October 22, 1943 CAMP POLK, LA

 

         I got two letters from you today, honey & two from Mr. Green. I’m glad he’ll be home when I get my furlough. I expect to be home about Nov. 5 or 6 at the latest. I’m only getting 10 days. We’re going on maneuvers down here about the end of Nov. till Jan. 29.

         This is a nice camp but we’re a hell of a way from a decent town. Sheveport (sic) is 110 miles. It’s a nice town. We stopped overnight there last nite, before coming in.

         The mornings here up to 10:00 are so foggy you can’t see 10 feet in front of you. It’s awful damp too. It’s nice and warm in the afternoons – goes to about 90°.

         Our barracks are about a block from the P.X. & 2 blocks from a movie.

         I’m sure anxious to get home now that I know I’ve got a furlough coming.

         I’ve got a guy pestering the hell out of me here. I let him add a P.S. so he would leave.

         Well honey its about time for lights out so I’d better close. I should write a lot more but I’m too tired.

         I think I’ll go right to sleep & get some good rest for a change.

         I’ve got a big day tomorrow again. Sunday I’ll have to myself – I think.

         I can hardly wait to see you honey & (illegible) when I do!

Bye now.   Write soon.

All My Love        Johnny

P.S. I heard ‘Paper Doll’ 3 times tonite! I can’t help it I just it.

P.S.  Hello Pulchram Pullam (Mark)

Johnnie asked me to add a P.S. now I am spellbound in fact I do not know what to say so.     Ra Colter

October 18, 1943

Author’s Note: This letter – envelope and all – was torn in half.  I wonder what was the reason for that?

Oct. 18, 1943

Mon. Morn.

Darling Mark,

         Hello Sweetheart ! !

I’ve got a little time this morning, so I thought I’d better write a little. We’re still here at Barkeley – we were supposed to leave last Sat. but our vehicles aren’t loaded yet. We’ve been loading tanks & half-tracks since Friday. We’ve got two trains today & one tomorrow & then we’re thru. We expect to leave here Wed. We’re supposed to get in Polk about Sat.

         It’s windy & cold here in the morning & hot in the afternoon.

         We’ve been busy as hell ever since we hit here. We usually get up at 5:30 & work till 7:00 P.M. Sometimes we get up at 4:00.

         I’ll be glad to get back to regular co. duty.

         They brought in 500 German prisoners here Sat.

         Abilene is the nearest City around here – no beer – whisky $6 pt. Johnny isn’t drinking anymore. Went to a show last nite & saw Girl Crazy – good!

         Well honey I have to fall out in a few minutes so I’d better close.

         I can hardly wait till I get my furlough! Mercy – will I be glad to get in K.C. I’ve got a lot of loving stored up!  Bye now.

Write Soon.

X       All My Love        X               Johnny     X       X       X       X

                                                   O      O      O      X       X       X

October 11, 1943

Oct. 11, 1943

Darling Mark,

         Hello Sweetheart ! ! !

I received your letter yesterday. I was packing & that’s a whole days job itself. I’m leaving for Texas tomorrow. I probably won’t have a chance to write for a week or two so if you don’t get any letters from me, you’ll know why. We’re supposed to arrive at Barkley the 14^th & leave the 16^th.  I don’t reckon it’ll be a picnic. I seem to be getting a lot of letters these last few days – just because I haven’t much time to write.

         I don’t know what to write now – nothing is going on around here.

         We have another formal retreat tonite - how I hate it.

         Well honey, I’d better scratch off a couple more letters – this is the last time I’ll get to write before I leave.

         I expect to get a furlough after we hit Polk.

         Bye now & Write Soon.

         All My Love                 Johnny

         X               X               X               X

         X               X               X              

October 8, 1943

Oct. 8, 1943

Darling Mark,

         Hello Sweetheart ! ! !

         I got your letter this afternoon. I just came back from a ballgame at Needles. The 89^th was playing the 16^th F.A. They beat us 2-1.

         We’ve got formal retreat tonite, so I’m writing this now – by the time that’s over & we eat chow it’ll be too dark to write.

         We’re still eating “C” rations out here & very seldom it’s good. Half the time I don’t eat. Between that & the heat I’ve lost 20 lbs. already. You seem to be doing alright tho (heavy).

         I guess the Paratroops are out now since the Div. has been reorganized. I could have went – but I wouldn’t have got a furlough & I don’t want to go that bad. I’ll probably get a furlough sometime in Nov.

         About 40 of us are leaving here Mon. or Tues. & going to Camp Barkley, Texas to pick up some vehicles & drive them to Camp Polk, La.

         Well we’re getting ready to fall out so I’d better close now.  Notice my new address on the back. Bye now. Write Soon.

                 X       X       X

All My Love                 Johnny

                                  X               X               X

October 3, 1943

 Oct. 3, 1943

Sun. 4:00 P.M.

Darling Mark,

         Hello Sweetheart ! !

I got your letter this noon. I also got one from Lucy – imagine that! She sent me Hugs Love & Kisses too! I just got thru answering her letter.

         I was on K.P. yesterday. The easiest I’ve ever had. It came at the right time – the co. had an inspection & a retreat parade from 3-6.

         There isn’t much doing now – we have a lot of lectures & tomorrow we turn all our vehicles over to Bu. So we won’t have to worry about them anymore.

         This afternoon I had to  ??? my “undies”. A lot of trouble is it not? OR do you wear them? Now take it easy honey – I couldn’t resist it.

         I doubt if I get a chance to try for the paratroops after our new T.O. goes thru. What do you mean too much of anything isn’t good for me? I’ve never had too much of sleep.

         How are you coming along in your bowling? 200 yet? I doubt if I could roll one down the gutter.

         Say – Bob Hope must rate if you have to take a bath before him!

         You don’t have to worry about me going over the hill honey – I can take anything they can give – if not we have free medical care.

         I believe I have some experience with leg make-up honey. At least I know what it is.

         Well honey I’d better close for now – I have to shave & shower yet before chow.

         Frank Morgan was on the stage of our amphitheater last nite. Crazy as ever – I think he was a little tight at that.

Bye Now.   Write Soon.

All My Love

X       X       X               Johnny              O      O      O

           X              O              X

October 1, 1943

Desert Training Center, California

Oct. 1, 1943

Darling Mark,

         Hello Sweetheart ! !

I just got your letter about an hour ago & I’m not waiting a couple of days to answer. There isn’t much doing now. We’ve been getting the vehicles back in shape & that’s done. Most of the time there’s a lot of nonsense going on when no officers are around.

         We’re having another beer party tonite. A couple of officers are leaving our co. & they’re giving us a beer party. So we have to be sociable & drink – you know.

         I won’t get my furlough from here. It’ll be after we get to our next camp. So I figure it’ll be some time about the middle of Nov. I don’t know where we’re going – but there’s a lot of rumors going around – Camp Polk La, Fort Bragg, N. Carolina & Texas.  I don’t care, just so we get out of here.

         Where in the hell did you get the idea I wouldn’t see you on my furlough? Just try & keep me away.

         Well, honey it’s about time to fall out so I’ll close & get this in this afternoon’s meal male - mail. I’ll get it right yet maybe.

Bye now. Write Soon.

All My Love        Johnny     XOX

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

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 21, 1943

Desert Training Center, California

Sept. 21, 1943

Tues. 6:00 P.M.

Darling Mark,

         Hello Sweetheart ! !

I got your letter yesterday - but didn’t have time to answer. We were on the move all day. We’re now supposed to be on a 5 day rest period – but it’s more work than maneuvers. I hardly have time to do anything. I’m getting so fed up with this outfit. It’s run more like a Boy Scout troop than an Army. As soon as maneuvers are over – a couple of us are going to volunteer for the paratroops. We ought to see some action then.

         Honey – I just don’t know what to write about tonite. I’ve been disgusted all day. I’m afraid if I keep on writing I’ll end up mad as a hornet & take off over the hill.

         Honey there is the most beautiful sunrises & sunsets out here – but that space in between is terrible.

         I’d better close for tonite honey – it’s getting dark & we’re not allowed to use lights after dark or even smoke.

         I’ll be seeing you.

Bye now.

Write Soon Honey.

All My Love,

     Johnny

    X  X  X  X  X

September 18, 1943

Desert Training Center, California

Sept. 18, 1943

Sat.  5:00 P.M.

Darling Mark

Hello Sweetheart ! ! !

I got your letter this afternoon. The one you wrote a week ago. We get our mail a couple of days late – when we do get it. We just finished another 3 day problem today. Starting Monday we get a 5 day break, & then after that its straight thru till Oct. 16^th. It wouldn’t be so bad if we had a sure supply of water. Last week was the same – not enough water to really drink when thirsty. As long as we have enough water we have fun – but as soon as we don’t – BAM! ! our morale goes down.

         I wish we could be with your brother in Sicily – it would sure beat this.

         Honey – I really haven’t much time to write most of the time we’re going till way in the nite. A lot of times we don’t even have time to eat. Next week on our break I’ll have time & I’ll write every chance I get. I’m going to expect more letters from you too. Aren’t I?

         Honey – I’ll get a furlough after maneuvers – but it might be after we move east again – but I’ll get it.

         Well honey I’d better close now & mail this while I can.  I miss you an awful lot honey – you know I do.

Bye now.   Write Soon

X       X       X       X

All My Love                         Johnny              X O X

                                                   X O O X O

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