1 AM Monday, March 22, 1943
Hello Darlin’:
Well here it is the beginning of another week closer to August and the sweetest girl in the world. I will tell you just about what I have been doing all day and it won’t take very long. Syd came over and we drove over and picked his mother up. We drove out by the beach and then right around town. We got back about 6:30. I washed up after we took his mother home and we went downtown and saw Alice Faye and J O’Keefe in “Hello Frisco Hello”.
It was very good. After the show we had dinner and then came home, so here I am, writing to my fiancée. Hi Fiancée! Is and that something. Your Specials were here waiting for me. They were both nice.
Yes Darling, I know what’s wrong with you. You are not where you should be. It has been cloudy today but no rain. You never told me of Eddie Carr. No, I haven’t heard from Frank since before I came home. I think the plant made a big mistake in making you the runner up at being the prettiest girl there. You should have gotten first place. Say, what did I say about ‘that night’? I don’t remember. Please answer.
I guess that is just about all the questions to answer.
Wednesday night I plan on taking Dick to Slapsy Maxies for dinner and the stage show in the evening and do whatever he wants to do in the daytime. I’m going to reserve a table for us, so we won’t have to wait. Don’t tell him as he doesn’t know it yet. By the time you get this, we will probably believe almost be there. I guess they have quite a floor show. Then Ben Blew and several other movie stars and Maxi Rosenblum. They this paycheck is going to hit me pretty hard this week, my check was for $55. That was after my bond, Social Security, old adage, relief, victory tax etc., etc., etc. had been taken out. By the way my pet, you didn’t say anything about receiving any bond this week. I sent one last Tuesday and you should have gotten it in time to tell me about it in your Special. If it hasn’t come yet you are safe, but if it did I want you to please tell me the minute it comes, and I will forgive you for this time.
Well I guess I had better close as I am getting very tired. I will write again tomorrow night after work. Good night Sweetheart. I love you very very much and miss you something terrible.
Love & xxxxxxxxxxxxxx’s Harlan
Monday 8 PM March 22, 1943
Hello Honey:
I’m all alone and lonely. Momie and Daddy have gone to see “Yankee Doodle Dandy” but I was too tired to go. I ate a little something, lay down a little while, which by the way is a everyday habit now and am now writing to my Honey. Oh yes I washed my hair, gave myself a facial and plucked my eye brows.
When I arrived home there was two letters waiting for me, one written Wednesday night and the other Thursday night, so your little girl feels pretty fine and dandy, when I finish this I’m going up to take a nice bath and read until I get sleepy again which won’t be long. How’s my Honey?
I’m awfully sorry you got burned. I hope you’re okay by now. I also think it is swell you are taking Wednesday off and can be with Dick. You certainly deserve it. Wednesday is my day off too this week. Jeepers, two weeks from last Saturday, we change shifts again. Then I go on the graveyard 12:00 AM to 8:00 AM. I’ll be glad in a way because I don’t like these evenings, it doesn’t get dark until about 7:30 anymore either. Harlan I have a favor to ask you please, don’t say necking, say smooching. O.K? O.K!
What do you mean love isn’t the only thing you have to offer me? I know love isn’t the only thing that you put into words will you? Ironing? You mean that you do your own ironing? Jeepers.
I haven’t talk to your mom for some time. I’m going to call her tomorrow night to see if she has anything from the board. If so, I’ll wire you accordingly.
Now let me see, what else, what else. I love you. How’s that? Me too.
Gosh Honey, there isn’t any news at all, at all, at all, I’m sorry I guess I’m too tired please forgive me, but I guess I better close now. I love you very very much, more than I can say. Please be careful and eat a lot and stay young. I love you.
Love & xxxxxxxxxx’s “Your” Darlin’ Janie
I miss you terribly even yet.
1:30 AM March 23, 1943
Hello Darlin’:
Well here it is, another day closer to August in you.
I received your letter telling me you received the bond. I was a little worried because the other one I sent you told me about it in your Sunday special. But everything is O.K. now.
How’s everything going along in D. M.? I sure pity you. The weather here is just swell now. The sun was out all day in the air was nice and warm with a cool breeze from the ocean, really made it swell. It sure is too bad you can’t come out now.
Darling, I have been thinking about a plan for us to get married. It’s quite like one you had that I said I didn’t like because of so much traveling.
In August, you could come out here and we could make all of our plans, get the ring, try and locate a place to live etc., etc. Etc. Then in November, I could go back to D. M., and get you. We could get married at the Little Brown Church with her folks your folks and my folks there. Then we could take our honeymoon on the way out here. We could take the train to L.A. and spend some time there or something or somewhere else. Yosemite Park isn’t much good at that time of the year. It could be pretty cold in the mountains. But will decide that when the time comes.
I just finished taking my shower and eating and I’m pretty tired. I received a letter from you yesterday just before I left for work. I think I will like your coat very much. You will like Frisco as you can wear it all year round and still not be out of style. No, your letters aren’t rugged.
Well Sweets, that’s all the questions there is the answer, so I think I will close until I wake up in the morning. Okay? Okay! I love you very very much. How do you like the song “Moonlight Becomes You” (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9CxjWv0iuHI)? Harry James is playing it now. Good night Sweetheart.
Good morning my sweet,
Well, how is my little girl this morning? Fine I hope. The weather is doing it again. The sun is out and there’s a nice cool breeze out. It sure is too bad you aren’t here now. It sure would be a nice day to go out and play some golf.
I haven’t heard from Dick as yet, so I don’t know if he is coming in tomorrow or not. I hope he calls before I go to work. I have to know for sure whether he’s getting off or not.
There are will probably be another bond with this letter. I usually get it on Tuesdays.
Well Honey, I guess I had better close now as I am running out of words and you have heard how much I love you. You probably are getting tired of hearing it. Oh? Well alright then, I love you more than words or anything can express. There are many beautiful songs and still there is another one to tell you how much I love you because there isn’t any now that do. Someday I hope I will be able to both show you and tell you.
Love & xxxxxxxxxxxxxx’s Harlan
Tell your folks hello for me
Tuesday 10:30 PM March 23, 1943
Hi Precious, Oh Nuts!! Hi Honey:
How are you? I’m tired. I just arrived home from going out with Barbie and Trinkie and what a stinky time. Trinkie and Jack are through (again) and she is going to marry some 2nd Lieut. The 1st of June. He is the son of the people who own Bruce Transfer, here in Des Moines and has gobs of money. She is through with love for ever and is marrying for money and be set for the rest of her life, if she gets tired of him she can divorce him and get lots of money, so she says. She makes me sick.
Now back to sweet wonderful you. I received a letter from you today, it was O.K., thanks a lot. I’m awfully tired tonight, I’m sure glad tomorrow is my day off. I’m going to sleep until noon maybe later.
About Opal, I don’t have a chance to get out there Harlan and you know it, besides she was only there while I was on the other shift and now she’s out at Max’s most of the time and so is your mom. Now don’t get me wrong. You know I don’t have anything against Opal, someday maybe I’ll tell you all about it, but I will try to get out to see her sometime.
There isn’t any news, the night is beautiful, but I guess I’m too tired to appreciate it, the stars are very bright, I saw our Big Dipper at 10:00, hope you were there, it’s warm, can’t even see my breath. “Lonesome” is on the radio. I can’t keep my eyes open, better go, I hope you have a swell time tomorrow. I will be thinking of you. I love you.
Love & xxxxxxxxxx’s “Your” Darlin’ Janie
12:25 AM March 24, 1943. Wednesday.
Hello Darling:
Well how is that for speed in getting home. I had to run to catch my transfer car, but I got it, so here I am again. Glad? So am I, but I wish I could be talking to you instead of writing. I haven’t heard from Dick yet, so I don’t know whether he is coming out or not. He may have called while I was at work, but I won’t know until in the morning.
There isn’t any news, so I’ll be darned if I know what I’m going to write about.
Do you remember me asking you if you had heard “Seems To Me I’ve Heard That Song Before” (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tX5S9iXmMek) ? You said no but you would listen for it. I knew when I first heard it that it was a good song.
Little Dickie is really getting to be quite a guy. Well, well my sweet, it is getting to the point where I must close for a while. I’m fully awfully hungry. I love you very very much.
Hello Sweets, well I’m back and I’m just as tired as ever. I sure wish you were here so I could come home to you instead of nothing. I went to the tire board before work to try to get straightened out. There were too many ahead of me so I will have to go early in the morning.
I sure miss you a lot, life is so dull without you. Well as I have to get up early I suppose I better get some sleep. I love you very much. Good night sweetheart.
Good morning Darling. The time is 11:30, I have been to the tire board since about 9:00, Everything is all straightened out now, so I feel a lot better. All I have to do now is to have my tires inspected.
The morning was a little cloudy, but the sun is out now, and it is another beautiful day without you. Dick hasn’t called yet, so I don’t know if he’s coming in are not. I guess I had better plan on going to work. I still have my close to iron. I wish you were here to help me with them. I guess all I do is to wish and hope. Don’t I?
When do you have a day off, soon? Or what time do you have off next Sunday or what time will you be home. I will try to write more tomorrow morning when I get home from tonight’s work if it doesn’t get in.
The mail just came and there was a letter here for me, and one from the folks. Mom told me she was going to take an extra pound of butter she had over to you, so you won’t be without any. Isn’t that nice of her.
I don’t know if we will go to that dance every week, but we will go two out of three as I only have one night off a week. We might want to go to a show some (pause) time. That pause means that the phone just rang, and it was Dick. He is coming in and I’m to meet him downtown at 2:00. Boy I’m glad. I was afraid he wasn’t going to get in.
Well I have called Slapsy Maxies and reserved a table for dinner. We are going out to play golf this afternoon.
I have a shirt to iron before I can go tonight so I had better close. I will write again tonight.
Love & xxxxxxxxxxxxxx’s Harlan
PS I love you very much.
Wednesday 4 PM March 24, 1943
Hello Honey:
I am waiting for Momie to get ready as we are going to downtown to a show. It’s my day off you know. I suppose you and Dick are having a swell time right now you ought to be started by now as it is 2:00 out there. Sure hope you are having a swell time.
This is only going to be a short start for my letter tonight. I received a letter this morning, I’ll answer your questions tonight. I’m going to buy me a new dress today. It’s sort of a suit deal and I’m going to look at watches, but I doubt I could buy one.
The sun is in then out, then in and out. Can’t seem to make up its mind. I thought if it was nice, I would have Momie take some pictures of me but it’s too cloudy. Well honey, Momie is ready now and the car is on the way so I better close until tonight. I love you very much Harlan. Goodbye for now. Janie Hello, it’s 10:00 and I’m home, we went to “Yankee Doodle Dandy”, and if it comes there you must go see it. It’s almost as good as “My Gal Sal”.
Now isn’t that something about those Specials. Momie gave one to the mailman Saturday morning, and I took the other one downtown to the main post office about 6:00 Saturday night, so now I won’t have to make a special trip downtown Friday night. I’ll give it to the mailman on Saturday morning this week again and you let me know when you get it O.K? O.K!
No, I never told you of Eddie Carr, but like me there are a lot of things about my past you don’t know me.
About you remembering that night I don’t remember what I said or wrote. Tell me more and then I’ll answer.
I forgot to tell you night before last your mom called me and I talk to Johnnie and he had a fit when he found out I didn’t even have a half a pound of butter to last until next Monday and he insisted that they bring some over as they had 5 pounds. Well I thought I had him all talked out of it after I hung up. I put my hair up, creamed my face and put on my PJs and was sitting listening to the radio waiting for the folks to come home when came a knock on the door. Thinking it was the folks, I walked out and there was your mom with a pound of butter. She was on her way out to Max’s and Johnnie had insisted she bring me some butter. Jeepers wasn’t that sweet, and now I’m taking my lunches again.
I’m sure I told you about receiving your bonds and telling you we had $175 together in bonds. I have three bonds of yours and four of mine, does that check? I believe I got it Thursday. There was only one bond, did you send me another one.
Well Sweets, I have to put my hair up and take a bath yet so better close now. I love you very very much.
Love & xxxxxxxxxx’s “Your” Darlin’ Janie
PS it’s 8:20 there, wonder what you and Dickie are doin, hope you are thinking of me, just a little biddy. Good night Sweetheart
Thursday 7 PM March 25, 1943
Hi Honey:
Well here I am again, Yup! “I’ll See You Again” (Vera Lynn https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p2OVMA7jRS0) is on the radio. I received your bond, everything is going along swell in good old Des Moines, as Dick calls it. I’m here which should make you wish you were here to.
Now “Moonlight Mood” (Frank Sinatra https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lFwUW-Dq5BY)is on. Oh yes Honey, I like “Moonlight Becomes You” (Bing Crosby https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dUmkz95E7mw). I don’t know why you should pity me Honey. The weather here is nice to today especially, the sun was very bright and nice, little white clouds in the blue, blue sky. Ya ya ya, but I would rather be where your nice weather is, yup.
I felt pretty good tonight. When I arrived home from work there were two letters, one from you and one from Joyce. None of us girls have heard from her for over a month. She is coming home next Sunday and will arrive here will either next Thursday or Friday, isn’t that swell? We haven’t seen her in such a long time, it sure will be swell? You bet.
And then not only was your letter a swell one but there was a bond to which now brings the savings to $200. “Yippee”
And then there was something that didn’t make me feel so good. A telephone bill for call to San Francisco, oh well. It was worth it Honey.
Now you’re getting in the groove, about the marriage plans, that sounds pretty logic, practical and everything else to me. When you hear about your deferment (if you ever do) we will really go ahead with it.
What do you mean ‘I probably get tired of hearing you say you love me’??? Do you get tired hearing me tell you how much I love you??? Answer!!!
Hello, how are you? I’m fine, really I am. I bought a new sweater last night, it’s blue green and real pretty I’m sure you would like it.
We are patiently waiting for word from Dick, so we can know whether he is coming home or not. I sure hope he makes it.
Gee my rings pretty and sparkly tonight. Hi Fiancée, how are you?
This letter is silly. I better close. O.K? O.K! I love you, I love you, I love you, O.K? O.K! Love & xxxxxxxxxx’s “Your” Darlin’ Janie
12:35 AM March 26, 1943
Hello Darlin’:
Well here it is another two days closer to August in you. I’m terribly sorry and I hope you will forgive me for not writing last night. I had a lot of clothes to iron before work today and as I got up rather late. I finish them and was almost late in getting to work.
I will start in telling you just what we did yesterday. I was just getting ready to go to work and I hadn’t heard from Dick yet and when I went upstairs to get my lunch he called. I had a letter already to mail to you and should have taken it with me. But I guess I was pretty excited. I went down to meet him and then we drove out to get the camera I was going to borrow, and nobody was home. We then drove up to a pressing shop and Dick had his new ‘Blues’ pressed. You ought to see his stripe, it sure looks swell. After he had it pressed, we drove over to my place and got the clubs and Dick a sweatshirt and went out and played 13 holes of golf. After playing golf, we drove home and took a shower and shave and then left for set ‘Slapsy Maxies’. We saw the floor show and had dinner and then went to a theater and saw Jack Benny in “The Meanest Man in the World”.
I then said goodbye to Dick and came home. I was very tired, so thought to myself “I don’t think Jane will mind if I write in the morning instead of tonight”, so I went to bed. I woke up about 10:30, went upstairs and had breakfast and then grabbed the iron and ironing board and came down to iron some of my clothes including one dress shirt, 4 sport shirts, two work shirts, two work pants and several handkerchiefs and shorts. When I finally finished, the time had slipped by to about 2:00. I usually leave for work about 2:00 or before so I really had to step on it. I worked and here I am. Am I forgiven?
I have a letter to answer so I will do that now before I tell you how much I love you and adore and miss you. Your Honey is just fine except for a little tired. Okay I’ll say smooching instead of necking or smocthing?.
That’s all of the questions. I wish there was some way I could tell you on paper how much I love you and the things I think about you during the day, but somehow I just can’t find the right words. Maybe someday I will be able to.
Well Sweets, is getting late so I think I will close for the night. I will write again in the morning. I love you very very much. Good night Sweetheart.
Hello and good morning Darlin’: Well how is my little girl this morning? Fine I hope.
There isn’t any news since last night except that I love you and miss you just a little bit more. I will sure be happy when we get a marriage license and use it. It is funny how things look to me when were not together. I know that the reason I think so much of you is that you were always such a good sport about things, and I would rather do things with you than with a bunch of fellows. Now you aren’t with me and in everything I do, I miss you.
Well, I guess I better close for now. I will write again tonight.
Love & xxxxxxxxxxxxxx’s Harlan
Friday 6:30 PM March 25, 1943
Hello Honey:
Well here I am again and with bad news. Which isn’t going to be very nice for a Special.
Your mother called me when I arrived home from work and as you probably already know, as she said she thought she was going to call you tonight, you didn’t get your deferment. The way I felt when I heard that is very hard to explain. I’m under the impression that your folks want you to come home. Harlan, you know there isn’t anything I wouldn’t give to just see you again, if only for 5 minutes, but it isn’t what your folks want or what I want, it’s what you want that counts. There really isn’t much I can say now that it’s here, maybe it isn’t official yet, in fact I don’t think you’re folks should call you until tomorrow, but they know what they are doing I guess. If you talk to them or after you hear, we you please do me a favor? Please think it over thoroughly, decide what you are going to do, and then please call me and let me know as soon as possible. You probably won’t hear for sure from your board out there until tomorrow or Monday but be sure that it is official and then do what you think is best, because I think what you decide will be best, in my mind it will anyway.
I don’t know Honey, it’s hard for me to talk about it because it was such a shock to me. I never even thought for a minute that you wouldn’t get it. So I guess I won’t say anymore until I hear from you.
There wasn’t any letters waiting for me when I arrived home from work today, darn. How are you.? Relieved I’ll bet.
Oh jeepers Honey, I’m sorry but I just can’t seem to write a gay Special with this on my mind. The next thing is, when will you be called, will you pass??? How long will you have before you go, all of these unanswered questions are enough to drive one insane.
The weather is still perfectly swell, getting warmer every day, only one more week of this day shift left. Work is going along swell.
Well Darling, I guess I had better close now. I will tell you what I’ll do. I’ll write another letter after a while, but I do want to get this in for the 11:00 plane. I love you very very much and remember use your own judgment and don’t worry.
Love & xxxxxxxxxx’s “Your” Darlin’ Janie
Fri 9:00 PM March 26, 1943
Well Darling, I just got back from taking Mary Jane home and taking your letter down, it’s on its way.
Jeepers, it was only this morning I was thinking on the way to work about my trip out there in August and all we would do and then coming home and working for a month or so and then quitting and getting everything ready for you to come and get me and tonight I’m thinking I may never see Frisco now. Oh Honey, why is there always something? But don’t worry Harlan, everything will turn out O.K., it’s bound to, you’re so good, but it’s the next two weeks I’m dreading. I love you.
I haven’t the slightest idea what to write about. Your mom just called again, and Johnny is home. I told them to tell you as long as they were calling it there was no reason for me to (if they called). She is going to call me tomorrow morning before I leave for work if she calls you.
Oh dear, I can’t talk about this all the time. Now let me see, oh yes, I’m sending this Special as you will get one on Sunday too, aren’t I sweet? You bet. I hope you think so.
Momie and Daddy are setting out in the kitchen eating cake and milk. I’ve already had mine. I just had to write you, so I hurried.
Oh Harlan, I forgot my dentist bill is all paid. Just think, I won’t have to dish out five dollars a week to him anymore. Now I can just put that five in the bank, isn’t that swell. I feel like a new woman, oops, I mean a new girl after I figured out my budget this week. I can only put $7 in the bank but next week it will be $15 O.K? O.K!
Well Sweetheart, it’s after 9:30 so I had better close, because I have to put up my hair, take a bath and clean my face, so you see it will be 10:30 before I crawl in. I love you very much Honey and don’t worry, and be careful, don’t get to thinking about it and drop a hot piece of lead down your shirt again, you might burn that one little hair on your chest and that would be terrible. Good night for now Honey.
Love & xxxxxxxxxx’s “Your” Darlin’ Janie
PS Don’t forget to call when you make up your mind what you are going, and I don’t feel bad about asking you to call me because it has been three weeks since I called you. O.K? O.K!
1:30 AM March 27, 1943
Hello Darlin’:
Well, well, well. I just talked to Mom and Dad on the phone. I hear I don’t get another deferment. I’m kind of glad in a way. I think this being away from you so much is getting the better of me. I hope I pass my physical all right.
Out at the yard every welder, who is trying to get a deferment and doesn’t get it, has strict orders to notify them. I think they want to appeal or something. We are so short of welders, it is really pitiful. I sure had a swell complement from my boss today. Last night I welded some bolts on the outside of the ship. My boss didn’t think I would finish them, but I did. He asked me how far I got with them and I told him I finished them. He then asked me if I had any ‘pickup’ on them and I said no, so he didn’t even send an inspector to look at them. He turned a card into the office that the job was completed. A Navy inspector came and inspected them, and my boss said that the Navy inspector had asked him if it was done with the machine. He said it was a perfect job. My boss said that there was one thing that he liked about me and that was that I never seem to leave anything unwelded. Do you know how big your front door is? Well, right now I don’t think I could get my head through it. I was just kidding. Darn, there isn’t any news, so I don’t know what else to write about. There just doesn’t seem to be any news.
I’m going to call you Sunday afternoon about 6:00 ,if I can possibly make it. I would like to play some golf so it may be a little bit later than that, but not much. That will be somewhere around 8:00 your time.
About my coming home for my physical, I’m not sure. You see, if I come home and should happen not to pass my physical, I’d be out of a job. I might have to sell Herman before I went back and then I wouldn’t even have a car. I’d have to send all of my clothes home and then send them back if I don’t pass. I would have to hire in all over again. I would have to sell my leathers or maybe put them all away someplace. I would rather come home so I could be with you and the folks again, but it would make such a mess of things. But we will see as time rolls on. Maybe I can figure a way so we can work it. I had better close as I have to get up early. I love you very very much
Love & xxxxxxxxxxxxxx’s 1-A Harlan
PS You can start saying “he’s a 1-A in the army now”.
(Fun fact: Low-hydrogen electrodes must be dry to perform properly. Moisture pickup can degrade weld quality in several ways. Excessive moisture can cause weld porosity, which may be visible porosity on the weld face, or it may only be subsurface and require some type of non-destructive or destructive testing to see. Credit https://weldingproductivity.com/article/stick-to-the-basics/)
(Fun fact: I-A was a WWII military classification which meant that a person was available and fit for general military service.)
Saturday 8:00 PM March 27, 1943
Hi Honey:
The Hit Parade is on Honey. I’ll let you know what the three top songs are.
I received a letter today, but it was written Tuesday night and Wednesday morning and wasn’t mailed until Thursday evening at 6:30 PM. Now just what did you do, carry it around for a while before you decided to mail it? If so, it wasn’t appreciated. If that had been mailed when it should have, it would have been here yesterday. Now, I want to hear about Wednesday until next Wednesday.
“There Are Such Things” is on now, it’s number six. There’s a great big dance at this shrine tonight, put on by the union for the plant workers. They are going to choose the beauty queen. I had several invitations, the girls at work asked me to go. Marion said she would stay in town if I would go and Don and Katherine asked me to go with them, Oh yes, some old fresh guy out at work asked me too.
“Don’t Get Around Much Anymore” is on now, number seven. You may think that this letter is rather sloppy. Well you see, I laid down about 5:30 and just woke up and I’m kind of numb. You know how you feel after you die for a couple of hours, excuse me my back itches.
Well, let me see. I don’t know anything else to write about, there isn’t any news. But you were certainly on my mind all day long. I almost blew myself up. I was thinking about you in the Army and thought I was closer to the table and set the tray of primers on the air instead of on the table and down they went through the space onto the floor. Boy, I was really lucky they didn’t go off.
What are you going to do with little old Herman? When I think I may never see him I could cry. I could cry anyway. No. 4 is “You’d Be So Nice To Come Home To”. Oh Darling, do you think that day will ever come for you? Yes, so do I, someday it’s bound to.
Well sweetheart Daddie says if I go right now, I can take this downtown and if I take it down you will get it sooner. As I have said all many times before I love you Harlan and always shall, you and you alone.
Good night Honey. I’m feeling a lot better now that I know you are going to call me.
Love & xxxxxxxxxx’s “Your” Darlin’ Janie
No. 3 is “As Time Goes By” (Vera Lynn https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9cS0fXZkbao) ever heard it? Listen to it sometime Honey.
No. 2 “That Old Black Magic”
No. 1 “I’ve Heard That Song Before”
(Fun fact: ‘The Hit Parade’, also known as ‘Your Hit Parade’, was an American radio show that aired from 1935 to 1953. It was sponsored by Lucky Strike cigarettes. It aired every Saturday night and played the most popular and best-selling song of the times)
10 AM March 28, 1943 Sunday
Hello Darlin’:
Well here it is another day closer to August and you. I just got home from work, rather Ziegler’s house. I had quite a time last night. A bunch of the fellows at the yard know that I don’t drink so they tried to get me drunk. We stopped in to get a drink or something before going home. On Saturday night I usually have a Coke Highball. The rest of the nights I have Pepsi-Cola or milk. Well, getting back to the story. I bought a drink for five of us, there are were 4 besides me. I ordered a whiskey coke and then the rest of them had beer, I don’t like beer, so I had to have something different. I always order it in a large glass as you get more Pepsi-Cola that way and it isn’t very strong. After we were through drinking, I was ready to go home but they insisted on staying in having some more so I said I would wait for them while they drank. One of them ordered 4 beers and a Coke Hi in a tall glass. Well, he had already bought it, so I took it. They had the bartender put about four shots in it and was it ever strong. I knew what was coming, I was sitting right by the wastebasket, so I would pretend to drink it and instead poured into the basket. I don’t even know how I got away with it, but I did. I started to pretend to be getting tight. You should have seen those guys get a big kick out of that. Here I was the fellow they could never get to drink more than one highball and they had me drunk, they thought. I got a bigger kick out of them I think then they did out of me.
Today is a beautiful day so I think I will go out and play a little golf. I wish you were here to go out with me. I will finish when I get back. Okay? Okay!
Hello Sweetheart:
The time is 6:00 and I have just placed a call for you but there will be a one- or two-hour delay. I have to take a shower, shave and washed my head, so I had better close for a few minutes, did I say a few minutes, excuse me. You know how long it takes me to clean up a little bit. I’ll be back in a little while. I love you so very much. I forgot to tell you, I have to fix myself something to eat too.
Hi Honey, well the phone call is over, and I can’t remember a nicer one. I was never so glad to hear anyone’s voice in my life. It is sure funny how many things you leave unsaid when talking on the phone. I wish I knew if I could pass the physical or not. If I go in, I’m afraid I’ll have to sell Herman. It sure would be swell if you could get some time off to come out or back with Dick. Some band is playing “That Old Black Magic”. I was going to tell you about a girl here at the house. She was waiting for a street car the other night and someone came up behind her and hit her (the radio is playing “I’m Getting Tired So I Can Sleep”) across the mouth. The blow knocked her out and her lips work and all swollen up. Whoever it was took all of the money she had. The police found her and took her to the hospital. It happened right downtown I guess.
I have three letters from you that I had better answer. There are two Specials and one regular airmail letter. “Yankee Doodle Dandy” was here a long time ago but I didn’t get a chance to see it. If it comes back, I’ll go. You’ll have to tell me what I said about that night I remember but you don’t remember what you said or wrote. I write about so many nights that I forgot which one you mean. I think I have sent you at least 4 bonds.
Daring, I’m not worried about going into the Army.
There weren’t as many questions to answer as I thought there were. Well Sweets, I guess I had better close as I think I will get a good night’s sleep for once.
I love you more than anything else in this mixed up world.
Please don’t worry about me and remember that whatever happens I love you very very much .
Love & xxxxxxxxxxxxxx’s Harlan
Sunday 10:30 PM March 28, 1943
Hello Honey:
Jeepers I’m happy! You Bet! I just talked to my Honey. I feel a lot better now. But do you know what? I forgot to give you a message for your mom, she asked me to tell you that she received your money and Special today. I’m sorry hon but I was so excited I couldn’t think of anything except you.
Now Harlan, I’m not going to say a word to anyone, even your Mother, about me coming out if you pass because you know as well as I do that I may not have to come. I have $80 in the bank and that will get me out there O.K. I’ll let you worry about getting me back. Now don’t take this wrong, but I almost wish you would pass because it would mean that I would see you within the next month. I thrill at even the thought of it. Thanks a million for calling. Now I can live another while longer for I have heard your voice and it helps a lot. It sounds so swelled to hear you laugh. I love you, I love you, I love you. O.K? O.K!
I better go now Sweetheart, as I have to get up awfully early in the morning. Be sure and let me know as soon as you hear when you are to report for your physical. I thought I could make reservations on the train for the day after your physical and then you could call or wire me informing whether you pass or not. If you pass, I get on the train, if you don’t, I merely cancel my reservations and see you in August. O.K? O.K! Answer.
Bye Bye Wonderful you, must go now.
Love & xxxxxxxxxx’s All I have
“Your” Darlin’ Janie
Thanks again for calling! Did you say you were now transferred to the Frisco board or were you going to be? Love Janie
Monday 8:20 PM March 29, 1943
Hi Honey:
Well here I am again. Jeepers, it’s a beautiful night, very warm 75 above the correct and clear, the stars bright, oh boy and the big dipper and well, who knows, maybe in two weeks we will be together. In a way I hope so, in another way I hope not. I’m sure you know what I mean.
There isn’t much news. Your letter was a perfect one nice and newsy, and a little bit of sweetness. The kind I like. Everything went along swell at work today. Rather warm but nice. We had all the doors and windows open and the air is so fresh out there in the country and there was the nicest breeze. Isn’t this boring? With all that’s on my mind, one would think that I would have plenty to write about but I’m not ready to put it on paper yet.
Dick has had a 48-hour delay in his leave, so he won’t get here until Thursday morning early.
Harlan, I called your mom tonight after work and she asked me about telling you about that them getting the money you sent and I said I did tell you but I didn’t come right out and say whether it was through mail or on the phone, so please don’t give me away. I’m awfully sorry about it.
“Lux Radio Theater” is on. I just washed my hair and plucked my eyebrows and as soon as I finish this I’m going to bed, but I have to put up my hair and take a bath first. I guess the time is come for me to close. Harlan, sorry it’s such a short letter but I write small you know, all I can say now is I love you Harlan. I love you very much and don’t worry Darling, every thing is going to be all right. I will write again tomorrow.
Love & xxxxxxxxxx’s “Your” Darlin’ Janie
(Fun Fact: Lux Radio Theatre was an American radio show that ran on CBS Radio from 1934 to 1955. Every week they broadcast an hour-long adaptation of a popular film or Broadway play, often starring members of the original cast. Credit Wikipedia)
Tuesday 9:30 March 29 30, 1943
Hello Honey:
I know it’s kind of late but after dinner I went out on the porch and it was so nice that I suddenly got the urge to go someplace, so I called Eleanor and she told me to come over. So I asked Daddie if I could possibly use the car and he said I could if I didn’t go any place but Eleanor’s and over I went. Barbie came over and Udy was already there. We talked and talked. Eleanor told us all about married life. You know her kind of silly and full of fun she was, well she talked very sensible about it and Harlan from that little girl I think I’ve learned a lot. I’m not scared anymore. It’s hard to come right out and say it but I’m sure you will understand what I’m talking about.
There wasn’t any letter today when I arrived home from work tonight, but I don’t mind because I know there will be a nice long one tomorrow because you told me that you were going to write me after we hung up Sunday night. Here’s hoping you didn’t let me down.
I miss you very much tonight. It is nice and warm again and the stars very bright. The Big Dipper, as usual is brighter yet, but I still can’t find our soldier, where is it?
Jeepers, I don’t know what in the world is the matter with me tonight, I guess I’m just tired, but don’t worry, I won’t close yet, maybe.
There isn’t any news to speak of. Momie and Daddie are sitting here with me one on each side, they sure look nice and comfy and happy, someday we will be like that, our two boys grow up and our little girl too. Oh Dear God, I hope there isn’t another war.
Well Harlan, I really hate to, but the time has come again. Honey, I love you very very much and I am longing for the day we are together again. Be very careful and don’t worry.
Love & xxxxxxxxxx’s “Your” Darlin’ Janie
1:45 AM. March 30, 1943
Hello Sweetheart:
Well here it is another day closer to August or sooner and sweetest girl in the world. With this letter there should be another bond. I have two letters from you to answer so I will do it before getting very far along.
This makes 5 letters from you in 2 days. You sure must write a lot. I was only kidding about you saying that you were probably getting tired of hearing me tell you how much I love you. The letter I wrote Wednesday and didn’t mail until Thursday was explained in the next letter I wrote you.
Darling you should have gone to the dance at the Shrine. It might do some use some good. Maybe you wouldn’t be so lonesome then.
I don’t know what I’ll do with good old Herman if I go to the Army. Maybe I could change him into a Jeep and drive it.
Well, that’s all of the questions and answers. I don’t know what else to write about.
I have Herman in the garage with his top down now. I’m going to give him a good bath and a simonize job during my time off in the morning mornings that I don’t go out and play golf. I had his tires inspected today and they are okay? Something on my pen.
Well Sweets, it’s getting late and I’m very tired. I will finish this in the morning. I love you very very much. Good night Sweetheart.
Good morning Darling, the time is about 11:45. I have been up and had breakfast. I drove Herman over to a friend’s house to see him. He is leaving for the Army tomorrow morning. I was down and picked up my ration book and I have started working on Herman. I have spent about an hour and a half polishing chrome on the head lights and radiator. Tomorrow morning I plan on finishing the chrome and giving it a good wash out. Then when I’m through with that I will simonize it and paint white sidewalls on the tires. (The radio is playing “You’d Be Nice to Come Home To”, I sure will be glad when that day comes.) When I get done cleaning, I’m going to fix the brakes and cleaned the spark plugs. Then maybe paint the top again. I also plan to get a set of seat covers. Then it will be more like Herman. He is even starting to smile now. I even took the grill off and polished behind it. I could never figure out how to get it off before. When I get it all fixed up I will take some pictures of it and send them to you.
I didn’t get a letter today from you, but I got one from Josie.
Well Sweets, I guess I had better close until tonight. I love you very very much.
Love & xxxxxxxxxxxxxx’s Harlan
(Fun Fact: Simonize basically means to was or polish one’s car)
March 31, 1:45 AM, 1943
Hello Darlin’:
Well, here it is another day closer to August and you or sooner. There was a Special waiting for me when I got home today, or rather tonight. So I guess I’d better answer it before I get very far. (Harry James is playing “Seems I’ve Heard That Song Before”). I’m very tired and I have to get up early to work on Herman, so this is just going to be a note, okay? Aww please? Okay? Okay!
Yes I will let you know when I have to take my physical, but I don’t think you will need to plan on coming out then as I have to take two physicals. One to determine classification and the other for my induction.
That is all you asked me in this letter.
I tried to get a copy of that letter that the selective service here at the yard sent to my draft board. The fellow at the office said he would try to get me. If you read that letter you would think that if I left for the Army that the yard would have to close down.
Well Sweets, guess I had better close now. I love you very very much. What ever happens please remember that nothing will ever stop me from loving you or wanting to marry you.
Love & xxxxxxxxxxxxxx’s Harlan
PS See you at 8:00
Johnny & Jane 