February 17, 18, and 19, 1943

The possibility of Lucile visiting Johnnie appears to be getting closer, but he wants to make sure he has enough time to get a place for her to stay while she’s in Texas. In his February 17, 1943 letter from Camp Howze, he asks that they exchange letters before she comes.

My Dear Darling Baby,

I hope this letter finds you well and rid of your sore throat. Did you receive that copy to show that your monthly checks have started? I guess you did. I sent it by airmail, and I told you to answer me back by airmail. I should have received an answer from you by now, but I haven’t. I also sent you three dollars to get some medicine. But after I sent off the money for you to get the medicine with, I received a letter from you saying that you had been to town to get you some medicine. So, go ahead and use the money for something you need. Honey what about when you get your money come down here and stay about two weeks. But before you come, be sure and write me so I can get you a place to stay and also wait till I write you back telling you that I have a place for you to stay before you come. I received a card today telling me that your allotment has been received and that you should get your money at the end of this month. I am sending you this card for you to read but be sure to send it back to me in your next letter. Well honey, I guess that is all the news for this time. So, answer back by airmail.

Lots x lots x lots love x love x love, Johnnie

P.S. Honey I am sorry I have not sent you any pictures but if you saw how short my hair was, I guess you wouldn’t want any. I had all my hair cut because it had two or three different colors. It is growing back a lot darker then it was. I guess it will be a month or two before it grows back like it was. So be good till I see you. 

Lots of love Johnnie

Johnnie wanted a constant stream of letters coming in and in an earlier letter had asked Lucile to answer by airmail. She apparently didn’t do that and so in his February 18, 1943 letter sent from Camp Howze, he scolded her for not doing so. 

My Dear Baby,

I received your nice sweet little letter tonight and was glad to hear from you. But one thing you didn’t do and that was send me the letter back by airmail. I will not get mad at you this time, but please, when I write you, and tell you to answer me back by airmail, please do. Well I am finished with the range today and boy am I glad because I believe I have lost at least two nights sleep and I am really tired out. Honey, are you sure I asked you what you got with the money I sent you? I believe you are wrong about that. If I am not mistaken, I wrote you and told you to get anything you wanted to with that money, didn’t I? I know what I sent you wouldn’t do you much good, but it did help you, didn’t it? Yes, I get what you mean when you said you got up sick, and I know it is going pretty bad with such a cold you got. Write and let me know how you come out, will you? Honey, I don’t know what I am going to do if I don’t see you soon. I hope it won’t be long from now. I am going to start counting the days till I see you. So honey, be good till then. 

Lots # lots love x x x x x, Johnnie

P.S. You still love me?

Partial view of February 18, 1943 letter

Johnnie sent the first of many V-mail letters to Lucile on February 19, 1943 from Camp Howze. Victory Mail, or V-mail, was a process used by the United States military during World War II to ship huge quantities of mail to and from soldiers overseas. Letters were written on standard sized paper, photographed, and then transferred to microfilm for shipping. Once the microfilm made it to its destination, the letters were printed and cut to a 4 ¼ x 5 ¼ inch piece of paper. This freed up space and weight for other cargo needed for the war.

From: Co B 337 Infantry, A.P.O. #85, New York, NY

To: Mrs. J. H. Marston, College Park, Ga., Route #1

My Dearest Darling,

Just a few lines to let you know I am well and OK, and hope this finds you the same. I received a letter from you yesterday with the stamps and those other stamps, showing that the letter is air mail. Thanks alots. You asked me in one of your letters I received if they censor the mail you sent me. No, they don’t. I am sure of that. You say Robert thinks he is going to be shipped somewhere. Tell him I wish him luck. Well, I guess this is all for this time. Will write longer letter as soon as possible.

So, lots lots lots love, Johnnie

February 19, 1943 v-mail, first of many (click to enlarge)

The “V Mail BB 60 Display” graphic below, published by the Bureau of Navy Personnel, describes the process for sending a V-mail.

How v-mail works (click to enlarge)

Click here to learn more about v-mail. 

It should be noted that all the V-mails sent by Johnnie were sent from the same address to the same address so won’t be noted further.

February 10, 12, and 13, 1943

By February 10, 1943, training on the range was done, which gave Johnnie time to sit down and write Lucile another letter from Camp Howze. He was in a good mood and joked around a lot that Wednesday night. The Arnold he mentions is his paternal cousin, Arnold Pair. 

My Dear Darling,

I hope this letter finds you well and also hope the rising is gone off of your neck. I received a letter from Mother the other day and she is getting along pretty well. At least that’s what she said. She is going to a doctor every other day. She didn’t say what was the matter with her. I believe it is pretty serious. What do you think? Say, I got a letter from Arnold the other day. He mentioned something about sending you a picture of him. I believe my cousin is trying to get my wife. Anyhow, he wrote me to see if he could send you any pictures of him. He knows who the boss is, Ha Ha. Say, if I don’t go out on the firing range this weekend I am going to town and have some pictures made and if you don’t mind, I will send you some, Ha Ha. If you will give me some, Ha Ha. O yeah, I received a birthday card from Mother yesterday. I really wasn’t expecting that. Say, what did you buy with the twenty dollars? I hope it helps you. If you need five or ten more, write me. I broke my watch the other day and it is going to cost me five dollars to have it fixed. I was playing around with a fellow in the barracks and I hit my arm against the wall and that was how it got broke. So that is that. Well honey, I guess that is all the news for this time so answer this letter back by air mail and make it a long one too. Don’t write as I write. Write as I tell you to write, Ha Ha Ha. 

Well I will be waiting to hear from you. Lots Lots Lots Lots Lots of Love, Johnnie

Buy a dollar’s worth of stamps so you can write me more often. Love, Johnnie

Last page of February 10, 1943 letter

Arnold Pair (years later)

Lucile was sick and Johnnie was worried about her. In his February 12, 1943 letter from Camp Howze he told her he was sending money for medicine. She must have also wanted to come visit him but they didn’t have enough money to spend on a trip to from Georgia to Texas.

My Dear Darling,

I receive your letter tonight telling me that you receive the money order which I am glad to hear that you did. Honey stay inside all you can and get you some medicine for it. I am sending you three dollars to get the medicine for your cold, and if you need anymore, let me know right away, Darling, you said I have not mentioned about you coming down here in my letters anymore. You know I want you with me more than anything in the world at all times and Darling, you know I want you down here with me but being that we haven’t got the money right now, there isn’t much use wishing it. Honey I am also sending you your applicants copy for your allowances, so keep it, and if you don’t get your money when you’re supposed to, you can give them hell about it by showing them this copy, and I bet they will get it for you then. Honey I really thank you for the nice valentine and I really thought it was cute what was wrote in it. Well honey, I will close for this time because I will have to clean my rifle and get a few other things I have to do done. So be sweet just like you always have been.

Lots and lots of love, Johnnie

I would have written sooner, but my work in this Army
demands a lot of close personal attention –
(click to enlarge)

From the sound of his February 13, 1943 letter from Camp Howze, Texas, Johnnie wanted Lucile to come to Texas as much as she wanted to go. 

My Dear Darling,

Well today started another week and I have just five more weeks training to go. Honey, the time I think of you most is at night. Not that I don’t think of you during the day, but at night I just lay in bed and think of the times we used to have together and wish that you were here with me. Gee, I hope you get your money soon. You can come down here then and stay till I get my furlough, then we can go back together, or you can come down here and stay with me. All I want is for you to come as quick as possible. I don’t see how I have stood it this long. Sometime I just think of taking off and coming home to you. But I know that won’t do any good. So, I guess I will just have to wait till you can afford to come. I hope it is soon. Well, it is about time for the light to go out so I will close. Lots Lots Lots Love to my sweet wife. 

Johnnie x x x x x 

January 29, 31, and February 7, 1943

Johnnie’s January 29, 1943 letter from Camp Howze was the longest one to date. He had lots to talk about—getting Lucile to Texas, his mother’s illness, a boxing match among other things.

My Dear Beloved Darling,

I hope this letter finds you well as I am about the same. Honey, I am going to try and get you out here as quick as I can because if I don’t see you I will go crazy as a “bat.” If I get enough money Monday to pay your way out here and to stay here about two weeks and also enough to pay your fare back, I will send it to you. I told you in my other letter that I will get paid on the thirty-first which is Monday. O yeah, I believe you will get your money too because I finished out the alloted and was sworn in, for it to start last Thursday. And the officer that swore me in for it to start your alloted said you might get yours the thirty-first of this month, or two, or three days later. I hope you do. Honey I guess you noticed that the ink is a lot darker now than it was when I first started to write. Well the reason is the pen gave out and I had to fill it with this kind because the fellow I been getting blue ink off of is gone to town. So please look over this change of the ink. Honey, I boxed last Wednesday night and lost the fight, I didn’t get hurt but I got knocked down once. We were just fighting five rounds, and me getting knocked down in the last round lost the fight. That same day I twisted my ankle and I had to hop around the ring. It made me tired out quick, but we will box again in the next few weeks and I believe it will be a knock down and drag out system, Ha Ha. I haven’t been getting any letters from you lately. I wish you would try and write me every night because you know I am waiting to hear from you every mail call. You don’t know just how I feel when the mail call is over, and I didn’t receive no mail from you. So, honey try to write as often has you can. I believe this is the longest letter you have ever received from me, isn’t it? Well I haven’t got nothing to do right now, so that’s why I am trying to write you a long letter for once, Ha Ha. Didn’t I write you in one of my other letters telling you that it was sleeting and snowing? I believe I did. Well it has kindly clearing up now and its turning hot again. Now isn’t that funny weather for you? I have never been in any weather like this before. Sugar, if you are going to stay in our house be sure and keep those doors locked and the windows because you know how dangerous it is with that convict camp so near. So please be careful, will you? I still haven’t heard from Kate or any of them about Mother’s sickness. Darn it I wish they would let me know something. I sent an airmail letter to them and another letter, and it by now and that has been about a week ago since I wrote it. Well tomorrow is Sunday and I hope to receive a letter from you because I haven’t received any in the last two or three days and I hope it doesn’t go another without hearing from you. O yeah, has Nell or Bob said anything about receiving a letter from me? I wrote them and have not received an answer from them yet. Tell them I am not going to write them till I get an answer from that letter. Well honey I guess that is all the news. 

So, lots and lots of love, Johnnie

P.S. The fellow that wrote that joke for me is a boy from College Park, Ga. His name is James McDonald. Do you know him? Let me know. Love, Johnnie

Johnnie wrote his mother-in-law from Camp Howze on January 31, 1943, as always, asking about other family members. 

Dear Mom,

I am writing this letter to thank you for the nice handkerchief. I don’t think I said anything about the handkerchief in the last letter I wrote you. I am awful sorry if I didn’t. You will have to excuse this handwriting with this pen. I never could write so good anyway, Ha Ha. I hope this letter finds you well, as I am the same. How is Gearl’s hand? I hope it is well by now. Let me know in your next letter. Excuse me for misspelling Gearl’s name twice, but I believe it is right now, Ha Ha. How is Doc coming along with the sawmill? I hope he is making good at it. Tell him I said hello and to stay away from them wrestling matches. He’s having too much fun for an old man, Ha Ha. I guess I told you about it sleeting and snowing here. Well anyway, it has cleared up now and it is getting hot here again. How is the weather there? I guess it is still pretty cold, is it? Well, I will close for this time, so answer back as quick as you can because you know I am always waiting to hear from you and the rest. So, lots and lots of love.

Johnnie

P.S. Tell all I said hello.

It was just under a month before Johnnie was able to write Lucile again. In a February 7, 1943 letter from Camp Howze, he warned her, and asked her to tell others, that his writing time would be limited due to training with another company. It’s possible that’s why it had been a month since his last letter.

My Dear Darling,

I am writing this letter to let you know I am going to be mighty busy the next two weeks and please don’t expect many letters from me. The reason is I am going out on the rifle range with another company of soldiers. As an instructor, I will be getting up every morning at 4:30 o’clock and coming in every night at 7:30 o’clock, so you see why I said not to expect many letters from me. I also will be on the range Saturday and Sunday. Darling, also tell everybody that writes me not to expect a letter right back. Tell Woodrow and Frances I will answer their letter as soon as I possibly can. I guess you have spent all the twenty dollars I sent you. Go ahead honey and buy what you want and spend it like you want too. I still have a little money left and if you need any more, let me know. Well Babe I will close. So, write me alots of letters and also, I love you always. 

Johnnie

P.S. You still love me? You should see me now. I have had my hair cut real short, Ha Ha.

Partial view of first page of February 7, 1943 letter

January 24, 26, and 27, 1943

Letters, letters, and more letters. Johnnie worked hard to keep a continuous stream of letters to Lucile and other family members. In his January 24, 1943 letter to Lucile, he mentioned teaching fellow soldiers how to read and write. They probably wanted the ability to read letters they received from their loved ones and to be able to write them as well.

My Dear Darling,

I just received one of your letters, so I will write you a little line to answer it. You know I am not much on writing long letters, so Darling don’t expect a real long one. You said in this letter that you have received twenty-two letters from me. Well there is about five on the way. Because I try to write you everyday or night, I never have gone over two days without writing you. Don’t worry about me getting hurt in boxing. Not saying I won’t but I will try not to. I just sharpened this pencil so don’t you notice the change in this writing? Honey if you need any money go ahead and get some from your Daddy. But if you can wait till I get some next week I will send you some. I have not received any letters from Mother yet. I wish they would write and let me know how she is. Have you heard any word from Kate since she left? Honey, I received a letter from your Mother, Dot and Drex, Frances and Woodrow, and Grandma and Earl. Tell them I will answer them as quick as I can. O yeah, I received a little letter from Betty. Tell her I will write her one too. Well honey, I will have to close because I am teaching four boys in my company how to read and write, and they are waiting by my bed now.

So, lots and lots of love and kisses. To my sweetheart and my beautiful wife. Johnnie

P.S. you still love me. Check that.

Johnnie’s sister-in-law Frances (Stacks) and her
husband Woodrow Oglesby (photo taken years later)

Johnnie wrote another letter to his mother-in-law on January 26, 1943. He talked about the weather, issues she was having back home, and his weight gain.

Dear Mom,

Received your letter and was sorry to hear how sick you have been. I hope this letter finds you well and happy. Please excuse my writing such a short letter because I have just finished giving some boys in my company some instruction on the army rifle and it is just a short time till the lights go out. It has been snowing and sleeting here the last two days. It is about three inches deep, but the sun has come out, and it is going away fast. Have you any idea who has been stealing your coal? I hope you catch whoever it is. Tell little Melvin I said hello and for him to be good and I will be home soon to watch him dance for me. Tell Doc I said hello and don’t let the frost bit his toes, Ha Ha. I feel swell as far as my health is concerned. I also have gained a lot of weight. I weighed a hundred and forty-six about a week ago. Sure do miss you all but I will be back with you all soon. Tell little Betty, Earl, and Grandma I will write them tomorrow and not to get mad if it is a few days late. So, lots of love to you all.

Johnnie

 

Betty and Melvin Stacks 

The letters are not coming fast enough to suit Johnnie. In his January 27, 1943 letter from Camp Howze, he let Lucile know it had been three days since he had heard from anyone. And he was especially worried about his mother.

My Dear Darling,

I will drop you a few lines to let you know I haven’t forgot you, but I really just haven’t had much time to write this week. Will try to make up for it this weekend. How is my little wife tonight? I hope you are well. I am OK as far as health is concerned but still worry about Mother’s sickness. I wish they would let me know something. It’s been a week since I wrote her, and I haven’t received an answer yet. I haven’t received any mail from you in the last three days. I hope you are not tired of writing me. I received yours, Grandma, Frances, and Woodrow’s about three days ago, but haven’t got a letter from nobody since then. I expect to get paid Monday and I will send you some money. Well I have a lot to do tonight. So, I will close for this time. 

Lots of love, Johnnie

January 18 and 23, 1943

In Johnnie’s January 18, 1943 letter from Camp Howze, it appears he had received good news from Lucile. Unfortunately, we’ll never know what that was since we don’t have her letters to him. Perhaps she was responding to his January 11, 1943 letter and told him he had her full heart, not just part of it.

My Dear Darling Beloved,

Received the one letter I been waiting on today. And I was sure glad to hear how you felt about me, now I want be so worry about me and you. I really feel bad about Mother being like she is, I wish there was something I could do, But the way things are now, and me being in the Army, you know there isn’t any way for me to help her. How did you know? Kate must have call you up, and told you. What did she say when you told her I was in the Army, I bet she sure was surprised, wasn’t she? To tell you the truth I haven’t wrote Mother, Louise or any of them since I been here, but I will drop her a line tonight because you know, I just get to write so much, being as they got me on the go all the time. Most of my time I get to spare is writing you, and you know that. Well I am glad Kate got a better job and it isn’t as hard as the other one. Did Kate tell you when she was leaving to go down there? I wonder if Daddy knows about Mother’s sickness? Did Kate say? Write and let me know. 

Well honey, I hate to end this letter so soon, but it is about ten thirty, and the light goes out at eleven o’clock. And if you don’t mind, I want to drop Mother a line or two. 

But I will write you some more tomorrow night. So, goodnight my Love. And sweet dreams. Your as you always know.

Love, Johnnie

P.S. Please excuse writing with this pen. You know I never could write with one. 

Johnnie

Johnnie's sister, Kate Marston

Sometime before Johnnie sat down to write Lucile a noontime letter from Camp Howze on January 23, 1943, he had received a letter from Lucile telling him that his mother had cancer. 

You still love me?

Sat. Noon 

My Dear Darling,

Well here it is, Saturday at noon, and being as I haven’t got anything to do right now, I will drop you a few lines. Darling, how have you been doing? Are you well? How much do you owe your Daddy now? Well, I get some money next week, about Friday or Saturday, and I will send you half of what I get. I am sure you could use some. I wrote Mother two letters asking her about her sickness. I hope what you wrote about it being cancer that it isn’t so. Honey, you don’t know how I worry about Mother since I received your letter telling me how sick she is. Honey, I am sure you all are wrong about not sending any more packages, because alot of the boys in camp receive packages every day. You know what I am talking about, I guess you can’t send packages across sea, but you can send them anywhere in the U.S.A. I have put on two more pounds of weight, now one hundred and forty-six and a half pounds. You should see me now. I have really filled out in a lot of places and I am not fat. It is all solid muscle. They give us an hour and a half of exercise every morning and Gal, you should see my shape now, Ha Ha. Well Darling, it is about time for dinner so I will close. Answer right back.

Lots of love to my best sweetheart and my beautiful wife, Johnnie

P.S. You said in one of your letters that my letters weren’t long enough. You should overlook that because I write you almost every night.

Johnnie wrote Lucile a second letter from Camp Howze the night of January 23, 1943 in which he was clearly worried about his mother’s illness. He was also working on getting Lucile to Texas.

My Dear Darling, 

I am sorry I haven’t written you in the last two days. The reason is I have been showing the other boys in my company how to read an Army compass, the order of arms, and the army general order. And honey, if you don’t think I haven’t been busy you don’t know the half of it. As I told you in my other letter, my company command made me an acting corporal and he wants me to go to school for two weeks and take a test of a regular corporal. I told him I would let him know. That’s why I wrote you about it. Honey I really felt bad when I received the letter about Mother. If there was only something I could do. I guess if she has got the cancer, I pray for the Lord to cure her. Gosh I hope you are wrong about her sickness. There is one thing. If Kate sends a telegram saying she is worse, I am sure I can get a pass to go see her. Honey, there is a little town just about or I would say bigger than College Park about forty miles from camp. A fellow here in camp who is a pal of mine, has sent for his wife and has rented a nice little apartment. The rent is only four dollars a week. We thought if we could get you down here, you and his wife could stay together and the rent would be lots cheaper for me and him both. There are two beds in the apartment, a radio, and a nice small kitchen. What do you think about that, let me know? Well Babe, I guess that’s all I can write right now but I will write you more tomorrow. 

Lots lots love to my best gal x x x x x, Johnnie

P.S. Say, did you know I love you? I suspect the same from you.

January 16 and 17, 1943

In Johnnie’s January 16, 1943 letter from Camp Howze, Texas we learn that he’s a boxer. It also sounds like there is a good chance he’ll get the promotion to corporal.

Dear Darling, 

Hello honey, I hope this letter finds you OK as I am the same. Well, I believe they will make me a corporal. In a way I want to be one, but if I do make it, I will not come home till about a month afterward I am supposed to. In other words, I will have to stay here in camp a month and go to a non-commissioned officer school. I know I can be one but that is the way it is. So, what do you think of it? I told you in my other letter that I was acting corporal now. That means I can give orders to all privates just like a regular corporal does. It sure surprised me when I got a letter saying I was one of the ten new men to be promoted to a corporal if I passed the final test. The letter was from the commanding officer of my company. I can’t understand why they want me to take that test. Since I’ve been here, I haven’t shown them anything to make them think I have had training before. Well let’s skip that and talk about you. How is your whole family getting along, Ha Ha? You get what I mean don’t you? Honey, I will get some money the first week in February and I will send you some if you pay me back when you get yours, Ha Ha. I am supposed to get a pretty good pay and you know I will send you about half of it so look for some about that time. By the way, I am glad Geral’s hand is lots better and getting along alright. I guess you will have to wait till after I get paid before I can have any pictures made because I am on the bum again. You know what that means, no cigarettes, no anything. But I guess I can hold out till pay day. It looks like I am going to have to. I haven’t received a letter from Mildred yet to let me know she got mine thanking her for the cigarettes. I guess she is having so many dates, she hasn’t had time to write. What about Nell and Bob? I wrote them and have not received an answer. When you see them ask if they got the letter I wrote them. O yeah, I was in a boxing match Wednesday night and I won. Hurrah for me, Ha Ha. I knocked this fellow down two times in the third round and the referee stopped the fight. That shows I still got the old punch I used to have when I boxed about all the time. I am about two inches bigger in the waist since I left Fort Mac. I weighed a hundred and forty-four Wednesday night when they weighed me for the boxing match. You shall feel around me now, Ha Ha. Well honey, I will close for this time but as being tomorrow is Sunday, I will write you another letter.

So, lots love to the one that means the world to me. Johnnie

Turn this over when you get through reading it. Tell your Mother and Dot and Earl I will write them tomorrow when I write you. Check that. Love, Johnnie

P.S. Remember you are my sunshine. So, don’t ever darken it. Love

Partial view of January 16, 1943 letter

Johnnie’s next letter to his mother-in-law was written on January 17, 1943 from Camp Howze. He had some big brother advice for her in helping to raise Lucile’s little brothers.

Dear Mother,

Received your letter but I’ve been on guard duty, that’s why I haven’t answered it sooner. I hope this letter finds you well, as I am the same. No, the cake wasn’t too dried to eat. If it was, I didn’t look to see, you know if I get chocolate cake, I sure am not going to look at it, Ha Ha. That box you sent Hildreth, I sure will get to him, because they will send it whereever he goes. It will reach him sometime. I am glad to hear it is warming up down there. I told you how this weather is. It’s cold for a while, well it is kindly cold right now, but the climate will change much tonight. You can’t tell here. Yes, Lucile told me about Gearl getting his hand shot about off. I am glad it is a lot better. I hope he watches his self from now on. Get that idea out of your head about dreaming that Cecil went to the electric chair. I wouldn’t worry about Cecil so much. That’s one reason you dream that, because you are worrying too much. No, I don’t blame you and I know how you feel so get other things to occupy your mind. Try to anyway. Tell little Melvin I will come home soon, and his ear better be washed or I will be awful mad at him, Ha Ha. I believe they have quit giving me shots. I haven’t had to take any in about a week now. I hope so anyway. I have gained six pounds since I left Fort Mac. I had to take my pants to the tailor the other day to have him to let the waist out some. I wrote Robert and Nell the other day and have not received an answer yet. I guess they have been working so hard, they just haven’t had time to write. Well Mom, I guess that’s all the news right now. So, answer back as quick as you can. Also, tell Doc I said hello for me and I will see you all soon. Love to you and all the rest the same.

Johnnie

P.S. How is that little dog Melvin is always playing with? I can’t think of his name. Let me know what his name is in your next letter. I have so many other things I got to learn here in the army. I can’t remember hardly nothing.

Johnnie’s brother-in-law, Melvin Stacks. Photo taken in front of the Stacks home.

January 11 and 15, 1943

As often happens with soldiers who have been deployed, Johnnie’s January 11, 1943 letter from Camp Howze was filled with self-doubt. Fearing the worst, his emotions got the best of him that day.

My Dear Darling Beloved, 

Hello honey, what are you doing tonight? I guess you are doing just what I am doing, just wishing that we were back together. Are you? Darling, I know you don’t have the same love for me as you did, when we were going together, and the first few months we were married. And I know I am the blame for losing that love, the way I have done and treated you what time we did live together, before they took me in the Army. I know I just have a small part in your heart now, but if I can’t have it all, which I have to win back, you can’t blame a fellow for trying to win back the love and respect he did once have, can you? Lucile, I know you are going to write back, and ask where I get that silly idea. Well, I knew a good while about that and I also wanted you to know I knew it, but I thought I could change it back. But the Army got me before I got a chance to even try. I expect to still try, when I get out. What made me write and be telling you this? I had a terrible dream the other night that you came down here, asking me for a divorce, and I asked you why you were getting it. And then I dreamed you said don’t you think I stood a lot off you, and the next thing I know I woke up, and sweating all over. Lucile for gosh sake, don’t let that dream come true. You are just like the sunshine, if you leave me, I would be in the dark. Well darling, I told you how I feel and if you ever believe me do now, will you. My heart, my soul, and my love, my life go to you. So, lots of everything that is within me.

Love x x x x x x Johnnie

January 11, 1943 letter (click to enlarge)

Johnnie’s been on guard duty and that has hindered his writing to Lucile, something he likes to do every day. He promises to make it up to her in his January 15, 1943 letter from Camp Howze.

My Dear Beloved Darling, 

I have received two letters from you in the last two days, but I haven’t had time to answer them till tonight. The reason I haven’t had time is because I have been on guard duty most of this week, and I go on again tonight. This will be my last time to go on till about a month and boy am I glad. I will write you two letters tomorrow to make up for the lost time. We had short arm inspection tonight and little John Jr. is still OK, Ha Ha. In other words, the doctors came around and looked at my thing, and I am in good shape. I received the marriage license last night. Thanks for getting them so quick. Darling, this picture you sent me is the best picture of you yet. Of course, the others are good too, but this one shows your beautiful looks more. And baby I sure mean looks cause you really got that. Every boy here in camp is always asking me how I rate with you. In other words, they mean how did I get such a beautiful woman. I told them it took me two years or more to get you and it was a hard struggle at that. Well Baby, I signed the payroll tonight and I will get paid the first week in February. Honey I found out today it will be about a month and a half before you get any money, but you will draw about a hundred and seventy dollars. I will get a pretty good bit the first and I will send you half of it and let you owe me when you get yours, Ha Ha.

Well honey, I am sorry, but I will have to close this letter because it is about ten thirty and that is the time I go on guard duty. But I will write you two tomorrow. So be good till I see you, Ha Ha. Love always to you as you know.

xxx Johnnie

P.S. I got Dot, Mother’s and Earl’s letter. Will answer them tomorrow. Love Johnnie

P.S. They made me an acting corporal for no reason at all. I will take a test next week. Do you want me to make one?

Love, Johnnie

Partial view of January 15, 1943 letter

January 6, 7, and 9, 1943

Johnnie felt an urgency to help Lucile get the paperwork in place so she could start getting a check from the Army. In his January 6, 1943 letter from Camp Howze, he told her what she needed to do to get the paperwork finalized.

Check this, Ha Ha

Dear Darling,

Just a few lines to tell you what to do about getting your money. I have done signed some papers out for you to get the money tonight. You will have to go to Jonesboro to get a duplicate of our marriage license. I guess you will have to take the real one so they can make a duplicate of it. I don’t believe it will cost over fifty cents or a dollar to get a duplicate. Darling, get this right away and send it to me airmail. You will get your money the first of next month, by that I mean the first of February. Darling, try to send it back as quick as possible. The quicker I get it back, the quicker you get your money.

Lots of love, Johnnie

Partial view of January 6, 1943 letter

Lucile needed to step it up to keep up with Johnnie’s wishes to read her letters all night. Was that what he was hinting at in his January 7, 1943 letter from Camp Howze?

I love you always: check that

My Dear Beloved,

Receive another one of your letters tonight, and it does me a hell a lot of good to get one. In other words, I wish I could get a 100 at a time where I could just sit or lay down on my bunk and just read them all night. Honey, you said something about if I got those pictures of you and little Carol. Yes, I got them. Every time I pull out my wallet, or shall I say every time I look at your picture, I feel so bad. It makes me want to see you in the flesh. Check that, Ha Ha. No kidding darling. I do miss you, and you know it too. Say babe, you still love me. Check that. Say babe, did Mildred get that letter thanking her for the cigarettes. Say, I got Dot and Drex’s letters tonight with yours, check that. It’s about time I got one, don’t you think so? Say, we been having some bad weather here, but bad or not we keep right on drilling and learning about the army. I know you will come here if you have to get here the best you can, but I don’t want you to. So, stay there till you get enough money to come here like I want you too. Well Babe, that all the news so write right back. My love for you as you know always.

Johnnie

Lucile

Partial view of January 7, 1943 letter

Johnnie was happy to receive common, everyday items from Lucile when he wrote his January 9, 1943 letter from Camp Howze, Texas. He also sent advice to Lucile’s 16-year-old brother Geral about guns.

My Dear Darling Beloved Baby,

Hello honey, I received the shoe polish and coat hangers yesterday and was sure glad to get them. Thanks a lot. I am sorry to hear about Geral getting his hand all shot up. Tell him I said a gun wasn’t anything to play with, especially a shot gun. I hope it heals back alright. Darling, I can’t wear one of them caps you like just yet, because this camp has been just filling in with new soldiers and we will have to wait till it gets organized and straightened out. But I can wear them outside of camp, like going to town or driving home just so it is outside the camp. How is my little baby getting along? I hope you have been a good gal. Keep my Love, and God knows I keep yours. When I say I love you, you don’t know just how much I mean it. Check that. Darling, I wrote to Grandma about two days before hers came to me. I guess she got it by now. I am going to answer this one I got with yours as soon as I finish writing this to you. How is my mail coming now? You shall get a letter a day. Excuse this dark writing, because my pen gave out of ink and I had to borrow some other kind. I have had a sore throat all this week and can’t hardly talk. My voice is so hoarse, it sounds funny when I do try to talk. They have been putting macurcone on a little stick with a piece of cotton and rubbing my throat inside. I guess it will get better in a few days. Well honey, I guess that is all the news right now, except I wish I had you with me tonight. I will soon. Don’t worry about that. Darling, did you get a copy of my marriage license yet? Get them as quick as possible.

Lots and Lots and Lots of Love: check that. Johnnie

P.S. Uncle Sam may have me, but you got my heart. I love you: check that. 

Partial view of January 9, 1943 letter

January 3 and 5, 1943

The year 1943 started out quietly with Johnnie settled in at Camp Howze. He often talked about money in his letters to Lucile. He sent money when he could, but he had to pay for his toiletries and cigarettes. The soldiers borrowed money from each other, so he had to pay them back as well as send money to Lucile. He also wanted to make sure he had a constant stream of letters coming in at roll call so asked her to remind friends and family to write him. His first letter of 1943 was dated January 3, 1943 from Camp Howze.

My Dear Beloved Darling,

I received yours and Mom’s letters last night but didn’t have time to answer them till this morning and also the cigarettes. I will write Mildred and thank her for them as soon as I write this for you. Darling, I am glad to hear that you are well and all right, because if anything shall happen to you, I wouldn’t care what happens to me. I wouldn’t care if they sent me across and right on the front line there and I mean that too, because I don’t want to live then. Darling it might be the first of Feb. before you get any money, but you will draw a hell of a lot then, if you don’t get all that coming to you let me know. How is old Bill getting along? Did he say write him and put my address in there and tell him to write me. Darling what is the matter with Dot and Drex, they haven’t forgot how to write I hope. If they have, tell them to put exsel [sic]. I will understand what they are writing, Ha Ha. Have Earl and Geral received the letters I wrote them? If so, tell them to answer them and tell Mildred if she received a letter from me not to laught if I spell her last name wrong. Ha Ha. Well Darling, keep writing because I am still way ahead of you on sending letters. So, answer right back. I will always be the same to you.

Love, Johnnie x x x x x x x

P.S. You still love me? What did you say Gal?

P.S. I will send you all some pictures pretty soon.

Partial view of January 3, 1943 letter (click to enlarge)

The discussion of finances continued in Johnnie’s January 5, 1943 letter to Lucile. He also mentioned a foot injury in this letter.

My Dear Baby,

I received two letters from you yesterday but haven’t had time to write till now. I guess you have received that money order for $20.00. I wanted you to keep it and buy you something for yourself. And pay your Daddy when you get yours. See if it is alright with him to draw $73.00 but I had a big laundry bill and I owe about ten dollars to a fellow here in camp. I have about thirty dollars now. If you need any more, let me know. I hurt my foot the other day and it is swollen so much I can hardly get my shoes on. I guess it will be OK in a couple of days. Well, I guess I will close for tonight but being tomorrow is Saturday I will write you two or three more. 

So, lots lots of love, Johnnie

Johnnie’s father-in-law, Sam “Doc” Stacks

 

Partial view of January 5, 1943 letter

In a second letter written from Camp Howze, Texas the night of January 5, 1943, Johnnie scolded Lucile for writing such short letters. He wanted to hear more from her. But on the other hand, he was worried about her worrying about him and tried to sooth her nerves. He even introduced a new catch phrase—check that.

My Dear Beloved Darling, 

I received your nice little letter. The only thing I didn’t like about it was that it wasn’t long enough. Darling, what’s the matter? Can’t you write a letter a little bit longer or are you worried about me so bad that you can’t think of what to write? Darling, don’t worry about me because I will take care of myself. Let me do the worrying for both of us. Anyhow, the company command said he didn’t think we would ever go across because he said the way the Japs and the German were losing now the war would be over sometime this year. I believe he is right too. Honey don’t worry about us owing money to your Daddy and on the watch, I believe when you draw your money, you could pay him back twice and still have a pretty good bit left. Say babe, you still love me? Check that. Hey, tell Earl and Geral to write some more. I still like to hear from them. I wrote Grandma last night. Also wrote a letter to you and Mary. So, answer them as fast as they come where I will know you got them. Check that, Ha Ha. Well Darling, I guess that answers the letter I got from you for tonight. 

Lots of Love to you always, Johnnie

Thanks for getting me the shoe polisher. I really need it. Love, Johnnie

You will always be next to my heart.

P.S. In your next letter, let me know how many letters you got from me. Love 

Doodles around the eagle stamped on the stationery of Johnnie's January 5, 1943 letter to Lucile

December 31, 1942 and January 2, 1943

New Year’s Eve 1942 and Johnnie’s wasn’t thinking about a big celebration or the ball dropping in New York (although there wasn’t a ball drop in 1942 due to a wartime blackout). Instead, he had his beloved Lucile on his mind.

My Dear Beloved,

I received your letter today and I was just about to think you had forgot me because I am at least expecting a letter from you every other day. I want to hear from you so bad and wanting to know what you are doing. Gosh, you don’t know just how bad I do miss you. Darling, I wrote your Mother, not to tell you how long I would be here, because I didn’t want you to be so worried, but as I hope you can come out here, I will tell you how long I expect to be here. I will be here about eleven more weeks at least before I can come home, and you know I can’t stay away from you that long. So that’s why I want you to try to save some money to come out here. It is about nine hundred miles from here to Atlanta. Please call up the bus or train station and they will tell you how much it will cost to come out here to Gainesville, Texas. Remember this name, Gainesville, Texas. Darling, I am glad to hear you had such a nice time Christmas. I wish I could have been there to enjoy it with you. This Christmas to me wasn’t so hot. I received the package your Mother and Dad sent me, and I thank them very much. I will write your Mother and tell her how much I appreciate the things she sent to me. It’s a good thing she sent me a package of cigarettes because I have been burning them the last two days and I really needed some. I am sorry to hear about Cecil. Tell him I said that stuff never will get him anywhere and won’t do him a bit of good at all. Don’t worry about me getting that way. I will keep my word and you got to believe me. Tell Dot and Drex and the baby Hello. Answer back. 

Love, Johnnie x x x x x x x x x 

An earlier photo of Johnnie's mother-in-law, Leola Lemons Stacks

Johnnie wrote a letter to his mother-in-law on January 2, 1943, writing the year as 1942. 

Dear Mom,

Just a few lines to let you know I received your nice letter and also the package a day ago. I would have answered your letter then, but every time I would start, they would call me out for drill or something and I just couldn’t answer it with them calling me every minute. But I did get around to it after all. I am glad to hear that all of you had a good Christmas. Wish I could be there, but as you know I can’t, but I expect to be there for the next one. I hope anyway. I appreciate the package very much, and thanks a lot. Wish I could return the same. I am awful sorry to hear about Cecil. I hope he is better by now. It shall learn him a lesson. I hope he leaves the stuff alone for your sake anyway. I haven’t drunk any since I been here and don’t intend to either. That’s one thing I am pretty sure of. And another thing, I have learned a lot in the Bible I didn’t know and everything in it is very interesting too. I hope to drop Grandma a line or two tonight or tomorrow because I’m sure she wants to hear from me. Tell her she has a letter coming anyway. I have written Dot and Drex two or three times and haven’t received an answer yet. Tell them if they can’t write to let Carol write for them, Ha Ha. I am going to drop Nell and Robert a line too. I will send it at your address and you can give it to them. I just answered the mail call and received yours and Lucile’s letters. I also received the cigarettes. I am sure glad to receive the pictures of Doc, you, Robert and Nell. They are good pictures of all of you. Little Melvin looks good. Tell him to have one made all by his self and send it to me. Mary and Betty’s pictures are good ones too. It looks just like them, don’t you think so? Well, that’s all the news so answer right back and tell all hello for me and to write.

Love to all, Johnnie

P.S. Did the gang up at the sawmill ever receive the letter I wrote them? 

December 28, 1942

Johnnie didn’t have time to write Lucile on the 27th but he received a letter from her. He found time to write Lucile on December 28, 1942, trying to keep her from worrying about him being sent overseas.

Dear Darling,

Received your letter yesterday but didn’t have time to answer it until today. How is my baby tonight? Fine, I hope. I am the same. Honey you said you been getting two letters a day, you should get more than that, because I have been writing to you every chance I get. You said you miss me a lot. Gal you don’t really know just how I miss you. It’s getting where I can’t do nothing, because I have you on my mind all the time, wonder what you are doing and other things. I sure would like to see the sawmill and the mules your daddy got now. Tell him I said hello, and don’t work so hard. Don’t worry about me having to go across right away because this camp just started and it will be a good while before they fill it up. And when I do go, I will be well trained. And don’t worry, I will take care of myself. I do hope you get a job for a little while any way because you will have something on your mind, and you won’t be worrying about me so much. I wish I could have got you and all the rest something for Christmas, but you know why I can’t. I will send you a carton of cigarettes for Drexel, as soon as I get paid. Thanks for Grandma’s address. I will drop her a line tomorrow sometime. I will send you and all the rest a picture of me as soon as I get some made. I have written Dot and Drex a couple of cards and letters and have not received any answer from them yet. Tell them if they can’t write, get Carol to write for them, Ha Ha. Well sugar I got Earl and Geral’s letters with your mail so I better write them. So am right back. 

Lots of love, Johnnie

He also took the time that day to write two other letters on December 28, 1942—one to Lucile’s brother, Geral Stacks, who lived in College Park, Georgia. 

Hello Pal,

I am glad to hear you are getting along OK. I am the same. Keep the rifle shining and clean and it will shoot a lot better. I am glad to hear you caught a rabbit. I guess you will get another by the time this letter reaches you. I hope so. I am sorry I wasn’t there for Christmas but that is something I can’t help, as you know. I hope you shoot something when you go hunting. You better quit shooting them ducks, Ha Ha, and start shooting rabbits, Ha Ha. I am doing a little shooting myself now and I sure have been hitting the mark too—200 yards from it. Well answer right back. 

Your ole pal always, Johnnie

 

Johnnie wrote a third letter on December 28, 1942—this one to his mother-in-law.

My Dear Mother-in-Law,

I hope this letter finds you well. I am doing as well as can be expected so far. I have been here in camp one week and four days and have not received any mail from Lucile or any one and I can’t understand what is the matter. Have you received that card I wrote you? I have written at least ten or eleven letters since I been here and have not got an answer back yet from any of them. How are all the kids? Fine, I hope. How is little Melvin? Is he still dancing? I guess he is if there is music playing. Tell him I said hello. Betty and Mary the same. Send me a picture of all of them the next time you get some. I guess you all won’t see me till at least two months because I have to get that much training before I get a pass to come home. I don’t want Lucile to know it is that long because she will worry that much more. So please don’t say anything about it to her. How is Doc getting along? Fine, I hope. Tell him I said hello and to take care of my car, Ha Ha. This weather is very funny here. It is cold in the morning and hot in the evening. What is Robert and Nell’s address? Tell them I said hello and to write me. I guess Lucile received my clothes alright. Write and let me know. Well, I guess that is all the news for right now so please answer right back. Loves of love to you and the rest.

Johnnie

P.S. All I can say for this Christmas is Merry Christmas to you all and a Happy New Year.

Leola (Lemons) Stacks, Johnnie's mother-in-law

December 26, 1942

Johnnie made it through Christmas, but their wedding anniversary still weighed heavy on his mind. He made sure Lucile knew he missed her and wanted her near him in his December 26, 1942 letter from Camp Howze.

My Dear Beloved Darling, 

How is my baby tonight? Fine, I hope. This letter finds me the same as ever, except I wish to be with you, holding you so tight that you can’t breathe. I would give all the money to get in this army just to be back with you again, which I will be back soon just as soon as I get my training. Darling I am going to try to save some money so you can come out here and stay for a while, anyway. I want you to save some to. Try to anyway. A lot of the boys here sent for their wives to come live here, the rent is only five or six dollars a week and Gainesville, Texas is only five miles from where I am stationed at. So, you see I would be able to come there and stay with you every night and on weekends I wouldn’t have to come back to camp till Monday. I can get another boy to go in with me and it wouldn’t cost anything at all. You see his wife and you could split on eats and rent too and it would be easy on all four of us, don’t you think? Let me know what you think on this idea. Well honey, I guess that is all the news right now, except for the 27th day of this month is the day we got married two years ago, and to think I have to be on K.P. that day. You know what K.P. is don’t you. It is washing dishes and mopping floors and they would get me on that certain day, Ha Ha. Well honey, ans. right back. 

Lots of Love and Kiss x x x x x x x x x x x x x, Johnnie

Partial view of December 26, 1942 letter (click to enlarge)

It was the day before his wedding anniversary and Johnnie couldn’t get Lucile off his mind. In addition to the letter he’d already written to her earlier that night, he also sent a postcard on December 26, 1942.

Dear Beloved Darling, 

Just a card to let you know that I may be in Texas but my heart still belongs to you or you will always know no matter where I am. I have wrote a letter at least for every day I been here. So, you see I do write you many times. 

Love, Johnnie

   

Postcard Johnnie sent to Lucile from Camp Howze on December 26, 1942—front and back

December 22 and 24, 1942

Cigarettes, shoe polish, and coat hangers—items that were becoming important to Johnnie—was what he wrote about to Lucile in a letter from Camp Howze dated December 22, 1942.

Dear Darling, 

I have been here a week and two days and have not received a letter from you or anybody else. I can’t understand what the matter is. It seems like nobody is writing. I am out of cigarettes and tobacco and I believe I have bummed everybody in camp for a cigarette. I guess they are getting tired of it to. I have to ask you to send me some money but if you can get me some to last to the time I get some I will send you some of mine to pay it back with. I wish you could get me a shoe polish set and send it to me. I have tried to get some here, but they sell out as fast as they get it. I have written you at least six or seven letters since I have been here, not counting the ones I sent to your Mother and Dot and Drextel at the saw mill. See if you can get me some coat hangers, because I cannot buy any here. And I have to have them, send me all you can, because I can get ten and fifteen cents for just one and that will be some extra money for me and you. If you can, send some of my mail by air, but if you can’t it is all right, just so you write me every day. Darling I really have missed you; I just didn’t know I could be so bad off for you. In other words, I didn’t realize what you meant to me while I was with you. Tell Earl and Geral hello for me and all the rest the same. And tell Earl and Geral they should see the new rifle I have now. They could really kill some rabbits with it. Ha Ha. Well honey I guess that is all the news so please write me right back, because I will be waiting for it. So, lots of Love and I will always be the same to you. 

Kiss x x x x x x x, Johnnie

Earl and Gearl Stacks

Johnnie wrote two letters on December 24, 1942 from Camp Howze. The first one was to his mother-in-law, whom he clearly loved.

My Dear Beloved Mother-in-Law,

I received your letter and was glad to hear from you. I have not been in the hospital but I have been taking at least six or seven shots in my arm since I have been here. My arm looks like as if you could pour water through it. It has had so many needles in it, Ha Ha. I have not received the package yet, but it might be in the evening mail. I can’t show you how much I appreciate it but you know I do and thanks a lot. You are talking my kind of way when you said you baked a chocolate cake and I can’t hardly wait till it gets here because you know that is my favorite kind. Tell Earl and Geral hello for me and to write. Tell Betty and Mary hello and also tell Melvin to keep dancing and keep in practice where I can see him dance when I come home. Tell Doc I said hello for me and to keep his ten-cent self out of that fifty-dollar chair, Ha Ha Ha. Well write me right back and let me know you got this letter.

Lots of love, Johnnie

P.S. Please write me in this manner

Pvt. John H. Marston Jr.
Co “L” 334th Inf.
A.P.O. #84
Camp Howze, Texas

Christmas Eve 1942, probably the first Christmas Johnnie had spent away from home. That alone would make a soldier lonely, but Johnnie also knew his wedding anniversary was just three days away and he missed his darling Lucile. After dinner, the soldiers at Camp Howze gathered for mail call. Johnnie was probably anxious, wondering if he would have a letter from Lucile and she didn’t let him down! His name was called, he most likely walked away from mail call one happy soldier. Johnnie wrote Lucile a long letter that evening.

Dear Darling,

Received your letter right after dinner and was so glad to hear from you that I just hollered out loud and boy did everybody laught at me, and I didn’t give a darn either. You said something about we have to get a copy of our marriage license before you get any money. My company officer said he would let me know sometime this month what to do about that, so don’t worry, I will see that you get every penny that is supposed to come to you and also some for me. I will let you know if we do have to get a marriage license copy and the right place to get it. Because I know you will have to go to Jonesboro at the city hall. I have had but one bottle of beer since I been here and that is all I want, because the beer is fixed where it hasn’t got any affect at all and you know if I drink, I want to feel it. Ha, Ha. Darling, I know the 27th of this month is our anniversary and I hate to be apart from you. But that is something we cannot do anything about, as you know. Being as I haven’t got any money, I cannot get you anything to show I really care for what time we have spent so many happy days together. But you know there is no one else that will take your place with me, you know I would give anything in this world to be with you at that certain date, and as soon as I get my basic training which won’t be long, I will be home for a while. I am sure I will. I am sorry to hear about the dog running away, because he was so cute. Maybe you will find him, I hope so. I was glad to get the dollar, but I had to give it to one of the boys because I borrowed it to get some cigarettes with two days ago. Darling I guess that is all the news right now, beside I just got time to write your mother a line or two before evening drill.

So, lots of love, Johnnie 

December 19 and 20, 1942

In a letter written from Camp Howze on December 19, 1942, Johnnie asked about family members and requested that they write him. When Johnnie refers to Doc, he’s talking about his father-in-law, Sam Stacks.

My Dear Darling, 

Just a line to let you know everything is going all right and that I am well. I hope you are the same. How is everything back home? Fine, I hope. Say, give my horseshoes to your Dad and tell him I said to keep in practice, because I will be back one day soon and he will need it, Ha Ha. I haven’t received any mail from you yet. I hope to get some today. We are having inspection this morning. That is why I can’t write you a long letter, but I will write you again tonight. How is Earl and Geral getting along? Fine, I hope. Are they still going hunting? Have they killed anything yet? How is Grandma? I hope she is well. Tell her hello for me and get her address so I can write her. How is Nell and Robert doing? OK? Tell them I said hello and for them to write me. Tell all that live in the Pines hello. Tell Doc I hope he has got the farm and that it is a good one. Well, that’s all I can write right now because I have to get dressed for dinner. But I will write more tonight.

Love, Johnnie

Johnnie's brother-in-law, Earl Stacks

Photos were an important part of a soldier’s life when they were away from home. Johnnie often wrote to Lucile, sending photos of himself or asking for photos of her and other family members as he did in a second letter from Camp Howze dated December 19, 1942. He was beginning to understand why America was at war.

Hello Darling, 

Just a few more lines from where I left off this morning to let you know I haven’t forgot you and I couldn’t forget if I wanted to. I have just been gone a week, and to me it seems like a month. As soon as I can I am going to have some pictures made and send them to you. Have some pictures made of all the crowd and send them to me if you can. If not, send them as you get them. Have some pictures made of you and send them to me. I have two pictures of you, but I want some late pictures of you. So, have them made right away. I have been pretty busy here learning to be a soldier and I haven’t been doing so bad at all. But there is a lot of work to be done to be a good one yet. Since I have been in, I have been learning a lot why we are fighting, and I really don’t mind fighting at all. The main thing is that our country is about to lose its freedom, and they need men to defend it. That is one reason I am here. The other is I want to talk when I want, live like I want, and to do other things like I want to. So Darling, that’s one thing we all want to do. Please answer this letter right back. Lots of love and I keep thinking of you + + + + + + + + + + + 

Johnnie

Merry Christmas x Happy New Year

Snippet from the December 19, 1942 letter

Pictures, weather, addresses, old friends, his dog, and insurance—Johnnie’s letter dated December 20, 1942 from Camp Howze was all over the place. His mind must have been racing that night.

Dear Darling, 

Just a line to let you know that another letter is being written to you. How is my baby today? Fine, I hope. I am the same. I guess you have already gotten that letter asking you to have some pictures made. Have you started working yet? If so, let me know. What have you been doing since I been gone? Are you having any “dates.” If so, who is the luckie fellow? Ha Ha Ha. How is my dog? Is he still lazy as hell? Ha Ha. Are you going to send me those addresses or not? Or have you received the letter asking to get them for me yet? It is kind of chilly here today. I believe it is going to rain or snow. I have wrote you telling you that I have met some boys here I used to know when I was a kid and it sure does feel good to have somebody here you know. One thing if you are lonesome like me. I am sending you my insurance papers, but I have put in for $5,000 more after this month, so if I need it back, send it when I write you for it, just in case they need it. Be sure to put this insurance papers in a safe place. Well, I guess that’s all the news for today so please answer right back. So, lots of love. Kisses x x x x x x x x x 

Yours, Johnnie

That number I put by my name every time is my serial number. You know, the one I have around my neck.

Snippet from the December 20, 1942 letter