September 29, 1943

Desert Training Center, California

Sept. 29, 1943

Darling Mark,

         Hello Sweetheart ! !

I got your letter last night – but was too tired to answer. We’re back at camp now & maneuvers have been called off. We started back Sat. morning & got back last nite. We’re going to be out of here by Nov. 1 & from the looks of things we’re headed for Camp Polk, La. This place is hell, but that camp is worse. Our Div. is getting reorganized & a lot of the outfits are getting split up. I don’t think the 89^th will be in the 9^th after this. It’s hard telling where we’ll end up but I care less. I’m going to try the Paratroops anyway.

         Coming back our half-track had motor-trouble & we had to lay over 2 days & get a new motor. We were the last vehicle in.

         Honey I’m going to have to cut this short. I’ve got so much straightening out to do. When things get back to normal again – I’ll try & write a long letter.  Bye now.

         Write Soon.

All My Love                 Johnny

X       X       X

September 8, 1943, 2nd letter

Desert Training Center, California

Sept. 8, 1943

Darling Mark

         Hello Sweetheart! ! !

I just got your letter half-hour ago. I’m going to try & answer now – but doubt if I have time. We’re moving out at 6:30. I have to open this radio in 15 min.

         I didn’t do a thing today – just sat around all morning & afternoon playing cards – nobody caught us either.

         And what makes you think I’m interested in the Follies??  Who’s kidding now.

         I wish I could have been there with you & Lu & Cec. I’m living just for the day to be together again.

         I’ve got the radio on now & will probably be interrupted every 2 minutes.

         Observation school was boring, we go out on a high mt. & set up a radio & then report back to our co. the activities of the enemy. We’re what’s called the “eyes” of the Army. I’m thru with that now – till further notice & go back to navigating.

         Honey I’m going to have to close – this radio is really getting busy & we’re moving out shortly. I’d better send this letter as is no telling when I’ll get to write again. Excuse the pencil & messy paper, it can’t be helped here. This pencil has no eraser either.

         Here we go.

         Bye now.            Write soon.

         All My Love        Johnny

                                                   X

August 20, 1943

Desert Training Center, California

Aug 20, 1943

Fri.   8:00 P.M.

Darling Mark,

Hello Sweetheart!!

I received your letter today – I guess it was about time you were writing.

I’ve been doing a lot of reading too of whatever I can find – only because there’s nothing else to do. It takes my mind off a lot of things too.

I guess that letter did sound screwy – but I was so mad – I didn’t know which end was up.

We just came in out of the field this morning. I should go to sleep now – but I’m going to the show instead.

Yes – honey I’m sure I wasn’t thinking of other “Babes” when I missed that command. You didn’t have to make a crack about it. I do miss you – honey! You never did send the words to that record.

My brother Ralph is in Sacramento Cal. now going to radio school for 14 weeks. He’s really got it made.

My oldest bro. Frank is in Illinois now completing his radio course.

Well honey I’d better close for tonite. By the way how is Lucy? If you ever see her, tell her I said hello.

Goodnite honey.                 X O X

Please answer soon!

All My Love                 Johnny

August 9, 1943

Desert Training Center, California

Aug 9, 1943

Darling Mark,

Hello Sweetheart!!

I thought I’d better write tonite while I have a chance. We’re supposed to go out tomorrow nite & stay out till Fri. I’m going to try & get off & go to L.A. for 3 days. Almost a week & no letter from you. You’re slipping honey.

I just came back from the dispensary – I had to have this heat-rash treated. It’s driving me nuts!

Sat – I was out all day on a navigation problem charting roads in our maneuver area.

Tonite our Bu. played ball against 2^nd Arm’d Regt. & beat 2-1. They told everybody they had to go, so I didn’t go. They’re going to try & make us go to a show tonite too. By the sounds of things I guess we’ll have to go anyway.

Well honey – they’re hollering there heads off. I guess I’ll go down & come right back.  Bye now

Write Soon – honey.

All My Love                 Johnny

August 6, 1943

Desert Training Center, California

Aug 6, 1943

8:30 P.M.

Darling Mark –

Hello Sweetheart!!

Received your letter yesterday – but was out in the field & didn’t have a chance to answer. I just finished writing a letter to Cec. I’m writing by a flashlight now.

We go out for 5 days next week. We had a lot of fun this week out. We fired a combat course with M.G.’s. & small arms & fired the 37 M.M. – A.T. also.

37mm Anti-Tank Gun

We didn’t do much today. Most of the time I was keeping out of the “Louies” paths.

Honey – it’s a beautiful nite out – how about a little lovin’? You bet we’re going to make up for the kisses we’ve missed. I can taste them already – oh

Honey – much as I hate to I’m sending the picture back. I’d like to know who you’re giving it to tho.

I plan to go to L.A. next week end – if nothing goes wrong.

I’d like to call you some time honey – when will you be home???

Well – honey I’d better close for tonite & get to bed. I’ve got to get up earlier in the morning & go on another navigation problem.

Those guys that got lost were from Camp Young – about 150 miles from here.

Write soon – sweetheart!!                    X O X

Goodnite now.   X O X

X O X                 All My Love                 Johnny     X O X

                                                   X X X X

August 3, 1943

Desert Training Center, California

Aug 3, 1943

Darling Mark,

Hello Sweetheart!!

No letter today – but I said I would write anyway. It’ll have to be short cause we’re falling out in about 10 min to go on the range. I didn’t think we’d go out till tomorrow nite. We’ll stay out till Thurs. so I won’t get a chance to write before then.

I was thinking about you today while we were marching – when all of a sudden we got a right flank – and I keep on marching – a buddy asked – what’s the matter – Kansas City? He’s from K.C. too & was thinking of K.C.

You’ll have to excuse this scratch honey – I’m trying to rush & get thru before we fall out.

A buddy just brought me a beer. It sure tastes good out here.

Well honey I’d better close. I’ll write when I come in again.

Bye now. Write soon. I miss you an awful lot, honey.

All My Love                 Johnny

X                                         X                                X

                 X                                         X

                 HAD          TO             FILL                   IN

X               THIS                  X               SPACE                X

                 X                                         X      

X                                         X                                         X

August 2, 1943

Desert Training Center, California

Aug 2, 1943

Mon.    6:00 P.M.

Darling Mark –

         Hello Sweetheart!!!

I finally got a letter today. First one since last Tues. I thought you was already in the Marines or I would have written. I hope you got the idea out of your head by now.

         I didn’t hear the record but I’m curious to know what the words were.

         I thought things were tough around here, but I’ve found out how much tougher they can be. Mainly – we have to dress in khaki every nite for chow. We have to dress in khaki to leave the co. area – go to a show & go see the ball-game, which is right next to our tents. I’m going to just sit in my tent & watch it. We can only get out of camp on week-ends from 5:00 Sat. nite till 12:00 Sun. nite. We get 1 -3 day pass between now & Oct. 16! I think I’ll go to L.A. in a couple of weeks & hibernate till Oct.

Wed. we go out & fire the 37 M.M.  We’ll probably be out a couple of days.

         I started to a show last nite when a guy walks in & starts telling me how blue he was. By the time he left 10:00 P.M. I didn’t see any show & was blue myself. I don’t know why in the hell they have to tell me about their girl friends – as if I don’t think a hell of a lot about a certain girl friend & miss her more than any of them miss theirs.

         Things are getting monotonous around here – same old drill – we’ve had dozens of times before.

         I’m getting so I don’t care what they do – I’ve taken this much – I can take anything they can hand out. Even restrictions. But they had better not cut out mail call or they’ll be about a Div. that would go over the hill.

         I guess this is enough griping.

         How is everybody home? I got a letter from Mom yesterday. She & Dora went up to see Ralph in Lincoln last Sat.

         Well honey, I’d better close for tonite. I’ve got to shower & shave yet. I’ll write tomorrow – letter or no letter.

         Honey – don’t forget I miss you & think of you an awful lot.  Bye now.  Write Soon.

         X       X       X

All My Love                 Johnny              X O X

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

P.S.   I just happened to look at the picture of you & Lu & seen the question you asked inside the envelope? Well – I had a guy mail it for me that went to Las Vegas, cause I thought you would get it sooner. See?

P.S. AGAIN.        I just run across that post – card – all I can say is I wish I was the plumber - Murder!!

July 29, 1943

Desert Training Center, CA

July 29, 1943

Thurs.  7:00 PM

Darling Mark,

Hello Sweetheart!!!  How ya was today?  What a rugged day I had.  We hiked about 6 miles with pack last nite & slept out.  Got up at 5:20 ate chow & at 7:30 started out again.  We had to climb a 1500 ft. mountain.  It was steep & very rocky.  I sure am lucky, tho.  I ran into 2 rattlesnakes.  It aged me 5 yrs.  Later after we reached the top – it took us 1-1/2 hrs. to get to the top – we went hunting snakes & killed 3 with a 45.  A Sargent got the rattlers off them.  I don’t want any part of them. –

We stayed on top of the mt. till 20:30 & started down.  We got down in about time for chow.  We had to cook our own meal.  Our platoon was lucky – we’ve got 2 ex-cooks in it & they did our cooking too.

It was sultry all day & as usual very hot!

Tired as hell when we got in camp.  You can tell when we’re tired – no one has much to say.

We’ve just finished marking our equipment again – we’re having another inspection Sat.  If it isn’t right this time the whole co. officers & all are going to be in hock a couple months.

Well, honey I think I’ll get some sleep – so goodnite now.  Write soon – I miss you an awful lot honey. XXX XOX

All my love,

Johnny

July 28, 1943

Desert Training Center, California

July 28, 1943

Wed.    1:30 P.M.

Darling Mark –

         Hello Sweetheart!!!

Got your 10 page air-mail today – counting the jokes. I’ve heard some & some I hadn’t.

         As you see I found that lapel pin. Every day now we’ve been having inspections & they’ve been gigging us everytime – so this noon we had to take everything out of our barracks bags & mark everything. Well, I found the thing in one bag.

         Honey this letter will have to be short. I’m going to fall out in 15 minutes, & tonite we go on a night patrol problem & I won’t get to.

         It’s been 150° for about a week here now. Even the nights are hot.

        

         Write then.

         This morning we had 2 hrs. on Judo fighting. 2 hrs on the use of sulfa drugs & morphine.

         This afternoon we’re going on another dismounted problem in the desert.

5:00. I didn’t have time to finish this at noon. We were out all afternoon practicing laying mines & detecting them.

         We’re going out this evening again on a nite problem. We weren’t fighting over a girl – where could anyone find a dame out here? I grant you, it would be a fight if there ever was one.

         We can’t wear shorts out here – the sun would blister you in an hour. Well honey – I’d better get ready for tonite. I’ll write more tomorrow. Bye now. Love Johnny

X X X X X X X X

July 26, 1943 (2nd letter)

Desert Training Center, California

July 26, 1943

Tues.    1:00 P.M.

Darling Mark,

         Hello Sweetheart!!!

         Received your air-mail & the one that rode free inside. I got the pictures too. You should have known better than to ask for it back, once you send it to me.

         Another hot day & we’ve got a 12 mile hike this afternoon! Even the nights are getting hotter. Even I’m getting hotter.

         L.A. is restricted to us again now. I guess I’ll never get out of this hell-hole.

         Honey, I’ll have to finish this tonite – we’re being called out early. Bye now.

        

5:30

Back again & tired as hell. We went out on the desert & had a dismounted problem. We were defending a water tower. My buddy & I were together under a greasewood bush – taking it easy. We talked mostly of girls, & decided that you had better not join the Marines. Honey, you don’t know what you’re getting into! All I can say is I hope you don’t. I could tell you not to definitely – but then you’d probably do it just to show me you could. Well honey it’s about time for chow so I’d better close. After chow we have two hours of dismounted drill. It’ll be too dark to write.

         I miss you honey & think of you a lot – but I’d hate to think of you in the Marines.

Bye now – honey                                  x O X

Write Soon.                                 X O X X X X

         All My Love                 Johnny     XOX

I could really go for some of those sloppy kisses any time – anywhere. Honey – think a lot before you join the Marines or any Womens service.

         Bye again – Love                X O X

July 21, 1943

Desert Training Center, California

July 21, 1943

Wed.    8:00 P.M.

Darling Mark,

         Hello Sweetheart!!!

No letter today – but I’d better write a short one.

         I’ve just finished shaving & a shower & washing my fatigues. The co. went on an overnite hike – 6 miles. I got out of it. We’re trading our Scout cars for half-tracks. This desert is too rough for the Scout cars. We have to get up at 4:30 tomorrow morning & be ready to leave at 5:30. We have to drive 150 miles to another camp – I forgot the name of it. They figure on 14 hours of driving & we haven’t any assistant relief driver. We’ll probably start back Fri. morning & get back in camp late Fri. nite, so you see honey – I probably won’t have a chance to write again till Sat.

         This morning we had gas-drill & vehicle decontamination & map-reading & navigation. This afternoon we had maintenance & got the Scout cars ready to roll for tomorrow morning.

         I was planning on going to L.A. this week-end but got restricted – over just some trivial thing. This Army is driving me bats.

         Well honey I’d better close & get some rest. It’s getting dark anyway.

         Bye now.   Write soon.

    X      X      X      X

                 All My Love                 Johnny     XOX

    X  X  X  X  X  X  X      X      X

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

July 19, 1943

Desert Training Center, California

July 19, 1943

Mon. Eve.

Darling Mark,

         Hello Sweetheart!!!

Got your card today. It helped me out a little. Boy – was I disgusted today. Blue Monday I guess. This morning we were out for driving instruction. This afternoon we had maintenance. Most of the time I sat inside a Scout car reading Liberty. Time out honey a guy just brought me a cake.

         I’m going to have to finish this – but fast. We had to stand Retreat tonite & by the time that was over & ate chow & finished shaving & taking my “Lux” shower it is now getting quite dark. I guess by now you’re trying to figure the pictures out. One is of the desert as you can see, That mountain is about 15 miles from where I took the picture. Nice country?

         The other two are me – which you can’t so plainly see. I guess you can figure out which is the Scout car & which the tank. The tank is the M8 assault gun which I used to be in. Glad I’m out of it now. It gets pretty hot inside there out here.

         Well, honey I’d better close now. I’m going to the show tonite. I’ve probably already seen it – but!

         Goodnite Honey

         Write Soon                                  X X X X

XOX  All My Love        Johnny     XOX

July 16, 1943

Desert Training Center, California
July 16, 1943
Fri. 4:00 P.M.

Darling Mark,

Hello Sweetheart!!!

No letter today, but since I got four yesterday, I’d better write again today.

We had maintenance this morning & this afternoon. I had to get ready for guard duty.

See – honey, I told you I wasn’t going to get drunk. Tonite’s the beer party & I can’t touch a drop because I’m on guard. I’ll have to drink ‘cake’ & like it.

Honey this letter is going to have to be short, I’ve got to go on guard again at 4:30. But this is better than none at all (as you say) isn’t it. Why shore.

I took some pictures out on this desert. If they turn out good enough I’ll send you a couple. That reminds me – when do I get the one of you in your sarong?

Well, I’ve got to go now honey, I’ll be thinking of you tonite.

Honey I love you 24 hrs. more than I did yesterday.

Answer soon. I miss you so much.

All My Love X O X

Johnny

X X X X

Tell everyone I said Hello

X X X X

July 14, 1943

Desert Training Center, California
July 14, 1943
Wed. 9:30 P.M.

Darling Mark,

Hello Sweetheart!!!

Received your card today. It was really nice honey. Especially the kiss. It sure tasted good! It actually gave me a thrill honey.

Hope you can read this. I’m writing by moon-light. I didn’t have time to answer in camp. We’re about 25 miles from camp, at the foot of a mountain. There’s a beautiful moon setting right on top of it. Wish you were here, cause I’m really thinking of you.

A buddy & I are sleeping together tonite. I smuggled out my comforter & we’re using it to make the ground a little softer.

We get up at 5:00 A.M. in the morning. We’re going to have combat firing of the carbines & Tommy guns.

Honey, I guess I’d better close for tonite & get some sleep. Five o-clock in the morning comes too soon for me.

Now if I can just forget about those rattlesnakes & lizards, I’ll think of you & go to sleep.

If we get back in time tomorrow, I’ll write another letter, one that you can read.

Goodnite Honey.

All My Love X O O X

Johnny X O X

X O X OX OX

XO X O X O

July 12, 1943

Desert Training Center, California
July 12, 1943
Mon. Eve.

Darling Mark,

Hello Sweetheart!!!

I got your air-mail today. I hadn’t quite give up hopes of hearing from you honey. I got a letter from Lucy today.

So you want a nice long letter huh? I don’t know whether I can or not. I’d have to keep repeating how much I miss you & think of you.

All day yesterday, there was a poker game going on in my tent. Was this place a mess this morning. I couldn’t keep out of the damn game. Win & lose & lose & win. I ended up 50 c winner all day. That’s not saying what I lost Sat. I’m not talking about that.

This morning I had about an hour class on navigation & finally made my map course of last Wed. problem. The rest of the morning I helped put up a camouflauge net & tables for a mess tent. Most of the time I was having fun, listening to the Sarge trying to get us to work. He finally let us off an hour early. This afternoon we went out in Scout cars for a little drive. I operated a radio set. I thought of you making the crystals back in K.C.

I just finished making a couple of record sheets for the Sargent.

Well honey I’m starting on the third page honey. A buddy just called from his tent next to mine if I was going to the show tonite. I guess I will, but I hate to miss out on any of this wonderful sleep I get. Oh – how I hate to get up in the morning. He just told me he got a 7 page from his girl friend. You going to let her beat you by 2 pages honey?

I haven’t heard from Cec for 2 weeks now. Lucy says he’s on maneuvers. The 25^th of this month we go on a 10 day problem. We were supposed to go out tonite but it was called off. I’m not a bit sorry. Our beer party has been postponed till Friday nite.

Thursday our Div. will be one-year old. I suppose we’ll have to parade or something. I wouldn’t put it pass this outfit.

Well honey it’s getting dark – (always a good excuse) & I have to answer Lu’s letter yet.

You never have said anything about that picture I asked for in your bathing suit. How about it?

Bye again honey, I miss you an awful lot. Someday I’ll write another 10 page letter. On smaller sheets than this tho.

Answer soon, honey.

All My Love XOX

X O X Johnny X O X

X X X X X X

Desert Training Center, California
July 10, 1943
Sat. Eve., 8:30 P.M.

Darling Mark,

Hello Sweetheart!

I’m trying to write this letter by a flashlight. No letter today either.

I just read your last letter agin – the one with all the hell in it. I kinda got a laugh out of it. You know honey you couldn’t “beat bumps on my head” unless I was drunk.

This morning we had an inspection. It took till noon. After chow I got in a poker game that lasted till 8:00 PM. tonite. As you see it ended about a half hour ago. As they say in the Army – I lost my A--. I couldn’t get drunk now if I wanted to. But I think we’re supposed to have a beer party next Wed. nite – just a rumor.

Honey if you could just give me enough hell now about gambling maybe I could get it out of my blood. I mean it really gets in your blood.

I guess I’d better close for tonite & get some sleep.

Gosh honey I miss you,& miss not getting your letters, but then I can’t expect you to write every day. I hope I dream of you tonite. Goodnite honey. Write soon.

All My Love

Johnny XOX

X X X X X X X

X X X X X X X