The Atlanta Constitution reported on April 21, 1944 that the court case of the stabbing death of Leroy Stacks would take place in May, something Johnnie would have been interested in.
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Johnnie was thinking about their future again but did not share his plans with Lucile in his April 25, 1944 V-mail.
My Dearest Darling,
Just a few lines, hoping that this finds you well and getting along OK. As for myself, I am OK. Only thing wrong I am thinking of you and missing you a hell of a lot. I have great plans for us when all this is over with and I hope it won’t be long off. How are the rest of the family? Well, I hope. Has the Army ever called Drextel yet? Well Baby, I will have to close for this time. Keep writing. I miss you a lot Baby and I love you a million.
Always, Johnnie
Johnnie always had something encouraging to say to Lucile as he did in his April 26, 1944 V-mail.
My Dearest Darling,
I received two letters from you today and sure was glad to hear from you. I am so glad to hear that you are gaining weight and to know you are well and OK. Also, glad to hear that you had one week pretty easy at work training these other girls. You said something about you getting lazy. I know you are kidding me on that part because I know you too well for that and I know you are pretty darn smart. I am glad to hear that Mickey and his girl and all the rest of the gang are down at the house to keep you company at times. Well Darling, I will have to close for this time. So, tell all the family hello for me and give them my love. I miss you a lot and I love you a million.
Always, Johnnie
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Earl (Mickey) and Elvie |
Johnnie asked Lucile to send him several items in his April 28, 1944 letter … and he had a special way he planned to pay for them!
My Dearest Darling Wife,
I received a letter from you yesterday and hadn’t had time to answer it till today. Also received the wedding band. It sure is nice and it fits me to a T. Thanks a lot. Honey in this letter I just received from you, you wanted to know if I was in the hospital. I guess you thought something was wrong with me because I wrote on some Red Cross paper I received from them sometime ago. There isn’t anything wrong so don’t worry your pretty head about it. Well so much said about that. Honey how does this find you as far as health is concerned? I hope well. As for myself I am OK. Honey have you ever seen about a watch for me? I know it’s taking a little bit of money to get me all the things but I have some more money to send you as soon as I get to a place to send it and that will help you pay for the things I want you to send me. Is that OK with you? I want you to send me two more things after you send me the watch. That is a French Harp and an identification bracelet with this on it, Johnnie Marston and my army serial number under my name. And on the other side I want you to put Lucile Marston. You get the idea, Ha Ha. Then after you have done all of this for me, send me the bill, and I will get Hitler to pay for it all when I see him, Ha Ha. No kidden Lou, see if you can get me up the things and I won’t bother you about sending me things no more. Well Darling, I guess you are tired of reading of my needs so I will close for this time. Tell all the folks hello for me and give them my love. Keep writing. I miss you a lot Baby and I love you a million.
Always, Johnnie
Lucile must have confessed to Johnnie that it is stressful having her husband at war as he again sent words of encouragement in his April 29, 1944 V-mail.
My Dearest Darling,
I received two letters from you this morning and it really makes me feel good to know you are well and alright. As for myself, as far as health is concerned, I am OK. In one of your letters you said that you have received twenty-one dollars from me. That’s good. Now I think if I am not mistaken, you shall receive a fifteen-dollar check and that will be all that I have sent you so far. I am sending you some more money this month if possible. Honey get the idea out of your head, just because you cry once in a while that you are nothing but a cry baby. I’d like to hear somebody say that you are. Get this, you are one of the best for taking what you have and I love you for that. Will close. I miss you a lot and I love you a million.
Johnnie
During the month of April, 13 Bronze Stars, 16 Purple Hearts, and 212 Combat Infantryman Badges were awarded. Casualties were light with five enlisted men killed in action; 5 officers and 35 enlisted men wounded in action; and 1 officer missing in action. A system was established to “handle strength reports, decorations and awards, the Units Journal and replacements of both officers and enlisted men. A Casual Company was formed in the rear area to process enlisted replacements and give them training prior to sending them to the front line.” A Graves Registration plan was started incorporating Graves Registration Teams, collecting points and methods for the quick evacuation of the dead. The “regiment received 362 enlisted men and 14 officer replacements.” The troops were provided with two hot meals daily, except those in isolated positions. They established a shower unit for bathing, a plan to give troops new clothing, and kept a close check on ammunition requirements for all weapons. The “most difficult problem was transporting supplies, troops, rations and ammunition over the traffic congested supply route from the rear areas in Mondragone and the front line.” The enemy watched the Minturno Bridge over the Garigliano River during the day so transport was done at night. A good part of April was spent in the southern Lazio region of Italy, specifically Minturno. Johnnie rarely mentioned what he or his regiment were going through or where they were in his letters. If he had, the censors would have removed that sensitive information. The information provided in this paragraph came from the Army. The full details of regimental activities and troop movements can be found in the monthly detailed 337th Infantry Operations Reports. Going forward, links will be provided so you may read them if you are interested. Click here to read the Operations Report by the 337th Infantry Regiment for May 1944.
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3rd Division infantrymen enter the town of Mondragone and “capture” it during the practice of landing exercises held by the 3rd Infantry Division, July 31, 1944, Mondragone area, Italy. Photographer: Valentine, 163rd Signal Photo Company. Public domain. |
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