Hello Darlin’:
What is the good word? No letter again this Sunday. I have had only 3 letters from you since a week ago yesterday, 2 Specials, one Monday and one Thursday, one ordinary letter on Monday. No letters Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday, Saturday or today. The mail shouldn’t be this slow. Should it?
I went downtown Saturday to do my Christmas shopping but I didn’t get much accomplished. All I got was to pair of work pants to take with me aboard ship. I got home and Syd was here waiting for me. I spent the evening with him, just messing around. We neither of us spent one cent except for a bite to eat, just before we went home. I spent the night with them. This morning and this afternoon we spent working on his car. He had 3 flat tires and he couldn’t start it without pushing it. We fixed the tires at the station two blocks from the beach. You should have seen the waves. They were about as high as a room and they came way up to where we were sitting at a when we dug the tunnels (remember?). After we fixed the tires, we walked down to the boardwalk for about 5 minutes and watch the breakers. Then we rolled the tires back to the house and put them on his car. We then drove to a filling station and I installed a new terminal cable on his car and then it started swell. We had a malt and he brought me home.
I came upstairs to fix a bite to eat and the Spanish girls wanted me to have dinner with them, so I did. They had chicken, salad, pie, beer, and coffee. After dinner, I helped washed dishes and then I set the mangle up to iron my clothes. I brought my radio up and then started to mangle. They wanted to learn how to use the mangle, so I taught them how with my clothes. We got them all done. We danced in the kitchen and I wish you could’ve been here to watch them. I just about laughed myself sick. Shane was there, Mr. and Mrs. Drear, Mona Belle, the girl from Iowa, her folks and the Spanish girls and yours truly.
Fun Fact: Here is a picture of a 1940-1950’s General Electric Electric Mangle Iron. Used to iron clothes. Can you imagine?
That is just about all the news. I have to be down at the Union in the morning at 8, so I had better get some sleep. I will finish this in the morning. I love you very, very much. Good night Sweetheart.
Good morning Darling. It is 7:15 and I must leave for now. I will write again tonight and if I find out anything, I will call you or wire you.
I love you so very, very much.
Love & xxxxxxxxxx’s YFH Johnny
Mon 2:15 PM Nov. 22, 1943
Hello Honey:
Well, beginning of another week and some news this week, I hope. It’s been three weeks since you signed up.
Your second Special came about 10:00 this morning, but you didn’t say if you went to the Union office Friday morning or not. Gee, that’s too bad about your washing, did you swear? Wouldn’t blame you.
About your clothes, you can send me in boxes, that will be O.K, then I’ll buy a small trunk and pack them away for you. I know where I can buy a nice big one. O.K? O.K! Johnny, before you leave, will you please stock up on air mail envelopes so’s you will have plenty on hand while you are abroad, then if you have a chance to write and can mail them at different stops, I will get them sooner. Please. O.K?
I thought I would start this before for work. I’ll finish this tonight. Bye for now. Love.
1:00 AM Tues. Nov 23, 1943
Hello Dear:
It’s 11:00 out there, are you in bed or out? Aha. Just what I thought. How are you Honey? I hope you are
O.K. and gee how I wish I could see you again, I’m terribly lonesome tonight. It’s a nice crisp night with the stars very bright, and an ideal night for a walk and a talk, then home and lay down by the radio with the lights low and the radio on with soft music on. Right over there by the radio. Remember Honey, way back when, when we were young, free, happy, and not a worry in the world, except about the next weeks expenses or having enough money to see a certain show. Those times are now over but we can still remember them, just as we will remember this five years from now. But we are still young and in love and we have our whole life ahead of us and we will make up for what we have missed, wont we Honey?
Well to get back, I’m not going to work tomorrow as tomorrow is Trinkie’s wedding day and I’m going. It’s at 8:00 at night. As I sit there, I will be thinking of you and me, wondering when we will be at the altar. I’m so damn sentimental, I’ll probably even shed a tear, oh well, there will come a day.
Oh, I have a bit of news, Momie didn’t get laid off, the building she works in is closing down the 6th of December, but she got transferred to my building. Isn’t that swell, we were kind of worried.
Well my Darling, entered get to bed as I have a big ironing to do in the morning. Hope I receive a letter tomorrow. Maybe I’ll here if you’re going or coming, huh?
Good night my dear, I love you very much and always will.
Love & xxxxxxxxxx’s “Your” Darlin & FW Janie
Tues 6:00 PM Nov 23, 1943
Hello Honey:
I have a few minutes before I go get dressed for to go to the wedding. There was no letter again today. Two days in a row and I can’t help think maybe you are on your way home. It’s really an awful feeling not knowing.
As you know I didn’t go to work today. After Momie left, I washed and ironed our clothes and cleaned up the house, have written Donna a letter and am now writing to my one and only.
I’m going to wear my fur coat and hat tonight. Well Honey, better be moving, just wanted to say hello, Hello honey. I’ll be thinking of you. Bye now. I’ll be thinking of you.
10:15 PM
Hello again. Well I’m home again and the wedding was beautiful. Trinkie was in a beautiful white dress and the groom was in tux. There were three bridesmaids and three ushers. It was lovely, the reception was held in the basement of the church. They make a perfect couple. But do you know what Johnny, she threw the flowers, her bouquet, and I caught it. I was so thrilled Johnny, that means I’ll be next and I definitely believe in superstitions, don’t you.
It’s rather lonesome here as Momie is at work, so I just placed a call for you, sure hope you’re home. As for the money, poo. Wish it would hurry up and come through. Oh yes Johnny, I kissed the groom, it is the first time I kissed a man since I left you.
Well, I went and had a sandwich, feel somewhat better, but am still waiting for the phone to ring. I love you Honey.
Well, it is 10:30 and it did ring but you weren’t home, well huh, must admit was kind of disappointed.
Well Honey, yes I’ll go to bed now. Will write again tomorrow.
Love & xxxxxs “Your” Darlin & FW Janie
Wed Morning, 2:00 AM
Hello My Darling:
Well, I was rather disappointed in not hearing whether you are coming home or not but was so happy to hear your voice. You will let me know all as soon as you find out. I know you must get tired of me telling you that, but it is so hard to be on this end and not know what is going on until it’s all over, especially not knowing if you are coming home or not I’m just having to sit and wait.
Darling, about our getting married now that you have finally asked me and the answer is yes, yes, yes, before you leave, if you come home. We don’t need to worry about money, it only cost $3 for the license. We can be married very quietly in the little brown church and then take the car and drive to some little town, not too far away and stay for a couple days. Then return here and stay here at Mommie’s until you leave. Oh Honey, wouldn’t it be heavenly, just you and I, at long last married. What we have been dreaming of for four years. But please Johnny, don’t say anything to your folks about it yet because it is so indefinite and if you tell them, they will make plans and everything and I don’t want them to. You see because in respect of Daddy, we can’t have but a small quiet wedding anyway, and we won’t tell a soul, until you get home and make our plans. Please don’t say anything to anyone. When you get home and we will set the date and make plans to the hour, then we will tell and not until. I’m not even going to tell you Nana. This is my wedding, so don’t tell your folks. I’ll call your mom in the morning and tell her everything you said except about getting married. Is that understood?
Jeepers Honey, you and I getting married. I can think about it seriously for the first time because even if you don’t come home now you will be home after your first cruise, then we will be married. I love you Johnny with all my heart. Oh, more than you know.
I must get to bed now. Good night my sweet, keep your chin up and don’t worry because we are going to get married, aren’t we my dear future husband.
Love & xxxxxxxxxx’s “Your” Darlin & FW Janie
7:00 PM Wednesday Nov. 24, 1943
Hello My Darling:
I came home last night, I didn’t feel so good. I had a pretty bad headache. Your Special came about 6 PM. There was another letter in the mail. I sure don’t know where that Special has been. You wrote it 1:45 PM, Nov 19. It left D.M. 3 PM. Nov. 20. I got it in Frisco 11 AM, Nov. 23. You are safe because it isn’t your fault. You would be safe anyway. That is too bad about all of those people getting laid off. Frankly, I think they will lay off quite a few out at the yard. (Bing Crosby is singing “Sunday, Monday or Always” (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tIa9UtI6Chs) . My hair isn’t quite a butch, but very close to it. No, you didn’t tell me Mary Jane was coming out this way. If I’m still here, I will see her but I don’t think I will be here. I’m not getting cocky about the way the company feels. No, I haven’t heard the song “I’m Sending My Love For Christmas”. I tried calling the bus depot and I think they just took the phone off the hook. I will try to stop in or call again soon. That is nice about the ring that fellow made for you. You are a fine one, you are. You said you were going out for a bit of fun at 1:00 a.m. You also said, they are going to pick up at 1:00 a.m. Who is they? What can you do at 1 o’clock around D.M.? I was looking for a letter today, but no avail. What mail I’ve gotten from you has been nice but the delivery has been terrible.
Yesterday, I went down to the Union and found out that I couldn’t get the ship I want for 6 or 8 weeks, so I would have to take the first ship that went out, whatever it was. Well, I don’t like to give up so easy, so I got the bright idea about the ATS. That is the Army Transport Service. I went out to see them. They had some good news. There is the kind of ship I want, going out soon. They haven’t gotten the OK from the Army to sign on a crew yet but expect one this Friday or Saturday or Monday. I think it will be worth my while to wait and see if I can get it. I’m just taking a chance, I have a hunch that I can make it. (I hope).
I was downtown today doing a little Christmas shopping, I didn’t get very far. I think they have just doubled the prices on everything just for Christmas and it makes me so damn mad to have someone try to sell me something I don’t want.
A fellow just came in and wants me to go swimming with him at the center. It is about 5 blocks from here. I will see you later. Okay? Okay! I love you very, very much.
Hello sweet, I’m back and I sure feel clean and fresh. That chlorine makes my eyes tired though. I sure wish you were here and could’ve gone with me.
I love you so very, very much. I wish I could carry you in my arms again like I used to when we came home from a show or something. Life just doesn’t seem to mean anything without you by my side. Life will sure be swell then if you were in my arms again.
Well sweets, I’m getting sleepy, so I will dream of you. I will write again in the morning. I love you and you alone. Good night Sweetheart.
Good morning Darling: it is kind of a cloudy day and it looks like. I will finish this and get it in the mail.
Happy Thanksgiving Darling. Terribly sorry that I can’t spend with you in person, you are always in my mind and heart.
I will write again tonight. I love you very, very much.
Love & xxxxxxxxxx’s YFH Johnny
Nov 24, 1943
Hello Honey:
I haven’t had any mail since Sunday and I don’t think it is very nice of you, after all you know that I’m just waiting for word from you, any kind of word will do, but not to get any letter for three days is a little more than I can stand. Darn it, you could write every day, you’re not working and there is no reason why you can’t find at least enough time to drop me a line. You have made me pretty much on the mad side.
I have to go call your Mom, as I promised her I would. Well, she didn’t answer either, so that’s that. I know you haven’t left however because Mr. Drear said you were out for the evening last night when I called. All I can say is that I hope I get a letter tomorrow. Darn tomorrow. Thanksgiving and no mail, now I am mad. Oh well, I guess it won’t do me any good.
Well it’s getting late so better be going. I have to meet Mariam downtown 2:15.
Bye for now. I can’t help but think that you are on your way home, even though Mr. Drear said you were out for the evening only. Darn you.
Well it may be confusing but it’s now Thursday 9:30 p.m. When I got home from work last night, I was so tired, I went right to bed. But when we arrived home there was a box of flowers for Momie from you, a Special for Momie from Nana and a box containing cookies, candy, and peanuts for us from Aunt Jenny and Uncle Jack. It was really very sweet to remember Momie Honey. Thank you very much.
We got up about 11:00 this morning and ate a bite, dressed up, and over to Mary Jane’s. Then we went to the Tally Ho for dinner and then saw the show “Sweet Rosy O’Grady’ with Betty Grable. It was very good, now we are home. I kind of expected a Special and I arrived home, nope.
If I don’t hear tomorrow, I will be frantic. Did Mr. Drear tell you I called?
Well, I’m very tired and here’s a good chance to get in a little extra sleep. Will write again tomorrow.
Love & xxxxxxxxxx’s “Your” Darlin & FW Janie
Thurs 2:15 AM Nov 25, 1943
Hello Honey:
They say everything happens at once and I believe it. They have laid off over 200 people at work. There are five buildings and they are going to close all but my building and another and only have two shifts going in them. They aren’t laying them off according to seniority rights either, so I’m really kind of skeared to get my check Friday for fear there will be a little piece of paper with it telling me I’m out of a job. Then we will both be out of a job here. Momie was told tonight that this would probably be the last week out there. What do you think of that? I believe that everything bad that can happen to us this year has happened, but it looks like we aren’t through yet. I’m afraid I’m rather discouraged. But I’ll keep my chin up for you. I will try anyway. I can still hope that you are able to come home.
It really is really a grand night, and the stars are very bright and the moon just came up about an hour ago. You probably wonder at it being so late, but I had to wash my hair so decided to do it before I went to bed. My darn cold isn’t any better, it feels as plugged up as a pumpkin and as big too.
There were two letters today, and the pictures. Johnny, have you got a butch haircut? It sure looks like it. The picture was a lot better than most of them though, in fact I like it, it’s in my billfold now.
Well Honey, my hair is dry enough to put up now so better get myself moving. I called your Mom this morning and told her what you said and that you had called me.
Did I tell you, Mary Jane has a ride out to California the sixth of December, a fellow is going to Frisco by way of Texas and Los Angeles and she is going with as far as Frisco and take the train onto Tacoma Washington from there. I’m going to give her your address and if you are still there you might see her on the train, how about it?
Must close now. I love you very much. Your Darlin’ & FW Janie
PS Don’t worry, be careful and keep your chin up.
11:30 PM Nov. 25, 1943, Thursday
Hello Darlin’:
Well, that was sure a nice conversation we just had. I wish it could have been over an hour. I called the operator back and she said we talked for 13 minutes. It seemed about 3. I remember when we used to talk for an hour and it didn’t cost us a cent. Those were the good old days.
I haven’t done very much today. I finished your letter and took it to the post office on Jr. I then rode over and talked to Kay Martin. She is Syd’s aunt that I stayed with when I first came to Frisco. I talked to her until about 4:30 and then came on home. I had dinner with the Drears. After dinner, Shane and I did the dishes. Right after I finished the dishes, the folks called me. It was nice to hear them again. They said you had gone to a show with your Mother and wouldn’t be home until about 11. I then took Jr. and rode over to see Johnny and his folks for a while. I came back at 9 and called you. The operator said it would be 3 – 4 hour delay, so I put the call through. I messed around in the kitchen until the call went through. Now I’m down in my lonely room writing to you. I’m lying on the very bed that you slept in. I sure wish you were here to sleep in it again. I love you so. Well Darling, it’s almost 12, so I had better get some sleep. I have to get up 7. Good night Sweetheart. I love you and you alone.
Good morning Darling: I just finished breakfast and am all ready to leave. Here’s hoping I find out something today.
It sure was nice hearing your voice again last night, even if you did have a cold. Some of this salt air at the beach is good for the cold. That is what you need.
Well Darling, I’m afraid I must leave for now. I will see you at 8 as always. I love you very, very much.
Love & xxxxxxxxxx’s YFH Johnny
10:00 PM Friday Nov. 26, 1943
Hello Darlin’:
Well, here it is another day without any news. Your Special came late this afternoon. It was very nice. I have some boxes that I’m going to pack my clothes in. I may send them out Monday or maybe tomorrow. You will undoubtably get quite a bit of mail from me when I ship out. I don’t know about airmail from out to sea. You really begin to make me homesick when you talk about the night in front of the radio. Those times aren’t over, just postponed. I hope Trinkie had a nice wedding.
I just finished taking a shower and I also washed my head. I feel good. I wish you were here so we could do a lot of necking. There is nothing I would like better than to hold you in my arms again and kiss your soft lips, and squeeze is your tiny body next to mine. I could look into your eyes and I could see your sweet smile again. I wish I could jump the time backwards once in a while. We would sure live some of those days over again.
There isn’t any news so I don’t know what else to write in this Special. (Glenn Miller is playing “Moonlight Serenade” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rjq1aTLjrOE).
Well Sweets, I think I had better close for now. I have to get up early. I should have written your Special last night and mailed it this morning but Thursday got me all mixed up. This pen of mine is going to the dogs. I will finish this in the morning. I love you very, very much. Good night Darling. I love you very, very much.
Hello Honey: it is 8:30 a.m. I just finished breakfast. It is still kind of dark out. I sure hope I find out something today. Either yes or no. It is very clear out, so I think it will be a nice day out.
Last night after I finished writing the first part of this letter, I happen to think that I had forgotten to put Jr in the garage, so I had to dress and go out. I came outside and the searchlights were in the sky playing on a formation of planes. It sure was a nice site. I wish you could’ve seen it.
Well Darling, I’m afraid I must leave for now. I love you very, very much.
Love & xxxxxxxxxx’s YFH Johnny
11:00 PM Nov. 27, 1943, Sat.
Hello Darlin’:
Again today I find out I can’t get on a diesel boat. Monday, I will go down and the first shipped out. I hope I get a good one.
I have been doing some baking. I baked a cake. It came out fairly good, but it tastes more like corn – bread and cake.
I didn’t get any mail today, so I have nothing to answer. It is a beautiful night out. I sure wish we were together again. It is very lonely without you. Maybe I will find something in the sea. (If I ever get out.) It will be a good experience to see other countries and other people. I hope I don’t get to seasick.
I am kind of tired and I’m going to take a shower and go to bed. I love you very, very much. Good night Sweetheart.
Good morning Honey: Oh what a beautiful morning. The sun is out and there is a cool soft breeze. It is a nice day to go down to the Marina, Mount Tamalpais, the beach, the zoo, or any place with you.
I’m going downtown for a little while and will take me to the post office. I have had breakfast and I called Syd. He hasn’t sold his car yet. Well sweets, I must go now. I will write again later. I love you very, very much.
Love & xxxxxxxxxx’s YFH Johnny
Sun 10:45 PM Nov 28, 1943
Hello Honey:
Well, another week but still no Johnny. Your Special hasn’t come yet but then I realized I didn’t expect to get one until tomorrow.
Got up at 12:00 today and I did our washing and ironing and scrubbed the bathroom floor, the tub and shower and put-up clean curtains and cleaned my room, then took out the ashes and cleaned out the inside of the car. By that time Rosie and Dickie Jr. were here and we had dinner and Rosie and I went to see “Du Barry Was A Lady”, it was fairly good. We brought ice cream home with us, had that and I just arrived home from taking them home.
Mary Jane left this morning and she will arrive in Frisco on Thursday or Friday. She is going to wire you from San Diego or Los Angeles so be on the lookout for her, will you please, and did you get the information about trains and buses out there to Tacoma? If she has to stay in Frisco a night. Hope you can find her a place and will see her off on the train. Please Dear.
I forgot to tell you in your Special that if you want to go ahead and sell Jr, you can use the money as it won’t do me any good here.
Well my Dear, I have to get up early in the morning so better get to bed. I’m going to take the car down to be greased and washed. I sure hope you hear this week you are going to do. Will write again tomorrow. Love as always.
Love & xxxxxs “Your” Darlin & FW Janie
11:45 PM Nov 28, 1943, Sunday
Hello Darlin’:
Well, I have really been busy the last 3 hours and I’m still not quite through. Packing is really quite a problem. Your Special came this afternoon. It is a very nice one. No, I’m very sorry to say that I haven’t found out at information for you about the buses and trains. I haven’t had much time and when I have had a little time it completely slipped my mind. I don’t think it will do for any good to know anyway because she can’t leave until she gets here and the schedules usually change now and then I imagine the prices do too.
By the way my dear, I have a bone to pick with you. Did you read in one of my letters where I asked you if your Mother had got that cookie jar or not? I don’t believe you answered me on that. That will be nice to have Yodie come home again. I hope you and the girls have a lot a fun. Tell them all hello for me and please think of me once in a while, while you are with them. That phone call sure was swell. I wish we could have one every night. I’m sending all of your letters back and I want you to keep them for me. Don’t you dare tear any of them up or lose any. You can take those boots over and see if they will fit Dad. He can have the sweatshirts and some of the things that you know I can’t use again.
Well Darling, it is getting late and I must sleep. I have to be at the dentist at 9 in the morning. I love you so very, very much. I think of you always because you are always in my heart. Good night Sweetheart.
Good morning Darling: this isn’t the morning you think it is. It is a day late, meaning Tuesday morning. I got up late yesterday morning and I didn’t have time to finish this before I went to the dentist. I have one more filling left. He worked on it for a while and was going to put a gold inlay in it. He sent me upstairs to another office to have an x-ray. The tooth was cracked clear across. He said it had been cracked for some time, so he had to pull it. I didn’t feel so good when he finished. I came home and just lay in bed. I have to go down and have a print taken of it. He is going to put a bridge in it. (“Put Your Arms Around Me Honey” (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MnPqSn-8Go4). There are only two time I can think of when I might have cracked it. When I was playing basketball at home, I fell in one game and hit my chin on some fellow’s knee. The other time was when I was working at the yard. I was welding in the engine room. I was standing on a foundation. I stopped welding and turned around. Some machinists were up top with the crane letting some parts down. The parts were swinging. One of them swung and caught me just as I turned around. It split my lip on the inside, the hospital treated it. I didn’t think of it then. My tooth was sore but I didn’t pay any attention to it then.
Your Mother’s Special came this morning. I will answer it tonight. It was very nice.
Well sweets, I guess I had better close for now. I will write again tonight. I love you very, very much.
Love & xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx YFH Johnny
Tues 1:00 AM Nov. 30, 1943
Good morning Honey:
It is 11:00 out there, are you in bed? You should be. You know what? I received three letters this morning. Your Special came about 10:00 and then there were two letters the mailman brought, one had 6 cents postage due on it, it was the one you wrote Wednesday 7 PM, but it was worth it. I believe I told you in another letter that Trinkie, Barbie, Joyce, and Bev and I were going out and we found plenty to do at 1:00 AM. We went out to the Air Line Inn, out across from the airport and had chicken dinner and Cuba Libre’s (Rum Cokes), then we stayed at Trinkie’s apartment. We had a really swell time. We even had an accident with Trinkie’s husband’s car, but nothing serious. Just a lot a fun. We drank to Trinkie and her future husband and we drank to Joyce and her boyfriend and then we drank to you and me and then I got up and won $3.00 on the machine.
Little Shane, how is she, tell her hello for me. I sure wish I was there to sleep in that little old bed again too.
Honey, they don’t use V mail in the Pacific ocean like to do in the Atlantic. We tried it with Dick and he got in on the original paper we wrote in and it was a week slower than airmail, so once more I say to stock up on air mail envelopes.
Smooching, not necking.
I did see the spotlights on the planes, remember up on the hill.
Well my stubborn, independent, cocky, adorable Merchant Marine, I love you very much but must close now and get my beautiful little self to bed. I love you. I love you. I love you. Understand? I love You.
“Your” Darlin & FW Janie
PS See you when you come home
9:30 PM Tuesday Nov. 30, 1943
Hello Darling:
Surprise, I can’t find my pen, so I have to use a pencil. I don’t like it so good either. I went to the dentist this noon and he did a little work, then I had to go back tonight at 7. I just got home.
I went out and play a little golf this afternoon. I played with two soldiers from New Zealand. They were very nice fellows.
It is a beautiful night out and as usual I wish you were here so we could smooch a little be together again. I received your mother’s letter and have read it over and over. It is very sweet.
I’m looking forward to seeing Mary Jane, I hope I don’t have to leave before she gets here. I don’t think I will.
I’m glad your Mother like the roses. I remember every Nov. 26, your Father used to send flowers for her. No, as I told you on the phone, Mr. Drear didn’t tell me you had called. Darling, you forgot to tell me you loved me in this letter.
Well Sweets, I must get some sleep, so I will close for now. I will finish this in the morning. I love you very, very much. Good night Sweetheart.
Good morning Darling: It is a very beautiful morning out. I wish you were here. I have to go to the dentist again so I will have to make this short.
I love you very, very much.
Love & xxxxxs YFH Johnny
Johnny & Jane 