1:00 AM July 31, 1943
Hello Sweetheart:
Well, here it is another day gone by, which brings us to a day closer to the time that we will be together again.
My check today was for $96. Net after everything was taken out, I got $59. That is a big chunk taken out. But I’ve seen days when I’ve lived on a lot less.
The time is a little later than 1:00. It is almost 2:00. I have had my shower and am all ready for bed.
It is very damp and foggy out, and rather cold. It would be as swell night open up all the windows and then cuddle up close to keep warm. I guess any night, hot or cold, would be a good night, wouldn’t it?
I won’t be able to write tomorrow night as I will be over to Carl’s, so I will write you a nice long on Sunday. Okay? Okay!
Gosh, I wish you were here now. I miss you so much.
I think I had better get to bed and get some sleep. I will probably have a busy night tomorrow night. It will be the last on this ship.
I love you very much. Good night Sweetheart.
Good morning Darling:
I got up and went down to the bank. The mail is here and there is a letter from you with Frank’s letter in it. I’m glad you liked my letter so much. Anytime you come will be O.K. by me. Oh, by the way, I got a card from my draft board today. My appeal has been turned down. I’m still 1-A. Lang is about 23 or 24. His wife is about 20. They haven’t been married for only about 6 months. I wish you were going with me too. He said that when you come out, we can come over and stay some weekend. All of the fellows told me to tell you they were terribly sorry about your father, I know how you must feel so I won’t say anything about it. I’m going to have the biggest job in my life trying to take his place. Keep your chin up. I’ll always stand my you and be there when you need me.
I have to fix my lunch and head for work. I love you very much.
I will see you at 8 as always.
Love & xxxxxxxxxx’s YFH Harlan
Fun fact: Military classification I-A or 1-A stood and stands for ‘Available, fit for military service’
Sunday 3:30 PM August 1, 1943
Hello Honey:
Another month gone by, one I’ll never forget. Your Special came last night at 5:00. It was a nice one, also the bond. ($700)
There were no questions and there is no news. I suppose you are wondering why I‘m not at work. I’m not feeling very good, my cold is getting me down. This morning my throat was sore, so Momie made me stay home and get rested up today. A few minutes ago, I started to call you then remembered you were over to Lang’s.
Betty Lou is having a shower tonight for Rosemary Halliburton, you remember her. She is getting married, I think next month, but I don’t know. I don’t know whether I’m going or not. I hate like the dickens to have Momie alone. I would kind of like to go though, because it’s been so long since I’ve seen any of those girls.
It’s a very warm today, I wonder what you are doing right now. Having fun?
Haven’t talked to your mom since last Tuesday night. Maybe I’ll call her after a while.
Oh I forgot to tell you, Mariam Barsd, one of the girls at the plant and Betty Jean, the other one, went to clinic today for four days and wanted me to go along. Bard has a car and they were going to drive. It sure would have been fun.
Momie says hello and sends her love. This is Sunday you know and she is kind of low and lonesome.
Well, I better close now and you get tired of hearing about those things. Will write tomorrow.
Love as always, “Your’ Darlin’ Janie
1:10 AM August 3, 1943
Hello Darlin’:
It seems like ages since I last wrote to you, although I only missed two days. I just got home from work and it is the first time I’ve been home since Saturday morning.
I think I could almost write a book on what went through my mind and what we did. Mostly what went through my mind. I would’ve given my right arm to if you had been there with me.
Carl and I got off work at 11:30 PM and I went and took my leathers off and got my good clothes out of my locker. I took him to work with me so I wouldn’t have to go clear home for them. I met Carl at a bar on the corner and the rest of the gang or rather the crew was there. Carl bought us all a drink and we drank a toast to our ship. We rode home with the fellow that Carl writes with. We got to Carl’s place about 12:45 AM. Francis (that is his wife) was at the board to meet him. In my mind I could see you standing there instead of her. I got a funny feeling deep in my stomach. I missed you so much then. The sky was real clear and when you stand on the porch you can see the Big Dipper real low in the sky and straight out across the front walk. We went into the house Carl brought out some beer so we had a glass of beer and a cigarette. I washed my hands and face and took a bath and brush my teeth and then went to bed.
Their houses small looking on the outside but very roomy on the inside. They have two bedrooms, a bath, a kitchen, and the dining room together and a real large front room. The style is what you might call California style. It has corner windows and venetian blinds. The house looks rather low. Garage on the side, small front lawn and parking and a small square porch on the front.
The room I had was furnished with ”twin beds”, a small table between them and a dresser. They were all gray and the same style and they were really cute.
I went to bed, I kept asking myself over and over again, why can’t Janie and I have something like this. It doesn’t seem fair that so many people other than us get all the breaks.
We were pretty tired so we didn’t get up until rather late. I woke up about 9:00. Carl and Francis woke up about 10:00. I got up at 9:00 and washed and brush my teeth. Then I went out and sat down on the front porch. Again my mind that is to fortunately. I wanted you to be in the kitchen fixing breakfast while I was washing the car or mowing the lawn. I went back in the house, Carl got up about 10:00 and fixed breakfast. Francis can’t that is another thing you have over her. About 10:30, Francis’ sister came over and had a cup of coffee with us. She must not live very far from them because she had a house coat on. Her husband has been in the Navy, I think. I don’t think much of her. She looks pretty healthy and strong and here she is selling insurance and you are really doing something for the war effort. She tried to sell me some but I didn’t buy any. She went home when we left for Frisco. We decided to go to the launching. It was a nice site but about the same as the others.
Fun Fact: The USS Foreman (DE633), later launched from Pier 70, Bethlehem Steel Shipyard, San Francisco Aug 1, 1943. It was a Buckley-Class Destroyer Escort. The hull was significantly lengthened and reinforced and considered an anti-submarine warship.
There was a very large crowd. Do you remember me telling you about Jack, hello who went into the Navy? He is on a 15-day furlough. He and his mother, and his two brothers and their wives, Leo and his wife, Carl and Francis and I were there. Hook didn’t come to it. Zigler was there but I didn’t see him. After the launching, we went to Jack’s place and talked for a couple of hours. Then we went to a restaurant and had dinner. After dinner we had a drink and then went to a show. We saw “Mission to Moscow”. It was very good.
After the show, we drove back to Richmond. I went through the same things, the bridge, the Big Dipper, the house, and missing you, loving you, wanting you, all of the same time.
We got up about 10:00, we had breakfast and talked until it was time to go to work. I worked on the slab. I came on home and here I am. Your Special is here but no letter on Saturday or Monday. I understand though.
Well Sweets, it is getting late and I’m getting very tired. I will finish this in the morning. I love you so very, very much. Good night Sweetheart.
Good morning Darling:
phone call was a very pleasant surprise. I’m sorry my letters haven’t been getting to you. I swear that Saturday and Sunday nights are the only nights I’ve missed in quite some time. I will send this Special so it will get there sooner. It was swell to hear your voice again.
There isn’t much to my appeal been turned down. I didn’t even know the company has sent one in. My draft board turned it down by a vote of 4 to 0. They all voted against it. I’m still I-A. I guess all I can do now is wait for my in. There is one more appeal to the president but very few people get those.
The mail came today but no letter from you.
Well Darling, I guess I had better close for now. I have to fix dinner and my lunch to take to work. I will see you at 8 as usual. I love you very very much.
Love & xxxxxxxxxx’s Y.F.H Harlan
August 3, 1943
Hello Honey:
well I feel a little better now, having talk to you. I was so confused and kind of hurt this morning that I had to do something and I really hated to mail that letter.
Gosh I sure am surprised to hear that appeal, so that’s why you haven’t been called. Well now listen Honey I’ve been thinking, as long as I’m coming out within the next month anyways, as soon as I hear from you about your induction, I will leave immediately instead of waiting to see if you pass or not. Because if you pass and I don’t get leave until I find out about that, it will cut that two weeks down to 11 days and that will never do. Right as soon as I write this, I’m calling the cleaners to come get some of my things. O.K?
It was sure swell to hear your voice. I guess I was kind of silly to get mad and all mauled up but it’s kind of gloomy around here lately and to come right down to it, I really wish I had let you come home, but as long as I know for sure I’m coming, I’m glad you didn’t.
I’m sure looking forward to that long letter that you’re finishing this morning.
We received another letter from Dick today and Harlan, he isn’t in Rendova, he is in Guadalcanal now. We had it figured out wrong, he says he is just fine. This letter was written on 19 July, so course he didn’t know about Daddie.
Fun Fact: Rendova is an island located in the South Pacific in the New Georgia Islands. It was occupied by the Empire of Japan until June 1943 when Allied Forces quickly overcame the 300-man garrison and its airfield. The island was subsequently used as base by the US Navy for PT Boat operations. Guadalcanal is the largest island in the Soloman Islands my mass. During 1942-1943, it was the scene of the Guadalcanal Campaign and saw immense fighting between Japanese and US Troops. The US was ultimately victorious on February 9, 1943, being declared secure by the US Troops.
Well Hon, I better close as I’m going to wash my hair. Yes Honey, I love you, very much and will be so happy when I see you again and hear you tell me you love me.
“Your” Darlin & F.W Janie
1:00 AM August 4, 1943
Hello Darlin’:
Well, here it is another day closer to ? And my future little wife. I’m so tired tonight I can hardly keep my eyes open, my face is almost black. I’m writing now because after I my shower I really sleepy.
I sure wish you were here now. You can scratch my back and I would rub yours. Wouldn’t that be nice, wouldn’t it?
Well Darling, I’m sorry but I think they will close for now. I love you so very, very much. Good night sweetheart. The radio is playing “You’d Be So Nice To Come Home To” (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2w5KNm1LQ78). Now they are playing “I See Your Face Before Me” (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YB5VmaWv9ag).
Good morning Darling:
I got up at 9:30 and fixed breakfast. Now I am writing to my one and only. Hook wants me to come down this morning before work and help him move a washing machine. I have to finish this letter and write one to the folks and fix my lunch to take work. I should shave but I think I will wait until tomorrow. I shaved last Sunday morning at Carl’s.
There isn’t any news, so I’m having a devil of the time trying to find something to write about. The mail isn’t here yet, so I haven’t anything to write about. I will sure be glad when you are here. Make it as soon as you can. I can really use a vacation. Work is getting so it isn’t any fun anymore. My lungs are full of smoke and galvanize. What I need is you. (The radio is playing “In My Arms” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zbl9H-OfWwI). It is cute, isn’t it?
The weather here is about the same as usual. Today is sunny one minute and foggy as the next.
Will you have your coat paid for by the time you come out? (I hope). I think you will be able to use it out here.
Well Darling, I guess I had better close for now. I will try to write a longer one tonight. I love you more than you’ll ever know. I will see you at 8.
Love & xxxxxxxxxx’s YFH Harlan
P.S. The radio is playing “You’ll Never Know How Much I Love You” (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JZtWNlCTc6o)
Wednesday 7:30 PM August 4, 1943
Hello Honey:
Well here I am again but you know what, I have to go over to Rosie’s with Momie again for a minute so will finish this when I get back. O.K? O.K!
There was a letter this morning, the one written Friday night. It sure was a swell letter and you can tell laying I am looking forward to that weekend. Well must go now, will be back in about 30 minutes.
Arlen, while at work today I was diddling and wrote some or rather started something, shall I send it? – – – O.K. you see, I didn’t go to lunch today and while I was resting wrote this.
Well I’m back. We took Dickie Jr. and Rosie for a ride, I drove down to the train yards and I spotted a train that they were holding call on. Dickie waved at the engineer and we stopped and got out, Dickie wanted to go over and look at the train, so we did and the engineer told Vicki he could come up in the cab if he wanted to, sooo I hosted Dickie up and we saw the fire and everything. Dickie sure love it and it brought back sweet memories to me. Remember?
Well Hon, it’s 10:30 and I am pooed and asked there isn’t any other news will close. Am enclosing my little diddling bit. Silly, isn’t it?
Good night Honey Love & xxxxxxxxxx’s “Your” Darlin Janie
(unfortunately whatever little diddle our mother did was no longer in the envelope)
1:00 AM August 5, 1943, Thursday
Hello Darlin’:
Well, here it is another day closer to ? And the sweetest and swellest little angel this side of heaven. The weather is foggy and cool out. I can hear the fog horns on the ship in the channel. It would make a nice night to go out and parks some place, any place. I will be so glad when you get here. Oh, by the way, found out today that I have my hours and for my vacation. So anytime you come out is OK by me.
I have had my shower and am all ready for bed. I have a blanket on the floor in front of my little heater. I’m laying on it writing. How my doing? (I have my clothes off) I have my doors locked, my shades pulled down and a real dim light.
I still haven’t saved since last Sunday. I’m going to shave in the morning. I was going to get up about 7:30 and go out and play some golf but I’m pretty tired and I need the rest. Well sweets, I think I had better go to bed and get some sleep. I love you very very much. Good night sweetheart.
Good morning Darling: I got up at 9:30. Fixed breakfast, clean up my room and then went to the store and took some close to the cleaners. I came back and fix my lunch for work and now I’m writing to you. The mail is here and there was a letter from you. There is a letter from you that came yesterday, so I’ll answer it now. I’m sorry about your cold. If you were here, I could help you get rid of it. (There is a program of “Harry James” on now, as they change the pieces, I will tell you what they are. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m8nxzuY_sW0 “He’s My Guy”).
There aren’t any questions so there (“Mr. Five by Five” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RTADV9D9c7o) isn’t anything that you can write about. That would’ve been swell if you could have gone to Clear Lake with the girls. The sun would do your cold a lot of good. (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bMaCoxOGXPM “You Made Me Love You”) sure is a beautiful piece. (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n5zKmfAy0gM “Prince Charming”). It is and it’s better every day.
Weather is a bit foggy today. It isn’t very windy though, it would be a good day to play golf with you. (I Don’t Want To Walk Without You” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K6dUkkjPI_I).
Well Darling, that is about all there is to write about now so I guess I had better close. I will see you at 8. I love you very, very much.
Love & xxxxxxxxxx’s YFH Harlan
PS. I shaved this morning.
1:35 AM July August 6, 1943
Hello Darlin’:
These months slip up on me so fast I can’t even keep track of them. Well, here it is another day closer to ? and you. The time go so and yet it seems to go so slow.
I worked on a DE boat tonight. That is a Destroyer Escort Ship. It is all black iron. No galvanize. I made out a little bit, I think. I know I worked hard enough.
There isn’t any news whatsoever, so I don’t know what to write about.
I got another bond today. That will make $725. You will get this letter on Monday, I think. So I will send your Special Saturday with the bond.
I seem to be running out of words, so I guess I will get to bed. I have had my shower. I love you very, very much. Good night sweetheart.
Good morning Darling: the time is 11 AM. I have just finished eating breakfast. I sure you wish you were here now. The Sun is out and it is a beautiful day. We can go out and play ball or go on a picnic or both.
I got my monthly record from the bank. I thought I had over $600 in the bank. My income tax check was, now I have $553. I get paid today so it will go over $600 tomorrow.
I have to go to the store and get some bread. Then I have to fix my lunch. I that time, the mail should be here. I will have a letter to answer. Okay? Okay!
I’m back. The mail is here and no letter again. (The radio is playing “You’ll Never Know” Vera Lynn ~ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JZtWNlCTc6o). It sure is a beautiful piece.
I can understand why I haven’t any mail from you. The mail delivery gets worse every day.
I can hardly wait until you get here. I miss you more every day. You are on my mind constantly. I wish there was something definite we could plan on. Things are pretty uncertain now.
Well Darling, I guess I had better close now. I must fix dinner and my lunch to take to work.
I love you very, very much. I will see you at 8.
Love & xxxxxxxxxx’s YFH Harlan
10:30 PM Thursday, August 6, 1942
Hi Honey:
here I am again. I just talked to your mom, so thought I just would tell you what she said.
George called for last week and said he had received a card from you. You work in Cheyenne and was very tickled. But he said he had heard from someone that you were stranded in Denver with a broken-down car and were still there. Now who could have told him that. And you know what? Your mom said Mr. Herman or Mr. Brown either joined or was drafted into the Army and is a major or something real big and – – – they are going to shut down the plant. Do you think of that?
He also said that Mr. Clark would not let Max go after Opal because it would take about two years wear off his tires and she said she thought the government would take at least one of their cars away from them. The Luxtz, friends of your Mom’s who live on the west side, have one of their cars taken away from them. What will Max do without his car? Opel isn’t working as yet but wants to stay out there just to say I reckon she is having one swell time. I’m glad it’s not your money. I’m not being snotty either.
Matt my dear is the latest bit of news from home. I am home now and just came in from studying the Big Dipper and saying how I’ve only written you two letters today, I wrote another one. O.K? O.K!
I miss you all the time. I think of you all the time and I love you all the time. I’m glad your friends like me. I like them to or I know you would only associate with the swellest.
Too bad you’re not home tonight as I feel ornery as hell and could love you darn good and plenty.
Love & xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx’s “Your” Darlin Janie
PS That is more than you ever got in one night.
Frank’s address is 217 -E. 3rd Ave., Cheyenne Wyoming.
Donna hasn’t heard from him since Sunday and is she mad. Ha ha. Gee I feel mean. I feel better tonight than I ever have. I guess it is because I’m going to call my boyfriend pretty soon. Love and kisses Janie.
Write often and I will write too, O.K? O.K!
You think you’re pretty smart with your fancy air mail envelopes but now I have some too, so there.
Janie
See you soon
1:30 AM August 7, 1943
Hello Darlin’:
Well, here it is time for another Special for my sweetie.
There isn’t any news so I’m going to have a devil of a time finding things to write about. There was a Special here for me when I got home tonight, so I have a letter to answer. Yes, I was surprised about the appeal. I didn’t know company even knew I was I-A. I wasn’t surprised that being turned down though.
If I’m not called for my induction yet, you are going to come out anyway, are you? I hope. I can’t go much longer without seeing you.
You are a fine one. You say you have received another letter from Dick. I didn’t even know you had gotten any from him yet. I sure would like to see him again. It sure looks different when he left than when he first came out here.
I got a card from Connie today. She wants me to come up and spend the week and with them at Patterson. I would like to. It is nice to get away from the city and be with people you know. They are awfully nice people. I’m not going this week, I know I’m going out and play golf Sunday so I will be pretty busy.
Well Darling, all I can say is that you will never know how much I miss you, love you and want you right now. I will finish this in the morning. Good night sweetheart.
Good morning Darling:
The day is another beautiful day out. The Sun is just as bright and warm looking. I just clumb out bed.
I sure wish I didn’t have to go to work. I would like to lay out in the sun and see if I could get rid of a little of the smoke in my lungs. If you were here, we could go out and play some golf or go to the beach and lay in the sun.
I’m having a hard time finding something to write about. This is your Special and it should be a lot longer than this and a little more interesting.
Darling, I love you. This is another time I wish I had a good writing mind. I could tell you just how much I love you and miss you. I could tell you how much I wish you were here. We could make up for all the things we’ve missed in this last year. That is a long time to be apart, yet the time has gone very swiftly.
Well Darling, as much as I hate to, I must go now. I love you very, very much. Someday I’ll make up for all of the days we’ve been apart. I’ll start as soon as you get here.
I will see you at 8 as always.
Love & xxxxxxxxxx’s YFH Harlan
PS. The $5 will help pay for the telephone call.
Saturday 11:00 PM August 7, 1943
Hello Honey:
Well there were two letters today, which was more like it. They were both very nice. What do you mean I can scratch your back, does it itch when you get home from work and I’m glad you shaved. By the way, you should have quite a beard by now. Yes “In My Arms” is a cute song.
Harlan, how long do you get for your vacation? And how many hours do you have in? Do you mean to tell me it was cool enough for you to have a heater on in your room that might? (concerned) I sure would like to lay down on the floor with you, only with clothes on, the shades up and the door open. Well, I finally got Momie to go to a show. We went up to the Uptown and saw “The More The Merrier”
it was good. Tomorrow we are going to sleep until about 9:00 AM then go to church, then go to brownies for dinner then to see Beatrice Kay. She is here in person. I’m going to try to keep her busy all day because of Sunday and you know what that means.
Fun Fact: Beatrice Kay was an American singer, vaudeville, music hall performer and stage and film actress.
No Honey, I won’t have any coat when I come out, it won’t be paid for until October. But I will have it when you come home Christmas anyway. You see, I would have had it next month but I had to let one month go by without paying anything on it.
After the show tomorrow, we are going to pick up Rosie and Dickie Jr. and go for a ride.
Well Hon, time is passing so better close. See you soon. I love you. Good night.
“Your” Darlin Janie & FW
2:15 AM August 8, 1943, Sunday
Hello Darlin’:
Well, here it is another week on by bringing us just a little closer. To begin with, this is just going to be a note before I go to bed. I have been in the shower trying to get as clean as I could. I sure smell nice now.
I worked on the ship tonight. It is the one that is taking the place of the one that was just launched.
Oh Darling, I wish you were here now. I don’t seem to get a kick out of anything anymore. I need you with me. When you are with me, nothing seems to bother me or worry me.
Well Sweets, I guess I had better close now. That letter is very nice. Gee, I didn’t know I was like that. That is, all of the things you said. Yes, I remember the trains. We used to have a lot of fun there and also elsewhere.
Well Sweets, as I said before I must go. Will finish this in the morning. I love you very, very much. Good night sweetheart.
Good morning Darling:
It sure is a beautiful day out. I just finished eating breakfast and I called folks long-distance. Now I’m going go out and play some golf. It is perfect weather for it.
I will write a longer letter when I get back. Okay? Okay? Aw please! Okay! I love you more than you’ll ever know.
Love & xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx YFH Harlan
10:00 PM Sunday, August 8, 1943
Hello Darlin’:
Well, here it is the same day closer to ? and you. It took me almost 5 hours to play just 13 holes of golf. There were quite a few people there and they were terribly slow.
I got home about 6:00 and fixed myself a sandwich and had a glass of milk. And then took a shower and put some fresh clothes on. I then took Herman out and thought I would go to a show. I took your letter down to the post office and I decided I didn’t feel like going to a show so I came on home and fixed dinner. I sat upstairs with some of the folks here and then came down to my room and now I’m writing to my one and only.
I have a big washing to do tomorrow, so want to get up early so I can beat everyone else to the machine.
If you don’t mind too much, I think I will close for now. I sure wish we were married now. I love you so very very much. Good night sweetheart.
Good morning Darling:
It is another beautiful day. I slept a little too long this morning, so I didn’t get to the wash like I had planned on doing. I don’t know if I will have time before I go to work or not. I have to go downtown this morning on the way to work.
Your Special came yesterday right after I left for golf. Now it’s my turn to correct you, when your legs ache, you don’t spell it ack. Ha ha. Just kidding. I don’t know what would be the matter with the mail. I’ll get the name of the ship today at work, I’m not sure of the spelling. That is nice about having every Sunday off. It is swell for your Mother too.
I got a letter from Connie. She wants me to come up this weekend and spend Saturday and Sunday with them. I would kind of like to go but I don’t like to lay off a day now. I told them that I would come up sometime before I went into the Army.
It is 11:00 AM, though it doesn’t look like I will have time to wash clothes. I want to be downtown about 12:00.
Darling, I wish I could tell you how much I love you and miss you, but it is the same old story. I don’t know how to start it. I’ll try when you get here.
Love & xxxxxxxxxx’s FYH Harlan
PS. I will see you at 8
Johnny & Jane 