October 16, 20, 25, 31, and November 3, 1945

In his letter dated October 16, 1945, Johnnie mentioned two guns he had sent home—a chrome nickel-plated Ruger and a sniper rifle. He entrusted Lucile with their care, asking her to seek assistance from her brother. Unfortunately, both were later stolen.

Dear Darling,

Just a few lines to let you know I am thinking of you and hope that this finds you in the best of health. You said something in one of your letters I received yesterday about you didn’t want other people reading your letters to me. I don’t get what you mean about that so please explain yourself, OK? O’yeah honey, I want you to get those guns I sent home and get Geral to help you and oil and clean them up. I put oil on them before I sent them and I was expecting to be home before they had to be oiled again but things didn’t turn out that way. Do you think you can do that? Be sure and don’t lose any of the parts. Well, when is the last time you seen or heard from Kate or Dad or any of them? They have quit writing me for some reason. Well, I don’t care as long as you keep writing or maybe it would be better if I hadn’t been one of the lucky guys to come through this war. I don’t know. Well Honey, I will close for now. Tell all hello for me. I miss you a lot and I love you a million.

Always, Johnnie

Johnnie’s sister Kate and father John Marston

In his letter dated October 20, 1945, Johnnie approached the topic of his return home with caution. He did not want to shatter Lucile’s hope prematurely. Instead, he discussed his job with the military police.

My Dear Darling,

Received a letter from you yesterday and was glad to hear that you are well and OK. Yes, I guess you are right. The mail is kindly messed up now. With me moving about so much and I know it isn’t your fault that I am not getting any mail from you so regular. You wanted to know if I had any idea when I will come home. Well, I am not saying because something might happen again and I won’t get to come so as it stands, I am not letting you know till you see me there you will know I am home. Right? You want to know what that M.P. stands for on my address. It stands for Military Police. Yes, at the present, I am a cop. Yet while the war was going on, I couldn’t get in the M.P. for hell. Well, I guess this is all for this time. Tell all the folks I said hello and I hope to see them soon. Lots Love. I miss you a lot and I love you a million.

Always, Johnnie

When writing his V-mail dated October 25, 1945, Johnnie was experiencing inner turmoil, likely stemming from his wartime experiences, and possibly exacerbated by PTSD.

My Dear Darling

I received two letters from you today. Glad to know that some of your mail to me is finally coming in. That’s what counts. Right? Well, you say you heard from Dave Bullard. Glad to know that he is still alive. Sure would like to see him. So, he heard I was killed. No, well if you see him tell him I just as well be. My memory isn’t even good anymore. You know I had to think and think to even remember him. What about that? You can about understand now. What you are getting back for a husband. Maybe all this sounds crazy. But I can’t even understand what its all about myself. So, what else can I say. No, there isn’t any women Lou. That’s one lesson I have learned. And can’t forget. Well honey, that’s all of this time. Tell all hello. I miss you a lot and I love you a million.

Always, Johnnie

Worried about missing Lucile’s letters, Johnnie took extra care to ensure she had his accurate address in a second V-mail he wrote on October 25, 1945. He addressed the template portion to ‘Dear Darling Lou.’

Change of Address

P.F.C. John H. Marston

Co. C, 101 M.P. Bn.

A.P.O. 782

New York, NY

Honey be sure and put this address correct. I believe that’s one reason I haven’t been hearing from you so regular. I miss you a lot and I love you a million.

Always, Johnnie 

On October 31, 1945, Johnnie wrote his last V-mail to Lucile. His mind surely swirled with emotions as he wrote those words—he was finally going home.

Tell Mom Stacks I will write her when I get to the shipping area.

My Dear Darling,

Well, here I go again. I am leaving in the morning to the shipping area. How long I will be there before I catch the boat I can’t say. If I did know, I wouldn’t tell you because something may come up again and delay me. I don’t want to tell you I will be home a certain day and not show up. You know how it was the last time. I was just too sure of myself. After you receive this letter, don’t write me till you hear from me again. Because from now on I will have a shipping address. I am glad to be going there at this time because I have a good chance to be home by Christmas, right? Tell all hello for me. And tell Mom Stacks I finally received a letter from her that got to me. I miss you a lot and I love you a million.

Johnnie

Johnnie’s last V-mail to Lucile

Leola Stacks

Johnnie’s service records indicate that he departed from Italy on November 1, 1945. However, just two days later, on November 3, 1945, he wrote a letter to his mother-in-law from Italy, mentioning that he was ‘down at the shipping area again.’ In the letter, he expressed hope that he would be leaving by the middle of the month and might be home in time for Thanksgiving. Johnnie was also quite sure that he would be back to spend Christmas with his family.

Hello Mom,

Just a few lines, to let you know I received your letter a couple of days ago. Sure was glad to hear from you and to know you are well and OK. Well Mom, I am down at the shipping area again, and I think this time I will make the boat. Who knows, I might be eating Thanksgiving dinner with you. But the way things have been I will be happy to be with Lucile and you this Christmas. I am pretty sure I will be home for that!! I am supposed to leave around the fifthteen of this month. But things can happen to change that so don’t depend on that too much. Excuse this pen and my writing. O yes, don’t write me back, because I might not be here to receive it. I will let you know when I leave this place.

Lots lots love, Johnnie