April 12, 13, and 17, 1943

Johnnie did not have any good news to share when he wrote Lucile at noon on April 12, 1943 from Camp Howze. His Mother was worse, he felt his mother-in-law was overdoing it, he owed the Red Cross money, and he feared he would not be able to get a furlough to go see Lucile.

Hello Darling,

Well here it is another blue Monday for me. I hope you are well. How is your job coming along? I bet its really going hard with you this first week. I received a letter from Kate yesterday. I have written you about that already, haven’t I? I don’t remember whether I wrote you about it or not. My mind has kinda been blank lately. Maybe I’ll pull out of it someway. I received a card from your Mother today. She’s really having too much to do. I wish she would go to the doctor and see about her side. She’s just going along working around the house and trying to keep you all from it. Gosh, I hope she takes care of herself. Well Darling, from what I hear, Mother is getting worse. I hate to get letters like that. Well I guess that’s all for this time. I keep thinking of you. Love Johnnie

Pay the Red Cross was forty dollars. So that honey I don’t know when I will come home now. This boy here in camp say I might not get a furlough because I got one when I went to see Mother. I hope that one doesn’t count against me. It shouldn’t. Do you think so? Honey, save all the money you can because if I don’t get a furlough in the next six weeks, I want you to come and stay with me. I wish you had never left but I guess its too late to wish now. I was a fool for letting you go back anyway. How much do you owe your Daddy now? Let me know in your next letter will you. Well I guess that’s all the news for this time. So, lots Lots Lots Lots 

Love, Johnnie

Honey, the way Mother is now, I really need you here with me. Lots love, Johnnie

Johnnie's sister, Kate Marston

When Johnnie wrote Lucile on April 13, 1943, he was thinking about her coming for another visit at Camp Howze. But, as much as he wanted to see her, Johnnie was being practical in that he wanted to make sure she had enough money for other things she needed.

Dear Darling,

I received your letter today and was glad you took off a little time from your work to write me, Ha Ha. I am feeling pretty well today, and I also have gained all my weight back. You said you received a card from Louise, and she said for me to write Mother. Well I have wrote her three letters and have not received an answer from any of them yet. I will write her again tonight. Honey, about you coming back out here. Well as far as I am concerned, the quicker you get back out here the better I would like it. But, we have to look at it the other way. I want you to have a little money to back you because that’s one thing you have to have to stay here as you know. At least enough to hold you till you get a job. Don’t you think that’s a good thing to think about? It might be a little harder to find a place this time because alots of the soldier’s wifes are coming in to visit them. But there are also alots going back home every day. Whatever you do, try to get here on a Saturday or Sunday because I usually have Saturday evening and Sunday off. And just in case, I don’t get off to find you a place when you write me that you are coming. I hope you understand what I just wrote. Do you? Say, are you going to send me an Atlanta paper once in a while? Or was you just talking to have something to say when you told me you would. I would like to get it once in a while. I like to read what is going on down there. What about sending me one at least, will you?

Well honey, I guess that covered everything for this time, except I send you my love and hope you don’t take up with one of them potatoes chips men, Ha Ha. Well anyhow, lots lots lots Love to the one I adore. 

Johnnie 

Johnnie was on the verge of being sent to war yet all that was on his mind was his mother and wife. He shared his fears with Lucile when he sat down at noon to write her from Camp Howze on April 17, 1943.

My Dearest Darling,

Well here is a lonely letter, from a lonely soldier. I hope this finds you well and not as lonely as I am. I have just come back from mail call and was really disappointed when I didn’t receive any letter from you. Maybe I will get one from you this evening. I hope so anyway. I received a letter from Louise yesterday. They are all getting along well, all except Mother, as you know about her anyway. Honey, Mother wants a picture of me and I thought I would send her a large one for Easter Sunday as a present. But as I am in debt with the Red Cross and owe some around here, I don’t know when I can send it to her for Easter Sunday or not. Being that I don’t want to borrow any more money around here in camp, but it looks like I am going to have to anyway because if it is in my power to get it, I am, as you know that anyway. I told you I was going to send you something on your birthday and I did, so I am going to have a picture made someway and send to Mother. I am going to try to do everything I can for her because the way things look, she won’t be here much longer. You don’t blame me do you? I try not to think about her going away, but its no use, it stays on my mind all the time. All you hear around camp now is that we are leaving. That is all they are talking about. Darn I wish they would quit talking about it, that’s another thing that’s getting me. Not that I am scared of going but I am afraid they might send me off without seeing you one more time. It if wasn’t for that, I am ready just any old time. I am not forgetting what them damn Japs have done to us. How is Earl and Geral’s farm coming along? Tell them to write me all about it. How is Robert and Nell? Your Mother? I will answer her letter as soon as I get some more time.

So, lots lots love, Johnnie

Robert and Nell

Lucile got a new job and Johnnie poked fun at her in a second letter he wrote on April 17, 1943. He also let her know how important letter writing was to him.

My Dearest Potatoes Chips Baby,

Ha, Ha. Well how are you tonight? I guess you are pretty tired. I hope you are not too tired to drop me a line or two, are you? I wrote you a letter this morning but being that I haven’t any place to go tonight or anything to do, I thought I would write you again. I hope you don’t mind. Well, did you make many potato chips today? About how many do you make a day? Say, do you know I haven’t received a letter from you in about four or five days now? Now don’t tell me those potato chips are taking up all your time or I will quit writing and if you ask me why I haven’t written, I’ll tell you the Army is taking up all my time. And I know you wouldn’t like that. Or would you? Say, tell me something, do you write me every night or every other night, or do you get a letter from me, and say well I will write Johnnie tomorrow night. Then tomorrow night comes you say O’ I am so tired and sleepy, I’ll just wait till tomorrow and write him. If you do, you better change your writing hours or the next thing you know you won’t be receiving any mail at all. And I am not kidding either. Louise wrote me and said that you were going down to see Mother. How do you expect to go see her and come back out here? Don’t tell me you found a gold mine. Tell me what you are going to do in your next letter, will you? Well Baby, I guess that’s all for this time. 

So, lots lots love, Johnnie

P.S. I am waiting for the answer of this letter. Johnnie

Lucile’s mother apparently overdoes it at times and that prompted Johnnie to scold her a little when he wrote her a letter on April 17, 1943.

My Dearest Mom,

I received your letter today and was really glad to hear from you. I hope this letter finds you much better. I wish you wouldn’t try to do what a man is supposed to do in fixing your garden. I know you, when there is something to lift or something real heavy to move, you go ahead and move it yourself someway. I wish you would get somebody to do all the heavy work for you. That’s one thing I know is making you feel run down all the time. Watch yourself, will you? As for myself, I am OK. Say, I wish you would get that daughter of yours I married to write me more often than she is doing now. I haven’t received a letter from her in about five days. I know she is working now, but at least she could write me every other night or is it those potato chips? Are they taking up a lot of her time, Ha Ha? I guess Lucile told you about us being shipped sometime soon. Gosh, I wish I knew when and where they were going to ship us. I believe it is to another camp to train some new army boys. I hope so and that it is nearer home. That would suit me just fine, Ha Ha. Say, how is Doc coming along? I hope he is well. Tell him hello for me, will you? How is little Melvin? Does he still remember me? Boy, I sure would like to see him. Tell him I hope to see him soon. Well, I guess that’s all the news for this time. So, I will close. Hoping to hear from you soon.

Lots lots love to you all, Johnnie

 

Melvin Stacks

April 3, 5 and 10, 1943

Johnnie took a break at Noon on Saturday, April 3, 1943 to write a letter to Lucile from Camp Howze. He was worried about his mother yet trying to console Lucile. She must have written Johnnie and shared her feelings of being unable to go to Miami. 

My Dear Baby,

I received your sweet little letter today and was sure glad to hear from you. Honey don’t worry too much about Mother. There isn’t much we can do now. As you know the doctor told me that the cancer in her throat has gone so far that it was impossible to save her, not unless a miracle happens. And if praying does her any good, that’s one thing I’ve been doing all the time. I have been pretty run down since I saw how bad Mother looked. I’ve been nervous and been smoking about two packs of cigarette a day. I know that it isn’t good for me but I just can’t help it. Honey I understand about you not going to be able to go see Mother and I want you to pay your Daddy what you owe him because he’s been so good to us. So, go ahead and pay him and forget about the cigarettes I asked you to get for me. I shall have thought about paying your Daddy anyway. Tell Dot and them I received their letters they wrote to me and you when you were here and that I will answer them as quick as I can. Tell them all hello for me and that I hope to see them all soon. Well, I guess that’s all for this time so answer back right away.

Lots lots lots love, Johnnie

P.S. The boys here in camp says while I was on my furlough that an order came around to be ready to be shipped out at any time. I didn’t believe them but Eitel, you know the fellow you met in the café that night says we will be shipped somewhere. He is sending for his wife, just in case this is the last time he will see her. Honey don’t worry much about it. Because I don’t believe it’s true. I will let you know more about it in my next letter. I am going to town now to try to find you something for your birthday. It won’t be much, but you know I am remembering you anyway. 

So lots lots and love and love to you. Johnnie

You saw Johnnie used USO stationery to write his March 31, 1943 letter to Lucile. According to Wikipedia, the USO, “a nonprofit organization that provides live entertainment, such as comedians and musicians, and other programs to members of the United States Armed Forces and their families,” was very active at Camp Howze. Among other events, they organized shows to entertain the troops, often including the soldiers in the show themselves, dances, dinners, and sponsored baseball games. One of their events took place the first weekend of April 1943 when they brought actor and comedian Guy Kibbee in for two performances in a variety show production of “Show Time at the Roxy.” Even though Johnnie was sad and sick, he may have attended one of the performances that weekend, possibly as a distraction of all he had on his mind.

United Service Organizations Inc. (public domain, via Wikimedia Commons)

 

Guy Kibbee (public domain, via Wikimedia Commons)

In Johnnie’s April 5, 1943 letter to Lucile from Camp Howze, he expressed how sorry he was that he let Lucile go back to Georgia so fast. He was regretting it now.

Dear Darling,

I received your sweet letter tonight and was sure glad to hear from you. I am glad you’re well and I hope you like your job. Let me know what you have to do. Let’s see, you said you was starting in at twelve dollars a week. You’ll be mighty sick in no time then, ha. Have you heard from Mother or Louise or any of them yet? Say, I’m really tired tonight. If you were here in town and I came there to see you, I really don’t believe I could do you much good, Ha, Ha. No kidding honey, I miss you more than ever now. I was crazy to let you go back home so quick. You know lately, I don’t think my mind is working right. I have crazy thoughts and sometimes catch myself doing the crazy things. Well honey, it’s getting pretty late and my head is giving me pains. I believe I will close and go to bed. Honey, I am going to hold up on that present for your birthday because I want to get enough money to get you something real nice. So, tell all hello for me. Goodnite.

Love, Johnnie

When Johnnie wrote Lucile at lunchtime on Sunday, April 10, 1943 from Camp Howze, one minute he was laughing about her eating a lot of potato chips at work, the next minute fretting over his mother dying of cancer and whether he would be able to handle her death.

My Dear Darling,

I received your sweet letter yesterday evening and was sure glad to hear from you. Say, since you got that job, you really think you are it, don’t you? Ha Ha. You say you get a lots of potato chips to eat. I bet you hate to look at them now, Ha Ha. I am feeling much better now, I don’t believe I will feel like I used to anymore. I guess its from thinking of Mother, going away, and not being able to do anything about it. I received a letter from Kate the other day. She said the cancer has made a big knot come up on Mother’s throat, and that the doctor told her that it was just a matter of time now. I don’t know whether I am going to be able to face it or not. Honey don’t worry about me. I’ll make it some way. Tell Mickey and Geral and them all to write me. I hope you like the presents I sent you darling. I wish I could have got you something better. Well, I guess that’s all the news for this time. So be good and God bless you all.

Lots lots lots love, Johnnie

P.S. Tell all hello for me.

Lucile

Johnnie wrote Lucile’s mother on April 10, 1943 expressing concern for his mother. It was probably all he had on his mind at the time.

Hello Ma,

 I hope this letter finds you well. It leaves me not so well. As you know, the reason is about Mother’s sickness. When I went down to see her, it didn’t look like her at all. She has lost so much weight. I doubt if she weighed sixty-five pounds now. It really got me knowing she is going to pass away and I can’t do nothing about it. I received a letter from my sister and she said that the cancer has done caused a big knot to come up on her throat and she said that the doctor said it was just a matter of time now. We are leaving this camp pretty soon. At least that’s what some of the boys here in camp say. My buddy that sleeps next to me said that an order came while I was on my furlough to be ready to leave at any time soon. So that’s that. How is Doc and the kids getting along? Tell them all hello for me. How is little Melvin getting along? Is he growing any? Tell him I hope to see him soon. Well, I guess that’s all for this time. So, lots lots love.

Johnnie

 P.S. tell Mickey and Gearl hello

March 31 and April 2, 1943

Johnnie wrote Lucile from Gainesville, Texas on March 31, 1943 to let her know he made it back to camp. Tired, broke, and sad—but he made it back safely.

My Dear Darling,

I arrive here about an hour ago. I sure am tired. I didn’t sleep over five hours coming down. I lost four pounds on the trip Darling. Mother sure does look bad. I liked to not know her. I doubt if she weighs seventy-five pounds. I am sorry I couldn’t come by to see the family but my ticket didn’t call for me to go that way and as you know I didn’t have no money to buy another ticket to come. I am supposed to pay the Red Cross back tomorrow. That’s what worries me now. Honey if you have any money, what about sending me two or three cartoons of Philip Morris cigarettes or something to smoke because by the time I pay the Red Cross the money I owe them, and I owe a little debt to one of the boys in camp, I will be luckie to have a pair of pants to wear, Ha Ha. O yeah, don’t forget to send me the Atlanta Constitution paper once and awhile. O yeah, Kate was just coming down to see Mother when I left. She was coming in Sunday nite at eight o’clock and my train was leaving at seven thirty so you see I just missed seeing her just a half hour. Well I guess that’s all the news for this time so answer back right away.

Love, Johnnie

That trip took a toll on Johnnie’s health. In a letter dated April 2, 1943 from Camp Howze, he told Lucile he had been sick since he returned to camp. He had paid most of the money back owed to the Red Cross.

My Dear Darling,

I have been back in camp two days and I have been pretty sick the two days too. I lost six pounds while I was on my furlough. I have not eaten a thing since yesterday at dinner and the way I feel now, I won’t be eating nothing today either. Honey, I want to wish you a happy birthday and if I can get some money, I will get you something. I took the money that belongs to you and the little I had and paid on the fifty dollars I owe the Red Cross. I just owe them ten more dollars. I thought the money you had here and the money I thought I was going to draw, I could pay it all, but I didn’t draw but eighteen dollars this time and I owe eight to the boys around here and that just left me ten, so all I could … [the rest of this letter is missing].

As you can see from the “acknowledgment” receipt below, Johnnie agreed to re-pay the $50 he borrowed from the Red Cross on April 1, 1943. Unfortunately, he was unable to make that happen until much later in the year.

Red Cross acknowledgment (click to enlarge)

Johnnie wrote Lucile’s mother on April 2, 1943. As always, he asked about Lucile’s family members. 

Dearest Mom,

Well, I hope this letter finds you well. It leaves me OK. Well, I believe summer is here because we are having some hot weather here and I mean hot. We have changed into our summer uniform and I sure was glad to. I bet it’s kindy warm there? Isn’t it? Say, I hope you like the pillow top I sent you. I think it has a pretty poem on it. Say, you never wrote me and told me about your garden. How is Doc? Is he well? Tell him hello for me and ask him how the baseball games are going. How is the rest of the family coming? I hope they are all well. Tell them all hello for me. Well, I guess this is all the news for this time so I will close. Lots lots love.

Johnnie 

March 7, 10, 15-25, and 28, 1943

Lucile is planning a trip to Texas! After receiving a telegram from her that most likely confirmed her trip, Johnnie wrote a letter on March 7, 1943 to discuss housing while she visited. 

My Dear Darling,

I received your telegram. I was expecting it in a way, but it was kindly surprising at that. Honey, when you do get here at Gainesville, you can ask anybody there how to get out here to camp. They have guest houses here in camp, so as soon as you get in camp find out how to get nearest one to me. You can only stay in the guest house three days, but I believe you another to find a place in Gainesville while you are staying there three days. The reason I having find you a place is I having had much time too. I don’t want you to come till a day after you receive this letter. It would be better if you got here on a Saturday evening, then me and you both could go hunt a place to stay. What do you think of that? Answer this right back, or you can come anytime you want to. But be sure you arrive during the daytime. The reason I want you to stay till a day after you get this letter is I am sending you a little banner flag and I want you to see it before you leave. I think its real nice myself. Honey the reason I sent that telegram collect is I am short of cash. I just answered the mail call and received a letter from you. I am glad you heard from Mother and Louise because I know how you was worried about them. Well, I guess that’s all the news for this time. 

So, Lots Lots Love. Johnnie

 

Johnnie’s sister Louise Marston with one of her husband’s and child

Johnnie wrote Lucile’s mother on March 10, 1943 from Camp Howze. 

Hello Mom,

I received your letter today and was sure glad to hear from you. I hope this letter finds you well. I am feeling pretty well myself. My foot finally got well and I sure am glad too. It really gave me trouble for a while. About that phone call, that’s OK now, but when you are not expecting something like that, it kindly makes you feel shakey, you know what I mean? Well that’s over with now, so let’s forget it. I hope Henry Ford knows what he is talking about when he said the war would be over with some time in April. There will be lots of boys happy, I know that. Tell Mickey not to quit his music lessons because he’ll be proud of it later on. Tell him I said that. Also, tell him there’s one thing people appreciate and that’s music. They might send me nearer home after my basic training is over. There will be a lot of us shipped to different camps. Well, it’s about time for the lights to go out so I will close for this time. So, lots lots love.

Johnnie

Tell everybody hello.

As instructed in Johnnie’s March 7 letter, Lucile must have left for Texas after she received his letter. The image below is a temporary pass for Camp Howze Lucile received for the period March 15 – 25, 1943. 

Front of Lucile's temporary pass for Camp Howze (click to enlarge)

 

Back of Lucile's temporary pass for Camp Howze (click to enlarge)

Maybe not for this trip, but Johnnie and Lucile’s son Randy remembers his mother talking about her visit to Texas. She told him Gainesville was just a little country town with nothing to do there. To entertain themselves, they sat on the porch at night and watched the tarantulas running around under the streetlight. Lucile told Randy she stayed at a boarding house with another couple. She got to know them and the woman who ran the boarding house and said they were nice, she enjoyed their company.

On March 22, Johnnie borrowed $50 from the Red Cross so he could travel to Miami, Florida to see his mother who was on her deathbed. It would probably be the last time he would see her alive. Based on the temporary pass, Lucile left Texas on March 25. Johnnie wasted no time in traveling to Miami after she left. His next letter was written Sunday night, March 28, 1943 from Miami and was very sad.

My Dear Darling,

I received your letter yesterday afternoon and was sure glad to hear from you and to know you got back OK. Honey, you shall see Mother. She does not look like herself at all. I doubt if she weighs seventy-five pounds now. She really looks bad. She doesn’t know she’s got cancer of the throat. She thinks its just a tumor. The doctor said it would be best not to let her know for she would just pass away that much quicker. She can’t talk except in a whisper. I tried to act right when I went up to see her, but I couldn’t. Tears coming out of my eyes and me trying to hold them back. You understand, don’t you? There isn’t a chance for her and I know she isn’t going to be here much longer. She sure does want to see you and I want you to come see her as quick as you can get the money. Louise said to wire her when you are coming down and she would meet you at the station, either the bus or train. I am leaving back for camp tonight. Wish you were back out there to meet me at the station, Ha Ha. Maybe I will get another furlough next month sometime and I will be home for a while. I hope so. I am leaving tonight with just sixty cents in my pocket to eat what I can on the way back. Boy, what a life, Ha Ha. Honey, I guess by the time you get this letter I will be back in camp. So, write me there. 

So, lots lots love

P.S. tell Happy, Louise and Evelyn I said hello. Johnnie

March 3 and 4, 1943

Johnnie shared scary news in his March 3, 1943 letter to Lucile having sustained an injury from a gun accident. You also saw a bit of jealousy unleashed as he talked about other soldiers writing Lucile and her writing them back.

My Dear Darling Wife,

How are you tonite my sweet? I hope you are well. I am not feeling so good for myself. I got hit today with the butt of an army rifle, by accident, and it knocked me out for about a minute. I have a knot on my head as big as an egg and I been having a headache all day long. I believe its one of the hardest licks I have ever had. Well let’s skip that and talk about you. What have you been doing all this week? I guess you’ve been visiting all this week. Have you? Say, you said in one of your letters that you were very populus with the soldiers. One of them that’s writing you better not be Dean because I never did trust that guy anyway. You didn’t mention all the fellows that was writing you, you know that yourself. Now did you? Honey, I don’t mind Arnold writing you, but I don’t want Sanford or Dean writing you. I know that dam Sanford isn’t any good. I don’t know much about Dean. But it will be best for him not to write you. So, if either one is writing you, quit answering them, and I mean that to. You can call it jealous or what you want to, or I will go so far to tell you I am jealous. So, you know what to do, don’t you? How is Doc getting along? Fine, I hope. Tell him hello for me. How is Grandma? I hope she is not sick, why hasn’t she wrote me. I believe I wrote her last. O yeah, I wrote Cecil and Jenny and Maud. I guess they have got it by now, have they? Well Babe, I guess that is all the news for this time. So honey, I will close.

So, lots lots lots love, Johnnie

P.S. How many letters have you got from me now. I bet you gots at least fifteen this week. Love Johnnie

How do you like that I love you.

In his March 4, 1943 letter to Lucile, Johnnie wrote about a discussion he had with his company command about leaving the Army, as well as some time off.

My Dear Darling Wife,

I received your letter tonite telling me about the phone call. Well I have been over to see my company command and he said the Army is letting some of the men out of the Army, but he said it would be kindly hard for me to get out, just to go back to farm or help on a farm. He said just about all of the men in the Army would give that in just to get out. He said I could go ahead and try to get out. He said he would have to get some certain papers for me to fill out and another thing, he said if I ask for a six months furlough, they would just give me about two or three. So honey, I don’t believe I will try to get out. Another thing he said was it would take such a long time for all of that stuff to go through so I guess we will have to drop that. Tell your Daddy I appreciate what he was trying to do and thanks alots, and try to explain to him just how things are. O yeah honey, you said for me to call your Daddy Wednesday nite. Well I didn’t get the letter till tonight and the nite is Thursday nite. So, you see this letter you sent air mail and special delivery was four days getting here. Say have you got your money yet? You ought to have by now. Thanks for mentioning that. You will help me pay my laundry bill. It sure is going to be a hell of alots, Ha Ha.

No kidding honey. I believe I will be going crazy if I don’t see you soon. Not for what you think I am talking about. But because I have never been away from you this long. It’s really about to get me. Honey, words can’t describe just how much I love you, I don’t believe it can be described. And I really mean that.

Well I guess that’s all for this time. So, lots lots love, Johnnie

P.S. I love you darling, Johnnie

Lucile and daughter Diane standing in front of the
Stacks home (ca. 1946, after the war)

March 1 and 2, 1943

You hear a song and it brings back memories that take you to a special place. That is where Johnnie was when he wrote Lucile from Camp Howze on March 1, 1943.

My Dear Darling Wife,

Well here it is Monday and I have done put in a half day training. I hope this letter finds you OK. It leaves me feeling fine. We get paid today at four o’clock. That is about three hours from now. Honey the radio is on and the song that is playing now is “I Don’t Want to Walk Without You Baby.” Boy, that song sure brings back remembers of the good old days with you. Don’t you hear a tune on the radio sometime and think of the times we had, and the places we were when we heard them. You remember when we first heard the tune of the Chattanooga sho sho? You remember how Harry used to dance around when he heard it? We were in good old Minnie at the time. Mother said that Bill got a letter from Harry and he said he has seen action twice with the Japs so far. He said that Harry said it was fun out-smarting the dirty Japs. You know Harry has alots of nerve, and I bet he is doing his part of fighting too. I wish him the best luck in the world, and I hope we all meet again after this is all over with. How is everybody getting along around Stacksville? Tell them all I asked about them. Well Honey, I guess that is all the news for this time.

So, lots lots love. To my most dearest one. 

Johnnie

Click here to hear the song “I Don’t Want to Walk Without You Baby” sung by Rosemary Clooney.

Johnnie wrote Lucile a second letter from Camp Howze the night of March 1, 1943. As usual, he wrote about writing letters to her and other family and friends. He also wrote about the power of love.

My Dear Darling,

I have just come back from the mail call, and I got the one letter I was expecting most and that was from you. I am glad you are getting most of my letters, and I am going to try to write as many as I can when I get time to. I have written you one already today. I guess you will get this one about the same time as soon as you get the other one. You look at the date on some of those letters you have got in the past week and you will see at least two was mailed each day. Skip what I said about you going to see me or Marie. I know you will be out to see me before you go anywhere else because I got my power of love on you, Ha Ha. No joking about it honey, you are the one that’s going to make me go through this war, because I have something to live for. It’s OK about the folks not writing me, because I have something to live for. It’s OK about the folks not writing me, because I shall have known they are pretty busy this time of the year. So that takes care of that. I will write Cecil and his wife tonight to tell him I said I would let him kick me the next time I see him for not writing him, Ha Ha. I also will write Arnold too. I am going to give all them soldier friends of yours hell for paying too much attention to my wife, Ha Ha. I guess they know just how good a sweetheart I have, and they are trying to beat my time with you, Ha Ha. I am glad to hear you are having such pretty weather there. The weather is nice here to. Say you said you was on the go all the time and that you never stayed home much, but you never told me where you are going, now is that nice, Ha Ha. Honey you know Mother and them care alots for you, and you know they always took their time about answering letters when I was home. So, don’t think that I am sure you will get an answer from her soon. Well I guess that is all the news for this time.

So, lots lots love, Johnnie

 

A lone envelope in the letter collection, postmarked February 28, 1943, shows that Arnold Pair did in fact write Lucile.

A change in weather took Johnnie by surprise—he wasn’t expecting snow and sleet! He wrote Lucile Tuesday evening, March 2, 1943 from Camp Howze to tell her about it.

My Dear Darling,

Well here it is another day almost gone and I hope this finds you well. Boy the weather here sure is changing since I wrote you last. It is cold as hell here today and it has been sleeting and snowing to make it that much worse. It was so nice and warm yesterday. I never thought the weather would change like this. Say have you got your money yet? Let me know, will you. Well its about time for the class to start again, so I will close. I will write another letter tonight.

Lots lots love, Johnnie

P.S. We are having classes inside today because of the weather. 

Love, Johnnie

Johnnie wrote Lucile a second letter Tuesday night, March 2, 1943 from Camp Howze. 

My Dear Darling Wife,

Well how are you tonite. I hope you are well. I am OK. Gee chicken you don’t know just how bad I am getting just to see you, I am getting horned as hell, you get what I mean, don’t you? I haven’t been around you so long, I won’t know just how to act with you when I am around you. So, if I do go out of the way just a little bit, don’t think I am crazy, will you? I mean when you come down to see me, and of course when we are alone. Its still cold as the devil here. Gee this weather here sure is crazy as hell. One day, or shall I say week, it is warm, then it just changes the other way, and what I mean the other way is that it is cold as hell. Well Babe, do you still love me, or do you worship me now. You know that one thing you don’t have to ask me, because you are the one, and the only. Of course, I don’t have to ask you but I do, just to remind you, Ha Ha. Well Babe I guess that is all the news for this time. O yeah, I wrote you today, I guess you will get this one about the same time as the one I wrote today.

Well lots lots lots lots and lots love, Johnnie

And hoping to be laying or sitting by you soon.

 Love, Johnnie

Lucile

One more from February 26, February 27 and 28, 1943

Although signed “Your Mother,” this letter appears to have been written to Lucile by Johnnie’s mother at noon on February 26, 1943.

Dear Lucille,

I guess you thought I was not going to write you anymore but I have bin going to the Doctor ever other day and I have had such a bad cold till I have not felt much like writing but I feel some better today and I will try and do better next time. Say have you got you a job yet since Johnnie left or are you staying with your Mother and Father? I sent Johnnie a card for his birthday. He sure was proud to get it he said. He says he likes it out there fine but would like it better if you was with him, but that is not what Uncle Sam says when he gets you. Well dear, write soon and a long letter.

Your Mother.

Johnnie described a big achievement by his regiment in the February 27, 1943 letter he wrote at noon from Camp Howze.

My Dear Darling,

Well here it is Sunday and I thought I would drop you a few lines. I hope you are feeling well. I am about the same as can be expected being away from you as long as I have. Honey, if the boys across keep doing like they are, I hope to be with you again soon. They are sure getting at them Japs. German, now. Honey, the commanding officer of the whole camp spoke to us yesterday and gave us all something to be proud of. He said after checking the scores of the rifle sheet while we were on the range and checking other scores on the rifle in the history of the army since Washington, he found out that our regiment has the highest score in the history of the army and that is something, don’t you think? Well tomorrow starts another week of my basic training and I just got three more weeks to go. Well I was kindly late getting up this morning being that it was Sunday and I missed out on breakfast. I am kind of hungry now. I’ll be glad when dinner is ready. I bet you were kind of late getting up this morning too. Were you? Don’t lie about it, Ha Ha. What have you been doing this week? I hope you had a good weekend. All I am doing is laying on my bunk thinking of you. That is all I ever do anyhow. Say, have you called Kate or has she called you yet? I wrote her and told her to get in touch with you. Let me know, will you. Well I guess that is all the news for this time. So answer this and let me know how things are with you.

So, lots lots love and kisses, Johnnie

P.S. What about not going out on that date tonight and writing me? You remember me? I’m your husband.

Brigadier General John H. Hilldring, Commanding General of the
84th Infantry Division at Camp Howze in February 1943
 (U.S. Army, public domain, via Wikimedia Commons)

Johnnie kept up regular correspondence with Lucile’s mother. He wrote his next letter to her on February 27, 1943. 

Dear Mother,

I received your letter last night but didn’t have time to answer it till tonight. I hope this letter finds you feeling much better and I do wish you would take about a week’s rest, because you are just running yourself down. I know that is saying a little too much because of the kids, but at least you could take two or three days off and kindly get rested up. Tell Lucile to take over for a couple of days and you get right in bed and catch up on your sleep and rest. Thanks a lot for the package. I haven’t received it yet but I am expecting to tomorrow. Say, tell Mickey to write me. I haven’t heard from him in a long time and also Geral. Say, in my letter to you last time I wrote, did I say anything about receiving a letter from Marie and also from Aunt Agnes? Well, I did, and I have written both of them back and I am expecting a letter from them both tomorrow. How is Doc coming along? Fine, I hope. Tell him hello for me. Well, I guess that is all the news for this time so I will close. Tell everybody hello for me. Lots of love to all.

Johnnie

Johnnie couldn’t sleep so about midnight on February 27, 1943, he wrote Lucile a second letter from Camp Howze. He was happy after getting his watch back from the repair shop.

My Dear Darling,

Well here it is about midnight, and I thought I would drop you a few lines, being I am not sleepy. I hope this letter finds you well and in good health, and that your ear is not sore any more. I am OK, as far as health is concerned. I am still trying to get you on the phone. I won’t be able to call no more tonight because all the places are closed, but I will try to get you on the phone in the morning. I got my watch back today and boy am I glad. I sent one of the boys that was going to town to pick it up. I had an unbreakable crystal put on it and also had it cleaned, and the winding spring fixed. It is keeping pretty good time so far. It ought to, it cost me five dollars to have it fixed. Well Monday is payday again and I do hope you get yours, remember to let me know about it. Well I guess that is all the news for this time, except that my love for you is so amzine [sic - amazing]. It divides my heart, my soul, my life and all, so Darling bear that in mind.

Lots lots love and kisses, Johnnie 

Johnnie not only wrote Lucile’s mother, he also wrote her father an occasional letter. On February 27, 1943, he figured he would surprise him with one.

Hello Doc,

I hope this letter finds you well. It leaves me OK as far as health is concerned. How is the sawmill coming along? Fine, I hope. Is the old guy still with you? If so, tell him hello for me, will you? And also tell him to write me. Is Bob Stacks still working or have they got him in the Army yet? Let me know. How is old Joe coming along? I know he’s still with you, isn’t he? Tell him I asked about him. Are you still selling much lumber to the government? I guess you are. How is the Buick coming along? I guess it is just getting broken in good now. Are you still going to the wrestling matches or are they still having them? I guess you are surprised to get this letter from me, aren’t you? Well, I thought I would drop you a few lines anyway. I know you don’t have time to write much because you are always pretty busy but you can get Lucile or some of them to answer it for you. I would like to know whether you have the same men you had when I left. Say, I guess Lucile told you I made sharpshooter on the range with the Army rifle, didn’t she? The Army rifle isn’t anything like any other rifle. Boy, I sure would like to bring one home to go hunting with because whatever you aim at with this rifle, you are sure of one thing, you hit it. Well I guess that is all the news for this time. So, let me know whether you get this or not. O yeah, can you still play horseshoes, Ha Ha. Your son-in-law, the champion horseshoe thrower of Stacksville, Ha Ha Ha.

Johnnie

P.S. give my love to all.

It’s been three days since someone tried to call Johnnie at Camp Howze and he still hasn’t figured out who it was. In his February 28, 1943 letter to Lucile, he expressed concern in not knowing who had called.

My Dear Darling Wife,

Well here it is Sunday nite and being as I have written you three or four letters since yesterday, I thought one more wouldn’t hurt you. I hope this one finds you well, it leaves me OK. I am still worried about that phone call. I have tried twice today to get the call through, but I guess I am going to have to give up. It really has had me worried. Say, tell your Mother I received the candy today and thanks alots. I wrote your Daddy today. Also, being as he is so busy all the time, I am not expecting him to answer it back. Tell him that for me, will you? Well honey, tomorrow is pay day. I am not expecting much money either because you know they are taking yours out of my pay this time. Well let me know how things come out.

Lots lots love, Johnnie 

February 24 and 26, 1943

Johnnie sounded like he was getting weary of training in his February 24, 1943 letter from Camp Howze. Or maybe it was his sore foot that was causing the problem.

My Dear Darling Wife,

Well here it is another day almost gone and making my training that much nearer over with. I didn’t go out with the rest of the boys this morning because I had to go see the doctor again about my foot. I have just got back, and it is just a little after eleven o’clock. I am going out with the rest this afternoon but being as I have to wait for them to come in for dinner, I thought I would drop you a line or two. Please excuse this writing because I am laying on my bed writing you. I am kindly resting my foot. What have you been doing all morning, laying in bed, Ha Ha. Say, you’ve been getting a pretty good bit of letters from me lately haven’t you? You should be. I’ve been writing you at least one or two a day. Say you know just four more days and this month will be over with, then I will just have four more weeks for my basic training. Say let me know if you get your money this month. I am sure you will. O yeah, I told you to mail me that card I sent in that letter back and I haven’t received it yet. You did get it, didn’t you? It might be in the evening mail. I hope so. I shall get a letter from you today. I didn’t get none yesterday. You are writing me every day, aren’t you? You better be, Ha Ha. How is the weather down there now? Is it turning any warmer? It is pretty fair here now. The wind is pretty strong, but it is getting close to March, and you know that is a windy month. Well honey I guess this is all the news for this time. So be as sweet as you have always been.

Lots lots lots love + kisses x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x, Johnnie

P.S. You still Love me? If so what about a little sugar, Ha Ha

Love, Johnnie

Someone was trying to call Johnnie at camp but due to his training schedule, he wasn’t available when they called. Johnnie tried to explain that to Lucile in his February 26, 1943 letter from Camp Howze.

My Dear Darling Wife,

Well, I received your letter yesterday but didn’t have time to answer it till now. I also received the card with it. Thanks for sending it back. I will take care of all the papers I got about your money. Honey forget the argument about the money I sent you last month. That’s in the past now. I will send you the two dollars to finish paying on my watch so don’t take any of your money. Be sure and pay your Daddy as soon as you get your money. It’s OK about not writing me back by airmail, but don’t let it happen again, Ha, Ha, Ha. Honey today is Saturday. I started this letter yesterday but didn’t have time to finish it till now. We left on a hike yesterday evening about four o’clock and didn’t get in till about eleven o’clock. When I did get in the sargent told me I had a call from Atlanta, Ga. and for me to call back and ask for operator forty-four. Well I tried to get the call through last night, but I couldn’t do any good. So, I was going to let it go till I got a chance to call today. But before I had a chance to, they called me in the camp. Call operator forty-four so I’ve been trying to get the call through all day. But the long-distance operator said she couldn’t get no line through to operator forty-four. Honey, the call has got me worried pretty bad, so let me know where ever it is sevirty [sic] or not. I wish you would send me a telegram when you want to let me know something really quick because it is hard for me to get to talk to you over the phone here in camp. Well I guess that is all the news for this time. So, answer this back by airmail.

Lots lots love, Johnnie

February 22 and 23, 1943

Monday night, February 22, 1943 at Camp Howze, Texas, Johnnie was probably enjoying a good smoke on the new pipe Lucile sent him. 

My Dear Darling,

Well here it is the start of another week and what I like about it is I am that much nearer to finishing my basic training and so nearer to seeing you. I hope this letter finds you well. It leaves me feeling pretty well as far as health is concerned. O yeah, I received the pipe today and it sure is a dandy. Thanks a lot. I also received a nice birthday card from your Mother. I am going to write her tonight and thank her for it. Honey guess who I received a letter from tonight. From your Mother’s sister, Aunt Agnes Jones. I wrote you telling you about me receiving a letter from Marie, didn’t I? I have answered her letter. I am going to answer Aunt Agnes’ letter tonight if I get time. Well honey, since I have so many letters to answer I will close. So, answer write back. 

Lots Lots Love, Johnnie

A photo from December 1963 of Johnnie enjoying a cigar

It was February 23, 1943, Johnnie’s birthday, when he wrote Lucile a letter as he waited on a testing exercise to take place at Camp Howze, Texas. 

Dear Darling,

Well here it is my birthday and I don’t feel a day older than I was yesterday, Ha Ha. I hope this little letter finds you well. It leaves me OK. Darling what have you been doing lately? I hope you have been enjoying yourself, have you? Gosh when you get in your twenties, time sure does go doesn’t it. It seems like just a month ago I was just twenty. Darling you are twenty-one now, aren’t you? Say, have you had many dates since I’ve been gone, Ha Ha? I bet you have. Say, you know what I would like to have now? A great big sugar tet with a little of this and that, Ha Ha. You get what I mean don’t you? Say, you are coming out when you get your money aren’t you? You better. Say I dreamed about you again last night. I had to send my sheet and blanket to the laundry this morning. If I keep on dreaming dreams like that, I am sure going to have a big laundry bill at the end of this month, Ha Ha. Are you going to help me pay for it, Ha Ha? We are having testing today on things we have studied. I have been out all this morning on different things. I am waiting now for them to call me out this afternoon to finish up. It won’t be long from now, so I better close for this time. So be good and keep thinking of me. Love Lots Love.

Kisses xxxxxxxx, Johnnie

P.S. You still love me? I love you my Darling.

Johnnie spent the evening of February 23, 1943 at Camp Howze thinking about Lucile. He ended his birthday smoking from his new pipe and writing her a second letter.

My Dear Darling Wife,

Well here it is Tuesday nite and I was sitting here smoking my new pipe and thinking of something to do. Well being I didn’t have no studying to do, I thought of nothing to do better than to write you. I wrote you today at dinner, but that don’t mean nothing. If a fellow loves his wife or girl, like I love you, he’ll be writing every chance he gets. And that’s one thing I try to do. Honey what are you doing tonight? I guess you are in bed by this time, aren’t you? O yeah, Mother said in her letter that she was going to write you. Have you heard from her yet? I haven’t got my watch back yet. Every time I go to get it, the man that’s fixing it is sick, and he is not there. Gosh I believe he is sick pretty bad because I sent the watch three weeks ago and he doesn’t seem to be getting any better. I sure will be glad when he gets well enough to fix it. I wrote your Mother also at dinner. I guess she will receive it the same day that you receive yours. Have you noticed lately I have been sending all of my letters to you airmail? I am always as long I can get them. I was telling you at dinner that we were taking testing today, well I passed it OK. It had me worried for awhile though. Honey, Mother wrote me in her letter that she wanted me to have some pictures made and send to her. Well I wrote her back and told her that as soon as I got all of my hair back, I would have some made and send to her, Ha Ha. And that goes to you also, Ha Ha. Well honey I guess that is all the news for this time so Lots and Lots Lots Love # Kisses xxxxxxxxxxx, Johnnie

P.S. You still Love me? Darling I worship you. Love, Johnnie 

In addition to writing Lucile two letters on February 23, 1943, he also wrote her mother. 

Dear Mother,

I received the nice birthday card and I appreciate it very much. Thanks a lot. I hope this letter finds you well. It leaves me OK. I don’t feel like I am any older than I was yesterday, Ha Ha. How are all the kids? I hope they are all well. Tell them all hello for me. How is Doc getting along? Is he still growing younger? Tell him I said to watch his self and not get too young or they might take him in the army, Ha Ha. Also tell him hello. What have you been doing lately? I guess you’ve been pretty busy. You always were when I was home. How is the weather down there now? It is like summer here and boy I sure do like it. Well, I guess that is all the news for this time. So, lots of love to you and all.

Johnnie

P.S. Thanks again for such a nice card. Love Johnnie

February 20 and 21, 1943

In his February 20, 1943 letter from Camp Howze, Texas, Johnnie was concerned that if they promoted him to corporal, he would be shipped overseas sooner than he was ready to go. He knew once he shipped out, he would not be able to see Lucile. 

Johnnie didn’t mention the military parade he had participated in earlier in the day when the 84th “passed in review before high ranking officers of Camp Howze … in the largest mass demonstration by a military unit since the camp was established.” Gen. Nelson M. Walker, the assistant commander of the division “declared that the division had made a distinguished record on the rifle range, considering the short period of time since training began.” The Denton Record-Chronicle reported that it “required 32 minutes for the entire division to march past the stand.” As a rifleman, Gen. Walker’s declaration would have been a proud achievement for Johnnie and his fellow soldiers. 

Johnnie wrote a second letter that night but didn’t mail either so before putting Lucile’s letter in the mail on February 21, he added to it. As usual, he was worried about her.

My Dear Darling,

I hope this letter finds you well by now. I have really worried alot about you. I have really worried about you ever since that night, you remember. I had tears I believe about the first time in a long time. It really gets me all over when you are not well. Honey, I don’t think I want to make a corporal after all, because if I do I will get shipped somewhere and from what I can gather here around camp, they are sending all the fellows that make corporal or sargent across to train the boys there and I don’t believe I want to go just yet. Not that I am scared, but I want to see you as much as I can. My commanding officer said we would all be made corporal or sergeant and be shipped out to train other boys that come in. So, I am sure to be one whether I want to or not. Honey, I guess I told you already about me having my hair cut off real short. You remember how my hair was either red at times or light brown? That was because the sun burned it. Well, it is coming back black as it used to be, and it is kindly wavy coming out. I was hoping it would come back straight where I could comb it straight back, but I guess I will have to let it grow wild, Ha Ha. Honey, I received a letter from Kate tonight. She is getting along fine. So, if you don’t mind for this time, I will close so I can answer her letter before the lights go out.

So, lots of love and kisses x x x x x x, Johnnie

Honey, I didn’t mail this letter last night so I will write a little more this morning. I hope you had a good nites rest. I slept pretty well myself and of course I dreamed about you, and it wasn’t a bad dream after all. I enjoyed every bit of it, Ha Ha. Well this ends another week of my basic training. I have just four more weeks to go and it will all be over with and then I don’t know where I will go. My foot has gone bad on me again. I am going to see about it tomorrow at the clinic. I am going every day till they do something about it. The soldier that sleeps across from me has a radio and it is on now. The Ink Spots are singing now, and the song is “If I Didn’t Care.” It really gives me the blues. It makes me think of the times when I was with you and the good times we had together. Some of my pals that I go around with say I have changed a lot since I have been in the army. I might have changed alot in ways, but I will never change as far as my love is for you, and you know that. Honey, don’t send me anything for my birthday because you need the money. I know that you haven’t forgotten that day for me, so thanks alots. I will be twenty-three, gee I am getting old fast aren’t I, Ha Ha. Well, tell all hello for me and that I wish them the best of health and a long life and give all my love to all also.

So, lots lots love to you x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x, Johnnie

P.S., How many letters have you received from me so far? Let me know. Love Johnnie

Click here to hear the song “If I Didn’t Care” by the Ink Spots.

Johnnie and Lucile

The evening of February 21, 1943, Johnnie sat down and wrote a second letter to Lucile. A 1941 song by The Ink Spots had him thinking about his dear wife.

My Dear Wife,

I received your sweet birthday card for me, and thanks alots. I haven’t received the pipe yet, but I expect to get it tomorrow. Also, thanks for the pipe. I have been trying to get one here in camp, but they are such a high price I just didn’t want one that bad. I also received a nice blessing card from Marie, Joe and Betty Kuebu today. I am going to write them and tell them how much I appreciate the card. They say that Hildreth has been transferred to Nebraska. Boy he really gets shipped alots doesn’t he? He does not stay in one place long enough to get settled good. Marie said something about you coming up there and staying with them awhile. I am leaving that up to you, wherever you want to go or not, you can decide on that yourself. I would appreciate it very much if you would come out here first and see me. Honey, you will get your money this month. I am sure of that. If you don’t, I will do something about it. Say, why haven’t the rest of the folks wrote me. Remind them of it will you? This makes two letters I wrote you today, so you see, you are on my mind at all times. I can’t hardly wait to see you again. I hope it won’t be very long now. Honey, the radio is playing now, and the song is “I don’t want to set the world on fire.” That’s me. I just want to keep that flame you got in your heart for me always there. What about it, will it stay there? I hope so. Well honey, I guess that is all the news for this time so answer it right back.

Lots lots lots love love love xxxxxxxxxx, Johnnie

P.S. You still love me? Johnnie

 Click here to hear the song “I Don’t Want to Set the World on Fire” by the Ink Spots.

Part of February 21, 1943 letter

Before Johnnie went to bed the night of February 21, 1943, he wrote a third letter to Lucile. He reminisced, talked about his dinner, another soldier, and asked about family members, including Mickey, better known as Earl Stacks, Lucile’s brother.

My Dear Darling Wife,

Well here I go writing another letter to you and this one makes three I wrote you today. I haven’t got anywhere to go or nothing to do so what better to do than write you? You are all I am thinking about any how. Say honey, what you are doing today? I hope you are enjoying yourself. I sure as hell aren’t. When I haven’t got nothing to do, I just lay around and think about you and wonder what you are doing and the times we did have together and never realized it. We have had some good times together, haven’t we? You remember the time you met me out at the fair and how late we came in? And do you remember we parked across over there on Welcommed and I started making love to you and you almost slapped my face and you wanted me to make love to you anyway and I knew it all the time, Ha Ha Ha. Those was the days, wasn’t it? Honey, I am going up to the mess hall and eat and I will write some more when I get back. Well honey, I just finished eating and we had a pretty good supper. We had ham, potatoes, tomatoes, and butter and sweet milk and banana pudding for dessert. I enjoyed ever bit of it. I guess you had a good dinner today, didn’t you? Honey, one more week and I will get paid again and I am sure you will get yours this time. Let me know about it, you will?

Honey, how is Gearl’s hand getting along? Fine, I hope. It shall be well by now, is it? How is little Melvin getting along? I bet he has grown alots hasn’t he? I sure would like to see the little fellow. Why hasn’t Dot and Drextel wrote me lately? I would like to know how the baby is coming along anyway. Honey, you know that boy that wrote that letter for me? Well he is getting a discharge. You know who I am talking about, don’t you? His name is James McDonald. He was burned pretty bad when he was a baby all around the stomach and down to his knees. It sure is a pretty bad burn. The skin is pretty thin, and it has burst a lot since he has been in the Army and it sure does bleed too. He does not do a thing but lay around the barrack. Boy is he lucky. Say, we are having some good weather down here. It’s just like Florida. I guess it is pretty cold there, isn’t it? Isn’t Robert riding in his car much now? I haven’t heard you mention Nell to him in a good while. What’s the matter? Say, Mickey hasn’t wrote me lately either. Is he still working at the saw mill? Write me and let me know, will you?

 Well honey, I guess I will close for this time. I believe I wrote you enough today. I have wrote you three letters. I believe that is a record for one day, don’t you?

Love Love Love as you know always, Johnnie

P.S. You still love me? I love you. 

End of February 21, 1943 letter

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.