Italian Campaign - January 1, 10, and 15, 1944

Sometime after Christmas and before New Years Day, the 337th traveled from Fort Dix in New Jersey to Newport News, Virginia, their last stop before heading overseas. The only group on the vessel, they departed from the Hampton Roads Port of Embarkation on January 1, 1944 via the HMS Andes. 

Hampton Roads Port of Embarkation (public domain)

 

HMS Andes

Horatio J. Kookaburra, EPISODES OF WWII: Troopship ANDES, with an admiring appraisal:
Album of Derek Simon [1919-2004] courtesy Graeme Andrews;
https://www.flickr.com/photos/41311545@N05/5631425982/.

Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 2.0 Generic (CC BY-NC-SA 2.0)

They arrived in Casablanca, French Morocco, North Africa on January 9, 1944. While in Casablanca, they were stationed at nearby Camp Don B. Passage. When Johnnie wrote Lucile at noon on January 10, 1944, he told her he was “somewhere in North Africa.” 

My Dearest Darling,

Well, how does this letter find you? Well, I hope. I am OK myself. We had a swell trip coming over. I am somewhere in North Africa and it is nothing like I thought it was. Well, how did your New Year come out? Did you make up some things you weren’t going to do? I mean your bad habit to good ones, Ha Ha. When he just got to thinking about home and wondering if everything is going OK with his wife and all the folks. I feel like that all the time. Are you still working at the same place? Is Nell still staying with you? How is Ma Stacks and Doc? Are they still arguing about him going to the wresting matches? I bet she is. Have you heard from Kate or seen her lately? Tell her to drop me a line or two once in a while. Have you still got on your mind about going to Florida? Let me know if you do go. Well, I had better close for having got no light and it is getting pretty dark where I can’t see to write. Will write again soon. 

Lots lots love always, Johnnie

Johnnie wrote a second letter to Lucile later in the day on January 10, 1944. He had hopes for the new year but sadly they would not be realized for a while. This letter was the first time Johnnie used the phrase “I miss you a lot and I love you a million,” which became his signature closing. It meant enough to Lucile that she saved a small piece of paper that Johnnie wrote those words on.

My Dear Darling,

Just a few lines to let you know I am well and hope that this finds you the same. Well, another year is started, and I hope and pray that this one will bring peace so we can all come back home. That will be a great day, won’t it? Well, how is Nell by now? I hope she likes the things I sent to the baby! I was lucky to get those things over here and I am not kidding you either. How is Mom Stacks? And Doc? Both well, I hope. I received a letter from Mary. She was telling me about how big she was getting and how long it would be before she could be getting married. She said she would wait till I got home, before she got married so I could be at her wedding, Ha Ha. I hope she don’t have to wait too long, right? Have you been getting my mail pretty regular? I hope so. I have been hearing from you pretty regular so far. Well honey, I don’t know anything else to write so I will close for now. I miss you a lot and I love you a million.

Johnnie

The regiment departed Camp Don B. Passage via rail on January 14, 1944. Johnnie wrote Lucile on January 15, 1944 being very careful in what he wrote since he was talking about her weight. A man can get into trouble quickly doing that!

My Dear Darling,

I received two letters from you a couple of days ago but didn’t have time to answer them at that time. Also, received Dot’s letter with yours and one from Arnold. I am glad to hear you are OK and this picture you sent you look like you have gained a lot of weight and if I may say so you are getting better looking every day. As for myself, I can’t even start to say that. I am aging pretty fast. Don’t be surprised when you see me again. I don’t look like Rip Van Winkle, Ha Ha. I hope Nell and the baby are getting along well. And Mom Stacks and Doc the same. I am glad to hear you received the money. OK, wish I could make it more as I know you could use it. Yes, you are right, we shall both forget about the bad part of our marriage. It still was a great mistake on my part. I can’t forget that as you shall know. I am sending the picture of me back to you, it makes me think of the guy I once knew too much and that no boner in Italtion that no good. I am learning more about this speaking every day and all of it is really tongue twisting too. I am really sorry to hear about Edna. I hope by the time you get this she will be out of danger. I don’t hear no more from Irvin. I wrote him last too. Say, can you get me a good harp. I will send you the money to get it with. I like to have one. Because when we are not up on the front it would be something to pass the time away when I am not writing you. Well honey, I will close for now. So, God bless you. Tell all the folks I said hello. I miss you a lot. And I love you a million. 

Always, Johnnie

Johnnie’s cousin, Arnold Pair

December 10, 20, 22, and 25, 1943

Johnnie’s next letter to Lucile was written from Fort Dix on December 10, 1943. As it turns out, he didn’t see his Dad when he was home in Georgia. Johnnie was also thinking ahead to Christmas, just over two weeks away. 

Hello Darling, 

I hope you received the keys OK and hope you don’t feel so bad with your sickness coming on you. I guess by the time you get this you will be over with it and ready to start things moving again, Ha Ha. Has Dean ever come home? Stay away from that guy and I do mean you, Ha Ha. You say Robert is coming home in a couple of weeks. I hope he has as swell of a time as I had. Tell Nell to send me his address. I can’t write much tonight because we are having a test of some kind tonight at seven o’clock. It is about fifteen till seven now. I received a Christmas card from Daddy and his wife tonight. They sent me ten dollars for a Christmas present. Pretty nice don’t you think so? Boy, if they find out I was home and didn’t come and see them I will get the devil, Ha Ha. I am going to try and get off tomorrow and go to town and get some Christmas cards to send to all our friends. That’s about all we can do this year. Don’t you think so? This darn pencil is writing crazy so I better close for this time.

Lots lots love, Johnnie 

Johnnie’s father and stepmother, John Henry Marston and his second wife Lola

Almost two weeks passed before Johnnie wrote a letter to Lucile. Knowing they would be shipping out soon, they were probably training hard. Still, when Johnnie wrote his letter the night of December 20, 1943, he was worried about Lucile who has had a cold. And he wanted to make sure his grandparents received a Christmas card. 

My Dearest Darling,

I received a letter from you tonight and also a card from a Mrs. Christine who I don’t know. If I have ever met her, I can’t remember her. Do you remember meeting anybody by that name? Old Earl really has trouble with his car doesn’t he. I know just how he feels. Say Darling, I bought two Christmas cards, one for GrandDad and one for Grandma but I can’t send them because I have forgotten their address. I want you to buy a couple and send to them. You can find their address by looking in the phone book. Be sure and send them to them. Darling, I hope your cold is much better by now. If not, you better go to a doctor about it. O yeah, has Nell gone yet to see Robert? If so, how long does she expect to stay? I hope you enjoy your couple of weeks off from work this Christmas. Maybe while you are off, you can get rid of that cold. How is Doc and all the family getting along? Fine, I hope. Tell them all hello for me and I hope you all have a Merry Merry Christmas.

Lots lots love, Johnnie

Johnnie’s grandparents, Mattie and John Marston

When Johnnie wrote Lucile the night of December 22, 1943, he wanted to make sure she knew he was still in the States. Unfortunately, he could not tell her where he was though. 

My Dearest Darling,

Just a few lines to let you know I am well and OK, and hope you are the same. Darling, by looking at my address you must think I have done gone across, but I haven’t. I am somewhere on the East Coast and I am not in New York so don’t worry about me. Well, Christmas is just around the corner now, and I hope and pray by this time next year we are all back home again and if everything keeps going like it is now, there is no reason why we shall not be. I hope you like the pillar slip I sent you and also the Christmas card. Well, I hope this letter don’t find you freezing. How is the weather there anyway by now? How is Doc and the family? I hope the kids enjoy their Christmas. I guess that’s all they are waiting for right now anyway, Ha Ha. I know just how they feel about this time of the year, because as a kid that is one happy day, and it just comes around once a year. Have you heard from Nell yet? I hope she is enjoying herself. Tell her hello for me and a Merry Christmas, Ha Ha. Well Darling, as news is short for this time I will close, hoping to hear from you soon.

Lots lots love, Johnnie

P.S. I hope the picture I had made for you came out OK.

Love, Johnnie

The next letter was undated but the contents tell us it would have been sent in December 1943 to mark their third wedding anniversary.

My Dearest Darling,

Just to let you know I haven’t forgot that the twenty-seventh of this month makes three years we have been married, and I hope we have a lot more years together, and as far as I am concerned, we will. I hope this find you feeling a lot better. Please watch your health, and take care of yourself, and stay as beautiful as you was when I last saw you. I just wish I could get the things I want you to have, and to show you how much I appreciate all the things you have done for me. I will make up for everything as soon as this is all over with. How are all the folks? Well, I hope. Tell them all hello for me and I wish them all a very happy new year. Tell Doc I am sorry to hear about the fire at the sawmill. I hope it wasn’t serious. I forgot to thank you for the ten dollars you sent me. I really need it to buy me up a stock of cigarettes and razor blades and toothpaste and other things Thanks again for it. Darling, I received a Christmas card from Evelyn and Louise, and Bill they sent me four dollars pretty nice don’t you think. O yeah, Darling, you mention might make a trip to Fla. And wanted to know if I care. Darling, I want you to do anything that best for you and if you want to go to Fla, it suit me OK. So Darling take care of yourself and don’t worry about me. God Bless You, and Lots Lots Love. 

Johnnie

It was December 25, 1943, Christmas Day, and the Army fed the boys a good dinner. After his meal was finished, Johnnie sat down to write Lucile. As he wrote the letter, he was daydreaming about what Christmas Day was like back home, most likely wishing he were there.

Dearest Darling Wife,

Well, here it is Christmas Day and I have just finished eating one of the biggest dinners I believe since I have been in the Army. It was really nice. I hope you enjoyed yours and I am awful sorry I can’t give you the things I want too. I hope you understand how things are now. I went to church this morning to a Christmas Mass and it was one of the best I have ever seen. I really enjoyed it. Well, how did the kids Christmas come out? Did all of them seem to like what they got? What about little Melvin? I bet he really is enjoying every bit of it. I can just see him now running back and forth playing with different things he got. I bet Gearl is more of a baby than he is getting into everything, Ha Ha. I bet Doc is having a time with Melvin, Betty, Mary playing with them and I bet Mom is having a time keeping the house in order. That’s how I picture it all to be and I hope I am right. Well Darling, two more days and we will be married three year’s and Darling, what part of those years we have been together was wonderful and if I may say so you are much better looking or shall I say beautiful now than when you were when we first met each other. Darling you are all I got now. Since my own Mother passed away and you are everything to me now. I pray for it to stay that way. Well Darling, I will close for this time hoping to hear from you soon.

Lots lots love, Johnnie 

Johnnie (2nd from left) with his sister Evelyn, mother Hattie, and sister Louise

November 28 and December 6, 1943

Johnnie wrote two postcards to Lucile on November 28, 1943, one showing the Soldier’s Club located at 132 East Hanover Street in Trenton, New Jersey.

Hello Darling.

Well, I hope this card finds you well. It leaves me good as can be expected. The front of this card shows the soldier club, next to the Y.W.C.A. Keep it for remembered.

Love, Johnnie

The second postcard dated November 28, 1943 showed a picture of the Masonic Template in Trenton.

Hello Darling,

I am writing this card at one of the Service Centers in Trenton. Do you remember their bldg. on the front of the card? It is the one just before you get to the Park. You know the one we went to one Sunday and was looking at those Cannon and how old they was? Remember.

Love Johnnie

 

Johnnie was busy on November 28, 1943, also writing a letter to Lucile from Trenton. 

Dearest Darling,

Well, here it is Sunday and I am up here visiting Trenton. Darling, I went to the Y.W.C.A. last night and they were having a square dance and can’t you think of me trying to dance that. Well, I got in it and it’s really not hard to do. They call out and tell you what to do, and I am not bragging, but I took it up doing that dance and any one I have ever tried. I have always wanted to learn to do any kind of dance and I wanted you to learn me what few steps you know, but every time I would grab you and try to dance with you, you wouldn’t take no pains to teach me what you know. You can’t say you don’t know a few dancing steps, because you, Dot, or Nell was always dancing together before we were ever married. Well so much for that. Lou, I hope to be with you this time next Sunday, if not, there’s not much chance of me coming home till after this is all over with. In case I don’t see you before we leave, I will always remember you Darling as the most wonderful wife and also as a girlfriend before we were ever married, as a guy like myself who isn’t worth two cents, ever had. And Darling, that’s one thing I can say to the whole world and be proved of. I miss you Darling.

Love always, Johnnie 

Lucile’s sisters, Dot and Nell Stacks

God bless the Army because Johnnie got his furlough and was able to go home to Georgia to see Lucile and some of the family before he shipped out. He must have headed south right after he wrote the Masonic Temple postcard and was back at Fort Dix by December 6, 1943 when he wrote his next letter to Lucile.

My Dear Darling,

Just a line to let you know I miss you and to let you know I arrived OK. Say I came off with Nell keys in my pocket and didn’t know I had them till I already got on the train. Tell her I will send them to her as quick as I can get a little box to put them in. I am getting paid the tenth of the month and I will send you some money. Say, the weather here is really cold after being down there in such a warm climate. Gee, it seems more like a dream, me being there with you and all the folks. Darn I would give anything to own that little house down by Woodrow. I hope someday to own it too. Well, it’s about time for the lights to go out so I will have to close for this time. Tell all the folks hello for me and that I really enjoyed myself while I was there.

Lots lots love, always, Johnnie

P.S. Be sure and send me one of them pictures and let me see what I look like and I will send it right back.

Love, Johnnie

Sorry I left with the keys. Never thought about them till the train done left. Luke look for my pay book and send it to me.

Love Johnnie

November 5, 19, and 27, 1943

Lucile made it to New Jersey by November 5, 1943 and rented a room for the week ending November 12. The image below is a rent receipt signed by Mrs. Brady showing she paid $7 for one room for the week.

Rent receipt from New Jersey

A sign that Johnnie’s company would soon be going overseas was having to fill out a change of address card. This card is dated November 5, 1943 so he must have filled it out while Lucile was in Texas.

Change of address card

At some point during Lucile’s visit, Johnnie left base without the proper authorization. It cost him but he probably did not regret it. He told Lucile about it in a letter he wrote Saturday night, November 19, 1943, from Fort Dix.

I miss you Darling

Hello Darling,

I hope this finds you have arrived home OK and well. Well, I got caught for going out of camp without my pass. I don’t know how they found out about me leaving camp and coming to see you but they got me some way. I am restricted to the camp for seven days. What I want to tell you though is I am expecting an eight-day furlough around next week end. The captain told me if I could show him I was a good soldier, he would put me up for one next week. So, if you could be with me next week you would see the best soldier Uncle Sam ever had, Ha Ha. I guess I will have to hitchhike, because I know you are as broke as I am and also owe some money. So, I guess I better forget about coming home. I don’t want to borrow no more money from the Red Cross and I want you to get straightened out. The best I can say so far Lou, is if I don’t get this furlough, if the good Lord is with me, I will see you after this is all over with. If you will wait, I will come back some way. You will have to wait on that package a little while till my restriction is over with anyway. I am going to try and get one of the boys to go by and pick it up for me, so don’t worry about it. Well, I guess this is all for this time. 

Love xxxxx, Johnnie

P.S. Tell everybody hello.

Johnnie’s company went on alert on November 20, 1943. At any given time, they would ship out. On November 27, 1943, Johnnie wrote a letter to Lucile to tell her he could have had a furlough, but it had been cancelled. 

My Dear Darling,

Just a line to let you know I am thinking of you and to let you know I mailed your suit to you today. Darling, I could have done had my furlough if I had the money to come home on. You see they made it out for last Wednesday but after I told them I didn’t have any money they cancelled it. One of the boys that works at regiment headquarters said I might get it Tuesday. That’s why I sent that telegram. If it doesn’t come up again, I will send the money back. We are leaving here between the fifteenth of December or the first of January. That’s the latest news, sometimes between those two dates. Well Darling, I guess this is all for this time, except I hope to be with you and all the folks, one day next week.

So, lots lots love, Johnnie

P.S. I love you. Tell everybody hello for me.