July 20, 1943

Desert Training Center, California

July 20, 1943

Tues.    1:00 P.M.

Darling Mark,

         Hello Sweetheart!!!

I just got your letter of the 16^th & the picture. I do like it honey – very much – must be the “wolf” in me. Honey – I promise not to get drunk or gamble. Don’t give me any more hell. I planned on sending it home for my furlough too. It’ll take a little more to come home from here than it did at Riley.

         Pins & Needles is a pretty nice song isn’t it honey. I hope I can remember the tune.

         We’re going on a three-day problem this week. I’ve got to think of a way to get out of it. I don’t mind them so much, but most of the time they’re just a waste of time – but come to think of it – what’s time out here.

         Honey, I did buy something from that Indian woman but I’ve misplaced it or somebody made me for it. I’ll try & find it tonite if I have time. I’m writing now, cause we’ll probably be in late tonite.  Mercy – we’re getting up at 4:30 now – how I hate it.

         I still don’t think you could beat bumps on my head, honey – unless I was sleeping.

         Bye now honey – maybe I can get this in today’s mail.

Answer Soon,

All My Love                 Johnny     XOX

X X X X X

June 14, 1943

Fort Riley, Kansas
June 14, 1943
6:30 A.M.

(inside envelope flap)
HELLO
SWEETHEART!
I MISS YOU!
XXXO
LOVE X WRITE SOON XOX



Darling Mark,
Hello Sweetheart!!!

How are you today. I got back in camp at 4:00 this morning & got up at 5:00. I’m not sleepy tho – but I’m sure thinking of you a lot.

I just finished packing my bags this morning. I didn’t think I had accumulated so much junk till I tried to get it all packed. I don’t think they’re going to do anything about us guys coming in late as long as we were here for reveille. I think he told us 12:00 just so we’d be sure to be here this morning.

Honey – I sure hated to leave you last nite. I wanted to tell you a lot of things but I guess I was kinda choked up.

Well sweetheart I’d better close & get ready to fall out. Please write soon darling!

All My Love XOX
XXXXXXX Johnnie
XXXXXOXOXOX
XXXXXXXXXXXXXX

June 11, 1943 (later that same day....)

Fort Riley, Kansas
June 11, 1943
7:30 P.M.

(inside envelope flap)
HELLO
SWEETHEART!
ANSWER SOON I MISS YOU
LOVE X O X HONEY! X O X



Darling Mark:
Hello Sweetheart!!

I did get a letter from you today. I’m so happy to get them honey – even if they are short.

Baby – did I have a soft day today. I got up at 6:00 ate breakfast – went back to sleep till 10:00 got up & ate dinner at 10:30. At 11:00 we fell out & the guys that didn’t fire before fired today. Six from our platoon had qualified in shooting so we went back & scrubbed the barracks! We finished that in an hour & the rest of the we layed around. I have to get up at 4:30 tomorrow morning & go to the target pits. We have to have all of our equipment packed by morning. There’s a rumor going around that we don’t leave till Tuesday now. If it’s true I’ll try & call you Monday nite.

I just came back from getting a G.I. haircut again. He really peeled me!

I wish I could have been with you on that picnic honey – but when I get back just you & me are going on a picnic by ourselves – I want you all to myself with no interruptions. Honey I miss you so much – if I ever get ahold of you again I’ll never let you go.

Well I’ve quit playing craps again, maybe I’ll learn someday.

It sure is hot & sticky here tonite. I guess Cec is (on) maneuvers – I haven’t heard from him for quite awhile. Gosh I miss that guy!

I feel half-naked with my hair cut this short.

Honey – I’m going to Riley again tomorrow to see about my pics. They’ve been in there 18 days now.

I’d better close honey – I have to write home & get to bed. 4:30 comes awful fast.

Please answer soon.
X O X All My Love X O X
XXXXX Johnny X O X
X X X X X X O X O X X X
P. S. 4 kisses per hug!

June 11, 1943

Fort Riley, Kansas
June 11, 1943
Fri. Morn.



(inside envelope flap)
HELLO
SWEETHEART!
I MISS YOU HONEY!
LOVE X O X ANSWER SOON
X X X X X O X O X X O X




Darling Mark,
Hello Sweetheart!!!

How you all? We didn’t have to get up till ten this morning – but I had a lot of things to do. I didn’t get a letter from you yesterday honey.

I went to Junction City last nite & seen “Bataan”. There wasn’t anything else stirring so we came back to camp. It’s a sure thing I’ll never miss Ks. Or Mo. But I’ll sure miss certain people that live here. Gee I thought a lot about you last nite. I had a dream of you & Lucy. I remember giving Lu. a “special” & did it get results!! Well honey I’d better close – I guess I’ll get a letter this afternoon – but whether I do or don’t I’ll write anyway. I miss you so much honey.

Answer soon. X O X
All My Love X O X
Johnny
X X X X X X
X X X X X X
O O O O O O
X X X X X X

(insert)
New Address Honey.
Pfc. John F. Jambrosic 37234941
“C” Co. 89th Ren. Bu.
9th Arm’d Div. A.P.O. 259
C/O Postmaster
Los Angeles, Calif.
(Desert Maneuvers)

June 9, 1943

Fort Riley, Kansas
June 9, 1943
9:00 P.M.

(inside envelope flap)
HELLO SWEETHEART!
LOVE XOX
ANSWER SOON HONEY
O X X O X X O



Darling Mark,

Hello Sweetheart!!

Gee – I got two letters from you today. One you wrote Sun & Mon. I’ll know now if you don’t write – you got a good excuse. A three page letter too – honey you’re cooking with gas now. It sure made me feel good to get two long letters from you.

I went to Riley tonite to see about my pictures – but they weren’t back yet. She told me to come back Sat. – but after Friday we’re restricted to the camp area. I might be able to get away if I talk fast enough. Just in case I don’t – I told her to mail them for me.

I just came back from the show – I seen “China” – it was sure good.

I’m listening to Kay Kysen now.

It looks like it’ll rain again tonite – it has for the last 3 nites. Oh-oh the lights just went out – they’re still flickering – yep – it’s started to rain. I just heard a train going to K.C. – mercy! How I’d like to be on it. To be with you again honey would be glorious.

We didn’t do much today. This morning we had 1 hour drill – then it started raining. The rest of the morning we spent packing – I was already packed – so I washed out my lingerie.

This afternoon we had 1 hours hike & 1 hour of training films. We were supposed to practice sighting the rest of the day – but the guns are all packed. So we got off at 2:30. Oh! That’s the kind of day I like!

Honey – I’ll try & not write any more blue letters – but sometimes a guy gets so disgusted he has to tell someone. I’m a little blue tonite thinking how much I like to see you again & how much I miss you. But I’m reading your letters over & over & they make me feel better sweetheart! I do hope you write whenever you can darling! You’ll never know the feeling I get when I get a letter from you. Oh – it’s grand!

A rumor just went around that we have to get up at 4:00 tomorrow morning to eat breakfast. If it’s true – here’s one guy that’s going to miss breakfast.

Well honey it’s about time for lights out & since I’m already in bed I’d better start to “Roger out”.

Please answer soon sweetheart. I miss you so much !!!

If you can’t read this letter – I’ll send you the key to decipher it.

Goodnite now Darling,

All My Love
X O X Johnny X O X
X O X O X O
X O X O X O
X O X

June 7, 1943

Fort Riley, Kansas
June 7, 1943
8:00 P.M.

(inside envelope flap)
HELLO
SWEETHEART!!
I MISS YOU!
P.A.S.
LOVE X O X



Darling Mark!
Hello Sweetheart! Here it is Monday & I haven’t any letter since Friday. I still have hopes tho.

I went to Riley to see about my pictures yesterday – but I won’t get them till Wednesday.

I spent a very dull week-end. I went to sleep at 9:00 last nite. I’m going to sleep early tonite too – I have to get up at 4:30 tomorrow morning to check scores on the range.

This morning – I was barracks guard. Just sat around on my dead butt. It was the life.

It won’t be long honey & I’ll be saying good-bye to Ks. I think we’re pulling out Sunday afternoon sometime – between you & me.

Honey – I’m sure going to miss you an awful lot.

I haven’t much to talk about honey – just thinking a lot.
Please answer Soon?

I miss you -------------------

All My Love XOX
XXXXXXX Johnny X
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

June 6, 1943

Fort Riley, Kansas
June 7, 1943
8:00 P.M.

(inside envelope flap)
HELLO
SWEETHEART!!
I MISS YOU!
P.A.S.
LOVE X O X



Darling Mark!
Hello Sweetheart! Here it is Monday & I haven’t any letter since Friday. I still have hopes tho.

I went to Riley to see about my pictures yesterday – but I won’t get them till Wednesday.

I spent a very dull week-end. I went to sleep at 9:00 last nite. I’m going to sleep early tonite too – I have to get up at 4:30 tomorrow morning to check scores on the range.

This morning – I was barracks guard. Just sat around on my dead butt. It was the life.

It won’t be long honey & I’ll be saying good-bye to Ks. I think we’re pulling out Sunday afternoon sometime – between you & me.

Honey – I’m sure going to miss you an awful lot.

I haven’t much to talk about honey – just thinking a lot.
Please answer Soon?

I miss you -------------------

All My Love XOX
XXXXXXX Johnny X
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

June 6, 943

Fort Riley, Kansas
June 6, 1943
Sun. 8:30

(inside envelope flap)
HELLO
Sweetheart!!
I MISS YOU MORE THAN I CAN SAY – HONEY.
LOVE
GUM CHUM? WRITE SOON




Darling Mark!
Hello Honey. Glory – how I miss you. I just came back from Riley to get my pictures but they won’t be ready till about Wed. They must be trying to retouch them to resemble something living.

I tried to call you last nite & was waiting for them to call me back – so I went to confession. They said they called while I was gone.

I tried again tonite & I must have been gone or they called back when another guy was using the phone. It’s hard as hell to get a call out from here.

I’m feeling pretty low & blue tonite – I had counted so much on seeing you this week-end.

I don’t know whether I got a letter from you today or not – the mail-man is on a pass.

Oh – honey how I’d like to be with you again. I miss you sooo much.

Honey I’m already in bed so I’ll close now & get some much needed sleep. I just got off guard at 5:30. Please answer soon Sweetheart.

All My Love
Johnny
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXOX

June 5, 1943

Fort Riley, Kansas
June 5, 1943
10:00 A.M.

(inside envelope flap)
HELLO
Sweetheart!!
I MISS YOU!
ANSWER SOON
LOVE X O X



Darling Mark!

Hello Sweetheart: -
12:30. I was called out suddenly. But I’m back again mad as hell! I’ve just been placed on guard for tonite. OH Damn. I feel like tearing this place apart! I won’t be able to come in this week-end sweetheart! I guess this would be the last chance I’d get to see you again. OH honey am I blue. I was counting so much on seeing you again. Mercy!!!

So you finally went horseback riding eh? How’s your fannie feel?

Honey – I’ve got to shower & get ready for guard mount now so I’d better close & get agoin’. I’ll try & call you tonite honey. If I can pay a guy to take my guard tonite I’ll give him his own price.

Please answer soon honey. I miss you an awful lot & always thinking of you. Bye now.

XXXXXXXXXXXXX
XOX All My Love
Johnny
P.S. Someone borrowed my pen & forgot to return – so pencil.

June 4, 1943

Fort Riley, Kansas
June 4, 1943
Fri. 8:20 P.M.

(inside envelope flap)
HELLO
SWEETHEART!
I MISS YOU!
LOVE X WRITE SOON



Darling Mark,

Hello Sweetheart!!

I just got off duty & out of a crap game.

I didn’t get a letter from you today – honey – I couldn’t help being disappointed. I’m writing anyway cause I’m thinking of you an awful lot.

I slept till 9:30 this morning. It sure felt good. I missed breakfast but we ate dinner at 11:00. We didn’t start the day till 12:30. I had a soft morning for once.

We were out on the range firing the carbines till 7:30. I won $13 & 2 cartons of cigarettes for having the highest score in my platoon – 168 out of 200. I should have had more – 2 of my rounds didn’t fire.

It sure turned cold here this morning. I thought winter was coming again but it warmed up this afternoon.

I’m breaking in a new pair of G.I.’s & my feet are really sore – corns, blisters & bunions.

I was going to quit smoking but I guess I’ll have to smoke those 2 cartons.

Say – honey what’s the idea dating your letter May 1? Kinda behind in time aren’t you? You must be a pretty busy gal!

I don’t know what train or bus I’ll catch tomorrow nite – if I get a chance to catch any.

Honey – I’ve got to go now. I have to shave, shower & do some laundry. We have to do our own laundry now.

I’m going to saddle soap these shoes too & see if I can soften them up any.

Gee – I miss you honey!!! I hope I get to see you again before I leave. If I don’t I want to make a date about 6 months from now – OKAY?

Well Sweetheart I’d better close for tonite. I hope I get a letter from you tomorrow.

Goodnite Honey!
Please answer soon.

All My Love XOX
Johnny X
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
XXOOOXXOXXOX

June 3, 1943

Fort Riley, Kansas
June 3, 1943
Thurs. Eve.

Darling Mark!

Hello Sweetheart! I’m going to answer your letter now. I’m going to Riley & see if my pictures are back yet.

We had a compass problem this evening & didn’t get off till 6:30. I was going to mass & confession but I was too late.

We have to get up at 5:30 tomorrow but our day doesn’t start till 10:00. We have to work till 8:00. We have the same schedule for Sat., so I won’t be able to catch a train till 9:20 & won’t get to K.C. till around 1:00 A.M. Sun. morn. Sat. we fire the carbine rifle for record. The one’s that make the lowest scores will do K.P. on the train when we move out. I sure hope I do some fancy shootin’.

Today we had village fighting. We practiced capturing a simulated German village. It was a lot of fun. I was sure blasting hell out of everything I could. There’s only 1 guy been killed & 1 wounded out there.

This afternoon we seen another film on German occupations of small countries. There titled – “Why We Fight!” & Sweetheart they’d make anybody fighting mad! They’re actual films & they’re horrible! Civilians never get to see these films.

Honey I hope I get to see you this week-end. I’m coming in if I only have a couple of hours home. If I miss that 9:30 train I’ll catch a later one – even if I don’t get in till Sun. morning.

Sweetheart I miss you more every day! I think about you constantly.

Well honey I guess I’ll be getting’ to Riley before it’s too late. Answer soon sweetheart. I hoping – but I guess I won’t get a letter tomorrow – the way you talk in your letter!

Bye again Honey
All My Love X O X
I MISS YOU!! Johnny X

XXXXXXXXOOXOXX

June 2, 1943

Fort Riley, Kansas
June 2, 1943
Wed. 5:30

(inside envelope flap)
Hello
Sweetheart!!
I MISS YOU
LOVE XX WRITE SOON



Darling Mark!

Hello Sweetheart! I’m just writing a short note to tell you how much I miss you & am thinking of you. I’m going to a USO show tonight – they’re having “Hellzapoppin” on the stage.

I didn’t get a letter today but I expect one tomorrow.

This afternoon we had a 2 hr. hike. Boy was it hot & still is. The wind is blowing like hell!

Well – honey I’m going to close & get this in tonight’s mail.

I miss you very much honey – hope I get to see you again soon. Please answer soon honey!

Bye now.

All My Love
Johnny

X X X X
X O X
O X O
X X

May 26, 1943

Fort Riley, Kansas
May 26, 1943
Wed. Eve.



Darling Mark!

I got your note today so I’ll answer it now.

We had a test today on maps & if we flunked it we don’t get a 3 day pass, but I’m pretty sure I passed it, so I’ll see you about Friday nite.

Honey – this letter is going to be short too. I’m trying to make a show tonite & get this in tonite’s mail besides. I haven’t been to a show for a month.

I finally got to Riley & got my proofs. The pictures won’t be ready for about 10 days to two weeks.

We have to go thru an infiltration cause tomorrow with live ammunition firing 30 in. over our heads. If I don’t get my B-T too high I’ll be seeing you.

Well Honey I’d better close & git agoin if I want to make that show. Answer Soon Sweetheart!

All My Love
XXXXXXXOOX
Johnny X


What’s better than being deep in the heart of Texas?

May 19, 1943

Fort Riley, Kansas
May 19, 1943
8:30 P.M.

(inside envelope flap)
Hello
Sweetheart!!
LOVE X X X X I MISS YOU EXTRA




Darling Mark:

I hope you don’t mind if I write to you everyday – but I think about you so much I have to.

We’ve just finished having an inspection of our equipment. Friday we have another one.

I sure missed your letter today honey!

Another rough day & I’m already in bed ready to sleep as soon as I finish this letter.

It’s raining again tonite!! Damn - wish it would stop.

I’m on guard tomorrow & Friday & I don’t feel like I’d want to walk in the rain.

Honey – we might get a 3-day pass next week before we leave. I’m not sure but, I’m sure praying.

Didn’t do much today. This morning we had lectures & this afternoon had a class on the pistol, sub-tommy & carbine rifle. Very boring – I could take them apart blindfolded – but I guess they didn’t have anything else for us to do.

Well – honey close to the bottom so – I’d better close.

Goodnite now. Please answer soon.

Love
Johnny

XXOXXXXXXXXXX

May 18, 1943

Fort Riley, Kansas
May 18, 1943

(inside flap:
Hello
Sweetheart!!
I MISS YOU EVER SOMUCH!
LOVE x xxx ooo)




Darling Mark:

I’m dreaming of you again – I mean yet!

I got your letter this evening – I hoped for it – but didn’t expect it till tomorrow.

I’ve just finished taking a shower & am now ready for bed as soon as I finish this letter. These 12 hr. days don’t agree with me. Today we had a problem on dead-reckoning with compasses. We walked over more hills & muddy roads than I want to see again. This evening we cleaned all of our guns & vehicles ready to be shipped. The cars are all dead-lined so I guess we’ll be doing a lot of foot-work till we leave.

It’s raining again tonite – I wish the hell it would stop.

I fooled you sweetheart – I did have my pictures taken. HUH? You won’t have to blow your top!

Honey – I don’t know what I’m going to do – not to be able to see you every week. I miss you so terribly much!

I’m still sorry about last nite honey – but I didn’t drink much – it just made me sick. I guess I can’t take it. I’m sure it won’t happen again.

Honey I’m closing for tonite – I’ve just got to get some sleep.

Goodnite darling!
Please answer soon.

All My Love
Johnny
*XXXXXXXX*XXXXOOOOOOOX

May 17, 1943

Fort Riley, Kansas
May 17, 1943
Mon. Eve. 8:30

(inside envelope flap)
Hello
Sweetheart!!
I MISS YOU! XXX LOVE XX




Darling Mark:

Hello Sweetheart how ya doing? I got back to camp this morning at 12:00, and mercy me we had to get up at 4:30. We also had to work till 6:00 tonite.

When I got off the train it was raining like hell again – but I didn’t mind it as long as I had you on my mind.

This afternoon we took a hike in the rain with full field pack. My poor feet just can’t take it! I’m dead tired but I can still write to you.

As soon as we were off duty – I shaved & dressed & went to Riley & had – now relax – my pictures taken! No fooling honey – I even missed chow so I could. I’ve just come back from there. They won’t be ready for at least 2 weeks – so I guess I’ll have to have them mail it to you.

It’s still dark & cloudy out – I guess it’ll rain again tomorrow.

I was supposed to operate a radio today on a problem but the car that my radio was in, was dead lined & couldn’t go out. So I ended up on that damn hike. I guess I’ll have to tell them who I am around here.

I sure did miss not getting a letter from you today honey!

Honey – I’m still sorry about last Sat. nite. I wish you had of clubbed me with a chair or something! Maybe I would have woke up. I guess I can’t take it anymore.

I guess I oughtta get some long letters from you this week – being as how you’re on a vacation – wish I could be with you but I guess it will still be quite some time before I see you again.

Today we were issued mosquito? head nets & dust respirators.

Wednesday we start wearing our summer khaki’s.

If we don’t work this week-end & if I’m not on detail, & if we’re still here & if we’re not restricted to camp – I’m going to try & get a 3-day pass, if I can & if I do – I’m going to hold you every minute of the time.

Some G.I. got married over the weekend & just gave me a cigar – I’m debating whether or not to smoke it. I’ll probably end up like I was Sat. & I never want to feel like that again.

Sweetheart I guess I’ll close for tonite & start dreaming of you. Write & let me know what you do this week if it’s not too personal & if you want to. Honey – I’m going to miss you so much.

Goodnite honey – please write soon.

All My Love
Johnny
XXXXXXXXXXOXOOOOOXOX

May 14, 1943

Fort Riley, Kansas
May 14, 1943
Fri. Eve.

(inside envelope flap)
Hello
Sweetheart!!
I MISS YOU I LOVE YOU
ANSWER SOON!




Darling Mark:

Just finished reading your letter again! I’m so tired I didn’t know whether to write tonite or not. But I don’t think I’m that tired. I also got a letter from Lu today. Boy we put in a 13 hr. day again today! All I did was sit in an amphib with a radio but I even got tired doing nothing. I got off the alert tonite & tomorrow I don’t know how I did & I’m not trying to find out. I’m not on guard this week-end so I guess I’ll come to K.C. & get tight as hell – because I think it’ll be my last!

It’s been cloudy all day & now its raining like hell – I hope it clears up over the week-end.

Frank Moon is singing “More Than Ever” now. I could just write that song to you & you’d know what I want to say. Do you know it?

Honey – I’m going to have some pictures taken as soon as I get time. Maybe this week-end!

Honey – I’m sorry I backed away from that kiss. I wish I had it now. But I just felt kinda mean.

Honey – I guess I’ll close for tonite – I get to thinking about you & can’t write.

Answer soon Sweetheart – I miss you.

Goodnite honey.
Love
Johnny
X O X X X O

May 13, 1943 8:15 AM

Fort Riley, Kansas
May 13, 1943
8:15 A.M.

Darling Mark,

Hello Sweetheart!!
How I miss you – I can’t say. I thought about you all day. I hope I get to see you next week-end.

I got in camp at 4:00 this morning & got up at 5:30. I walked around half way sleeping & day dreaming today. We had a lecture this morning & I kept going to sleep every 5 minutes. It’s really hell to have to fight to stay awake.

I’ve just finished taking a shower & shaving & am now laying on my bunk ready for some sleep – as soon as I write home.

Mercy! It was sure hot today! What time did you get up today – or did you?

Baby – how I’d like to have you in my arms tonight! Damn honey – I write one line, then stop & think about you for an hour it seems.

Some guy just offered me 25 c for my thoughts, but I wanted $5 or nothing. He wasn’t that curious. I didn’t want to sell them anyway.

At the station last nite I bought a round-trip to Riley – it was only 15 c more than a one way. Well – as soon I sat down on the train – I had the ticket in my hand – I fell asleep. The next time I woke up we were in Topeka & I still have my round-trip. I went back to sleep & woke up in camp & I still had the round-trip & I still have it. I don’t know how they missed me, but I wasn’t curious to find out. I get to use it this week-end.

This afternoon I fell asleep after chow & when I woke up I was the only one in the barracks. It took me half-hour to find my platoon & another hour explaining where I had been. He must have believed the line I gave him – I haven’t heard anything – yet!

Honey – I’m going to sign off now. I gotta write home & hit the hay.

I could really go for a “charge” now.

Goodnite Honey – Please answer soon.
All My Love
Johnny
XXXO OXXX
P.S. 8:15 – See what I mean? XOX

May 13, 1943

Fort Riley, Kansas
May 13, 1943
8:15 A.M.

(inside envelope flap)
Hello
Sweetheart!!
LOVE! I MISS YOU




Darling Mark:

Hello – sweetheart. I’ve got a little time off this morning so I thought I’d start a letter. We got all ready to go on a problem this morning & now we don’t go out till this afternoon. Just part of the co. went out & we have to wait till they set up their defensive positions. We’re also going to do some combat firing this afternoon. I’m going to have it easy again today. I’m operating a telephone radio in a jeep.

It’s still cloudy & dreary out today. I wish to hell it would stay warm awhile.

I went to sleep last nite around 9:00 & I’m still sleepy & tired. I don’t know why – I haven’t done anything all week.

Oh-oh – we’re being called out now for a little lecture. Bye now.




Well, I’m back again. A Lt. gave us the dope about this afternoon’s firing. We’re firing live ammunition. I hope a certain Lt. gets in front of me.

I just came back from firing the 60 M.M. mortar. Am now just waiting for chow call. I think I’ll take a little nap now. Kinda sleepy.



9:00 P.M.
Hello again honey – I just finished shaving & taking shower & am now getting ready for some good ole sleep. I was going to have some pictures taken tonite but its’ too late. We didn’t get in till 7:00 this evening. We’re on the alert again tomorrow & Sat. so I won’t get to take them then. I guess I’ll have to wait till next week. But I promise I’ll send you one as soon as possible.

Thanks to you & Lu for the chocolates. They were really good while they lasted. Boy! I got a lot of pals. I also got a letter from you – I must rate! You’re improving honey – 4 pages – but I’d be disappointed if I didn’t. I got some kisses for you too. I got off on the wrong track. I guess I shouldn’t talk about 4 pages. NUTS – honey for the past 15 minutes I’ve been in a stupor thinking about you.

That’s what takes me so long to write a letter – I stop about every other line & dream of you. Here I go again!

I got a letter from Cec. today – I’m going to write him after I finish this & then I’m going to sleep – I hope I dream of you.

How did you know I took up pipe smoking? I never said anything about it – did I?

Well honey I’d better close for tonite. It’s getting late. 9:45. Write soon sweetheart – my day isn’t perfect without a letter form you! Goodnite now – honey.

All My Love
Johnny
XOX
XXXXXXXOOOXXX

May 11, 1943

Fort Riley, Kansas
May 11, 1943
7:30 P.M.

(inside envelope flap)
Hello
Sweetheart!!
LOVE!

X O X Write Soon



Darling Mark:

Thanks to you & Lu for the card! I wish I could have shown you a better time. It’s nice out here again tonite – these are the kind of evenings I wish I was with you.

We’re on the alert again from noon today till tomorrow noon & then from Friday noon till Sat. noon. I think we’ll get off at noon Sat. – but the 1st Sargeant will probably have me on guard. Out in the field yesterday, he asked me if I got everything straightened out at the hospital. I assured him I did.

This morning I was over at Div. Hq’s. for an interview for Army Specialized Training School. This afternoon I helped clean the grease off of some new Tommy guns that came in.

I’m kinda glad we’re on the alert tonight. I’ll have a chance to get some sleep. Last nite a kid took me to Fort Riley to see “Lady of Burlesque”! Mercy!!

I didn’t do much today but for some reason I’m kinda tired. I can’t find a comfortable way to lay on this bunk & write.

As you see I’m sending some snaps I took at Lake Nemaha.

What are you doing tonight, Honey? Taking care of the kids? Ha! Or drunk again?

I feel like getting tanked up tonite – but in the first place – I can’t go to the P.X. & second I’d likely feel like hell tomorrow.

I guess- I better get a letter from you tomorrow. Bye for now honey. Write soon!

All My Love
Johnny
XXXXXXXXXX XXO