Just to recap what was going on in the world as the United States passed its first year in WWII, I turned to the website - https://www.nationalww2museum.org/war/articles/us-invasion-north-africa - for this information:
"Days after the Japanese attack at Pearl Harbor in December 1941, both Nazi Germany and Fascist Italy declared war, and the United States was confronted not only with a war on two fronts in Europe and Asia, but also hostilities and problems of grand strategy on a truly global scale. Savage fighting was taking place far away in the Soviet Union and China that could decisively affect our ability to win the war. But with our full industrial mobilization only beginning and those battlefields so remote, the United States could make little immediate impact on the global situation. In addition, our enemies held the initiative. For the first half of 1942, the Japanese swept from victory to victory across Southeast Asia and the Pacific. On the other side of the world, Britain survived, but had not inflicted a major military defeat on Nazi Germany. Likewise, although the Soviet Union survived to halt the Germans at the gates of Moscow in December 1941, a fierce and renewed German offensive was coming. There were fears that a nightmare scenario might arise if the Germans thrust through the Caucasus region into the Middle East while the Japanese knifed through India, allowing them to link up and control Eurasia from one end to the other ..."
Momentum began to shift when: "On August 7, 1942, American forces landed on Guadalcanal, the first landed steps on the long road to Tokyo. On August 23, German forces reached the banks of the Volga River, and the monumental battle at Stalingrad commenced. In late October, Rommel and his forces received their first taste of decisive defeat at the hands of the British at El Alamein. The Americans joined the fight in North Africa with the successful landings on November 8. In the brutal Naval Battle of Guadalcanal fought over November 12–15, the Americans succeeded in isolating the Japanese forces remaining on the island, while at virtually the same time on November 19 the Soviets under General Zhukov successfully surrounded over 250,000 German troops of the Sixth Army."
December 1, 1942 the United States began fuel rationing in all states. President Franklin Roosevelt had previously ordered the Office of Price Administration to trial gas rationing on May 15, 1942 on the east coast. The Japanese had cut off the main US supply to rubber in the Far East. So the purpose of rationing gasoline was to conserve rubber tires.
Citizens appeared at the Office of Price Administration, swore that they owned no more than 5 tires (if more, they would be confiscated,) and were given a sticker for their car window. Letters designated the type of driver and how much gasoline he could get. Most citizens were non-essential so only got 3-4 gallons/week.
A C sticker was issued to professionals - doctors, nurses, government or Red Cross worker, mailmen, ministers, rabbis, or priests among others. There was a box of occupations - the owner of a C sticker had to check off his occupation on the window sticker.
So gas rationing began nationwide on December 1, 1942 and lasted until August 15, 1945.
On 2 December 1942, the first human-made self-sustaining nuclear chain reaction was initiated in Chicago, during an experiment led by Enrico Fermi. The secret development of the reactor was the first major technical achievement for the Manhattan Project, the Allied effort to create atomic bombs during World War II.
Back on November 25, 1942, many American newspapers had published reports that 2 million Jews already had been murdered. According to the website - https://encyclopedia.ushmm.org/content/en/article/the-united-states-and-the-holocaust-1942-45 - "The World Jewish Congress’s representative in Switzerland, Gerhart Riegner, had tried to report this information to his organization’s president, Rabbi Stephen Wise, in August 1942, sending a message through the US State Department. State Department officials at first tried to block Riegner’s report from reaching Rabbi Wise. They claimed that the planned murder of European Jews was merely a “war rumor.” Yet after investigating Riegner’s report over the next three months, State Department officials verified the news of the Nazi regime’s plan, and, according to Wise, authorized him to inform the American public ...
In response to this news, Jewish communities in many Allied nations held rallies and vigils, and declared Wednesday, December 2, 1942, to be an international day of mourning."
"Dec 3 1942
Jacksonville Florida
Dear Ellen
I just returned from supper and am missing my 30 minute nap to write to you. I don't need it tonight as I have a headache and a sore foot to keep me amused. I'm only kidding but I have got a headache and a sore foot. This noon I buzzed off a letter to Rita O'Hara so if she calls up and complains to you about my writing so infrequently you can explain how you have been neglected due to my sort of on again off again correspondence. We have a barrack next store full of radio men who for the second time with a month have been quarantined due to measles. The poor boys lose liberty and every other privilege they may have. They are cooped up all day. We are hoping here that it doesn't spread. The time here is flying by as we are now in our sixth week of school; 4 more to go and we will be half thru. Boy are we looking forward to graduation and stuff. I will get a ducking at graduating time but it will be well worth it. The classes are moving out of here very fast about one every week. I'm hoping and praying time flies by like lightening so I will move out.
I got a letter from you yesterday and I didn't tear it up. All my feelings go double for you kid and nothing will ever change them. You usually go to a very light extreme in expressing your emotions and devotions in your letters but this one you went all out. What happened to you! Did something occur to make you write a letter with so much feeling and mutual interest? I love you a lot kid and always will or did I tell you that before? (turn) over
I just returned from classes and have 30 minutes till bunk time. We Just learned there is a case of measles in the barracks and we may be quarantined. Boy oh boy. We will loose our liberty but will have plenty of rest I hope. Maybe I will be able to catch up with my infrequent correspondence. Now to carry on where I ended or started if I started. Boy, I have a buddy here from N Hampshire and he's a pip. He's married and he's a beaut. He says his girl is the prettiest rig on God's green earth. I don't think so. You should hear him rave on and on about nothing in general but he goes on and on. We get along swell and every(one) has a good time with him. I shall read your letter for a few tips now so don't get panicky. When Jim returns tell him and Bertha I wish them all the luck and happiness and may it continue for a million and one years. When you wrote about seeing them off at the station on their honeymoon it brought back pleasant memories of another day and evening. Ok Ok dear old girl. Soon the day will come and I don't think you'll jig as you said. You'll cry may be joy or may be sorrow or maybe a little of both. But when we do I hope you will be very happy as I know I will be. As for being faithful to each other I have no fear of any conniptions on your part as I know you better than that. You seemed to be sincere and honest when I was home. I don't think you have changed since or else you would have told me. I trust you implicitly as you put (it) and I mean it with all my heart. Your letter was nice and served as a booster or a pucker upper or something or other.
The boys here are getting ready for bed and I am the center of remarks. I wrote three letters today: Joe Walsh Rita and you which is very good from my point of view. The boys are discussing the rights and wrongs and doe's and don'ts of Navy life and ways. Some like it some don't but we get along. OK. The boys mess up something in shop the teacher gets mad we get mad everything is tense. After a while it blows over.
Got to go to Bed - Continue tomorrow
I woke up this morning at the bell, woke up the others and got put on report for not being dressed in time. I am expecting a bawling out so I'm keeping my fingers crossed. I am sitting on my ------ so you know the reason for this sort of writing. I will be getting ready for exercises now in a few minutes and my day will be complete. We had a field day this morning and one yesterday morning just to keep us in trim. A field day my dear girl is a day of very very good cleaning for everyone, the barracks the grounds and every where you can see or get to.
Well I've got to buzz off.
John
Love Love"
On December 5, 1942 almost one year after Pearl Harbor, the U.S. Navy publicly revealed the extent of losses suffered in the attack.
https://www.census.gov/history/pdf/pearl-harbor-fact-sheet-1.pdf reports that "The attack killed 2,403 U.S. personnel, including 68 civilians, and destroyed or damaged 19 U.S. Navy ships, including 8 battleships. The three aircraft carriers of the U.S. Pacific Fleet were out to sea on maneuvers. The Japanese were unable to locate them and were forced to return home with the U.S. carrier fleet intact."
To solve America's manpower shortage, President Roosevelt suspended the induction of all men over age 38 into the armed forces.
"Dec 8 1942
Jaxonville Florida
Dear Ellen
What are you worrying about? As for your letters, there coming in terrifically fast. Wow. I got one Postmarked Dec 2 - 1st - 4 -6. They usually arrive about two at a time and it seemed funny to receive a letter saying you were worried sick because I didn't address the card that was sent to you. I don't recall the card so if you will describe it I will make the point clear as to whether I sent it or not. I am very very very well indeed and you have nothing to worry about. As for helping me there is nothing you could do to help me in any case as I would be confined to the base hospital and you would have to come all the way here, get a special pass after a lot of red tape before you got inside the gate. After a few hours you would take it for granted that you were an espionage agent or a very famous saboteur. Everyone gets treated the same way. I also received your letter saying you were sorry for the previous letter. Never be sorry for worrying about me. Again I say I need information before I can be sure I sent it or not. As for the package well you'll see the dawn Christmas morning and don't let your curiosity get the best of you. The size and shape will reveal nothing. Sometimes I wish I took up game making. The size and shape are strange to you but I have seen them a lot now that I am here. (Chow - be back) I'm back. Chow was lousay. Prepared cereal, beans coffee corn bread and prunes.
As for the Coconut Grove fire I knew a girl who was in it. I met my buddy last night and he (told) me about it. She was a tall, slim, pretty, French girl who lived in the flat above him when he lived in South Boston. He last heard that she was on the danger list and has given her up for dead. I haven't seen her for about 4 years. She was in high school then, St Margaret's, so God bless her any way dead or alive. That's one trouble I find with Parochial high schools for girls. They are hemmed down and hand guided for four years and then let loose. They don't know anything about life and such so they take the easiest road, the road to destruction. This does not pertain to all of them but that certain majority who with a little guidance could be steered right and thus cut down this percentage.
That fire must really have been something terrifying and horrifying to all concerned. Again I say thank God none of our friends were there.
As for Rita O'Hara I can expect anything from her. She is engaged to a soldier, is being congratulated on her engagement to a Marine so therefore has an ensign take her to the BC HC football game. Just a service mans girl. No kidding she is just like the frails down here. They are engaged to a boy who left the town for service and they tramp around here with anyone and everyone in town. I told you before she's going to wind up behind the eight ball with her hands tied. I really think she'll feel like a sap when Tommy comes marching home.
Never fear about my telling Rita about the incident. I'd just love to get to Park Street now or sooner.
I got a letter from my sister and man o man it was a pip. She told me the Coconut Grove burnt down, Boston College lost a football game 55-12 which incidentally almost broke my heart, and that a man across the river was killed. She raved on and on and concluded by saying "nothing much has happened here but Mrs ------ the lady next door has moved, that's all." How does that sound? I suppose if the coast was invaded it would be of minor interest to her. She told me in a previous letter that some girl you know works with her.
Has Jim returned from his honeymoon as yet? How does he like being tied down now after all those years of freedom? Anyway I hope he finds all the happiness in the world.
Since the fire you should be very very easy going. Things are dull here to nothing much doing. All I'm working now is seventeen hours a day.
As for Christmas shopping forget it as there is nothing here I can use except about two or three hours spare time a day. If you can send it down the spare time I mean well hurry along as I can use all you've got and then some.
I get paid in this AM so I am feeling good. It is now 8:45 and I have been up since 6:15. It seems like a half a day since I fell out of bed but time goes slow when nothing is doing. Since we get paid we don't go to exercises and miss our athletic period. (Sigh) Relief - If you were nearer here toward Christmas time it would be better but I suppose I will survive if I don't see you. I had been counting on going home and am still hoping but it seems very doubtful here. Nevertheless I send you all my love and wish all kinds of happiness in advance. Keep your chin up, honey and keep punching. I love you dearly kid and I miss you a lot. So with love and stuff
Adios, Adieu Mon Amie Love John
I have not received the pictures I had made as yet but I will send them on as soon as possible.
John
Love Again"
What was the incident that my mother didn't want my father to tell Rita O'Hara about? Why wouldn't my mother tell Rita herself?
We talked about the Coconut Grove fire before - Aunt Nellie Keohane's husband worked there as a cook.
"Dec 11 1942
Jaxonville Fla
Dear Ellen,
I am standing up now guarding the door to the shower room as today is field day and inspection day. The ink here is lousy thus the blurs. I just returned from the boxing ring where the boxing team held exhibition bouts rather elimination contests to pick a boxing group to fight Key West here for Christmas.We are having a great time here for Christmas so the posters say. "The greatest show on land or sea" it says. We are having the Latin ???? Revue here with Jimmy Durante also "Hellzapoppin." None of the students are to get leave nor the officers either.
It should be really good but it won't compare with home. I suppose it is dreary December now up there with the elements deciding whether to snow or not to snow. Down here it is dirty and murky - the skies constantly threatening to open up at any minute. In my last letter I made an error, slightly, as to our whereabouts Dec 7, 1941. We did go to Squantum after all now that you have mentioned it. The boys here are already being asked out to dinner but they will probably have to wait until the Sunday after. I believe Christmas will be just another working day in December here. I hope you enjoy yourself as I really want you to. I wrote to Rita but as yet have received no answer. I started to write to Blackie but I didn't have time to finish. Maybe some day I will finish her letter. She's OK but is subject to spells of emotions and tantrums which she will have to overcome.
To continue my boxing mentionings I will tell you the results. My section Section II had three men and they all got draws, make it four. One loss too. They fought creditably but didn't possess enough to win and gave too much to lose. There swell but to overcome handicaps I shall have to participate in the art of fisticuffs in order to defend myself against these boys in case they ever turn against me. In my words I notice that I have left out a few "i"s. Please forgive. By the way pet, I am just beginning to notice and recall. Since I have been here I am under a new name now. "Pat" is the most common designation with "JJP" the next. A few call me Jack or J.J. but Pat is the commonest name here. It is getting near time for chow so adieu and buenos dias ma conchita ----------
Love Love
John
P.S. Please write as you receive any packages from me.
Please forgive scrawl as reason is afore mentioned."
December 12, 1942 the Soviets began a winter offensive codenamed Operation Little Saturn to squeeze the encircled German army. The Germans began Operation Winter Storm, an attempt to break the Soviet encirclement of the 6th Army at Stalingrad. It failed after 11 days, leaving the VI Army trapped. The full impact of the harsh Russian winter set in. The Volga froze solid, allowing the Soviets to supply their forces more easily. The trapped Germans rapidly ran out of heating fuel and medical supplies, and thousands started to die of frostbite, malnutrition, and disease.
"Dec 13 1942
Jax. Fla
Dear Ellen
As the paper indicates I am at a U.S.O. place here at Jacksonville Beach this lovely Sunday afternoon. I just bought some Christmas cards and having signed and sealed them decided to send you a letter describing the gossip in town and camp such as it is. Before I go into it I'll give you the dope, my friend, he's not it, is sound asleep here on a divan in the writing room, he's pooped out. He's been worrying for the past two weeks over what to buy his folks, there's about 20 of them, for Christmas. My advice has come in handy, damn that pen, but he's still worrying. He my dear girl is the worrying, d----it again, type. He wound up his shopping tour today as is now in the restful arms of that ever loving person, Morpheus. Poor Boy. When I finish here we are going back to town to take in a show or such.
Now for camp. As you know there will be no Christmas leave but we get Christmas Day, from 8:00 to 12:00 midnite off. Oh honey, honey, why ain't you here? My buddy just woke up - I am on a committee in our barracks to design and erect a Christmas figure for our barracks - the winning figure or sketch is to receive a prize from which I gathered will be very good. You can figure now that school is pretty now half over. We are going all out. My class has caught up to the class ahead of us in a few subjects and we are due to graduate March 13, 1943. The time is really flying by honestly it is.
I got a letter from Joe Walsh and he told me all the kids in the Navy who were in Africa with that invasion party are all home. Two of my pals were torpedoed but managed to get back. Get this now. One kid I hung around with was in a freighter with a few navy boots and was torpedoed. They made shore and since he was the only one who had a rating he was forced to take over. He counted noses and commenced searching for a boat. Not sighting any they set out. They walked the beaches and shores of Africa for 10 days seeing no one and getting their food off the bodies of dead soldiers Allied and German alike. Gruesome but true. After ten days his band wound up at Casa Blanca. He got stone drunk for a week and from what Joe told me is still that way. Remember Arty Reale, well his brother Joe was torpedoed on a destroyer off Africa and was picked up by the USS Brooklyn on which I have two more buddies. They are now all home on leave awaiting new assignments.
When I got that letter I got green with jealousy and felt like quitting school and going to sea. I'd love to be there honey, no kidding. Our division officer must be psychic or he got drift of my intentions and he told me ours was an important job and the sooner we get out to sea after graduation the more important is our training. That is primarily the reason we get no leave. He changed my mind in a flash but I am still jealous. What am I going to tell my kids and grandkids? I served 6 months in Florida at a service school. Honey I can here their answers now and I can read their little minds. No stories, no adventurous escapades or nothing, just a mess of book work.
Maybe I have fight fever or have a sap's mind or just overcome by the idea that I won't be home Xmas. I've gone halfway might just as well finish. When I see these Free French sailors about 3500 miles from home with no mail and no loved ones to write too I feel different. I guess I am lucky after all.
Ellen honey I love you.
Love Love John
P.S. Don't forget to write"
I'm not surprised that my father was anxious to get into the action of WWII - he had wanted to enlist in the Navy earlier, but his job at the Fore River shipyard was deemed essential and that delayed his enlistment.
My father mentioned the Reale brothers, and I was able to find some information about them on the internet. The website - https://civilrecords.irishgenealogy.ie/churchrecords/images/marriage_returns/marriages_1892/10654/5881929.pdf - had a marriage record for the Superintendent Registrar's District of Waterford in the Roman Catholic Chapel of Trinity Without in the town of Waterford for October 16, 1892. On that day Thomas Reale married Mary Griffin. both were of full age - Thomas was a bachelor; Mary was a spinster. Thomas was a pork butcher and lived on Morris' Road; Mary lived on Costello's Lane. Thomas' father was also Thomas and he was also a butcher; Mary's father was Thomas Griffin - he was a pork butcher.
By the 1940 US Census of Boston, the Reales own their home at 77 Pleasant Hill Avenue - it is worth $6000. Richard is now 45 years old and a widower - he reports that he attended 4 years of college. He is a salesman for an oil company. His son Joseph is 21 years old - he completed 4 years of college - he is an electrician and has his own business. Son Arthur is 17 and is in high school. There are 2 younger daughters who are also in school. The family lived in the same house 5 years ago.
Page 2 reports that Arty was white - 6' 1" - 185 lbs - he was white - blue eyes - brown hair - light complexion. He registered on June 30, 1942 at Local Board #32 at 500 Columbia Rd, Dorchester, Mass.
All those Reale men were pretty tall - all over 6 feet!
My father wrote that his buddies were involved in the invasion of North Africa. I had to look up what that campaign was - so I checked out https://www.britannica.com/event/World-War-II/The-invasion-of-northwest-Africa-November-December-1942.
The North Africa campaigns in World War II were a series of battles for control of North Africa. At stake was control of the Suez Canal, a vital lifeline for Britain’s colonial empire, and of the valuable oil reserves of the Middle East.
The British, New Zealand and Indian forces fought German and Italian forces in north and east Africa for back and forth control.
"When the U.S. and British strategists had decided on “Torch” (Allied landings on the western coast of North Africa) late in July 1942, it remained to settle the practical details of the operation. The purpose of “Torch” was to hem Rommel’s forces in between U.S. troops on the west and British troops to the east. After considerable discussion, it was finally agreed that landings, under the supreme command of Major General Dwight D. Eisenhower, should be made on November 8 at three places in the vicinity of Casablanca on the Atlantic coast of Morocco and on beaches near Oran and near Algiers itself on the Mediterranean coast of Algeria. The amphibious landings would involve a total of about 110,000 troops, most of them Americans ... Around Casablanca the U.S. landings were accomplished without difficulty, but resistance developed when the invaders tried to expand their beachheads."
https://www.history.navy.mil/browse-by-topic/wars-conflicts-and-operations/world-war-ii/1942/operation-torch.html reports that "After a transatlantic crossing, the Western Task Force effected its landings on 8 November. A preliminary naval bombardment had been deemed unnecessary in the vain hope that French forces would not resist. In fact, the initially stiff French defense caused losses among the landing forces. However, by 10 November, all landing objectives had been accomplished and U.S. units were poised to assault Casablanca, whose harbor approaches were the scene of a brief, but fierce, naval engagement. The French surrendered the city before an all-out attack was launched."
My father's buddy walked the beaches of North Africa for 10 days before reaching Casablanca the letter from Joe Walsh said.
"Dec 14 1942
Jax. Fla
Dear Ellen
I just returned from chow and I am still hungry and quite blue. In our athletic program today we played a little football. I got kind of rough as we beat the other team three times in a row so they got a little ugly. Well to stop beating around the bush I got whacked quite terrifically on the face by a bare fist and as a result my lips, upper especially, are quite mangled up. That is not the point. I got a tooth knocked out as clean as a whistle. I went to sick bay and they told me they couldn't replace it as they haven't the facilities. Sooo I will have to wait a couple of weeks to get dental attention. If I go to higher ups I may get it but would have to wait probably about a year or two. I have a kid here who comes from Jacksonville and he knows a couple of dentists in town who are pretty good. I feel lousay no kidding. My mouth feels as though I got hit with a sledge hammer. I am writing in a hurry as I got to fall out for classes in about 5 minutes. Someday I will learn not to play football. You told me once to give it up last fall I believe. Well I haven't you here to give me a few memos on do's and don'ts so I sort of forgot. Someday you can stick around me all the time and sort of guide (me) on my way to fortune and happiness and good sound health. You should see me now all I need is a good heavy tan and I would look just like an nigger no fooling. The fellows here told me it was a shame and are sympathizing with me but that don't help -------- Classes now.
Love
Still
John"
exterminationof the Jewish people in Europe and declared that they would punish the perpetrators. Notwithstanding this, it remains unclear to what extent Allied and neutral leaders understood the full import of their information. The utter shock of senior Allied commanders who liberated camps at the end of the war may indicate that this understanding was not complete."
"Dec 22, 1942
Jacksonville Fla
Dear Ellen,
Here it is two days till Christmas and I am deep in misery and despair deep in the heart of Florida the sunshine state full of golden sunlight sweet odors and beautiful flowers. What a joint it is here sunny days cloudy days and rainy days too to make up a very pleasant stay here. I'd love to see about twelve feet of snow fall out of the sky any day now and smother this town under for about six or seven days any way. Seeing that this is Christmas week our extracurricular activities have been modified slightly and only slightly. Instead of study hall and exercises we go to the show instead ------sometimes. The boys are beginning to show the wear and effect of confinement. It's quite noticeable on a good majority of the fellows here. They go around acting up and being absolutely absurd in actions expressions and words. If I could get a camera here and take a few shots you'd understand better. The boys here are doing their homework and my powers of concentration are sort of disrupted. I'm trying to answer their questions and write a letter to you so if I slip up here and start writing letters to you in question and letter form please remember this notation. The boys are studying about rust and corrosion and their affect on metal.
Enough for shop work and the like I'll write about something else. You see honey I can't get an idea to write to you about and if it gets boring due to repetition don't get mad. Things happen around here every day but it's the same old thing day in and day out. Secondly I am feeling low due chiefly to the fact I will be here in this God forsaken hole for Christmas instead of back home where I belong. I don't know who to blame Hitler, my officers or myself for this unmentionable occurrence. The boys are laying in their bunks doing nothing in general and all of a sudden to make thinks more uncomfortable in comes the master-at-arms with a notice that we can't lay in our bunks before two o'clock in the afternoon. Well that's very good of them any way. At two o'clock we go to school and return at 10:0 PM and retire at 10:30. It's just the great plot to make us all uncomfortable for us. The boys were all drunk over the weekend sort of breaking in for Christmas when every (one) drinking will be so drunk they'll not be able to walk.
Got to go now
Love Love John"
Dec 24, 1942
Jaxsonville Fla
Dear Ellen
I just returned from breakfast and am now sitting on the deck writing you a letter of a sort this lovely Christmas Eve. All I can hear around here is 'I'm dreaming of a white Christmas.' It keeps up day in & day out about three times an hour. Once in a while we hear some recorded Christmas carols which only tend to make us all the more homesick. It doesn't seem a bit like Christmas down here at all. We have tomorrow off that's the only difference from any other day. This town here is very material and realistic. The newcomers here make no open display of Christmas or the holiday spirit. I am getting peeved at all these materialistic people here but there is no way to take care of them. Last night we had a jamboree at the auditorium but it wasn't very good.
Tonight we have Christmas carols on the drill field and I hope they will be something good and different for a change. None of the boys feel very good about staying here for Christmas and New Years but there is nothing we can do about it. Just at present I am in a very ugly mood, not mad just ugly. A bad disposition I guess it should be called. I have a terrific headache and it feels as though I have half the tank corps inside my skull trying to bang their way out. I was suppose to send you a large picture for Christmas but I haven't received them as yet and boy am I burnt up. I have them all paid for and I can't get them due to the fact that Sunday is the only day I have off and Kay's is closed Sunday. If I don't get them I'll tear that joint down no fooling. I'm really T.A. at them. Tomorrow, Christmas, I don't know where to go what to do when I get there. Maybe I'll stick here at the base and just sort of moan and groan about the whole thing. When Christmas comes & goes write & tell me what you got from me and when it arrived. You should have a little bit of everything as I bought every thing I laid my eyes on, good bad or indifferent. The choice was nil so I had to do the best I can. Christmas will be any day I spot something real nice to send you after all you deserve it. The fellows I used to go around with said I was always to fussy about my women but now I am very very glad I have been. Your the tops kid. Last Sunday I was down the beach at a joint and saw some examples. My God! What wrecks, drunk, no morals and no sense of decency whatsoever. I've been down there a few times lately and the more often I go there the more disgusted I get and the more I appreciate your friendship and stuff.
I wish you were here kid cause I miss you a lot no fooling. If I get the notion I'll send home for you bring you down here, get married and send you home again until things settle and then make our plans.
Oh kid I love you ---------
That envelope you sent to me about that card is no mystery. I bought the card to go with the package and I guess the woman mailed it separate. Well I'll go back to greivin and moanin and griping for a few more hours then to school.
Love Love John
On December 25, 1942 Pope Pius XII delivered the Christmas address over Vatican Radio denouncing the extermination of people based on race, though it was carefully worded in general terms rather than specifically condemning the Nazis.
