture taken honey. Honey you can send that picture you took & I’ll carry it along someway. Better send it air-mail fast. We have to get G.I. haircuts again today or tomorrow.

Honey – I knew you were going to think I was drunk when I took that picture. I had a few – but I wasn’t drunk.

That was my brother’s marriage notice – I didn’t know anything about it tho. I knew he intended to marry that girl – but I didn’t think it would be now.

Here’s a kid sleeping peacefully & another trying his damnedest to give him a hot foot. As soon as it gets hot – I’ll let you know the outcome.

I should stay in tonite & do some washing – we have field inspection tomorrow – but to hell with it.

Well honey – I’d better get back on K.P. now. If I get back from Leesville in time I’ll write some more.

I’m going to try & hire somebody for my K.P. after chow tonite so I can get off early.

Don’t forget to send that picture honey – quick!

I love you darling – I love you & miss you more by the hour.

Bye for now Darling!

         A million kisses!

All My Love                 Johnny

Write Soon.

Our WWII Soldier Has To Take the Jeep Back To The Motorpool

Camp Polk, Louisiana

Jan. 1, 1943

Sat. Eve. 7:00

My Darling Mark –

Hello Sweetheart ! !

No letter today – but I know why, so I’ll write anyway.

It’s been raining all day again. I’ve been driving all day again too. I’ve got to take the jeep back to the motor pool yet tonite.

We have to wait till 8:00 before we’re off tonite & then we can get a pass till 6:00 tomorrow morning. Our last one! I don’t think I’ll go anyplace tho – not enough time & raining pretty hard.

I’m sending the wedding picture home – I wish I could keep it with me.

Honey I sure miss you a lot. All day I had you on my mind – just thinking how nice it would be to be with you.

We have to work tomorrow too. I’m on K.P. tho so it won’t be so bad.

We have to be ready on a 6 hour notice now – so if you don’t get any letters for awhile you’ll know why honey.  Honey – I do hope you’ll write as often as you can – I will.

We’ve got a kid nailed up in a packing crate here now. You ought to hear (him) holler. They’re taking him in the shower room now & get him wet. Crazy!

Well honey I’d better close for tonite now.

Goodnite Darling      I love you

All My Love        Johnny

I love you Darling


[Author's Note:  The year is now 1944, but Johnny wrote 1943 on the letter, so I transcribed it exactly as it was.  You know how it is when you have to learn to write a new year on everything!]

The WWII Soldier is Alone on New Year's Eve

Camp Polk, Louisiana

Dec. 31, 1943

New Years Eve.

My Darling Mark –

Hello Sweetheart ! !

I got your letter today & the wedding picture. I thought the wedding picture was nice. I’m going to send it home to the folks tomorrow.

Damn! Honey you scared me! I opened your letter & seen that – good-bye angel - & I thought you were leaving me already. Don’t ever say good-bye honey – I’m coming back to you. Honey – I’m sure there is no one else but you. I’m positive of that & I knew it long ago.

Frank is home on furlough now – he’s got till Jan. 5. I sure wish I could see the lug. I’d rather see you tho honey!

If we get this clothes & equipment job cleaned up – I might be able to get a pass next week & you could come down. I’ll wire you if I can.

All this week I’ve been driving for the officers. It’s a good go – I get out of Troop duty.

Today I took a Lt. to Alexandria about 70 miles from here & just got back at 7:00 tonite. Then he didn’t get what he went after & may have to go again tomorrow – but I hope we start earlier.

I hope you get to write after the party honey – cause that means I’ll have a letter from you tomorrow. Honey – I’m always happy when I get a letter from you (even if you give me hell in them). I hope you write very often honey.

I didn’t say I didn’t want to neck in my dreams of you. I do – but I didn’t think of it when I dreamed of you. I do but I don’t. See? Or do you? I’m talking about “necking” too!

Oh – honey – I just looked at my dog-tags & that St. Christopher medal you sent me isn’t there. I must have lost it today – I had it last nite. I hope I can find it.

I’ve got to write Mom & Cec. a letter yet tonite so I’d better close for tonite honey.

Honey – I hope I get to see you yet before I leave. Nothing would make me any happier – either.

I’m going to Mass in the morning if I get a chance.

Honey – I love you & miss you more every day.

Goodnite Darling!! I love you! Please write Soon.

         All My Love        Johnny

Love  & Kisses honey.

I love you Darling –

I love you!

Our WWII Soldier Can't Get Leave For His Sweetheart's Visit

Click on the images above to see them larger,

then hit the "back' arrow to return to this blog page.

Camp Polk, Louisiana

Dec. 30, 1943

Wed. Eve

My Darling Mark –

Hello Sweetheart ! !

No letter today! I got one from Cec. & Ralph Mitchell tho.

Honey – I’m very very blue & down hearted! I just talked with the 1^st Sargeant about a pass & its no go, but for a good reason. We all have to be here Sunday, & I can’t get a pass Fri. or Sat. because we’ll be drawing & turning in equipment. As soon as I finish this letter I’m going up & send you a telegram - which you’ll already have by the time your reading this.

Gosh – honey I’m sorry – but that’s the way it goes in the Army! I was counting so much on seeing you & I could already feel your kisses! Maybe we’ll get to see each other yet – you can never tell.

I don’t know how true this is but – when we get to a P.O. they’re going to transfer the ones out that have the least amount of service in because we’re over-strength now. Most of the guys have been in 2-3 years in this outfit – so I might get transferred & get a chance at Air Cadets. Don’t plan too much on this tho honey – cause I’m not. Mostly wishful thinking.

Honey – I miss you so much & love you so much it hurts – but nice!

Honey don’t feel as bad as I do about not being able to come down.

I’d better go send that telegram now. Honey I love you!

Goodnite Darling – Please write soon & often.

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

X       X       X               All My Love        Johnny

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

Honey sometime in the near future our letters will be censored & I won’t be able to write on the flap & send XX’s at the end of my letters but they’ll be there anyway honey even if you can’t see them. You can send them tho.

Darling I love you.

Love & kisses      Johnny

Western Union Telegram from Soldier to His Sweetheart, WWII

He must have been sick with disappointment!  Do you think he was?

Click on the telegram to see it larger, then hit the Back button to return to this blog

Our Soldier Gets a Telegram from His Sweetheart

Camp Polk, Louisiana

Dec. 29, 1943

Wed. Eve

(inside envelope flap)

Hello

Darling!

I Love you!

I Miss You

Write Soon      X X X                   Love

X O X

My Darling Mark –

Hello Sweetheart ! !

I got your nice long & sweet letter today.

I didn’t get a letter yesterday from you & I didn’t write last nite. Not because I didn’t get a letter tho, honey – we had an inspection today & last nite we were marking clothes & sewing chevrons on.

I got your telegram last nite honey & I just about passed out when you said you wanted to come down.

I’m sweating a pass out now & I’ll let you know by wire tomorrow nite.

Honey – if you could catch a train Friday nite & get here Sat. afternoon & I could meet you in Shreveport. That’s the only place that’s decent & most likely to get a hotel room.

Honey – I want to see you so much I hope everything works out.

I’m glad you liked the ring honey & I wish I could have put it on myself & with a special kiss.

Yes honey – I’ve told my folks & they approved of you long ago – as if it would make any difference if they didn’t. You don’t think I’d forget about you – do you?

We didn’t do a thing today – just had our clothes inspected again. Most of the time we were fighting (in a friendly way) as we usually do.

It’s still pretty cold here – but I hope it warms up.

Honey (I’m not excited). What do I expect you to do while I’m away?  Well I want you to stay home every nite & read ! !  No, honey you can do anything you want to, I wouldn’t expect you not have fun & go places. In the first place it just wouldn’t be fair to you honey. If you love me & I love you I can surely trust you in whatever you do. I want you to have all the fun you can honey – for both of us. I don’t think I’ll get in much dancing from now on. Maybe it won’t seem so long till I come back if you have a lot of fun. Besides honey – you know how war is – maybe?

All in all honey – I want you to go out & have a hell of a good time! But you can still think of me tho!

Honey – I’ll be thinking of you constantly.

I hope I get to see you soon!  Honey I love you!

Goodnite Darling      Write Soon.

X O X                 All My Love                 Johnny

I love you honey I love you.

Millions

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

         O      O      O      O      O      O      O      O      O      O        

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

Be careful honey

The WWII Soldier Doesn't Get a Letter Today

Camp Polk, Louisiana

December 27, 1943

Mon. Eve. 9:00

(inside envelope flap)

Hello

Darling!!

I love you!

I love you!

X        O        X

XXX

My Darling Mark –

Hello Sweetheart ! !

I just came back from a show. Seen “Happy Land”. It sure was good.

It’s raining again here – as usual & they call it the sunny south!

As you say – this is going to be a short letter – I didn’t get a letter from you today honey & I was sure disappointed. I expected it so much. I guess I expect one every day honey – that expecting too much?

We had two hours of exercises today & I sure feel it tonite. We hadn’t had any since last Thurs.

We’ve gt a 25 mile hike coming up Friday – how I hate to think of doing anything as that!

Well honey I’d better get some shut eye now. I missed you so much & was thinking of you so much I had to write tonite. – letter or no letter, and besides darling I love you!

Good nite honey. Write Soon?

 X       X       X       X       X       X       X       X       X       X       X

X       X       X       All My Love        Johnny

X       X       X       X       X       X       X       X       X       X       X

I love you honey I love you

Oh – how I miss you!          X       O      X

Someday They'll Be Together Again - Forever!

Camp Polk, Louisiana

December 26, 1943

Sunday Eve. 7:30

(inside envelope flap)

Hello

Darling!!

I love you!!  x o x

I miss you

Write Soon! XXXXXXX

My Darling Mark –

Hello Sweetheart ! !

I got your very sweet letter this evening – honey & it sure makes me happy. I don’t know why you didn’t get a letter – I haven’t missed writing a day for 2 weeks anyway.

Honey I’ll try & get some pictures taken, but they’ll probably be the same type you got a few days ago. That’s about all they got in these jerk towns around here. Every chance I get – I’ll have a picture taken & send it to you honey!

I haven’t got the wedding pictures yet. I would like to see it. I’d have to send it back tho – I can’t take a very big picture with me.

I wish I was with you too honey. That’s a constant wish. If wishing could make it so – I’d have been with you long ago.

Someday we’ll be together again honey – forever then – huh? I think about being with you so much honey! I hope that day comes soon.

We didn’t do anything today – but had to be around just in case we had. We had reveille at 8:30. Went to Mass at 11:00. The rest of the day I layed around – wondering about you & wishing I was in your arms & kissing you every minute. Honey – I can just feel your kisses right now. I’d give a million (if I had a million) to be kissing you now.

It makes me sick to think that I can’t be with you. Honey – don’t ever think I don’t miss you & love you! I love you so much it actually hurts!

I’m going to dream about you tonite if I have to stay awake & keep you on my mind. Honey – I think about you the first thing in the morning & the last thought before I fall asleep.

It’s finally stopped raining – but its getting pretty cold out. The weather is so changeable here as Kansas.

Well honey I think I’ll turn in early tonite. Maybe I’ll have a nice long dream about you – I hope.

I love you Darling I love you!!

Goodnite Darling!! Write Soon

I miss you – I love you.

MILLIONS honey

X       X       X       X       X       X       X       X       X       X       X

X       X       X       O      X       O      X              

All My Love        Johnny

X       X       X       X       X       X       X       X       X       X       X

X       X       X       X       X       X       X       X       X       X       X

X       X       X

Letter From WWII Soldier on Christmas Day, 1943

United States Army

Dec. 25, 1943

6:30 P.M.

 

My Darling Mark –

Hello Sweetheart ! !

No letter today – I wonder whats wrong? Since I’m not doing anything – I just as well write anyway.

We had a nice dinner here – but I’d have rather had a hamburger & been home.

We were on duty all day – but didn’t do anything! I slept all morning & most of the afternoon, dreaming mostly of you.

I did have a dream about you the other nite. We were window shopping as far as I could make out, & it wasn’t very long I wish I would smarten up in my dreams & get in a little neckin’ with you.

No honey I haven’t told my folks yet – I don’t think I will. They would just worry all the more & there isn’t much use in telling them anyhow – do you think?

Honey- don’t ever think I don’t love & miss you, cause I do more than I can say.

I think I’ll take in the U.S.O. show tonite, so I’ll close now. I love you honey – I love you. Please write soon. I miss you ! ! !

All My Love        Johnny     X       X       X

THOUSANDS

Honey!

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