Over the next few days, the team conducted reconnaissance and formulated strategic plans.
The desire to be home for Christmas is universal—a longing to be surrounded by loved ones, baking sweet treats, and sharing cherished family traditions. But what if you find yourself over 5,000 miles away in Italy, where the familiar comforts of home seem impossibly distant?
On December 25, 1944, amidst the chaos of war, the Army stepped in to create a semblance of home for the 337th Regiment. They orchestrated a full-fledged Christmas dinner, a respite from the harsh realities of battle. The menu was a feast fit for the occasion: roast turkey, mashed potatoes, asparagus tips, cranberry sauce, giblet gravy, green peas, dressing, apple pie, and coffee. To sweeten the experience, there were mixed nuts and candy. Cigarettes were available for those who wanted to enjoy a smoke.
Each soldier received a program, a tangible connection to the festivities. On the back, the menu was listed. But it was the inside that held the true treasures—the names of comrades, etched in ink. Johnnie, along with his fellow soldiers, signed the front cover, leaving their mark: Wesley B. Wright, James B. McKinley, Pvt. Chas W. McBee, Pfc. John H. Marston (affectionately known as “Georgia Boy”), Harvie L. Ellison, D. L. Cates, Sgt. Leo Pomana, Chas E. Lockard, Sgt. David Wood, Pvt. Roy J. McMurphy, P.F.C. E. Edd Alexander, James M. Lamb, P.F.C. Felton B. Smith, Dalton Ga. Ploy Boy, and Clyde W. McClain. So, on that distant Italian soil, amidst camaraderie and memories, the soldiers found solace—a taste of home, a touch of love, and a shared longing for brighter days.
Johnnie sent his program home to Lucile, and in his familiar script, he wrote the words that bridged the vast distance: ‘I miss you a lot, and I love you a million.’ As if to extend the warmth of that Christmas dinner across oceans, he also sent a copy of the menu to Lucile’s parents, a silent promise that love and tradition could withstand even the harshest separation.
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Christmas dinner menu signed by several members of Company B, 337th Infantry (front and back pages) |
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Christmas dinner menu signed by several members of Company B, 337th Infantry (inside pages) |
On the list of soldiers, someone has crossed out ‘Pfc.’ next to James Lamb’s name, indicating his recent promotion to corporal. Years later, Johnnie fondly remembered James with his family, portraying him as a rugged country boy from Kentucky. According to Johnnie, James possessed both ruthlessness and remarkable instincts.
The regiment, initially under 85th Division control, swiftly shifted to a one-hour alert status on December 26, 1944. Simultaneously, the enemy launched a robust attack against the right flank of the 92nd Division in the Serchio Valley. The 370th Infantry retreated gradually, resulting in the capture of Barga, Gallicano, and Cattarozzo by the following noon. The regiment’ alert status was then reduced to 30 minutes, with 100 trucks positioned for immediate deployment.
Johnnie and Lucile marked their fourth wedding anniversary, separated by vast distances across the globe. On December 27, 1944, Johnnie wrote to Lucile, expressing his deepest thoughts and unwavering affection for her.
My Dear Darling,
Well today is our wedding anniversary and makes four years we have been married. You shall count this a holiday and take the day off, Ha Ha. Don’t you think? I received a letter from you yesterday. You said that Mom Stacks was out of the hospital. Sure am glad. You never said anything about Nell whether she had the baby or not. I hope so by now. Let me know what Mickey gets in. I guess he wants the Navy. That reminds me, has Bob said anything about whether he will get to come home anytime soon or not? I am sorry to hear you didn’t have a good Thanksgiving. But as you said in this letter you have a lot to be thankful for. You can say that twice, once for me for having a swell wife like you is a lot to me to be thankful for. But you know how I feel about you. Because I told you in so many ways. Well I guess you understand me. At least I hope so. I hope the kids had a good Christmas. I am sure that Doc saw to that. Say, tell Mary, Betty, and Melvin I received their Christmas cards and they all were swell. I guess you like to read my old love letters I wrote you before we were married. I guess you thought I was pretty nutty. Well I am still nutty. More so about you. Anyway, they are something to point your time away when you haven’t anything else to do. Well Darling, I will have to close for this time. So, tell all the folks I said hello and God bless you all. I miss you a lot and I love you a million.
Johnnie
Earl (Mickey) did in fact join the U.S. Navy.
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Johnnie’s brother-in-law, Earl Stacks |
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Mary, Betty, and Melvin |
As he has done in the past, Johnnie expressed remorse for his past indiscretions in his December 30, 1944 letter from Italy to Lucile.
Hello Darling,
I received two letters from you yesterday. Sure was glad even if they were almost a month old. I hope this finds you in the best of health and making out OK there at home. As for myself, I am OK. Just miss you more and praying it won’t be long. What’s the idea of telling Gearl you think it best not for him to never marry, Ha Ha? Married life is swell, more so if he can get a wife like you. How you ever stood a dope like me for the trouble I have caused you is something no other woman would do for a husband, I know. I just pray to get back to you so I can make you more happy for what I have caused. I have a Christmas card I received from Mom Stacks also. It sure is a nice one. I hope I get enough time to write her and thank her for it. Well two more days and a new year will be here. And I pray it will be a good one for this war-torn world and you and me. Will close for now. God bless you. I miss you a lot and I love you a million.
Always, Johnnie
Please see if you can’t get me a box of chocolate candy bars, also a box of chocolate coated cherries candy. I could really go to town on both, Ha Ha.
Love, Johnnie
Geral did eventually marry. Below is a photo of his wife Evelyn.
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Elvie (Earl’s wife) and Evelyn (Gearl’s wife) |
Evidently, not everyone possesses the ability to safeguard a secret. This fact was subtly alluded to by Johnnie in his V-mail to Lucile on December 31, 1944.
My Dear Darling,
I received two letters from you today. Sure was glad to hear that you are feeling much better after giving a pint of blood for Mom Stacks. I sure hope she is able to be up and around by the time you receive this. O yeah, tell Dot I said I think the world of her. But no one will take your place with me which you shall know by now and the reason I wrote her and told her my love for you is I wanted the whole world to know about it. And I know if I told her the world would know about it, Ha Ha. Right honey? Dad and his wife sent me a large picture of them. I can’t keep it so I am sending it to you. If I try to keep it, it would get tore up. Will close. I miss you a lot and I love you a million.
Johnnie
During the month of December, 10 men received battlefield commissions. Twenty-three Silver Stars (7 posthumously, 1 missing in action), 13 Oak Leaf Cluster to Bronze Star Medals, 149 Bronze Stars (5 posthumously), 72 Purple Hearts, 1 Second Oak Leaf to Bronze Star, 7 Soldier Medals, 17 Oak Leaf Cluster to Purple Hearts, and 235 Combat Infantryman Badges were awarded. The Regiment now consisted of 137 officers, 5 warrant officers, and 3074 enlisted men.
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