July 23, 26, 28, August 1 and 2, 1944

Johnnie wrote a V-mail to Lucile on July 23, 1944 and asked that she treat herself with money he sent her.

My Dearest Darling Wife,

Just a few lines to let you know I am well and hope that this finds my Baby the same. I am so sorry to hear that you lost so much sleep here lately on account of staying with Grandma. I hope you get rested up good before you go back to work. Have you ever received the money I sent you? I don’t want you to put any of it in the bank. I want you to use it on yourself on whatever you need. I hope you like the pictures of me I sent you. You know I am getting pretty old looking here lately and I doubt if there can be any changes made, Ha Ha. I guess you will just have to bear with me, Ha Ha. I will close for now. I miss you a lot and I love you a million.

Always, Johnnie

Johnnie in Italy

Johnnie’s July 26, 1944 letter to Lucile was written on American Red Cross stationery. As usual, he was concerned for Lucile’s health, as well as the health of another family member.

My Dear Darling

Received two letters from you today telling me that you have received the pictures I sent you. I am glad you like them. Honey, by the time you get this you shall have the money I sent you, being as things are in such bad shape it will help you some. Darling, this picture of you I just received, you look so tired and worried and your face looks so thin. Gee honey, please watch your health and take care of yourself. I wouldn’t know what to do if anything happened to you. You have just got to believe me Lou. God knows how much I love you, and how many times I have told you that. So, honey please take care of yourself for me. Will you? I am glad Doc and Mom like the picture also. Give them my love. Honey in this letter I just received from you, you said Drextel was in the hospital. But I have never got a letter from you saying what was wrong with him. I guess this letter just beat the other one that you wrote telling me about his sickness. I am sure to get it in a day or two. Tell Nell not to worry about Robert. He must be OK. I am sure. Darling about you and me talking about the baby, you know what I mean? You are right I guess, so let’s forget about it, my mistake. So sorry. Will close for this time. I miss you a lot Darling and I love you a million. 

Always Johnnie

Johnnie sat down at noon on Saturday, July 28, 1944 to write Lucile. He was not happy about the mailman back home that day.

My Dearest Darling,

Received a letter from you yesterday with the pictures of your Mother, Aunt Agnes and Grandma. They are really nice of all three of them. I understand about you not writing me here lately on  account of Grandma. I just pray that with all you have been through that you are alright. I am sorry to hear about Woodrow. I hope he is much better now. How is Frances and the baby? I haven’t heard from them in a long time. I guess the reason you can’t find that piece in the paper I want is because they might have stopped it. Lou, that mailman is crazy about you not being able to send me a paper over here on account of my A.P.O. number. The reason I say that is because Dad has been sending the Journal to me all the time. You can’t listen to them guys, they will tell you anything. The reason is they don’t want to be bothered with it if they can get out of it. I just wish some of these guys in the States had to go through what we have too. Some of the others don’t even know what war is like. It really burns me up the way some people are taking this war. Well honey, I will have to close for this time. Thanks for the nice words here at the end of your letter about the way things may be after the war. I miss you a lot Darling and I love you a million.

Always, Johnnie

Woodrow and Frances (Stacks) Oglesby (Johnnie’s brother- and sister-in-law)

The Regiment moved again on July 30, this time to an area near Volterra.

Volterra is in the vicinity circled in red. Source: https://mapcruzin.com/free-italy-maps.htm.

During the month of July, 28 Silver Stars (2 posthumously, 1 missing in action), 114 Bronze Stars (3 posthumously, 2 missing in action), 192 Purple Hearts, 7 Clusters to Purple Heart, and 486 Combat Infantryman Badges were awarded. There were four casualties from German anti-personnel mines. The Regiment now consisted of 170 officers, 5 warrant officers, and 3452 enlisted men.

Click here to read the Operations Report by the 337th Infantry Regiment for August 1944.

Johnnie was still using the American Red Cross stationery when he wrote Lucile on August 1, 1944 in which he was not very happy with his sister. 

My Dear Darling,

I received a letter from your Mother today, and one from Evelyn. I was very disappointed in not getting any from you. I haven’t heard from you in almost a week now. Your Mother’s letter got to me in twelve days, not bad is it? Evelyn wrote me an eight-page letter and what she said in it really burnt me up. It was mostly about her and Bill, and her getting a divorce from Ray. Honey, I hate to say this about my own sister, but she did wrong to Ray. And she will have to pay for it some day. I hope you get what I mean in this letter Lou? I am glad now you didn’t go down. I wrote her and told her what I thought about how she did Ray. I really told her too. I am never going to Miami again. Well it’s getting where I can’t see what I am writing. Will close. I miss you a lot and I love you a million. 

Always, Johnnie

Evelyn and Johnnie

If Lucile were alive today, Johnnie’s comment in his August 2, 1944 letter about her being a woman might not go over so well. But in this case, she was probably just happy to hear from him and to know he was alive.

Please excuse envelope

My Dear Darling,

Receive letter from you today, also one from Dad and his wife. Sure was glad to hear from you after not hearing from you in ten or twelve days. Honey, the reason I wrote Dad to get me a pipe is being he knows a lot more about good pipes than you do. I know you would try and get me the best you could. But being as you are a woman, all pipes look the same to you, Ha Ha. Am I not right so please don’t be mad about it. I will write Dad and tell him the reason I wanted him to get it instead of you. I wouldn’t want them to get the wrong impression of you. You have done wonders for me, in case I have never told you, and you are above everything else, regardless of what it is, and as long as I know you are for me, that all that matters. Honey, you can send me four packs of Prince Albert pipe tobacco and some of the cheese crackers, and homemade fudge candy. The reason I haven’t been asking you to send me things is I know you are low on money and haven’t been working here lately. I am sure by the time you get this you will have the money I sent you and it will help you out a little. How do you like the way I end my letter to you since I have been over here? I mean every word of it to. You have never said anything about it. Well, as this is all the paper I have I will close for now. I miss you a lot Darling and I love you a million. 

Always, Johnnie

 

July 16, 19, 20, 21, and 22, 1944

Johnnie was anything but vain talking about pictures of himself in his July 16, 1944 letter to Lucile.

My Dearest Darling, 

Received a letter from you yesterday and was glad to hear that you are feeling much better and also glad to hear that my letters are coming to you pretty regular. Lately I have been hearing from you about every four days. Before you get back to work, I wish you would rest up some after staying up two or three nights with Grandma. I know you are pretty tired out and you know how I am always getting on you about your health. You have just got to take care of yourself. It might not hurt you so bad now, but it will as you grow older. I hope you get what I mean. O’yeah, this picture you sent me doesn’t look like me at all now. But that was taken in my prime, and you can’t expect much now, Ha Ha. I am glad to hear that your bank account is still growing, you never can tell when you will need it. Have you received any of the money I sent? What about the pictures? What do you think of them? Don’t tell me, I know, Ha Ha. I know they are bad, but what can you expect from over here? I was darned lucky to get to send you that. So, bear with me on those pictures, will you? I received a letter from Dot yesterday also. She is still as good as she ever was on jokes and laughs. Same old Dot, isn’t she? By the way, who is Margaret? I don’t believe I ever met her? If so, I don’t remember. I am glad to hear I still got a hold on you, at least we understand each other. Well honey, I will have to close for this time. So, keep writing and smiling. I miss you a lot and I love you a million.

Always, Johnnie

Lucile

On July 19, 1944, the regiment was on the move again, putting them in an area near Rosignano where they continued to train. “Part of an Italian mule group was attached to the Regiment for training and much time was spent in learning how to use pack mules.”

An Army mule using a “G.I.” helmet to grab a bite before leaving Sicily for Italy on September 20, 1943.
1st Infantry Division, photographer: Bonnard. Photo source: U.S. National Archives.
Digitized by Signal Corps Archive. Public domain.

Lucile learned that she had been taken on a watch she bought for Johnnie in his July 20, 1944 V-mail to her.

My Dearest Darling,

Just a few lines to let you know I am well, and hope this finds you the same. I haven’t been hearing from you lately, like I shall, what’s wrong? How is Grandma? What about the rest of the family? Has Doc ever come back from his fishing trip? How did he make out? Or did he say? O’yeah, I hate to tell you, but someone really put you in the dark on this watch you bought me. There’s a guy here in my outfit that really knows about watches and he said, in practice, you could get watches like this for six or seven dollars. Boy, it really made me feel bad to know that after telling everybody what you paid for it. Will close. I miss you a lot and I love you a million.

Johnnie

Johnnie had learned Lucile’s maternal grandmother passed away on July 7, 1944. His July 21, 1944 letter to Lucile shows he must have held her in high regard.

July 21, 1944

My Dearest Darling

I received two letters from you today. Also, one from your Mother. Darling, I am really sorry to hear about Grandma. She sure was a Grand Old Lady and we all are going to miss her a lot. I know I will because I used to kid her and have a lot of fun out of her. But being as she was, it was for the best, don’t you think? I guess it really hurts Mom Stacks a lot, being as she has a lot of worry already and I know that’s going to make things worse. I am going to write your Mother tomorrow. I was going to today but as it is getting dark and there won’t be any light. By the time I finish this to you it will be too late. I think the picture of your Daddy and Woodrow are just like them, only it seems Doc has aged a lot since the last time I saw him. I also received the package you sent. The cracker was alright, but the candy bars were not so hot. They had worms in them. I believe if you will put more cellophane papers around them, they will stay fresher. Don’t you think? Well I will have to close for now. I miss you a lot Darling and I love you a million. 

Always, Johnnie

Leola Lemon Stacks and her mother
Amanda Carnahan Lemon Stacks Masters (years earlier)

Funeral notice for Lucile’s mother, The Atlanta Constitution, July 9, 1944

Now that word had gotten to Johnnie about the passing of Grandma (Lemon) Masters. He wrote a V-mail to Lucile’s parents on July 22, 1944 and shared kind words about her.

Dear Doc and Mom,

Just a few lines to let you know that when Grandma passed away, what a kind and gentle woman that has left us all and how well everybody that knows her well loves her. And as for myself, I will never forget how I used to kid her and have so much fun out of her. In her passing away, she left a lot of sorrowful and broken hearts. Mom, I sent Grandma a picture of me I had made here lately. I want you to take it and keep it, or if you want to you can give it to Aunt Agnes. Whatever you think is best suits me. Tell Doc I hope he enjoys his fishing trip and I hope the next one he goes on, I can be with him.

Lots lots love, Johnnie

Stacks family photo, left to right: Unknown, Betty Stacks,
Nancy “Amanda” Carnahan Lemon Masters (Granny Masters),
Mary Stacks, Leola Lemon Stacks, and Nell Stacks.
Baby is probably Melvin. Man on horse unknown. 

July 5, 10, and 15, 1944

Johnnie wrote Lucile’s parents a letter on July 5, 1944 sharing that he had been to Rome.

Hello Folks,

Just a few lines to let you know I am well and OK and hope that this finds you both in the best of health and the kids the same. I visited Rome and had some pictures made. I am sending one to you. How are things going at the lumber yard? Have you moved to your new location yet? Luke wrote and said that Irvin was over here. Sure would like to run into him. Are you letting Melvin go to school next year? He is about six years old now, isn’t he? Have you heard from Cecil lately? I bet he’s homesick. Maybe it won’t be so long now till we will all be coming back home. Well, I will have to close for this time so write and let me know whenever you receive this. And lots love.

Johnnie

Melvin Stacks

When Johnnie wrote Lucile on July 10, 1944, he shared how he had received a war medal, although he could not give her the full details. The medal would have been one of the 1614 Combat Infantryman Badges awarded in June for the campaign to liberate Rome.

My Dearest Darling,

Just a few lines to let you know I am well and hope this finds you the same. Are you working regular now? You haven’t changed jobs yet, have you? I hope you haven’t. The job you have is so near to home and at least I know who our boss is, Ha Ha. I received the pictures you sent yesterday of you and Melvin and Mickey. They sure are good. You look to me like you’ve changed a lot. You haven’t grown any more, have you? You really look tall and the way I am drawing up over here, I will have to get on a step ladder to even kiss you when I get back, Ha Ha. Little Melvin looks good. He is about six years old now, isn’t he? Have you received the picture I sent? Also, I sent you forty dollars last month and twenty-five this month. Let me know when you receive it. How is Grandma? Is she any better? I hope so. I hope she likes the picture I sent her. I guess you and everybody else want to know what kind of medal that is on my shirt. It is a combat medal and campaign ribbon. On the ribbon is a little gold star that means one major battle. I am sure you will want to know what they are for, so that’s why I am telling you now, where I won’t have to later on. How is Nell? Ok, I hope. I dropped her a card the other day. I guess you know Evelyn has another baby. Is it a girl too? I know now if we ever have one, it will be a boy, Ha Ha. Do you think we will make it? We shall, we have come over a lot of other things together, haven’t we? How is Doc and Mom Stacks? Tell them hello for me and tell them I still look for a letter from them once in a while. So, Mickey is going to get him a converiable (sic) job. Boy I bet he will think he a big shot riding around in that, Ha Ha. Well Honey, I will have to close for this time, so keep writing and smiling. I miss you a lot and I love you a million.

Always, Johnnie

Combat Infantryman Badge

On 13 July the Regiment moved to another open temporary camp in the mountains near Reccastrada and spent the next few days in physical conditioning and mountain warfare training. 

Serious thoughts were coursing through Johnnie’s mind when he wrote Lucile on July 15, 1944—curiosity about the death of a possible family member, the illness of another, and perhaps regrets.

My Dearest Darling,

Just a few lines to let you know I am OK. Hoping this finds you the same. I received the stamps you sent. Thanks a lot. Have you received the pictures I sent you? I know they don’t look so hot but I believe if you had them painted up, they would look much better, Ha Ha. I don’t blame you for being sore about my folks not coming down and seeing you once in a while. I know how we used to chase around to see them. Let them chase you awhile now. You have the right idea. I received the Journal the other day. I don’t know whether you sent it or Dad. I think I wrote you both about sending it once in a while. Anyway, I was looking through the paper and I ran across this funeral notice of George Carling Marston. I think it is Dad’s brother’s boy. I want you to find out for me for sure. How is Grandma? I think about her a lot. I just pray that if she has to go that the Lord takes her without much pain. You know we all are going to miss her. She was such a wonderful old lady. I know Grandma and I always got along fine together. I hope the picture I sent her gets there before she goes. I just wonder if any kind of drugs or anything there is to cure cancer. I know they have been trying to find something to cure it, but I doubt if they will ever cure that kind of disease. How is your Mother taking it? I know she can’t take much more. I surely wish I was there to help out all I could. How did Doc make out on his trip? I hope he didn’t have any trouble. Did he? O’yeah, did you ever go fishing with Mickey and the others? I hope not. I have always wanted that privilege. You remember when you used to ask me to take you fishing and I always put it off? Usually when you asked me, I always had other plans for us. Well anyway, I hope you enjoyed yourself. It kind of makes you feel good when you first catch one and it’s always been a great sport with me anyway. Well, I will have to close for now so keep writing and smiling. I miss you a lot and I love you a million. 

Always, Johnnie

Published in The Atlanta Constitution, Atlanta, Georgia, June 1, 1944 

Johnnie wrote a short V-mail to Lucile on July 15, 1944, as always expressing concerns for her and others in the family.

My Dearest Darling,

Received a letter from you yesterday and was glad to hear that you are well and OK. As for myself, I am OK. I was hoping the picture I sent to Grandma got to her before she got worse. But I guess it got there too late, being as she doesn’t know who you are now. I am sorry to hear you didn’t get to make the fishing trip. Maybe you will get a chance to go again later on. O’yeah, have you received the money I sent you yet? I am sure since you haven’t been working lately that you can use it. How is Mom Stacks and the kids? Give them my love. I will close for this time. I miss you a lot Darling and I love you a million.

Always, Johnnie

Johnnie wrote Lucile’s mother a V-mail on July 15, 1944, even though he had already written Lucile and and sent his love to her and the kids. 

Dearest Mom,

I received words about Grandma being bad off sick as she is and not expecting to pull through. It just doesn’t seem right her leaving us this way. But I guess the Lord knows best. I know just how it’s going with you and I just wish there was something I could do for you. But as it is now, I can’t. All I can do is tell you how much I adored her. Well I will close for this time. So, write and try to keep your chin up. I hope you like the picture I sent.

Lots lots love, Johnnie

June 25, 26, July 1 and 3, 1944

Lucile sent Johnnie a copy of the June 9 newspaper clipping that contained his photo. He joked about how young he looked in his June 25, 1944 V-mail.

My Dearest Darling,

Just a few lines to let you know I received two letters from you yesterday. In one was the picture of me that you sent from the papers. I don’t think the picture looked much like me now. I look like a kid about seventeen years old in that picture. Of course, then I felt like a kid about that age, Ha Ha. None of the fellows hardly believe it’s me. Some say it looked like my brother, if I had a brother, Ha Ha. Also, I received a letter from your Mother. I am going to try and answer it as soon as I finish this. Well honey, I will close so keep writing. I miss you a lot Darling and I love you a million.

Johnnie

With the Army, Navy, and Marines, “The Atlanta Constitution,” Atlanta, Georgia, June 9, 1944

Lucile’s sister Nell had apparently been encouraging them to have children. Johnnie asked Lucile to pass on a message to Nell in his June 26, 1944 V-mail.

Hello Darling,

I received a letter from you that was mailed the fifteenth of this month. Not bad do you think? Enclosed was a few lines that Grandma wrote. Sure was glad to hear from her also and to know she is much better. Honey, I have sent you forty dollars. Let me know when you receive it. I am glad to hear that you are going back to work. It’s so much better for you. Tell Nellie we’ll do our darndest about the family situation. She can count on that, Ha Ha. Well, as there isn’t much more space to write, I will close. I miss you a lot Darling and I love you a million.

Johnnie 

Lucille

During the month of June, “the Regiment advanced from the Lariano sector to a point 46 road miles north of Rome and captured a total of 473 prisoners of war including 13 officers.” They awarded 18 Silver Stars, 58 Bronze Stars, 74 Purple Hearts, and 1614 Combat Infantryman Badges. Seven officers and 39 enlisted men were killed in action; 3 officers and 109 enlisted men wounded in action; and 63 enlisted men and 2 officers were missing in action.

From July 1–12, 1944, the Regiment was positioned in an open temporary camp “on the sea near Lido d’Roma” spending their time training for future combat, rehabilitation, and making administrative moves. Training was extensive concentrating on “firing of all weapons, small unit combat exercises, battalion attack of permanent land fortifications, combined operations with tanks and tank destroyers, and battalion river crossing problems.” The recreation put in place in June was still made available for the troops.

Johnnie revealed that July was his favorite month in his July 1, 1944 V-mail to Lucile. He also shared who wrote him letters and who did not.

My Dearest Darling,

Received two letters from you yesterday. One of them had the picture of Earl, Gearl, and Irvin in it. Surely is a good picture of all three of them. If Irvin is in Italy here like you say, I might run into him some of the days. I hope so. Have you been up to see my old man lately? How is he? I haven’t heard from him in a long time, and Louise, and Evelyn have quit writing all together. You know I doubt if I would get any mail at all if you, Dot, and your Mother wasn’t writing to me. Well, here it is the first of the month of July and it’s always been the choice of all the months for me. I doubt if I ever told you that, have I? You haven’t ever told me what month out of the year you like. Which one is it? Will close. I miss you a lot and I love you a million.

Always, Johnnie 

Johnnie’s brothers-in-law, Earl and Gearl Stacks

Johnnie was dreaming of their future home and comfort foods when he wrote Lucile on July 3, 1944. He put in an order for a few special treats. And his father’s ears must have been burning. Johnnie was happy to report that he had heard from him. 

My Dearest Darling,

Just a few lines to let you know I am well and OK and hope that this letter finds you in the best of health and getting along alright back there at home. I received a letter from Dad yesterday. They seem to be getting along OK. He sent me a picture of me that was in the papers also. He seems to be pretty proud of it. He said he didn’t think he had a son that good looking, Ha Ha. I started this letter a day ago, but later in the afternoon. O yeah what gets me on all this writing paper you sent me, especially the air mail envelope, you didn’t send me one airmail stamp and I haven’t any so you see what you sent won’t do me any good. There’s no place to buy any, so you see how things stand? I still dream and think of the swell place we are going to have when all this is over with. All this I am going through now seems just like a nightmare. If it is, I wish I could break away from it. I really think all this will end this year. I haven’t received the watch you sent me yet. I hope it gets to me OK. Say, you can send me some cookies, small chocolate cakes, and candy bars. Can you get these for me? Sure wish I had some chicken legs. Remember how I used to eat them all when we went to your Mother’s house to eat, Ha Ha. Say, does Doc still have chicken fry’s and fish fry’s up at the lumber yard? I really miss them. Well, I will close for this time, so keep writing and smiling. Tell all hello for me, and to write. I miss you a lot Darling. And I love you a million.

Always, Johnnie

June 20, 22, and 24, 1944

Johnnie wrote a long letter to Lucile on June 20, 1944 in which he put his thoughts and feelings out in the open. They had apparently had some hard times before he went to war, but he had learned a lot since then. 

My Dearest Darling,

Received three letters from you yesterday. That’s the way they came. A couple of weeks may go by and I won’t hear from you. But when I do hear from you, I get three or four at a time. I also received a letter from Sis Dot. Sure am sorry to hear that little Carol is having so much sickness. I surely hope by the time you receive this, she is well. What about you Darling? I really hope and pray that you are well. That’s all I think about, wondering if you are having any sickness and praying that you are making out well and OK back there at home. I haven’t received the watch yet. Surely hope it gets to me. Say you can send me some airmail stamps if you expect my letters to get to you quickly, Ha Ha. I am out and they are not suitable now to get. Also, I am sending you some money this month if I get paid and I am at a place where I can send it. Say honey, look in the paper and get me that Serial on Dear Buddy. I think that’s the name of it. Its just a small article in the paper, but what I have read in them, what the other fellows had was pretty good. Send it every day if possible. Say you are doing alright saving your money. I think you’re swell for doing it. I know a lot of guys here that are writing to their wives and giving them the devil about not saving any money. I’m not worried about how you are running things back home, because I know now, you will handle things to the best of your knowledge. I remember you always made things meet, when I always had given up hope. And you did wonderful in making me realize a lot of things that had to be done after we were married. A lot of things that happened right after we got married, that was mostly my fault. I should have gotten a good licking. Or if you would tell me what you thought, I believe I would have seen the light of things much quicker; you get what I mean? But I guess as the old saying goes, you got to live and learn. And I almost lost you in going through all of that. I just hope I can get back home soon so I can repay you for what you have done for me. I want to say again Lou, you have been wonderful, and you have done great things for me and made me see the light of things. Well honey, I will have to close for this time. So, tell all the folks hello for me and to write and you keep your chin up and keep smiling. I miss you a lot Darling and I love you a million.

Always, Johnnie

P.S. Have you a small picture of me taken before I came into the Army? If so, send it to me. I want to see how much I have changed in looks, Ha Ha. Will send it back in return letter to you.

Johnnie and Lucile

Below is one of the “Dear Buddy” columns Johnnie mentioned in Johnnie’s June 20 letter.

The Atlanta Constitution, Atlanta, Georgia, March 26, 1944.

Lucile’s paternal first cousin, Virgil “Irvin” Stacks Jr., was also serving his country during World War II. Like Johnnie, he was highlighted in the “With the Army-Navy, and Marines” piece that appeared in The Atlanta Constitution on June 21, 1944.

   

With the Army-Navy, and Marines, The Atlanta Constitution, June 21, 1944.

Below is Irvin’s World War II draft registration card and a photo of him in his uniform. 

 

Photo of Virgil Stacks from Jacquelyn Preston, Preston Family Tree, ancestry.com.

Johnnie hinted at regret in not having children yet, but he quickly set that aside in his June 22, 1944 letter to Lucile.

My Dearest Darling,

Just a few lines to let you know I received the watch yesterday and I think it is swell. I am really proud of it. Thanks a lot. Also received two letters from you that was mailed in May, around the tenth and fifteenth. I have already received three from you that you wrote this month. Sorry to hear that you are not working much here lately because I know how it gets you just sitting around the house. I know when you are working you can have something on your mind and you won’t worry too much about me. You get what I mean? Oh yeah, in one of the letters I received from you yesterday you were telling me about Mary and Johnnie Puckett having a baby. I guess the other one is a good size now, isn’t it? They are doing alright, aren’t they? I guess or at least I know that’s where we made our big mistakes, don’t you think so? Well, I will drop that for the present. How is Doc and Mom getting along? Fine, I hope. Say I wish you would get Ma a picture of Mickey and his girl and Gearl and his girl taken all in one picture and send it to me. Do you think you could do it? Say, how is Grandma? Really hope she is lots better. What about little Carol? Is she still sick? Hope not. Well honey, I guess I will have to close for this time. So, keep your chin up and tell all the folks hello for me. I miss you a lot Darling and I love you a million. 

Always, Johnnie

Elvie and Earl, aka Mickey

Johnnie could not understand why it took so long to deliver the mail and he was worried that Lucile may have changed since he last saw her. He mused about both in his June 24, 1944 letter to Lucile. And then he shared a corny joke with her!

My Dearest Darling,

Just a few lines to let you know I am OK and hope that this finds you the same. I received a letter from you yesterday and also one from Dot. You asked me about me getting your mail. If you write me every night it seems like I shall receive one just about every day from you. But as it is, I receive one about every three days. The mail is messed up somewhere. I can’t understand it. Maybe it will be better later on. I hope so. Yes, it has been a good while since we seen each other. I don’t think it will be much longer though. I just pray you are the same way as when I left you. I have a lot of things I want to get straight with you when I do get back. I have lost Irvin’s address. Can you get it for me again? Say did he ever get married? O yes, here a little joke I heard. There was an old woman who lived in a shoe. She had so many children she didn’t know what to do. There was another woman who lived in a shoe. She didn’t have any children, she knew what to do, Ha Ha. You get it? I didn’t. Well honey, I will have to close for this time. So, tell all the folks hello for me. I miss you a lot Baby. And I love you a million. 

Always, Johnnie

June 12, 14, and 18, 1944

The next photo, taken in June 1944, shows a pile of the many mines dug up by American engineers at the harbor in Civitavecchia, Port of Rome, during the cleaning up process by the Fifth Army in the Civitavecchia area of Italy. 

Photographer: Katz. Photo Source: U.S. National Archives.
Digitized by Signal Corps Archive. Public domain.

Lt. Gen. Mark Clark informed his troops “that they had broken the German armies opposing them in Italy.” In speaking to American, British, and French troops to welcome them to the “new rest center on the outskirts of Rome,” Clark told them “You men who captured Rome, I want to congratulate you from the bottom of my heart.” He urged them “to visit and study places of historic interest in Rome … watch your step. Don’t raise too much hell.”

The Regiment spent the next four days “in light training, relaxation, and inspections.” Johnnie used some of that time on June 12, 1944 to write his next letter to Lucile. 

My Dearest Darling,

Well, here it is about the middle of June, and I can bet you all the kids back there are really enjoying it, being out of school on summer vacation. I know I really used to take it all in when I was going to school. That was all I was ever looking forward to, was summer vacation, Ha, Ha. Honey, how is your health lately. I surely hope you have gained it all back. I wrote your Mother and Dot yesterday and of course also you. I wrote you one V-mail yesterday morning and a four page. Me, if I am guessing right, things aren’t going to be so good after all this war is over with, and money is going to be hard to get. Please don’t get me wrong Luke, I want you to have everything, because I know you didn’t have it when I was there. But if you look at it the way I do. If you do buy a car now. I mean a good one, it’s going to cost you and I bet you after this war I can get the same car for half the price you pay. Of course, if you need one, I say go ahead and buy it because what money you have is yours and I want you to get the best out of it. So much said for that. Luke, you should see me now. I doubt if you would know me. I have a tan on me that’s really dark brown. This Italy sun really burns you. I have long sideburns and a small mustache. As for my hair, it’s turning red. I guess it’s the sun. Well Darling, I will have to close for this time. Tell all the folks hello for me and to keep smiling. I miss you a lot Baby! And I love you a million. 

Always, Johnnie

The Stacks kids—Mary, Betty, and Melvin

Johnnie did in fact visit Rome as mentioned in his June 14, 1944 letter to Lucile. He was also not very happy with his sister Louise!

My Dearest Darling,

Received letter from you yesterday and was glad to hear that you are well and OK. Dot wrote me that you are going to buy you a car. Is that right? I guess if you get you a good one, it will come to a pretty good price. You must be in the money now, Ha Ha. I am sending you some more at the end of this month. But if you don’t mind, if I have anything to say about it, I would like for you to keep what I send you as later on we might need it. I hope you understand. I had to stop. I am going to try and finish it now. I received a letter from you yesterday telling me about Louise being in Atlanta and not taking no time to come and see you after you work so hard fixing up the house for her. It really burnt me up and as soon as I finish writing this to you, I am going to write her and tell her just what I think and believe me I will. She put me in a bad spot also. I just wonder what Mom Stacks and Doc thought about that. Don’t worry about it honey. If she wants to be that way that’s OK with us, isn’t it? I had a chance to visit Rome, Italy the other day and I had some pictures made. It cost me a little money, but I knew you wanted a picture of me so I had some made. At the end of this letter, I will put the names I am sending them too. I was going to send Louise one but that’s out now. I sent you twenty-five more dollars yesterday. Let me know if you got it. I received a letter from Kate yesterday. Also, she didn’t have much to say. Wanted to know if I was OK and telling me that she was doing well now and that the kids was OK. Well honey, I will have to close for this time, so keep writing and smiling. I miss you a lot. And I love you a million. 

Always, Johnnie

P.S. I am sending a picture to Dot and Drex, Nell and Robert, Mom and Doc Stacks, Grandma and Dad. Three to you. Love, Johnnie

Once again Johnnie felt he needed to remind Lucile in a June 14, 1944 V-mail that he would not be able to write as often as he wanted to because of the war.

My Dearest Darling,

Received two letters yesterday. One from you and one from sister Nell. Sure was glad to hear from you after not hearing from you in a week. I know my mail to you is not coming like it was for awhile, but lately I haven’t had much time to write. Don’t get the idea I don’t want to write because every chance I have so far I have wrote you. Remember in my other letters to you I wrote and told you there would be days ahead that I won’t be able to write. There was quite a few I wasn’t able to write. I really hope you understand how things are now and try to bear it the best you can. Well, I will close for this time. Keep your chin up. Keep smiling! I miss you a lot and I love you a million.

Always, Johnnie

On June 15, the Regiment moved to a “rest area on the grounds of the Castel Fusano, near the resort town of Lido D’Roma on the sea.” They began intense technical and tactical training, physical conditioning, disciplinary drills, and preparation for future combat. They used the time to train replacements, review lessons learned, and practice marksmanship and weapons firing. A fortified area was set up and “each battalion ran this course twice firing live ammunition,” including using a company of tanks in their practice operations. The troops were granted time to see the city of Rome and many visited the Fifth Army Rest Center. A beach was cleared for their use and a former night club by the sea was opened for the enlisted men. The USO provided shows and movies. Showers were available and clothing exchange units set up. Music was provided by the Regimental bugle and drum corps for several battalion retreat parades, one of which was attended by Major General John B. Coulter who decorated the Regimental colors and company guidons with combat streamers and presented nine Silver Star medals.

Johnnie held his father-in-law, Sam “Doc” Stacks, in high regard and he shared that with Lucile in a June 18, 1944 letter.

My Dearest Wife,

Just a line or two to let you know I am well and hope that this finds you in the best of health and making out OK back there at home. I received two letters from you yesterday and I thought they were swell. Honey, you said in one of your letters that you should not be telling me your troubles. Well, I want you to because I may can help you out in them. You understand what I mean? Honey, you said when I do come back home, you weren’t going to let me out of your sight. You won’t have to worry about that. You have a changed Johnnie now and I mean changed. I am just realizing what a dope I was when I was home. I just pray now for everything to go along OK so I can show you after all this is over with, the good things about life. You say Virgil’s son is over here in Italy now. I may run into him someday. I hope so. I would like to see the kid. I sure hope I receive the watch you sent me. It should have arrived by now if you sent it when you said you did. Tell Mom I don’t care how long it takes her to write me a letter. Just to know she is writing makes me feel swell. And honey another thing, about your father, if I could only be a guy like him and build myself up among the people he has dealt with, and have friendships with them all, that’s all I would ask for. If he can do things with what little he got, then many guys can do that. Has … [the end of the letter is missing].

Johnnie’s father-in-law, Sam Stacks 

June 5 and 10, 1944

Click here to read the Operations Report by the 337th Infantry Regiment for June and July 1944.

June 1, 1944 began with the 1st Battalion 1500 yards north of the town of Lariano in place for a scheduled attack that involved the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd Battalions advancing and clearing several Hills (mountains). Over the course of the day, they encountered “heavy small arms and machine gun fire and harassing mortar and sniper fire” slowing their advance. One whole platoon was “surprised by the enemy and taken prisoner.” It took every available man “to scout out and kill the enemy.” The 1st Battalion was in the thick of the “attack with tank and tank destroyer support” but they were hampered by “thick wooded draws.” “All battalions were ordered to advance with all possible speed with the mission of cutting Highway 6” in the advance to Rome. The fight went on all day and into the night. The 1st and 3rd Battalions stopped at 10 PM for the night and spent time getting organized for a strong defense early the next morning. The 2nd Battalion advanced to a position 1200 yards south of Highway 6, two miles “out in front of the rest of the line with no other units on either flank. Prisoners they captured were from the 1059 Panzer Grenedier Regiment” who were reinforcing the Hermann Göring Division. Their mission changed just before dawn but they were able to meet all objectives by 9 AM and then marched in formation into the valley leading to Rome. The Germans took a stand between Monte Compatri and Monte Porzio Catone. This slowed their advance but the 2nd Battalion was able to wipe out their resistence and took 123 prisoners. All three battalions moved to advance forward at 6 AM on June 4, 1944 with support from “one motorized rifle company supported by tanks, engineers, and artillery.” Their purpose was to continue “through Rome after the 3rd Battalion took their objective, and seizing two bridges over the Tiber River west of Rome.” “The Fifth Army Commander sent word to all elements that public and private property in Rome were to be protected and not fired upon unless the Germans chose to defend the city.” Their mission changed again to change position and halt the Germans who were attempting to slow the US Army’s unexpected arrival while they evacuated their troops and equipment from Rome. American troops took possession of Rome on June 4, 1944. They had been under German occupation since September 1943.

American tanks entering Rome, June 4, 1944. Photographer unknown.
Photo Source: U.S. National Archives. Digitized by Signal Corps Archive. Public domain.

The people of Rome crowded the streets on June 5, 1944 welcoming the Allied liberators as the Regiment marched through the city. Headquarters was set up at Forte Trionfale, a military complex built in the 1880s.

Lieutenant General Mark W. Clark at St. Peter’s Square, June 5, 1944, Rome, Italy,
US Army, public domain, via Wikimedia Commons.

The Atlanta Constitution headline, June 5, 1944.

Johnnie wrote Lucile a V-mail on June 5, 1944. As usual, he did not mention anything about his involvement in the liberation of Rome.

My Dearest Darling,

Just a few lines to let you know I am well and OK and hope that this finds you the same. I received a letter from you a couple of days ago. It sure made me feel good to hear from you. I don’t hear from you as often as I need to. I guess they are holding most of the mail up here lately. I am glad to hear you have a little money saved up. You are doing alright Baby. That’s one of the things I like about you. I hope all the folks are well and Grandma is lots better. I wrote her a letter. Well Darling, I will have to close for this time. I miss you a lot and I love you a million.

Always, Johnnie

The Germans retreated towards Florence, Italy, littering the roads with equipment along the way. They destroyed some of it themselves and some was destroyed by allied airforce. With the Germans fleeing Rome to the Gothlic Line via Highway 2, several regiments of the Fifth Army, including the 337th, spent June 6, 1944 advancing in the same direction. The 2nd Battalion met some resistance from the Germans 3000 yards south of Monterosi. The 1st, 2nd and 3rd Battalions worked together to take control of Monterosi but faced many mines in the process. Some prisoners were captured, guns were destroyed, and they confiscated significant amounts of new weapons and ammunition. By nightfall, the command post was “moved to a villa on Lake Monterosi and the Regiment was given trucks and ordered to be prepared to reinforce the Howze Task Force.” The 2nd and 3rd Battalions stopped on Highway 2 for the night, organized a defense, and patrolled the town. On June 8, 1944, the Howze Task Force was ordered north on Highway 2. The 1st Battalion joined the task force, running “into the German infantry in the hills two miles north of Ronciglione,” in the Cimini mountains. They met some resistance and received light casualties but were able to advance. The 1st Battalion advanced to Viterbo the afternoon of June 9, 1944 but received news the Regimental alert had been cancelled. All Regiments, with very little shelter, made camp for the night there.

Little did Johnnie know he would be one of the soldiers highlighted in the “With the Army, Navy, and Marines” section of the Atlanta Constitution on June 9, 1944. The newspaper reported that he was serving in Italy and his wife was Mrs. Lucile Stacks Marston of College Park.

“With the Army, Navy, and Marines,” The Atlanta Constitution, Atlanta, Georgia, June 9, 1944

It was five days before Johnnie had time to write his next letter to Lucile. In his June 10, 1944 letter, he wrote two cryptic sentences making sure she understood he had been a little busy lately and had not had time to write.

My Dearest Darling,

Just a few lines to let you know I am well and OK and hope that this finds you the same. I received the writing paper and the pen and pencil set from you today. Boy was I glad to get them. I also received a letter from you, Dot, and sister Evelyn. Not bad at all do you think? Evelyn wrote and said she was expecting again in September. In this letter and the one I received from you was telling me about her also. Gee, I sure am sorry to hear about Dot being sick; also, the baby too. I hope they are much better by now. You say Drextel got rejected? The lucky stiff. In a way though, I didn’t think he would go in. Well I guess Cecil is doing his training now. Has Jennie heard from him yet? How is she taking it? Darn I almost forgot to tell you I received a letter from your Mother the other day. I am going to try and write to her as soon as I finish this to you. As you can read by the paper’s lately, I haven’t had time to do much of anything. I hope you see things that way and understand just why I haven’t been writing to you much here lately. Say this pen don’t write bad at all. It just needs broke in a little bit, you know. Just like a lot of other things need to be, Ha Ha. Honey I am not going to tell you what to do about going down and staying with Evelyln. Just you and her staying together I don’t like that. If Louise was going to be with you down there, I wouldn’t care but the way they have things planned, that’s no good. You better just wait and let them come up to see you, OK? Well Baby, I will have to close for this time so keep your chin up and keep smiling. Also tell all the folks hello for me. I miss you a lot Darling and I love you a million. 

Always, Johnnie

P.S. Are you sure you sent me a watch? I am still looking for it.

Johnnie’s sister Louise and her husband Carl Rowland

Relief came to the Regiment on June 10, 1944 when the 3rd Algerian Division took over “leading elements,” “the Howze Task Force was disbanded, the 1st Battalion moved back to Monterosi,” and the rest of the Regiment got some rest. Thanks to the help of the Italians, some of the Regiment’s men who had been captured were able to escape and make their way back to their units with “tales of German cruelty to prisoners, of the scarcity of the foe’s equipment, and of the confusion in the retreating German columns.” The photo below, taken June 10, 1944, shows the wreckage of buildings in the streets of Civitavecchia, Port of Rome, Italy. The streets were completely blocked by the rubble from the bombed buildings. This might have been one of the sights seen by Johnnie while in Rome.

Photographer: Katz. Photo Source: U.S. National Archives. Digitized by Signal Corps Archive. Public domain. 

May 30 and 31, 1944

On May 26, the Regiment found themselves in an area two miles south of Priverno where the 1st Battalion set up a defense line to protect the Division right flank. Everyone remained in position during the day then moved to a rest area in the Pontine Marshes near Sabaudia, a swampland in the Lazio Region of Italy. They spent a day swimming at the beach, exchanging clothing, and preparing for the combat that was coming. On May 29, several decorations were presented, and congratulations given for what had been achieved. The Regiment was also warned of what was to come—a stronger and more determined enemy. Before days end, the Regiment moved to an area near Cori. On May 30, the Regiment was told to relieve the two left battalions of the 30th Infantry, 3rd American Division and the command post was moved to the vicinity of Valmenti. The 1st Battalion (on the right) relieved the 1st Battalion, 30th Infantry. Some time on May 30, 1944, Johnnie must have been thinking about the war and the things he had seen in Italy that he never expected to see in his lifetime. He was very reflective with his thoughts in a long letter he wrote to Lucile.

My Dearest Darling

Well, here it is about the month of May gone and good old summertime right around the corner. Honey you know this is the time of the year I really like. Everything of nature blooming up and all the birds building up their nests. Sometimes I don’t see why nations are fighting against each other in this world, with things so grand for us all, in all parts of this world. I just pray to God that all this will be over soon, be the only one that can end it and I am sure as soon as he thinks the people that are not living right come to their senses once more, he will end it. Lou, you get to thinking a lot of things over here after you have seen how this part of the world is tore up and the people being treated like they have been. It’s really got me down. I just hope and pray that when I am back home that God will lead us both to the good parts of life. Well honey, I hope you understand just how I feel. You can tell everybody that your husband is a changed man and you won’t be lying at all. Honey, how did little Mary ever come out? I hope she is a lot better. And poor old Grandma, is she any better? I hope so. Is Ma Stacks taking it easy? Gee, I wish she would take care of herself. I wish I was there. I grant you she would settle down then. I just wish I could tell you how much I think of your family, they’ve all been so swell since me and you first started going together and as for Doc for what he done, to help us all out. There can’t be another man that can beat him. That guy has been swell. Honey, have you heard from Louise or Evelyn lately whether they are coming up to see you or not? Tell them to write me, will you. I still like to hear from them both. Well Darling, I will have to close for this time so write me all you can and keep your chin up. May God Bless you and honey, I miss you an awful lot and I love you a million. 

Always, Johnnie

 

Burnt German scout car off the road near Cori, May 31, 1944. Photo by McCrosy, 163rd Signal Photo Company.
Photo Source: U.S. National Archives. Digitized by Signal Corps Archive. Public domain.

Johnnie also wrote Lucile’s parents a V-mail on May 30, 1944. He and Sam have an ongoing conversation going on about baseball in Atlanta.

Dear Folks,

I received the typed letter from you and was really glad to hear that you both are well and the rest of the family also. Doc, I am glad to hear that you are going to the ball games because I want you to let me know how Atlanta came out this year. Yes, I remember Deal and Marchall. They are darn good ball players. I am glad to hear they are still with them. Ma, don’t let nobody kid you. You can type real good. Gee, I am sorry to hear about Grandma. I hope she is a lot better by now. 

Lots lots love, Johnnie

On May 31, 1944, the Regiment, along with the 2nd Chemical Battalion and a medium tank company took part in a coordinated attack along the Division front in which they faced strong resistance as they pushed into Larinola. A Regimental command post was set up just south of Larinola in an abandoned German dugout. Thirty prisoners from the Hermann Göring Division, a German Luftwaffe armoured division, were captured that day. Before the day ended, Johnnie wrote a V-mail to Lucile. His humor comes out a lot in his letters and he often laughs at himself with a “Ha, Ha.” In this V-mail, Johnnie showed concern with regards to carrying on the Marston name. But just when you think he is going all serious on Lucile, BAM, there comes that humor! He must have really been pleased with himself this time because he gave that one three “Ha’s.”

My Dearest Darling,

Just a few lines to let you know I am well and hope this finds you the same. Say honey, you said that Nell was getting ready to have a kid. Gee, I surely hope she makes out OK, she being so small, but what I hear about that is a smaller woman can bear a baby better than a large woman. Am I right? In a way, now I wish that we had one. I surely have to get something to carry on the family name, even if it is a dog or something, Ha Ha Ha. Honey, I haven’t heard from you in a week now. I surely hope there isn’t anything wrong with you. I will have to close. So, keep writing and smiling. I miss you a lot Darling and I love you a million.

Always, Johnnie

Robert Astin, Nell Stacks Astin, and their daughter Judy (taken several years after this letter was written)

During the month of May, “the Regiment advanced 72 miles, took every assigned objective, captured 485 prisoners of war, and caused the enemy to withdraw in our sector and to abandon much equipment.” They did this by quickly replacing casualties and continuing to train replacements which totaled 51 officers and 1137 enlisted men in May. The medical team contributed a large part to their success. In the first three days of the May 11 offensive alone, the team evacuated over 500 men from the field and the “battalion surgeons and technicians worked tirelessly for days without sleep in aid stations that were always crowded beyond capacity.” They also had help from the Italian litter (stretcher) teams who were “under constant enemy fire.”

 

A German prisoner is given a drink of water at a U.S. medical center in at Altavilla, Italy, where he was treated
for wounds, September 20, 1943, Salerno area, Italy, 36th Infantry Division. Photographer: Oliver. Public domain.

The graves registrations personnel worked day and night to collect American and enemy bodies from the battlefield as quickly as possible. The supply team “functioned well under difficult conditions and rough terrain. Troops were seldom without food, water, ammunition, or necessary equipment. The Italian mule group helped facilitate resupply in the mountainous country. During the month of May, 13 Bronze Stars, 34 Purple Hearts, and 1175 Combat Infantryman Badges were awarded. Eleven officers and 169 enlisted men were killed in action; 44 officers and 756 enlisted men were wounded in action; and 1 officer and 44 enlisted men were missing in action.