As we dive into 1945, I have to thank my friend Julie O'Connell for her help in transcribing some of my father's 1945 letters.
According to the website https://warfarehistorynetwork.com/article/operation-nordwind-the-other-battle-of-the-bulge/:
'In late 1944, with American, British, Canadian, Free French, and Polish forces lined up along Germany’s border with Holland, Belgium, Luxembourg, and France and ready to plunge into the heart of the Third Reich, it seemed that the predictions that the war was nearly over were about to come true ... On the Eastern Front, the news was just as good, with a resurgent Soviet Army decimating German ranks in a massive new offensive called Operation Bagration.'
But in the beginning of January, Hitler ordered two surprise counter offensives despite his generals objections. The Allied forces faced intense fighting as well as snow, cold winds, and frostbite. The war raged on.
"January 7, 1945
My dearest Ellen,
Well go on and say it, “I told you so,” I mean because here I am just getting around to writing to you after a week. Well as any fool can plainly see I have arrived safe and sound but just in the nick of time. Three minutes to be exact. The train was late in leaving Boston and at New Haven ran into difficulty thus a delay. How long I don’t quite remember. I do know when I got on the train it turned out to be a battle for survival, everyone rushing for the same sea at the same time.
But as you should guess by now, I won out as usual. The trip wasn’t bad and in fact it didn’t commence until I hit Philly. The train arrived one hour late thus leaving me one hour and 15 minutes to reach the base. Girl did I sweat. I made the street car and the subway on time and after many anxious moments stepped from the subway only to have gloom smote me. The bus, my bus, had just left. I didn’t know how long I’d have to wait for another. I was patient though like a tiger in a cage. At last another came four minutes later to be correct and once again on my way. I had a paper but was too excited to read it. Finally, we hit Willow Grove. I looked for a clock and after many anxious moments I spotted one in the filling station and almost dropped. I had 10 minutes to go 6 miles or so. I stuck out my thumb at the first car I saw and since God was on my side he stopped. Wow. I got to the station ran to the barracks called up the shop and reported. I arrived at the gate at three minutes to eight. I'm going to send you home my laundry I guess I'll need to but I guess I’ll keep knocking myself out with no outside help.
By the way, they have finally commenced to erect a laundry on the station to be complete (?). Well, I’ve got to close now and rest. I need it I guess. So take it easy.
My love always
John"
"January 7 1945 Sunday
Hello Ma
How is everything going in Watertown? I hope everything is kopesetic. I am o.k. and feeling fine.
I still haven't heard whether the baby has arrived or not but it must be here by this time. I am not worth a darn these days, this waiting for news is getting me down.
The past couple of days here have been very rainy. This is very damp country. Stuff gets moldy easy as heck. Every so often I have to take the leather stuff out of my locker and give it a good brushing. A funny thing about it is that we have to go over on the beach to a fresh water stream to wash our clothes as the machinery on the ship doesn't make enough fresh water to fill the demand.
Say how is Rita coming along with her music lessons on that brass pretzel? She ought to be pretty good by now.
As usual I haven't much to talk about.
I got to church alright as usual this morning.
There's a couple of Australian soldiers stationed all by themselves on a nearby island and they come over on the ship nights to see the movies. They are nice fellows but they are awful thin.
2
By the way we had turkey for dinner today and lately we've been getting a lot of ice cream. For a long time the ice cream making machine was out of order. The ice cream is real good.
We are still doing a lot of work on the ship. The shipfitters and metalsmiths always have a lot to do.
We are still having movies every night altho we are getting real old ones now. We had the 'Song of Bernadette' not long ago. It was a good picture. I remember when you went to see it.
We have a liberty party every day for the liberty section and the swimming is great. The water is always nice and warm and very clean. Some of the fellows got fungus in their ears from swimming but if we don't swim underwater to much its ok.
Well, I guess that is all for today so I will close. Take care of yourself
Love
Jim
James P Keohane M2/c"
January 8 the battle of Strasbourg is underway, with Americans in defence of their recent acquisition. Meanwhile in the Pacific there are increasing Kamikaze attacks on US ships.
"January 11 1945
My dearest Ellen,
I’m getting real good now as it seems only yesterday that I wrote my last letter to you. Things are still the same down here except that we’ve had a lot of snow and plenty of very cold weather. I mean it’s really cold and I for one am not afraid to admit that I feel it. Now don’t go worrying about my ailments to be, as yet I haven’t any. For your information just in case your curious, I am writing on my knee. That’s the wobbly lines.
I just completed my daily dozen namely about 12 pound of dirty clothes that needed soap water scrubbing and plenty of elbow grease. I had plenty of all concerned and succeeded in cleaning all my dirty clothes up.
I got two letters today one you wrote thanking me for my card, the other was your last I guess. I almost flopped at the arrival of the thank you card postmarked December 29 I believe. Oh well, blame it on Steven’s post office crew. By the way how is the old boy?
I am enclosing a money order for forty simoleons for you to dispose of at your leisure. I also have made connections for your sterling silver rosary beads. I don’t know when you will get them. Soon I hope. Well, I’ve got to read the life of J Barrymore (Sweet dreams sweet prince) in order to class me up to you. I have to develop my romantic side or sumpthin. Well, I’ll close now.
Love always
John"
I think Steven might have been Uncle Stephen DeCourcey - he was married to John Keohane's sister Hannah - my mother's aunt. He worked for the Post Office.
"January 15 1945
My dearest Ellen,
I got two letters from you today, one that you wrote on the fifth. Better late than never though. From their contents I guess you must be madly in love with some guy - namely me. Well honey, I’m glad. I feel the same way you do but instead of sitting around dreaming about it I am forced to find something to do. Otherwise I go nuts. - and I mean nuts. So you see our romance isn’t one-sided.
How is the weather up there chick, as cold as ever? Down here now it ain’t bad at all although we have had quite a bit of snow. It just keeps falling and melting falling and melting and finally winds up freezing which makes the conditions kind of bad.
Well I went upstate this weekend, up to where the Dutch and the Polacks speak with an Irish brogue. The fact is if I keep going up there myself, I’m afraid I’ll wind up with one too. I think I have a slight touch already. I had a good time as usual, ate a lot, slept a lot, went to church, not a lot, once, and visited all the spots. It was different this time they were celebrating Greek New Year’s and everyone was in a high mood. Not me though, I mean that honestly. Even though I was sober I joined into their singing and had a swell time. I wound up the night singing Irish songs for them. It was really a good time. We came home Sunday nite and intended to catch a train to Philly – we missed the last one. That put the thumb in use. Our luck was good as far as rides were concerned but it snowed in Philly on Sunday and the roads were very slippy. My buddy and I rode down in a coal truck for about fifty miles. Boy are my blues dirty. More wash. We made it back safely only after a few prayers were said.
Did you get my money order yet? Please let me know when you do so I’ll stop worrying about it. I was reading your other letter of about a week ago and want to ask just one question. Where in the unholy name of hell did Bertha get that name for a kid? God bless her little one I mean.
I’ve got to close now so take it easy kid and don’t overwork yourself.
My love always John"
Kind of a strong reaction to a name I think! Maybe Cynthia wasn't a common Irish Catholic name?
January 15 Hitler is now firmly ensconced in the Führerbunker in Berlin with his companion Eva Braun.
January 17 It is announced officially that the Battle of the Bulge is at an end.
January 20 Franklin D. Roosevelt is sworn in for a fourth term as U.S. President; Harry Truman is sworn in as Vice President.
"January 22 1945
My dearest Ellen,
Well, here it is Sunday night and time for another letter to you. It’s been a time since I wrote to you so I hope this will reach you in time to keep the peace. Your letters have been coming very good as is always the case. You never seem to give me any reason to blast you – cuss it.
Well things have gone along well around here although we’ve had loads of snow and having dug our way out of it now wait with delight for a few hot days to melt it away. It was rather deep, but it looked good till it stopped. Then the misery begins as you can well imagine. There was plenty of sore backs around here for a few days, you see the boys aren’t used to hard work. From all reports it’s kind of whitish around home too. Oh well, don’t let it get you down. I'm just dying for spring and summer again or maybe I’m selfish or something but I’m still trying and wishing for it to come along. I’m glad you received my money order now maybe you’ll get around to using it. I hope so anyway. Here’s hoping you’ll use it well. I’ve got to sign off now so I’ll see you.
Love always - John"
January 25 The American navy bombards Iwo Jima in preparation for an invasion.
January 27: Auschwitz concentration camp is entered by soviet troops.
"Jan 29, 1945
My dearest Ellen,
Well, I got here all right but what a battle. Our train was sidetracked for every freight train between Boston and Philly. As you can guess by now, I was late. And I was too; two great big hours. We were due in Philly at 5:45 but arrived at 8. Worrying caused me to lose two locks of hair and a years growth. It turned out all right though as I had it fixed up with a couple of guys I know in the OOD’s office. I managed to get to the wedding and got all checked out about weddings. I am an old hand at it now. Just like a widower. Being best man and all didn’t do me any good as all I got out of it was a spaghetti dinner. It was the driest wedding I’ve ever been at. Yesterday was spent very quiet in my sack doing absolutely nothing.
All I can say is if you ever turn out like this bride, I’ll shoot you. What a couple of jerks - honest. He was running around like some damned fool and she just bossing all hell out of him. When he didn’t run around, he sat in a corner all by himself. I knew he was jerky but not that jerky. She wouldn’t go on a honeymoon until her aunt the one who made the dress showed up to see her in it.
They were married at three in the afternoon and left on there honeymoon at midnite. They hadn’t any reservations for a honeymoon as far as rooms etc. were concerned, and even at midnite they didn’t know whether to go to New York or Philly. They finally decided on Philly. Two jerkier jerks I’ve never seen. They were as I said before married at three and they didn’t tap the half barrel of beer till eight at night. So you see what we had to put up with.
Well, I’ve got to close honey so take real good care.
Love always
John"
January 31 The Red Army crosses the Oder River into Germany and were now less than 50 miles from Berlin.
"February 2 1945
My dearest Ellen,
Well, I’m here at long last but what a letdown. It’s just like Babe Ruth striking out. To get in order I start from the beginning. We left Tuesday instead of Wednesday due to a mistake in the interpretation of our orders.
There I am my underwear, all of them except the one I’m wearing, submerged in suds when I get the word to get ready to leave as soon as possible. So I did but without my underwear. I can buy or borrow some here till I am financially able to stock up again. Our first night was one of confusion, full of fuming and rating, griping and cursing conditions that turned out to be too slow and not up to snuff in the least. Our quarters were lousy, but we endured it and persevered to our objective such as it is. We had to take swimming tests and go through the gas chamber. I’m telling you if I hit gas chambers and swimming pools again - who knows, I might turn out to be another smoke eater or another Tarzan.
After our tests we got an assignment here that is really the racket of all rackets for a soft job. All we do is escort civilians who are visiting the yard on business so that they don’t get lost or do anything that they shouldn’t. Most of our visitors are trucks coming with a load or coming in to pick one up or else a taxicab taking some officer down to the piers and ships.
It’s really a snap. As far as my destination is concerned your guess is as good as mine. I’d like to get a nice patrol squadron somewhere that’s nice and warm but not hot and very definitely not cold. A few more days of this weather and I’ll be an icicle. Say a prayer honey that I get something I like, and I’ll pray that I get home soon.
The liberty isn’t so good here as far as weekends are concerned. They begin at five Saturday night until 7:30 Monday so I don’t get no time home at all. Our being in this unit eligible for transfer kills all our chances for a leave. I’m trying for some special liberty but I don’t know. I’ll be home the first chance that I get so till then write to this address on the envelope it will finally get to me. I’ll keep you posted on my progress or whatever so till then - My love always and always - John"
My father's address has changed from Willow Grove, Pa to Receiving Ship, Navy Yard, Philadelphia, Pa.
January 3 the Battle of Manila began. Forces of the U.S. and Philippines entered Manila. The Manila massacre took place during the fighting. Meanwhile there was heavy bombing of Berlin by the Allies.
January 4 the Yalta Conference of Roosevelt, Churchill and Stalin began - the main subject of their discussions was postwar spheres of influence.
"February 5, 1945
My dearest Ellen,
Here we go again as far as writing is concerned with nothing much doing and very little to be said. So far there is nothing in sight and no destination announced as yet. Incidentally seven aviation men left for Quonset today but don’t get excited nor build up your hopes. I will undoubtedly wind up in the other direction wherever that is. I'm still escorting around here and it’s still a soft touch. Tomorrow I have to take General Classification Tests the same I think as the ones we took in Boot Camp. That will take up tomorrow and the next day. They keep us moving here with very little laying around going nuts. As I said before it’s still a soft touch.
How is the cigarette situation with you or since you don’t practice the habit don’t you know? Its kind of slow here as the only time you can buy them is between 1130 and one o’clock at noon. I’ve been hitting pretty regular but today I missed for a change. They have a line about three blocks long with men Waves and officers all waiting and waiting for two packs, the limit per day, of those coffin nails.
It makes you feel democratic standing between an officer of high rank and some poor Joe just out of boot. Tomorrow I’ll be back in stride I hope. I’m situated here with a bunch of salts that have been all over this world time and time again and who think no more of going to sea than I think of breathing. They would like a little shore duty though but that they can’t get only this receiving ship detail which to them is heaven.
Well so much for that now for us. I am still trying to work my way home but can’t as yet. I am as you will after this letter hoping for a tour at Quonset and if it lasts any length of time you my dear girl will be a married hussy thru no fault of your own. I should have done it sooner as I see my mistake now but you just hold on for a while longer and everything will be all right. I hope.
As you notice, I am using your paper, but I have a fault to find; there aren’t enough envelopes. Well as is the usual procedure I have to close for now so take it easy.
My love always John"
"February 8 1945
My dearest Ellen,
How do you do again? I just realized that my correspondence with you has increased almost from a two week deal to an almost biweekly schedule. It really amazes me. Oh well you must realize that temptation has lowered its ugly or should I say it’s beckoning head and I am back on the very straight and narrow again. For the past two weeks I've failed to study human nature in the least and have devoted my time to the cinema and other artistic outlooks. See what your letting yourself in for. Incidentally I saw my beloved friend Miss Rita Hayworth at the cinema this evening and what a hunk of woman - oh well she wears a lot of make-up maybe up close she ain’t so hot. Just a little on the something or other side. I can’t remember the word to describe her. But your not bad yourself.
Well tomorrow is payday at last at least I hope it is. I have gone down to the depths of dear old financial embarrassment and if I don’t get paid tomorrow I guess I’ll go even lower if it’s possible. The fact is I’m broke. But I guess I’ll manage all right seeing that I’m on the straight and narrow again or I should say as usual. I know for a fact I’m to be paid tomorrow so don’t worry about it in case you do - but I don’t know if you would or not. I’m still trying for time but no soap and my destination is unknown as yet also. I've stuff down here to send home and I guess I’ll have to swim down the bay to get them out of the yard. But I think I have the situation solved now and shall put my plan of attack into effect tomorrow. Tomorrow incidentally is my busy day; I have to work get a haircut get my clothes pressed buy some underwear, some more, get clothes washed and a mess of things I forgotten yet. I’ve just finished washing a couple of sets of blues, well not the whole thing just the stripes and I have them here on a radiator beside me waiting for them to dry.
I got four letters from you yesterday and didn’t know which to open first but it didn’t matter. By the way “Mean to me,” that song you mentioned is my current favorite so don’t you fret maybe that’s why I like it. Incidentally what about that one that says Saturday nite is the loneliest night in the week or words to that effect, it’s really appropriate too. Well honey I’ve got to close now so - lots of love.
God bless and again love always
John"
The song Mean To Me was a torch song recorded in 1929 - I don't know if that is the version my father is talking about or a later version. Here is a link to Billie Holiday singing it - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cxv_pS2XqKA
"Feb 10, 1945
Sunday
Dear Ma,
How's the gal? In good shape I hope. As usual I am getting along OK. Things are going along just the same as usual here and that is pretty darn monotonous.
I am afraid this isn't going to be very much of a letter as I have nothing to talk about. It gets harder and harder to write letters.
I got two letters from Hannie Wednesday.
I found out how much I weigh and I haven't lost as much as I thought I did, 10 pounds. I weigh 145 now. Everybody has lost weight out here.
The mail has been kind of slow getting here lately.
I went to Confession and Communion at Mass this morning and had to go without breakfast and now I have a headache. Lent starts Wednesday doesn't it. I was surprised, it must be starting early this year.
Yessir I sure could go for a few of your good meals. Boy I like to have glass of fresh milk, haven't had one since the last time I was home on leave. We have ice cream once in a while but not near often enough.
My chief made warrant officer and he leaves Wednesday to go back to the States, lucky guy, wish I was going. A few other fellows over the age limit have left for the States too.
There really is nothing to write Ma, I have to sprain my brain, so I will knock off here. Take care of yourself
Love
Jim
James P Keohane M2/c"
January 13/14 the bombing of Dresden took place; it was firebombed by Allied air forces and large parts of the historic city were destroyed. On January14 Prague was bombed - American planes bombed the wrong city.
"February 16 1945
My dearest Ellen,
At last, you are receiving word from me. I had hoped for an assignment at Quonset with this unit but as fate would have it I am now in St. Louis Missouri the opposite objective. We arrived here yesterday after a day and night travel from Philly. It seems to me that a sailor in this outfit gets shoved further away from the sea all the time. At Philly we all figured we would wind up aboard one of those new carriers but no such fate - we got shipped west.
This unit is an advanced base training unit the same one my brother was in before he hit Minneapolis. As yet I don’t know its faults nor its good features but it doesn’t take long. It is new here so everything is confusion. We are now at Lambert Field about twenty miles west of St. Louis but are getting transferred in the morning to Smart field about 18 - 20 miles further west of here. I had very good intentions of writing to you before I left but confusion reigned and I was unable to do it.
This moving around gets everyone all shook up in more ways than one and our actions are accountable to no one. It was a pleasant train ride taking about twenty four hours. Everything proceeded according to plan with no hope or joys frustrated till we hit Ol’ Miss. I always dreamed of the Mississippi as something to behold, a sort of beacon in the dark but was terribly disappointed. Ellen, honey, honest it’s no wider than the Charles, no kidding. I figured it to be at least two or three miles wide but it’s only about a hundred yards here at St. Louis.
The station is a long way from the city but is something like Willow Grove but not much like it. I don’t know too much about things yet but will know as time goes on.
Thanks for all the mail at Philly and your valentines also. I would have reciprocated but there weren’t any to be had. I guess there is a shortage of everything now even poor little Valentines. Well honey I’ll close now and write again as soon as I am settled.
My love always
John"
This next letter has an incomplete date but the envelope is stamped Feb 19 1945.
Sunday February ? 1945
My Dearest Ellen,
Well I'm settled at long last for how long I don’t know. It will surely be for a few months anyway. As far as I can see there isn’t any work around here as yet but from what I understand work is due here any time. This outfit, the same one my brother was in at Norfolk came out here late last fall so it is only new and has not been organized as yet.
Confusion reigns as is the usual way in the Navy in a new organization. We are not at the main Station but at a small field about twenty miles from the Main Station. We are up in a corner along the Missouri River. I am getting the surprise of my life at these rivers out here they’re no bigger than the Charles. I guess they are pretty deep though, we’re about 6 miles from the Missouri and make liberties in St Charles a small town on the river. Things are very inexpensive around here in Comparison to Philly but since I’ve only made one liberty I can’t say too much. My next liberty will be in St. Louis and then maybe I’ll know more about the town. Tomorrow, I guess we’ll really get settled, at least I hope so. We know a few of the guys out here and one of the officers in fact the officer asked for us. We met these guys when they were at Willow Grove on temporary duty. They are a pretty good bunch and they’re showing us all the rackets. They're are about 200 men here and five officers here so the duty should be all right. I’m trying to work my way to school but you never can tell. Here’s hoping. The best part of it is that we have three washing machines around to due our washing but most of the time they're taken but we manage to get by all right. Well honey I’ve got to close for now so take it easy.
My love always - John
P.S. My liberty ain’t bad. No weekends but every other night.
February 19 U.S. Marines invaded Iwo Jima.
February 22 Operation Clarion, a massive bombing of German rail and other transport infrastructure by approximately 9,000 U.S. and British aircraft took place, carrying over into 23 February.
February 23 U.S. Marines raised the American flag on Mount Suribachi on Iwo Jima.
"February 26 1945
My Dearest Ellen,
I’ve had a couple of letters from you in the last few days and as usual was very happy to receive them. I miss you and when I don’t get your letters especially now I miss you more. I must also say please don’t send them air mail as they get here just as fast in the regular mail. It takes about three days for both. So send them regular mail.
Well I had yesterday off and visited this town but good. The fact is for every liberty I make I do a lot of observing - conditions et all. All in all it’s a nice town, St. Louis I mean with a great tendency to be French in style and pattern. If one notices close enough he can pick it out in their architecture and building habits especially in the older buildings. The newer buildings are more American in design and finish. The French type have that sidewalk café design but they are now enclosed with windows. I guess because of the cold weather. It’s a city that’s spread out and a city of pretty parks, buildings and good roads. The manufacturing section seems to be in E. St. Louis which is across the river in Illinois. As an added note, when I look out the window facing northeast I can see the bluffs of Illinois along the Mississippi. They look very pretty especially early at sunrise. As far as big cities go St. Louis is still an infant not having shed her diapers and still suffering from growing pains as far as city government is concerned. All in all the city is pretty well controlled by interest out for their own gain and it’s still pretty wide open.
St. Louis is a city where I really and honestly and truthfully realized what juvenile delinquency really was and what effect it could have on the kid that were the evil. Last week we decided to go to this dance hall the Tune Town to see Les Brown and arriving early spotted a jointy looking beer joint called in the words of the elite, a cabaret. We went into the bar had a beer and noticed a back room with tables and a colored dance band. We gave it a try and the waitress showed us to a seat. It took us about five minutes to get accustomed to the darkness but when we did we were half surprised and half stupefied. There was a colored band, about six pieces groaning and straining to produce music but they were a wee bit inebriated to care whether they did or not. A few times they succeeded. The dancers -? Well, that’s a different story. Don’t let this phrasing get you confused as it’s the way I feel. A bunch of adolescents, their leg structure and development - oomph or whatever you call it had hardly a noticing effect in the tight sweaters they were wearing and that’s when they exerted effort to give off an affect if you get what I mean. They were dancing and when they weren’t dancing, they were slopping up beer or rum Coke and smoking like fiends. I could have gone over and kicked their ass (I mean it) if only it had been someone I had known. Now I know how social diseases spread among young sailors and hooligans. They were the ones who were playing them. The sailors 17 to 18 the girls 14 to 15. So much for that more later.
Time for lights out.
My love always,
John"
February 26 Syria declared war on Germany and Japan, while after ten days of fighting, American and Filipino troops recaptured Corregidor.
