October 25, November 1 and 3, 1943

In an October 25, 1943 letter sent from Fort Dix, Johnnie told Lucile that his company would be on alert by the end of the month. Once they were put on alert, no more passes would be issued. It was now or never for Lucile to come see Johnnie before he shipped out.

My Dear Darling,

Well, here it is another day gone by and I still can’t do anything about getting you a place. What I mean is I haven’t had the chance to look around. You see, they give me some shots in the arm last Monday and told us we would have to stay in camp a week before we could get any passes. So being as I couldn’t get out, I couldn’t find you a place. Darling, about the only thing to do as I see it is for you to come on up to Trenton, New Jersey, and try to make it during the day time. Find yourself a place and then get in touch with me here in camp. Let me know the address and as soon as they let me out of camp, I will come to you, or you could come and stay a couple of days in camp at the guest house. You see, Trenton New Jersey is twenty miles from camp, but after you get here, I believe I can get you a place alots nearer. There is a little town right outside of the camp here called Wrightown. I don’t know much about it. I don’t know where the rent would be high or not being so close to camp. As it is, if you do come up and don’t know how to get about, go to the Y.W.C.A. or the Red Cross and they will help you out. O yeah, you are still putting 84th on the front of my mail. It is the 85 now, so watch that where you put it down. Darling, if you haven’t got a coat you better get one before you come up here because it is kind of cold. If also you haven’t got much money you better wait till you save up some because I believe things are a little higher here than it was in Texas. We go on the alert November 20. In other words, no more passes or anything after that date so try to make it a few days before then. Anyway, I received a letter from Louise tonight. I am sending it to you. Well Darling, I guess I told you everything I can think of you to do so will close. Lots lots love. 

Always, Johnnie

Say, did you receive a letter from me with just a blank piece of paper in it. I am sorry I put the wrong one in there, but I was kind of worn at the time and wasn’t paying much attention to what I was doing. Don’t bring a lot of suitcases to carry around with you. Come with just as little as possible when you do come.

Love, Johnnie

Lucile, Elvie, Nell, and Evelyn (Geral’s wife)

The clock was ticking—there was an urgency to Johnnie’s desire to see Lucile. In a November 1, 1943 letter sent from Fort Dix, Johnnie reminded Lucile that his company was going on alert soon. They were training for what was to come and he missed her.

Hello Darling,

I received a letter from you, one mailed just a couple of days ago, and one that was mailed October 14. Glad to get both. Well Darling, I have not much to say this time, except I’ve been out on the rifle range the last five or six days, and plenty time of it too. Also, tell you I miss you awful lots and to still let you know we go on alert about the twentieth of this month. I would like to see you and talk to you about a certain matter, even if it is just a little while. Write and let me know when you expect to arrive here and let me know whether you are coming on a bus or train where I can try and get a pass to meet you. Try and let me know a couple of days before hand because if I get a pass, I’ve got to turn my name in the morning for a pass that nite, so let me know. I received a letter from Mr. and Mrs. Day and was glad to know they haven’t forgot me. I am sending it to you. Well, this is all I can write because the lights are getting ready to go out.

Lots lots love, Johnnie

Be sure if you come to bring my address where you will know what outfit I am in. Also, bring my belt and cap.

Love, Johnnie

Johnnie’s letter collection contained this November 3, 1943 letter from his mother-in-law, Leola Stacks. Lucile must have left College Park for New Jersey shortly after this letter was written. She carried with her a gift for Johnnie from her mother—a bag of pecans grown on their property. Leola also wanted to send Johnnie a cake but Lucile was in too much of a hurry to wait for her to bake one.

If you can’t read this, bring it to me and I’ll try too. It may be to mixed up for I’m a mixed up somebody.

Dear Son,

I will try once more to write you. I guess you think I have forgot you but I sure haven’t and never will. There has been so many things happening until I just haven’t been able to get what little sense I have together enough to write. I just haven’t been where I could be up hardly. I guess Lucile told you about Earl turning over in his car. He turned it bottom side up. I don’t see why some of them didn’t get badly hurt. I am so glad it wasn’t any worse than it was. It almost put me in the bed. I just can’t seem to get over it. I guess if I had been in it, I would have just passed out. He was running about 35 or 40 and he came to a curve and it was a sand bed too and there was a ditch on the side of the road and when he saw what he was into slammed on his brakes and the back wheel went in the ditch and it just turned bottom side up. He said it was all done so quick he didn’t have time to think. I sure did feel sorry for him he was so scared and nervous. His girl’s dad brought him home. It sure tore up his car. It will cost a plenty to get it fixed. Well, I guess you are tired of hearing about the car so I will change the subject. I sure am sorry you are not going to get a furlough. We were all looking forward to it. I dreamed last night you and Robert were both at home and I thought you had got so fat you didn’t look like yourself. Well, Lucile is leaving to go to you. I sure wish we could all see you. I thought I would just let her take my letter to you. I am sorry your cake was in such a mess when you got it. I would have baked another one and sent it by Lucile but you know Lucile, when she gets ready to go, she goes, Ha Ha. But I am sending you some pecans. We got a bushel off the trees this year. Woodrow and Earl made 77 bushels of sweet potatoes. Well, I don’t know of any news much and Lucile is running around trying to get ready so I will close with lots of love.

Mother

Earl and his car, although we do not know if it is “the car”

October 20 and 22, 1943

Lucile would not have been happy when she read Johnnie’s October 20, 1943 letter from Fort Dix. He had to tell her that he would not be able to get a furlough so there would be no trip back to Georgia before he shipped out. Their only hope of seeing each other would be if she came to New Jersey. 

My Dearest Darling, 

Well, here it is another day about to go by and missing you that much more. Darling, I am sure I won’t get a furlough. You see, they have got it fixed here if you had one in the last six months you can’t get one, so that’s that. If I had some money, I would see if I could get a pass and go to the nearest town here and see if I could find you a place up here so you could come up and stay a few days. That’s the only way I can see you again before I leave this place. I was hoping to see all the folks before I left, but I guess I won’t now. Tell them all hello for me and I hope to see them all again soon. Well, as this is all I can write right now, I will have to close. O’yeah the nearest big town from here is Trenton. It’s about fifteen or twenty miles, I heard. Well, lots lots love. 

 Always, Johnnie 

Lucile

Johnnie sent a postcard, date unknown but from Fort Dix, to his brother-in-laws, Earl and Gearl Stacks. Based on what he wrote, they must not have been writing him. 

Hello Boys, 

Are shall I say men by now, Ha Ha. Say you guys having forgot you have a brother-in-law, have you? Well in case you don’t know it, I am still the guy and I am still around so write and let me hear from you both. 

Love, Johnnie 

Postcard to Earl and Gearl Stacks from Fort Dix in New Jersey

What do you do when you know you will be going to the front lines of a war soon? You lay your heart out to the one you love most, which is exactly what Johnnie did in his October 22, 1943 letter written from Fort Dix. 

Dearest Darling Lou, 

As I sit here starting to write this letter to you, I think of our three years of marriage, life, and what times we have had together, and what sorrow we have had together. Its not that I don’t appreciate the times we had before we got married. No, it’s not that, because they were wonderful times also. The time Demp brought me down to your house and I met you and all the family. And of course, the way you despised me and how sly I was though the rest of the family. I can’t understand whatever made us take up with each other, can you? You know yourself you never give a darn for me when we first met. I can’t say that for myself though, because the minute Demp introduced us to each other, I knew you was mine if I had anything to say about it. I know I have given you some raw deal since we have been together, and I have regretted everything I have done to you. Any other wife wouldn’t stay with her husband for what I have done to you and the way I have treated you. Lou, you may not believe me, but a lot of times even when I was home, I have prayed to keep us together and to keep us in health. I guess you think what come over me, saying and telling you all this. Well, I want you to know how I feel. I wanted to tell you sooner or later, so I am trying to write it all to you. If I wait later, it might be too late. I guess you understand that. I just came back from mail call and having received no mail from you or anybody it’s been a week since I wrote you since I been here today is Friday. It really makes me feel bad, not hearing from anybody, especially you. I am going to try and get a pass tomorrow and go see if I can find you a place so you can come up and stay awhile. Gee, I want to see you so bad. I haven’t got any money, but I am going to try to borrow enough to go and see if there are any places for rent around here. I was hoping to get the ten dollars from you tonight, so I could take it and pay down on you a place where you could have it ready for you when you come. We are not going to have much more time together, not for a while anyway. And I want to be with you as much as possible. Well Lou, this is all for this time, especially what I told you, and Darling, I know I kid you a lot and shot you a lot of bull, but the way things look now, my kidding is over with. I love you and if I have to, I will die for you. It will be you for what I will be fighting for. You come first. Tell Hello for me to everybody. I give them my Love. And to you Darling, Lots Lots Love. 

Always, Johnnie 

P.S. I received the package from you all last night. The cake was broke all up. But it was good anyway. Thanks a lot. Johnnie and Lucile

Johnnie and Lucile (after the war)

Fort Dix, Trenton, New Jersey - October 16, 17, and 18, 1943

On October 12, 1943, Johnnie’s company boarded the train for Trenton, New Jersey. Before leaving Louisana, Johnnie was given a Tetanus vaccine. Four days later, they arrived at his next stop—Fort Dix, the last stop before his regiment would head overseas. In a letter Johnnie wrote from Fort Dix on October 16, 1943, he told Lucile what he knew was going to happen next, and he did not know much. Johnnie also hinted at where the next stop would be—one neither of them was looking forward to him going to.

337th Infantry insignia

85th Infantry Division shoulder sleeve insignia

990 miles from Atlanta to Here

My new address is as follows.

Pfc John H Marston

Company B

337 Infantry

A.P.O. No 85

Fort Dix, New Jersey

I am in the 85th Division now instead of the 84

My Dearest Darling,

Well, I finally got a little time to write you. I have been on the train ever since Tuesday night. I arrived here last night, about nine o’clock, which was Friday. My whole company was pulled off of maneuvers and sent up here. We sure was surprised when they told us we were coming up here. We don’t know just how long we will be here. I have an idea where we are going from here and I guess you have an idea also. If so, you are right. Say, I don’t know when I will get a furlough or not. They say the ones that have been on one lately are likely not to get one. I don’t know for sure. I hope I get one. Darling, it really is bad and it would just about drive me crazy if I didn’t see you again before I go. Some of the fellows here in this outfit say we will go out on the rifle range and shoot all types of weapons and guns and that we will be out on the range about a month or more. I am going to find out more about it and if we are not going to be out all the time on the range, I want you to come up here and stay awhile. Honey, I never did receive the package you sent me. They say it will follow me on up here. I bet all the food won’t be any good. Oh yeah Darling, that cash I sent you, I wanted you to get me a chain to fit on it and send it back to me because I want to put around my neck whenever I go. Darling, can you send me some money? The reason is I want to get me some razor blades, soap, alots of things I can’t think of right now. Send me about ten dollars. Send it just air mail, it will get to me OK. I hate to ask you for the money but I need it, so please send it right back. I hope you like the last letter I sent you. It’s about the longest letter I ever wrote in my life, and Darling I meant everything I said in it concerning me and you. The doctor looked over me today and took xrays of my body. But they say I am in perfect health and a dam good looking mans body. So, you get something good in me after all, Ha Ha. Darling, tell Doc, Mama Stacks, and all the kids and also Dear Old Grandma I hope to see them all again before I say goodbye for good. And you Darling, regardless of whatever happens to me or wherever I may be, I think of you and will always adore every bit of the pleasure and love you give me, from your body - and Soul. 

Lots lots love always, Johnnie

Postcards from Fort Dix, Trenton, New Jersey

Johnnie could see the writing on the wall and tried to explain to Lucile when he wrote her a letter from Fort Dix on October 17, 1943. The Army was preparing the boys to ship out.

Darling I Love You

Dearest Darling,

Well, here it is Sunday and the same old story, lonely and blue as ever. I wish I had a letter from you. It would make me feel much better just to hear from you and to know you are alright. As for me, the doctor said there wasn’t anything wrong with me except just love sickness and he wasn’t wrong about that either. I haven’t found out anymore us going on the rifle range as long as I told you in the other letter. As soon as I find out I will let you know. This fort where I am at now is what they call the port of embarcation. Here is where you get your whole body looked over inside and outside. X-ray took from the foot on up to the top of your head. If you are passed, it’s over you go, and as far as I know, I am as good as ever. Don’t let this information get out, because somebody might be a German spy or Jap spy, and the boat I am on might get the hell blown out of it, so keep it to yourself. Well Darling, I guess this is all the time I have to write right now because we have to go out for a formation at two o’clock and it’s like about five minutes till that time now. So, I will close.

Lots lots love always, Johnnie 

A slightly depressed Johnnie wrote Lucile from Fort Dix on October 18, 1943 telling her the latest on shipping out. It appeared that he had accepted what was happening because as he said “there isn’t much a guy can do about that.” He was probably trying to convince Lucile as much as himself.

I Love You

My Dearest Darling,

Well, here it is another day and it finds me wanting to see you that much more. I hope this letter finds you well and not as blue as I am. Darling, how are you getting along with your job? Is it very interesting? Has Nell gone to work up there also? Has she heard from Robert lately? Send me his address and I will drop him a line. We draw some of our new things today. I am getting new clothes, new shoes, and new of everything what you use in the army. Say, have you run across a cheap watch anywhere? I wish you would try to find me one. I would like to have one now more than any other time. If you can get one, that’s a good of enough Christmas for me. This fort is a nice place. I wish I could stay here all the time, but as the General said today, the time has now come. So, you see there isn’t much a guy can do about that. None of the guys know when we go, but most of them think it will be at least two months before we go. Don’t worry about me not seeing you before I go. If they don’t give me a furlough, I will take one of my own. Well, it’s about time for the lights to go out, so I better close. Lots lots love. 

Johnnie

Tell all hello.

October 1, 6, and 8, 1943

Johnnie survived the 100-mile walk and was ready for a rest, along with the rest of his company. During his noon time break on October 1, 1943, Johnnie wrote Lucile and answered the many questions she had in her letters. He also began thinking ahead to Christmas time.

My Dear Baby,

Well I believe we are going to get paid today. I am not sure though. Well we get a couple of days rest period tomorrow. We all really need some rest. We will get a chance to take a bath and to change clothes. Boy I am really going to enjoy getting into some fresh clothes. We are all wearing the same clothes we came down in the train in. We haven’t had no time to change. You asked me in the letter I received from you yesterday did I want you to buy me a watch. No, I don’t, not if you have to get it on the layaway place, I don’t want no new watches. I just want a watch you can pick up maybe for about ten or fifteen dollars if you can by any chance run across one for about that much and you think it is worth it, buy it. If not, forget it. You asked if I wanted anything special for Christmas. No except you might get some white cloths and make me some handerchief and get me a couple pair of socks. Darling we are getting ready to have mail call so I am going to see if I have any mail from you. Well mail call is over with and I received that package you sent with the flashlight and the socks. Say, how much did the socks cost? Boy I would like to have alots of them, they really feel good on my feet. Say, I received a letter from Louise today also. Say, what do think about Evelyn and Ray? Do you blame her? I am sending you the letter I received from Louise. Say, if you do send me some handerchief and more of these kinds of socks would you so kindly put me a dime bottle of lighter fluid for the lights you sent me? Be sure and fix it where it won’t break. If you love me you would, Ha Ha. Well Darling, as I am about to run out of paper to write on, I will have to close. I will thank you again for the package and as you know Luke, I love you. Tell all I say Hello for me, and lots lots lots love.

Johnnie

Johnnie and his sisters, Evelyn (left) and Louise (right)

Before Johnnie’s company moved out again on October 6, 1943, he took time to write Lucile letting her know his paycheck was short this month due to a mistake by the Army.

Hello Baby,

I hope this finds you well. I got a chance to drop you a line and that is about all I will have time to write. I haven’t received any mail from you in five days. I guess you’re pretty busy working and haven’t much time to write. And helping your Mother too. I won’t get much time to write here after and they haven’t given me anything to write at all lately. I got paid this month but didn’t receive but fifteen dollars and fifty cents. I told the company command about just receiving that much and he said they made a mistake and that he would get the rest for me. I took part of that and paid the Red Cross. I am sending you a fifty dollar note that pay in full. Well, we are getting ready to move out again so I will close.

Lots lots love, Johnnie

Johnnie’s company stopped long enough that night to allow him time to write Lucile a second letter on October 6, 1943. Three long weeks of maneuvers were wearing him down but he did not want Lucile to worry about him. He would be okay.

My Dear Darling,

Well tomorrow makes three weeks I have been on maneuvers. To tell you the truth, this has been three weeks of hell and I am not kidding either. I, or rather we, haven’t had not over five hours of sleep, and we have been eating when we can get it. But one good thing, the weather is OK here. I guess I shouldn’t tell you all this because I know you will worry, but Darling, don’t worry because I will be OK. What about you? Are you doing OK? Gee Darling, I miss you alots. I can’t hardly wait to see you again. Well Darling, this is all I can write right now because we are getting ready to move out again. So, tell everybody hello for me.

And lots lots love always, Johnnie

US Army Signal Corps during the maneuvers, public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Earlier, Johnnie promised to help his sister Kate by sending money, but after the Army made a mistake on his paycheck, he was not able to send any. In his October 8, 1943 letter to Lucile, he asked her to apologize to Kate for him. He was also concerned about his sister Evelyn getting a divorce from her husband Ray. But family was not the only thing on his mind. He was also thinking about cigarettes and candy. For the record, Johnnie smoked Lucky Strike cigarettes.

My Dear Darling,

Just a few lines to let you know I am thinking about you and to tell you not to worry about me. You say Robert came home on a five-day furlough and that Nell is going to stay with you. I think that is great because either of you won’t be so lonely. Then of course, it won’t be like having a man with you, especially at night, Ha Ha. I received a letter from Kate last night. I am glad she is OK now. I told her I would send her some money to pay on some of the bills she owes, but as I just received a little bit myself and had to pay the Red Cross also. I just didn’t have any left. My company command said I would get all that was coming to me on my next check, so please explain to Kate why I haven’t sent her any money. Tell her I am real sorry about it. Honey I wrote your Mother about five days ago. I can’t understand why she hasn’t received it. Let me know whether she got it or not. Do you like your job? OK honey, I think that is a good idea of yours to save all the money you can, not for me but you alone. You see money doesn’t do me any good out here because there isn’t no place to spend it anyway. And if there was, you know by now if I did have any money and there was a place to spend it, that is just what I would do. That is one reason I told you to send me a cartoon of cigarettes about every twelve days if you could. Say, I would give a dollar for a bar of candy if I had the money. That is what most of the boys are getting for candy bars and cigarettes. Candy is selling here twenty-five cents a bar and cigarettes are selling four packs for a dollar. You may not believe me but that is the truth. The reason I am getting to write you such a long letter this time is we are having a half of day rest period. Today is the first time I have shaved in twelve days and boy did I have a beard on my face. I had to take some scissors and cut them down where I could shave them off. In other words, since I have had my hair cut, my beard was longer than the hair on my head. When I looked at myself in the mirror and I didn’t know my on self, Ha Ha. I also went down to a creek and took a nice long bath. It sure was good to get in the water too. Say, you never did tell me what you thought about that letter Evelyn wrote me. What you thought about her having trouble with Ray. Would you say she was doing the right thing by getting a divorce? Let me know. Say honey, would it be too much to ask you to send me the whole Sunday paper sometime? You see, when we do get a rest period like this, I would like to read up on the Sunday paper or any paper as far as that matters just to know how the war news is going on. Also, if you see a piece in the paper you think I would like to read, cut it out and send it in the letter you write to me. Thanks alots. Well Darling, as this is all the news I can write and also bother you more about getting these few things for me, I will close hoping to hear from you soon.

Lots lots lots love x x x, Johnnie

P.S. Tell all hello for me and tell Mickey I am waiting to hear from him. Love Johnnie

P.S. I love you Darling always.

September 23 and 28, 1943

Johnnie used his noon time break from walking to write Lucile from Louisiana on September 23, 1943.

Hello Darling,

Well here it is another ten miles we have walked and we have an hour break so I am taking up this hour to write you. I received a letter from you today. That makes two I have received from you since I have been here. I have been here one week today and I have written you every chance I have got. If I am not mistaken, this one makes the sixth letter I have wrote you. Say, have you seen Kate yet? You say Nell has come back. Tell her hello for me. How is Doc and Ma Stacks getting along? Tell Grandma hello for me. O’yeah, tell Woodrow I said how does he do it, Ha Ha. No kidding, tell them I am glad to hear the good news and hope the baby and her get along fine. Well Darling, I guess this is all the news so Lots Lots Lots Love.

Johnnie

P.S. quit putting Private on my letter. It is Pfc, Ha Ha.

Johnnie wrote a second letter on September 23, 1943 from Shreveport, Louisiana, not mentioning the 100-mile walk. Had they made it to their destination? 

My Dear Darling, 

Well, I got a little time, so I will spend it writing you. I hope this finds you well. It leaves me OK. I hope everybody else there is well also. Say, I found a little brass cross with Jesus on it. I wish you would see if you could get me a little brass chain so I can wear it around my neck. I am afraid I might lose it carrying it around in my pocket. Or I might break it. If I had a way, I would send it to you. But I haven’t no box or anything to send it in. This weather is not as hot as it was in Texas. Say, have you heard from Dot about those pictures yet? If so let me know. Say we are getting ready to move out, so I will close this letter and the mail truck is coming this way. So, I better mail it now because I might not get to later on.

So, lots lots love, Johnnie

Johnnie’s sister-in-law, Dorothy “Dot” Stacks

Johnnie had food on his mind when he wrote Lucile from maneuvers on September 28, 1943—specifically chocolate cake. He is still cognizant of that fact he owes money to the Red Cross, although the receipt shows it was paid in full on September 1, 1943.

Hello Baby,

I received two of your letters last night, one saying you were going to see Kate, and the other one saying you saw her, and was going to the show with her. I am glad you went and seen about her for me. Thanks alot. Say Darling, if you don’t mind, I wish you would send me also besides the flashlight and the cigarette case, a carton of cigarettes, every twelve-days while I am on maneuvers. The reason is I can’t buy anything out here. I will send you my money since I can’t buy anything out here. I will have to keep ten dollars of it though to pay the Red Cross as you know. I guess I told you we eat out here when we can get it. I have already been without food two days since we have been here. That reminded me talking about food, what about in your spare time one day make me up a chocolate cake, and put a few other things with it and send it down this way. OK? Thanks alot Darling. I received a letter from Evelyn yesterday and she and Ray are having trouble again. I am sending you the letter for you to read. I am also sending the picture of Nell and Robert back. I have no place to keep it. Lots Lots Love.

Always, Johnnie

Johnnie’s sister, Kate Marston

Red Cross receipt for money borrowed earlier

Johnnie wrote a second letter on September 28, 1943, this one to Lucile’s mother. 

About the firing of the guns I am telling you about below in this letter, it is just to get us used to it. Don’t worry about me.

Hello Mom,

Well, I am going to try and answer your letter I received a couple days ago. Where I am at this moment it is kindly hard for me to write. I am in what the Army calls a foxhole. It is about as deep as I am, about two feet wide, and three feet long. They have got shells from big guns falling all around us. A lot of noise and dirt flying up, so please excuse this writing and this paper. The only way I have to carry paper and envelopes is in a pocket and I can’t keep them very clean. I don’t blame you a bit about Nell. I hope she takes your advice and moves up with you all. I am sorry to hear about Melvin and Betty’s sickness. I hope they are much better now. How is Doc and the rest of the kids getting along? Tell him and the rest hello for me and I hope to see you all pretty soon. Well, as this is all the paper I have to write on right now, I will close. Tell my Baby Luke I am thinking of her. Lots of love to you and all. 

Johnnie

Johnnie, his sister-in-law Dorothy Stacks, her husband Howard Hart,
and sister-in-law Betty Stacks (years later) 

Louisiana Maneuvers - September 17, 18, and 19, 1943

After Johnnie’s regiment completed training at Camp Howze, they moved to western Louisana to participate in two months of war games known as the Louisana Maneuvers. The maneuvers put the soldiers through a series of problems designed to prepare them for battle. The Louisiana Maneuvers were first held in the summer of 1941 and involved close to 500,000 men. General Lesley McNair and Leuitenant Colonel Mark W. Clark selected the Louisiana location, bound by the Red and Sabine Rivers, Shreveport, and Lake Charles.The maneuvers included various types of military vehicles such as tanks, motorcycles, jeeps, trucks, as well as a horse cavalry, parachute troops, planes, and boats. In addition to mock battles, soldiers had to deal with all Louisiana had to offer—swamps, bugs, snakes, hurricanes, lightening, and even snow and ice. The maneuvers were judged by Major General George Patton, General Walter Krueger, and Colonel Dwight Eisenhower and viewed by Generals Omar Bradley and George Marshall. There were 26 casualties the first year, including men killed in vehicle accidents, drowning, lightening, and by a heart attack. The 1941 maneuvers were the largest ever conducted. They were last held in 1944.

Senior officers during the Louisiana maneuvers.
Left to right: Mark Clark, Chief of Staff, Army Ground Forces; Harry J. Malony, Chief of Staff, Second Army;
Dwight D. Eisenhower, Chief of Staff, Third Army; Ben Lear, Commander Second Army; Walter Krueger,
Commander Third Army; Lesley J. McNair, Commander Army Ground Forces. US Army,
Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons.

On September 16, 1943, a tropical storm that formed in the western Gulf of Mexico became a Category 2 hurricane, the sixth of the season. By the time it reached Louisiana, it had weakened to a tropical depression. Johnnie mentioned the storm in his September 17, 1943 letter to Lucile written “somewhere in Louisiana.”

My Darling,

Well here it is another day about gone, and also missing you that much more. It started raining yesterday at noon and it hasn’t stopped yet. The wind is getting up and an order just came down from headquarters for us to tighten our tent down. They say it is a storm off the coast. Darling, I received a letter from Kate today and she is on the down grade again. She has been sick in bed the last two weeks and she owes some bills. I answered her letter today and told her I would try and help her pay up on her bills. I know she needs help but she is too proud to say so. I also told her that you would try to help her, also. Darling I know we owe money but I was thinking about her two kids going hungry. Don’t you look at it that way? Well Darling I guess this is all the news for this time, except I miss you and also, I love you very very very much.

So, lots lots love, Johnnie

P.S. Honey see if you can get me a cigarette holder and a cheap flashlight with the batteries. Love, Johnnie

Atlantic hurricane 6 track (public domain, via Wikimedia Commons)

It was still raining when Johnnie wrote Lucile on September 18, 1943. Probably after spending so much time out in the rain, he had caught a cold.

Dear Darling,

Just a line tonight to let you know I am thinking of you and hoping you are doing the same for me. I had most of my hair cut off tonight. You should see it now. I think everybody in the company cut some of it. So, you can see it is really a mess, Ha Ha. Say, will you send me a six-cent stamp so I can mail a letter to Demp? I could send it free, but it takes so long getting there. Darling, how are you? As for myself, I have a pretty dose of a cold. It has settled in my eyes and I can’t hardly read now. I don’t believe we will have to worry about water because it has rained every day we have been here, and I believe it is a rainy season down here now. How are all the folks? OK, I hope. Tell them all to write me and tell Doc I said he shall know better than to go fishing when I am not there because all he has is bad luck, Ha Ha. 

Well Darling, I guess this is all the news for this time so Lots Lots Lots Love, Johnnie

Johnnie and his friend Demp

Training is hard work. On September 19, 1943, Johnnie shared that they were starting a 100-mile hike that night. And, it was still raining. 

My Dear Darling,

Well here it is Sunday and we are starting on that hundred-mile hike tonight. In other words, from tonight on I am not going to have much time to write to you but every chance I get I will write. I want you to write me as often as you can, because I am so lonely for you. Darling please excuse me for being mad at you at times when we were together. But I haven’t been myself lately as you could see that. I am often sorry. I assure you it won’t happen again. It is still raining and my cold isn’t no better but don’t worry about me because I will be alright. The happiest day for me will be when I am back with you. That is all I am thinking of at all times. Well Darling, I have to get my things ready to move out. So be as you always have been to me, sweets and such a good and faithful wife.

Lots lots lots love Johnnie

P.S. Tell the folks all hello for me. Love, Johnnie

August 8 and 23, 1943

In May, Johnnie told his in-laws he was transferring to the parachute troop but as it turns out, that did not happen. When the company commander asked for volunteers to go to paratrooper training, Johnnie submitted his name after learning those who volunteered would be sent to Georgia for additional training. He was not going to miss a chance to be closer to Lucile. Unfortunately, Johnnie was not selected. By the time his name came up, they had met their quota and all positions were filled.

Johnnie was still on maneuvers when he wrote his next letter to Lucile on August 8, 1943. 

Somewhere in Camp Howze = Ha Ha

Dear Honey,

I received your letter today and was glad to hear you were OK. I am sorry I haven’t written you sooner, but we have been on the go ever since Monday at noon. We will return to the camp Wednesday around noon. I will be up there as quick as I can get away so look for me any time when we do get off of these ten days of maneuvers. This is Saturday at about eight o’clock I am writing this. We are waiting for the cooks to bring out our support to us, then we are to start moving again. I have really lost a lot of sleep and I guess weight too. Honey, I am sending the letter I received from your Mother. I received it yesterday. I have sweated a little bit on it, but I guess you can make it out OK. Well, this is all the news for this time, so I will close. Be good. Lots Lots Kisses xxxx 

Love, Johnnie

As you can see from the envelope, Lucile was in Texas.

The soldiers spent several weeks on maneuvers doing combat training while at Camp Howze, enduring harsh weather and physical conditions. They marched long distances in the heat and rain, carrying heavy equipment through obstacle courses that included climbing and crawling through barbed wire over rough terrain and through rain, mud, and dust. They dug fox holes. At times, dynamite and heavy machine guns were exploded nearby. Their days were long and often went into the night hours. They had to deal with insects such as ticks and chiggers. They missed cold showers and “the soda fountain at the Service Club, the beef line at the PX, and that softest of all beds, his own army cot.” To pass the time, one soldier “recommended concentrating all of one’s thoughts on Betty Grable, Rita Hayworth, and Hedy Lamarr.” Another soldier dreamt of eating, “Roman style, reclining upon a couch with orderlies bringing him platters full of pealed grapes and placing a tube in his mouth which connects with an inexhaustible supply of rum punch.” Johnnie most likely spent his spare time dreaming of Lucile.

Betty Grable, Rita Hayworth, and Hedy Lamarr, photos public domain
(see references tab for attribution)

Johnnie’s August 23, 1943 letter to Lucile written from Camp Howze was sent to her Texas address so she continued to stay in Whitesboro to be near him.

Dear Darling,

I hope this letter doesn’t find you mad at me for not coming up tonight. But if you realize it, I haven’t slept much the last two nights and as we are leaving out so early in the morning, and being as we have to walk about eight miles, I could really need a little rest tonight. Can’t you look at it that way? Darling you know I want to be with you as much as I can, because pretty soon, as you know, I won’t see you in a long time and maybe never. I did not go to Gainesville tonight, like I told you I was. We finally backed out of going and went to a show here in camp. It was a good picture too. I got into my locker tonight and got that letter Nell wrote so here it is. She sure is hurting for Robert, Ha Ha. If you get what I mean. Say what did you do about the signs you were printing? Did you make another? Say if you see Julie and she asks you why I didn’t come up, tell her I was restricted to camp because McClusky wanted me to tell you to tell her that if she ask you when I called you tonight. You know how she is. If she finds out we could leave camp tonight she will give him hell for not coming up. He could use some rest and sleep hisself and I don’t blame him. Well Darling I guess this is all the news for this time except thanks a lot for getting me the socks and things I needed. I hope to see you Friday, if not wait for me.

Lots Lots Love x x x x x, Johnnie

June 22, July 21, and undated, 1943

Johnnie wrote Lucile on June 22, 1943 as he was preparing to go out on maneuvers. She was still in Texas, so he asked her to go to Sherman to get him a knife. Sherman is a city in Texas located about 32 miles from Camp Howze and 18 miles from Whitesboro, where Lucile was staying.

Hello Darling,

Well, we are getting ready to move out this afternoon at seven o’clock. We are going out to stay till Friday night. I expect we will start back in then, so if nothing happens this weekend, that is if I am not on any kind of detail, I will see you Saturday at noon sometime. Say, try to go to Sherman and get me that knife, will you? So, I haven’t heard from any of the family. If I receive any mail from them this afternoon, I will mail it to you. Well, I guess this is all the news. 

Lots Love, Johnnie.

Please excuse writing, this pen has gone haywire.

Reading Johnnie’s July 21, 1943 letter to Lucile’s parents, it appears they had possibly been home to Georgia and then returned to Texas together via a bus.

Hello folks,

I am just dropping you all a few lines to let you know we arrived OK. We just got here and I am writing this in the bus depot. Say, one thing we didn’t do and we should have and that was bring enough chickens along, Ha Ha. It really was good. Well, I don’t know when I will see you all again but I do hope it won’t be long. I really enjoyed myself while I was there. Tell Grandma hello and that we will write her right away. Tell the kids hello for us and to write. Well, I guess this is all the news for this time, so lots lots love.

Johnnie and Lucile

Lucile’s mother, Leola, wrote Johnnie and Lucile a letter dated July 1943 from College Park, Georgia.

Dear Kiddies,

I am so glad you got back OK. I thought of you so much while you were on the road and wondered if you weren’t about played out. I knew I would be. It sure has been lonesome since you and Robert left but I hope it won’t be so long before you get another furlough. O say, I am sorry you didn’t have enough chicken. I bet Lucile didn’t put in enough for one of you, let alone two. I was so nervous and upset that day. I didn’t know how they did fix the lunch. I wish anything I was like I used to be. It seems I can’t do anything like I want to. Things didn’t turn out like I had planned them. I can’t seem to cook, keep house, or anything like I used to. I hope I won’t always be this way. Well, I enjoyed your company anyway. If I could show you a good time like I wanted to I would rather be sick in pain than to be so nervous. It seems like I get worse instead of better. The other night I got so worried. Earl didn’t get in from Woodrow’s till about 9 o’clock. It just went all over me I got so nervous I was sick at my stomach. I just walked the floor. He was waiting for Woodrow to bring him home. And after it was all over, I thought how foolish I was. Well, it looks like it might rain tonight. O say, how far did you have to stand up on the bus? I hope not very far. Say, old Mussolini is out of the way isn’t he? I wish that something would happen to old Hitler. I have been busy pulling weeds in the front yard. The weeds were so high you had to get in an airplane and fly over to see if we were still here, Ha Ha. Well Johnnie, you know what I would do if it would not spoil? I’d fry a big box full of chickens and send it to you but I am afraid it is too hot a weather yet. And I am afraid they will be too old to fry by the time it gets cool. Lucile, Mrs. Cochran and her daughter Lual was here yesterday. I haven’t heard from Robert yet. I hope he got back OK. He had enlarged pictures made of him for Nell. She hasn’t got it yet. I wanted to get some pictures made so bad while you all were home. I am going to try again to get some made. Well, I don’t know of any news much, so I guess I will close. And God bless my children bye bye. 

Lots of love, Mother.

P.S. if you can’t read this bring it to me and I’ll read it for you (maybe), Ha Ha.

Johnnie’s brother-in-law, Robert Astin

The next letter is undated but Johnnie mentions being on maneuvers, so it is possible it was written in July 1943.

My Dear Darling,

Well, today makes one week we have been on maneuvers. It seems like one month. I am really tired out. I am not going to say where I am going to make maneuvers or not, it’s really hard to say. Boy I would give anything to get back in a soft bed again. I am sore all over from sleeping on the ground. Did you go to work? If so, I hope not around no men. I am glad you made it home OK. I enjoyed my trip on train OK. I wish it was heading through home instead of here. Gee I miss you. Say, you haven’t had my rubbers used up yet, have you, Ha Ha. Keep them, we will need them all in about an hours’ time as soon as you are back with me again. I am really hurting, Ha Ha. Say, you aren’t writing me as much as you should. Don’t tell me somebody else is taking up your time. If so, you better put a sign up on you saying keep off. I mean just that. Darling, even though we have argued a lot since we have been married and also got sore with each other, I know I have blown my top a lot and act crazy when I get mad, but honest, Darling, I wasn’t really mad. Not deep inside. Luke, I love you, and always will no matter what happens between us. At times, a lot of time people say I don’t appreciate a good wife like you. Well darling, I do, I admire everything you have done for me since we have been together and I love every little part of you. Darling, I know I can’t do much for you now, but someday maybe I can. Darling excuse this paper and the mess it is in, but it’s the best I can keep it in out here. Tell Mickey to write me and tell me all about his new car and also his new girlfriends. Tell them all to write me and I will answer them as soon as I can. Darling, I will close for this time so Lots lots love always.

Johnnie

Johnnie and Lucile (1943)

May 18, June 7, 18, and 20, 1943

Shortly after Johnnie wrote the letter on May 10, we learn that Lucile was in Texas, her second trip there. It is not known if he made it to Georgia and brought her back to Texas with him, or if he went straight to Texas and she met him there. On May 18, 1943, Johnnie took the time to write two letters; one to Lucile’s father to let him know Lucile was safe.

Hello Doc,

Well, how does this letter find you? Is business OK? I heard you bought a lot of chickens. I wouldn’t mind being there to help you eat of couple of them, Ha Ha. I might be in Georgia sometime next month. I asked for a transfer to the parachute troop. They said they would give it to me, so be looking for me. I will take my training in Georgia. Lucile is getting along OK. I don’t get to see her hardly except on the weekend. How are all the mill hands? Most of them are still with you aren’t they? Tell them all hello for me. Well, I guess that’s all the news. So, take care of yourself.

Johnnie

P.S. Has Atlanta got a good ball team this year? What team is ahead?

The second letter on May 18, 1943 was to Lucile’s mother. He told both of her parents he was transferring to the parachute troop.

Dear Mom,

I am writing you a few lines to let you know that me and Lucile are OK. I hope this finds you well and the rest of the family the same. Say, has Robert left for the Army or Navy yet? I hope he makes out OK. I am getting a transfer over to the parachute troop. I will take my training in Georgia. It won’t be at Fort Benning. It will be at a new training camp they have in Georgia. It is about a hundred miles this side of North Carolina. I will be leaving sometime next month if nothing doesn’t happen. I will let you know more about it later on. How is Doc getting along lately? Is he still going to the ball games? Lucile said that Estil got turned down. She said he had high blood pressure. I bet he is happy over that. Well, I guess this is all the news for this time. So, tell all hello for me.

Love, Johnnie

Lucile wrote her mother a letter on June 7, 1943, postmarked from Whitesboro, Texas, 14 miles from Camp Howze.

Dear Mama and all,

I received your letter and my check. Sure was glad to get it and to hear from home. Hope this finds all well, as it leaves us OK, all except I have a headache pretty bad. I went to bed with a headache and got up with it. Sure is hot out here. I got a letter from Francis this morning. I sure was glad to hear from her. I guess she is pretty big now for she is so run down. I hope she don’t try to work in the field this year. She said she had two girls staying with her. I hope they will help her. How is Grandma getting along? I am going to write her tonight. Mama, did you take any pictures Sunday? When you get some made, send them and let us see them. We have been trying to get a camera ever since I have been out here to take some pictures. Poor little old Johnnie, he wants to come home so bad. He said to tell Daddy he had better get to protecting in playing horseshoes, for when he did get to come home, he would beat him, Ha Ha. Well Mama, as I am expecting Johnnie home now in a little bit I will have to close. So, write me soon. Thanks a lot for sending my money. Lots of love to all.

Lucile

Lucile

Johnnie’s next letter was to Lucile’s mother on June 18, 1943, when he shared that Lucile was still in Texas with him and would be writing her as well.

Hello Ma,

Well, I finally got time to answer your letter. I hope this finds you and Doc and the kids well. We are OK. I received the watch and the money. Thanks for getting it fixed for me. You talked about hot weather; we really are having some here also. I received a card from Robert and wrote him back but have not received an answer from him yet. I guess they are keeping him pretty busy training him. Well, that’s all I want to tell you; Lucile will be writing you so there isn’t much in getting two letters with the same thing. So, I will close. Lots love to all.

Johnnie

Lucile's mother, Leola Stacks

Lucille was still in Texas on June 20, 1943 when Johnnie wrote a letter to her dad, Sam “Doc” Stacks. We learn that he has been playing baseball at Camp Howze.

Hello Doc,

Well, how does this letter find you? It leaves Luke and I OK. Say, are you all having hot weather there? We are having our share of it. Say, how is Earl and Gearl running the farm? Have they got a big crop this year? How is the lumber business coming along? OK, I hope. Is Atlanta winning any ball games lately? What team is ahead? We have a good team in my outfit here. We have played six games and have just lost one. Not bad, is it. I still play my position I played when we played back there. As you know I was always good at shortstop, Ha Ha. Well, Doc as news is short, I will close. Hoping the family is all well and tell them all I said hello.

Johnnie and Lucile

Lucile’s father, Sam “Doc” Stacks

May 2, 5, and 10, 1943

On May 1, 1943, Johnnie decided to enjoy the nice weather they were having in Texas and ventured out to a local park. In a moment of peace and quiet, he reflected on the good life he and Lucile had before the war. On May 2, 1943, he wrote Lucile and told her all the things he thought about while at the park. 

My Dearest Sweetheart,

Hello darling, I hope this finds you well and hoping this letter finds you thinking of me, as I am of you. Gosh, we are having pretty weather here. I went to the park yesterday and spent most of the day there. I didn’t think they had such a pretty park here in Gainesville, till the other day. I went out there and lay down on the grass and just got to thinking of the times we used to have. It sure does make you feel bad, thinking of the times we had together. Maybe they will all come back someday. Life is wonderful if you just think about it. The Jap’s spoiled everything for young married couples like me and you when they bombed Pearl Harbor. But they are going to regret what they started, even if I have to give my life away, just so this war gets over with, where other young married people can enjoy themselves, like me and you did before this war broke it all up. That’s what I mean when I say life is wonderful, where you can live and be free and don’t have to think about wars. Where you can enjoy yourself and live like you want to. I guess you think I am crazy, but that is just how I think about things. So, you see if anything does happen to me while this war is going on, you will know just how I feel about things. You can bear in mind later on in the years just how I felt about how wonderful life can be. You know a man gets to thinking about those things, when he’s away from home, and when your Mother is bad off sick, and away from his loved ones, like you, my sisters, your Mother and Dad, it really gets you. Honey, I sent your Mother, or shall I say our Mother one of those pillar sliptops like I got you. I hope she likes it. At least she will know I am thinking of her. I am going to try to get Doc something later on to remember me by. I didn’t have the money this time. I am sending you three pictures. Its about the worst picture I have ever had made. Well Sugar, I guess this is all the news.

So, lots lots love, Johnnie

P.S. Remember me as I used to be. Remember the night I held you so close to me. Remember me as a happy go lucky fool, Darling the night I met you.

P.S. Remember. 

Love, Johnnie

Johnnie and Lucile

Johnnie’s mother (Hattie Evelyn Prather Marston Scaffe) succumbed to cancer at a hospital in Miami, Florida on May 5, 1943 at the age of 49. The Army granted him leave to attend her funeral held in Miami, Florida on May 8.

Obituary from The Miami News, Miami, Florida, May 6, 1943

Photo by Robert Adlet, Find A Grave ID 47013499.
(Photo used with permission granted on Find A Grave
profile; https://www.findagrave.com/user/profile/47013499).

Johnnie wrote this letter to Lucile from Miami on May 10, 1943. It appears he planned to stop in Georgia to see Lucile before going back to Texas.

Dear Darling,

I received your letter today. I didn’t know what happened to you. I sent two telegrams telling you I was leaving to come down here. I am really sorry you weren’t there to get them. I really have the worst of luck. I am not going to write anything about Mother leaving us. I will tell you about it when I see you. This is Monday at Noon. I am leaving tonight. I think I will arrive there Thursday morning or sometime Thursday. All I can say is for you to be at the station every time there is a train due. I will close. Louise and Kate and all said hello.

Love, Johnnie

Johnnie’s sisters, Louise and Kate Marston

April 21, 23, 24, and 30, 1943

Johnnie thought about, and wrote to, Lucile when his company camped out under the stars. In an April 21, 1943 letter written many miles from Camp Howze, Johnnie told Lucile how lucky they both were. And as usual, he was thinking about other family members as well.

I would give a dollar for a pack of cigarettes if I had the dollars.

Camp out twenty 25 miles from camp. 

My Dearest Wife,

I received your letter today and was glad to hear from you after not hearing from you in a week. We are camping out this week and will be out till Friday nite. How far we are from camp, tell you above. You are lucky to get an answer from me way out here and I was lucky enough to get some paper to write you. I am sorry you are not getting any more letters, but that is something I am not getting much to do and that is writing. The only time I have time for writing letters is on Sunday. Please tell your Mother thanks alots for the Easter Card and that it was really nice. Tell Grandma I can’t write her till this weekend and that I would write her as soon as I get back to camp. Tell little Bob Stack’s the same. Honey, I owe all of my money out this month and I could really use some if you can do me any good send it air mail. Tell Doc Hello. 

Love lots love, Johnnie

Johnnie wrote Lucile’s mother a letter on April 23, 1943. 

Dearest Mom,

I received the nice Easter card and I don’t know how to thank you. I wish I could send you and Doc and the kids something to show just how much I do appreciate it. Well, thanks anyway. I hope this finds you lots better than you have been. How is the garden coming along? What have you planted in it? The outfit I am in has been camping out all this week. We just came in tonight. This has been one week I am glad that is over, Ha Ha. Say, I will get some pictures made as soon as I get ahold of some money. They have put up a picture of the outfit here in camp. I can have six pictures made for a couple of dollars; I think the price is. They are pretty good-sized pictures too. I will get some made as quick as I can. Say, what do you think of your daughter working? She really surprised me. I didn’t think she knew anything except cooking and keeping house, Ha Ha. Say, how is Doc coming along? I hope he is well. How is little Melvin? Tell him I said hello. How is Mary and Betty coming along in school? I bet they will be glad when school is out. Tell them hello for me. Also, tell Mickey to take a little time off of his farming and his mind off of girlfriends too and write me sometime. Tell Gearl the same. I have not heard anymore about us pulling out. If it does come around, I hope they head me nearer to Georgia. I received a letter from my sister the other day and she said that a big knot came up on Mother’s throat. I guess it is just a matter of time now. Since I came back from seeing her, my mind has been a blank. It’s really got me down. Well Mom, I guess that’s all the news for this time so I will close. Hoping to hear from you and all soon. 

Your son. Lots love to all, Johnnie

Johnnie's sister-in-law, Mary Stacks

Johnnie was broke. In his April 24, 1943 letter written from Camp Howze, he asked Lucile to send him money. 

My Dearest Sweets,

I received your letter and also the paper today. Thanks a lot for sending me the paper. I really enjoyed it. If you come down when you say you are, I wish you would tell your Mother to send the paper to me once in a while. I really enjoy reading what happens back home. Be sure and tell her. Honey, we are going back out in the field this week and camp out some more. But we will just be out till Friday and if I am not on any kind of detail, I will meet you some time Saturday. So just in case I don’t meet you, you will know I am on some detail. I hate to ask you to send me some money but I haven’t got any cigarettes, shaving cream, toothpaste, or shoe polish, so you see the only reason is that I owe all of my money that’s coming to me this month. So, you can see if you don’t send me some I will be just out of luck. I hope you can spare it. If not, don’t send it. I’ll make out some how. Well honey, I guess that’s all the news. Except to keep telling you I love you.

Johnnie

P.S. Don’t mention any more about me going to be transferred. It is a military secret. Love Johnnie

As requested, Lucile sent money to Johnnie to buy cigarettes and toiletries. But thanks to friends made on his late March trip back from Miami, Johnnie had already received some by the time the money arrived. He told Lucile about the mother and daughter who made several kind gestures to him in an April 30, 1943 letter written from Camp Howze.

My Dearest Wife,

I received a letter from you yesterday and I couldn’t get the register you sent me with the money in it till today. We have been out on the field all week and that is the reason I didn’t get it till today. Thanks alots for the money you sent me. But it was just a little late for I received some cigarettes from some friends I met on the train, coming back from Miami. The people I am talking about that sent me the cigarettes is a young girl and her Mother. This girl is about eighteen years old and not bad to look at either, Ha Ha. The way I met them was they had a lunch box full of cakes, sandwiches, apples, and alots of other good things to eat. I was sitting across from them on the train and this girl’s Mother came over and invited me to eat with them. Being that I just had sixty cents, of course I went over and eat with them. Do you blame me? They asked me where I live and was I married. I told them yes, to the most wonderful girl in the world and I am not just talking either. As you know you are the only one for me. They asked me would I write them if they give me their address and I told them I would and of course they asked me my Army address. And I give it to them. They sent me an Easter card and the cigarettes at the same time. I think they are pretty nice people, don’t you? They live in Illinois. Honey, I wish you would have come on up because from what I gather, we are leaving some time this month or the part of next month. Gosh, I wish I knew just when we were leaving. We are wearing our summer uniform now and mine doesn’t look bad at all. You shall see, Ha Ha. O’yeah my hair is getting to look like something new, Ha Ha. Well Babe, since this is all the news for this time, I will close. Tell all hello for me, and to be good.

Lots lots lots love, Johnnie

Johnnie