February 21, 22, 23, and 24, 1944

Johnnie sent a V-mail to Lucile on February 21, 1944, worried about her because she has apparently been sick. 

My Dearest Darling,

I received one of your letters yesterday you wrote the first of this month telling me about your sickness. Honey, I wish you would go to the doctor and have a check up on yourself. Will you do that? Yes, I remember the last time you had those pains. That was one time I was scared to death and believe me that one time I would have gone through anything than to know what you went through. Honey, please take care of yourself and try not to worry too much about me.

Lots lots lots love, Johnnie

He sent another V-mail on February 22, 1944, hoping to receive pictures she’s supposed to send him.

Hello Darling,

Just a few lines letting you know I am thinking of you and wondering just what you are doing this moment. Darling, I have never received the pictures, yet you said you were going to send and it has been about a month ago since you wrote and said you was sending them. I hope I get them one day this week. Has Nell ever come back yet? Tell her to drop me a line. How are all the folks? Well, I hope. Tell them all is well for me. Well honey, it is getting pretty late, so I will close for this time. May God Bless You.

Lots lots love, Johnnie

Nell, Jennie (Drummond) Stacks (Cecil's wife), and Lucile 

Johnnie sent a short V-mail to Lucile on February 23, 1944, his birthday, something he did not mention when he wrote to her.

My Dearest Darling,

Just a few lines to let you know I am well and hoping this finds you feeling much better than the last time I heard from you. Honey, did you go to the doctor? Let me know in your next letter. I haven’t felt well since you wrote and told me about your sickness. Darling, please take care of yourself and one more thing, please watch out and be careful where you are working. Those mechanics are dangerous.

Lots lots love, Johnnie

A day without a letter from home makes for an unhappy soldier. Johnnie was doing his best to encourage Lucile to write more in his February 24, 1944 letter.

My Dearest Darling,

Just a few lines hoping this finds you well, as it leaves me OK as far as health is concerned. Well Darling, just a few more days and the month of February will be gone. And just yesterday I had another birthday and you know yours is just over a month from now. Sure wish I had something to send you, to show you I haven’t forgot. Darling, you know I wouldn’t forget you if I was back in the States. When I do come back, that will be one great day for me. I hope it won’t be so long from now. Say honey, did Nell go back with Robert? I guess she’ll be back home again by the time you get this. O yeah, I wrote Cecil and Ginnie Maude the other day. Also, Dot and Drex. Don’t think to yourself if he can write them, he can write me more? Because Darling, I wrote you two letters that day, one a V mail and one Air Mail. I try to write you everyday I can. I hardly ever go over two days without not writing you. I hope you are doing the same. We just had mail call and I didn’t receive any. I haven’t heard from you in a good while now. For a while I was getting a couple of letters a week from you. I guess it is held up somewhere, the reason I am not hearing from you lately. If I have a way, I am going to send you some more money this month. It isn’t much good over here. Have you heard from Kate lately, or seen her? Tell her to drop me a line. Would like to hear from her and the kids. How is Doc and Ma? Did they ever get my letter? How are all the kids? Is Mickey still stepping out with his girl friend? Has little Gearl ever found one that will go with him, Ha Ha? Don’t tell him I said that. Well Darling, I guess I better close for this time. Hoping to hear from you tomorrow and all my love to all and Lots Lots Love to You. 

Johnnie 

Kate and friends

February 14, 19, and 20, 1944

It was Valentines Day, February 14, 1944 and Johnnie had Lucile on his mind. He sat down at noon and penned a letter to her letting her know what she meant to him.

I hope you can read this okay.

My Dearest Darling,

Well, here it is Valentine’s Day, the fourteenth. I don’t remember but if I am not mistaken, you were with me in Texas the last time. Am I right? If things all go well, I may be with you next Valentine’s Day. Let’s hope for the best that it may be so. Honey, I guess you have received the money I sent you by now. I am going to send you some every month that’s possible. If you need it to get you anything, use it. But you wrote me and said you were going to save the checks you get every month because you said you could live off what you made where you work. I received three letters from you a couple of days ago. One of them you were telling me about you and Drexter and Dot and the rest of the crowds going down to see Irvin. I am glad to hear you are enjoying yourself Lou. That’s what I want you to do, to keep your mind clear of all this. I know you know how to take care of yourself and I know you will. Say, you said in one of your letters that we might have a sister-in-law soon. Tell Mickey I said to go right to it, Ha Ha. One thing, if he does get her, I don’t care if she’s an angel, none of them will compare to you, Lou. I mean that more than I have ever meant anything in my life. Honey, I received the stamps you sent in the letter. Thanks a lot. Honey, all I want you to do is keep things going and I will be around soon. Would give anything if that ring had come on over. I am sure it’s a dandy. Well Darling, I will have to close for this time. So, tell all the folks I said hello. And you Darling, I miss you a hell of alots but I will make up for it when things kind of quieten down.

Lots lots love, Johnnie 

Earl (Mickey) and Elvie Stacks

Before Valentines Day came to an end, Johnnie found time to write a short V-mail to Lucile.

Hello Darling,

Just a few lines wanting to know if you are well. Hope you had a grand Valentines Day. Did you have to work? I have just finished an air mail letter to you. I guess you will receive this first though. Have you been getting mail from me pretty regular, concerning where I am at now? How are all the folks? Well, I hope. Tell Doc and family I said hello. Well, I guess this is all for this time.

So, lots lots lots love, Johnnie 

(click to enlarge)

Compliments to your wife probably go a long way down the road. In his February 19, 1944 letter, Johnnie sent one Lucile’s way. He also mentions that he is eating well and that the food is good.

I miss you Darling

Hello Darling,

Just a few lines to let you know everything is going OK, and I hope you are well and making it alright and also keep the little home up that we had such a grand time while I was at home. You say you are painting the front room over again. I bet it looks nice. You always could keep things so nice looking, no matter what is was. It is just like I have always said. I wouldn’t give a penny for another one like you, but I wouldn’t take a million dollars for you now, Ha Ha. You said in one of your letters that you went to a weiner roast over at Verger house. I am glad you enjoyed yourself, sorry I couldn’t be with you. Maybe not so long now. Things are looking lots better anyway. Don’t you think? Say what about getting me a carton of cigarettes and send them to me once in a while. They are not so plentiful over here. Tell Doc and all the folks I hope they are all well. Give them my love. Have you seen Kate lately? Tell her I would drop her a line but I have lost her address. If you know it, send it to me. I have just finished eating supper. We are getting plenty to eat here and it really good food. You say they are about to start rationing clothes. If so, you better drag you up a stock of them. Well Darling as this is all I can write right now, I will close. Hoping to hear from you soon.

Lots lots love Johnnie

P.S. Take good care of yourself for my sake Darling.

Johnnie’s sister Kate and friend (years earlier)

In Johnnie’s February 20, 1944 letter, he told Lucile about his dreams for a house for the two of them.

Dearest Darling

Just a few lines to let you know I am thinking of you and hope you are well. It seems a long time since I saw that sweet smile of yours, but I want ever forget the way you looked the last night I saw you. You were swell about it all. Lou, I am glad to hear from you, that I am on even terms with you again and I hope I can stay that way. You know what I am talking about I am sure. Well Darling, just three more days and I will be twenty-four years old. Time sure does fly after you get in your twenties, Ha Ha. I haven’t heard from you in a good while now. I am sure it’s not your fault though. I guess they are just holding up the mail somewhere. I am sorry to hear you have lost some weight, but I am sure you will gain it back later on. Lou, I don’t believe there is a night that goes by since I have been over here that I don’t think about you, wondering what you are doing, and hoping and praying that you are all right. I know if Nell goes back with Robert that it is going to be lonely without her. But maybe she won’t stay there too long. Honey, you know that house your Dad built, right below Frances and Woodrow? That is something like I hope to have someday for me and you. And if I get through this and if it is the Lord’s will, I hope to have something like that someday. I have had my mind on it ever since I saw the one he built. Well Darling, I guess I will have to close for this time. So, tell all the folks hello for me and give them my love. Tell Doc and Ma and all the kids I sure miss them, but I hope it won’t be for long and also Darling to you. Love Lots Love

Johnnie

February 8 and 9, 1944

True to his word, Johnnie wrote Lucile a longer letter on February 8, 1944 and let her know he daydreamed of her and wanted her to save money so he could take it easy for a bit after he came home.

My Dearest Darling,

Well, here it is another day gone by and as I said in that V-mail I sent you yesterday that I would follow it with an air mail letter, so here goes. Darling, I hope this finds you well and in good health. Gee, it seems ages since I saw you, even though it has just been about four months ago. You know I picture things you are doing back there, all during the day. I hope I picture things right. You never wrote me yet, or rather I haven’t received any mail from you saying whether you changed jobs or not. And another thing honey, do you really want to go to Florida? Not that I care whether you go or not, but you mentioned in one of your letters that you wanted to go down there after you found out I have arrived safely over here and then in another letter you wrote me you said you were going to start saving all the checks you receive every month and live off what you made working. I wish you would make up your mind, Ha Ha. If I was you, I would try and save a little money because I am not going to hit a lick of work for awhile after I get out of this Army and we might need a little to keep us up, Ha Ha. No kidding though, I am going to send you ten or fifteen dollars more every month and I want you to put it away for me, regardless whether you save yours or not. There isn’t anything to spend money on over here, so I just as well send it to you. Well Babe, I hate to close this right now, but I have a little guard to do tonight, so goodnight and God Bless You.

Lots lots love always, Johnnie

Here is something I heard. It is from the bottom of my heart to you.

Close to you

I will always stay

Close to you

Though you are far away

You’ll always be near

As though you were here by my side

No matter where

In my dreams I find you there

Close to you

Sharing your caress

Can’t you see

You are my happiness

Wherever you go

My heart will go too

What can I do

I only want to be

Close to you

I wrote that in a hurry. I hope you can read it.

Love, Johnnie  

(click to enlarge)

In Johnnie’s February 9, 1944 letter to Lucile, he told her about his lucky keychain and the special name he had given to his rifle.

My Dearest Darling,

I received one of your letters yesterday and also one from your Mother. Sure was glad to hear from you both. Honey I hope this finds you in the best of health and as good and sweet as you have always been. I am glad you got you another coat and are getting you some more clothes before they ration them. I bet you look good in your coat. Be sure and don’t go off and leave that one somewhere, Ha Ha. I guess Robert has already come home and gone back by the time you get this. What did he say when you told him I was overseas? O yeah, tell Nell the key chain I kept when I sent the keys back home I have still got it and I am keeping it for luck, because it has a dice on it. Also tell her every time I look at it, I think of the swell time we had when I was home this last time. Honey I know you are afraid to send me a watch over here because it might not be in good shape when it gets to me. But I want one so bad I could kick myself every time I think about not getting one while I was back in the States. It really burns me up. I am glad you find time to write me every night. Keep it up because I feel so good when I receive a letter from you. I have been writing to you pretty regular lately and I will write you every chance I get. Yes honey, Doc and Mom have been swell to us. I just hope I can make it up to them someday. I sure would like to see that picture of me Carol is always making a fuss about. It must be one of the worst ones I have ever had made, Ha Ha. Well Darling, I will have to close for this time because I have to clean little Luke. That’s my rifle’s name, Ha Ha. Tell Everybody hello for me and God bless you all.

Lots lots love always, Johnnie 

Elvie (Orr) Stacks and Lucile

We do not know if the coat in the photo above is the one Lucile bought, but it very well could be. 

Johnnie wrote his mother-in-law a V-mail on February 9, 1944 to wish her and his father-in-law a happy birthday. Leola (Lemon) Stacks had celebrated her birthday on January 26 and Sam Stacks celebrated his on January 28.

Happy birthday to you both and many more of them.

Hello Mom,

I received your nice letter and was glad to hear you are all well again. I am sorry to hear about Frances and the baby having the flu. I hope by the time you receive this they are much better. I am going to drop Frances and Woodrow a line as soon as I finish this. Mom, I received the money you sent. Thanks a million. I wrote you and Doc an air mail letter last week, saying I received the money OK. I guess you haven’t received it yet. I hope Mary Ann is much better now. Tell all the kids hello for me and give them my love. Well, I guess this is all I can write for this time. 

So, lots lots love, Johnnie

 Leola Stacks

(click to enlarge)

February 4, 5, and 7, 1944

Johnnie’s next letter, written at noon on February 4, 1944, was full of questions.

My Dearest Darling,

Well, here it is another day about gone, and I just setting here wondering what you are doing. I have a little time and I am trying to write you a few lines. I received seven letters from you yesterday, dating on to the twentieth of December, on up to this date. I also received a letter from Grandma and your Mother. I am glad you thought about giving Grandma that pillow case. I shall be kicked for not sending her one anyway. You never told me whether you changed jobs or not. Let me know, will you? Has the weather changed any back there? What about Doc, is he still going to the wresting matches? Gee I hope Ma is a lot better. Give her my love. You said something about giving Dad one of my pictures. Are you talking about the ones I had made when I was home this last time? You never did tell me whether Robert came on a furlough home or not and what about little Nell? Tell her to drop me a line or two once in a while. Would like to have a picture of you, Nell, and Dot taken together and also a picture of Doc and Ma together. Tell the boys they could drop me a line or two once in a while. Sure would like to see little Melvin. Is he coming along OK? I guess he still rides a little piece with Doc every morning. Tell him I said Hello. Well Darling, I guess you think I am not writing enough this time but I want to try and drop your Mother a few lines and also Grandma. So, I will close, hoping to hear from you soon.

Lots lots love, Johnnie

Nell’s husband, Robert Astin

When Johnnie wrote Lucile’s parents on February 4, 1944, he again shared that he was somewhere in South Africa. He also had a lot of questions for his father-in-law, Sam Stacks.

Hello Ma and Doc,

Well, how does this letter find both of you? Well, I hope. Gee Ma, sure was sorry to hear about your sickness. Really glad to hear you are back on your feet again. As you know the old saying is you can’t keep a good woman down. Lou wrote me and told me about the doctor taking the cast off of Mary’s arm. I hope it came out OK. I am glad you like the pillow top and I want to thank you both for the two dollars. Really came in handy. Thanks again. O yeah, Ma, received a Christmas card from Aunt Agnes Jones. It sure was nice. I am going to try to drop her a line as soon as I finish this to you. O yeah, Ma, I want you and Doc to have a small photo made together and send it to me. I told Lucile to make you both have one made together. If she doesn’t get on you both about it I am going to be mighty mad at her. Well Ma, I would like to ask Doc a few questions so be sure and read this part to him. Doc, I would like to know if Atlanta is going to have a baseball team this year and if so, what do you think about them? Is there any chance of them winning many games? And Doc, what about the wrestling matches? Are there any new guys wrestling? Let me know. How is the sawmill coming? I hope everything is running swell there. How are all the gangs that work there? Tell them all hello for me. Doc, I don’t know whether Lucile told you all or not, but in case you don’t know, I am somewhere in North Africa, and this is really some country. Give me the good ole U.S.A. anytime, Ha Ha. Well Doc and Ma, I will close for now but before I close, I want to thank you both for everything you have done for Lucile and I and maybe someday we can make it up to you both. 

Lots lots love, Johnnie

Johnnie’s V-mail to Lucile dated February 5, 1944 had an APO #85 postmark. Wherever he was, he let Lucile know that there was a six-hour time difference. 

Hello Darling,

Just a few lines wanting you to know everything is going well with me. If anything, I just miss you a hell of alots. I hope this finds you in good health and also don’t want you worrying about me. I don’t know whether you know it or not but here we are six hours ahead of your time. It is one o’clock at noon now. That would put it seven o’clock there, so I guess you are just getting ready to go to work or do you work on Saturday or not? Have you ever received the letter from me asking about a photo of you and also some stamps? You should have by now. I mailed it over three weeks ago. Well Darling, I guess this is all the news for this time. 

So, lots lots love, Johnnie

February 6, 1944 was another day of travel with the regiment departing from Camp St. Denis du Sig via truck convoy heading for Port Aux Poules, Algeria, Africa. They remained at that camp through late March, devoting their training periods to amphibious operations.

What treat would make a soldier happy? Well, apparently some candy or a fruit cake. At least that is what Johnnie suggested in his V-mail dated February 7, 1944.

My Dearest Darling,

Just a few lines hoping you are well. This leaves me OK. Darling, to send me anything over here, like I hope you do, something like candy or maybe a fruit cake, just show the postman I am asking for you to send it. Honey, I have a birthday this month and you know the Old Boy is kindy getting old, Ha Ha. You shall receive this in the next ten days. As soon as I finish this, I am going to write you an air mail letter, a good long one. Tell all hello for me. So, lots lots love.

Always, Johnnie 

February 7, 1944 V-mail (click to enlarge)

January 16, 28, 30, and undated, 1944

The regiment arrived at Camp St. Denis du Sig on the northern coast of Algeria, Africa on Sunday January 16, 1944 and began intensive mountain warfare training. Johnnie found time at noon that day to write a letter to Lucile. He missed her and the rest of the family.

My Dearest Darling,

Well, I finally got time to write you again. I hope this finds you well. As for myself I am OK. Only I miss you a hell of alots and the good old U.S.A. These Arab people sure are hard to get used too, and they are always wanting something or either sale you something. Say, just because you don’t hear from me much now, as you used to, I don’t want you to slack off writing. Write to me as often as you did in the States when I was there. O yeah, send me a couple of books of airmail stamps as soon as you get this letter. How are all the folks at home? Give them my love. Darling I hope you are well and for my sake take care of yourself. And please don’t worry about me. Is Nell still staying with you? Are you both still working? Has Robert ever come home yet? How is Earl and his gal getting along? OK, I hope. I just went to mail call and received the Christmas card and five letters from you. It sure did make me feel good. Well Darling, as it is getting pretty late, I will close. Hoping to hear from you soon. Lots lots love.

Always, Johnnie

P.S. Tell all the folks to write me and let me know how they are getting along. Love Johnnie

Johnnie only had a few minutes to write Lucile on January 28, 1944, but he wanted her to know he was thinking about and missing her.

Hello Darling,

Just a few lines to let you know I am well and hoping this finds you the same. Darling, is everything going OK back at home with you? I hope so, I really miss you. I miss you more than ever when I think about the swell times we had when we were together. It really gets a guy blue. Say did you and your Mother receive those pillow slips I sent? If so, I hope you both like them. Say just before I left, I received a New Years card from Demp and his wife. Is he back in the States or do you know? Well Darling, I will have to cut this letter short for this time but will write more next time. God Bless You and all the folks. 

Lots lots love, Johnnie

Johnnie and Demp

Another month has come and gone with Johnnie being away from his beloved Lucile. On January 30, 1944 he had time to write a longer letter than he had lately. He ended it by hinting at a gift idea for his upcoming birthday.

My Dearest Darling,

Well, here it is just one more day in the month of good old January. I believe this is about the longest month I have ever been through. I guess it is because I don’t hear from you as much as I used to while I was in the States. I received one of your letters yesterday. Boy it really feels good to receive a letter from home now. Gee honey, I hope this finds you OK. As long as I know you are alright and well, that’s all I care about. You said in this letter I just received that the picture of you, Dot, and I was good. I sure would like to see it and also the one I had made at the studio while I was home. I bet that one looked like the devil, Ha Ha. It must be bad if little Carol is making fun of it all the time, Ha Ha. Me and her never could get along so well, while I was at home anyway, Ha Ha. Sure would like to see her. Hope she don’t look like her Mother when she gets grown, Ha Ha. Don’t tell Dot that, she’ll shoot me when she sees me again. How are Dot and Drextel getting along anyway. I hope OK. Tell them I said hello and for them to quit that darn fighting and fussing. I bet right this minute they are arguing like the devil. I guess they couldn’t get along if they didn’t argue or fuss though. That’s marriage life I guess. You and I don’t know so much about that part of it. O yeah, you say your cousin Evelyn had another kid. Gee, she’s doing alright for herself isn’t she. If you see her, tell her if she keeps that up she will soon have a army all her on, Ha Ha. Tell her I hope she makes it OK. Honey I guess Ma Stack’s and Doc are kindy mad because I haven’t dropped them a line. Well, I should have written them by now, but by the time I finish a letter for you, I have to do something else before I can write again. Tell them I am sorry I haven’t written and I am thinking about them all the time and that I will write to them as soon as possible. Honey you know that postcard picture of you? The one you sent me when I was back in the states. It got tore someway in half. Wish you would send me another one of you right away. I have a small one of you. I wear around my neck, but it’s about faded out. As you know my birthday is next month and that is about the best thing you can send me. Well Darling as I am out of paper as you can see, I will close for this time.

Lots lots lots love, Johnnie

P.S. Tell everybody hello for me and to write.

 

Dorothy (Dot) Stacks, Johnnie, and Lucile

The next letter was undated but appears that Johnnie was already overseas. Unfortunately, his son did not know anything about the ring mentioned in the letter.

My Dearest Wife

Hello Darling receive letter from you yesterday. That makes three I have received from you in the last two weeks. Boy it really makes me feel good to receive mail from you, so regular, being as I am so far from you now. I can’t understand why you haven’t receive any mail from me lately. I have wrote you at least ten or twelve letters in the last four weeks. Maybe when you do get them, you will get three or four at a time. You ask me in this letter if I remember your girlfriend name Dot, back in Texas. Yes, I remember her, glad to hear that you are still hearing from her. Maybe later on we will go back to Texas and visit some of our old friends or a pleasure trip would be nice, wouldn’t it. Oh yeah, remember that ring you give me back in Texas. Well I still have it. You can say one thing, it really been places, Ha Ha. No kidding though. Every time I look at this ring it bring back alots of sweet remember, of the time we had together. I have never taken it off since the day you put it on my finger. It going to stay there till the day I come back then I will let you take it off for luck. Darling don’t keep your mind on what may happen to me, keep your chin up for I am OK and well. O yeah and if my picture ever get into the papers of the boys that serving oversea, send it to me. I like to see it. I am sending you a small photo of me and a friend of my, that we had made when we was back in the States. I am sending it to you and I want you to take all the pictures you have of me and hang them all over you. So though four-F guys back there will take one look at you and run like Hell, Ha ha. Well Darling I have run short of news for this time so I will close. Tell Doc and his big family Hello for me and give them my Love.

God Bless You Darling

Lots Lots Love, Johnnie