"March 2 1946
My dearest Ellen
I got three letters from you in the past few days. They were postmarked February 12 – 13 – 15 so I guess the letter of the 14th will drop in at any time. I was going to go to the show and the boring bouts tonight and answer these tomorrow but nature intervened. It is now raining like mad. It seems to me that even the elements are on your side. I guess I better answer your mail now before I start rambling off on some subject that doesn't amuse you at all. As far as driving is concerned I guess driving lessons could be managed for you. It's pretty simple in itself the driving I mean, and all that's required is patience and good judgment plus a little experience. I guess if Gin can drive you can too that is if someone teaches you the fundamentals. When I get home I'll see what can be done about it. Agreed? That family of yours is really giving you a few bad hours in a good natured sort of way. I'm glad that you can take it and give back to. Who knows maybe those nipples will come in handy sometime in the future and it will be so much saved on your part.
As far as our cozy estate out here in Okinawa is concerned the rain is now seeping in in a spot or two so tomorrow I guess we will have to fix it. It's raining to hard now and besides it's very dark out. We have a large refrigerator in our hut too but it don't go. It hasn't any chemical in it to freeze or cool the box.
The guy that fixes them doesn't seem to know where we live because we've sent for him a few times but no soap. Oh well such is life! As far as our home is concerned I guess we had better wait till we get married and settled down before we decide on anything definite. Financial reasons I guess.
You said in your letter that you dreamed that we were getting married and that when you were halfway down the aisle you discovered that you had on loafers. Well kid I had a dream quite similar but I can't quite remember what it was that made you back out but it was some thing. All I know is that you walked out on me and left me there at the altar embarrassed confused and what have you. The priest married me anyway but I don't know where you were. When I woke up I was covered with sweat and couldn't remember where I was at. It must have been something I ate. Boy what a dream that was. Never again. I'll send a few pictures of our huba natives and would like to hear Rita's comments. I don't figure she will wear these out. By the way I'm learning a bit about photography out here. The developing and printing angle I mean. The guy I bunk with took it up for a year in college and is pretty well hep on the stuff. It's really interesting no kidding. I guess I'll have to develop the idea and make a good use of it. The pictures I am sending you mostly of Suicide Cliff where the Japs leaped to their death before they would give up. It's just as rough as it looks and I guess any kind of a leap would be good for a trip to the Pearly Gates or what have you. I'll close out and will write again tomorrow. I love you and miss you an awful lot. Keep your chin up and keep smiling.
I love you always
John"
This picture of Suicide Cliff, Okinawa with the guys at the edge gives me the chills.
"March 3 1946
My very dearest Ellen,
Well here I am again. Your letters really piled up on me so I guess I had better finish answering them this morning. Miss or is it Mrs Mac is certainly giving you people a bad time. You really surprise me by standing up to her the way you do. I'm really glad to hear that you can stick up for your own right. Theresa busting out in tears really disappointed me after all you told me about her. I guess one never knows. Keep up the good work kid I'm proud of you, honest. As far as her being a what you call "frustrated female" I can't say as I never looked up the definition but if she is what I think she is after your description she should do the world a favor and drop dead.
As for settling down after marriage I guess we can kick around for a couple of years, just the two of us just so that you will see what you haven't been missing. We'll let the heirs apparent wait a year or two. All right? As far as eloping with a Red Cross gal or a nurse is concerned don't let it bother you at all. They are strictly officer bait and enlisted men marry them when the officers get thru playing with them. I won't say all the women are like that but there is a good percentage. They aren't for me and I'm damned sure I'm not for them. We have a club out here operated by the Red Cross girls. They are about the only women we see except for one or two getting off the transport planes going to Japan or Tokyo. Never worry about me honey as you are stuck with me if you like it or not.
We went out yesterday and shot some pictures. We found a native village and shot away. We are printing the pictures and I will send you a set when they are dried out. While we were touring around I got in a sentimental mood and really began to realize what the army and marines went thru out here to take this place. In about 2 miles along one of the valleys we counted twenty tanks that were knocked out by the Japs. It's really something when you park a jeep on the road and look up the sides of these hills and wonder how in the name of God they ever made it. I guess the cemeteries give the answer. Along most of the roads you can still see the effects of war what with ruined tanks and Jap trucks, tree stumps all black from flame throwers, shell craters and the tombs and caves all pock marked by rifle and machine gun fire. I stopped to realize what the invasion of Japan would be like if this was a preview. They had over 80,000 dead servicemen out here taking the southern half of this island, and that doesn't include navy casualties on the ships that were hit by the Kamikaze boys. Our Acorn was slated for Japan whether you know it or not. I'm glad that the war ended when it did as my luck may have run out if it didn't.
Well honey I'll close out now before I get to morbid. I love you honey and miss you dearly. Keep praying that I get home soon and I will try to make your prayers come to reality. I guess I miss you as much as you miss me but my mind is kept occupied most of the time. Maybe it's a good thing or else I'd go stock raving mad out here.
I'll sign off now and will again say I love you with all my heart and miss you
Always
John"
I was quite touched when my father was talking about realizing the human cost of the war - 80,000 families whose sons or fathers weren't going home.
"5 March 1946
My very dearest Ellen,
Well honey here I am again a little slow but very sure. I got a letter from you today the first this week so I am doing all right for the time being. It was one of your moody letters but nevertheless I read over a couple of times. Where you seem despondent I only read once so cheer up. At last you find that you are not the only one having romantic troubles as Hannie is also having hers. I guess Peggy is the only one having a half decent time these days but wait a while and things will change. By the way give Peggy my best wishes on her 20th anniversary. Boy ain't everyone getting old all around us. Who knows maybe we are too but I doubt it. That guy Paul must have plenty of dough to run around to Steuben's and the Carleton. Give me a line on him. What does he do or who does he do for a living? He must have a pretty good racket.
Your plans for my homecoming are really something hon, no kidding. I guess I had better stay in shape so that I won't be snowed under when I hit deah old home. Oh you do the planning I'll tag along and try to keep up the faith till the bitter end. I guess one good wild night would really swarm me under after being away from the bright and gay spots for so long. All I do is sit around and figure out ways to make money. I really figure out some lulu's no fooling. I make thousands upon thousands of dollars then come to, still as low financially as when I started. I've been thinking a lot about real estate and it still looks like a pretty good bet. When we get married is the time I'm really going to start making money and living if I have anything to say about it.
As far as sending me anything there isn't anything I need really. You see I was thinking about a camera but I don't need one. When I get around to need one I have a buddy with me who worked at Eastman Kodak before the war and thru his sister at home he can get me a real good one at half the usual price. I can tell you what you can do for me if you will. It will take up a lot of your spare time and who knows maybe it will be a good hobby for you. I've been hearing a lot of real old Bing Crosby recordings out here lately and was planning to make a collection of them when I get home. Maybe you can dig up a few for me in the meanwhile.
I'll make a list of recordings I like and then you can get them for me in your spare time. You can send me a box of stuff like at Christmas and can include a few song sheets Sunday funnies and the like if you will plus the local papers. I'd really appreciate them honey. If they run into money let me know and I'll send you a money order to cover expenses. Especially for the recordings. I'm sending you some more pictures of Okinawa in general. I have a few of me that I'll send along at a later date.
Well honey I'll close out now for the time being and will write again tomorrow or sooner. I have to develop some pictures for further distribution. I miss you a lot honey and I love you dearly always and always will
All my love
Always
John"
There is another envelope also postmarked Mar 6 1946 but no letter to go with it. In the above 5 March letter, my father opens it saying 'Well honey here I am again' - I wonder if he had written another letter earlier that day? Here is the envelope anyway.
"9 March 1946
My dearest Ellen,
If my writing at times seems shaky it is due principally to the fact that my fellow chiefs are playing ping-pong and as a result the floor of the Quonsett which in turn supports my table is vibrating something fierce. Oh they just finished thank the Lord so maybe things will be a little quieter for a while. Did you get my last letter as yet? All I can say is why did I do it! I got a letter from you Thursday in which you were praying that my transfer would come through. No sooner did I finish reading your letter then I was informed of the fact that I was being transferred to N.A.B. Awase immediately. Oh I guess that was a rapid answer to your prayer. All the chiefs that I knew down here have gone home except for two and one of the two is the Chief Cook who in Navy lingo is a Chief Commissary Steward. The Chiefs here now were formally attached to Casu 11 and were transferred down here a few weeks ago. Everything is going fine so far. We had an inspection this morning first thing so we all had to look sharp. Oh I guess we looked sharp enough as the old man the captain I mean didn't say anything to the contrary. They are ashphalting the fields so there is no operations going on. At present we are sweating out growing pains as the unit was formed only recently. Things are still pretty much in a state of confusion what with only a few men on hand and the boys going home on points. With a little time and a lot of patience we may persevere. Who knows?
Commencing tomorrow they are going to start building homes for the wives of the servicemen out here and from the plans they are going to be really all set. If they follow it through it may turn out to be a pretty good deal after all. This overseas duty I mean. I'll keep you posted on developments as they occur and will see what can be done as far as I'm concerned. I am sending you a few more pictures of myself the ones I promised before. As you can probably see I need a shave and one shot that really could have been all right was turned out too dark which added a little more stubble to my features. I guess I'll never get over that squint when I have a picture snapped. I'm sending a couple of small prints of the female decorations they have on the planes out here. Some really are good the others are much better. Lately they were forced to push dresses or similar effects on the art as it might make these Red Cross hags jealous. You know all that neat meat and I am such a sad sack. What brought that on? Well honey I'll close for now and will write again tomorrow. Take care of yourself Please.
I love you and miss you an awful lot, honestly.
All my love always and always
John"
"12 March 1946
My very dearest Ellen,
Well another weekend has passed away and still nothing new has happened. I really like it down here but confusion is still the rage. We are getting straightened out by degrees and every day shows an improvement over the past. Who knows but in a few weeks things will be running smoothly once again and everyone will be happy. I didn't get any mail from you today but I figure I'll get one or two tomorrow so I'll be keeping my fingers crossed until then.
The Navy is going back on a peacetime status on or about the first of April and Navy Bulletins are flooding into Personel office out here amending this or canceling this or announcing something new. One came out now affecting rates from now on in. In order for a man to make Chief he will have to be in the Navy for almost 7 years according to the minimum time between rates posted on the order. After seeing that I was really glad that I made it when I did. If I didn't I'd have to wait another year before I could attempt and would have to put a year at sea before I could get it. As a chief I am still acting appointment which means that the skipper can break me if I am incompetent or get in any serious trouble. It's more or less a probationary period to see if you can handle the job satisfactorily. Before today in order to be Permanent appointment you had to be an Acting appointment chief for one year if overseas or two years in the states. Now you have to have a years sea duty as acting appointment before you make permanent appointment and no other way. My time out here acts towards permanent appointment so I have no worries about us on that count.
Once a chief is permanent appointment he cannot be broken down in rate by anyone except the Chief of Naval Personal in Washington and then only on a very serious offense is he usually broken. So you see what I am striving for honey. I want to earn permanent appointment out here and when I go back to the states I'll be practically immune to severe discipline and everyone can go to hell. We'll be set for life or as long as we wish.
We had a party yesterday at our club and what a doisy it was. We had beer that we had and a couple of quarts of whiskey that our officer friends brought down. We had the party, a farewell affair, for two pilots who are going home on reassignment, and for two guys that are getting discharged. It was really a success. I was bartender for the night, till 3 AM to be exact, and everyone got as stiff as a plank. I guess I mixed the right concoctions for myself but the wrong ones for the others. Everyone got sick except me, but I guess it was because I was moving around so much that I wore off the sickening effects of too much liquor. All in all everyone had a good time and went home happy.
I tried Hannie's boilermakers after I was about half gone but got a better kick out of the 'depth charges.' The 'depth charge' is a shot of liquor in a beer and it's really potent. I've sworn off now till next weekend, I have to recuperate.
I miss you a lot when I'm having a little fun like that and wish so hard that you were with me to either control me or help me out. When I get home me and you will throw a mess of parties of our own in private or in public and see who wakes up the next morning with the biggest head. That should really be some thing no fooling. I can't imagine you waking up in the morning and telling me that you have a big head. Of course it could happen even to us. I'm looking forward to it. Maybe some night when we are on our honeymoon we'll really knock ourselves out, what do you say? I've only seen you tipsy once and you weren't so bad then except that you had a far away look in your eye. Remember?
By the way I saw the 'Harvey Girls' too and incidentally I thought it stunk. The songs were all right but the action and the story were lousy. About the only spot I liked was the waltz sequence they had at the Harvey Girls party. That reminded me of home and you and all. Maybe that's why I liked it so well. I also saw bells of Saint Mary with Bing Crosby and liked it a lot although the sound machine out here really murdered Bing when he sang. That Chase must be a pretty swell guy especially when Hannie intimates that she really likes him. Maybe she'll get trapped and wind up getting married after all.
My mother wrote to me a couple of days ago and said that you were going out to see them quite often. They think your swell and they mean it. Keep up the good work kid.
I guess Jim is taking a long rest before he goes back to work again. I don't blame him a bit no fooling. I guess I'll follow suit.
Well honey I'll close out for now and will write again in a couple of days. I love you honey honestly I do and miss you an awful lot. I'll close for sure now
All my love
Always
John"
I hadn't heard of the 1945 movie The Harvey Girls - it starred
Bells of St Mary was another movie that I loved - it used to be on around Christmas with Bing Crosby's other movies - Going My Way, Holiday Inn. I loved Ingrid Bergman - She almost made me want to become a nun!
"13 March 1946
My dearest Ellen,
As I figured I received two letters from you today so I am still in a fine frame of mind. Seeing that you are on the switchboard, reminds me of old times when you were on the switch board before up at Newton. Remember? Please excuse this pen but I misplaced mine somewhere or the other and I had to borrow this from one of the other chiefs for the time being. I'll find it for sure tomorrow as this pen is really lousy.
I see that Madeline has finally landed a job at the Veterans Bureau. I suppose that now she'll have more men than ever to ease her sudden letdown at the hand of her ex flame Peter. I guess it was really a stinking trick on his part to be serious for a moment but she has no one to blame but herself. From your description of her escapades she does all the rushing and the poor guy has nothing to do about it. Maybe now that the war is over and things have settled down a bit she'll latch onto some guy that won't drop her so that she'll bounce. If she doesn't catch on soon her heart will wind up in a thousand pieces. Too bad!
I guess Hannie still hasn't settled down completely but I guess she will eventually. In fact the world itself hasn't stopped spinning but when it does everything will return to normal and every one will carry on once again as they did before the war. The war gave them a cockeyed view of fast living and its pretty rough slowing down after you've been going full blast for a few years. As I said before you weren't living fast and you didn't miss anything.
These letters that I received from you were both mailed and written the 21st of February. The first you wrote at work the second at home after you came home from bowling. The second letter is very loving which I wish mine were at times. I guess I'll have to get a book and learn how to write love letters but they would only be a novelty. Maybe if I wrote you a love letter and read it over before I mailed it I'd probably blush all over. Please honey never fear that I am fed up with you or that I'll get a change of heart as I know I won't. I wish you wouldn't get in these depressed moods of yours or you'll drive yourself crazy. I love you with all my heart and there is nothing that I can do about it.
I'm glad that you feel as you do about my staying in service but as soon as it doesn't live up to my expectations I guess I may change my mind. As of now its been good to me and as long as its at least a fifty fifty proposition the Navy and I will get along. Well honey I guess I'd better sign off now and return this damned pen to its rightful owner and let him do with it as he pleases. If it were mine I'd know where to put (it.) I love you with all my heart Ellen please believe me; and I miss you an awful lot. I'll write again tomorrow.
All my love always.
John"
"16 March 1946
My dearest Ellen
It seems to me that I am a few days behind in my writing, but I am really pressed for time at the present and if I am a little lax please forgive me. We are, that is the chiefs and officers, trying to organize the station and put it on a paying basis but we are running into a lot of difficulty from a thousand and one angles. The station setup as it now stands is made up of about two hundred men including officers and we have to take care of an area about half the size of Watertown. Included in this area is the landing strip with two big work areas, the camp area we live in, an enormous bomb dump loaded down with bombs plus an aviation supply depot they decommissioned but didn't remove the supplys from. Every area is loaded down with loads of expensive equipment and is a very tempting dish for looters both native and G.I. Every night some one of our areas is raided by looters and the chiefs and officers are broken out to investigate. These looters are really low characters, and if we ever catch up with them I'm afraid they will wind up in Naval Prison. The guys don't know what discipline is and as a result they are making it rugged for the other guys out here. We are making progress slowly but surely and in a few weeks I figure we will have them pretty well in hand.
I've been receiving mail from you regularly for the past few days so that is at least one bright spot in my day. Keep your letters coming honey as I really get a lift from them. We played the officers today in the season opening soft ball and won as usual. Our team isn't as good as last year as you can see by the score which when the game ended saw us with 20 runs to ten for the officers. It was really a loose game, I caught the whole game behind the plate which is usually a hot job as it is, but to add to my misery it was muggy and drizzly and I sweated like a bull. Right about now I'm kind of tired, but can manage this letter I guess.
Tomorrow is St Patrick's Day and my second St Patricks Day without liberty. I guess I'll have to throw a private party to celebrate a bit or maybe I'll go to Confession and Communion tomorrow which I guess will be more beneficial in the long run. Well honey I'll close out for the present and will write again tomorrow afternoon. I guess I'm getting old and can't take it any more so I'll hit the sack if nothing else turns up for me to do. I love you kid with all my heart and miss you an awful lot. All my love to you
Always
John"
"20 March 1946
My dearest Ellen,
Hello again. I guess you must think that I am lost I have slowed down in my writing so much. Please don't give up on me as yet as we are still going hot and heavy out here. Today it rained so I can write to you at last. We have a mess of carrier planes out here that have to be sent out to China, Japan and back to the states so they are keeping us rather busy loading them aboard ship. Tomorrow we will be going really heavy. We were supposed to load a seaplane tender with planes today and were slated to unload another tomorrow but since it was raining and quite windy we will have to do both jobs tomorrow. I guess we will be all day working and all night too as it's a slow job. On top of that we are still attempting to organize the station which is slowly coming around all right I think. Oh well I asked for work so I guess I'm getting it all right so I shouldn't complain too loudly. I got a letter from you yesterday postmarked March 4th. You must have spent all night writing it as it was eight pages long. What a girl! Keep it up, but definitely kid as I love every page of them. As far as your photo album is concerned you should have a good one started on Okinawa and vicinity already. I'll keep sending them along as fast as I can get them in order that in my old age I'll be able to see what I went thru and wonder why and how.
I got your sizes down at last, about the only thing you missed was the size of your hat. I guess I had better get home in a hurry from the sizes you sent me. That 28 inch waist really gets me. Where do you hide it? You complained about me not knowing your measurements at this late date, please tell me hon, when did I ever measure your waist and bust? Maybe I really would have welcomed the opportunity but maybe I can look forward to it in the near future. I hope so anyway as the pleasure will be all mine I assure you. Now I'm speaking like a gay blade or whatever they call it so I had better cease, nevertheless it's good work if you can get it. On second thought what (have) Grable or Rita Hayworth got that you haven't got. I'll have to read Earl Wilson's 'Behind my eight Ball' and find out. When you marry me I guess you're going to have a hectic life. As for family life honey you seem to be worrying an awful lot about it. Well I tell you what I'm going to do! You tell me how many kids we're going to have and I'll compromise with you. They are bringing wives out to the island now but not to Okinawa as yet. As soon as they get out here I'll let you know. If I can swing a deal I'll send for you with the idea that we shall be married as soon as you get here. It's (scuttle butt) rumors that wives are coming out here in the near future and I know that the Doctor has had orders to put up a Maternity ward but please don't bank all your hopes on it as yet. I'll keep you posted as fast as things develop! Out here things happen fast and the idea may be dropped without notice, that's why I don't want you to bank too much hope on it. It's still in the rumor and suggestion stage and will not be official until it's put down in black and white and published. Right now they are as far out here as Guam. I am keeping my fingers crossed.
As far as Hannie is concerned I still think that she will lose money when she gets married. After all 42 bucks a week ain't hay no matter what way you look at it. Who knows maybe if she does join the ranks of the wedded she may run into a million or win the Irish Sweepstakes. I've got to run off to my sack now as I must get up early tomorrow to carry out my duties as a member of Uncle Sammy's Navy. I dread the thought as 6 AM is really the middle of the night as far as out here is concerned. I miss you terribly honestly I do kid and only wish you were here. As I said before I'll keep you posted on developments as they develop and since I'm on the subject watch out for your own. Development I mean. That thirty four bust really fooled me but keep up the good work. I guess I'm getting rock happy writing like this so please forgive me. I love you with all my whole heart and always and always will. As I've often said before, my manner of expressing my love and feelings may seem very unromantic but I do love you with all my heart now and always. So long from now and I love you
Always
John"
"25 March 1946
My very dearest Ellen,
Hello again, and I hope you are still in good spirits. Today I received four letters and not one from you, but never mind I got three from you the day before today which to my way of thinking should be yesterday. Can you figure this out? If so let me know so that I'll understand it. I looked at the post marks and found that the letters came from Boston New York Philadelphia and Detroit. After three seconds of thought I came to the conclusion that I was a pretty cosmopolitan sort of a guy as far as knowing people from different areas is concerned.
The Boston letter was penned by a no less renowned character than my friend Aleo. He is home now as a civilian and is back at his old job. He hates the civilian life as it's quite boring after kicking around for over three years in his bell bottomed trousers. He has a mess of complaining to do and may join up again for two years to get away from it all. He really misses the old crowd we had at Willow Grove. The whole trouble is that they all got married on him and he was left all to himself. What a fate for a fun loving guy?
The letter from New York was from my friend Webers. He's a civilian also as I think I told you before. Instead of opening a tavern or being a fireman as he was before the war he is now driving a truck; one of those long distance affairs. I guess he's happy about the whole affair as he has no complaints whatsoever except that his celebrating keeps him from getting all the sleep he needs. He'll get along as with him it's no strain and no pain.
The letter bearing the Philadelphia postmark was written by my favorite bartender at Willow Grove. I really should say bartenders as two of them collaborated on the story. I guess it was written in one of their, shall we say 'off moments' as they're writing room at the time was the game room of the Jenkintown Fire House. Knowing that room from old and adding the fact that they were both out of work I figure that it took a little indulgence in the Devils Brew to inspire it. They are both very good friends of mine and since they are both approximately sixty years of age and unmarried they do nobody any harm except themselves and that will amount to little. They informed me that the girl that was supposed to marry my Polack friend who is or was on Iwo Jima with Tom is going to marry some other Joe. Do you remember that Irish I used to write you about, well she upped and got herself married to some guy from Chicago and has gone out their to live. I guess I'm putting out more news of personal interest to me then does the Associated Press and all its competitors. I hope you don't get bored with this. I know these guys and gals and I have written to you about them so therefore I figure you have an interest of some sort in them also.
The letter I got a letter from Detroit from a fellow I came over seas with but who has been discharged and has also gone back to his old job. He has invited me to drop in on him and his wife any time I'm thru Detroit. He's a pretty nice guy except for the fact that he's a big dealer and that's no discredit when you can make out all right. His primary interest though is procuring some snapshots of the airstrip out here which I shall attempt to do as soon as I can dig a few up.
Well I guess that takes care of that for the time being. Now let's talk about something that's more important and better still more refreshing. Naturally I mean you and I. The letters I received from you four to be correct instead of three as I said before were postmarked February 20 and March 5 - 9 - 11.
I'll tell you what I'll do. I'll answer the first two now and the other two later. How will that be? You seem to be keeping late hours honey staying up till 1130 and 12 AM writing to me. You eventually will wind up with bags under your eyes but I'll love you just the same. You know that don't you? As for Miss Mack well she can stick her head where it will do her the most good, if she can ever find a place that can stand it. I think she is jealous because she has no one to think of only her own miserable self. I guess that's telling her off! As for Rita and her Huba and such voguish jargon (ahem) I'll spot her on my envelope for a change. The drawing is not so hot but I am running out of big envelopes and it will have to do. As for your jealous nature and despondent moods over other girls having dates and good times, well kid I blow my top quite a few times myself when I commence thinking of all the good times I'm missing by being out here but all I can do is think of all the fun and stuff we can have when we get together again. Take it easy and relax. I love you so very much kid sometimes I think of all this time wasted and I almost break a rib trying to hold myself back from doing some thing desperate. Out here it doesn't pay. I've got to close this one out now kid and will write again later on tonight. I love you with all my heart and only wish you could be around to cheer up a few of these lonely hours. All my love always
John"
Interesting learning that my mother was jealous but also despondent at times. It must have been so difficult maintaining a long distant relationship for such an extended period - especially now that the war was over, and life was resuming some semblance of normalcy at home. She had been going out to the Hibernian - maybe she was going out with Hannie now that Hannie was home. It sounds like she was willing to move to Okinawa if the chance arose.
I felt a bit of a dilemma with the following letter because of the intimate nature of some of the conversation. I delayed publishing this post while I wrestled with the pros and cons. The cons included whether I should include intimate conversations between my parents - I'm sure my mother would probably be mortified, but she did keep these letters - she could have destroyed some of them. Another con is the reaction some of my family might have - I felt squeamish reading the letter so I am sure they might feel that way.
The main pro for publishing it is that it is part of our family history - it is part of history in general. I love history - I imagine my father and mother were not the only ones going through a long distance romance during WWII, and my father's letters give voice to their struggles. I also discussed whether or not to publish it with my brother and sister-in-law. They both felt it was part of our history and should be published. My sister-in-law even noted that we have all gone through the same thing and had the same urges/impulses. I rationalized that if I was an only child, I would publish the letter unedited without a second thought. So here it is:
"24 March 1946
My very dearest Ellen,
Well here I am again as planned. The date may seem different but as far as I'm concerned it's still the same day. You see I'm standing a watch again, this time from 11 PM to 0800 in the morning so I can answer some more of your letters and will try to answer the rest of my mail also. You asked me about the weather out here and at the present moment it is raining. It has been practically all night. The rain season starts in a week or two so this is only a preliminary of what's to come. I guess I'll be able to stand it if the natives can. I intended to answer your letters sooner but as I told you in a previous letter I am working like a dog. We unloaded 17 planes of a seaplane tender Wednesday and loaded six more aboard another one. I'm just getting over it. We worked from 7 AM to 8 PM to accomplish the job. On or about April 15 we will load 59 planes on a carrier so if you don't hear from me on or about that date you are being forewarned. I can't complain as I've been asking for work and have at last got it. I guess I had better answer your letters while I can or else I'll forget to later. As for me striking out in the ball game, well honey even the best of us strike out at times. I am not conceited, just self-confident. (Ahem)
You and my folks at home in fact everyone in general seem to think that I am getting, shall we say pudgy. It has gotten so that I am believing it myself. But as long as you think I look lovable that's all right with me. As far as some lovin's hon, I guess it could be arranged by proxy but that would be only a one sided affair. Your substitute out here would be some gold tooth native who undoubtedly would be quite repulsive and since I am the particular sort that arrangement would never do at all. Me and these native damsels don't get along no how and that's the way I like it. As for my drawings I thank you for your compliments as it's merely a passing fancy on my part and the drawings are just a simple process I've worked out. I thought that you would like them so that is the reason I am doing it. Something special for me gal.
I'd like to see that new hairdo that you gave yourself. I guess from the way you talk the hair is short enough now so that it won't get into my eyes and mouth when I'm around. I'll have to remember that for a future reference. I guess with your hair short and Hannie smoking etal you can stop worrying for a while. Poor Hannie I guess no one realizes that she is now a woman of the world. I guess she'll keep smoking as long as she can afford cigarettes, after that who knows. With Annie and Mary B getting married that Cupid guy must be running wild in Watertown. Don't worry honey we're as good as married right now so consider us so. Incidentally that picture of Nancy you sent me will appear on one of my envelopes real soon. Thanks for sending it out.
You suggested in your letter that I tell you about myself and that I will. I am in good health good spirits and not bragging a bit I think I look real good. I guess I am getting a little stocky but I'm not getting fat at all. Laying around out here for six months without any manual labor to perform has sort of softened me up but a few weeks of real work will take care of that I am sure. I guess that there is nothing the matter with me that a little loving wouldn't cure in a hurry so I guess we are both in the same boat. To be the indefinite type you tell me some personal things about yourself that I don't know. I said before in this letter we are as good as married, and I am a big boy now so you can tell me everything. As for myself I guess you know my habits pre-war and war time and I will change the evil ones to suit your fancy i.e. drinking beer etc. I've actually come to a real slow down and drink on an average of less than a can of beer a day.
You are enlightening me as far as my technique is concerned really flattered me no end. I'll admit I have a technique but so has every other guy. Hon you let me know more every day. Don't tell me you never had 'impulses' before I took you out or I'm liable to get a big head and figure I'm another Boyer. All I want to know is if you enjoyed the parking and especially hey if you enjoyed the 'impulses' as you call them? If you did you could let me know and I'll make a mental note of it for a future reference. In all sincerity Ellen did you enjoy the ''parking we did the last time I was home? Please answer. I did as it proved to me that you were human and that you were as deeply in love with me as I was with you, otherwise you would not have let me be as free with you as I was. Give me your opinion after all you are going to be my wife and as your husband to be I guess I'm entitled to at least your ideas on the matter.
If I appear to be blunt give me the word and I'll drop the whole subject. I love you with all my heart kid and like to know what you think and feel. I don't intend to be smutty or dirty. Being risqué is all right as long as we are this far apart so no damage can be done and before any damage will be done, morally I mean, we will be married and then it won't be damage but just a common function of married life. Do you get what I mean. Anything you want to tell me about yourself tell me as I said before I'm entitled to know and it won't do us any harm.
I'm sending you three pictures in my next letter that are really nice shots. I'm in them and I think I came out really well. I'll close out for now and will write right again real soon maybe tomorrow. Honest kid I love you with my whole heart and mind and miss you something fierce. I wish I could be with you for a while just to see you and realize that you are around. I miss you, honest I do.
I've got to close out now for sure, so I'll say 'so long' for tonight.
I love you with all my heart
Always
John."
Who was Nancy in the picture my mother sent?
"25 March 1946
My very dearest Ellen
This well have to be a quickie as I have a mess of work to do tonight that has to be ready for Friday. Oh, what a life! Maybe in a day or two things will slow down to a mad dash. Today they opened our field for a few hours to fly in airplanes and as luck would have it the last plane in the first group of three crashed. How the pilot lived I'll never know. All I can contribute it to is the grace of God. The crash was bad enough and when the plane failed to catch on fire God was truly on his side. I got three letters from you today and will answer them tomorrow or tonight later if I can get a little time. This is the letter I promised you before with the pictures enclosed. I hope you like them. I personally think they came out pretty well. You will probably miss my drawing tonight but as I said before I'm terribly pressed for time these days and will continue my usual practice as soon as is possible. I'll close out for now and will write again tomorrow. I love you with all my heart and miss you
Always
John"
"27 March 1946
My very dearest Ellen,
I guess I had better answer your three letters before I lose track of myself. As it is I am running around in circles but eventually I'll get straightened out and then maybe I'll be able to slow down a bit. The letters I received from you yesterday were postmarked March 12 -13 & 15. Your letters seem to be coming in bunches to which I have no objections whatsoever as single or in bunches I am always very happy to receive them. With all the snow that has fallen back there this winter all the rivers should be flooded beyond all bounds this spring. I don't believe it will affect you people but I guess quite a few may be homeless later in the spring.
I guess I won't recognize Bertha when I get home if she is getting as fat and as big as you say. I guess she could use a few pounds but if added weight will remove her shyness and quiet attitude I'm all for it. Who knows but when I see her again she may turn out to be a real chatterbox? As for Cynthia, well all I can say is observe closely as your offspring may be just as rugged. I don't know where Cynthia gets her curls as if I remember rightly your family doesn't have curly hair nor does Bertha. Maybe it's just a transition and her hair will get straight again.
I'm glad my pictures and literature enlightened you as far as Okinawa was concerned. To be truthful and fair about it when it rains, Okinawa stinks in more ways than one and when it's dry it is tolerable, that is if you can stand a coral dust that is continually blowing about. As far as confusion over the island's possession is concerned the island has adapted the attitude as far as weather and conditions are concerned. In all confusion is the key word for Okinawa itself.
I saw that picture with Zachary Scott and Faye Emerson, 'Danger Signal' I think it was. It wasn't any rave picture but as far as we are concerned it was tolerable. Now that I think of it Easter isn't too far after all. If you get a few pictures of yourself in your new Easter bonnet please send it right along in this direction. I got a letter from my mother also and Tom is in the States but Joe is out to sea again. I guess by the time you receive this letter Tom will have arrived at home so this won't be any news to you. I wish I were in his shoes but as fortune would have it I'll have to love you from afar and miss you all the more. I love you an awful lot you know and on top of that I honestly and truly miss you so very much. Please understand kid, I know I'm just nuts over you and I am very glad about it. I'll have to close out now for a while, until tomorrow I guess as I have to go to work. I love you and miss you so much
Always
John."
Danger Zone was a 1945 dark movie released by Warner Brothers.
"31 March 1946
My very dearest Ellen,
I am a little off schedule as far as my corresponding with you is concerned but I guess I am off schedule all the way around. Our field has been closed for quite a while and they opened it a few days ago to let some planes that we are supposed to overhaul come in. Two landed and the third crashed. Immediately after the crash they close the field. It will re-open tomorrow I hope. We are up to our necks in work and will be until May or June. I asked for work and I got it and how. I'm running around in circles but I kind of like it. It's a lot better than laying around all day waiting for something to happen that never will. The only real inconvenience this work situation has caused me is the postponement of my letter writing. I usually write to you once or twice during the week and Saturday and Sunday. I was all set to write to you last night but I hit a watch and while I was on watch a situation arose that kept me busy all the while. Such is life! Your letters are coming out here real fast. The last one was postmarked Mar. 20 and I got it Friday the twenty-ninth. Not bad in fact very good. In the letter you quoted two sentences that I used in the letter and wanted them explained.
Well honey I can't offhand as I don't remember the situation or the circumstances. I'm glad you liked the pictures I sent you and you will like the pictures I sent you in my last letter also. They really turned out real good for a change. Maybe that's one man's opinion but it's my opinion at least. As you know now my transfer came thru at last and every thing is working as planned. As far as the Chief Cook is concerned he and I are buddy buddy. I was working the other night rather late and he had a steak party in our club. He wouldn't let anyone eat until I was brought around to sample his cooking which incidentally is very very good. While I was on watch last night he brought me up some cake and ice cream plus a big pitcher of coffee. I guess he and I get along very very well together. He is a swell Joe himself. He comes from Oklahoma. That house I was living in before I got transferred I haven't missed at all even though we had to build it. The one that I am living in now was built by the Marines when they were out here so I was saved a lot of labor in the process.
As far as your sickness goes I hope that it isn't anything serious as that would indeed be something really drastic. Please take good care of yourself honey and don't let anything happen to you ever. Maybe it's just spring fever making you feel down in the dumpish, I hope so. Well honey this will be another letter without a picture as I haven't had time to do anything about it. I'll close out for now and will write again in a few days. I love you and miss you honest –
Love always
John"
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