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Showing posts with label World War II history. Show all posts
Showing posts with label World War II history. Show all posts

Sunday, August 4, 2013

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

Friday, July 26, 2013

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 7th 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

Thursday, July 4, 2013

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 2nd. 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 9th, 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

Tuesday, June 25, 2013

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

Monday, May 27, 2013

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 – 7th & 23rd. 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

Monday, May 20, 2013

November 5, 1944: Johnny is walking to chow now



Sun., Nov. 5, 1944
England


My Darling
         Hello Sweetheart! !
I got your letter of the 19th 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

Sunday, February 24, 2013

Our WWII Soldier's Leg Wound Had to Be Opened Again



Oct. 27, 1944
England


My Darling Mark
         Hello Sweetheart! !
Got your very nice letter today. I also got one from Cec.
How is everything with you, honey. Are you still working 5 days a week now?
Honey, I don’t know what the hell to write in a letter anymore – there’s not anything worth writing. Don’t do anything unusual – same stuff day after day! I even hate to try & write a letter anymore. If I kept writing for the time it took me to write 2 pages – I could write you a book.
         Went to the show this afternoon & seen Charles Laughton “The Man from Down Under”. Pretty good – but I had seen it before.  I’ve seen some of the pics 4 times already just because there wasn’t anything else to do.
They didn’t graft any skin on my leg honey – they just cut the scar out & closed – but it became infected & had to open it again. I don’t know whether they’ll cut the scar out this time or not. Time will tell what’s what.
I don’t think I’ll get a 30 day leave honey – I’ll be lucky to get a short furlough over here! If I was back in the states – I’d probably get a long leave.
I honestly don’t think I’ll be sent back to the states honey – I would even say maybe. We’ll just have to sweat it out together & see what happens.
Well, honey I guess I’ll close this for tonight - & get washed & shaved – before lights go out. Then if I have time I’ll write Cec! He’s pretty proud of his kid!
Tell everyone hello honey.
I miss you & love you more every day.
Bye for now Sweetheart!!
Write soon.
All My Love
Always               Johnny


~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~


Johnny’s leg was definitely a long time healing. The gash in his leg had also developed an infection, and the British doctors were leaving the wound open so it could be cleaned regularly and could heal from the inside out.  One of the Army doctors ordered them to sew up the wound and get him back to the front lines.

They did as they were told and sewed it up.  Over the next two or three days, the leg began to swell and turn red.  On the third day, one of the other patients a few beds down who was a medic, called to the nurse to go tend to Jambrosic, that he was going into shock.  The doctors and nurses came running, took a look at him and at his leg, and cut the stitches open.  Pus literally squirted out of the wound.  They had to start over again, cleaning it out and letting it heal from inside.  The Army doctor didn’t give any more orders about Johnny’s care!

The scar on that leg was over a foot long, from his hip to his knee, and about 5 inches wide.  He rarely wore shorts because he didn't want the scar to show, but the injury didn’t slow him down.  He was on a bowling team for years, and later played golf several times a week.  You’d never know he had been injured by looking at him.

Saturday, February 9, 2013

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 14th 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

Thursday, December 20, 2012

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.

Friday, December 14, 2012

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

Wednesday, December 12, 2012

Oct. 19, 1944: Our WWII Soldier Is Recovering and Got Partial Pay



Oct. 19, 1944
England



My Darling Mark
         Hello Sweetheart! !
Was very glad to hear from you today. I got two letters – Sept.28 & Oct. 2.
         I’m feeling a lot better today – but still have this cold & am still in bed. Which I don’t like. I finally got a partial pay – 4 pounds, $16. That’s about all I need here anyway now. I still haven’t caught up on all my back mail yet. I should write 3 or 4 yet tonite if I feel like it. There isn’t anything else to do but write or read. They haven’t said anything about coming home – I really don’t think I will myself. But nothing better could happen than to be home for Christmas & you.
         I get to miss & love you more every day – honey – I hope it isn’t too long.
         How’s everything with you honey? Okay I hope. Getting cold there yet. Hardly a day goes by here that it doesn’t rain.
         Well, honey I’ll close for now – hope I hear from you tomorrow. Bye for now – honey. Write soon.
I love you – I miss you.
All My Love Always             Johnny

Thursday, December 6, 2012

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

Wednesday, December 5, 2012

Our WWII Soldier Is Getting A Skin Graft In the Morning



Oct. 12, 1944
England



My Darling Mark
         Hello Sweetheart! !
I got 3 letters from you today – 16-17-18th. Mighty glad to get them. All the mail I’ve received here so far except one was from you. Just as long as I hear from you – that’s all I care.
         I’m feeling okay – but I just got rid of a cold & already getting another one. Damn nuisance is what they are!
         Well, I get operated on in the morning. They’re going to graft & sew my leg up. I’ll heal faster then. If I don’t write tomorrow – I’ll either be too sick or asleep all day. Probably be dreaming of you honey. I’ll close for tonite now honey. This is a short one – huh? I’m sure lonely for you honey! Write Soon. I love you!
All My Love Always             Johnny

Monday, December 3, 2012

Our WWII Soldier Doesn't Know Whether They'll Operate on His Chest or Not



Oct. 10, 1944
England



My Darling Mark
         Hello Sweetheart! !
How’s my honey. I got your letter of Sept. 6 today – kinda late – but it was a letter from you. First letter I’ve received since I’ve been here. I should be getting more in a couple of days.
         They haven’t said much about my chest yet. The colonel was around this afternoon & looked at my x-rays. I don’t know whether he’s going to operate or not. I’m feeling pretty good – but I’m lonesome as hell for you honey!
I was just wondering if I should stay sober the first couple of days when I get back. I know what you think about that – but –I was just debating with myself. Most likely I won’t.
         How’s Lu & Cec. & the baby? Have you seen them lately – or are you still working 7 days?
         Well, honey, I’ll close for now & get ready to go for chow. I’ll try & write a longer letter next time. Bye for now – Sweetheart! I love you!
All My Love Always,            Johnny

Monday, November 12, 2012

Our WWII Soldier's Chest Injury Leads To A Transfer To A Different British Hospital



Oct. 8, 1944
England
Sunday



My Darling Mark
         Hello Sweetheart! !
I got your letter of the 28th yesterday, but didn’t answer – because I knew I was being transferred. I’m in a different hospital now – about a mile from the one I was in.
         They had me transferred here – to look into my chest injury. I don’t know what they’ll do about it yet.
         I got a letter from Babe yesterday. I’ll have to answer. I guess my mail will take a little longer to catch up with me now. I was to get paid Tues. I don’t know how long it’ll take to get paid now. I hope not to (sic) long.
         I suppose by the time my mail starts to get here & I’m about to get paid – I’ll be transferred again.
         Well honey, I’ll close for now & write tomorrow. Maybe I’ll have some thing to tell you then. I sure miss you honey & love you more every day. I wish I was with you now. But I guess that’s out till this is over. Bye for now honey. Write soon.
All My Love Ever         Johnny






Author's Note:  Johnny's chest and neck were riddled with shrapnel when his tank was blown up in France.  Some pieces couldn't be removed, including one that was lodged next to his heart, that remained there throughout his life.


Some pieces pierced his lungs.  When he was a prisoner of war in Paris, an infection set into his lungs and they started filling up with pus.  The German doctors used a syringe with a huge needle, inserted it between his ribs, and extracted the pus with the syringe.  Later that when he told the British doctors about it, they said they never would have thought of that, and he would have died (remember that antibiotics had just been discovered and weren't in common use yet).  So, although the Germans almost killed him initially, they ended up saving his life.

Friday, November 2, 2012

Our WWII Soldier Describes How He Was Wounded And Taken Prisoner Of War



Oct. 5, 1944
England



My Darling Mark
         Hello Sweetheart!
Hows my honey! I got 14 letters today – 7 from you. From July 4-5, Aug 14, Sept. 22-23-24-25. Nice going honey! I also got 2 of the snapshots you sent. I got some mail from June yet!
         I guess if I wait long enough – it’ll finally all catch up with me. Mom said she had 3 packages on the way – but I haven’t received any of those yet.
         How are you getting my mail now, honey? Oftener I hope. I’m writing pretty often. There isn’t much more to do. I sure have a mess to answer tonite – but I don’t think I’ll try & answer them all tonite!
         Honey – I wouldn’t want to say one way or the other whether or not there’s a chance I’ll be home by Xmas. I wouldn’t even want to say maybe! I know you would be disappointed if I didn’t come home – if I gave you any encouragement that I might. Honey – I honestly don’t know – when or where I’ll go from here. I have no reasons to believe I’ll go back to the states tho. But how I hope so. We’ll just have to wait & see honey – how things turn out.
         I’m feeling pretty good & I’m hardly a lump now. There’s still a couple of open wounds in my leg yet – but shouldn’t be much longer in healing. My chest gives me a little trouble – not much tho.
         I thought I told you how I was wounded honey.
         Well, it happened so quick – it was hard to realize. I remember seeing the flash from this Jerry A.T. gun & the next thing I knew our tank was on fire. I don’t remember how I got out but I came to beside it. I knew I had to get away – because it was burning & the ammo exploding. I couldn’t get up so I rolled about 15 ft. & passed out. My platoon Sargeant was blown out & he got as far as I did. Both his legs were pretty well beat up. I woke up 2 days later – a prisoner – what a hell of a shock. The driver & the other Sargeant must have been killed. The Jerries gave us they’re billfolds & a dog tag. There’s a lot of details that would take pages honey – so I hadn’t better go to sleep.
         I'll close for tonite and answer a few more & hit dreamland. Bye for now honey. I love you and miss you.
All My Love Always             Johnny




German A.T. (Anti-Tank) Gun

 (for more information about German anti-tank weapons, go to:

Friday, October 26, 2012

Johnny Gets More Letters Later That Same Day



Oct. 4, 1944
England
8:00 P.M.



My Darling Mark
         Hello Sweetheart! !
How’s my honey today? I got 3 letters from you today – 11th 12th & 15th. You’re really on the ball honey. I wrote you a letter this morning – but after getting 3 this evening I’d better write again.
         I got a letter from Frank today & one from Bobby.
         If you want to know honey – I was hit in the left leg & left lung. It’s nothing serious now.
         I’m feeling pretty good – but could feel a lot better if I was near you.
         It’s getting pretty cold here now. I hate to think of spending another winter here. I was in France the day they had summer here in England. I’ll bet if I was in the states I could stand any kind of weather. I’d sure like to spend this winter with you. We wouldn’t have to worry about a fuel shortage. Right now were listening to the World Series between the Browns & Cards. I guess its about 3:00 back home.
         Well, honey I close for now & write Bob & Frank.
         What I want for Xmas?  You honey & I would be gloriously happy!
         Bye for now. Write Soon.
All My Love Always             Johnny

Monday, October 22, 2012

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 18th 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