1:30 AM June 1, 1943 Tuesday
Hello Darlin’:
Well, well, well, here it is another month closer to July and the most wonderful girl in the world. I just got home from work and I’m just about dead. I welded 145 feet tonight which is a damn (excuse please) nights work. I smoked two cigarettes all night, one after lunch and one after I was through work. So you see I worked pretty steady.
I sure had a wonderful dream last night. I dreamt you and I were getting married. I woke up just as you and your father started down the aisle towards me (darn it).
There was a Special here waiting for me when I got home, so I have two of them answer now. One came late Sunday night. – I’m just fine. I kind of beat you to the draw on the phone call, did I? There wasn’t so very much to my physical. They did about the same thing as when I took one in Des Moines, only there one of the docs doctors said something to me and I didn’t hear him. They looked in my ears and mouth, they listened to my heart and looked at my eyes and also took some of my good rich blood. The papers that they had of mine is the papers they will fill in when I take my final physical. They didn’t say how long it will be before I’m called and it is impossible to find out, as my draft board in Des Moines will decide that.
By the time you get this letter, your scanties should be there. (I hope.) I also hope you like them. What do you mean you show the girls your newest things? What new things? That 156 is good bowling score. I don’t think I’ve been bowling since Christmas.
Dick isn’t here tonight as I thought he might be.
Well Sweets, that’s all of the question so I guess I will say good night and go to bed. I’m getting very tired this single light of the single life. I just don’t have any time to myself at all.
Well Sweets, I guess I had better get to sleep. I will finish this in the morning. Goodnight Darling – I love you very very much.
Good morning Darling:
There is a little bit of sun out and quite a few clouds. I have ironed a pair of work pants and a work shirt. I sure wish we were married now. I think you could do a much better job than I can.
I got your night letter this morning. Thanks a lot. I didn’t get the letter itself but it came over the phone. They don’t deliver messages now unless they are of the utmost importance, and a matter of life or death. I’m glad you like the scanties. I hope they fit alright. Well my Darling, I guess I had better close for now. I will write again tonight. See you at 8.
I love you, I miss you, I want you. Y. F. H. Love & xxxxxxxs Johnny
Tuesday 2:15 PM June 1, 1943
Hello Honey:
Its June the 1st, Honey. A month from today, I will have been there and back again or will be leaving in 10 days. I’m sure I’ll sure be glad when this month is over.
Gosh Honey, you don’t play a better game of golf then I do. Well that makes me feel pretty good.
Harlan, I’m sorry I didn’t get those cookies made yet, but everything has happened at once. Now tomorrow I’ll try my darndest to get them made.
Saturday I’m going down town and spend my whole check on clothes, then all the rest of my money goes to the bank.
Honey, you said something about not appreciating something until you lost it. If you’re speaking of me, don’t kid yourself, you haven’t lost me, in fact you couldn’t lose me if you tried. You’re hooked Honey, but definitely.
I sure miss you lately. I guess it’s this warm weather or something. I got so tired of being with people I really don’t know. When I’m with you I can say what I want, do what I want, and know you aren’t going to take me wrong, because you understand me and know me. I was always at ease with you. You even like my cold damp hands. I love you Harlan, you’re such a swell fellow, I often wonder how come I was so lucky to have you. You are one in a million, we all think so.
Harlan they are playing “The Anniversary Waltz” (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FwAQ1xT1FTo). Remember how we have waltzed to that piece. Harlan, when we came out can we go to Mack Happens Roof Garden? Just once? Please?
Well Honey, I have to go and get ready for work now, will finish this when I get home from work. I love you so much and I will be so very happy when we are together again. Bye for now. Thinking of you every other minute.
12:45 AM
Hello again.
Boy what a night, hot and plenty of work. Our boss sent Marion over to No. 2 building, then about 15 minutes after she left, one of the big, big shots came in and told him to run full production all night. Well it was too late to go get Marion, so I ran double all night and I’m all pooed out, I did have time to go look at the stars at 10:00 however.
There isn’t any news. I just got through doing some thing to my legs, which you may not like but we’ll see when I get out there.
Don is going down to the employment office Thursday to see about getting a job in one of the shipyards on the West Coast. I hope he can, because he sure hates it out here.
How’s Opal and has she found a place to live. Your Mom called last night but I didn’t get time to call her this morning. She told Momie she had only had a line from Opal since she left and hasn’t heard from you all week – I think. You better write her Honey.
Well Honey, I’ve got to put my hair up and take a bath without waking the folks so I better get going.
Didn’t get a little letter today hope I get one tomorrow all about Sunday. Good night Honey.
Love & xxxxxxxx’s “Your” Darlin’ Janie
PS
How’s your new little book, are you learning a lot? Love again Jane
8:00 A.M. June 2, 1943 Wednesday
Hello Darlin’:
Well here it is another day closer to July and the cutest little girl in the whole world. I just got up. I didn’t write last night because I was just dead.
The Sun is out this morning and it’s a beautiful day out. Leo and I are going down to the Y this morning before work and take a swim.
The mail came late yesterday and there was a letter from you. It was a very sweet one. No, I don’t mind having Dick come in and stay with me. I like it because it gives me some company and we have a lot a fun. I’m glad you like the idea of that book. I have sure learned a lot of things from it. I thought I might know a little bit from what I’ve heard from someone telling me, but I sure found out how much other people don’t know.
Just think in about 6 weeks we will be together again. That is sure going to be wonderful. I can hardly wait. It is going to be so swell to hold you in my arms and kiss you and just love you up all over.
Well Sweets, I had better close for now. I have to get breakfast, fix my lunch, and meet Leo at the Y about 10 or 10:30. I will write again tonight. I love you very very much. See you at 8.
Love & xxxxxxxxxs Johnny
PS I love you
Thursday 1:30 AM June 3, 1943
Hi Honey:
Well here I am again but this will be short because this is my last piece of paper. Besides there isn’t any news.
How are you? I hope fine and dandy. I called your Mom this morning, she is kind of mad because she hasn’t heard from you kids. I let it slip out about getting two Specials this weekend and I don’t think she liked it. You’d better write her Honey, before she crawls down my neck. I didn’t tell her about the phone call though.
Well I feel pretty good tonight. Howard my boss told Marian and I that we were the two best workers he had in the whole wing. He said that when ever he wanted something done and done good, he could ask us to do it and feel confident that we’ll get it done. Yep, I’m bragging, because Howard isn’t the type to handout compliments if they aren’t deserved.
It’s 11:30 there, you are just getting off of work, maybe you’re just walking out the gate. It’s blowing up another storm here. It’s windy but hot, about 90° and lightning like heck.
I’m glad you and the kids had fun Sunday. Hope Opal finds a nice place to live.
Well Honey, my little or rather big lug of a swell fellow, I better get to bed as I have to get up and do my ironing.
Oh I forgot, please excuse the writing that I cut my finger on one of the trays at work and it hurts, it’s bandaged up and makes me write terrible.
I love you but definitely and will see you some time between now and next month some time. Indefinite, isn’t it? Good night Honey.
Love as always “Your” Darlin Janie
1:30 AM June 3, 1943 Thursday
Hello Darlin’:
Well here it is another day closer to July and the sweetest girl in the world.
Darling, I made out again tonight, so I am just dead. And to top off working so hard, Leo and I really had a good workout at the Y.
If you don’t mind, I think I will go to bed.
I love you very very much. Good night Sweetheart.
Good morning Darling:
I just clum out of bed. My eyes are still having a hard time to keep open. I didn’t get any mail yesterday, so I haven’t anything to answer.
I ran 137 feet last night. If I make out tonight or tomorrow, I will make around $100 next week. Dick called this morning but I was in the shower and who ever answered the phone told him I wasn’t here. I hope he calls back. Maybe he will come in this weekend.
Syd called and wants to play golf with me the Sunday. Maybe Dick will be in too, then we can all play.
Hello Darling; I’m back. Oh, you didn’t know I’d left. Well, I went to the store and bought some more groceries. I got 2 big steaks. If Dick comes in Sunday, we can happen dinner together here at the house.
The mail was here when I got back. There was a letter from you, so I will answer that now. I’m sorry you were not feeling well. Be sure and take care of yourself. Here is a coincidence, just now the radio started plane “Thanks For Everything” (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iAJeBQH_4CM). At the same time I read it in your letter where you said or rather thanking me for this scanties and the call and the Special on Monday. You had better wear those scanties when we get married or you can bring them out in July if you want to.
Well that’s about all of that one so I had better close and get to work. I sure wish you were here now. I love you so very very much and miss you till it hurts. I will write again tonight. See you at 8.
Love & xxxxxxxxs Harlan
Thursday 2:00 PM June 3, 1943
Hi Sweetheart:
I have a little time before I go to work so thought I would start your letter now. O.K? O.K! Received your letter of Tuesday and it was a nice one. 145, that’s a lot of feet. I guess I forgot to tell you Honey, the scanties do fit, just perfect. This slip will have to be shortened a little but then I always have to shorten all of my clothes.
That way a nice dream Harlan and that’s going to be the way it will be because I’m going to have Dadie give me away no matter what. Won’t Dad be proud. Oh Honey, that will be the day of all days for us. We will have waited so long. By the way I got a bond today, so now we have $500. Harlan, you’re not counting on spending any of that, are you? We are going to save that for our future, aren’t we? Maybe for our T&T or a down payment on a new home, what do you think?
Yes you did beat me to the draw on the phone call.
If you say that you can’t possibly find out when you will be called then all we can do is wait, and I’ve waited for something some so many months now, it only seems natural, no matter what. I’m right beside you Hon.
Well Sweets, it’s 2:30 and Chet will be here in a half an hour, so I had better go and get ready. Oh I forgot to tell you, the reason Dick didn’t come in that night was because Dick has been in the hospital at the base with tonsillitis and it was so damp and foggy, he thought he better stay in.
Well must run now, will finish this tonight. I love you Harlan, very much. Bye for now.
Love Janie
12:00 A.M. Friday morning
Hello again, I just got through eating a delicious egg sandwich with ketchup on it. Boy was I hungry, you bet. Nothing unusual happened at work tonight, so there is no news there. In fact I can’t think of anything more to write about so guess this will end it. Have to get to bed anyway. I love you very much. Good night Honey
Love & xxxxxxxxxs “Your” Darlin’ Janie
1:10 AM June 4, 1943 Friday
Hello Darlin’:
Well, here it is another day closer to July and the sweetest and swellest and the most wonderful girl in the world.
I just got home from work and had had a shower. I feel pretty good. I had a pretty easy time at the yard tonight. I didn’t make out, but I got quite a bit done. I answered the letter I received today so I don’t have anything to answer. Now, I don’t know what I’m going to write about. It seems funny writing to you every night and talking to you once in a while and yet not seeing you, or being able to hold you in in my arms like I used to. All of my memories seem like some wonderful dream. I keep wishing they would come true. Pretty soon they will.
I just don’t know what else to write about. I haven’t heard anything from the draft word yet. I don’t know what will turn up.
Well Sweets, I guess I had better close and get some sleep. I will finish this in the morning. Okay? Okay! I love you very very much. Good night Sweetheart.
Good morning Darling, I sure was tired. This morning somebody else was washing their clothes so I couldn’t wash mine. I will have to wait until Monday. I woke up at 7:30, went up and had my breakfast, came back down to my room and laid down and fell asleep. I woke up at 11. I went to the store and bought some bread for my lunch and the mail was here when I got back. There was a swell letter in it for me. I’m not going to answer it until tonight though. Then it will be in your Special.
You probably won’t get this until Monday anyway. I was going to say something about Don. You said he was going to an employment office to see if he could get a job in a ship yard. Tell him he doesn’t need to go to any employment office. He can just come out and go right to work. Find out from him what kind of work he wants and I’ll find out all I can for him. Oh yes, before I forget it, I want you to do something for me. Take a small strip of paper and measure your wrist. Mark on it the links across your wrist. I’m making you a ? (I won’t tell you now) but I have to have the exact size of your wrist market like this.
While Sweets, I must go for now. I will write again tonight. I love you very very much. See you at 8.
Love & xxxxxxxxxxxxxs Y.F.H. Harlan
Friday 2:00 P.M. June 4, 1943
Hi Honey:
Gosh, I just got up about a half-hour go. I guess I was more tired than I thought. It’s chilly out but the sun is nice and warm. Oh I forgot, I’m out in the backyard laying on a blanket in the Sun.
Your letter came about 10:30, it was too short though. Gosh Honey, I’m running out of ink, oh no, I guess not.
Well today is my last day at work for two whole days. This is my weekend off you know and tomorrow I’m going down on a real shopping spree. I wish I had about $25 more to spend though. I’m not going any place tomorrow night unless maybe to a show with the folks, but Sunday night I’m going out with Yudie. Don’t know just yet what we will do.
When I talked to your Mom yesterday, she said she had talked to Mrs. Clark and that she said you were in good spirits and seemed very well. I don’t know if you were really in it in good spirits or if maybe it was a front, but if it was a front, thanks a lot Honey.
Well honey it’s 2:15, so I better go get ready for work. I’ll finish this when I get home from work. I love you very much and 6 weeks is just about right. Bye for now. Jane
Well Hello Darling, I mean Honey:
It’s 1:15 and I just got home. can you imagine that, well what do you know? Boy, am I happy, you bet. I don’t have to be back to work until 4:00 Monday afternoon. Oh boy oh boy oh boy – oh joy. The reason I am late is because we stopped at Curly’s to cash our checks. And tomorrow I’m going to spend every penny a new clothes to show off for my Honey.
Say, by the way, have you heard about your blood test? If you did, you didn’t tell me about it. Now here here, this will never do, are you holding out on me Harlan? Dear Harlan, I love you so much, how I wish you were here and we could smooch and smooch and smooch, simply for hours if you wanted, wouldn’t that be grand, oboy, you bet.
Say by golly, did I tell you what happened last night? No? Well I was sitting putting up my hair, smoking a cigarette when I heard some one coming up the stairs, so I smashed out the cigarette shoved the ashtray under the bed and in walked Dadie. However, I forgot to put my cigarette case away, he walked in and picked up my cigarette case, took one out, let it up and sat down. Honestly, Harlan, I thought my heart was going to pop out the soles of my shoes. He said, “Lucky’s aren’t bad, are they Janie?” I said, no there not Pop, and when he got through, he got up, went downstairs and went to bed. And never said another word. I was simply scared to death to face him this morning but when I did, he winked say good morning Janie and never said one word about it at all. Boy he sure is one swell Dad, isn’t he?
Well Honey, I rattled on long enough. I wouldn’t be able to add on any thing in the morning because I’m going downtown. Have a nice time Honey on your Sunday off and be a good little boy. I love you, Honest I do, don’t do anything I wouldn’t do will you? Good night my big lug.
“Your” (and only yours) Darlin’ Janie
PS Hello again, I’m sorry there isn’t any more to write because this is your Special. I was going to write a line ~ I love you but definitely.
1:30 AM Saturday, June 5, 1943
Hello Darlin’:
Well here it is another day closer to July and you. First of all I will answer the letter I received today. I will be glad when this month is over to. I don’t think I play a good game of golf at all. Sunday I will keep score and send you the scorecard. I didn’t mean I had lost you but I meant that I didn’t really know how much you meant to me until I came out here. Yes, I remember how we used to dance to a lot of pieces. Sure we can go up to the Mark Hopkins Roof Garden. I think you’ll be disappointed in it though. It’s just a bar, that’s all. What did you do to your legs? Did you go and shave them? I sure hope you didn’t!!! Tell Don if he wants a job out here, come on out. My little book is coming along fine. I think it’s very good and I think you are going to be lucky to have a husband who knows a little something start with. That is all the questions so I guess I had better close for now and get some sleep. I will finish this in the morning. I love you more and more every day. Good night Sweetheart.
Good morning Darlin’: It sure is a beautiful day here and I wish you were here now. But it won’t be long now well, will it? There isn’t any news. I don’t know what to write about. How much do we have in bonds with the one I’m sending now?
Jane I have been thinking, if I don’t have to go to the Army I think I will get another car. Herman is good car to drive around for kicks you know but we are getting a lot older. I would like to get a 37 or 38 Chevy or maybe 1939 Plymouth. Would you think? They have some kind of plan at the yard now and I may be drafted or frozen right in the yard for the duration. It is called the Manning Plan. When I hear more about it, I will let you know.
Well Darlin’, I guess I had better close and get this down to the post office. I love you very very much and I’m am more sure than ever.
Love & xxxxxs Y.F.H. Harlan
(Glenn Miller is playing ‘Dearly Beloved’ Tell me that it's true, Tell me you agree, I was meant for you, You were meant for me. Dearly beloved, how clearly I see, Somewhere in Heaven you were fashioned for me, Angel eyes knew you, angel voices led me to you; Nothing could save me, fate gave me a sign; I know that I'll be yours come shower or shine; So I say merely, dearly beloved be mine. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qEztxqxQAjQ)
June 5, 1943
Dear Mr. Hare,
This is a letter that I should have written a long time ago. I hope you will forgive me for not doing so. When a fellow is writing to his future father-in-law, he has to be pretty careful and not say the wrong things. I don’t know if the Army will take me or not. Sometimes I want to go into the service and sometimes I don’t. Right now it doesn’t make so much difference. They keep a person wondering so much, I don’t know where I stand.
I have been getting along exceptionally well in the yard. The welding crew I am on is rated as the best crew in the yard. We put out more welding and have less corrective welding than any other crew. I don’t want to and I don’t plan on being a welder all of my life, because it is very hard on my health. It is a job that is very hot and smoky. If I could get a job as a Forman over a crew, I wouldn’t mind staying in ship building after the war.
Dick called me this morning while I was in the shower and whoever answered the phone told him I wasn’t here. We have had a lot of fun together. The day I took my physical, Dick went out to Treasure Island to see if Chuck was there, but the guards wouldn’t let him in. Have you heard yet where he was sent? I sure hope it was Treasure Island. If he is at TI, he will still be here when Jane comes out.
San Francisco and Oakland are on a dim-out everynight. It sure seems funny not to see the stores and theaters all lit up. About 6 miles up from the ocean beach, all cars have to drive with their dimmers on. There is a $25 fine for violation of it. All shades have to be drawn when you have the lights on in the house.
I get to see a lot of interesting sites out at the yard! We always have 1 or 2 submarines in for repairs. I saw one great big one. It had 13 Jap ships to its credit. I watched them load some torpedoes on it and some deck gun shells. I think they carried about 24 torpedoes. There are always cargo ships, tankers, and transports in for repairs. I have seen the 2 ships that are the only 2 ships in the whole world that are neutral. They are painted bright colors and carry no guns at all. I believe one belongs to Sweden and one to Norway. They are sister ships and are exactly alike, even in color. These ships are used to haul or carry diplomats and ambassadors from country to country. I also believe they carry prisoners too.
Well Mr. Hare, I seem to have rambled on and I still haven’t very much. Jane and I haven’t any definite plans as of yet. We will probably make some in July. By then I should know about the Army. (I hope).
Well, I have to fix my dinner and a lunch to take to work, so I had better close.
Next time, I will try to write a better letter. I will know a little more of what I can plan for the future.
Love as always Y.F.S.I.L. Harlan
PS I think you and Mrs. Hare are the tops.
1:30 AM June 6, 1943
Hello Darlin’:
Well here it is another week closer to July and the sweetest girl in the world.
Syd is coming over early in the morning so I had better go to bed. I will finish this letter in the morning. Okay? Okay! I love you very very much.
Good night Sweetheart.
Hello darling: I’ll bet you have been wondering where I’ve been. The time is Sunday at 11:45 PM, Syd came a little late. He got here at 8 AM. We went out play golf but there were too many people there and we would have to waited for an hour and a half. I was invited over to Hook’s house for dinner and was supposed to be there at 12 noon. Syd and I drove to a practice range and drove off a bucket of balls. It was getting towards 10:45 so we had to leave. I stopped at Syd’s house and picked up my swimming trunks I had left his car, then came on home. I took a shower, shaved and left. I got there just about the right time. We had dinner and sat around the house and talked for quite a while and then drove out to the zoo. We then came back to their apartment and had lunch. Then decided to go bowling. Hook and I went over to get a girl to take care of their baby. Lester and his wife came down, so we 5 went bowling. We had to wait quite a while for an alley. We went into the cocktail lounge and I had T.C. It about set me on my ear. We started to bowl and the first game I bowled 139. The second game I could hardly see the pins. That Tom Collins was pretty strong or I’m not used to drinking. I bet quarter on the game, my score was 98. The third we bet $.50. My score was 178. I won $1.50. Then after bowling I came home. Your Special was here when I got home. I also had two letters to answer but I think I will do that in the morning.
Tonight I sure feel terrible. I can’t seem to find enough time to do thing I want to do. I should have stayed home today and washed my clothes and cleaned up my room. I will sure be glad when you get out here and when you we get married. I sure don’t like this living by myself, cooking my own meals, washing my own clothes, and trying to keep my room looking clean. I wish I had known this was your weekend off. I might have called you tonight. I miss you so much today. Hook and his wife have so much fun together. There little girl is just like a doll.
Well Sweets, I guess I will close for now. I will finish this in the morning. I love you very very much.
Good night Sweetheart.
Good morning Darling:
I woke up about 10. I was going to wash some clothes but it was kind of foggy and misty out so I didn’t. I ironed pair of work pants and some handkerchiefs.
The mail came but I didn’t get a letter from you today. The mail delivery is getting worse out here.
I have 3 letters to answer so I will do that before I close. I’m glad the scanties fit good. I’ll say I’m not planning on spending that bond money for at least 10 years. Maybe we can send T & T to college with the money. No, I haven’t heard about my blood tests as of yet. I told you that as soon as I do, I will let you know. I’m not holding out on you. Yes, we would smooch for hours and hours if we were together. Yes, your Dad is one swell fellow. No, I won’t and didn’t do anything you wouldn’t.
Well Sweets, I guess I had better close for now. That is all the questions to answer. I love you very very much and I will see you at 8.
Love & xxxxxs Johnny
Sunday 1 PM June 6, 1943
Hi Honey:
Boy, I am disgusted, you bet. Here I have two hole days off and had so many things to do and do you know it was it has rained ever sense I got off of work Friday night at 12:00. However, I did go downtown yesterday and spent too much. I bought my shoes. They are different than any I have ever had before. I hope you like them because they are you. Then too, I bought two little cotton suits and some more lingerie and paid on my bill. But it wasn’t much fun because I got all wet.
Honey, they are playing “Why Do I Love You?” (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RFkQrVDHch)
Last night after we got home from town, we drove over to Katherine’s, Gabby and I, then she wanted us stayed for dinner so we went out and bought six deluxe hamburgers to go and everything to go with them and then went home or rather over to Katherine’s and ate and sat around until 10:30 and then I took Gabby home and I came home.
Last night we were figuring about our trip, you know as far as we know we are leading the 18 of next month and that’s only five weeks from yesterday. This Janet, the girl who owns the car, was able to purchase new tires, and will be able to get plenty of gas, then next week she’s having her car over hauled, so the car will be alright. We figured it would probably cost us about $25 a piece to go. That is our food and cabins. Harlan, do you remember how much it costs you kids for gas and oil in little Herman? Say, I asked you if I should bring my green suit and you never answered. You make me so mad when you do that. I’m only trying to do things right and if you can’t help me a little then I won’t try anymore.
Harlan, have you transferred to that board out there or is this one still your board. What did you mean it’s up board in the Des Moines?
Your Mom hasn’t called for a couple of days so, I take it she has had heard from you or Opal.
Your Special hasn’t come yet so do I don’t have anything to answer. Yodie and I are going to a show tonight, but that’s about all. Darn this rain. I hate it. If it is raining when I’m out there, I’ll do something terrible. Say Harlan, how long do you think I should state? Answer and sensibly.
Gotta go now, will you see you soon Hon. I love you very much.
Love & xxxxxxxxx’s “Your” Darlin Janie
PS Ah loves ya Honey, ah loves ya
Johnny & Jane 