As Thanksgiving approached, Johnnie once again found himself far from home and his family. Writing a V-mail to Lucile on November 22, 1944, he likely imagined the Thanksgiving feast the family would enjoy the next day. In a playful tone, he teased Lucile, suggesting that she must relish eating turkey. However, amidst the holiday spirit, he also shared somber news about a medal he had received.
Hello Darling,
Just a few lines to let you know I am well and alright. Well, tomorrow is Thanksgiving. I guess you will go up to your mothers to eat because I guess Doc will get a turkey. He usually does and I know if they have that you will be right there to help them eat it, Ha Ha. Will you get tomorrow off from where you work? O’yes, you asked me if I could send you the medal with the rifle on it. I could but I lost it. I will get another one when they get some in. If so, I will send it to you. I received four letters from you today. Will close. I miss you a lot and I love you a million.
Always, Johnnie
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Combat Infantryman Badge |
Johnnie discussed receiving early Christmas presents and sent Christmas wishes in his November 22, 1944 V-mail to Luclie’s parents.
Hello Folks,
Just a few lines to let you know I am well and OK and hope with all my heart that this finds you both the same and the rest of the family well and alright. I received the Christmas package today and everything it had was so nicely wrapped as it was when I left there and none of it was spoiled like most of the packages I have been getting. I think all of it is swell. It’s almost like being home for Christmas, which I pray and hope to be by the time the next one rolls around. I received a fruit cake from my stepmother and I tell you that was a surprise as you know me and her never had much to say to each other when I was home. I can’t understand it, Ha Ha. She’s getting where she writes me pretty regular. Oh yeah, what do you think of Luke buying a new bedroom suite? I really think it’s swell. That’s what I want her to have, the best. I owe her lots Mom as you know, and I guess I will never be able to pay her for all she has done for me, and me too dopey to realize it. I pray to God to get me back to make up a lot of things to her. Well, I will close for now just in case it takes this letter to Christmas to get to you. I wish you all a Merry Christmas and God bless you.
Lots lots love, Johnnie
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Lucile’s parents, Sam and Leola Stacks |
The regiment relocated to the Fifth Army rest center in Pistola on November 24, 1944, for a well-deserved period of relaxation. All personnel had the chance to indulge in the center’s diverse recreational facilities.
Many people, when faced with danger, realize that past actions can hurt people. Johnnie expressed remorse in his November 28, 1944 letter to Lucile for something he had apparently done in the past.
My Dear Darling,
Just a few lines hoping with all my heart that this finds you well and making out alright back there at home. As for myself, I am OK but I often wonder about you and the swell times we did have together, even though there was some bad times and I grant you, I know who was the blame for them. You were right Luke, you told me one time if you remember that I was the one that had to pay for what I did. And I am paying. Why you stayed on with me, I do not know. But if things come out alright and peace is in this world once more, we will start a new life all over again and things that was between us I hope will be in the past. I am sorry this pen is writing darker, but the pen I was using gave out of ink, and being I couldn’t get any more ink for it, I had to borrow another pen, so just look over the light or dark writing. I received the fruit cake from you today and the fudge candy. The candy wasn’t any good. But the fruit cake was swell. Me and the boys finished it up in a hurry, Ha Ha. I also received a Christmas box from Louise. It had a small fruit cake and some candy. It’s funny, the candy everybody else sends me is alright. But let you send me some and it isn’t any good. Can you make that out? I received two letters from you today and one from Mom Stacks. Honey, I can understand how you feel about working all the time, and the way you feel about things. But it can’t be like this always. I pray for it not to be anyway. The letter your Mother sent me had some pictures. I sure was glad to get them. At least it’s some of the family and that’s what I want. I want some more of you too. Also, if you can, what about getting me a good wallet. The one I have is about played out. Well, I haven’t much news to write this time except I want you to know I miss you more each day that goes by and I want you to believe in me even though I have no right to ask you to after what was, may I say, hurting you like I did a couple of times. Well God bless you and take care of you for me and I want you to know I miss you a lot and I love you a million.
Always, Johnnie
Here is a piece of France money for a keepsake. Say, did you ever get the Italian money I sent you?
Love, Johnnie
P.S. I have about three months pay coming. When I get it, I will send it to you if I can.
Love, Johnnie
The regiment returned to the Gagliano area on November 29 to resume their training.
During his stay in the hospital in November, Johnnie found himself with ample time for reflection. Once again, a sense of remorse washed over him as he wrote a letter to Lucile on November 29, 1944.
My Dear Darling,
I hope with all my heart that this finds you well and making out OK. As for myself, I am OK. Just missing you more and hoping and praying it won’t be long till I am back with you. Lou, you know as long as I went with you and as long as we have been married that I never talked much on how I felt about things between me and you. I guess I am just not that type of a guy. But you know my ways by now and I know I could keep on writing page after page, telling you how much you have done for me and me being too dopey to realize it till it was almost to late. You know what I am talking about and I know you have written me and told me that all of that is in the past, and to forget about it. But I can’t and I guess I never will. That’s one thing that will stay with me always and I want you to know. I pray to God every night to return me to you so I can try to make up for it to you. Well, you know how things stand now. So, I will drop the subject. How is Mom Stacks and Doc? You know they are two of the sweetest people in the world and I miss them just as much as I would if they were my own Mother or Dad. Well, you know how I feel about them. And the whole family as far as that goes. Well honey, I will close for now. So, God bless you and I miss you a lot and I love you a million.
Always, Johnnie
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Lucile |
During the month of November, eight men were commissioned, the result of meritorious service during combat. Five Legion of Merits, 10 Silver Stars (1 posthumously), 11 Oak Leaf Cluster to Bronze Star Medals, 84 Bronze Stars (2 posthumously), 44 Purple Hearts, 10 Oak Leaf Cluster to Purple Hearts, and 190 Combat Infantryman Badges were awarded. A Service Company received a Meritorious Service Unit plaque for superior performance of duty in the accomplishment of exceptionally difficult tasks in Italy from August 1 to October 16, 1944. Eighteen enlisted men were killed in action, 1 officer and 93 enlisted men were wounded in action, and 11 enlisted men were missing in action. The Regiment now consisted of 125 officers, 5 warrant officers, and 3146 enlisted men. Three hundred and twenty-four replacements were received during the month.
During December, training continued in the Gagliano tent area. The daily schedule covered scouting, patrolling, small unit tactics, mine training, physical conditioning, night exercises, and weapons training. Special focus was on replacements, who received extra instruction in basic subjects. The use of known distance and combat ranges near Mount Calvi (8598) was maximized. Additionally, tactical firing exercises emphasized fire and movement.
Motor maintenance received special attention to prepare vehicles for the next phase of operations. The regiment was also issued special winter clothing, including jackets, parkas, bedrolls, and waterproof suits.
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