Harlan or Johnny? Mom called him Harlan for many years, partly because Dad’s father’s name was John and he also went by Johnie. When Dad went to San Francisco, everyone called him Johnny. We’re not sure when Mom agreed to call Dad John or Johnny.
Special: Harlan and Janie often speak of “Specials”. These were letters mailed “Special Delivery” and typically would travel from Des Moines Iowa to San Francisco Ca and visa-versa in 1-2 days It was a postal service paid for with additional postage for urgent letters and postal packets which are delivered in less time than by standard or first class mail service. Essentially it meant that a letter or a postal packet was delivered from a post office to the addressee immediately once it arrived at the post office responsible for delivering it, rather than waiting for the next regular delivery to the addressee.)
T & T? There is also mention in their letters of ‘T. & T.’ These initials stand for the twin boys they always planned on having, they were to be named them Timmy and Tommy.
Big Dipper: Before leaving for San Francisco Johnny (Harlan) made a promise to Janie that every night at 10:00 pm her time, 8:00 pm his time, he would look up at the Big Dipper and hope that she was looking too.
Letters from Harlan (Johnny): We are missing a few of his earliest letters, late August 1942 they really start showing up.
Well here it is another week closer to ? and you. I am going up to the country this morning so I will have to get some sleep. I have had a shower and if I do say so myself, I sure swell nice. I wish you were here.
It was very hot here today. Tonight is nice and warm. It’s not too hot to smooch a little though.
I bought something for you today and mailed it before I left for work. Please let me know when you get it gets there and let me know how you like it. Okay? Okay!
Well Sweets, this is just going to be a note. I will write again when I get back from the country. I love you very very much.
Good night Darling
Love & xxxxxxxxxx Harlan
12:35 AM Monday, May 10
Hello Darlin’:
Well, here it is another day closer to two Ju__? and you.
I have your Special to answer and the letter that came Saturday. No, I won’t tell Opal that you were coming out and I haven’t told the folks that you are coming out. As far as the folks coming out, I can’t say. I was up to the country today and they say they kept writing Dad and want him to come out. I hope they don’t come to Frisco though. You know as well as I do what it would mean.
I don’t like the idea of you coming out on the train alone and above all, don’t take a chair car. Get a sleeper. If you don’t have enough money, I’ll send you some for it. Please.
That is all in that letter. Now for your Special.
Yes, I remember your sixteenth birthday. The most important thing to you at that time was your driver’s license. I got up this morning about 5:30 and all I had to do was wash my hands and face and dress. John and I left about 6:30. We got up to Patterson about 10:00 AM. We had dinner and talked with the folks for quite a while. Then we came home about 3:00 PM, rather started for home. We got back about 6:30. John had a date, so I thought I would go to a show. I came in and took a cold shower and put on some clean clothes and was leaving when Sis was just coming in. Mrs. Seaman, I mean. Everyone calls her Sis. She said she wanted to talk to me a minute. She is moving in about a week and wanted to know if I would take her luggage to the new place and I said sure. I told her I was going downtown to see a show. She says ‘why don’t you first day at home tonight and talk to me’. She says she just about goes crazy for someone to talk to. So I asked her to go to the show with me. We saw Errol Flynn and Ann Sheridan in Edge of Darkness.
credit imbd
I showed her the pictures you sent me and she sure likes them. She said she could sure give us a lot of pointers on getting married. She said we should get married when you come out. She said she would shoot me if she wasn’t the first person out here to meet you when you come out. I feel kind of sorry for her. Her husband left about a month ago and she hasn’t heard from him yet. He went out on a cargo ship.
I’ll be so glad when you can come out Darling. I love you so much and miss you terribly. Life just isn’t life without you. Well Sweets, I guess I had better close. It is getting late and I’m very tired. I will write or finish this in the morning. I love you very very much. Good Night Darlin’.
Good morning Darlin’: Boy, did I sleep. Dick called me about 8:30 this morning. He is coming in tonight and stay with me. We are going to place golf tomorrow morning. After he called, I ate breakfast and went back to bed. The time is 12:45. So you see Sweets, I had better close. I will write again tonight I love you and you alone. I hope you don’t mind me taking Sis to the show last night too much. You will like her very much.
I love you, I love you, I miss you and I want you near me.
Well to start with I didn’t write yesterday because I kept thinking your special would come and then I would answer it but it never came. Momie had chicken for dinner yesterday so I stayed up to have dinner with them so I didn’t get to bed until 2:00, then I couldn’t sleep. Simply tossed and turned until about 4 and finally fell off to wake up again at 8, then couldn’t go back to sleep again. I got up about 10:00, dressed and went to work. And to top it all, two of the girls were absent last night so we work doubly hard. I slept through or rather during my lunch hour, so did Marion. Sooo, I’m awfully tired this morning and have a big lump in my throat, which means I’m low. You see, I haven’t heard from you since Friday, a letter that was written Tuesday night and Wednesday morning.
Someone at the door.
It was a man with that letter, just a minute and I’ll read it.
Well, I feel better now. That letter really came to the rescue. Yes Honey, we sure do have a lot of time to make up for and we will too. Gosh, you sure must have liked those pictures. I wish I could get another film but it’s almost impossible. Yes, you have it bad but that’s good, I think.
What’s this Ju__? Now Honeyn you aren’t thinking about June, are you? Please don’t because that is out, unless you’re drafted.
Well Harlan, I have some bad news to write so I’m I might as well get it done. I talked to Dad about me staying out there and working and Honey, he didn’t like the idea. He said for me to take my vacation and go out for a couple weeks then come back home and work here and stay here and to work until you are able to come after me or until you’re ready for me to come out there and be married. It just about broke my heart because I was almost positive he wouldn’t care. That’s another reason why I’m low. Jeepers Harlan, I don’t know what to do. The folks are so swell, I don’t feel like I should simply walked out on them. Yet I want so bad to stay out there. I’m afraid it would be awfully hard for me to come back once I get out there. Jeepers Harlan, what to do. Please have you any suggestions? You know my folks, Momie said if I wanted to stay, she wouldn’t stop me.
It’s a terrible day, a drizzle of a rain and very dark.
Well Sweets, I better close now as the mailman will be here soon. I’m going to call your Mom and wish her a happy birthday. Will write again tomorrow. Thanks again for the swell Special.
I love you too very much and miss you terribly, especially this morning.
“Your” Darlin’ Janie
PS Your Mom said she hadn’t as yet gotten anything from you but I told her not to worry. That there would be a letter or something probably today. O.K?
Well Sweets, must go now as I can hardly hold my eyes open.
Love as Always Jane
Don’t work too hard.
Tuesday 9:15 AM May 11, 1943
Hi Honey:
Well Gosh, here I am again. Yep. Well what do you know, I received two letters yesterday after the mailman took mine. Oh jeepers Honey, they were both perfect. I all bad I’ve read them both a dozen times. The one written on the 6th was the swellest. Boy, you sure know how to write them. I’m saving that one written the 6th for to read on my blue days.
here’s the envelope again
There weren’t any questions, however, so don’t know what I’m going to write about.
It’s still gloomy here and looks very nice light rain. I’m kind of disappointed because tonight is my night off and as that means I don’t have to go to bed today, I had planned on washing my hair, taking a little nap and then going to a show tonight with the girls, but now I don’t know.
In your letter of the 7th, you wrote “Have you any news for me yet?” You know what I mean. Have you told your folks about thinking about staying out here? What do you mean “You know what I mean”. I don’t know what you mean, unless if it about asking dad about me staying. If that’s the case, I told you about that in my letter yesterday but if that isn’t what you meant, then please tell me what it was. O.K? O.K.
Work went along swell last night, although I did get awfully mad at one time. One of the old foogie tool setters named George, pinched me on the – you know what – and it made me so mad I almost slapped him. He is one of those old guys who is always putting his arm around the young girls and when it comes to my – you know what – you know how I am about it. Those old folks make me sick. One of the young tool setters saw him and heard what I said to George and the look I gave him and later he said to me “I take it your policy is ‘hands-off’ and I said “You’re damn right.” Yes, I said damn. Aren’t I awful.
The bigshot sent a notice around at work that any workers caught at the cafeteria smoking before 8:00 would be terminated, in other words fired, so now I know how to get fired if I need, because you know, we are supposed to be frozen out here.
Harlan, there’s the sun, my gosh the first time in 3 days.
Well Sweets, I guess I will wash my hair now, so better go now. I love you, I love you, I love you, convinced? And will see you soon. Love & xxxxxxxxxs “Your” Darlin Janie
2:00 PM Tuesday, May 11, 1943
Hello Darling:
Well here it is, another day closer to July and you. Dick came in last night and spent the night with me. We went out this morning and played some golf and we just got back.
This is just going to be a note.
Dick is coming in next Sunday and we may go horseback riding and swimming.
He wants Rose to write him a Special so he can get it by Sunday. Have her send it to my place.
(Fun Fact : SPECIAL was Special Delivery. A few extra cents and letters typically went from San Francisco to Des Moines or visa versa in 1-2 days. They were then delivered immediately to the addressee instead of being held for regular delivery the next delivery day)
I got two letters from you yesterday but none today. Last night I forgot to mail your letter so I dropped it in a box on the way out of the yard. I’m terribly sorry.
I’ll sure be glad when you get out here. I love you so much. I just think of you all the time, and the fun we will have when you come out and the fun will have after we are married.
Well Darlin’, I have to get dressed for work. I will write again tonight.
Love & xxxxxxxxxx Harlan
Tuesday 5:00 PM May 11, 1943
Hello again,
I’m writing now because it will probably be late when I get home tonight and I intend to sleep until about noon tomorrow to make up for the sleep I haven’t had today.
After I finished your letter this morning, I washed my hair and put on my shorts and shirt and went out on the swing, and after my hair dried, I lay down on the swing and fell asleep. I guess I slept about an hour. When I came in, Momie said “My gosh, you go look in the mirror”, well doing so I discovered I was definitely sunburnt. My legs, arms, and especially my face was red as fire. Jeepers, I was surprised while I was laying the sleep it had gone up to 85°. Well anyway, I put cream on my face put up my hair, put on my dark glasses and went out in the front yard with Momie and cut the yard, the front yard, and oh I said that before didn’t I. Well, the sun was around there by then, so I am a mess now and Harlan I hurt. Don’t you feel sorry for me, why I’ll bet I’ve more of a burn than you have right now. Ya ya, but I still hurt.
(not a very good picture but it was found in an old photo album. Applies perfectly to this letter)
Eleanor is going to call me about 6:00, then we are going to the show. Ddon’t know which one yet but I’ll let you know.
There was a letter this morning, a short one but a sweet one. It was written Sunday morning before you went to Patterson, that is where you went isn’t it.
You said you were sending me something that you hoped I like them. Jeepers, Honey I hope you didn’t send a lot of money. Spend a lot of money. I’m not going to do anything Friday, just come home, and go to bed, and sleep all day. It will seem funny not to spend my birthday with you. It will be the first one since my 15th, which was a long time ago. Right? Right.
There isn’t any news so maybe I better close. I’ll tell you what, I’ll leave it unfinished then I’m not if I’m not too tired I will write something like else when I get home. O.K? O.K. I love you. Again I say and wish I was going out with you instead of the girls.
Bye for now.
Love “Your” Darlin’ Janie
Hello:
Sorry Darling, but I’m too tired and I’ll tell you all about it tomorrow, please don’t mind too much. My eyes just won’t stay open tonight Sweetheart. Love “Your” Darlin Janie
1:30 Wednesday, May 12
Hello Sweetheart:
Well here it is another day closer to July and the sweetest and most wonderful girl in the world. I have two letters that came yesterday.
I’ll answer them first of all. Yes, Dick is in Alameda. Your Momie is cute. She writes letters like you. I thought that handwriting looked a little different. I’ll say this, the sooner you get out here the better. Yes, I wear the sweater you gave me but it has been too warm lately. There were no questions in the second one.
Well Darling, I guess I had better close as I am very tired. I made out pretty good last night. I worked in the tank and it sure was hot in it.
Do you know that this Saturday is the 15th. Only six weeks and you’ll be here. That isn’t very long, is it. I sure hope your Dad doesn’t care if you stay out here. I know how they will feel if you do and that is the only thing I don’t like about it. Your folks are to swell to hurt them. Whatever you decide will be all right with me.
I will finish in this in the morning. I love you very much. Good night Sweetheart.
Good morning Darlin’, Well here it is another beautiful day. I sure hope the weather is like this when you come out. There isn’t any news so I have nothing else to write about. I was down to the store this morning and bought some groceries for my lunch (the radio is playing That Old Black Magic). It is sure going to be nice going to a dance when you come out.
Well Sweets, it seems to be running out of words so I better close. I will see you at 8:00 and write you again tonight. I love you very very much.
Love & xxxxxxxxs Harlan
Wednesday 5:30 PM May 12, 1943
Hi Honey:
No letter here today, darn the mail. Well Honey, I just talked to Gabby again and we halfway decided to leave July 25th, that’s on Sunday. Now I’m going to tell you just what we plan and I want you to write back right away and let me know what you think. We will get there Wednesday morning the 28th or leave Thursday the 29th and arrived there Sunday morning 1 August. I did plan on leaving the 15th before I talked to her and she was planning on going August 1, so we compromised on the 20th.
Now it’s entirely up to you which day I leave because you have Sunday off and if you would rather have me get there on Sunday, August 1, I’ll leave the 29th but if you don’t care, I’ll leave the 25th. I’m going to get a round-trip ticket which will be $105.11 including my birth. We are going to share a birth, the both of us, We will share a seat and birth thus saving both of us $6.50 I called and we are able to do that and besides we don’t mind, we won’t have to sleep alone.
You are probably wondering since when I decided to take the Pullman instead of the coach. Well you see, Daddie was terribly against it and when I called the ticket office and they said I might have to stand up all the way. I definitely decided differently, O.K? You see I might still have to come alone, because Gabby’s husband is now in Sacramento but is going to be stationed somewhere the 15th. It will either be Los Angeles or North Carolina at Camp Dennis or might even stay in San Francisco. He might even stay in Sacramento. He will know the 15th or 20 July. He thinks however, he will be sent to Los Angeles, then we can still come together but she will go in from San Francisco.
You are probably wondering why I’m not coming sooner. Well you see and I figured up my expenses the other day and found that I won’t have enough money. That is if I want to leave with all of my bills paid. And Harlan something else I want to ask you, this may seem kind of funny but Harlan should I bring mostly sports clothes or mostly dress clothes? Now be sure and tell me. Well I guess that about covers it be sure and let me know what you think.
A package came for me today, sure is a temptation not to open it, but I’m going to wait til Friday morning, the minute I get home from work. Why did you send it so early? And oh yes, I baked some more cookies for you today. I don’t really know whether you like them, but I’m sending them anyway, but probably won’t get them sent until tomorrow.
Your Mom just called, Opal is leaving Sunday. I kind of envy her but not very much because I’ll be out soon and the time will fly, honest it will.
Boy are my arms and legs are sure burn today and little by little something it is beginning to peel. Darn it, it’s sure is a mess.
Well Sweets, I hate to go now as it is almost time to eat. Did you and Dick have a nice time yesterday? I sure hope so, I love you but death, definitely most definitely, and will see you in not too long a time.
Love & xxxxxxxxx “Your” Darlin’ Janie
PS If I decide to stay, I can get my money back on my ticket. You have plenty of time now to save some gas, some money and prepare yourself for me. Ha Ha. Be sure and let me know what you think.
Love as Always Janie
PSS Oh jeepers, I’m so excited about my trip, I forgot to tell you I got your bond yesterday. $400 Thanks Hon.
1 AM May 13, 1943 Thursday
Hello Darlin’:
Well here it is another day closer to July and the sweetest little creature on the earth. I sure will be glad when you get here.
I have a letter to answer so I will do that before I close for the night. I’m just about dead. I’m sorry about your Special not getting there before it did, I don’t know what could have happened to it. You had a day like some I have once in a while. They sure are miserable. I think if only you were here so I could talk to you, I would be all right then. Yes, I sure do like those pictures of you. Everytime I look at them, I fall a bit more in love with you. I want to hold you in my arms again and squeeze you right through me. Yes, I was thinking about June but I realized that is out.
Darling, I wish there was some way I could help you to decide whether you should stay out here or not. I love you so much and want you near me, and if I didn’t like your folks so much, I’d say to come out and stay whatever they said. But I think an awful lot of your folks and I don’t want to hurt them or make them mad at me. I wish there was some way. I know that when you get here I will fight to try to make you stay here with me. We have been apart so long. I see other young kids like ourselves, only they are either married or together and very happy. I’m happy and thankful that I have a girl like you, but it is getting me down been so lonesome all of the time.
Well Honey, I guess I had better close for the night, I will finish this in the morning. I love you very very much. Good night Sweetheart.
Good morning Darlin’, well it’s another beautiful day. I have just finished doing washing. Tomorrow I will try to do my ironing. There isn’t any news, so I don’t know what else to write about. I love you more every day and am terribly lonesome. I will write again tonight.
Love & xxxxxxxxs Harlan
Friday 9:15 AM May 14, 1943
Hello Harlan:
Well I’m 19 now, no longer a little 18 year old, one year more and I’ll be out of my teens. I am fine but awfully tired this morning and my back aches.
To start with this is only going to be a note as Rosie and Dickie Jr. are coming over about 5:00 and I’m getting up about then so I want to get to bed as soon as possible. Rosie said she had something for me. Momie and Daddie gave me a overnight bag and told me that there was another larger grip that matched the one Chuck and Mary gave me and if I wanted to buy the overnight bag that they would buy the larger one so I’m taking the $10 that I had planned on putting in the bank and buying the little one then they can buy the larger one. So I’m taking the $10 I had planned on putting in the bank and buying the little one, then they can buy the larger one and my set will be complete.
Uncle Jack and aunt Jenny sent me a box of La Marquise Chocolates from 5th Ave., New York. Uncle Jack bought them when he was there two weeks ago, they also sent $2.00. And my Honey gave me a beautiful tablecloth, lace and blue complete with 6 napkins. It really is very lovely. They will look very nice on our dinette set in our little apartment or home. Thank you Honey ever so much, I love it.
I received two letters yesterday, the one you forgot to mail and the one written Tuesday. Harlan I believe you know deep down in how I feel about you taking “Sis” to the show without asking me if I mind to much. I am kind of hurt.
Am so glad you and Dick had a nice time. I told Rosie to write Dick a Special for Sunday and to send it there and when I talked to her just a minute ago she was writing it.
Well I simply have to close now sorry but I don’t think you will mind too much. Did you see that big fire in Frisco? It was on the news last night.
Must close, thanks again so much for the lovely gift and card. I love you.
Love & xxxxxxxxxxx “Your” Darlin’ Janie
1:00 AM May 14, 1943
Happy Birthday Darlin’:
I hope you got the thing I sent to you all right and I hope you like it. I wonder what we will be doing next year at this time. The air is very chilly out. I wish we had just gotten married this morning. We would open all of the Windows so we would have to cuddle up. Although it won’t take much to make me cuddle up real close.
I did a big washing this morning and am going to try to iron them tomorrow. I also have to buy a new pair of boots tomorrow too. I’m going to use my No. 17 stamp to get them. I was going to get them through the company, but it takes so long that if I wait much longer, I won’t have any left.
(Fun fact: During World war II, many things were rationed, including shoes. This was due to the serious shortage of rubber or rubber soles. The military had a high need for leather as well. Starting in 1942, men’s rubber boots and rubber work shoes were placed under rationing. To obtain a new pair, a man had to apply to the local ration board and prove he needed the shoes or boots for an essential industry.)
I had quite a night tonight. Hook and I worked together underneath the boat. We worked side-by-side and the ray from the arc gave us both a nice burn on the side of our face and neck. It isn’t sore now but it probably will be tomorrow.
(Fun Fact: A flash burn occurs when you are exposed to bright ultraviolet (UV) light. It can be caused by all types of UV light, but welding torches are the most common source. That’s why it’s sometimes called ‘welder’s flash’ or ‘arc eye’. Flash burns are like a sunburn.)
What I meant by ‘have you any news for me yet’ was that I was wondering if you had decided to stay out here or not.
Well Sweets, I guess I had better close for now. I will finish this in the morning I love you very very much. Good night Sweetheart.
Good morning Darlin’, Does my little girl feel any older this morning?
There’s no more questions to answer in your letter so I don’t know what else to write about. I love you an awful lot and miss you something terrific. I sure wish you were here. I don’t want to have to wish that very long, will I? I have most of my ironing done. I will try to finish it tomorrow. I love you very very much and miss you so much I’m afraid if you weren’t coming out in July I’d come and get you. I will write again tonight.
Love & xxxxxxxxxs Harlan.
My face is pretty red and sore from last night. It feels kind of numb and like some needles were pushing against it.
1:00 AM May 15, 1943
Hello Darlin’:
Well here it is another day closer to July and the sweetest girl in the world. There isn’t any news and I didn’t get a letter today so I’m sort of at a loss as I will as what to write about.
I made out again tonight, I should have a very good check this week. It should be close to $100, Geez that is quite a bit isn’t it? I sure will be glad when you get here. I’m just about going crazy thinking about seeing you again. It doesn’t really seem possible. We have just 47 more days until July 1st. Don’t you think you had better see about getting your ticket pretty soon? And, above all, please buy only a one way ticket. If you decide to go back, and I hope you don’t, you can buy your other ticket here. It doesn’t cost any more to buy them separate. That will give me a little hope of what I really want Darling. I want you to know that I really want you to stay out here, no matter what anyone says. Jane, how old were your folks when they were married?
Well Sweets, I have to take a shower and wash my head and get a bite to eat, so I had better close. I will finish this in the morning. Okay? Okay! I love you very very much. Good night Sweetheart.
Good morning Darlin’, it sure is a beautiful day out. It was rather cold last night but it was very clear out.
I guess I forgot to tell you that I got my boots yesterday. They cost me $12.95 plus tax. I have my others in a shoe shop getting fixed. It might take two weeks to get them back, then I’ll take my new ones and have them half soled and sealed with hard rubber and then the sole will sure be thick.
Well Darling, there isn’t any news and I had better get downtown to the post office and to the bank, so I better be on my way. I love you very much.
Love & xxxxxxxxxs Harlan
PS See you at 8
Saturday 8:30 AM May 15, 1943
Hi Honey:
I just arrived home from work and Momie and Daddy are still asleep, so decided to write your letter now instead of getting my breakfast this thus waking the folks.
The girls called me last night about 6:00 and wanted to do something, so about 8:00 we went out to the Tally Ho and had meatballs and spaghetti and a drink.
(Fun Fact: The original owner of Vic’s Tally Ho was Vic Talerico. After its opening in 1939, It was “the place to go” and was quite the dinner club where great food (like steaks, spaghetti and sausage, French-fried shrimp) was served and many memories were made. It operated from1939 to 1971. The original building was destroyed by fire in 1962, but it was reopened a year. After Vic passed away in 1971 the restaurant was closed permanently. That is until 2020 when Vic’s son Jerry Talerico and his daughter, Sophia Talerico opened Tally-Ho to Go, which pays homage to his fathers restaurant and offers classic Italian food, it is currently in operation. Below is the original 1940 and subsequent 2020 logoI believe they are not closed)
Rosie and Dickey Jr. came over about 5:00, that’s when I got up. Nana sent me a whole box of things for our hope chest, six tea towels, six hand towels, four dish cloths, two great big bath towels, two pillowcases, and a dish. Rosie and Dick and Dickie Jr. gave me to little pictures for the wall, they are a pair. And oh yes, I also received a very lovely gardenia and you know how I like them. Your mom and dad sent me a card. So all in all, I received a lot of very nice things.
It’s a terrible day here, about almost as dark as night and very chilly, it’s raining like the devil and has been all night. It’s lousy, this rain. I’m so sick and tired of it I could scream.
How are you? I hope fine and very everything at work going along swell and I hope you and Dick have a nice time Sunday. Hope it doesn’t rain there too.
Gosh Honey, there isn’t any news and I want to make this kind of Special. Oh I know Harlan, I heard “Velvet Moon” by Harry James last night (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fj99A3tOhgY) out at the Tally Ho and I played it at exactly 10:00 and sat and wished you were here, but of no avail.
Barbie has a date night, Mariam has a date tonight, Joyce has a date tonight. Eleanor and I have a date tonight. Eleanor with her bed and me with my job!
Well Sweets, I’m sorry but there is absolutely nothing more to write about. All I can say now is I love you and miss you very very much.
Love & xxxxxxxxxx’s “Your” Darlin’ Janie
(Fun Fact: Harlan and Janie often speak of “Specials”. These were letters mailed “Special Delivery” and typically would travel from Des Moines Iowa to San Francisco Ca and visa-versa in 1-2 days)
(Fun Fact: When Dad left for San Francisco in July of 1942, they made a promise to each other that at 10:00 Iowa, 8:00 California time, they would both look up at the moon and think of each other, they continued this and never stopped.)
May 16, 1943 Sunday 9:15 A.M.
Hello Darlin’:
Well here it is another day closer to July and you. Oh happy July. I didn’t write last night because I was just about dead. Dick is coming about 9:30 and we are going riding. I sure wish you were going with us. I will finish this when I get back. Okay? Okay! I love you very, very much.
1:15 AM Monday, May 17
Well here I am again and it is another day closer to July and you. (Pardon the pencil but I run out of ink, I will get some more tomorrow)
Well, Dick got here at 9:35 and he thought he would have to be back Alameda by 2:00, so we left right away. We went to the riding stables but no horses could be gotten, so we drove out to a driving range and drove two buckets of balls and then Dick called Alameda and he didn’t have to be back until 11 AM Monday. We went to see Hoot Gibson’s Rodeo. and then came home, took a shower and went downtown for dinner and then to a show and then came home and had a bite to eat. Dick is spending the night with me. He is in bed about half asleep so I guess I had better close and turned my radio of. I will finish this in the morning I love you very much. Good night Sweetheart.
(Fun Fact: This is an official Souvenir Program for the World’s Championship Rodeo held in San Francisco’s Kexar Stadium, May 15 & 16 1943. The red paper cover has an image of Hoot Gibson, dressed in western wear, in the center. A schedule of events is printed on one of the center pages. The other pages contain blank forms that were meant to be filled in by a rodeo attendee. At the bottom of each page is printed “Buy War Bonds Now”. … Credit https://nebraskahistory.pastperfectonline.com/webobject/1E2BFF28-C36B-4055-B343-205337878327)
Good morning Darling:
Boy, Dow do you like this ink? Dick is gone back to the base. I have had breakfast and went to the drugstore and bought this ink. I tried to get black or blue black but they all they had was red and green. I got two letters Saturday and a Special Sunday night, so I have them to answer.
Say Jane, did you forget to tell Rose to write a Special to Dick so he could get it here Sunday? He was very disappointed not to get one. He thinks he is leaving very soon.
Yes, I feel sorry for you because of your sun burn. You should see the left side of my face. I told you about getting it burned at the yard. Well it is peeling off. It sure feels funny. Yes, your 15th birthday was a long time ago.
About your leaving, I don’t care so much but I want you out here as soon as possible. I had kind of thought you were coming out sooner. I imagine it will be best to leave the 29th and get here Sunday. Now you say you are going to buy a round-trip ticket. Now let’s get this straight, I don’t want you to buy a round-trip ticket unless you definitely want to go back. It would be much simpler to buy a new ticket for home here then it will be trying to get your money back on your of them. Yes your Dad and I are both against you taking the coach. If you slept in a chair for 3 days, your back wouldn’t be worth two cents and you’d be tired for a week. The clothes you bring should be mostly sports clothes. Remember to bring your coat, it gets pretty chilly some nights, although I don’t think we will get very cold. I know a darned good way to keep you warm.
Darn you, you told me in your letter of the 12th that you got the package I sent you and you mentioned the other gifts you received on your birthday, in your special and you didn’t even mention the one I sent. I’m looking forward to those cookies you were going to send. I ate every crumb left in the box and almost the paper of the last box you sent. We sure must have quite a hope chest by now, with all the things Nana sent.
Well my little Darling, I guess I had better close as this is getting quite long and I have to write Mom and Dad a letter.
I love you more and more every day. I can hardly wait till you get here, so we can be together again.
Love & xxxxxxxxxxxs Harlan
P.S. Remember, mostly sports clothes.
P.S. Remember, Buy a one-way ticket .
(Fun Fact: our parents used abbreviated letters on the outside of most of their envelopes. Today it is very common for someone to use SMS texting. Who knew they were so cool and ahead of their time)
1:30 AM May 19, 1943 Wednesday
Hello Darlin’:
Well here it is another day closer to July and the most wonderful girl in the world.
There isn’t any news and I didn’t get a letter today so I don’t know what I’m going to write about.
I’m kind of tired and lonesome tonight. It is nice and clear out. There’s a cool breeze coming in from the Blue Pacific. I feel like having a little smooching all night. Instead I take a shower, get a bite to eat, write a letter and go to bed. I will sure be glad when you come out. Life just isn’t anything without you. Harry James is playing “Velvet Moon”, music like this goes on all night. It just about drives me crazy. You are going to have a tough time getting away from me when to get out here.
Well Darling, I guess I had better get some sleep. I will finish this letter in the morning. Good night Sweetheart. I love you and you alone.
Good morning Darling, I got up washed, brushed my teeth, dressed, ate breakfast, went to the store and got some shaving soap and came home and shaved. I fixed my lunch to take to work and now I’m writing to my little girl.
Dick called me this morning and may come in and spend the night with me.
The mail is here and I got a letter from you and a card from Connie Opland. She and Alvina want to come in this weekend and Audrey wants to come the weekend following, or a rather they say they will be seeing me soon. It looks like I’m going to have some busy Sundays to come. I’ll answer your letter now. I will save quite a bit of that $100 check, if that is how much I get. I will be able to tell today approximately how much I get. We get our make out slips today and I can figure with those. I will let you know in my letter tonight.
The reason I asked about your folks age when they were married was at I just wanted to compare their age with ours. Those boots are quite the thing. I got my old ones yesterday or the day before. They cost me $5.50 to have fixed, but I don’t think they will last very long. I think I answered your letter thoroughly concerning your plan on coming out (I hope). Remember – one way ticket. Yes, I’m planning on taking some time off when you get here. How much time I don’t know for sure, at least a week though.
I get another bond today, that will make $450. I have $400 in the bank and will have a lot more by July. We have about $100 now, don’t we with what you have in the bank. In two months, we should have around $1500.
Well Sweets, I guess I had better get a letter off to the folks, so I had better close for now. There is a resort about 80 miles from San Francisco, maybe we could spend the weekend there when you come out. I will find out a little more about the expense and how to get there. They have a swimming pool, horseback riding, golf course, tennis etc. etc. and dancing. That is if you would like that. Let me know. I love you very much.
Love & xxxxxxxs Harlan
Wednesday 11:50 AM May 19, 1943
Hi Honey:
Boy am I excited, you bet! Your letter of Sunday morning and Monday just came. It was really a swell one, but that isn’t what I’m so excited about. Now don’t get excited, I said it was swell and I meant it. What? What am I so excited about if it isn’t your letter? Well Gabby, just called and Janet (Russ’s brothers wife) is driving out to San Francisco July 10 and she wants Gabby and I to go with. Her husband is stationed in Monterey and she is going out there for the duration. She doesn’t drive and we will drive, splitting it up between us. She is given the company she works for noticed that she is quitting the first of July. We could split the gas & oil bill and she can get gas because she is going to stay out there. As far as she knows now, she is going and only sickness or death will stop her. Gabby will know by the 28th of June where Russ is going to be sent and if he isn’t sent to L.A., then she won’t go but I will go with Janet anyway. (I know her quite well.) If anything, like sickness or death, does happen that Janet doesn’t go, then it still won’t late to make reservations for the 29th on the train. Now what you think about that? Please Harlan, say a little prayer that Russ either goes to LA for stays at Sacramento and that Janet drives. Why just think, I could save about $40. Thus maybe staying longer, I could see a little more of the country. Oh jeepers, I hope we can drive, don’t you? Please say yes. And just think, I won’t have to buy a ticket at all. Isn’t it to perfect? I’m almost afraid to hope for it.
Your Mom called this morning but I won’t say much about that because I feel too good to be mad. I wrote you a letter this morning about it, but burned it up. Remind me to tell you some time.
I can’t understand why Dick didn’t get Rosie’s letter. I mailed it Friday night when I was downtown. I’m very, very sorry about it. If it does come, Dick’s address is P. Hare SC 3/C, – Gally, – U.S.N. As. Sta – Alameda. I can well imagine how disappointed Dick was.
The reason I didn’t write you about your present is because I wrote you in Friday’s letter. I have put my presents, all in our chest now and it sure looks swell.
I’m so thrilled about us kids maybe getting to drive out, I can’t talk about anything else.
Harlan I’m going to ask you something and I want you to tell me. What have your folks written or asked about our plans for the future and what have you told them?
Well Honey, I’m going to go take a little nap, then get up eat and go to the show. I will finish this before I leave. O.K? I will bring mostly sport clothes, and if things don’t work out, which I hope and pray that they do so we can drive, I’ll buy a one-way ticket. Happy now? By for now Hon. I love you very very much and if I come the 10th, will see you in about 8 weeks.
Love Janie
12:30 AM Thursday morning early Well Honey, after I finished the other part of your letter, I ate dinner and went to bed. Momie didn’t call me until 6:00 and I was to meet Eleanor at 6:30. Well, I was in such are hurry that I forgot take it along. We had a nice time. We saw ‘Cabin in the Sky”
Have you seen it? I thought it was good. Then we had a Coke, I caught a taxi and here I am, but Momie is very tired so I guess I better close as I am keeping her up. Oh Darling, I’m so thrilled about being able to drive out and getting there sooner that I can hardly control myself. Please Harlan, say a little prayer for me. I love you so much and want to see you so bad. Good Night Honey.
Love & xxxxxxxxs Janie
P2 Hello again. I just happen to think that I’m going to sleep to noon, so better put this out tonight. Bye for now. I love you and miss you terribly but it won’t be long.
“Your” Darlin Janie
Oh yes, I like you ink.
Thursday 1:30 AM May 20, 1943
Hello Darlin’:
Just think two more months and five days and you will be leaving or is it two months 9 days.
Dick is here with me now. He is in bed sound asleep. When he came in I had just gone upstairs to wash my dinner bucket and thermos jug out. The first thing he said was “My gosh, you sure are dirty”. We are going out and play golf early in the morning and he has to be back at 11 AM.
Well, here it is another day closer to August and you. You thought I was going to forget to say that, didn’t you?
I guess I won’t get my $100 check. I got my bonus slips and then came to a little over $18. There should have been one for about 12 or 13 but there is kind of a mix up on it. They say it is a birth. A birth is where they give you so many hours to do something in and if you do it in less hours, you get paid for the hours you save. So if I make anything on it get, I won’t get it until the ship is finished.
Gosh I wish you were here. There is another clear cool night out. The moon so bright don’t even need any lights. (almost)
Well Darlin, I guess I had better get some sleep. I will finish this tomorrow. I wish there was some other way I could say this but I can’t seem to find the exact words. I love you very very much. Those few words mean a great deal though. They mean my life, my hope and my ambition. Good night Sweetheart.
Good morning Darling: Dick has gone back to the base. I was so tired this morning, we didn’t play golf.
I went to the store and bought some groceries again. I have just finished eating dinner. I had fish, fried potatoes and a salad and some swell oatmeal cookies. Well my Darling, I guess I had better close for now. I will see you at 8. I will write again when I get home.
Love & xxxxxxxxxs Harlan
Thursday 4:30 PM May 20, 1943
Hello Sweetie Pie:
No letter today. The second this week without one.
Well how’ Honey this lovely beautiful sunny day. I hope all the days are like this until I’m there.
It sure been a grand day off. I’ve been running around in my shorts and you can know how warm it it. Jeepers, I wish I was leaving tomorrow.
Harlan, “Velvet Moon” is on the radio. It played on an organ, sure is pretty. I like it very much.
There isn’t any news. I just finished cleaning my room, so just thought I would drop a line or rather start my letter now. How’s work? How’s the weather? Now they are playing “Constantly”, jeepers I wish I was there or you were here. It’s such a lovely day for golf or a ride in Herman. How is little old Herman? Soon I’ll be riding in him again. Oh Happy happy July!
Well, I only have 2 more nights to work, tonight and tomorrow night, then on the swing shift again. It will be the 3rd time. I got a little extra time this change. See we get off Saturday morning at 8:00 and don’t have to be back until Sunday afternoon, that’s swell. Harlan, this organ music reminds me of ‘Babes’
Babe’s has been closed since 1996, but this iconic Des Moines restaurant still lingers in the memories of many. It was a smash hit as a restaurant and “nite club” during World War II and maintained a reputation as one of the metro’s premier restaurants for decades. ~ Des Moines Register March 31, 2020)
Remember when we went down there? Occasionally we would come out of the show (now they are playing “I’ll see You Again https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6gcNBKEnBTs) and you would say, kind of uncertain, ‘do you want a drink’, then I would say ‘do you think we should’? Jeepers how times have changed. I don’t ever think to would even faze me now.
Yes, I know I’m simply rattling along about nothing but just feel like writing. O.K? Excuse me while I get a cigarette.
About every other morning, either Gabby calls me or I call her and we sit for about a half an hour and talk about our trip planning, what we’re going to wear, what we’re going to take and how much money were going to have to have. It’s a lot of fun and every time we think of something else to take, or do. We talk about what we do on the train, what we do if we drive. If we drive, we plan to leave about 6:00 Saturday, in the morning and try to make Cheyenne that night. Then get a good night sleep and get an early start the next morning.
Listen Honey, I believe I’ll continue this later as I want to write Donna a letter. O.K? O.K! See you later. I love you, I do. Janie
7:30 PM
I love you so much Harlan and miss you so. Tonight it’s so nice out. Last year at this time I was probably waiting for little Herman to drive down the street and you would have the top down tonight. It probably sounds funny, but I keep looking for him. I guess I always will. I think I would give 10 years of my life to see you drive up. This is torture, isn’t it but I sometimes wonder if I can wait until July to see you again. Now I’ve got it bad. Well I’m going out in the yard with Momie, be back in a while.
8:15 Hello, if you weren’t working I would call you, I do believe, but it’s probably a good thing you are at work because I really don’t or can’t afford it. Boy I’m in a bad way tonight, I’ve got to snap out of it. Well I’m going to lay down for little minute before I go to work. Good night Honey.
May 21, Friday Morning me 21st Friday morning 9:15
Good morning Honey:
My but it’s another beautiful day. Kathleen wanted me to play 9 holes of golf with her but I’m too tired, wish I wasn’t. Neither Marian or Marge were at work last night, so you know what that means. My back aches terribly, so I’m going to put on my shorts and go out in the backyard and proceed to get more sun burn.
Well Darling, this letter is plenty long and full of nothing, without rattling on any more. I sure hope I get letter today. I love you, see you at 10:00
Love & xxxxxxxxxs “Your: Darlin’ Janie
10:00 AM Friday, May 21, 1943
Hello Darlin’:
Well here it is another day closer to August and you.
I’m sorry I didn’t start this last night but I was just dead. I took a shower and laid down for little bit and woke up this morning.
I received an awfully nice letter from you yesterday. Not long but sweet. When I burned my face got red and how it has all peeled off. I am a little tan but not much. When you bring your clubs, try and bring some balls. Look up and down in that creek. Balls are pretty hard to get out here.
Well Darling, I haven’t had breakfast yet so if you will excuse me for little bit, I’ll go eat. Okay? Okay! I love you very very much.
Hi glamourpuss, I’m back. The day is beautiful one out. It would be a nice day to play golf or do anything with you.
I hope to clean up my room this morning. I may try to find another place to live. This is taking up too much of my time. I don’t have quite enough of it.
I took 3 pairs of pants and 2 jackets to cleaners, and do you remember the tan pair of pants I had you like so well? Weill I had been lengthened the cuffs taken off. They sure look sharp. I bought the pants a long time ago. I’m going to put them in some sort of a cover, then when you come out I will have all my clothes clean.
Well Darlin, I guess I had better close for now. I will see you at 8 and write you a special tonight. I love you very very much.
Love & xxxxxxxx Harlan
1:00 AM Saturday, May 22, 1943
Hello Darlin’:
Well here it is another day closer to July 10 and you. Oh Happy July! July I didn’t think I was going to have a letter to answer tonight, but your Special was here when I got home. that sure is swell about driving out. I have been saying prayers ever since I read it.
I don’t want to worry you or anything but I got a card in the mail from my draft board. Tuesday night, when you were work about 7:30 PM, you can be thinking of me taking my physical. Yes, this time it is really here. I won’t hear whether I’m 1-A or not for about a week and then is just a matter of time. It might be a week or it might a month, maybe more.
Gosh that is swell about the ride. It seems like maybe you and I might get some breaks after all. Something usually happens to us though. But when we get married things will be different. (I hope)
I’ll answer the questions in your letter and then try to make a little love to you before I close. Oh, by the way, my check was $93.94, after everything was taken out it came to $64.
What you mean by saying “Your Mom called this morning but I won’t say much about that because I feel too good to be mad”? What did Mom have to say that made you mad? Please answer.
The folks haven’t asked me anything about our plans for the future and I haven’t told them anything and I haven’t even said anything about you coming out July. Why do you ask?
Oh Darling, what kind of the car does she have and what year? How are the tires and the motor? And above all, I will give you a good tip. If you drive, remember to always stay on the highway. Never drive off of the it unless you drive off to get something to eat. If you do go off of it, always remember the exact way you came off and get back on it the same way. The reason is that a lot of the states have several highways by the same number and if you are not careful you’ll end up wait to heck and gone and it is pretty easy to lose your way. No, I haven’t seen “Cabin In The Sky”, it was here a couple of weeks ago but I didn’t see it. Well that was sure a nice long letter.
Darling, please tell me what is going on between you and my folks. I don’t like to see you not getting along with them.
I sure hope you can drive. Boy of boy. Tonight coming home on the streetcar there was a girl sitting in front of me. I think she had Yankee Clover on. The odor sure brought back a lot of swell memories of you and me and good old Herman. I, or rather, Herman and I always wanted to head toward Union Park and you always (well almost always) wanted to go home.
I really had to quite a fight on my hands when we did get there. You would always say “Well alright, but only for 10 minutes but I usually could squeeze in half an hour. I used to hold you in my arms and try to squeeze you right through me. Your lips were always nice and warm and always liked velvet. When you would smile, your teeth would gleam in the lights I perfect set of pearls. Your eyes would shine and sparkle like stars in heaven. Your hair was always getting in my nose or eyes, but I liked that because when you were just about as close to me as you could be. Your hands were always damp and mine were always dry. I liked to hold them because my hands felt better if they were holding yours. I love you so much. It is hard to say on paper way I feel, but you can come out and I’ll try to find the words to tell you how much I love you and have missed you. If I do find them, I’ll sure be surprised because I don’t think there such words.
Well Sweets, I guess I had better get some sleep. I will finish this in the morning. I love you more than you’ll ever know. Goodnight Sweetheart.
Good morning Darlin.
It is another beautiful morning and I again was still wish you were here. I had better get downtown with this, so I will close.. I love you very very much I miss you terribly and I want you near me. Love & xxxxxxxxxxx Harlan
Hello my wonderful big lug:
Well house my fiancé this beautiful lovely gorgeous morning? Fine and dandy I hope. Gee I feel good, I don’t have to go to work tonight, in fact I don’t have to go to work until tomorrow at 3:00 in the afternoon to be exact. Isn’t that just too divine, Oh but definitely.
Katherine just called and we are going golfing, put put and a bit of that. Jeepers I haven’t touched my clubs since you left. If I’m under 150, I’ll be lucky. Excuse me Dear while I proceed to eat my dinner, breakfast to you.
Hello, back again, now 1 minute more while I get your letters of yesterday. I received 2, one of the 18th and another of the 19th. That plan of what we would do if I was there is alright.
Yes Harlan, I forgive you for taking Sis the show but please – – – – – (if you’re smart you’ll know what I was thinking as I drew those lines)
Glad you like the cookies, will make more next Friday, my day off. O.K? ? O.K!
What do you mean, you wish August would hurry up a little more? I’m coming in July, remember? Now of course, if you want me to wait until August I will, I only thought that July would be nicer. Only kidding Hon. By the way, should I bring my green suit, you know the one you gave me for Christmas, two years ago, or do you think it will be too warm? Answer.
Hope you have a nice Sunday.
As far as I can see, we won’t have $1500 by July because I’ll spend most of my savings on the trip. Like I have said before, I still have a lot of things to buy besides my ticket. But I’m not going to bring all of my money, I have to leave some for Momie so she can keep up the payments on my coat, and then if I do come back, I don’t want to come back broke you know.
Jeepers Honey, that idea about the resort is O.K., but definitely. We could do that the last weekend I’m there —– if I came back. In fact, I can’t think of anything more super. Harlan life can be wonderful if you have something to look forward to and for me it is especially wonderful because of what I have to look forward to – you and Frisco and walking down Market Street, swimming in the blue Pacific, smoking in the theater, dancing under the stars, riding in little Herman across the Golden Gate Bridge, smooching in Golden Gate Park, and all of this with you. Oh Darling, I’m so happy this morning but not near as much as I’m going to be right?
Well Honey, I must be going now as Katherine will be here very soon. I love you, I adore you, in fact I think you’re swell and you big overwhelming sweet lug. Goodbye for now.
Love as always “Your” Darling Janie
PS See you at 8. Will let you know my golf score.
11:00 PM May 23, 1943
Hello Darlin’:
Well here it is another two days closer to July and you. I didn’t write Saturday night and I’m terribly sorry. I went down to the bank Saturday morning and had my shoes fixed, my dress shoes. I came home and Alvina and Connie were here. I got ready for work and we went downtown and had dinner. I went on to work and they went to a show and then to a dance. Johnny and I met them at the dance on the way home from work. We all took the streetcar to my place and I got my clean clothes and then John and I drove Herman over to his place. Connie and Alvina slept in my room it. I got a little dose of galvanized Saturday night, so I haven’t been doing very good. Then to top that off, I’m very low in spirit. I miss you so much.
We took Herman and put the top down and drove around San Francisco awhile and then they had to leave late this evening. After they left, I thought I might go down to a show. I took a shower and put some close clean close on and my top coat. It was pretty chilly and a little foggy out. I didn’t even go to the show. I just drove around a little while with the top down and the wind blowing my hair around. I drove up to the top of one of our hills and I could look out over the city. You could see the fog coming in through the channel and the lights on the bridge. I sure was lonely. I’ll be so glad when you get here. I love you so much.
Well Darling, I still don’t feel so good so l guess I had better get to bed. I’ll finish this in the morning. I have been invited to go over to of fellows house tomorrow for a fish dinner before work. I love you very very much. Good night Darling.
Good morning sweetheart. I sure did sleep last night. The time is 12:15 and I have to be at this fellows house by 1:00, so I’ll have to hurry. I’ll write again tonight and answer your Special then to. I love you very very much and miss you something terrific.
Love & xxxxxxxxs Harlan
Monday 12:30 PM May 24, 1943 Afternoon
Hi Honey:
Well I just got up, slept later than I expected but was too tired to get up at 10:30. How are you? It’s 10:30 out there, you are probably up by now too. Please excuse the writing but my arm and hands are so stiff that I can hardly write. It’s not only from work last night but from my golfing. We played nine holes and I shot 55. Don told me I had a wicked swaying and I swung many times before I could even hit the ball. Katie just stood there and laughed and then I got to laughing so hard that when I finally hit the darn thing it went right in the Creek. We played at Rockland.
I sure missed you there, remember how we used to take off our shoes and wade in the creek looking for my balls, well I had to get my own. Catherine bogied out the last four holes so Don and I finished them. He shot the score of 48. Every hole we came to I thought of you, some time we had been at that hole.
Telephone is ringing, just a minute.
It was Gabby. I believe she feels almost as sad as I do about you been called. Gosh I don’t know what to think. We were just getting some plans made and things were working so swell that it it’s kind of hard to take. You didn’t tell me whether to tell your Mom or not, so I haven’t called her yet. Don’t know whether to or not, so guess I’ll wait because you probably have written her yourself.
Harlan forget about anything between your folks and myself. It wasn’t anything so terribly important. Your Mom said something I didn’t like, but right now we have something more important to think about. I’ll tell you someday and don’t think we aren’t getting along because I was the only one mad and didn’t think she even knew it.
Honey if you want to go, I wish you luck, but damn it’s awfully hard to write what I want to say. If you are put in, that looks like a 1-A. I will either call you next week or will you call me? I have simply got to talk to you.
Honey, Harry James “You Made Me Love You” is on the radio. I haven’t heard it for such a long, long time. I guess it will always be my song for you, every time I hear it I think about how we sat over at Babe’s and played it 3 times straight. You had your pipe and were so handsome. You came over on my side of the booth and just sat there.
Harlan, everything will work and out all right, I know will. It’s been 15 minutes of Harry James, Now it’s “I’ve Heard That Song Before”.
I bought 4 balls Saturday, so now I have 6 and will try and be careful not to lose any and will pick up a few each time I play, then we will have quite a few when I come. I believe I heard “That Love Of Mine”, but I can’t remember it.
Well Sweets, I guess I had better close as I am running out of words. I will finish this when I get home from work. I love you very very much. Honey be careful and don’t worry.
Love& xxxxxxxxxx’s “Your” Darlin Janie
PS2 or little Herman
Monday Morning 12:45 AM
Good Morning Honey:
Well, I just arrived home from work and have had a little snack and here I am.
Gosh darn, thought of you all night tonight, can’t help it. Hon, guess you’re in my blood. Your Mom called tonight but I was at work, guess she thought I was working days now. She told Momie she had received your Special Sunday, but she didn’t say much. I will call her when I get up in the morning.
Well Hon, I have to get up early and do my washing, sooooo I guess I better close now. Do you know that I love you Hon? Well I do, and very much. Good night my Honey. Xxxxx (pretty soon they will be real)
Love & xxxxxxxxs & ooooooox too “Your” Darlin Janie
Tonight I felt like smooching but definitely, so I will take my little pillow and go to bed. Night.
PS Momie send her letter with mine because I’m out of stamps. You don’t mind, do you?
Thanks for the swell cookies!
Dear Harlan!
Speaking for us both, we have really had a wonderful time. We hope you come back soon. Thanks for everything and always remember Connie and I think you’re super love!
Love from Your “Nutty Cousins Connie & Alvina
PS the address is 412 C. 102nd St. L.A.C Write Please!
1:30 AM May 25, 1943
Hello Darlin’:
Well here it is another day closer to July and the sweetest and swellest little doll the world.
I just came home from work and guess what I found in my bed. It is Dick. He is sound asleep. He left a note to wake him when I got home but he is so tired I’m not going to disturb him.
I sure got a swell letter from you today. Sort of brought me out of my slump. I also have your Special to answer so I guess I had better do that now. You can make and send all the cookies you want to. You know I don’t want you to wait until August to come out. When August does come you will already be here. To listen to you talk about the future and San Francisco, you’d think you’ve spent all your life here. That is, the way you say Market Street and Goldengate Park etc. etc.
Letter came today – The work is about the same as usual. The weather today was a little windy. Tonight it is cool and the little foggy, nice night for a ride in Herman and the little smooching. You are not the only one who has a bad and I’m not just kidding. Well, that’s about all that in that letter.
I got a book the other day on married life and sex. It is a very good book. It was written by a Dr. Lane. I didn’t know there was so much that I didn’t know. I think that a big mistake a lot of fellows make when they get married is that they don’t know what it’s all about. What I know about life is just what I’ve heard from you and from fellows. You are alright, but what fellows told you is usually a lot of bunk. I hope you don’t think I’m silly for doing this, but I don’t want to how you have a husband who is liable for hurt you in any way. I hope you will forgive me for being so forward in writing you about this but it should be all right now. (Is it?)
Well Darling, I guess I had better close now as it’s getting late and tomorrow I take my physical. When I find out about it, I will let you know.
I love you very much Jane and I can hardly wait until July so I can see you, talk to you, hold you in my arms and try again to squeeze you right through me.
Love & xxxxxxxxs. Good Night Sweetheart, Harlan
Good afternoon Darling;
The time is 3:00, Dick and I just got back from playing golf. I had a lousy game. I have taken a shower and am on my way to take my physical. I think that while I am taking it, Dick is going over to Treasure Island and see if Chuck is there.
Well Sweets, I had better be on my way. I will write again tonight. I love you very very much.
Love & xxxxxxxxxx’s Harlan Love and kisses Arlen.
Tuesday 12:30 PM May 25, 1943
Hi Honey:
Jeepers, it’s a dreary old morning, cold and cloudy, in fact it’s only 40° out. How are you? I suppose you are up by now as it is 10:30 out there, maybe you are washing or eating breakfast or maybe playing golf.
I just called your Mom, she was busy washing so didn’t talk to her very long. She said Opal, Max and Marvel were going to Frisco this coming Sunday, so you won’t be lonesome this Sunday. (“I’m So In love” is on the radio)
There isn’t much news. I didn’t get a letter today. Harlan that song is the one “I’m so so so so so in love with You”. Those are the words but the name of it is “I’m so in love”. No wonder I haven’t been able to find it in the Nickelodeon. You got all mixed up didn’t you. I like it.
Well Sweets today is the day of your physical. I’ll be thinking of you every minute. Please tell me all about it. What they do and say and if they say any thing about when the next one will be, please. Now they are playing “Just As Though You Were Here” (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RvhW9Pkdmbg Frank Sinatra). Torture, isn’t it?
Look I better close before I say something I shouldn’t.
See you later,
Love Jane
Harlan would it be asking too much if I asked you to send me a Special so I’ll get it Memorial Day?
5:30 PM.
Hi Honey: I’m at work now, it’s only 3:30 out there so I suppose you were just starting to work. Or are you, come to think of it I don’t suppose you went to work at all did you? Gosh only two more hours and you will be down to the recruiting office. What you think?
They sent Marin down to packing again tonight and Marjorie’s upfront cleaning cases so here I am back here with all the old biddies. It’s not that bad though, Marg and Marion came back here on their rest periods and I go up there on mine and we will get to eat together.
It’s simply raining cats and dogs right now. Gosh, I’m getting so I hate rain. We have so much of it anymore.
The boss just came back and got his pen so here I am writing with pencil. I’ve got to go anyway because Helen went to the safety meeting, be thinking of you at 7:30.
Hello again it’s 10:00 and you’er all through at the recruiting office. Well how did it turn out?
I’ve been back an hour from dinner and am thinking especially strong about you.
Marion and Marge and I went to lunch at 8:00 and we all met at the cafeteria. Marion and I bought a pint of milk and a pint of chocolate ice cream and made two great big malted milks for our lunch. They sure were good, only they could have stood a little more malt in them. They didn’t have anything good to eat out here and I forgot my lunch.
Jeepers Honey, you should have seen the Sun, red tonight it was beautiful. Remember that night almost a week before you left in July that we took little Herman out in the country, we were just out riding and had to have the top down, the sun was just setting in the west. It was beautiful, you said “Well Honey, in a couple weeks you can look out there and say Harlan’s out there.” I have often thought of that and how true you were. I wish I had a dollar for every time I’ve thought of that. Well to get back, I thought about that night – tonight – when I looked at the sunset. Gotta go.
12:30 AM Wednesday morning
Good morning My Sweetie Pie. I’m home again as you have probably guessed, but am quite tired and as this letter is long enough will make it short. Jeepers Honey, the sky is full of stars, when I came home at 12:00 I looked up and there was the big dipper, just as big as can be. Coming home I thought, boy if Harlan was under that wheel instead on Don. Oh well, there will come a day. Better go now. I love you much but not too much.
Goodbye for now. Love & xxxxxxxs “Your” Darlin’ Janie
10:45 PM May 25, 1943
Hello Darlin’:
Well here it is, the same day closer to July and you. I didn’t get a letter today so I have nothing to tell you except that I passed my physical, even my hearing. I will find out about my blood tests in about a week or so. But I’m not worried about that. They even had my induction papers there. After I took my physical, I met Dick downtown and we went to the show. We saw Abbott and Costello in “It Ain’t Hay”, and Basil Rathbone in a Sherlock Holmes picture.
They were both very good. That is the first show I have gone to in a long while. I came home and had a bite to eat and am now writing to my one and only.
There isn’t any news so I all so all I can write about is how much I love you and how much I miss you. Oh yes, I have your sweater that you gave me on and one of the usherette’s at the show said she just loved this sweater.
Your scanties came in yesterday, so I stopped downtown and got them and mailed them. They are a little bit different than the others but they are a little nicer. Let me know when you get them and how you like them.
Getting back to telling you how much I love you is the same old story. I can’t seem to find the right words. Just think, if we get married on November 26th, we have only seven months before we are married. That is seven months from tomorrow. Oh happy July and August and November and from November on. These coming days are going to be my whole life. (They don’t make very good lines, do thet?)
Well Darling, I guess I had better get some sleep. I have a washing to do in the morning.
I love you very very much.
Good night Sweetheart.
Good morning Darling.
Well, how is my little girl this morning? Fine, I hope. I finished my breakfast. Then I went to the store and got a box of washing powder and have finished my washing and already hung them out to dry. It is a beautiful day out. I sure wish you were here. The mail hasn’t come yet. I should have a letter from you. I will finish this letter then. I will have something to answer then. Okay? Okay!
Hi Honey, the mail is here and there is a letter from you. It is awfully short but very sweet. You know better than to ask me if I still want you to come out if I’m inducted, of course I do. That is all the questions I have to answer so I had better close for now. I will write again tonight. I love you more than you’ll ever know.
Love & xxxxxxxxx Harlan
PS See you at 8
PS I love you
Wednesday 1:00 PM May 26, 1943
Hello Honey:
Well here I am again. How are you? Hope you’re feeling better than you did Sunday but then by now you should. Please don’t be low, one of us is enough but when we both feel that way, that’s bad. I hope you feel better next weekend so as you can have some fun with when Opal and Max and Marvel are there. Wish I could join you too, but guess all I can do is think of you, wondering what you’re doing and if maybe you’re thinking of me.
It’s a beautiful day here but kind of chilly, hope it’s warms up. Gosh Honey, there isn’t anything to write about. You better try and perk up over the weekend. You don’t want them to know how low you are, do you? Please Honey, for me. I’m awfully sorry Harlan, I’m guess I’m kind of a heel for not doing what we both want by packing right now and coming out.
We received two letters from Dick today and he said that he has two 48 hour liberties next week but don’t suppose you will see him over the weekend. Mary Jane called and said Chuck had left Idaho and was on his way to school but as yet didn’t know where. I guess we were all hoping he goes to Treasure Island so Dick and him can get together once more before Dick leaves.
Well honey I have to press my slacks and ironed a blouse and bathe before I go to work so I had better close for now, maybe I can add more at work. Bye for now. Will be thinking of you. I miss you terribly Honey, just as much as you miss me and love you very much.
Love Jane
Hello again; it’s 10:00 PM and I’m eating dinner and am now shaking. How are you Honey, fine and dandy, I hope. Marian didn’t have to go to down to the packing tonight, so everything is back to normal again, even Marge is here. Helps alot for the mood I was in when I came to work, was no mood to work with the biddies.
Well, had a little time so thought I would add a little. Was just out to the back and made a wish on a very bright star.
Will finish when I get home. Bye for now.
12:45. Home again. Honey, don’t you ever get tired of this jibbity jab?
Rose called and said Dick stayed with you Monday night. Harlan, if he takes up too much room, give him a kick a good one, or kick them out.
Well, this is all for now. I’m going to eat a bite and then go to bed, but quick. Good night Honey.
Love & xxxxxxxs “Your” Darlin Janie
Thursday 1 AM May 27, 1943
Hi Honey:
My but it’s a beautiful day. I just came in from out in the back. I put a blanket on the ground and took off my shirt and lay there with just my shorts & bra on and sunburned my self, now my back is all pink and warm. It feels nice.
Gosh, Dick really takes over when he comes, doesn’t he. Do you mind? Or do you like it? Your letter came about 10:30 while I was eating breakfast. It was a nice one, all your letters are so swell, I haven’t thrown away a one of them. I took and separated them and made for piles, tying them together with a blue ribbon.
Honey, that’s all right about you buying that book, now you will know and understand all of my moods when we get married. I’ll read it someday, then I’ll know and understand all yours. And it’s all right for you to tell me about it, but I hope it’s a good one and don’t let anyone kid you about it, especially Dick because if you told him you have it, he might. If he does, just laugh with him. He gets an awfully big kick out of us kids but he’s all for us. He thinks your swell. There is nothing to forgive you for. You’re very sweet.
That’s about all there was in that letter. Tomorrow I’ll hear all about your physical. Gosh even with airmail it takes a long time to get any word.
Well Honey, I still have a lot to do before I go to work, so I better close for now. I love you, oh yes very much and miss you terribly but feel a lot better today. Will finish this when I get home from work. Bye for now.
12:30 AM and I’m dead, sorry Honey but I’m too tired to write. Please forgive me. Good night Honey
9:45 AM Good morning Honey:
Well I was awakened by a call from Eleanor, she and Joyce, Udy and myself are all going horseback riding tonight at 6:00. Then Udy and I are going to a show afterwards. Before however, I’ve got to wash my hair, wash my clothes and clean up my room, bake some cookies for my Honey, put up my hair and it’s 10:00 already so I better close. I love you, I love you, I love you. Will write again tomorrow.
Love & xxxxxxxxxxxs “Your” Darlin Janie
1:30 AM May 27, 1943
Hello Darlin’:
Well here it is another day closer to July and you. There isn’t any news so I don’t know what I’m going to write about.
It is rather foggy and damp out tonight. Just the kind of night it would be nice to cuddle up by a fireplace with you. We sure could have some fun, couldn’t we?
I am pretty tired tonight. I worked in the double bottom and made out. I had 117 feet, which is quite a bit any place.
I guess I forgot to tell you that I got a haircut yesterday. I sure hope it grows out by the time you get here. If it doesn’t, I’m afraid I will have some trouble on my hands. It is pretty short.
I have had a bite to eat and I can hardly keep my eyes open, so if you don’t mind I think I will try to get some sleep. I will finish this in the morning, Okay? Okay! I love you very very much. Good night Sweetheart.
Good morning Darling:
I got up kind of late this morning so I don’t have any time to iron my clothes. I have some clothes at the cleaners to get.
I sure am lonesome for you today. It is kind of cool, cloudy and foggy. Just the kind of a day that makes someone wish someone was here with someone. I will be so glad when we are together again.
Well Sweets, I seem to be running out of words so I guess I had better close for now. I will write again tonight. I love you very much. See you at 8
Love & xxxxxxxxxx’s Harlan
12:45 AM May 28 1943
Hello Darlin:
Well here it is another day closer to July and the sweetest and most wonderful girl in the world.
I received a letter from you and your mother today. It was awfully nice of your mother put a letter in for me. Here is a coincidence for you, the letter you wrote that I am answering was written at 12:45 too. You and I are about the same in golf. My game isn’t as good as it was when I was home. I have completely changed my style. I have a lot better form and if I can find time enough to play some more, my game should be better. I will call you next week if I get 1-A, or as soon as I get it.
We sure did have a lot of fun playing golf. I had a lot of fun whenever I was with you and whatever we did it. Isn’t it funny Darling, how a person never knows what he has until he loses it once. I love you so much and miss you terribly. If we go up to the resort, we will sure have a lot of fun. Just us two. No one to bother us or anything. It will be sort of a prelude to our honeymoon.
I saw an ittle bittle on the way home tonight. Do you remember the time I had 32 of them on you? I sure do. I collect every one of them too.
Well Sweets I guess I had better close, for now and get some sleep. I love you very very much. Good night Sweetheart.
Good morning Darling; I been doing some ironing but I didn’t finish. There isn’t any news so I don’t know what else to write about.
I will sure be glad when you get here. I love you so very very much.
Love & xxxxxxxxs Harlan
Friday 3:30 PM May 28, 1943
Hi Honey:
You’re probably right wondering at the time but I thought as long as I am going out tonight (it’s my day off) I better start your Special now. O.K O.K!
Well how are you? I suppose when you get this Opal and Max will be there. Hope you have a nice time, and the weather is fine. I called your Mom this morning and told her how you pass your first physical. She asked me if I was going out and I told her if I did, that is if you pass your physical, it would be a sudden departure but definitely.
I called the airline this morning and I can fly if I make reservations at least three days ahead of time. If I’m lucky. I could get one sooner. Now I’m only considering flying if you are inducted because that way I could get there a lot sooner – see? Your Mom said it sure would be swell if I could go out.
Honey, I have a favor to ask you. Could you or would you please – I mean gee Honey it’s been so long, well a, a would you – it’s been five weeks and that’s an awful long time. Well to get to the point, will you call me next week? Some night after work? I’ll gladly wait so as you can get a rate. We wouldn’t talk too long, just a few minutes. Please Honey, I would call you but I’m just getting the last one paid this week.
Well, I have all of my work done and all I have to do is take a bath and dress. Then eat and am ready to go. The four of us are going horseback riding, well come to think of it, I told you that in my letter of this morning. No use repeating.
Harlan, you didn’t tell me very much about your physical. What they did, what they said, and what they asked or anything. What does that mean ‘they had your induction papers there’? Did they say how long it would be before you were called? And what kind of hearing test was it? Harlan, you could find out how soon it would be before you’re called? Now if you answer all those questions, I’ll love you forever (as if I wouldn’t anyway).
Donna will be home tonight, maybe for the last time. It will be good to see her again.
Jeepers, I can hardly wait to see my new scantees, as you call them, hope they come tomorrow.
I sent three pairs of slacks and two sweaters the cleaners today so I am getting ready for anything. Am going downtown and buy two pairs of shoes next week, dress and sport. Daddie said I could have one of his coupons and I’m paying all of my bills tomorrow.
Well Sweets, here comes Momie and Daddie from the store, so I better close for now as I’ve got to get ready. Will finish this in the morning. Your little girl is just fine but sure in a dither as to what to do. By for now Honey. I love you, gosh how I do, and think of you every minute – well almost, see you at 10:00.
8:00 AM Saturday
Good morning Honey:
Well I just got home, now don’t get excited. I stayed all night with Yodie. What want to know what we did? O.K? O.K!
Well we first went out to the stables, but as we were late we had to wait an hour before we could ride. So we went in to the Raccoon Valley Inn and had chicken dinners. It was most it was delicious chicken I’ve had out of out for so darn long. Well, then we went right about 8:00 o’clock, back at 9:00 and then we came home and got the car and I showed the girls my newest things and everything. Eleanor and Joyce had to be at work at 11:30, so we drove over to both of their houses and they changed their clothes. Then we went downtown and had a coke, race back and dumped them on at 11:28. Yodie and I then didn’t know what to do, and finally we hit on the idea of bowling. Can you imagine bowling on top of riding, when I haven’t been done either one for months. Well anyway, my first game was one 111, my second with 120 and my third was 156. Yodie’s was 86, 110, 120. That 156 wasn’t bad, was it Honey?
By that time it was very close to 1:30 so we went over to Yodie’s and took a nice shower, then to bed. I came home early because Dad had to have the car at 8:00. We sure had a swell time though.
Well I’ve rattled on long enough and I’m going back to bed so better be on my way. See you tonight at 10:00. I love you very, very much and miss you too.
If you see Dick, tell him I took care of everything. Please, that that’s another favor you can do for me, simply tell him “I took care of everything and sent it Friday night.” He will know what I mean.
Have a nice time.
Love & xxxxxs “Your” Darlin Janie
Saturday 1:00 AM May 29, 1943
Hi –
I asked you to send me a Special for Memorial Day, so I’ll write a note so you will get one too. O.K? O.K!
My golly, it sure is hot and stuffy, it’s 95 out and looks very much like rain.
You’re not the only one who hopes that haircut grows out. If I get out there after not seeing you for six months and your hair is short and choppy I’m going to be sick. Please, be a little more careful the next time.
After I wrote you this morning I went right to bed and got up about half an hour ago. I’m trying to make up my mind as to what I’m going to wear to work. Am an I ever stiff.
Gee Honey, you should see my nice sunburn on my back. I’m afraid you’re going to look kind of peaked next to me. Ha Ha.
We received a letter from Chuck, one from Dick, and one from you this morning, but your package did’nt come, which means now I have to wait until Tuesday.
Yodie wants me to teach her how to play golf (isn’t that a laugh?). So we are going out a week from Monday.
Well sweets I don’t have any more news and it’s after 1:00, so I better get going. Hope this gets there on Monday.
I love you so much.
Love & xxxxxxxxx & oooooooo “Your” Darlin Janie
1:15 AM May 29, 1943
Hello Darlin’:
Well here it is another day closer to July and the sweetest little girl on the side of heaven.
This is supposed to be a Special and I’m just about dead, and there isn’t any news. I worked in the double bottom tonight and it’s kind of pooed me out. I do have a letter to answer, so I will do it right now.
Yes, I did get fix mixed up on the title of that song, ‘I’m So in Love With You’. They very seldom name the songs on these musical programs, so that is how I came about making the mistake. Yes, these songs are torture. I’m sorry about not being able to send you a Special so you can get it Saturday, but I didn’t get this letter until just before I left for work. No, I didn’t work Tuesday when I took my physical. I’ve been meaning to mention the Sun sets out here too, but I keep forgetting to. It is usually bright as day in Frisco and way out in the East pass the mountains, it is very dark. Then the Sun goes down in the West and it gets dark all of a sudden. The colors in the sky are really beautiful. Not as much as you are though. I do remember the night I told you to ‘look at the sky in the West and think of me’ but I forgot where we were at the time. I guess I was too busy looking at you.
Well, that is all the questions to answer so you so now I don’t know what else to write about. The less I say about my hair cut the better.
Outside of feeling a little tired, I feel swell. I have just had my shower and I washed my head. Whenever I ask anyone how they like my hair cut they say ‘On you it looks good’, or ‘I think it looks cute’, or Oh my God, what the hell happened to you’.
I will sure be glad when you get here. I miss you so much. When I was home on Christmas, we didn’t get to see the moon hardly at all because of the weather so I guess it has had a long enough rest now. Don’t you? We have almost a year to make up for with the moon.
Well Sweets, it is getting rather late so I had better turn in. I wish we were married this morning.
I love you very very much. Good night Sweetheart.
Good morning Darlin’:
Well here it is another beautiful day without you. If you were here, we could plan on going on a picnic tomorrow. I could get a chicken and you could fix it night and put it in the frigidaire overnight. That would really be like old times, wouldn’t it? I wish there was some place we could get a portable radio come out. The radio in Herman is swell while you’re driving, but I don’t drive enough to keep the battery up.
Well Sweets, I bet guess I had better close and get to the post office with this Special. I love you and miss you terribly. But I haven’t long to miss you, have I?
Love & xxxxxxxxxxxs Harlan (yes a will be real soon)
1:15 PM May 29, 1943 Saturday
Hello Darlin’:
You asked me to write you a Special so you could get it on Memorial Day. I got a little mixed up and thought Memorial Day was on Saturday. I found out it is Monday.
It’s almost time to go to work. Sis isn’t here yet. She is supposed to get in sometime this afternoon. She wanted me to lay off of work so I could spend the day with, them but that is almost out of reason. I want to work so I can make some money for us and also the put the hours in so I will have enough hours for a vacation when you get here.
There isn’t any news so I don’t know exactly what to write about. I went to the store this morning and bought some groceries. It cost me about $5. I also bought some envelopes, and some Special Delivery stamps. Dick called this morning and said he wouldn’t be able to get in this weekend but would try to get in Monday night. I sure hope he does. Have you heard whether Chuck is at Treasure Island or not? Dick tried to get into see if he was there last Tuesday but they wouldn’t let him past the gate.
Well Darling, I guess I had better close as it is time to leave for work.
I love you now, I always have loved you and always will love you. I love you before I even met you because you were the kind of girl I always wanted. I sure am a lucky guy.
Love & xxxxxxxxxxs Harlan
1:35 AM May 30, 1943 Sunday.
Hello Darlin’:
Well here it is another day closer to July and the sweetest girl in the world. I came home and thought I would call you. It sure was swell hearing your voice again. I will be glad when you get here then we won’t have to stop when 6 minutes are up. Sis is in town so I had better close as I have to take a shower, shave and then I have to go and had breakfast at 8:00 in the morning. I love you very much.
Good night Darling:
11:30 PM Sunday, May 30, 1943
Hello Sweetheart: It sure is a mode nasty day out. It is a real heavy fog. It makes it awfully damp and wet out. It sure is the good golf weather.
Someone broke into Max’s car last night and stole his gas coupons and broke his door handle. We first drove down to see about marbles tickets on the plane and then we had breakfast. We first drove down to see about Marvels tickets on the plane and then had breakfast. We drove up to Chinatown and went through a lot of the shops. Marvel bought a lot of things. We spent most of the morning there. Then we drove out to the beach and had dinner at the Cliff House. Then we drove out to the zoo. We stayed there until after 5 and then Max and Sis had to get back. They took Marvel and I out to my place and we took the streetcar down town to the airline office and I left Marvel there and went over to Hook’s. We had a bite to eat and sat around most of the evening. Zigler and his wife were there. They got into an argument and she went home to pack. She was going to go back to Iowa. Zigler had been drinking beer all day and was pretty high. We won’t mess around with them very much when you come out. I don’t think his wife went home though.
Well Darling, I had better get some sleep, we have been doing a lot of walking all day. I’m very tired.
I sure love you a lot. More than you’ll ever know.
Goodnight Sweetheart.
Good morning Darling:
Well here it is another day closer to July and you. I think Dick is coming in tonight to spend the night with me.
Audrey Apland called me this morning so I drove to see her. She is leaving for Patterson tonight at 5:00.
I sure wish July would hurry up a little bit. I love you and miss you so much. I have to fix my lunch and get to work so I had better close. I will write again tonight. (Only 6 more weeks).
Well, well, here it is another month closer to July and you. I just got home from work to find a Special here waiting for me. I now have two letters to answer. I’ll answer those before I go very far in this Special. I am awfully glad you made cookies for me. I’m looking forward to them. Yes, you are very sweet. I’m fine now. My arm is almost healed up. I will probably have a scar on my hand from the burn. I don’t know if Mrs. Seaman is the motherly type or not but I’m afraid her washing my clothes is out of the question. You see, she works days, besides I kind of like to do it. It doesn’t hurt me any. I went to a Presbyterian Church close to here Sunday. It didn’t seem so funny to have another girl in her met with me as Sis was always with me on Sundays and a lot of mornings. It will really seem nice when you are there. Now for the Special. About my washing, as you know, it is all done. It wasn’t so hard because I can use my fingers on my right hand. That is all the questions in the Special.
There isn’t any news and I am just about dead. I have to go up to the bank in the morning and mail this Special, so I will have to get some sleep. (Harry James is playing “Velvet Moon” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fj99A3tOhgY). You never told me whether you had heard the song “I’m So So So In Love With You”, or not.
Well my Darling, I guess I had better get some sleep. I will finish this in the morning. I love you very very much. Good night Sweetheart.
Good morning Darlin:
Well, how is my little girl this fine beautiful morning? Fine I hope the time is 8:45. I have just finished eating breakfast. Very soon I am going downtown to mail this.
I will sure be glad when July gets here. July is such nice weather, Don’t you think? I hope it is as nice as it is now. There isn’t any news to speak of so I guess I had better close. I sure love you a lot. It sure is awful to want to tell you in person and you have to write it on paper. It leaves a sort of helpless feeling, doesn’t it.
I will write again tonight I love you very much. Love & xxxxxxxxxxxs Johnny
SWAK Shorthand I Love You
Saturday 9:15 AM May 1, 1943.
Hi Honey:
Well here it is another month closer to you. If everything goes as planned, nine weeks from today we will be together. Old happy, happy July.
How are you? I hope this finds you well and happy, and the sun shining nice and warm so as you can get out and have fun this Sunday.
Say Honey, Marian and I were talking last night about coming out to California, you know we might come together, we’ll anyway I struck on an idea. We both keep saying until July, then the first or 15th both of us come out. You could have found for us, then after about a week of fun, we could both find a job. Then I could stay out there and if you and I kept saving, we could come home in November or at Christmas time and get married. That way we could be together the rest of this year, having fun and saving too and then take everyone here happy by coming home to be married. Why I alone could probably save enough money for the trip home. Now what do you think of that idea. By that time, you should how you stand in the war for sure. I could get of a touch of living alone on my own. Marian would be an ideal girl do it. She’s easy to get along with and clean, and has every qualification for the deal. Let me know what you think.
Say Harlan, don’t you have insurance for when you get hurt on the job and have to miss work? It seems to me you wrote about it when you first went to work.
We had a letter from Dick yesterday. He said he tried for almost every day for a week trying to get you on the phone, but always they say were not there. He thought he might have changed shifts. You haven’t, have you? His address is R. C. Hare S C 3/C , Comm. Dept. Barracks Treasure Island. In case you want to drop a card and make a date. Why doesn’t he get you and the phone I wonder. I believe he has next Sunday off.
Did I tell you I got your bond Thursday? And be sure and let me know when the cookies arrive.
Well the shower is today. I hope they have a nice time (for Opal I mean). They said it was a miscellaneous shower. I’m sure I wouldn’t know what to take, and bridal gift or a baby gift.
Yes, we will have lots of fun in July and from there on Honey. (I’m reading yesterday’s letter from you and answering the questions). I know just how you feel when you say you feel like part of you is lost or gone. I have experienced that feeling many times.
Honey, I have tried and tried to call you Johnny, not in your letters but when I speak of you and it just doesn’t work. You see Harlan, I guess I don’t know the boy the boys at the yard do and the friends in Frisco know, the fellow I’m engaged to is Harlan. They don’t really know you like I do, unless you have changed and I hope you haven’t. I guess you will always be just Harlan, my Honey to me. I hope you don’t mind it much. If you like, when I come out there and when we are with your friends, I’ll call you Johnny but when we are alone it will have to be Harlan. O.K? And oh yes, what about this ‘Nan’ stuff?
It’s a swell day here, nice and warm and sunny. I’m going out in the backyard as soon as I finish this and get a little sunshine, while waiting for your letter. Which reminds, me your letters sure have been coming through swell, one every day for exactly 9 days. Thanks a lot Honey.
Well Sweets, I guess I’ve run every thing into the ground, so maybe I better close now. Don’t forget next Sunday is Mother’s Day, May 9th. Say by golly, the 8th is Dick’s birthday. I’ll have to send him something.
Well Darlin’, the time is here, as I said before, again to close. I miss you ever so much Harlan and am thinking of you most of the time, remembering things we used to do and thinking of things we are going to do. Thrilling at the thought of them. I love you so very much, sometimes it hurts.
Love & xxxxxxxxx’s “Your” Darlin’ Janie
PS. I just read this over and it sounds like I want you by Mom and Dick something, but Darling, if you got that impression you are all wrong, you have done enough. I merely meant to remind you for your own Mother’s sake. And I was only making conversation about it. O.K1? O.K!
Momie says to tell you she still has one of her lilies. She sure liked them Honey. Well, must go now.
Well, here it is another week closer to July and you, Oh happy July! Dick called me this morning but I had left for town. He’s going to call me at 9:00 in the morning. I hope he gets off tomorrow. We may try to play some golf. I have the bandage off of my hand.
There isn’t any news. I don’t know what I’m going to write about. Oh, I have a letter to answer. You talking about your electric storms in the Ankeny plant makes me think you had better come out here. Please be careful. Do you know that we never have thunder and lightning here when it rains, or even think it’s going to rain. I’ve seen lightning just once since I got out here.
Well Darling, I’m very tired and I think I should get to bed. I will finish in the morning. Okay? Okay! I love you very very much. Good night Sweetheart.
Good morning Darlin’, Dick just called me and is coming in about 4:30. I’m going out to play a little golf and then meet him this evening. Well, I guess I had better close. This is kind of short, isn’t it. I will write a long one tonight. I love you very much.
Love & xxxxxxxxxs Johnny
Sunday 11:30 AM May 2, 1943
Hi Honey:
Well this is merely going to be a note because I’m going to eat then to bed I go. Your Special came about 9:50 AM, I was just eating my breakfast.
Gee Darling, I wish you were here. The sun is shining so bright and it’s 80° out. We could go play golf and get a nice sun burn, then come home later and clean up and go to a dance or a show, then have a hamburger and drive over to Union Park and you know what, until we got ready to come home. Then come home, and put on our PJs, and may be lay around on the floor, wrestling a little, and listing to the radio, talking and laughing, then go to bed.
Oh! I forgot to mention, of course we would be married. And oh yes, you could give me a back rub because after that day I would probably need one. How does that sound? The day I mean. Pretty swell. Well, that is the way I like to think our Sundays will be. O.K? We could go on like that for about a year or so then when T & T, come we will stop a little until they grow up some, then we can teach them how to play golf and bowl and all the things we like to do and then we will all do them together. And T and I will be T and you any old time, just you wait and see.
No Hon, I’ve never heard “I’m so so so in love with you”. I looked on all the juke boxes and have listened but of no avail. And I’ve never heard “Velvet Moon” either, maybe they’re not popular here yet.
Your Special was swell. Thanks a lot and I’m so glad your hand is better. I was kind of worried there for a while. How come you didn’t go to the Episcopal Church that is near your place? You said you were.
Well Sweets, this note is getting kind of long and dinner is ready. Yes Harlan, it does give me kind of a helpless feeling to be able to only write “I love you”. Kind of like something is left out, I guess it’s the kiss to seal it, yes? But that’s impossible, so all I can do is write ‘I love you and you alone, see you at 10:’.
Love & xxxxxxxxxs ‘Your’ Little Darlin’ Janie
PS. I said little because I’m down to 100 pounds, but I’m taking vitamin pills so I’ll get back up before July Love Jane
10 PM Sunday, May 2, 1943
Hello Darling:
Well, here it is the same day closer to July and you. I went out and played 13 holes of golf this morning. I finished about 3:30. I came home and took a shower and shaved. I met Dick at 5:00, we went to the post office first and mailed your letter. We then went to the Golden Gate Theatre and saw Saludos Amigos. It was good, but not as good as I thought it was going to be. There was a stage show with it. It was pretty good.
Dick is leaving Treasure Island tomorrow morning at 6:00. He is being transferred to Alameda. That is across the channel I think. He will write you and tell you all about it. He sure looks swell.
You’re Special was here waiting for me when I got back from playing golf but I didn’t have time to answer it then. Darling, I think you really hit the nail right on the head this time. That idea of yours is perfect, but if you want to do that, why don’t you come out in June? I can readily say that this plan is the only one. It doesn’t seem quite possible, but if we make up our minds to it, it will.
Yes, I have insurance but it only covers doctor bills and not time just at work. I think the people here at the house were just too lazy to come and get me when Dick called. No, I haven’t changed shifts. Yes, he told me you got the bond.
I believe I have changed some but not too much. I think I feel older and I’m undoubtedly more serious. A person gets that way working nights for 9 months and not going out.
I think I told you in one of my letters about calling you Nan.
I’m glad my mail is coming through so nicely.
Yes, I know Sunday is Mother’s Day and Monday is Mom’s birthday. The 10th, I mean.
Well Sweets, I guess that is all to the Special I can answer. I will finish this morning. I love you very very. much. Good night sweetheart.
Good morning Darling: I haven’t any time now as I have to go to work. I will explain tonight. Okay? Okay! I love you very much.
Love & xxxxxxxxxxs Harlan
Monday 9:13 AM May 3, 1943
Hi Honey:
I have eaten and am now writing to my Honey. Dick called last night and told us about getting his leave papers, and that he had been with you, in fact had just left you. Now you will have a lot to write about. I hope you tell me what all you did. Anyway, I sure hope you had a nice time.
There isn’t any news this morning. Tonight my night off, but I’m not very enthused about it because I don’t feel good. I bought my dinner at work this morning and I don’t think it was very good. Oh I forgot to tell you, Udy and I are going horseback riding Thursday morning after work, about 10:00. It will be the first time this year. I’ll be thinking of you and wishing it was you instead of Udy.
Daddie is going to Davenport at 1:00 today. He is leaving the car home this week so I’m going to try to get over to see your folks some night before I go to work. Momie and I are going downtown tonight and I’m going to try and buy something for Donna Neal. I don’t know just what.
Well Sweets, I guess this is all. There isn’t any more news. I’m writing this out in the backyard and I’m running out of ink. I love you very much and miss you more every day, still I do.
Will write again tonight.
Love & xxxxxxxxxs “Your” Darlin’ Janie
Gee Honey, I’ll be glad when we are together again and won’t have to write what I want to say but can just talk to you. I miss you so much. More than you know I think.
Love as always, Jane
Monday 9:30 PM May 3, 1943
Hi Honey:
I’ll start this letter tonight and finish in the morning. Besides, I am out of ink as you can probably tell. I guess I better run to the store and get some. Be right back.
Well I’m back and this is much better, don’t you think? I tried to get green ink that they didn’t have any.
There isn’t much news I’m afraid. I received a nice letter this morning.
Harlan it’s 10:00, and The Chesterfield Hour is on. Are you there? I hope so. They’re playing “I’ve Heard That Song Before”. This arrangement is really beautiful. Well Honey, as usual I wish you were here or I were there. That is all I think about anymore. After work each morning I say, one more day closer, each week, one more week closer, and etc. I went to the bank this morning I now have $115. How am I doing Honey. By July 1, I should have $205. I asked you a couple of weeks ago what your account was but you never told me.
Gee, I was glad to hear your arm was O.K., by now it should be pretty much O.K. If you catch your boots on your cuffs sewed up on the side, why don’t you sew them or rather tack them on the outside, make cuff on the outside, instead of the inside. See what I mean?
Tonight is my night off as I said this morning but I decided to stay home because I couldn’t afford it, besides I still don’t feel good, so Momie and I took Mary Jane’s allotment over to her and stopped at the drug store, bought a new tablet, some ink, and a magazine. I felt kind of low a little while ago. I sure would have given anything to have talk to you, only having two hours sleep since last night, I was tired. Yet I wanted to go out and do something but I’m kind of tired of going with the girls and didn’t. Sooo, I guess I’m just plain lonesome for you, your voice, your arms, and oh just you. But it won’t be long now, will it Hon. Remember when you left last August? We planned that I would come out July. That we wouldn’t see each other until the. We were right about the July deal but we were sure wrong about staying apart until then. And the way I feel now, if I come back home in July it won’t be for long. I don’t know whether I whether to quit my job here in July or not. What do you say?
Well Sweets, it’s 10:30 and this little girl is getting very sleepy. I better close. I miss choose ever so much and love you more. Will write again tomorrow.
Love & xxxxxxxxs “your” Darlin Janie
PS How do you like the pictures?
12:30 PM May 4, 1943
Hello Darlin’:
Well here it is another day closer to July you. I suppose you saw the time this was written. Well, I’ve been doing the same thing today as I did yesterday that I told you in my last letter, I would explain about in this one. Then I was in such a rush to get to work I forgot to mail your letter last night or rather yesterday afternoon and I put it in a box downtown.
I’ve been shopping. I can’t think for the life of me what to get Mom for her birthday, which is next Monday. I’ve also had a tough time with you. I was going to get you a wristwatch but it is hard to get a good one without spending a small fortune. Could you please suggest something? Would you like clothes, jewelry, or something for our hope chest? Please let me know, please.
There isn’t any news, so I don’t know what else to write about.
I have a letter to answer. Yes, I make out once in a while, but the ship has just been started and it is hard to get in any real good welding. That is all the questions in that one. Your cookies were sure swell. I am taking them in my lunch.
Well Sweets, I guess I better get upstairs for dinner. I have to fix lunch and then go to work. I love you very very much.
Love & xxxxxxxxs Johnny
Tuesday 7:00 PM May 4, 1943
Hi Honey, Hello my Sweetheart:
Well how are you this cold day, warm my hope? Received your short but sweet letter this morning at noon. Am so glad you got to see Dick and so anxious to hear all about it. Do you know where he went? Momie is not sure that she heard right. She thought he said Alameda, right?
Well my Honey Bunch, your little girl was downtown this afternoon and opened a charge account. One has to just about sign one’s life away, doesn’t one. They want to know who my mother is, who my father is and if I had any money in the bank. Oh Yes, and if I have a job. But you know Honey, they forget to ask about you. What do you know about that?
Someone has written a whole page in my letter! Right after I wrote ‘Hi Honey’, the phone rang and when I came back Momie had written that first page, it’s cute huh? Well as you know I was downtown, I bought a raincoat, a little added dotted dress for Donna Neal. It’s white and awfully cute. I hope Opal likes it. Then I bought some pens, a couple of nets and some other small things. And so you know, I opened a charge account at Yonkers. Now I can go down any time and buy anything I need. Of course, at the end of the month I’ll have to pay for them, but that’s O.K.
Gosh, when I stop to think about it, I sure have a lot of things to buy before July. I’ve got lots of clothes to buy, shoes, more sport clothes, and I have to have another grip. Because one won’t be enough and not only that, but I have to save $100 between now and then. But I’ll do it or die trying.
It’s much colder here tonight, chili and it looks like rain, bopping it doesn’t. Your letter came early this morning about 10:30. I’m sure glad you and Dick were able to get together before he left. Dick told me when he was home about it never thundering or lightning out there.
Jeepers Honey, now that’s the time is growing near, I sure am anxious to get going. The sooner I get out there the better with me, how about you?
Barbie just called and she hears from Buddy every day. Pegs sent her, Twinkie and me a present. I don’t know what mine is but I’m going over to get it in the little while. By the way, you never mentioned your sweater I bought you. Do you ever wear? And Honey, don’t ever wash it, have it dry cleaned.
I’m looking forward to a long letter, this one was kind of short but as Momie said, it was sweet. Well Darling, I have to go back to work tonight and have to run over to Barbies and then take a little nap so better close now. I hate to, but when you gotta go, you gotta go.
I love you. I think you’re swell and miss you too.
Love & xxxxxxxxs “Your” Darlin’ Janie
PS See you at 10. They are playing “Harvest Moon”, I remember, You used to sing that.
PS I almost bought a better jacket today but decided to wait until I get out there and will try to buy one something like yours. O.K? O.K! Love Janie
1 AM Wednesday, May 5, 1943
Hello Darlin’:
Well here it is another day closer to July you. There isn’t any news, so I don’t know exactly what to write about. I have one letter to answer, so I guess I will do that to start with. You sure have a perfect day all set. You and T will have a tough time beating T and I in anything. Those kids sure are good sports aren’t they. The Episcopal Church is by the place where I used to live. I guess that is all about that letter.
I sure wish July would hurry up a little, it seems like years since I held you in my arms and told you I love you and wanted you to marry me. You took the ring and the next day you said yes.
Well Sweets, I guess I had better close for tonight. I want to get to bed as I am pretty tired. I will finish in the morning. Okay? Okay! I love you very, very much. Goodnight Sweetheart.
Good Morning Darlin’, this is sure a beautiful day, I sure wish you were hered I was going to go out and play some golf but I have to go downtown again this morning, so I may go out tomorrow.
Just think, in about eight weeks will be together again. If you stay out here, we will be together from now on, unless I go into the Army. We sure will have a lot of fun. Well Sweets, I hate to but I guess I will have to close. I love you very very much.
Love & xxxxxxxxxxx Johnny
Wednesday 9:30 PM May 5, 1943
Hello Honey:
How are you tonight? I hope just fine. I suppose you’re working hard as usual. It’s raining hard tonight, lightning and thunder too. I suppose if it keeps up long enough we will be shut down again it work. Oh well, I don’t feel much like working anyway.
I just arrived home from your folks. Donna Neal is very cute but she looks like Max instead of you. She sure is big and strong for her age. Your folks are fine. They have to move by the 28th of this month but then you probably know that. I took Momie with me.
I wish it would stop raining. I don’t like it anymore since you aren’t here. I don’t like anything much anymore. I got set back a little bit today. Momie was figuring up her Yonkers bill and gosh I thought I only owed them $5 and I owe them $13 instead and here I thought I would be able to put $15 into the bank this week.
Kay Kaiser is on playing “You’ll Never Know How Much I Miss You” (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JZtWNlCTc6o). Oh jeepers Harlan, I miss you more every day. Like you say, it doesn’t seem possible that a person can miss one more every day, even after so many months, but it is. There was a while there when it wasn’t so bad, but lately it has been pretty bad. Now they are playing “Let’s Get Lost” (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JU3QpIhiRWM). I’m sorry Honey, I hope not making you blue, but I have to let my hair down once in a while, don’t I.
There was no letter today, the first time in two weeks and a half. Gosh I was disappointed because I was hoping to hear what you did Sunday. But I will tomorrow, won’t I Hon.
Oh Harlan, I have a confession to make, er, ahem, well you see, I didn’t go to work last night. I was so tired. I laid down on the davenport to sleep a little while before I went to work and I guess I kind of passed out. Anyway, I was so sound asleep that Momie didn’t wake me up and I woke up about 11:30 and it was too late then, so I called the plant and told them that I was ill and went back to bed. Well, about 10:00 this morning I woke up, so that just shows you how tired I was. O.K?
I’m sure glad I bought a raincoat because it sure is pouring. Opal said she’s going to California, LA the 17th of this month. Harlan, if she comes to Frisco and you see her, please don’t tell her when I’m coming and please don’t tell your folks or have you already? Your Dad said that they may go out in three months??? What do you think about it Harlan?
Well Sweets, its 10:15 and I have to go get ready for work, sure wish you were here on or I was there. I love you very much. Oh I forgot, I’m going to finish this when I get home from work in the morning. Good night Honey.
Good morning Hon: It’s 9:15 AM and I have had my breakfast and as soon as I finish this I’m going to bed.
Katherine Linger called last night to tell me Don would be a little late, and we had quite a conversation. Betty Lou left last Monday for Oakland, she had a one-way ticket and $50. Harlan, that was all she had and she didn’t know where she was going to stay when she got there or if she could get a job or anything and she didn’t even know if her husband, Melvin, would be there more than a couple of weeks are not. He’s in the Army. And Gabby is going out to Sacramento some time between the 1st and 15th of July. Russ is there for six months I guess. I’m going to call her, may be we can get together on the trip, yes? I dread the thought of coming out there alone on the train. Would you think about me coming out alone?
Well Sweets, this is all for this morning. My legs are killing me so I must get to bed. I love you much.
Love & xxxxxxxs “Your” Darlin’ Janie
PS Momie accidentally tore the first page in half and I’m too tired to write it over so it’s okay, isn’t it? Please. Thank you. Love Janie
12:45 AM May 6, 1943
Hello Darlin:
Well here it is another day closer to July and you. To begin with there doesn’t seem to be any news as usual so I don’t know exactly what I’m going to write about.
I have a letter to answer so I had better begin with that. I hope Udy and you have a nice time riding. The last time I was riding was with you. There aren’t any questions at all.
It sure was a beautiful night out. It will be nice a nice day in the morning. I think I will go out and play some golf. I sure will be glad when you get here. Have you made up your mind as to whether you are going to stay here or not?
Well Sweets, I guess I had better get to sleep. I’ll finish in the morning. Okay? Okay! I love you very very much. Good night Sweetheart.
The time is 12:20. I just got back from playing golf and found a letter from you. There were three pictures in it I. I took just one look at them and started to shake all over. I just had to call you. So I did. Gee, it was sure nice hearing your voice again. Yes Darlin’, I am there every night at 8:00. Being with you is all I ever think about anymore too. I was just kidding when I said I wanted you to come out in June. I really hope you can stay. As for a place for you to stay, that is very simple. If we can’t find a room for you, we’ll get married and sleep in mine. Only kidding. I want to be married in the Des Moies, just like you do.
Everything is mixed up. Isn’t it. I wish I knew if they would take me in the Army are not. If I knew that they wouldn’t, I’d say for sure you should stay out here. Maybe I will know soon. My account was $394. Then I bought some groceries and paid my board and room for two weeks and paid some telephone bills and now I have $359. I have something to buy pretty soon though. Doggone it, I forgot to ask you what you would like to have for your birthday when I talked to you.
I can’t sew the cuffs on the outside because they would catch sparks and probably set my pants on fire. No, it won’t be long now Darling. The time gets closer and closer, day by day. It is funny how much I’ve fallen in love with you since I left in July and how much more since Christmas.
If you want me to say what I think about you quitting in July or June, I would say yes without giving it a second thought. Then after thinking it over I would still say yes. If you are a little worried about being out here along with me, you won’t have to be. I’ve changed a lot in that way and I’ve learned a lot since Christmas. I love you more than very much Jane and always will. Someday all of your dreams will come true.
Love as Always xxxxxxxxx oooooooooooooo Johnny
See you at 8
12:15 AM May 7, 1943 Friday
Hello Darlin’:
Well here it is another day closer to July and you. The radio is playing ‘The Ferris Wheel”. Do you remember when we rode the Ferris wheel at the fair? That wasn’t very long after we met.
There isn’t any news so I don’t know just what I am going to write about. I had a very busy night. I think I made out pretty good. (Sammy Kaye “There You Are”). I worked in the double bottom and you ought to see my face. I wore a respirator and there is a black streak around where the respirator was. What? Go wash it? Okay! I think I will take a shower and wash my head too. Be back in a jiffy. I sure love you a lot. I have your pictures stuck on my mirror.
Well, I’m back and I feel a lot better but I’m still very tired so if you don’t mind too much I think I’ll hit the hay. Darling, I hope that someday I can really show you how much I love you. Good night Sweetheart.
Good morning Darling. It sure is a beautiful day out. I wish you were here. Boy those pictures in front of me are sure swell. I got a letter from Dick today and he is coming in a week from Sunday. This Sunday I’m going up to the country. John is going with me. We are going to take his car up.
There isn’t any news and I didn’t get a letter today so I have nothing to answer. This is the first day I haven’t gotten a letter for over two weeks I think. Your letters have been coming in swell. Have you any news for me yet? You know what I mean. Have you told your folks about thinking about staying out here? Darling you, know there isn’t anything I want more than to have you here with me, but if you would rather go on as we planned in the first place, that is all right with me. What ever you decide is all right with me.
Well Sweets, I guess I’m running out words so I had better close. I will write again tonight.
Love Forever Johnny xxxxxxxxx
Friday 10:00 AM May 7, 1943
Hi Honey:
Now to start with this is going only going to be a note as I’m awfully tired and I have a date with the girls tonight at 6:00 PM.
Jeepers Honey, it was sure swell of you to call yesterday. I was kind of scared but that was O.K. So you really liked the pictures huh and here I thought they weren’t any good. But I’m sure glad you like them.
Gosh you sure sounded swell, happy and like your old self. Oh gosh, thanks again, I really felt swell after that. I can’t say just yet either I will stay when I come out or not. I won’t know until I get there. I’m going to talk to Daddie about it this week and see what he says. O.K? Daddie usually knows what to do, so we will see. Myself, I would like to, but we’ll see. Please don’t think about it too much.
There were two letters from you yesterday but I’ll answer them in my Special tomorrow, then I’ll have something to write about. Well Darling, I think your grand, and hate to, but must get to bed. I love you very much and thanks again for calling.
Love as Always “Your” Darlin Janie
Shorthand ~ I Love You Very Much
(Fun fact:Yes Mother always signed her letters “Your” Darlin’ Janie)
1:30 AM Saturday 8, 1943
Hello Sweetheart:
Well here it is another day closer to July and the sweetest and swellest and most wonderful and gorgeous girl in the world.
I have just finished having my shower. I shaved and have had a bite to eat. Now I feel like a good old-fashioned smooching spree. How about you? We sure have a lot of lost time to make up for. Oh Happy July!
I didn’t get a letter so I have nothing to answer. So consequently, I don’t know what I’m going to write about in this Special for a very, very special person. Gosh the pictures are sure swell. You sure are a sharp little girl. I guess I’m just about the luckiest guy in the whole world. The time seems to go so slow. There are 56 days until the 1st July. I will be able to tell you how much I love you and have missed you. I can hold you in my arms again and try to squeeze you right through me.
Tonight is about the warmest night I’ve seen in San Francisco, it is starting to get windy though. I can hear the wind whistling in the trees behind the house and my window is rattling quite a bit. If you were here and we were married, we would open the windows wide open so we would have to cuddle up real close. Oh what fun we are going to have.
Well Darling, it’s getting rather late and I want to get up kind of early so I guess I had better get some sleep. I will finish this in the morning.
I love you more and more every day.
Good night Darlin’, sleep tight and dream of me and I’ll dream of you. I love you and you alone all I sure have it bad, don’t I?
Well Darling, I guess I better close and get downtown to the post office with this Special. I will write again tonight. I love you very very much.
Love & xxxxxxxxx Johnny
Saturday 9:30 AM May 8, 1943
Hi Honey:
Well, yup here it is, time for another Special. Well to start with, it’s a beautiful morning, simply beautiful. Work went along swell at work last night, had fun but worked hard. As soon as I finish this I’m going down to buy Momie’s present then I’m coming home and I’m going to bed.
I met Eleanor and Joyce last night about 7:00 and we had a coke and went window shopping then had another coke and came home. O.K? I was a good girl and no gin wizzies.
Harlan, about my birthday, I would rather not suggest anything Honey. I would rather have you buy something of your own choice. I will admit, I did want a watch for my birthday but that was before I went out and priced them myself, at that time I thought I would buy one for myself but when I saw the price I stopped right there. You see I had in mind something for about $25-$30. So please don’t go to that expense, it’s too much. Maybe I’ll get one myself next year, but you get whatever you want and what ever it is I’ll love it, just your love will be enough. I simply don’t feel right about telling you what to get me. You understand, don’t you? I just happen to think, this will be my last birthday while single. Well what you know? Gosh and I’m only going to be 19. Remember my 16th birthday?
There isn’t much to write about this morning. Yes, I know Monday is your Mom’s birthday but I simply can’t afford anything Honey. Yesterday was Nana’s and I only sent her a card. I’m trying very hard to save every penny I can and still pay my bills. When I think about it, eight weeks isn’t very long to get ready to go a thousand miles away, especially if I’m going to stay. Please try and understand.
I sent your Mom a card for Mother’s. Momie is going to buy me an overnight bag and did I tell you I’m not going to take it a sleeper. I’m taking a chair car out because I’m too skeared to take a sleeper and I probably wouldn’t sleep anyway and it’s only costs $50 one-way for a chair car. I even know what I’m going to wear on the train.
Honey, I know two months seems like a long time to you but to me it seems like tomorrow. Just because you’re just sitting waiting and I’m getting ready, thinking and planning for it every minute.
Well Darling, I’m sorry but if I’m ever going to bed, I better get going downtown and I have to go to the bank too.
Well Sweets, I’ll write again tomorrow. Have a nice time Sunday, I’ll be thinking of you. I love you so much and miss you too.
Love as Always “Your” Darlin’ Janie
I just read this over, gosh I sure wrote enough about me coming out, didn’t I. Oh well, it’s all I think about so I guess it’s natural I write about it, right? Love Jane.
Well here it is another day closer to July and you. Oh happy July.
I’m very tired and my hand is kind of sore so I think I’ll wash and go to bed. I will answer your letter first though, there’s only one question. Have I been classified? I don’t know for sure. My draft board said I was 1-A and my Selective Service at the yard says I’m not 1-A until I have my physical.
I have a great big top sirloin steak for my dinner tomorrow night.
Well Sweets, if you don’t mind, I think I will hit the bunk for a good night sleep. I will finish this in the morning. Okay? Okay! I love you very very much. Goodnight Darling.
Good morning Sweetheart: What a nice surprise this morning’s call was. Thanks a lot. It completes my Sunday before it starts. It’s so beautiful it’s a beautiful day here. A little windy but nice. I’m sorry to hear about the cloudy day. I wish I could go out and play a little golf but I’m afraid it is out of the question. I could go out but I’m afraid it wouldn’t do my hand any good. I am going to shave and take a shower and change my clothes and plan on going to church. I’m going with Mrs. Schnell, my landlady and 2 girls here at the house. The girls are both married and their husbands are in the Navy out to sea.
I guess I had better close now. I will write you a long letter tonight. I love you very very much
Love & xxxxxxxxxs Harlan
PS Thanks again for the call.
10 PM Sunday, April 25, 1943
Hello Sweetheart:
Well here it is almost another day closer to July and the sweetest and most wonderful girl in the world.
I’ve had a very nice day. After church was over, I was talking to Mrs. Seaman, whose husband is a lieutenant in the Navy and she said she sure gets tired of sitting around the house, so I suggested that we go for a ride. My fiancé isn’t here and her husband gone so we took Herman and drove around San Francisco for about an hour or so and then came home. She will probably be here when you come out, so you will get to meet her. She is from New Hampshire. She’s about 24 and rather tall and has bucked teeth but she is awfully nice. I hope you don’t mind too much.
Your Special came about 5 PM and I will answer now.
Yes, I would like to have you call me Johnny. Everyone out here calls me that and I kind of like it. It is easier for people to remember. I’m glad your mother like the flowers and that they got their alright. I think that $850 is really swell. I’m in kind of in a mess about my washing. Now that my hand got burned up, I can’t watch my clothes. They are almost all dirty. I’m glad you are going over to see Mom and Opal and the baby. I received a letter from sis and she had felt kind of hurt that you had been over to see the baby yet. Let me know what you think of Donna.
I guess that’s just about covers it. I wish there was a little news to tell you. The weather has turned a little colder.
Well Darling, if you don’t mind, I think I will finish this in the morning. I sure love you a lot I can hardly wait until July to see you again.
Good night Sweetheart.
Good morning Darling:
We have another beautiful day. The sun is out but the air is still a little cool and the wind is blowing quite a bit. I haven’t any more news since last night so I don’t know what else right about.
My arm is pretty sore. Every time I get burned, I get a boil on my arm. I been burned 3 times and I’ve gotten boil right close to the burn. I think there is some kind of acid or something makes them.
Well Darling, I seem to be running out of words so I can guess I had better close for now. I love you very very much. Love & xxxxxx’s Johnny
Sunday 11:15 PM April 25, 1943
Hi Honey:
Well, the phone call is over, church is over, Easter Sunday is only 45 minutes yet to be. I just arrived home from the show “Hello Frisco Hello”. Jeepers Honey, wasn’t it good and when she came up on the stage at the end and phoned him and sang “You’ll Never Know” (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tFmzDfjxOto with Alice Faye) I could have cried. I think I should dedicate this song to you.
How are you? I hope your hand is a lot better when you get this. I’m awfully sorry about it and wish there was something I could do to help. Yesterday when I talked to your Mom, I told her that I was coming over this afternoon and would call before I came so after getting home from church and eating at about 2:00, I called her and no one was home. I kept trying until about 4:30 but of no avail and as my date with girls was at 5:30, it was too late anyway. I was all cleaned up and everything.
Harlan your Special is downstairs and if I go get it I will wake the folks up, so I’ll answer tomorrow, O.K? O.K. I can’t find that list of definitions, I’ll look for it tomorrow morning. This is my night off you know. It’s 9:30 out there, what are you doing? Answer please. On the way home I bought a comic book. Tip Top Comic, yup I still read them, do you?
Well Honey, I hate to cut this short but I haven’t been to bed since 8:00 last night and can hardly hold my eyes open. I’ll write again tomorrow night before I go to work. O.K? O.K! I miss you terribly and love you more.
Good night Honey, “Your” Darlin Janie
PS I’m sorry I woke you up this morning to early. Did you go to church and have you heard from Dick?
Love as always. Janie
Monday 1:45 PM April 26, 1943
Hi Honey:
I don’t have to sleep today and it is raining, I can’t go downtown, thought I would write you a letter. I didn’t write very often you know.
There were two letters this morning from you and one letter from Dick. He said he had tried to get you twice since he got back but of no avail. I don’t know whether you work home or just what but he will probably call again.
It’s a terrible day, gloomy and rainy. It’s almost as dark as it is at 8:00 at night. It makes one feel kind of gruesome.
Say, since when is my name Nan? Honey, if you like Johnny better than Harlan and want me to call you that, I will try but I like the name Janie or Jane. When I read that “Hello Nan” when I’m used to seeing “Hello Darling” or “Hello Sweetheart”, it seemed awfully funny. Kind of like you were writing to someone else. I’m just plain Jane and not Nan. Nan sounds like someone, else don’t you think? You bum, or are you trying to change me?
Although there were two letters, there were no questions to answer, so I’m kind of at a loss to know what to write about. I could write about how much I miss you and wish that July would hurry up and come so I could see you again. Sometimes I get to the point where you are, someone I get letters from and write to, hear your voice once in a while on the phone but never see, or feel, something of a memory. Memories are what I live on, memories and thoughts of July and a little further into the future but mostly memories because the future is so indefinite. You are on my mind all of the time, wondering what you are doing, if maybe you were thinking of me. Every day I see something that reminds me something we have done together in the past, or something you have said or done. I’ll never forget those glorious three years, it’s a good thing we knew each other quite a while before you left or otherwise we would wouldn’t have much to look back on. Am I boring you?
Momie said she would write as soon as she could. Gee Honey, it was sure swell of you to think of her or rather remember her. She was very surprised and happy about it. Thanks Hon. That telephone conversation sure went fast, didn’t it? I called long distance and we talked for 10 minutes – it sure didn’t seem like it.
Well Sweets, I’m running out of things to say, so maybe I better close. Be very careful and don’t get hurt and if you do, please take care of yourself. Be a good boy little boy like you always are and I’ll love you forever. Bye for now.
Love “Your” Darlin Janie
PS Do you remember Don Shidler, that boy I used to write letters to? He was in the 34th division of the Army. Well anyway, he is reported missing.
PSS Am waiting for that long promised long letter.
10:00 PM Hello again. I was going to take the this up and mail it when Dad came hoe, but it’s been hailing and raining since about 6:00 and he put the car right in the garage so I’ll have to wait until tomorrow when the mailman comes.
I’m listening to the Chesterfield Hour. “Don’t Get Around Much Anymore” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TvY6wXHvlaI The Ink Spots) is the being played. It’s lightning and thundering something awful, if it keeps up a little longer, I’ll get out of working some tonight. Dad let Rip out just before it rained and after it started, he didn’t come home so I had to go out and look for him. When I finally found him, we were both soaked. I’ve been sneezing ever since, so it looks like I am in for a cold.
Well Honey, I guess I had better get ready for work. Don will be here about 11:00. They’re playing “Remember” (Perry Como https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qVFLR3VHyWA) Gosh those pieces.
Good Night Honey, Love “Your” Darlin’ Janie
1:20 AM Tuesday, April 27, 1943
Hello Nan’:
Well, here it is another day closer to July and you.
This is just going to be a note tonight as my hand and arm feel like they are on fire. I shouldn’t have gone to work today. If my arm is as bad as it is now when I get up in the morning, I’m afraid I’ll have to see a doctor about it. I’d probably miss a couple of days though and I sure hate that now.
I’m sorry darling but I had better close. I will try to finish this in the morning.
I love you very very much. Good night Sweetheart.
Good morning Darling: Boy what a night I had! I sure didn’t sleep very much. My arm is pretty sore. I’ve had breakfast and the mail is here. I’ll answer your letter before I write any more. Yes, I buy a comic magazine once in a while. I usually get the Walt Disney. I haven’t heard from Dick as of yet. At 9:30 I was at a show downtown or just getting ready to leave for home. I was home about 10 or 10:30.
I’m sorry Darling, but I’m afraid I had better close. I will try to write you a longer one tonight if I can. I don’t know if I will go to work or not. I Love you very very much.
Love & xxxxxxxxs Johnny
Tuesday 9:30 AM April 27, 1943
Hi Honey:
Well here I am again and no news or nothing special to write about. How are you? I hope this finds you both well and happy and not working too hard.
Marion wasn’t at work last night because it was her night off (good reason wasn’t it) and Margie played hooky, so I had to do Margie’s work along with mine, so I’m unusually tired this morning, sure wish you could give me a back rub. I sure need it.
It’s a lovely day, nice and warm and 65 already and the sun is very bright. It would be a perfect day for a picnic, golf, horseback riding or what have you Harlan. I’ve looked all over for that paper of definitions but of no avail. I must have lost it. I’m sorry because some of them were very good.
My but Katy, one of the girls who writes with us to work, is happy. Her husband is coming home Thursday night. She is the one I asked you if you knew, Kathleen Landus, and you never answered. She graduated with Opal and knows her, but I guess you weren’t is interested or ignored it. I’m sure I don’t know which. Anyway, her husband is coming home Thursday night and she is quitting her job at the plant and going to go back to Texas with him. The last time he was home was 10 days before you were home for Christmas. They have been married a year and have been together altogether six weeks.
Well Harlan, I’m sorry but I don’t have anything to write about so I guess I’ll close and will try to go better tonight. I love you very much
Love & xxxxxxx’s “Your” Darlin Janie
7 PM Tuesday, April 27, 1943
Hello Darlin:
Well here it is, the same day closer to July and this sweetest and swellest girl in the world.
I decided to go to work tonight, so I stopped in at the hospital to have them dress my arm before work. The doctor took one look at my arm and said, “No work for you tonight young man.” So here I am. I stopped downtown to get my dinner and then came home.
The weather is terrible out. It’s raining like the devil. I sure wish you were here. I would be a nice night to sit out in Herman in the rain and smooch. I could sure stand some of that now or any time. July is sure going to be a happy occasion. We will have a lot of fun, won’t we darling?
I hate to be off work on nights because I always see a lot of couples together having a lot of fun. Talking and laughing together. They walked arm in arm like we used to do, like we will do again sometime soon. There is a young couple here at the house that gave a dinner for another couple tonight. I have saw them eating, talking and laughing together and it left an empty feeling inside of me. I sort of feel like part of me is gone and I’m completely lost without it. Well Sweets, I have to shave, take a shower and wash my hair, so I guess I had better close. I want to get to bed early as I plan on washing a bunch of clothes in the morning. I love you very much. Good night Sweetheart.
Good morning Darling:
Or rather, good afternoon. The time is about 1:15 and I have just finished hanging up my clothes and eating dinner. There is a swell letter here from you but I’m not going to answer it until tonight, for two reasons. I will have something to answer and I haven’t much time now. I sure had a big laundry today. I’m glad it’s out of the way.
I’m going to try to work today. I don’t know if they will let me or not! But we’ll see.
There isn’t any news so I guess I had better close. I will write again tonight. I love you more than you’ll ever know. Love & xxxxxxxxxx Harlan Johnny
Wednesday 11:30 AM April 28, 1943
Hi Honey:
Yes, I know it’s kind of late but I been a very busy girl this morning. I arrived home from work at 8:45 and ate breakfast. Then when upstairs, washed and changed my clothes, put on my green house dress and white play shoes. Came downstairs and made something for you. I baked oatmeal cookies from your mom’s recipe. I’ll have Daddie take them to the post office this afternoon. Aren’t I sweet?
Your letter just came, but Honey it wasn’t as long as I expected, not like you promised in your Sunday morning letter. How are you? I hope your arm and hand is a lot better. Mrs. Seaman sounds like the motherly type, why don’t you have her do it for you, washing I mean. She sounds like a nice enough person. By the way what church did you go to?
I’m sorry about not being able to see Opal and the baby but I told her I would be over for sure, that I even had the car. I don’t know when I’ll get another chance.
There isn’t much news. The weather is sure swell again, nice and warm and sunny blue skies and all, sure wish I didn’t have to go to bed. Which reminds me, I better get there. I’m very tired and there isn’t any news so guess I will.
Will write again tomorrow. Am so glad you had such a nice time Sunday. How did it feel to have another girl beside you in Herman? Love and xxxxxxxxxx’s Yours Janie
Thursday 9:35 AM April 29, 1943
Good morning Honey:
Well here I am again and tired too. How are you? I hope O.K. We had quite a bit of excitement at work last night. There was a terrible electric storm last night, it came up at about 4:30 AM and sudden too. Well as you know the wings shut down when an electrical storm is on and we were down about 2 hours. After coming back from the cafeteria, we had been running about 10 minutes, I was back in the Premier room alone, shaking out the primers and Marian and Eva were out on the floor servicing the machines, when there was a loud clash and all of the lights went out, boy I was skeared. I just stood there. I couldn’t move and there wasn’t a sound in the wing and it was pitch dark. Then I heard someone walk in the room and say ‘Nanc?’, it was Marian. Boy I grabbed her and we hung on to each other, both shaking like a leaf, In about 5 minutes, the lights went on and we were O.K. The lightning had put the lights out but they wouldn’t tell us what the big bang was. Well, I’m not the same yet. I thought sure the place was going to blow sky high. My first thought when those lights went out was you. Well, what do you know about that.
I’m afraid there isn’t any news, it is still raining and my hair got all wet, so I’m a mess, it’s all loose like you like it.
I sent the cookies yesterday, sure hope they get there O.K. Let me know will you please?
Momie says to tell you she will write soon.
Well, I’m out of words now, so guess it’s time to close. I will try to do better tomorrow morning. Anyway, I’ll have a letter to answer. O.K? O.K! I love you very very much.
Love & xxxxxxxxxx’s “Your’ Darlin’ Janie
PS I had a T-bone steak, fried potatoes, bread, and butter for breakfast, Worcestershire sauce too! First time I’ve had one for a month. It sure was good, ya, ya, ya. Only kidding.
Thursday 11:30 AM April 29, 1943
Hi Honey:
Here I am again and yes I know, I just finished writing you a letter and sent it on with the mail man, who brought one from you to me, it was written Tuesday, April 27 at 1:20 AM concerning your arm. Gee Honey, I’m awfully sorry. I only wish there was something I could do. By the time you get this it should be better but if it isn’t and you haven’t seen the doctor then please do. Gosh, you might have something in the burn or some thing. And about your washing, couldn’t you do something? Could’t you find someone to do it, just this week. And don’t worry about missing a couple of days at work. After all, your arm is more important than your work right now and a couple of days now isn’t going to make too much difference, not to me anyway.
I also received an invitation to a shower for Opal given by Levina, Bertha, Ruth, Edith and Josie at Levina’s house. Saturday night, but jeepers I can’t go, unless I lay off of work and I just can’t afford it. I hope they will understand. I’m going to write Levina today a note expressing my regret and it’s too late to send something. Ohh Jeepers! What a mess!
Well Sweets, I must get to bed but thought I would send this kind of Special. Please Harlan, take care of yourself and don’t worry. It’s a good thing I’m coming out July (which is only eight weeks away) or I’m afraid there wouldn’t be much left of you. I don’t think you’re living or eating like you should either. And you had better see a doctor about that arm and quick. Take a day or two off and rest up and keep me informed about it. Please. I love you so much.
PS I read the bond in your letter this morning. More power to us Honey. Love Janie
12:45 April 30, 1943 Friday
Hello Little Darlin’:
Well here it is another day closer to August and the sweetest girl in the world.
It sure seemed good to get back to work today. The hospital nurse said she didn’t think I had better but I told her that I was going to work because my arm was all right and I had not missed too much time as it is or was so I went to work. I made a darn good bonus tonight to.
I got another bond today. I don’t know why but I did. I guess my day for bonds has changed from Tuesdays to Thursdays.
Before I say good night, I will answer your letter I received today. I’m fine. It is raining out again. I probably would know that Katie if I ever saw her but I can’t place her name. Well that letter was kind of short, but it was a letter and that is enough.!
Would you like to know how large a laundry bag I had? Okay! 10 handkerchiefs, 2 dress shirts, 2 sport shirts, 2 work shirts, 4 sweatshirts. 5 slip over sport shirts (the ones I had at Christmas) 3 work pants, 6 pairs of shorts, 5 undershirts, and that sweat jacket that you didn’t like. Some laundry, huh? I still have 2 pairs of jeans to iron. I will do that in the morning. Well Sweets, I guess I had better close for now. I will finish in the morning. Okay? Okay! I love you very very much. Good Night Sweetheart.
Good afternoon Darlin’, yes it is almost time to leave for work again. I got up about 8:45 and ate breakfast. Then I ironed my work pants and a sweatshirt. Then I had one pair of work pants to sew up on the cuffs. They are one of the ones I wear while working. When I put them on at work, I catch my boots were the cuffs are sewn up inside. Well anyway, I had to sew them up. I remember what you said about sending things I wanted patched were sewn up. But the things I have to wear all the time and it will do me a lot of good to learn how to do. You will appreciate it later on in our life.
The weather is just perfect here now. Warm with a cool breeze blowing now and then. I sure wish you were here now.
Well Sweets, I guess I had better close now. I have a Special to write tonight and this is the last page of in my tablet so I don’t know what I’m going to write it on. I love you very much Jane. Someday I will show you just how much that is.
Love & xxxxxxxxs Johnny
Friday 9:15 April 30, 1943
Hi Honey:
Just a minute, I want to get a cigarette. Oh boy, that tastes good. I just had my breakfast, which consists of 1 egg, sunny side up, five pieces of bacon, one glass of milk (a big glass) and twos sides of Momie’s homemade bread. Pretty swell breakfast, yes?
It’s nice again this morning. Gosh, I sure am glad, I’ve had enough rain to last me. How are you and hand? I hope a lot better.
There isn’t any news. Marian was sure in a bad mood last night. I asked her what was wrong and she said “Oh I don’t know, every time I open my mouth something mean comes out” but she snapped out of it before quitting time. I’ve had those spells myself so I guess it’s O.K.
Gee, I wish I had something interesting to tell you Hon, but I don’t. How are all the boys at the yard, and how’s work coming, have you made out lately??? There – there’s some questions for you to answer.
I would kind of like to go out tonight but guess I’ll wait until Monday night as it’s my night off.
Rosie just called and she took Dickie Jr. and went down to Yonkers and had a picture of them together for big Dick’s birthday, but don’t tell Dick about it. Won’t that be nice? You bet.
Well Harlan, again I’m running out of things to write. Tomorrow morning I’ll try to write a nice long Special for your Sunday. I hope you are feeling a lot better. I love you very much and I’m counting every minute until July when I’ll see you again. Be careful and take it easy.
Well here it is another day closer to ? and you. Boy in am I tired. I worked in the tank again tonight. Personally, I don’t think there’s any sense to making a tank that small. It is very dangerous for anyone to go into it alone. It would be easy for someone to get caught or stuck in it. If it would be very hard or almost impossible for anyone to hear you if you needed help.
I have a letter to answer that came today so I’ll answer it before I tell you that I love you and then go to bed. I’m not even going to shave before I go to bed.
I saw ‘Random Harvest’ some time ago. It sure was a grand picture. No, there isn’t anything I need except you. I guess that is just about all there is to answer.
The weather out here sure has been swell lately. I hope it lasts. I have a date to play golf tomorrow with Jack. He plans on going into the Army soon and it may be his last time he can play. I hope I can get up in time.
Well Darling, if you will forgive me, I think it will hit the bunk. I’m really dragging. I love you very very much. Good night Sweetheart.
Good morning Darling: I sure had a good night sleep. I felt pretty good. I’ve shaved and had breakfast. I got a call from Jack and he is on his way over. After he called, I tried to call you and there will be a one or two hour delay in the call, so I don’t have quite the time. I’ll call you tonight. Okay? Okay!
I sure wish you were here today. The weather is perfect. We could go out and play golf and go out to the beach and lay in the sun and then we could go to a dance tonight, or if we were to tired we could go to a show. Then we could come home and I could give you a backrub because your back would probably ache.
I forgot to tell you, I was down to see if your size in the lingerie was in yet. It isn’t. As soon as it does, I will send it to you.
Oh Oh, I think Jack is here. I will finish when I get back. Okay? Okay! I love you very, very much.
Hello Darlin’: Well I’m back and I really had a swell time. We had to wait quite a while to get on as there was a tournament going on. If you had been here, we would have gotten into it. It is for men and women both. It is called a Scotch Tournament. A man and his wife play together and they use the same ball. One of them will drive and the next shot will be made by the other one, and they play the whole game that way. It sounds like a lot of fun, huh? One couple plays another couple.
When I got home, I place the call for you and the operator said there would be a half an hour delay in the call. I had to fix my dinner. I had buttered carrots, baked beans, steak, salad, toast and milk. I ate and the call hadn’t come in through yet, so I got a magazine and went in by the phone and sat reading. I finished the story and then went downstairs to my room to wash up a little bit. I just got down and the phone rang and I had to run like the devil to get up there. It sure was a swell conversation but the time goes so fast. I just about go crazy after those conversations. I want you out here so badly.
Your Special came right after I got home. No, I don’t have two stripes on my car. I did have just one. Now I have three.
Yes, I told him (Dick) that I would have you write me a letter that he could read. But I forgot about it. No, the steel petitions aren’t from the shipyard. You see, there is the Bethlehem Steel Company, I’m in the Ship Building Division. Your steel will come from some other place. Bethlehem is the largest company in any kind of any kind in the world.
Well Sweets, it is getting to the point again where I need had better close. I love you and miss you very, very much and wish all of my heart that you were here with me.
Love & xxxxxs Harlan
Monday 9:15 AM April 19, 1943
Hello Honey:
Monday morning and no news to write about. I just had my breakfast. Nana, Dick, and Dickey Jr. and Momie are in the kitchen telling jokes and talking. Boy am I tired? You bet! I haven’t had but two hours sleep since yesterday morning at 9 o’clock.
Gosh Honey, I sure was glad when I heard your voice on the phone last night, jeepers I had given up hope of you calling. I hope it didn’t cost too much and if it did, I hope it was worth it. I’m sorry if you couldn’t understand me very well, but you know how I sound when I get up, but thanks again for calling. Honey, it made my weekend off very complete. I love you.
It’s cold again this morning, about 25 above and cloudy, a rotten day, if that isn’t being too forward.
Dick is in here now and says to tell you he will call you the first chance he gets when he gets back. He leaves tomorrow (Tuesday) about 1 o’clock. Jeepers, he sure didn’t have much time but he and Rosie and little Dickie had had lots of fun.
Honey, do you know the definition for passion? No, it’s a feeling you feel when you feel you’re going to feel a feeling you never felt before – cute?
Nana sends her love and says we must get married here because she doesn’t see how she could get enough money together to come out there. She’s swell Honey and she likes you, what she knows of you. She said you must be very ambitious to be doing what you are. That I know.
Gosh Honey, I don’t have anything more to write about and I’m tired us so I think I’ll close. I love you., I love you, I love you very, very much, and Darling I miss you too. I’ll try to make up for this short letter tomorrow morning.
Love & xxxxxxxxxs “Your” Darlin’ Janie
1:00 A.M. April 20, 1943
Hello Darlin’:
Well here it is another day closer to ? and you. How is my little girl this beautiful night? Fine, I hope.
First of all I will answer your questions in the letter I received today. I’m sure I don’t know what the matter is with the mail. The Special I wrote last week at this time, was mailed the next day. I wrote the letter Monday night when I got home from work. I got my bond on Tuesday and put it in the letter and I mailed it in a box by the yard. I get the letter in the box by 3 P.M. and the mail is supposed to be picked up at 3:50 PM. If the letters are late, you’ll have to blame it on the post office, I’m sorry.
I don’t know whether I would rather have you surprise me in coming out or not. It would be nice both ways. If you would surprise me, you could see how I live, the way I have my room. You could see how I look when I get home from work. If you let me know you were coming, I could drive Herman down to the Ferry Building. Then take the ferry across the bay to the Oakland Pier, where the trains comes in. I could be there all cleaned up. We would smooch a little bit when you got off the train. And then we could ride the ferry across the bay together. We could stand out in front and let the wind and the salt air hit our faces. We would go right under the Bay Bridge and finally end up at the Ferry Building. Then we could drive Herman up to my place and you could take a bath or shower and put on some clean clothes. You’ll want to do that, I’m sure. That is one thing about you I really know and only one. That is that you like to be clean.
What is this talk about buying a car? How about me selling Herman and buying a better car? Please answer that and I’ll answer yours. Of course you are since still my little Darlin’ and my little girl. You always will be. Well Sweets, that’s just about covers it. It isn’t getting a little late I guess I had better close for now. I will finish in the morning. Okay? Okay! I love you more and more every day.
Good night Sweetheart.
Good morning Darling:
Boy it sure is beautiful day out. I’m going out and play a little golf. I believe it is too nice to pass up. There isn’t any news so I think I had better close.
There should be a bond in this letter. I’ll get it before I go to work and mail it before I go into the yard. Please let me know when it is post marked.
I will write again tonight. Okay? Okay!
I love you very much and wish all with all of my heart that you were here in Frisco.
Love & xxxxxs Harlan
Tuesday 9:15 AM April 20, 1943
Hi Honey:
Well I’ve just eaten breakfast and Dick and Rosie are still on the Davenport smooching behind me, they don’t know it but I can hear them. Oh gosh how I envy them, but then someday very soon, we’ll be together smooching Honey. I think I’ll come out the first week in July, how’s that. Honey, oh how I wish I was crazy enough to come with Dick. It’s too bad I’m so practical minded, that’s all I’ve got to say.
How are you Hon? You’re still in bed now, sound asleep. I thought about you all night last night. Oh dear, no later than July. It’s better that way I guess, more money and all.
Momie and Nana bought my wedding present yesterday. They finished my solid silver set and bought the carving steak set to go with it. We’ll get it when we get married. Isn’t that swell.?
It’s nice out this morning blue skies and all.
Harlan, I’m sorry about bawling you out last week, really, honestly sorry. Gosh, I don’t know what gets into me sometimes, please Honey, forgive me. I’m sorry too that I didn’t get any mail last week because I only missed one morning. It must have been the mail. Please forgive me.
I pulled out 14 gray hairs the other day. Jeepers, I guess I’m getting old, could be. Oh Jeepers Honey, I’m at a loss to know what to do. I want to come with Dick so bad, so very bad, it’s such a temptation. I have the money. I think I could get the time off, but oh jeepers, my heart says yes and my head says no. It would take all my money and some of yours. I probably would just get back and you would be called, but then again Dick doesn’t think you will go. If I wait until July you can get time off, but if I come now you would be so happy, I don’t suppose I should be writing this, but like you, I have to write just what I’m thinking at the time. I’m sorry Darling, I hope it doesn’t make you blue, please it shouldn’t. I’ll be out the first week in July or right around there. Since I wrote that last sentence about writing this to you, I went up to my room and thought it out and I guess I had better wait until then. But it sure is a temptation. If I just had someone to talk to who know both sides of the story, but it was up to me and me alone, so I’ll be out in July.
I better go now Honey, as I want the mailman to get this. I love you Harlan, so very much, but not too much. Understand. And miss you terribly. See you in July.
Bye until tonight. Love & xxxxxs “Your’ Darlin Janie
Wednesday 9:30 A.M. April 21, 1943
Good morning Honey:
How are you this fine warm sunny morning? I hope this finds you both well and happy and I am not as tired as I am again. Jeepers I’m dead. I only got four hours of sleep yesterday as I didn’t want to miss seeing Dick one minute and he left about 3:40. Nana left at 3:00 and when we arrived home it was 4:30 and I was in bed at 5:00 and got up at 9:00, so last night I was really dead.
But enough of that, when I got home yesterday afternoon there was a letter waiting for me, one written Sunday. I’ll go get it and see if there are any questions, be right back, it’s up in my room.
Gee, it was a nice long one. Talking of back rubs Honey, I sure wish you were here now to give me one because I sure have a backache and how you could fix it up, you bet! Oh Darling, I love you so much, so very much and will be so very, very happy when we are together forever. When we can laugh and work and play together once more, when I can feel your arms around me and your face close to mine, hear you talking and see you at the same time. Having you make fun of my big words wrongly pronounced, being able to tell you what to wear, but I think I’ll probably let you wear anything you want after being apart so long. Remember how we used to argue about where to go? You used to say it was up to me and I used to say is entirely up to you, you’re spending the money. We have had so much fun and we’re going to have twice as much again.
Say I just happen to think, next month will be I’ll be 19. Just think, I’m growing up, one more year and I’ll be out of my teens and then I really will be grown up in two years. I’ll be able to vote and to think you’ll soon be 23 is shocking, it doesn’t seem to me we should be more than 20, if that. Why in two years will be 25 and gosh that’s old.
That’s Scotch Tournament Golf sounds like a lot of fun. I would like to play a game when I come in July. July – that sounds a lot better than August doesn’t that?
That was quite a dinner you had Sunday. Jeepers, steak! I haven’t had any steak for over a month.
What does three strips stand for? On your car I mean.
Well I guess I had better close now because the mailman is soon due. As I said before I love you much but not too much, enough but not too much and will see you in 10 weeks. Only 10 weeks honey. Two months and one-half.
Love & xxxxxs “Your” Darlin’ Janie
11:30 A.M. Wednesday, April 21, 1943
Hello Darlin’:
Well here it is another day closer to a ? and you. I didn’t write last night because I was really sick. I don’t feel any too good now. I was galvanized last night. Coming home on the streetcar my head was going round and round. I got home and took a hot shower and drank a glass of warm milk butter and went right to bed. It took me quite a while to get to sleep. I woke up about 10:00. My head is still spinning a little bit, but I’m going to work. I don’t feel much like it though. I have two letters from you to answer and will do that now.
That definition of passion is cute. That is all for the first letter. It’s funny to be called Harlan. Everyone out here calls me Johnny. That is all for the second.
There isn’t any news so I don’t know what else I’m going to write about. Maybe I can do better tonight after work. I love you very, very much and I have had have a terrible headache. Darling I think I had better close. I’m sorry.
Love & xxxxxs Johnny
6:30 P.M. April 21, 1943 Wednesday.
Hello Sweetheart:
Well here it is another day closer to August you. I went out to the yard today but they say no work for me. They cut the blisters open on my hand. I have a letter from you to answer so I had better do that before I forget. I was only kidding you a little bit about calling you an. Your Mother’s name is Ann, and your aunt’s name is Nana so I thought it I would see what you would say if I called you Nan. Sorry if you didn’t like it Jane. No, I’m not trying to change you. I wouldn’t do that for the world. See? Yes Darling, I know exactly how you feel about writing to someone that you get letters from, hearing his voice once in a while. Memories are what I live on too. They are wonderful memories to live on too. I’m glad we met when we did. Just think how much we would have missed if we had just met before I left. It would probably have been just another date. The love we have for each other is said different than the majority of people, yet to us it is the only way. I don’t believe that two people can fall in love by just looking at each other, or hearing someone’s voice or even by going out on a date. To me love is something that a person dreams of and then when he finds the girl, he thinks he might be the one, just lets it grow, day by day. I have known and met quite a few girls in my life who I thought might be the one. Not a lot of them, but a few. There was always something wrong with them. You are the only girl I have ever loved or even told that I love her. I waited until I was sure before I told you and I know you did too, And how I know it.
Well, getting back to the question in the letters. You had better care take care of yourself because if you have a cold when you get out here, I’m going to give you a good rub down.
Well Sweets, I guess I had better close for now. I will finish this letter in the morning. Some of my clothes are dry and I’m going to iron some of them. I’m not going to be very fast with them though with my arm.
I love you very, very much. Good night Sweetheart.
1:00 P.M. Good afternoon Darling: Well how is my little girl this find beautiful sunny day? I got up at 8:00 and have been ironing all morning. If you don’t mind my saying so, I did it darn good job on them. The reason I’m writing on both sides of the paper is that it’s getting hard to get and I’m just about out. Well my love, I guess I had better close for now. I will write again tonight. I love you very, very much.
Love & xxxxxs Johnny
1:15 AM April 22, 1943 Thursday
Hello Nan:
Well here it is another day closer to ? and you. I feel a lot better tonight although I have a funny feeling in the pit of my stomach. It isn’t caused by galvanized though, it is because I love you so much and miss you like I would my right arm.
I didn’t get a letter today so I have no questions to answer. There isn’t any news so I don’t know exactly what I’m going to write about.
I haven’t heard from my draft board as of yet.
The night is really beautiful out tonight. There is a full moon and the Big Dipper is still there still up there and it looks almost as lonely as I am. It sure will be nice to have you to come home to when we are married. I’ll have you and a nice warm meal waiting for me. That’s my idea of heaven. You can even leave the meal out of it. Why is there always something in our way? I guess we can consider ourselves lucky though when you think of the people in our other countries.
Tomorrow will probably be a beautiful day. I wish you were here so we could play golf together.
Well Sweets, I guess I had better close for now I will finish this letter in the morning. Okay? Okay! I love you very much Nan. Good night Sweetheart.
Hello Nan: Well, believe it or not it is time to go to work. I have really been busy this morning. When you get this you will already know why. I got some California Easter Lillys to send to you, your mother and my mother, and I will write you a nice long letter tonight.
I love you very very much. Love & XXXXXXXXXXs Johnny
Thursday 9:15 AM April 22, 1943
Hi Harlan vs. Johnny vs. J.B.
Well how are you this gloomy morning? Fine I hope. It’s another cloudy day. It seems every other day it gets like this.
Well Honey, there isn’t any news, what I will write about? I don’t know, do you. There was no letter yesterday, so there are no questions. Your Mom called yesterday they don’t know where Max has gone yet because they haven’t heard from him. But I guess just as soon as they do, Opal is going. That’s swell.
Oh I know. Yesterday I received a letter from Frank Webb, what do you know. I’ll send the letter with this, maybe you will write him.
Gosh Honey, I’d don’t have a thing to write about. The show “Flight for Freedom” is coming next Thursday so I’m going and “Hello Frisco Hello” is here starting today. I think I’ll go down Saturday night.
Did you hear about the little moron who stayed up all night to see what made the sunrise when finally it dawned on him.
Kathleen just called me. Russ is on his way to San Diego California and Sally is quite low and it’s hard but as I said before it’s happening to everyone. I just take it for granted anymore.
Harlan, have you been classified or not? Dick didn’t seem to think you had.
I have to take these the bus to work tonight because it’s Don’s night off, I sure hate that. Donnie can’t make up his mind whether to join or not.
Well Sweets, this isn’t much of a letter but it’s all I know except I love you, Yup I do. Very much in fact, and miss you more than you’ll ever know but it won’t be long now.
Jeepers here comes the mailman, By for now Honey.
Love & xxxxxs “Your” Darlin Janie
Instead of sending his letter, here’s his address.
% Frank Webb
C. Q. Flight E. SGD. 109SAACC
San Antonio, Texas
1:30 AM April 23, 1943
Hello Nan:
Well here it is another day closer to ? and you. The night is beautiful out. It’s too bad you are not here now. We sure could have some fun.
I’m afraid I’m not going to be able to keep my promise to you that I made in my letter last night. I said I would write a long letter tonight. Well, I burned my right hand as you can probably tell by the writing. Just after work when the whistle blew, I was pulling myself out of a hole and (Harry James is playing “You Made Me Love You” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bMaCoxOGXPM) I put my hand on a piece of hot metal, now I have a cross on my hand. I stopped in at the hospital and you know how they bandaged things up, so I guess I’ll have to keep that promise about long letter tomorrow night in your Special. I hope you don’t mind.
I have a letter to answer from you so I guess I had better do that before I go to sleep. You are wrong about me being in bed asleep at 9:15. I’m usually through with breakfast by that time. Once in a while I sleep until 10:00.
That sure is swell about our wedding present. I wish we were getting it tomorrow. It’ll be best if you wait until July to come out. I think I will have enough hours by then to get a vacation with pay. If you come out now, it would be all over too soon. You coming out in July will give me some time to get everything arranged, about Herman and getting all my clothes cleaned and washed. I guess that’s all in in that letter. I will try to write a long letter after work tomorrow.
I love you very very much good night. Good night Nan.
Love & xxxxxxxxxxxs Harlan Johnny
Friday 9:20 AM August 23, 1943
Hi Honey:
Well gee whiz, here I am again and it’s a lovely day too, and nice and sunny again. I’m going to wash my hair this morning and then go outdoors and dry it in the sun. Well, I didn’t get a letter again yesterday, it must be the mail, ahem… But I’ll surely get one today as this is the day for the bond. If I don’t hear, then I’m going to think you are sick. O.K? O.K! I won’t say any more about it.
How are you? I hope just fine.
Today was payday and tomorrow another $10 buckaroos in the bank which will make it $105.00
Gosh Honey, when I don’t get any letters, there aren’t any questions to answer or nothing to comment on so I don’t have much to write about. It’s such a beautiful morning, if it was like this out there and I was there (like I shall be soon) we could get up, dress, have a good breakfast and then play a game of golf. O.K? O.K! Then you could take me down to the ocean and let me stare in awe, oooh jeepers, we sure are going to have fun, aren’t we Honey.
Sunday is Easter and Harlan, I forgot all about it until yesterday so I didn’t send you anything. I’m sorry Hon, so I’m going to call you Sunday morning. You won’t get this until Monday so you won’t know anything about it until Sunday morning. I’ll call about 10:00 before I go to church. Yes, I’m going to church. I haven’t been for such a long time, it will be good I’m sure.
Well Sweets, I guess that’s just about covers it. There isn’t any news. Dick’s in Frisco now. Anyway I better close. I love you very much and you’ll never know how much I miss you.
Love & xxxxxx’s “Your” Darlin’ Janie
PS I’ll try to make my Special a nice long one, besides I’ll have a letter to answer, love Janie
1:45 AM April 24, 1943 Saturday.
Hello Sweetheart:
Well here it is another week closer to ? and you. The night is beautiful out. Rather cool but clear. I sure wish you were here.
I just called the folks long distance and wished Dad happy birthday. Mom told me she had received the flowers and that your Mother had gotten her. I’m sorry about not sending you anything but my love. Anyway you have a birthday coming up soon.
My hand is better tonight. (I peeled an orange and a couple of drops fell on the paper, that is what those spot I run into are) You probably won’t get last night’s letter until Monday or late to later the way the males in coming in. I guess they are awful short on help. Well anyway, getting back to the story. I burned my hand again last night. Not bad but it put a cross on my palm, something like this only + much larger. Now I may not be able to play golf until next week.
My dear, tonight marks an occasion. Someone told me a joke on the ship tonight. That is something that doesn’t very often happen. You want to hear it? Alright, alright, don’t get in such a rush. Do you know what a Mistress is? No! Well then, I’ll tell you. Later.
Work was just about (what do you mean now, can’t you wait?) Well alright then, a mistress is something between a Mr. and a mattress. Cute huh! As I was saying, work was just about the same tonight. I didn’t make out but I was sure busy. I’m glad it’s almost Saturday again. I sure like my day off. The only thing wrong with that is you aren’t here.
I didn’t get a letter today so I have nothing to answer. Now I’m at a loss as to what else to write about.
Dick hasn’t called me yet. He is probably in though. Jack was out to the yard today. He leaves for the Navy the 29th. He is just as happy as a little Meadowlark.
I have to go downtown in the morning this try to get my boots half soled. I burned the rubber on one and the other is just about shot. I’ll have ripcord and rubber safety souls put on them. My souls are about an inch thick. They won’t slip on the steel. I may have to lay off a day in order to have it done because the shoe shops are so busy.
Well Sweets, that seems to be all I can think to write about.
I love you very, very much. Until July all I can do is tell you that I love you. In July I’ll show you how much that is.
Love & xxxxxxxs Harlan
Saturday 9:15 AM April 24, 1943
Hi Honey:
Well first of all, please excuse the writing because I’m out in the backyard writing on my knee, but Honey it’s so nice and I get so little sunshine that I couldn’t resist it. So you will excuse it, won’t you? Thanks.
Well yesterday, I received two letters, so I feel a lot better. Just a minute and I’ll see if I can find any questions to answer. I know everyone out there calls you Johnny, would you like to have me call you that? I think I could get into the habit of it if I tried. I’m sorry too that you were sad and hope you are feeling better. I think I like the idea of you meeting me at the train better rather than surprising you. I like your plan about what we will do.
Your Mom just called and told me of you phoning them, gee that was nice Honey. I’ll bet Johnnie was tickled. By the way, both your Mom and Momie got flowers yesterday, which was pretty swell too. Momie’s is beautiful and I reckon your Mom’s are too. Momie was sure tickled. I’m awfully sorry about me not sending you anything but then when Sunday morning rolls around, I’m sure you’ll forgive me.
Yes Honey, you’re probably right about me wanting to clean up the first thing I get there. I should say the second thing though for the first is to have you take me in your arms and squeeze as tight as you can, like you used to say squeeze me right through you.
Jeepers, it sure was swell out here. I only have on my blouse and slacks, no sweater or anything. I am just as warm as toast. I’m getting a few freckles already right under my nose.
Harlan, I meant if you go to the Army, how about you giving me the money you get from Herman and all buy a better car. Of course, if you don’t go, I won’t buy one because it would take me most of my savings. I figure if you went, I could finish paying for a better one, then we would have a car when you the war is over. If you don’t go, and then want to sell Herman and buy a better one, that’s O.K too, if you want to.
I got the bond, $325 now and by the way you never said anything about how you feel about our $850. How about that?
Eleanor, Joyce, and I are going to see “Hello Frisco Hello” tonight about 6:00. We have to go early because I have to be home by 10:30 to get ready for work. Tomorrow night is my night off.
How are you? I’m fine. You’re still in bed, aren’t you? Sound asleep. I’m going over to your Mom’s tomorrow after afternoon for a little while. I hope Opal and Donna Neil are there so I can see them, Momie is going with me. The reason I’m writing on both sides is because I am out of paper.
Well Sweets, I guess this is just about covers it until tomorrow. There isn’t any more news and I don’t know any jokes this morning. I miss you very very much and love you even more. Happy Easter Honey. Be good and be careful.
Love “Your” Darlin’ Janie
PS Your Mom said you burnt your hand again, how about that? and I forgot to tell you that Nana thought our ring was beautiful, which made me very very proud. It sure sparkles right now with the sun on it. Must go now and get my beauty rest. Love and by for now – Jane
Well here it is another week closer to ? and you. Oh happy ? There isn’t any news so I don’t know what I’m going to write about.
Tomorrow or rather in the morning, I’m going out to the club and watch some golf professionals and world champions put on an exhibition for the Army and Navy Relief. I think it cost $.50. It will sure be a good experience to watch them. My own game is around in the 90s now it used to be over 100. There is really a science to the game.
My face is sure sore out. I think it is caused by the wind the other night when I worked on the mast. I’m going to shave and wash my face with warm water and then I’ll have some cream for it. It should be all right in the morning. (I hope.)
It is a beautiful night, the stars are bright and the sky is clear. At 8 I was working on a gun foundation in the back of the boat. It wasn’t dark here yet. The sun sets out here are a lot different than they are back home. In the east where you are, the sky looks inky black. In the West, out over the ocean is still light. The sun has gone down and the stars are beginning to come out. It is the most beautiful sight I have ever seen (except for the first time I saw you at Christmas time).
Well Sweets, I guess this is about all I have to say except that I love you and miss you very very much. Love and xxxxxxxxxs Harlan
11:30 PM Sunday, April 11
Hello Darlin’:
Here it is another date closer to ? and you. Holy mackerel, what a Special I got when I got home tonight. Do you really mean it about coming in June or July? That sure will be swell, I can hardly wait.
Wouldn’t it be swell if that dream of yours comes true though? You bet! I guess I kind of got mixed up about Jack. There are two of them. I play golf with both of them. The one that is going into the Army is the older one. He is about 37 and is staying with his mother. The other is married and is the one who played in the city tournament. His wife played in the ladies and won a watch. She hasn’t got as much as you have. You will really show these women how to play. I was out with Jack and his wife today to watch Babe Didrikson, The Champ, play in an exhibition match. I have never in my life seen such beautiful golf. I talked to her and the fellows she was playing with quite a bit. She smoked about three of my cigarettes.
(Fun Fact: Mildred Ella “Babe” Didrikson Zaharias was an American athlete who excelled in golf, basketball, baseball and track and field. She won two gold medals in track and field at the 1932 Summer Olympics, before turning to professional golf and winning 10 LPGA major championships)
Sid called me this morning and wanted me to go to a show with him and his mother, so I did.
I know I’ll like married life. I hope I can handle the responsibility.
Yes, I hope my plates pass the test too.
The reason I don’t send my laundry out is that it takes almost 2 weeks to get them back and then they are not to clean and sometimes some of them are missing.
That $250 sure does sound good.
Yes Darling, if I can get in the Navy, I will go into it. Probably the Seabees, if I can get in as a welder. If I did, I would get rating as soon as I went in. The training is something like that of a Marine.
(United States Naval Construction Battalions were better known as the Navy C.B.s and/or Seabees)
Well Sweets, I seem to be running out of words so I guess I had better close until the morning.
Darling, when the show “Flight For Freedom” comes, go see it. When Roseland Russell and Fred McMurray are on the beach watching the waves come in. I think of you and I in that same spot. That is just the way it looks out here. I love you very much. Good night Sweetheart.
Credit imbd.com
Good morning my little sweetheart. Boy what a nice surprise I had this morning. I couldn’t imagine who was calling me. Thanks a lot Darling. I don’t know if I will be able to call you or not next week. I’d like to but I’m going to have quite a phone bill about the end of the month and don’t you think we should wait and use the money later? If you would rather have me call you, I will.
I’m not going to send this Special because I will save that stamp until tomorrow and send the bond Special. Okay? Okay!
Well Sweets, I guess I had better close now. I have some things to do on Herman. I love you very very much. Love and xxxxxxxxxxxxxs Harlan
Monday 9:15 AM April 12, 1943
Hi Honey: Harlan it’s Monday morning and I don’t have any Special from you yet. Jeepers Harlan, did you forget? I went right to bed yesterday morning when I arrived home from work, then got up at about 5:30 PM and Udie and I went down to see “Lucky Jordan”,
credit imdb.com
very good, then we picked up Eleanor and Joyce and went out to the Tally Ho and had a steak sandwich and Tom Collins. It’s been so long since I’ve had a drink, it went right to my head. I got home just in time to go to work, and you know how me and 2 Tom Collins get along, well I really had fun at work but what I wouldn’t have given to have you in the car on the way to work last night. Well get back, at 5:30, when I got up, I was sure my Special would be here but then when I got home at 10:45 and no Special, I thought all night at work, ‘well it will surely be home in the morning’ and then I came home and still No Special. Are you sick Honey, are you mad, were you too tired, or what? Gosh sakes, if I don’t get any kind of a letter today, I’m going to call you tomorrow morning because I didn’t get a letter Saturday and that means the last letter was written way last Wednesday night. Jeepers, what can the matter be???
It’s very nice out this morning, the first clear day since Friday. Haven’t talked to your Mom for some time now.
Dick wrote Rosie a nice letter the other day, excuse me he called her yesterday, saying he played golf with you Friday and was going to play again Tuesday, that’s swell. Bet you were glad. There isn’t much news, in fact there isn’t any. I want to go to bed right away as I’m going downtown tonight and by those new clothes, so think I will close. O.K? O.K! I will write again tomorrow morning. I love you Honey and it’s been so long since I’ve had heard from you and it’s the first Sunday you have missed. Jeepers, when I don’t hear from you for such a long time it seems like I’m writing to someone who isn’t there. By now.
Love & xxxxxs “Your” Darlin Janie
I reopen this letter. Jeepers do I feel good. Do you know what I just did? I just talked to my Honey. Yup I did. I got him right out of bed, woke him up and it takes him just as long to dress as it always did. Jeepers Honey, it sure was it sure was swell hearing you talk and laugh again and you laugh so nice. Oh Honey, I was going to wish you a happy anniversary – 3 years 8 months today, isn’t that something, and I forgot. Well, I’m happy now so I guess I can go to sleep. I’m sorry if I got you up too early but wasn’t worth it? Why sure! And stay away from those cute girls, O.K? O.K!
Love Janie
(Fun Fact: The original owner of Vic’s Tally Ho was Vic Talerico. After its opening in 1939, It was “the place to go” and was quite the dinner club where great food (like steaks, spaghetti and sausage, French-fried shrimp) was served and many memories were made. It operated from1939 to 1971. The original building was destroyed by fire in 1962, but it was reopened a year. After Vic passed away in 1971 the restaurant was closed permanently. That is until 2020 when Vic’s son Jerry Talerico and his daughter, Sophia Talerico opened Tally-Ho to Go, which paid homage to his fathers restaurant and offers classic Italian food, at the time of this writing the restaurant is marked as ‘Temporarily Closed’. Above is the original 1940 and subsequent 2020 logo. Find out more on their website: https://www.tallyhotogo.com/)
1:30 AM Tuesday, April 13, 1943
Hello Darlin’:
Well here it is another day closer to ? and you. No letter today, so no questions to answer. You know I’m just about going out of my mind thinking about you coming out here. You are on my mind constantly. If I’m still here by July, I think it will be best to come out then because I will have a weeks vacation with pay coming.
Lately I come home from work and I expect to see you sitting in my room and I don’t know why. I get off of work and hurry home. I think to myself ‘I wonder if Jane has surprised me and come to Frisco’. Excuse the writing, I’m sitting in my armchair. I got kind of tired sitting at my desk. I can’t seem to think of anything to say or write. The night is beautiful but a little chilly. I went back with Lang tonight. I didn’t make out though.
I’m sending a picture that I took out of the paper. Do you know him? Darling, I can’t think of anything to say and I’m very tired so if you don’t mind too much, I will close and finish in the morning, Okay? Okay! Some girl, they have here at the house, cleaned my room up today. Boy did she messed it up. She got my bedspread on backwards and piled a bunch of things on my radio. After this I’ll make my own bed and clean my room up myself. I usually do it anyway. Someday you can do it. Only it won’t be my room, it will be our room.
I love you very very much. I wish you were here with me. Goodnight Darling.
Good morning Sweetheart, I have just gotten back from playing golf. It is cloudy but nice. I only played 9 holes. There were several couples playing and I thought to myself that it won’t be long before Janie and I are out playing like that and. After I finished, I went into the clubhouse and got a cup of coffee and sat at the window and watched about 3 couples tee off. Did I tell you that I got a monthly ticket? If not, I did. It cost me $4. Already I have more than paid for it. There are 4 golf courses in S. F. that I can play on with the ticket. They are all owned by the city. Dick sure likes the place.
Dick called me this morning and said he got his orders to leave. So I guess he is leaving tonight. I sure wish I was going with him or you were coming back with him . We sure could have a lot of fun then.
Well Darling, I guess I had better close now as I have to fix myself a dinner before I leave for work. I played by myself today. I love you and miss you very very much.
Love & xxxxxxxx Harlan
It seems a shame to waste so much paper so I thought I would write another note.
I love you very much. Harlan
(Dad added extra writing to this letter because there was over half of a blank page. Whitty isn’t he!)
Tuesday 9:15 AM April 13, 1943
Hi Honey:
Well here I am again. First of all I want to explain about this letter situation. The letter I wrote yesterday I forgot to mail, so I’m going to send it out Special this morning and I’ll send this ordinary. O.K? O.K! Then you shouldn’t have to go a day without a letter.
There isn’t much news today, it’s lousy out. In fact it’s snowing off and on and very cold, darn it. I sure wish it would warm up again.
We had to work awfully hard last night as two of the girls weren’t there and you know what that means, someone has to do twice as much work and it fell on Miriam and me last night, so I am unusually tired this morning. I washed my hair and am letting it dry while writing to you. Mary Jane called this morning and said Chuck has gotten an appointment for school after his last training. Isn’t that swell? Boy, I think so. He only goes for six weeks however, because his last training lasts for three month.
Harlan, have you ever heard of C. B.s in the Navy? It’s the construction Battalion. I hear it’s a pretty good deal.
(Funny note: in Dad’s letter of April 11th, which Mom hasn’t gotten yet, he mentions the Navy SeaBees)
Yes, I remember that wave. Harlan, the mailman just came and I didn’t get a letter. Now if I recollect, I didn’t get one last Thursday, or Saturday and now none today. Jeepers Honey, this is getting to be a bad habit, a very bad habit and I don’t like it a bit. I don’t care if you take a day off now and then, I don’t mind if you have your fun, jeepers but when it comes to not getting a letter this often, well I do mind. Which reminds me, your Special came last night and was postmarked at Des Moines at 7:30 PM, it got here at the house at 9:30 PM, so it must not have left Frisco until April 11 at 2:30 PM (which was Sunday) as it was postmarked that. Why?
Well I guess this is about all there is to tell, be good, be careful and have fun. I love you much too much. “Your” Darlin’ Janie
PS I got another bond today, we I mean, now it’s $250.
10:00 AM Wednesday, April 14, 1943
Hello Darlin’:
Well here it is another day closer to August and you. I didn’t write last night as I was just about dead.
It sure was foggy last night. You could hardly see across the street. There isn’t any news and I have no letters to answer yet so I don’t know what I’m going to write about.
There were four convicts trying to break out of Alcatraz and two of them were killed and two were captured. There was a ship torpedoed outside of the bay. It was loaded with dynamite.
I have to go to the store this morning and get some groceries and meat. It cost me about $4 or $5 a week for groceries. I sure wish you were here to manage the ration stamps and things for me. I’m not very good at it.
The mail came but no letter from you again. This is three days without. You are either sick or on your way out here or is it the mail? I hope with the middle one.
The weather is cloudy and cool out. I think I will go out and play golf morrow if it isn’t raining.
I haven’t heard from the folks since Sunday. I’m going to write them tonight when I get home. Have you seen Opal’s baby yet?
I am having an awful time writing since I can’t think of anything to write about. I’m just struggling along. Maybe I can do better tonight. I love you very very much. Love & xxxxxxxxs Harlan
1:15 AM April 15, 1943 Thursday
Hell Darlin’:
Well here it is another day closer to you, whatever day it is. There was a Special here for me when I got home. I’m kind of sorry it came. I was hoping you were on your way out here. But nevertheless I was glad to get a letter. You must’ve forgotten to mail it Monday as it didn’t leave Des Moines until Tuesday afternoon. I still don’t know why my Special did get there. I played golf Saturday morning and I mailed it at the post office on the way out. I got out to the golf course rather early.
I’ll answer your questions first. No I’m not sick. No, I’m not tired. No, I’m not mad. The matter I think is the mail delivery as it has been in the past. That’s all the questions.
Well Sweets, if you excuse me, I think I will close for the night. I have to take a shower and get a bite to eat so I can keep healthy and strong, so when we get married, we can have twins so we can live happily ever after. I love you very very much. Goodnight Sweetheart.
Good morning Darlin’: The time is about 12 noon. I got up and it was raining and misty out, so I didn’t go and play golf. I washed my head and had breakfast. I also cleaned up my room, and now I’m writing to my little girl.
Excuse me a minute, I will go see if the mail has come as yet.
I’m back and no letter. I got one from the folks. In 4 days now, all I have gotten is 1 Special that came last night. It was written Monday morning and left Des Moines Tuesday afternoon. Darling is something the matter? Are you sick? Are you mad at me or what is it? Have I done something? If I have, please tell me what it is. You know how you’ll feel when you don’t get any mail from me. Well I feel the same way. That is about all I have for company, is your letters.
Well Sweets, I guess they will close now and fix dinner before I leave work. I love you and miss your letters very much.
Love& xxxxxxxxxxxxxx Harlan
9:30 AM Thursday, April 16, 1943
Hi Honey:
Well here I am again, glad? I hope so. Well I received two letters yesterday, which was more like it Honey. My special should come today.
Don’t be too sure about me showing those girls off in open golf because Jeepers, I haven’t played since last August and I wasn’t very good then, remember, you should. But I beat you a couple times remember? The show “Flight For Freedom” hasn’t come out yet but I’ll see it when it does come. Momie and Rosie and I went down to see “Random Harvest” with Greer Garson and Ronald Coleman. Honey, it’s a very good, in fact that the must for you, so please try and see if it comes out there.
credit imbd.com
You can do as you please about calling me Sunday, but if you decide to, please call me about noon, but it’s entirely up to you.
Dickie Jr. doesn’t know Dick is coming home. I sure would like to be there when Dick walks in. Dickie will be very happy. I wish you were coming too, but as you said that’s out. Nana is coming down Saturday night and going to stay until Monday night so everyone will be here except Chuck and you. Me getting the weekend off sure worked swell.
Harlan, I’m worried about your meals. Why don’t you eat at least one good meal out a day? You should, even if it costs a couple dollars. You simply mustn’t let yourself get rundown. Is there anything I can send you?
It’s a beautiful day morning, the sun is out and it’s warmer, thank goodness.
Harlan, if you have any clothes you need mending, don’t hesitate to send them and I’ll fix them up, O.K. Gladly. Of course it won’t be an experts job but I’ll do my very best, so please!
There isn’t any news to speak of, everything is just the same except for everyone, especially Momie, getting ready for Dick. Jeepers, Momie sure was thrilled when he called. She has had a perpetual grin on her face ever sense.
Did you hear about the man that when anything went wrong, he always said “it could be worse”? Well one night he was talking to one of his coworkers and the other fellow said “when I went home last night I caught my while wife in bed with another man and I shot him”. The fellow said “Well it could be worse”, and the other said “How could it be worse my good man, I shot him”. Well the man said “It still could’ve been worse, because I was there night before last”. Ha, not so funny how. I heard a humdinger but I’ll tell you after we get married.
Well Hon, I guess it’s getting a little late and vulgar so maybe I better close now before you start thinking I’m a bad girl. I love you Honey and miss you terrible. Will write again tonight.
Love & xxxxxxs “Your” Darlin’ Janie
1:00 AM April 16, 1943 Friday
Hello Darlin’:
Well here it is another day closer to ? and you. How are you? Fine, I hope. I also hope I get a letter tomorrow. There isn’t any news and I have no questions to answer so I don’t know just what I’m going to write about.
The weather is still cloudy and cool. We sure could have a swell time if you were here now. This is the kind of nights I like. They make you want to cuddle up to someone, too bad were so far apart. Out here you can wear a fur coat all year around, and still not be out of place. There aren’t any girls wearing shorts though.
I’m very tired tonight, so I think I will close until the morning. Okay? Okay! I love you very, very much. Good night sweetheart.
Hello Darlin’: I just got back from playing golf. There was a letter here for me when I got back. Don’t ask me why the Special was postmarked April 11, 2:30 PM. I mailed it Saturday morning before I played golf. The letter I got today was written Tuesday morning at 9:30. It wasn’t postmarked until Wednesday at 2:30 PM. Why??? I’m not getting in a bad habit of not writing. This is Friday and the only letters I have gotten so far this week are one Special Sunday night, no letter Monday, no letter Tuesday, one Special Wednesday, no letter Thursday, one letter today. Are you getting in the habit of not writing??? Or is it the mail!
Yes, I’ve heard of the C.B.s in the Navy. That is what I plan on going into but the reason I didn’t tell you was that you said you didn’t want me to go into the paratroopers, and the C.B.s is just as dangerous. Your training is the same as the commandos and the paratroopers. You fight with the Marines. After you take a town or an island, the C.B.s set up a base.
Well it is time to go to work, so I had better close. Now don’t write anymore things about not liking things one bit. I don’t think it’s very nice of you. I have been trying to write every day and I know I haven’t missed as many as you seem to think that I have.
I guess I love you much too much too. Love and xxxxxxxxx’s Harlan
9:30 AM April 16, 1943
Hi Honey: How are you & what you know?
When I arrived home from work this morning your Special was in the box, gee that was nice. Thank you Hon, it sure took a long time for it to get here though, it was postmarked the 15th and was written Wednesday morning the 13th, what goes on? For gosh sakes Harlan.
Dick just called and he is over at Rosie’s. He just got in about a half an hour ago. It sure sounded swell to hear him and just last week he was with you, just think. I’ve got lots of questions to ask him, about you I mean. He will be over in about an hour. I’m off now (as you know) until Sunday night, so I’m not going to bed now until tonight unless I have to. Oh yes, I got your bond. $300 now Honey. In seven weeks we will have $500. I have $95 in the bank only owe Yonkers $10. Now listen, you have $350 in the bank, we have $300 in bonds, I have $95 in the bank, $100 in savings bonds, that equals $845.00 together. Of course, the $300 in bonds isn’t spendable.I think that’s swell that you can save a bond a week, I wish I could.
And the picture Honey, you look thinner? Are you? But it looks just like you.
I’ve been thinking, where has this letter been? This is Friday Harlan and you wrote this Thursday morning, can you please explain it? If so, please do, it’s very confusing, yes?
Well Sweets, I wish like everything that you could have come with Dick. I have been thinking only slightly that just maybe, just maybe you might be with him, but I guess I knew all along that you wouldn’t be. You know it’s funny that you should think that maybe I’ll be sitting in your room some night when you come home, because if I come, or I’ll say when I come, I think that is the way I will do it. Wouldn’t that be nice. All I would have to do is take a taxi to 3070 Jackson St. and then wait and I probably won’t be able to keep it from you when I do come out. But we will see, but don’t get excited, it won’t be for a while yet.
Don Linger is going into the Navy in three weeks as an aviation mechanic, so there goes my ride. He seems quite excited about it, so is Tommy, the other fellow in our car and the little Katherine Landus (Harlan, she knows you and Opal and Syd too, she went to East High and graduated in 1941 with Opal) She’s married now to a Kenny Clark. He’s in the Army and is coming home on a 15 day leave.) To get back, she rides with us and she asked for a two-week leave but was refused so she is quitting. Gosh, everyone leaves at once. I don’t know where I’m going to get a ride. Maybe I’ll just buy a car. How’d you like that? Say, I just had an idea. If you go and sell Herman, why don’t you give me the money and I’ll pay it down on a car — No — well was a nice idea.
Oh my, now, let’s see what else. I can hardly wait until Dick gets here. Well Honey, I guess I better go now and wipe the dishes. Harlan, am I still your little Darlin’? Your little girl? I love you very much Harlan and it won’t be too long, I promise. Oh have you heard any news….. Harlan dear, you must remember this if you pass. Please don’t let anyone persuade you one way or another upon just which branch of the service you want to go into. You must decide that for yourself because it is your life not anyone else’s and it something you have to decide for yourself. Please do what you want and whatever you do, I will always be right behind you, helping you every way that I can because I love you and you alone.
Love & xxxxxxxxxs Always “Your” Darlin’ Janie
Saturday morning April 17, 1943 12:01 AM
God morning Honey:
Time for another Special, my how time flies. I just arrived home from having a coke with Eleanor, took quite a while didn’t it? Well, I took Dick & Rosy over to Rosy’s and then down to the Green Parrot and he bought Eleanor and me T.C. Then we took them down to Tally Ho and from there were going to the Tromar. Then we went down to the post office, bought my weeks supply of envelopes and on the way back we had another drink, (a plane coke ya! Ya!) then when I brought Eleanor home, we sat out in the front and talk.
Gee, Dick sure looks swell and how do you like that stripe. Which means reminds me, you have two stripes on your car – well how nice. I hope you benefit from them. Ahem… Well… Oh Yes, I’ve heard quite a bit about since this morning, quite a bit and very interesting too.
Gosh Honey, there isn’t any news. I wish the one I wrote this morning had been your Special, it was a nice long one. In the letter I wrote Thursday morning, I told you it was entirely up to you about your calling, but that if you did it would be better to call about 12:00 my time, then you can get right through and still have your evening, but I was thinking that you might not get that letter until Monday, so thought I’d better tell you again. I also told you in this morning’s letter that I had received your bond but I will tell you again so you won’t have to wait to hear. How much is your checking account now Hon?
Your Mom called this morning. She said Max was supposed to leave this late morning. Opal was out at Camp Dodge waiting for him to leave. He seemed to think he might go to Oklahoma. If he does, Opal is going out there. I don’t know if she is going to take the baby or not.
Dick said that you told him that if you would write me a letter while he was here, that he could read it, but I don’t believe him. Should I? From what I’ve heard so far, I don’t believe I should. All kidding aside, he sure likes you Honey. He thinks you’re one swell fellow.
Harlan, I discovered something at work this morning. The big steel petitions that surround us primer girls and keep everyone else out were made by Bethlehem Steel Company, could that be from your yard?
I have your picture sitting in front of me. I’m in my room because every one else is in bed except for Dick & Rosy, but they aren’t home yet.
Gee you’re handsome. Which reminds me, from what Dick says, I know I’m not waiting until August to come out. Do you know what a prostitute is? No? A busy body. Ha! Dick said today was a nicer day than he had ever seen in Frisco, but he said like you did that I’d love the ocean.
Jeepers Darling, it was good to see Dick but how I wish you were here too. Rosy is going around in circles, she is so happy. Just like I was at Christmas time. I’m going to really scrimp and save because the more I save, the sooner I’ll be out there. But I won’t be back with Dick so don’t even think about it.
Well Sweets, such as I hate to, I must close as I have put up my hair yet and wash and I haven’t been to bed since yesterday and I’m really feeling it. I can hardly hold my eyes open. It’s 10:30 out there. In half an hour, you’ll be off. Have a nice time Sunday and do as you please about calling Sunday I’ll be home until 11:00 PM Sunday night.
I love you so much and miss you terribly. Love & xxxxs ‘Your’ Darlin Janie
PS Be careful
PS What have I heard from Dick was all good things, so don’t worry. If you have done anything, he hasn’t told on you. Ya ya Good night Sweetheart.
Back of envelope has a note from Janie’s brother Dick and her Mom. Cute isn’t it.
1:00 A.M. Saturday, April 17, 1943
Hello Darlin’:
Well here it is another day closer to ? and you.
I’m so dead I can hardly keep my eyes open. I’m terribly sorry but I’m afraid I will have to finish this in the morning. My eyes are burning like someone poured gasoline in them or something.
Good morning Sweetheart:
Yes, it is morning. 9 A.M. to be exact. Last night I was writing the first part of your letter and I leaned over on my desk and put my head on my arm. I guess I fell asleep. I don’t know how long I must have slept. When I woke up, I just pulled the covers back on my bed and crawled in. The radio is playing “There will Never Be Another You” (Sammy Kaye, Nancy Norman https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wdWa093Rwm0).
I worked in the lube oil tank last night. This tank is worse than the double bottom. It is 1 foot high on one end and 2 feet at the other end. I worked in the small and. Tonight, I work in the rest of it. I’m still sore from being all cramped up. There isn’t much news so I don’t know what else to write about.
The weather is just perfect now. I hope it lasts tomorrow. If I get as tired tonight as I did last night I probably won’t even feel like playing golf.
I imagine Dick is home by now and you and all of them you are all having a swell time. I hope he comes back to Treasure Island. If he doesn’t, it will be pretty lonesome. I didn’t tell you very much about the C.B.’s I guess. I have been thinking about going into it if I passed my physical. That is what I tried to get into before I came out here. It is a pretty good deal because you get a rating as soon as you go in. You get paid about the same as a paratrooper. You’re fighting is about the same and your training is about the same, except the jumping in parachutes.
The reason I’m waiting on both sides of the paper is this is my last sheet. I sure wish you were here now. We could go out and play a little golf before I left for work. I don’t know when I have been so tired from working.
Well Sweets, this is a heck of a Special, so I guess I had better close and get it in the mail. I will write a long one either tonight or tomorrow night. I think we’ll be just about dead tonight though.
I love you very, very much. And wish with all of my heart that you are here with me.
Well, another month has just brought us a little bit closer together. I have a little bad news for you. I have to report for my physical on next Tuesday. I guess it is my induction too as they have no more second physicals. I’m a bit confused as to what to do. I’m going to try to sell Herman either tomorrow or the next day. I will probably have to quit on Monday.
Work went on as usual today, only it was a little harder. I had to weld a foundation in the engine room, and it was very small and hard to get into. I tore one of my sleeves in my leather jacket so I guess I will have to have it sewn up tomorrow before work.
I didn’t get a letter today, so I don’t have any questions to answer. Dick called me this morning and as you probably already know, he didn’t get his leave, not yet anyway. If he doesn’t leave by Sunday, we will spend the day together.
Darling, I hope you will forgive me for writing what I did begin with. It is just April Fools’ Day and I couldn’t resist it. I received my note from the board. It does say 1-A. I hope I didn’t scare you too much by writing what I did, and you can be mad at me a little if you want to, but it won’t be much fun making up. At least it won’t be as much fun as it used to. Do you remember the time you got mad at me for kicking you? We were going out with Donna and Frank? You told me to go home. Oh, did I feel low. I was just about ready to cry when I walked out to the car and started to leave and then you came out and said you didn’t mean it. I was sure one happy fellow.
Well Sweets I guess I had better close now as I’m almost out of paper and I have to drop a line to Josie and one to the folks, and this is almost my last sheet of paper.
The night tonight is just about perfect. There is only one thing wrong with it. That is that you are not here to be with me and really enjoy it. If I should happen to not have to go to the Army, we will join this golf club but here and next year you and I will enter the City Tournament just for fun. You in the women’s and myself in the men’s. We could have a lot of fun even if we didn’t happen to win it.
All the love I have I give to you. I saw you at 8 tonight. See you again tomorrow night.
Gosh, here it is Friday again time for another Special for my Honey. How are you? I hope this finds you both well and happy and that it is a nice sunny Sunday.
First of all, I must tell you and apologize for not writing last night but Eleanor and I went to a show last night and she came home with me for all night and it was quite late, and we were both tired so neither of us wrote. I thought to myself ‘Harlan won’t mind too much if I don’t write tonight’.
Your Special came this morning, Momie woke me up and I thought sure you had heard from the board out there. But it wasn’t, so thanks for the Special because I wouldn’t have received a letter at all if it wasn’t for that. And Oh Yes, the Bond too. $225 now.
Eleanor just called and we are going to wear slacks, yes we are, because Udy has no hose and my shoes hurt me and oh a half a dozen reasons, any way we are wearing sports cloths, oh happy day!
Saturday, I change shifts. I get off of work at 4:00 P.M. Saturday, have to be back to work at 12:00 AM then get off at 8:00 A.M. Sunday morning. Oh, how I hate it, but I can sleep all day Sunday.
Yes, maybe I should have gone to the dance Saturday night, but I couldn’t have any fun without my Honey, so I would rather stay home.
Well my gosh, I’m sure glad to hear you are cleaning up little old Herman. I’m ashamed of you letting him go. Harlan, I have a favor to ask of you. If you pass your physical you will naturally sell Herman, but please don’t let him go until I get out there and ride in him just once more. Please?
Which reminds me Harlan, in your letter of Sunday night you didn’t say much about me coming out. I mean you didn’t seem very enthusiastic. I’ve been thinking maybe you don’t want me to come out, that sounds all wrong, but you just said so very little about it. It made me wonder.
Did you write Monday night? If you did, I didn’t receive it.
Oh for gosh sakes Honey, I don’t know, what is the matter with me. This is Thursday, not Friday. This can’t be your Sunday Special because you will get this Saturday, but I will send it special anyway. Gosh I’m sorry Honey. I sure am nuts. If I send you the Special, you won’t get any Monday, and if I don’t send it Special you won’t get any on Saturday because I didn’t write last night. What a mess. I will send it Special, so that’s that. But don’t expect a letter Monday. I’m sorry Hon.
It sure is a swell day today, about 75 and sunny with white clouds all around. I only hope they don’t join thus causing a cloudy evening. I’ll be thinking of you and at 10:00 (Do you still go out on the deck?)
I was going to buy you one of those wind breaker jackets but I decided to save every penny I can so’s to have plenty if I come out soon.
I found another picture of my fur coat, would you like to see it? O.K. Here it is.
Well Sweets I have used a lot of paper but am afraid haven’t said much, just tried to get your Mom but no answer. She called me last night, but I wasn’t home.
Dick isn’t home yet. Rosie received a letter from him yesterday saying he had received his orders yet so don’t know when he’ll be home. Maybe he will call you Saturday or Sunday if he is still there.
Well Sweets, I better go now as I have to press my slacks suit. Be sure and let me know as soon as you hear. Momie sends her love and says hi. If you have some time, you might drop her a line Honey.
I miss your you terribly Darling, even yet and love you very, very much. Last night Eleanor and I were telling each other about Don and you, and I told her about what we did when you were home Christmas, and it was like living those happy days all over again. I’ll be so happy when we are together again.
Bye for now Sweetheart. Always “Your” Darlin’ Janie
PS: Harlan, if you are taken, what are you going into? Army, Navy, Coast Guard etc.? Please answer. Love Janie
This is my day off, that’s why it so early….
(I love you very, very much)
P2 That” I miss you terribly even yet” is a mistake, as if I could ever stop missing you because I love you!
(Fun Fact: The original owner of Vic’s Tally Ho was Vic Talerico. After its opening in 1939, It was “the place to go” and was quite the dinner club where great food (like steaks, spaghetti and sausage, French-fried shrimp) was served and many memories were made. It operated from1939 to 1971. The original building was destroyed by fire in 1962, but it was reopened a year. After Vic passed away in 1971 the restaurant was closed permanently. That is until 2020 when Vic’s son Jerry Talerico and his daughter, Sophia Talerico opened Tally-Ho to Go, which pays homage to his fathers restaurant and offers classic Italian food, it is currently in operation. Below is the original 1940 and subsequent 2020 logo. Find out more on their website: https://www.tallyhotogo.com/)
1:00 AM April 2, 1943
Hello Darlin’:
Well here it is another day closer to August or? to the sweetest little girl this side of heaven. Oh how I miss you on nights like these. There will never be another girl like you. I have a date tomorrow morning with a couple of fellows at the yard to play golf. They both played in the City Tournament this year and went to the finals. One of them has a wife that is playing in the Women’s Tournament.
I worked on Herman all morning today before work. He sure looks well. I still have a little more to do but I won’t be able to until Saturday or Sunday after I get paid. I’ve already spent five dollars on things to clean it with. I think I’ll get a set of seat covers for it like you your Father’s.
I haven’t heard from Dick yet, so I don’t know if he has left for home or not. If he doesn’t, he’s coming in Sunday.
Well Sweets, I’m kind of tired and very hungry so if you will excuse me for a little while I’ll fix myself a snack. I wish you were here so you could fix it. I don’t know why but this things you fix always seem to taste better than they do when I fix them.
Hello Sweetheart, I’m back and I’m feeling a little bit better. (Moonlight Becomes You https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B3BKZiQnISs) I’m very tired so I think I had better close for now. I will write again tomorrow night. I love you very, very much. Love and xxxxxs Harlan.
Friday 7:00 April 2, 1943
Hi Honey:
Now it really is Friday, time for another Special for my Special. How are you? I hope O.K. I didn’t go to work today, hope you won’t mind. I don’t know, this morning I just couldn’t get up and I was so tired, sooo I simply laid there. Momie brought your letter in about 11 o’clock. I read it and then turned over and slept two more hours. Then I got up, washed my clothes, did my ironing and walked up to the University for some airmail envelopes and Special delivery stamps.
By the way that sure was a funny letter. No date on it and it was so short you didn’t say hardly anything at all. When you write a short one at night you usually finish it in the morning. Were you sick or just plain tired?
We still haven’t heard from Dick, so I don’t know whether he is on his way or still there, maybe you’ve heard from him – yes?
It sure was a swell day here today, nice and warm and Honey the grass is getting green again and the trees are budding out all over the place. I talk to your Mom last night after I finished your letter. She said she had another picture of you when you were about five years old for me. Harlan, she has your baby ring, do you suppose someday I could have it, maybe?
Harlan, you don’t ever say anything about the food conditions out there. Why don’t you, I would like very much to hear about it. Please write and tell me about it.
Harlan, I don’t know how to say this but somehow your letters aren’t, aren’t like they used to be, somehow, somehow, they seem so formal. Oh, that isn’t what I mean either, but you keep me guessing. Harlan what’s going to happen to us, everything is so indefinite. I don’t even know how you feel about you not getting a deferment. Is it because you’re alone so much that you find it hard to write down what you think, are you getting tired of waiting or writing to me, or are you just getting tired of the whole thing??? Please try to write and tell me just how you feel about the whole thing. It’s awfully hard being at a loss about the future, let alone being at a loss about you. It makes me feel like maybe you are getting tired of waiting for me. Is that so? Do I make myself clear Harlan? Don’t you see that if I don’t know how you feel, I couldn’t have any feelings of my own? Please write and tell me how you feel about us and the future and you’re not getting another deferment please. Harlan, I must know how you feel.
I don’t blame you one bit for being elated over that letter your boss wrote to this draft board. Honey, you have been there such a short time. And in the new surroundings and all, in my opinion you have done marvelously well, and I am very proud of you, so proud that I get a thrill when I think of all you have done in such a short time. You’re one in 1-in-a-million Harlan and I love you with all of my heart.
“As Time Goes By” (Tommy Dorsey Frances Langford – As Time Goes By 1943
Well tomorrow night I change shifts and personally I’m tickled pink. I’m afraid I couldn’t stand these nice warm long evenings any longer without you. We had a nice time last night, we went out to the Tally Ho by taxi about 7:30 and stayed until about 9:30. Barbie was talking about her boyfriend and Eleanor was talking about Don and married life, and Udie and I were just listening. I didn’t have anything new to report and Udie never talks about her boyfriend very much. Well anyway, I pulled out my billfold to get money for a package of cigarettes when Udie noticed your picture in my billfold and asked to see it. Upon seeing it she said,” He sure is a nice looking fellow, so clean cut. You’re very lucky Janie. I always said you were smartest and luckiest one in the game, you don’t bore other people all of the time with your love affair. You love him and he loves you and that is that. You may wait a long time before you get married but when you do it will be a perfect match, an ideal marriage one of the few that lasts, you’re very lucky and so is he”. Well my gosh, you could have knocked me over with a feather because Udie isn’t one to express her feelings. But it made me feel pretty good. Oh yes, she said “You kids, yours is a love that will never die because you have trust and faith in each other.”
After I talked to you Sunday, I had a lump in my throat for three days and was terribly nervous like something was going to happen. Did anything happen?
Well Sweetheart, I guess this about covers it for now. How are all your buddies and what became of Johnnie and Syd, do you see him often. It’s 7:45 and I haven’t eaten anything so I’m going to go have a lunch. “I’ve Heard That Song Before” is on now. (Helen Forrest & Harry James https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cK0j8_N_dBg) Harlan I miss you so much, so very much. Please, oh please don’t become bitter. If you have troubles, please write them to me it will help to get it off of your chest, worries too. And you know how I like to share them with you. Why who knows, I might even be able to help you a little bitty. Have I done something to hurt you or make you feel make you mad?
I’m going to eat now I’ll be back soon.
Its Waltz Time with Frank Mum, it’s a program of music of only waltzes. It’s torture to listen to when I would like to be dancing with you, but the music is nice.” I’ll See You Again” is on now.
Well I’m back again and “As Time Goes By” is on now. I sure am glad you don’t have the evenings off, I’m sure you would go crazy then.
Oh Harlan, did I tell you I put $15 in the bank this week. I’m getting pretty close to $100 and as soon as I have $115, I’m going to start checking account. How are you coming along with yours? Then when we get married, I’ll know just how to do it. O.K? O.K!
Well Harlan, I guess I better close now as I am long past running out of words. Please Harlan, answer all of my questions and answer them thoroughly. Please. I love you so much Harlan and you will never know how much I miss you.
Always “Your” Darlin’ Janie Love & xxxxxxxxxx’s Good Night Honey
1:15 AM April 3, 1943
Hello Darlin’:
Well here it is, time for another Special. Another week his slipped up on us and brought us just a little bit closer together. I’m sending a couple of clippings I thought you might be interested in. One is about a ship we are launching Sunday in honor of the 5 Sullivan boys from Iowa, and the other will give you some idea of the kind of neighborhood I live in. There is going to be a coast-to-coast broadcast and your folks might be able to hear it on Sunday afternoon. It will be made right from the yard. I’m going to try to make it. I have a day to play golf again Sunday morning. It was sure swell out playing this morning.
I have a letter to answer so I had better do so now. Our ‘Soldier’ should be right across the from the Big Dipper. Doggone, I guess that is all you have asked me.
Darling, I wasn’t going to tell you until I am sure of it but being this is a Special I will. I don’t want to get your hopes too high, but I think I may have a chance for a commission in the Army as a welding instructor. I have almost all of the qualifications for it now. All I need is to study gas welding for a little while. My instructors training in the yard is what will get it for me. I will find out for sure in this next week and when I do, I will let you know. I sure hope so. If you should happen to get a chance on it, I would be sent to some fort or camp and would be put on what they call probation for six months. I would be given class to instruct and if at the end of the six-months I proved satisfactory as an instructor, I would be given a commission as a 2nd Lieutenant. How would this sound? Lieutenant and Mrs. J Harlan Berhow. Nice, Huh? I wasn’t going to tell you, but you know me. I’m not planning on it too strong because I know how things seem to turn out for me.
I have been over to the school in the yard today taking some more Navy tests with S. T. S., C. R. S. and Manel. S. T. S. Is Special Treatment Steel, C. R. S. is Cold Rolled Steel and Mandel is a High Tensile Steel, they are all hard to well. I will have to pass them before I can become an instructor too.
Oh I wish I could put into words what I want to say and do but things like that just aren’t in me. I love you so very, very much and I’m not able to say just how much that really is. I miss you like the devil, I wish you were here, I wish you we were married etc. etc. etc. All I can do is wish.
Well sweets, I’m very tired and hungry so if you will excuse me for a while I will get a bite to eat and a little sleep. I will finish this in the morning. Good night Sweetheart/
Good morning Darling: Well here it is another beautiful sunny day. Just the kind of day should be here with me. I’ve just finished eating breakfast and I’m going to take this down to the post office. Sooo, I guess I had better close. I will write again tonight when I get home. I love you very much.
Love & xxxxx’s Harlan
The Sullivan’s was originally laid down as Putnam on 10 October 1942, at San Francisco by the Bethlehem Shipbuilding Corporation. She was initially renamed Sullivan until President Franklin Roosevelt changed the name to The Sullivan’s to clarify that the name honored all five Sullivan brothers.[2] The name was made official and the ship was launched 4 April 1943. The ship was sponsored by Mrs. Thomas F. Sullivan, the mother of the five Sullivan brothers. The Sullivan’s was commissioned on 30 September 1943, with Commander Kenneth M. Gentry in command. Credit Wikipedia.
April 3, 1943
Hello you:
Oh if only I had your neck in my hands right now. I’d ring it for sure you – you, Oh, I can’t think of anything mean enough to call you. Writing me about your physical. Why I was on the way to the phone to call your Mom and then to place a call for you when I’d decided to read the rest of the letter and upon doing so it became a came upon the part saying April fool. I could have killed you, yet I was so happy that it wasn’t true. But you wait, I’ll get even with you if it’s the last thing I do, you, oh, Oh I never was so mad and if you could have read the thoughts that were going through my mind when I read it. Oh, Oh! You just wait, skearing me to death? Well, we’ll see.
This is only going to be a note as I have to leave for work tonight at 11:00 and I just got home from working eight hours, I have to get some rest.
Your Mom sent me some pictures of you today. One was when you were 11 years old, you have on long pants tucked inside of boots, you have your foot on a tree trunk. It’s awfully cute. All I I’ve got to say is that our little boys will look if our little boys look like you did, I’ll be satisfied. And the other ones was taken out of the airport, you have on that loud flannel shirt and you are standing by an airplane. I imagine you are about 18 hours 17 years old. I love them both.
I’m still railing, darn you.
Well sweets” (I shouldn’t even call you that…tease(. have to go now, as I have to take a bath and put my hair put up my hair before I lay down.
Goodbye for now you Bum. I still love you. Although under such circumstances I don’t see how I can (only kidding)
Love & xxxxxs You’re Darlin’ Janie
PS I love you very much anyway for all your meanness, but you just wait.
9:00 PM Sunday, April 4, 1943
Hello Darling:
I hope you will forgive me for not writing last night. I didn’t feel so good. I have just placed a call to you but as usual there is a delay. I don’t know what the matter is with me, but I can’t seem to get you off my mind. Not that I want to, but it is a little odd. There was a Special for me when I got home last night and one when I got home tonight.
I welded S.T.S. all night and it made my eyes very sore and tired because it is much brighter than mild steel in my dark glass was a little too light. When I got up this morning, I felt all stuffy and hot inside, so I went out for some air. I have the top down on Herman and drove in the cool air over to Jack’s. He’s going into the Army Wednesday, so he wanted to go out and play some golf. We had a cup of coffee at his house and left. We picked up my clubs and then went on out to the course. We played 18 holes and finished about 7:30. I took him home and his mother had dinner already for us, so I ate dinner with them and then came on home. On the way home I got to thinking about you again. I drove along the Boulevard with palm trees in the middle and the cool air was blowing my hair around. The radio was on and all the songs we know and like so much were on. But it was much different when you were with me. I had someone to talk to and laugh with, someone I could love and someone I could put my arm around kiss once in a while. All of this was gone, and I was alone. What I felt is like a person growing old. I just sat and drove home. Instead of parking someplace to talk a little, and smooch a little, smoke a little, I just opened the garage doors and drove right in. I came upstairs to my room and there you were before, me only in the picture. When I saw you smiling at me, I live all those wonderful months over again. I thought maybe if I called you, I might feel little better, so I just went into the phone and placed the call and now I’m here by myself again waiting so I can talk to you.
Well Sweets, I guess I had better get up to the phone. They’re going to call me when it comes through and I don’t want to miss it. I love you very, very much.
Darn, here I am back again, and I didn’t get to talk to you. In your letter you didn’t say whether you were going to work Sunday night, so I was just hoping and praying that you were off. Well, I will call in the morning, Okay? Okay!!! I think I will get to bed now, I will finish as soon as I talk to you in the morning.
I love you, I adore you, I miss you, I wish you were here. Goodnight Sweetheart.
Good morning Darling: Well our phone call is over. It sure was swell hearing your voice again. I feel much better now. I have just finished breakfast and am ready to wash clothes, but before I do I have some questions to answer. I wasn’t sick when I didn’t finish that letter in the morning, I was just plain tired. The food conditions out here aren’t bad now that rationing has started but there are still a lot of things that you can’t get. Yes, you can have my baby ring. “Harry James is playing “Velvet Moon” (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fj99A3tOhgY)
Darling, I wish I knew new myself how I feel about getting another deferment. All I know is that I love you and I want you near me. I want to be able to support you as you should be. The future is so uncertain that I don’t exactly know what I want to do. I have about three things in mind, but they are altogether different. One to get into the railroad with diesel. One is to stay in shipbuilding and the other is to have a large summer resort and health camp here in California. The only trouble with the last one is that I would have to start with nothing and build it up myself. What do you think about them? No, nothing has happened. Johnnie is still here 4F and Syd is around somewhere. I haven’t seen him for some time. I have no troubles or worries so the only way you could help me would be to be with me, but I guess that is out of the question. I have $330 in my checking account. If I passed my physical, I won’t sell Herman until you have another ride in it. It is getting so I don’t get very enthusiastic about anything anymore. When I find out about going into the Army, then I will get enthusiastic about you coming out. You know how much I want you out here and if I was getting tired of waiting for you, I wouldn’t string you along with letters and phone calls. I would come right out and say so. Yes, I still go out on the deck at 8:00. Your coat sure is a swell one. If I go into the service, I think there’s only one place they will put me and that is in the Army.
Well Sweets, I guess I have used up enough paper, so I had better close. I will write again tonight.
I love you very much and I miss you very much. Love & xxxxxxxxxx’s Harlan
9 AM April 5, 1943
Hi Honey:
Well here I am, home from work and have had breakfast. When I walked in Momie told me you had called and I’m worried frantic. You can’t have heard from the board unless you heard Saturday afternoon and I don’t remember writing anything to shock you in your Special but what ever it is, I’ll hear shortly, I hope.
Boy I am tired. I have had only 4 hours sleep since Saturday morning. After I finished your letter Saturday night, I laid down but couldn’t sleep, then I went to work and worked until 8:00 o’clock Sunday morning. When I arrived home, I was exhausted so I went right to bed and simply died for four hours, then I woke up and couldn’t go back to sleep until 10:00 last night, by that time it was time to get ready to go to work, and this morning I’m pooed, but definitely. But I’ll wait for your call. I’d stay awake another 48 hours if it meant I could talk to you. Oh dear, I wish that phone would ring.
Your Special came about 1:00 yesterday afternoon. It was swell. Thanks for the clippings. There was an article in the paper this morning about the Sullivan’s. I’m sending it. You can read it for yourself.
Jeepers Harlan, that would be pretty swell if you could get a commission in the Army. Gosh only knows you deserve it, but I will love you just as much if you are only a little old buck private. So don’t let that bother. Still I like that, Lieutenant and Mrs. J Harlan Berhow. O.K? O.K!
Well I guess I stop now and go wash and put up my hair, by then you should have called, and I’ll continue it. O.K? O.K! It’s 9:30 AM, bye for now. I love you Honey.
It’s over, Oh jeepers Honey, I’m sorry, please don’t be low. I’ll be out there before you know it. Oh I know it’s awfully hard Harlan why not admit it. Listen Honey as soon as you hear from that old draft board, we are going to make some plans, definite plans and we are going through with them and that’s a promise. Gosh, I can’t ask that you to wait and stay out there forever. That’s about all I can say. I know what I think like you however, I’m not able to write it down. All I can say Honey is that I love you very, very much and will be together and it isn’t too far away.
I’m sorry but I must go now as I’ve got to get to bed. As you know, I love you and miss you too.
Love & xxxxx’s ‘Your’ Darlin Janie
PS I’m sorry if I talked too much, maybe I guess I kind of monopolized conversation. Love Again Janie Thanks again for calling Honey, I hope it helped a little. I’m sorry I didn’t know a good joke or something.
1:00 AM April 6, 1943
Hello Darlin’:
Well here it is another day closer to August or ? and you. (The radio is playing “I’m Getting Tired So I Can Go To Sleep” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3-qeNS_p2DM) . There isn’t any news since I wrote this morning, so I don’t know what I’m going to write about now. I finished washing clothes and they are still on the line. They aren’t quite dry, so I’m going to leave them until tomorrow. It is real clear and cool out now. I have my windows open when I sleep, and it makes it nice. If we were married, you would have to cuddle up real close. We will sure have a nice time when we are married.
My welding test plates have been passed on appearance, so they have been sent to the Navy Department to be cut and tested. I will know if I passed them are not in about a week or two.
I may go out and play golf in the morning. Jack is going to report for induction Wednesday, so he wants me to go out with him.
My clothes will be ready to iron Wednesday so I will spend the morning ironing. I had 32 pieces in the laundry including shorts, shirts, sweatshirts, etc, etc. I haven’t had one on since I went out with Dick. I haven’t had my collarless shirt on since Christmas.
Well Darling, it is getting late so I think I will close for now. I will finish in the morning. Okay? Okay! I love you very, very much.
Good night sweetheart.
Good morning Darling: Boy it sure is a beautiful morning. I wish… There I go again. I haven’t heard anything about my physical/ I have just finished eating breakfast and am waiting for Jack. My laundry is dry, so I brought it in from the line. Jack just came so I will have to continue when I get back. Okay? Okay!
Hi Honey, now where did I get that? Oh Well, I’m back. The time is 12 PM noon. We play 10 holes, I had a very good game.
The mail is here, and I received and open your note and what a note. I wished I didn’t send that letter to you right after I sent it. I’m sorry but I’m glad you forgive me.
There aren’t any questions to answer so I guess I had better close. I will write again tonight. There should be a bond with this.
I love you very, very much. Love and kisses Harlan
Tuesday 9:15 AM April 6, 1943
Hi Honey:
I’m home again and am I glad, you bet! I’m dead. I was going downtown but I am too tired so I’m going to wash my hair and hit the bed. How are you, feeling better I hope? I’m the low one this morning I’m afraid, but I will try to write a cheerful letter.
There isn’t any news to speak of. It’s colder than the devil this morning. I’ll be so glad when it really gets warm.
After I mailed your letter yesterday, I looked on the table and there was the clipping, so here it is.
Oh Harlan, I forgot or almost forgot. I didn’t go to lunch this morning until 5:00 this morning and then I went alone and as there was only about 20 people in the cafeteria. I was sitting alone at a table with my feet up on the chair up in front of me smoking and drinking a Coke when some fellow walked up to the table and I thought he wanted a light off my cigarette, so I made a motion to give it to him. I was half asleep. Anyway he said aren’t you Jane Hare and I said yes, I am. He said aren’t you Harlan Berhow’s girlfriend. I said yes, but who are you? He said weren’t you at my house the night Harlan went back to San Francisco, a Sunday night to be exact. Well I was still dumb founded, and he said I’m Lord Harris. And I still didn’t know who he was until he told me Michels name. Jeepers, did I feel cheap. I told him I guess I must have had my mind on something else that night and he said that was excusable. Anyway we talked for about 15 minutes, then I had to go back to work. He said he had seen me several times but didn’t ever get to me before I had left. Now isn’t that something. He wanted to know all about you, and I told him.
Well Sweets, I simply must close. I’m going to call your Mom as soon as the party on our line gets through gabbing. I haven’t talked to her since Saturday evening.
I love you Honey very much and miss you so very much. Love & xxxxx’s “Your” Darlin Janie
Wednesday 9:30 AM April 7, 1943
Hi Honey:
Well jeepers, here I am again, fine and dandy but awfully tired. We worked hard, awfully hard and we broke all production records for all shifts, soo our foreman should be very happy. We put out 485,000 cases in all, O.K. So I handled 121,250 primers last night, that isn’t hay, but don’t tell anyone.
Enough of that. How are you? I hope O.K. I didn’t get a letter yesterday so there aren’t any questions to answer. To tell the truth, I don’t know what I’m going to write about.
Last night when we went to work it was storming something fierce, terrific lightning, thunder, and rain. As the wings shut down during an electrical storm, we all thought we would get to loaf for a while but we no more than got out there, when zoomed it stopped, rain and all. Nuts, aren’t I awful. Oh! The sun is out this morning, and everything looks and smells so nice and fresh.
Oh say Honey, your Mom called yesterday morning and asked if I have heard from you and I had to say yes but that I haven’t heard yesterday. She said she hadn’t heard from use since a week ago Sunday, last Sunday, and Harlan she keeps talking like she thinks you are coming home. I wish you would write and make it clear or rather explain why you can’t come home. Maybe it’s none of my business but you should set her right. In one of your letters last week you said at the end that you were going to write your folks and Josie after you finished my letter. If you did, your Mom never got it. I didn’t tell her that you called me.
We haven’t had one word from Dickie yet, so don’t know where he is or anything about it.
Well Sweets, it’s about time for the mail man so as I want to get this gone, I better close. Sorry but I must. Maybe I’ll write again tonight before I go to work. I love you very much Honey. Be good, be careful and don’t worry.
Love as always, “Your” Darlin Janie
1:45 PM April 7, 1943
Hello Darlin’:
To begin when this is only going to be a note. It is time to go to work. I was sicker than a dog last night so when I got home, I went straight to bed, after I had up a hot bath and I just got up. Boy did I sleep. I shouldn’t really work today but I hate to miss any. There were two letters here from you when I got up but I will answer them when I get home tonight. I guess I will have to iron my clothes tomorrow. I think it was the smoke that got me down, I breathed a lot of it in the last couple of nights. Well I guess I had better close for now. See you 8. Will write a longer one tonight. I love you very very much.
Love & xxxxxxxxs Harlan
SMAGBK
1:00 AM April 8, 1943 Thursday
Hello Sweetheart:
Well here it is another day closer to ? and you. How is my little girl tonight? Fine, I hope. I feel much better now. We had some rain tonight and that sort of freshened me up a bit.
Your letters are swell. One was written when I called you Sunday night or rather Monday morning. The other was with the clipping of the USS Sullivans.
There were no questions in the first one. No questions in the last one. Now I don’t know what to write about. Darn, I wish I would hear from my board. There sure are a lot of fellows from the yard going into the Army. There are some girls going to school at the yard now. I guess they are going to try putting some on the slabs to try out. I don’t think they will put them on the ships because of the galvanize. There sure are some cute ones. Some aren’t so cute too. It sure will seem funny to be working with girls around. Last time that was when I was at the library.
Well Sweets, I guess I had better close for now. I will finish in the morning. Okay? Okay! I love you very very much. Good night Sweetheart.
Good morning Darling:
Well I have just finished ironing my clothes. While I was ironing, Dick called me. He is coming in tomorrow afternoon, so I may take the day off and spend it with him. I probably won’t be able to take much time off when I get in the Army which will be pretty soon so I don’t think it will hurt much. Do you think?
It is time for me to go to work again.
I washed my hair last night and you should see it now. Do you remember the wave I have had such trouble getting in? Well it is a natural wave now. I just comb my hair straight back and after I wash it and in the morning there is a wave. My hair is kind of long on the sides and the curls that used to stick out are still there, only they are larger.
Well Sweets, I guess I better close for now, I will write again tonight. Okay? Okay! I love you and miss you very very much.
Love & xxxxxxxs Harlan
Thursday 9:15 AM April 8, 1943
Hello again,
I just finished my dinner, breakfast to you. I had bacon and eggs. Yum Yum, so now I feel a lot better. I have tomorrow off, so don’t have to go to work tonight. It sounds kind of mixed up but it’s O.K., so I’m going to a show with Momie tonight. I think I’ll go to bed for a couple, three hours and then go down early.
Yesterday after I finished your letter, I waited and waited for the mailman and he didn’t come until 12:30, so I didn’t get much sleep. But to get back, your letter was swell and thanks a lot for answering all of my questions. That idea about a large summer resort sounds pretty good and Honey if we keep working for that $1000 mark it would be a pretty good back ground. And you wouldn’t have to start and do it by yourself. I would be with you, so there.
Momie says hello. She is sitting here reading the paper. She says chin up, time flies and you’ll be an old married man before you know it and then you’ll wish you were single again.
My writing, I hope you’ll excuse but my arm at aches and won’t go where I want it to. It keeps jerking.
By the way Honey, is there anything you want me to send you to eat?
Harlan, you must get out of that rut you’re in. Something will turn up, you’ll see. You yourself said you didn’t have any troubles or worries, and if I was there you would have plenty, You bet! So look up and say I’m a lucky guy, why look at this swell girl I have waiting at home for me, (sounds good doesn’t it?)
We still haven’t heard from Dick. If you hear anything let me know, will you? O.K.
Well Sweetie Pie, I guess I had better close now. This is a lousy letter but it is a letter. But my little old arm is killing me. I miss you (as you know), I think you’re swell and I love you so much love.
Love as always & xxxxxxxxxxxs “Your” Darling Janie
Thursday 9:15 PM April 8, 1943
Hi Honey:
It seems to me I was writing to you just 12 hours ago but as I don’t work tonight and can sleep in the morning, I’m writing tonight instead. O.K? O.K!
Jeepers Honey, It’s a beautiful night. Momie and I just walked up to the store. Its warm, about 75. The stars are beautiful and bright, the big dipper is upside down, isn’t it just like our world? But like our world, it will ne back to normal soon, won’t it Honey? Sure! We didn’t go to the show today. About 3:30 I was pounding my ear when some one pounded on me, it was Joyce and Eleanor. Joyce got home last Saturday. She sure looks swell. California did her good. She didn’t get married you know because Earl’s father wouldn’t let them, so she and Earl are through. It’s too bad.
Anyway, they had a car and got up and got dressed and we went for a ride, then I came home and I was so tired we decided we wouldn’t go, so we are going downtown tomorrow and I’m going to buy some new clothes. I think it will make me feel a little better.
It was my turn to ne low and lonesome tonight. I know just how you felt the other night. I sure wish you weren’t so far away, then I could call you up when ever I wanted to or visa-versa. At 10:00 tonight I’m going out on the steps and smoke a cigarette while listening to the Chesterfield Hour and think of you without any interruptions. I’ll try and picture you o some deck of some big ship, smoking your pipe or welding with a big light. I can try and picture you in your helmet and leathers.
I just talked to your Mom and Max left today. She was waiting for Opal to come after the baby. I guess Opal feels pretty bad, but it’s just like everything else, just one of those things. I hope Max does O.K., he’s at Camp Dodge.
Well I’m going to close now and go to bed. I’m mad. I Love you very much.
Love and xxxxxs “Your” Darlin’ Janie
Good Night Harlan
Friday 5:45 PM April 9, 1943
Hi Honey:
Well, my gosh. I just happen to think it’s time for another Special for you. Time sure does fly. I’ll start it tonight and finish it when I arrive home from work in the morning O.K? O.K!
I received two letters today. One written April 6th and the other April 7th. April 7th was definitely too short, but I’ll forgive you this time. I think I will like that cuddling up real close when we get married, which reminds me, I dreamt we got married last night. I was out there I think when we were married. We work together one week and then you left for the Army. But boy did we ever have fun. You quit your job and we did nothing but play, golfing, swimming, sightseeing, riding in Herman, just having a good time, and then you saw me off to the train in the morning and you were leaving that night for the Army. We didn’t tell anyone we were married and when I got home no one knew but I couldn’t keep it from Momie and Dad, so I told them and they both cried a little but said if I was happy and you are happy then they were happy too. Jeepers, it was so real and married life, if it is anything like my dream Honey, is perfect and you’ll love it.
I sure hope you’re welding test plates pass the test. I thought Jack left Saturday for the Army. You said someone did. Who was it what time?
Harlan, why don’t you send your laundry out to be done? Jeepers, there isn’t any sense in you working so hard as you do and then doing your own work too. Can’t you get someone to do it for you?
Oh yes, I received your bond today which makes it $250, doesn’t that make you feel pretty good? Why sure! We’re coming along okay Honey. I’ll have one next week.
It sure was a busy day today, it has rained all day, a continual drizzle, and it was my day off. Oh well, I’ll have another one next week.
Harlan, I been thinking if you don’t pass your physical, I’m going to save until I get enough money that I am coming out. I mean I’m not going to wait until August, as soon as I get say $150, why out I come. Then that will push our marriage up. O.K? O.K! Besides, I can’t wait until August. So maybe it will be in June or July, O.K???
Harlan, if you have a chance to go into the Navy, will you do it?
I’m awfully sorry that you were sick. Honey you mustn’t let yourself get run down if you don’t feel like going to work, well Jeepers, it isn’t going to hurt if you stay home.
Rosie received a letter from Dick yesterday, or did I tell you that? Well anyway, he didn’t call you Sunday because he was on guard duty most of the day, but he thinks he will be home either the last of this week or the first of next week.
Well Honey, I’m going downtown and buy some stamps and envelopes for you. I’m out but definitely. Daddie told me I could have the car so I’m going to pick up Eleanor and Joyce.
Your Mom just called to see if I had heard from you. I’ll continue this when I get back. O.K? O.K! I sure wish you were going with me instead of the girls. We used to like to ride in the rain, remember. Herman didn’t leak hardly at all. Will must go Hon. I love you. Bye for now.
Hello again, It’s 10:00 and I’m back. I drove down to the post office, picking up Eleanor and Joyce up on the way. Got my envelopes and etc., then back up Keo to a drive-in and had a Coke and some donuts. Then back up to Joyce’s and sat out in front, listening to the radio, and talked about until about 9:45 and here I am again. It’s still raining, and you know how it is riding in the rain, fun right. I’m sure tired though, I wish I was going to bed instead of to work or better yet I wish we were out together. Just you and I and a oh little old Herman. Dear little Herman and dear Harlan (I should have put you first)
Oh jeepers Honey, I’m miss you just as much as you miss me. I too am getting to the point where I’m getting impatient, sometimes I have such a lump in my throat I could scream. It hurts, honest it does. Right now I would give anything to see you if only for a half hour. To feel your arms around me, your lips on mine, to see your face close to mine and smell your nice clean smell. That sounds funny, but you always did smell nice. I guess I better stop before you get low again.
Well Honey, much as I hate to, I have to close for now as it is time for me to go get ready for work. I love you, I love you, I love you and I miss you and Herman too.
Goodnight Sweetheart, “Your” Darlin’ Janie
Good morning Honey: It’s 9:00 and I just had my breakfast and as soon as I finish this, I’m going to take a bath, put up my hair up and get to bed but quick, because I’m dead. I’m kind of low but it’s because I’m so tired, and I always get awfully lonesome when I’m tired. I get to feeling sorry for myself and sad, and that ain’t good.
It’s cloudy again, probably will start raining again. Oh well, that’s okay with me because I like to sleep when it’s raining.
Bet then this is getting boring so maybe I had better close for good, O.K? O.K!
I love you Harlan very, very much and miss you terribly. Love & xxxxxs, Always “Your” Darlin Janie
PS In the letter with your bond yesterday was a special delivery stamp. I am sending it and another one so maybe you will write me another Special Sunday night O.K? O.K! By Now, Love Janie
PSS Don’t worry Honey and be careful and take care of yourself.
12:30 AM Sat. April 10, 1943
Hello Darlin’
Well here it is time for another Special for the sweetest and swellest girl in the world. It seems that all I have been doing lately is asking you to forgive me for not writing the night before. Well here it is again. I usually have a good excuse though. Don’t I? Well anyway last night I worked on top of the mast. The mast is about 50 feet above the main deck and the ship is about 50 feet from the ground, so I was really up in the air. We had a cold spell last night that just about tops them all. The wind was so strong I could hardly keep my fire going. My welding I mean. Well I don’t know when I’ve been as cold as I was last night. Clear through me. When I got home, I took a hot bath and turned my heater on and lay down. I woke up in about an hour I guess and turn the gas off and went to sleep. Then I thought to myself. My Darling little Janie won’t mind if I write in the morning instead of tonight so I went to sleep. (I had a nice dream of you and me) I woke up about 9:30 and ate breakfast. Dick called me at 10 tonight wanted to know if I was going to work. I said I didn’t know for sure. I kind of hate to miss work but I also hate to miss going out with Dick. I get such a big kick out of going out with him because he is so much fun, and it isn’t very often I get to go out with someone I know. I had to go out to the yard to get my check by 11 so I left. I picked Dick up a little after one and we drove out to my place and picked up my clubs. Dick had two ship mates with him so, we had a foursome. We had a lot of fun at the golf course. After we finished, we stopped at a restaurant and had dinner. We then drove back to my place and changed clothes and washed. Then we took the streetcar downtown and went to a show. And then I came home and Dick went back to Treasure Island. Now I’m writing to my one and only and I do mean one and only. I thought about you at 8 tonight. I was just walking up Market Street, heading for the show. The Big Dipper looked like it was Northeast and our Soldier was in the Southwest. Whenever you find the Big Dipper, just follow the line up right over your head in exactly the opposite direction and you can’t miss the soldier, it looks like this or something on that order.
Dick was telling me he may not be able to come home. He thinks he may be stationed out here permanently. If he is, he is going to send for Rose. (Maybe you could come out then too) I sure wish. You know tonight is the first time I have been to a show for over two weeks. Isn’t that something. Last Sunday I came home just to call you.
Are you mad at me for not writing last night? I will try to do better from now on.
Well Sweets, I’m kind of tired so I think I will close for tonight. I will finish this so-called letter or Special in the morning. I wish I was able to write the kind of Special you deserve, one where I could tell you how much I love you and wish with all of my heart and soul that we could be married soon. But I guess all I can say is that I really and truly love you. Goodnight Sweetheart.
Good morning Darlin’: Boy it sure is swell day out. If you were here, we could go out and play a little golf or something before I went to work. Wouldn’t that be swell? I have just finished eating breakfast and had better close pretty soon and get this in the mail before 10. Okay? Okay!
I sure had a lot of fun with Dick yesterday. If he gets stationed out here permanently, it will be nice. He thinks Chuck may be sent down here are after his 3 months in boot camp.
Well my Sweet, I guess I had better close for now. I will write again tonight. I love you more than you will ever know. Love and xxxxxxxxxxs Harlan.
Well another Sunday night without you, closer to August and you. I wish August wasn’t so far away. I played golf this morning and I sure wish I hadn’t. I must’ve lost about 12 balls. The wind was so strong it was hard to judge just where they would fall. I finished playing golf about 4:30. I then drove good old Herman down to Hook and Ziegler’s. I think I forgot to tell you that Hook and his wife and Ziegler’s wife are going back to Missouri for a couple of weeks. Hook’s wife is going to stay for about a month and Hook’s coming back. Ziegler’s wife is going to stay about two weeks, I think. Ziegler is waiting to hear from the draft board, so he couldn’t go. I got there about 5. My pal Herman and I took some of their baggage down for them. Watching them leave reminded me of the time I was ready to leave. Hook wanted to know if he should stop in Des Moines on the way back and pick you up. I said, You bet! I wish you were coming back. Their train left at 8:10. They left the ferry building about 7:30. Ziegler and I came in up to my place and I took a shower and put on some sport clothes. We then went down to the bowling alley and bowled a couple of games. After we got there, Leo came in and said he thought he would find us there. Leo pulled with us. His wife went to a dance. She’d rather dance than eat and Leo doesn’t care to dance, so she goes by herself.
My scores into bowling were all around 150 and 160. I forgot just exactly what they were though.
I don’t know why but I’m just about dead. I forgot to tell you I had dinner after we bowled. I had a great big rib steak and french fries and milk. $1.56.
Well Sweets, if you will forgive me, I guess I had better close. I will finish this in the morning. I love you so very much and miss you very very much. Good night Sweetheart.
Good morning Darling:
Boy did I sleep. It’s now 12 PM. I just finished eating breakfast and feel fine except I still miss you. The sun is out, and the wind has stopped. Now it is just like California weather. I wish I had gotten up sooner so I could have gotten a little more of this sun. The mail is here but I didn’t get a letter. There will probably be two tomorrow, or maybe this is the day that the one you did write was supposed to be here. However it doesn’t matter. I know how it is.
Darn, there isn’t any news, so I don’t know just exactly what to write about. Maybe I can do better tonight when I get home from work.
If you were here we could have gotten up early and gone out to the beach and laid in the sun on the warm sand. We could watch the waves come in and break. Wouldn’t that be a lot of fun? You bet!
Well Darling, as much as I hate to I think I will have close. I will write again tonight. I haven’t heard from my draft board as of yet. I love you very much.
Love & xxxxxxxxxxxxxx’s Harlan
You never said anything about the letter I addressed Mrs. J Harlan Berhow, why?
Monday 7:45 PM March 15, 1943
Hi Honey,
Well, yes siree, here I am again. Tomorrow is my day off and this being Monday night I thought I would go downtown and meet the girls, but Barbie has a date, Twinkie is out, and Jodi isn’t up yet so – I guess I won’t go, it’s raining anyway.
So you will make fun of my spelling, huh, well how about you repeating. Oh well, that’s all right Honey. I think I’m very lucky to get a letter every day besides, I never could spell but I’ll be more careful from now on.
I just tried to get your Mom but no answer. In Dickie’s letter yesterday he said he graduates the 19th but has to work the next week so won’t you kids get together next Sunday? If you do why don’t you go to the redwood forests? Dick and you were both so enthused the first time you said anything about it. I think it would be a nice place to spend your last Sunday (for the present) together.
Have you forgotten by any chance about my ultimatum? I sure hope not.
There isn’t much news. Honey, I am going to sleep until about noon tomorrow. I’m so tired lately and I haven’t been going out either, so there. Don’t take that wrong now.
Another letter was waiting for me when I arrived home tonight, kind of short but nice and oh yes, your Special was here when I got home yesterday. Thanks Honey, it was a swell letter and I know how you feel and I’m very proud of you. Harlan just as proud of you as I am of Dick and Chuck because you are doing your part where you are needed, just as they are. On one towel is a water pitcher, two glasses and little flowers something like this and the colors are orange, yellow, and red and black the other towel is like this in cross stitches and the colors are orange, yellow, and dark red and black only it’s fancier you like? Hope so. The next one will be ‘His and Hers’, O.K? O.K!
Well Sweets, I guess this is about all there is to tell tonight. Except that I love you very much. Shishhh I don’t want Daddie to hear me. Oh, he knows it all right, but he doesn’t like to have me be bold about it. You know what I mean. Anyway, I love you and I miss you. Yes, I still miss you terribly. Good night for now Honey.
Love & xxxxxxxxxx’s “Your” Darlin’ Janie
Be careful Honey and don’t get hurt. Careful and don’t be blue, because when you get hurt, I feel bad, when you are blue I am blue. So Darling, be the good little boy you are, and I love you.
Love “Your” Fiancé Janie
(drawing of Janie’s embroidery in the letter)
10:30 AM March 16, 1943
Hello Darlin’:
Well here it is another day closer to August and you. The radio is playing “There Are Such Things”.
I’ve been looking at you, I mean your picture, all morning. The more I look at it the more I fall in the path of love. On the back of the picture there’s a little writing which says love and good luck from Timmy and Tommy and Janie. That wasn’t awfully nice of you to put that on the back of the picture.
Do you remember how sort of disappointed I was when you just put, ‘Love to a Swell Fellow, Janey, on the front of the glass. Then you told me to look on the back when I got home because you didn’t want your folks to see it?
The day is another beautiful day. It would have been a swell day to go out and play golf with you, or maybe a little tennis. Anyway, you could do something to get out in the sun. Say Janie, why don’t you just pack your things and come on out. You remember my telling you about my friend Johnny being 1-A. Well he had his final examination yesterday. He is now 4F. There was something the matter with his lungs that was caused by galvanized and also because he was working in the shipyard that builds Navy ships. They told him he could do more and was more important there then he would be in the Army.
The mail just came and there were two letters from you. One that you wrote about our experience with the wind when we first got Herman. That was a lot of fun even though it was much more dangerous than we thought it was. If that wind had gone about 100 yards closer to us we probably wouldn’t be here to talk about it. The other letter was you written while you were at work. I sure hope that this working with older girls and women doesn’t make you rugged. At least not as rugged as I’m getting.
I have to leave for work early today as I have to stop and pick up my welding jacket. I had to get another new sleeve. I burned this one all up and my arm got pretty hot. I will need a new pair of gloves soon. Gloves are $3.00 and the sleeve is $3.50.
I’m not going to seal this until I get to work as I should have another bond (I hope).
My eyes were very tired. When I blink, sometimes my right eye muscles tighten up and then they sort of twitch. Darn, it bothers me. Well, I guess I better close now. I will write again tonight. I love you very much.
Love & xxxxxxxxxxxxxx’s Harlan
Tuesday 6:30 PM March 16, 1943
Hello Honey:
How are you? I hope this finds you both well and happy. I’m fine.
Well that’s that. My day off is over and I haven’t done a thing. There was no letter to get me up this morning, so I slept right straight through until 1 PM. I didn’t even wake up. Momie had to call me or I would probably still be asleep. After a breakfast I washed all my clothes and then ironed them and now I’m eating my dinner and in writing to the boy I love with all of my heart. Yep I do! I still have to pluck my eyebrows and fix my nails. Then I will read a story and go to bed O.K? O.K! Oh yes, I wrote Dickie a letter, a letter to Chuck and one to Donna and now one to you. Nice, Huh!.
I sure missed your letter today. How have mine been coming along?
It’s much colder here tonight, only 15 above and the wind is blowing 50 miles per hour. March is certainly living up to its reputation. It rained all day yesterday. It was awful, it rained so hard.
I just called your Mom, your case didn’t come up before the board today, but they are having or may have a special meeting Thursday and if they do, in all probability, it will come up then but if there is no meeting it won’t come up until next Tuesday. So oh well, what’s another week?
Jeepers Honey, there isn’t any news tonight. I haven’t done anything exciting lately.
Do you know what? You don’t? Well I do. I love you. Yes I do! Oh Harlan, I’m so lucky, more and more every day I realized it. You are such a wonderful fellow. I’m afraid sometimes, oh forgot it.
Margie, one of the girls at the plant has found out that her boyfriend in the Army is stepping out on her. I was thinking about it a few moments ago and I thought about you being out there all alone yet not even thinking about going out with other girls or doing anything you shouldn’t. You’re so good and sincere in everything you do, and I trust you as much as I trust my own Dad. You’re so – – oh I can’t put it into words how I feel, you’re just about perfect I guess, and I miss you so very much and love you more. Harlan, you’re my life.
It’s Tuesday night at 7:30 PM and if there wasn’t a war we’d be together, may be out for a Coke, planning on coming back home to listen to Fibber McGee and Molly and Bob Hope and Red Skelton but there is a war and we are hundreds of miles apart. Yet you are always with me in my heart. Good night Honey.
Love & xxxxxxxxxx’s “Your” Darlin’ Janie
Be careful and be happy. Bye
Tuesday March 16, 1943
Dear Harlan,
Here I am writing at last. I’m terrible sorry to be so late. I think I owe you two letters.
I still haven’t had Donna’s picture taken yet. Although I am making arrangements with a studio. Mother tried to take a few in the house but they didn’t come out at all. Her baptism dress was pretty. I’m going to have some taken in it.
I wanted you to be here so badly when she was baptized. I would have liked to have you carry her. Max still hasn’t really held her.
Harlan, I sure hope you get your deferment. It will be so much better for you. Best I think. I worry about you working there as much as if you were in the service. How is everyone there anyway? I heard from Mrs. Pennyman about a month ago. I answered several letters to people we knew there. Daddy was supposed to have mailed them, but whether he did or not or not I don’t know.
Jane still hasn’t seen over to see the baby. I sure do wish you could see her. Everyone that has seen her thinks she looks like you. Now she is beginning to laugh quite a bit and ‘coo’. She sure is cute when she tries to talk. Usually babies don’t start to laugh or make noises until they are about three months old. She is getting to terribly big. Goodness, and so fat. Tonight she has been pretty fussy. We are going to take her to the doctor soon, because she should start eating a few things now. If she gets any bigger I don’t think I’ll be able to hold her. She hangs was over my lap now.
Well Harlan, I hope you will forgive me for being this late in writing to you. And I’ll send you a picture just as quick as I can. I’m awfully anxious for you to see the baby. Bye. Love Opal
(be careful)
PS: Could you please send my radio (collect) I’m pretty lost without it. (please)
1:00 AM March 17, 1943 Wednesday
Hello Darlin’:
Well how is my little girl on this next day closer to August and you? Fine I hope.
I just got home from work, have had my shower and I’m ready for bed. I wish we had gotten married this morning. It is nice and cool out and it would be a good night to cuddle up to keep warm. We could open up all the windows so we would have to have in case we needed any encouragement and I don’t think we would need any. Do you?
Darling, do you know what? I have a plan for us to get married. Here’s my new plan. In about July you could quit your job. Then in August you could come out and we could get married. By August I will have enough hours in to have a vacation. I could take an extra week off and we could go to Lake Tahoe on our honeymoon. How does that sound? Oh! Well it was just an idea. I wish there was some ways of getting married there in the Little Brown Church at Des Moines without going to a lot of expense in traveling. I would like to be married at home, mostly because of our folks. I know yours would want it that way and I know mine as would as they didn’t get to see Opal get married. Maybe we can work it out some way.
Well Darling, if you don’t mind, I think I will hit the bed. I’m kind of tired. I will finish in the morning. I love you very very much. Good night sweetheart.
Good morning Darling:
Boy what a night of sleep I had. Guess what time it is now. No your wrong it’s 1:00 PM. I got up about 11:45 pm, had breakfast and now I’m writing to my Honey. The weather out smells nice, clean and fresh because it’s raining like the devil. The mail is here but I didn’t get a letter today. (The radio is playing “Blue Moon”)
There isn’t any news I don’t know what else I’m going to write about. I have to shave, and it is almost time to go to work. I sure wish you were here with me. We would have our own little apartment. We could be fixing my lunch, or just finishing washing our clothes. Maybe this morning because of the rain we could have gone down town and bowled a couple of games before work or maybe a show. Maybe we could just stay home and wrestle on the floor. Anyway we wouldn’t have a dull moment.
Well Sweets, as much as I hate to, I guess I had better close and get ready for work.
I love you very very much.
Love & xxxxxxxxxxxxxx’s Harlan
Harry James just came on and his playing :I Don’t Want To Walk Without You”
Wednesday, 6:45 PM March 17, 1943 St. Patrick’s Day
To start with, this will only be a note as I have to go downtown for Daddie and want to drop this in the mailbox. O.K? O.K!
Well, I received two letters today. Which was a nice surprise. Both of them were swell. Thank you Honey.
There isn’t much news. Momie says ‘Hi”. Harlan every Tuesday she says a little prayer for you, yesterday she said a great long one. She’s very fond of you Honey. You’re such a swell guy. Everyone loves you, especially me!
I’m sorry Darling that I didn’t say anything about the letter addressed to Mrs. J Harlan Berhow. I thought I had. It was cute but daring, don’t you think? It should have been the ‘Future Mrs. J Harlan Berhow. Oh happy day. I was thinking about it tonight while I got supper. I prepare supper once a week now and each week a different dish and every time I do, I pretend I’m fixing it for you.
Honey, if you get drafted don’t worry about the money part of it. I can save $40 a month and maybe you can save at least $20. That’s $60 a month. In a year we would have saved over $700 and when you come home we can start out on that. And Harlan I have told you before I will wait for you always, no matter where you are or what you are doing.
Yes the idea of me coming out, even if you don’t get a deferment, is food for thought but it is food I can’t think about yet or have. Your little doll is fine tonight, although a little bit tired but I think your little Darlin’ will live.
Well Sweets, Momie is ready to go now, so I better close, I will write again when I get home and then mail it on the way to work tomorrow morning. O.K? O.K!
As always, I love you.
Love & xxxxxxxxxx’s “Your” Darlin’ Janie
PS Your bowling score is swell, you big handsome brute.
Wednesday 9:20 PM March 17, 1943
Hello Honey:
Well here I am back again, only instead of mailing this tomorrow I think I will continue it when I arrive home from work tomorrow night as it is later than I expected it to be. We stopped and picked up Rosie and Dickie Junior and took them with us. Then dropped Rosie off at her Mother’s and then brought Dickie home with us, had ice cream and chocolate and then took him home and I took him to the door, I kissed him and said good night honey in a real low voice to see what he would say and he said in a whisper “Good Night Darling”. Well, if you don’t think my heart stopped for a moment you’re wrong. It sure did bring back sweet memories, but don’t you think that was cute.
Kay Kaiser is on. He is very good. The girls is singing “I’m in the mood for love”, jeepers!
Daddy went out tonight. He went to a stag. I sure hope he has a nice time. He doesn’t go very often.
Tomorrow night Daddy, Momie, Rosie and I are going to see “Yankee Doodle Dandy” None of us saw it when it was here before and so we thought we would go.
Our ring sure does sparkle tonight. It’s so pretty Honey, in fact I think it’s beautiful, so dainty and nice. I love it almost as much as I love you. There I go again.
Well Honey, I’m running out of words, so I better close for the time being. I hope you will understand. I love you so very, very much. Good Night Honey
Love Janie
5:30 PM March 18
Hello again:
Well I’ve been home from work for about 45 min., have read your letter, ate little something and changed my clothes and now I’m writing to my Honey.
Jeepers, I’m tired. You bet! My legs are very achy, and my right arm is tired to. It’s snowing very hard and has been since noon and looks like it’s going to keep up all night, it’s about 3 inches deep now. So because I’m so tired and it’s so bad out, we are not going to the show. Instead I’m going to bed and early.
There isn’t much news. Just tried to call to your Mom but she isn’t home. I won’t seal this until I get her in case she found out about your deferment. I received your bond that makes up $175 between us, every time I look at them I get a proud feeling. Because they are partly yours and anything that is yours, I love.
The only thing I will say about me becoming rugged is “are my letters rugged?” Yours aren’t, yours are very nice and gentlemanly.
Well Sweets, dinner is almost ready, and I must wash up, so we’ll say more after dinner. O.K? O.K! Bye for a little while. I love you.
My gosh, it’s 9:15, after I ate I laid down on the floor for a minute and I guess I went to sleep. Anyway, I just woke up. I’m sorry but I can hardly keep my eyes open. Enclosed is a picture of a fur coat just like mine. I thought you might like to see it. Let me know how you like it.
Jeepers, I’m dizzy, look I skipped a line up there, oh well. I just talked to your Mom and the board didn’t meet today, not again till Tuesday. Darling, my Sweetheart, I must go to bed before I fall asleep right here. I love you. I love you so much.
xxxxxxxxxx’s “Your” Little Darlin’ Janie
12:15 AM. March 18, 1942 Thursday.
Hello Darlin’:
Well, how’s my little girl tonight? Fine I hope. On this next day closer to? and you. I’m almost at a loss as to what to write about. I didn’t get a letter so there were no questions to answer.
I had quite a night tonight. I ran about 116 feet. I received my make out slips for last week. One for $10.84 and one for 28 cents. I must have slipped that night. My sweatshirt caught on fire tonight and I have a big blister where the whole is. A hot chunk of metal fell down and stuck there. I tried to put the fire out and the metal fell right on down my stomach and into my shorts. It burned a hole in the bottom of them and fell down into my boot. I was jumping around like a toad trying to keep from touching it and the fellows there with me just stood and laughed. By the time the metal cooled, I was half undressed.
I just got home and have washed, so now all I have to do before I go to bed his finish this letter and then eat. I have a bunch of close to washed in the morning. I wish you were here to help me. I’d get them a lot cleaner then, I know. I have my radio on and they are playing all sorts of popular music. The sky is clear in the stars and the moon are bright and I feel like necking a while before I go to bed. What should I do about it? Oh! Just go to bed a little earlier and dream that you and I are together. We would be necking if we work together.
Darn, I don’t know what else to write about, I haven’t heard from Dick yet, so I don’t know what he we are going to do this Sunday. He said he thought he would get in. He has been very busy lately with examinations of all sorts I guess.
Well Darling, if you will excuse me I will go get a bite to eat. Gee, it would sure be good to have you cook something for me again just like we used to do. Do you remember how I used to come over for dinner or lunch sometimes and you would tell me that you fixed a certain thing. I would kid you and say I didn’t believe you. You ask your mother to tell me. She would. And then I’d say “Well, it is pretty good”. I love so you so very much.
Good Morning Darling:
I laid down to rest a little bit before I finish this letter and I woke up this morning. The time is 9 AM and I finished eating breakfast and I don’t feel so good this morning. My stomach feels kind of upset. I think it’s because of not eating the right things. One of the fellows here at the house has his wife with him now. She just got here this morning. He works the graveyard shift and some other shipyard. He and his wife have been apart for quite a while.
Well My Sweet, I guess I had better close and get my clothes washed. The sun is out, and it will probably be a nice day all day, I hope.
I love you very very much. Love & xxxxxxxxxxxxxx’s Harlan
12:30 AM March 19, 1943
Hello Darlin’:
Well, here it is, another day closer to August and the sweetest girl in the world. I received a letter from you and one from the folks today before work.
I wasn’t making fun of your spelling, I was only kidding you. I don’t know whether Dick and I will be together or not next Sunday. He said he thought he would get off but didn’t know her sure. He will probably call in the morning and or Saturday morning. I would like to go to the Redwood Forests, but it’s quite a ways away. But we’ll see.
Have I forgotten about what? I can’t make it out. Do you mean Valentine? No, I haven’t forgotten about it. Just kidding about the first part. These towels must be cute I can’t wait until I see them – hanging in our bathroom or where ever they are supposed to hang.
I was kind of sick to my stomach this morning and I feel kind of funny now, I think that smoke is getting me down. One of these weeks I’m going to knock off a night and have a great big steak dinner and show all by myself – as usual. By myself I mean. I haven’t missed a night since I’ve been there outside of Christmas. I run about 120 feet tonight and I am really dead. The night is cool, and the sky is clear. The Big Dipper is still there, our soldier is still up there and your there and I’m here. What a mess.
Well Darling, it is getting towards that time again. I had better finish this in the morning. I have to go up and get a bite to eat first though. I love you very much. Good night Sweetheart.
Good Morning Darling, boy what a night. It is 11:00 and I just got up. Today is another payday. I was going to get up early and go see my tire rotation board. Then I was going to go to the Y. Then to dinner before work. Now I get up at 11:00, I’m still going out to eat. There is a nice restaurant on the way to work. It’s out by Leo’s. Leo said he and his wife eat their quite a bit.
There isn’t any news, so I don’t know what I’m going to write about. Maybe if I go up and eat breakfast I can think of something else. Okay? Okay! Love it isn’t the only thing I have to offer you now.
Well Honey, well I’m back and now it is time to go to work. I’ve been doing some ironing. Dick called me this morning. He graduated today. He is leaving for home a week from this Saturday. He won’t have this Sunday off, but he has next Wednesday off. I’m going to take that day off because it’ll be our last chance to be together for some time. I sure wish I could come home with him. But it is just impossible. I guess I’m going to have to spend another lonely Sunday.
Well Sweets, I guess I had better close. I will write my Special tonight. I received a letter from you today but won’t answer it until tonight so I will have something to write about tonight in my Special. I love you more than words could ever express.
Love & xxxxxxxxxxxxxx’s Harlan
Friday 8 PM March 19, 1943
Hello Honey:
My gosh, I’ve done it again. I laid down after dinner about 6:00 and just woke up. Jeepers I don’t know what the matter with me lately. Do you?
Well, how’s my Honey today. I hope this finds you both well and happy and having a nice Sunday.
Jeepers, here it is Friday night, time to write a Special letter and I don’t have any news. Trinkie just called and it is all excited, Eddie Clark, a fellow that both her and I have gone web, who has been reported missing for over six months, is a prisoner in the Japanese hands. His mother just received word from the government today.
I just figured up my budget for the week. Today was pay-day you know. I have a $1.50 left for the week, that’s pretty good. Last week I had $.75, but I put too much money in the bank last week. Oh well.
It has finally stopped snowing, but there is about 4 or I should say about 6 inches deep, it comes way up over my ankles and me without over shoes. But you can’t buy any here. I broke my watch the other day and took it down to the jewelers, but they can’t get the parts to fix it, so now I don’t know what to do. I almost have to have a watch out at work as I have to keep track of my time. Everyone has to keep a record of their time. To buy a new one would be too expensive, sooo’s I don’t know just what to do.
Although it’s very cold out, it sure is beautiful. The stars are very bright and the Big Dipper – oh boy.
Say, do you ever hear from Frank Webb. I haven’t seen or talked to him since you left. And oh yes, I didn’t get a letter today – darn.
Gosh darn it, I can’t even think of a cute joke. Oh Harlan, I know some news. I was runner up for the prettiest girl in our wing at the plant. Of course I’m not the prettiest but I’m next to it. Miriam is the prettiest and she has a good chance of winning the whole thing and be the prettiest girl in the whole plant. Won’t that be swell. I told Marian I would, like any girl, like to be the prettiest girl in the wing but you can’t have everything, and she doesn’t have Harlan.
Well I know that’s all I do know to write. Except that I love you very very much and I hope that you are having a nice time and are thinking of me once in a while. Be good now and be careful and eat a lot. Again I say I love you all of my heart.
Always “Your” Darlin’ Janie
PS Good night Honey xx xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxoooooooooooooooooo all that I have
Saturday 5:15 PM March 20, 1943
Hi Honey:
Well I received a letter today. Which makes every thing just about perfect. Everything went along swell at work today. Marge, Marion, and I were the only ones on our side, and we did fine. I didn’t get into any trouble at all, which is unusual for me. I guess we are going to the show “Yankee Doodle Dandy” tonight. I sure hope so, as this is Saturday night and I haven’t been any place for about two weeks so, besides I feel like doing something, or what.
Your letter was swell but something you said about that night shocked me, tisk-tisk, but oh boy.
There isn’t any news. It’s even so much warmer out, the snow is melting rapidly and it’s very slushy. To get to the point of this letter you see, I didn’t get your Special done last night, thus it didn’t go out until this morning thus you probably won’t get it until Monday. I’m so sorry Honey, but Daddie didn’t have enough gas for me to drive down, so I’m sending this Special so maybe it will make up in a small way for the fact that you didn’t get one on Sunday. See?
I’ll write you another one when I get home from the movie tonight.
Must go now as the folks just arrived home and are ready to go right now. I love you Honey. Maybe I’ll write of love letter when I get home. Goodbye for now.
Love & xxxxxxxxxx’s “Your” Darlin’ Janie
PS Be careful
12:45 AM March 20, 1943
Hello Darlin’:
Well, here it is another day closer to August and you. Oh! Happy August. I just got home from work. I didn’t have such a good time. On the way home I saw several couples coming from or going someplace. When I was waiting for to transfer on, there was a lot of couples coming and going in the cars. There was one or two couples walking hand-in-hand. Darling, all I have to say is that it isn’t right. I talked to Leo’s wife on the way to work. She was telling me of the dance. They have a swell band that stays there all season. They play a waltz every third or fourth dance. When I heard that I just about died. There you and are here I am, and there is the dance that plays waltzes every third dance.
The Red Cross got me today for $10.
Your letters have been coming through swell. Each week that the board holds up on makes my next deferment that much longer. (If I get one.)
Darling, you are wrong about me not thinking of going out or doing things that I shouldn’t. I’ve had hundreds of chances to with fellows I meet at the yard. But you are right about me not going out or doing things I shouldn’t because I have too many things waiting for me and I’m not going to spoil that just because some fellow asked me to. Don’t take me wrong when I say I do that think about going out. I guess I didn’t just words that right. What I mean is that I think about going out with you and no one else because as far as I’m concerned there is no one else. I’m not much good at putting into words what I mean either. I guess I put my foot into my mouth every time I open it. I get all mixed up. I know what I think but I don’t seem to be able to say it. The way I feel is that I have something that is promised to you and therefore belongs to you. I won’t let another girl have it if my life depended on it. (Harry James is playing “My Devotion”) I hope you don’t think I’m getting too bold, but I am trying to write just exactly what I think. (Harry James’ “Last Night in Manhattan”) I will admit it’s an awful temptation to just call you up and plead with you to come out here. There is a shell plant right across the street from Bethlehem. There are all kinds of jobs you could have, even at Bethlehem probably. That is if you didn’t want to get married for a couple of weeks or more. But I guess that is out. Isn’t it?
Well Sweets, I guess I will close and finish this in the morning if you don’t mind. I’d like to get as much sleep as possible. Good night Sweetheart. I love you and am waiting for you. Please don’t make me wait too long though.
Good morning Darling:
Well, we have a beautiful morning. Guess what time I got up this morning. 7:30. I have to take this Special down to the post office, put my check in the bank. And then I may go to a show or to the Y. Tommy Dorsey is at the Golden gate Theatre. Do you see what you’re missing by not being here with me?
There isn’t any news so I don’t know what else I can write about so I guess I will had better close. I love you very very much. I can hardly wait until you come out.
Love & xxxxxxxxxxxxxx’s Harlan
11:00 AM Sunday, March 21, 1943
Hello Darlin’:
Well another week has crept a little closer in bringing us together. I didn’t write last night because I was just about dead. I worked on a small foundation in the engine room. They are really hard to weld. Your Special hasn’t come yet. Syd called me this morning. He is going to drive his mother around San Francisco. He wants me to write around with them. Beings I haven’t anything better to do, I think I will. The weather is cloudy so I don’t think I will play in the golf.
There was a letter here for me when I got home last night. I had better answer it in this note. Darling, the (Harry James is playing “Seems I’ve Heard That Song Before” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tX5S9iXmMek) least of my worries is my deferment, I don’t worry whether I’ll get it or not but what I am worried about is when I’ll find out about it. It doesn’t make much difference to me whether I get in or not. I can’t be with you here in San Francisco and I couldn’t be with you in the service.
The reason that I’m writing on both sides of the paper is that I don’t have much paper left, and I have to write some Opal and to the folks. I received a very nice letter from sis yesterday. She says you haven’t been out to see the baby yet. Why don’t you go out with Mom someday if you get a chance. You know Opal likes you very much. Although she may not show it very much. That is just Opal’s way. She is very quiet and sweet girl. Everybody that knew her out here thought she was just about this swellest person they had ever met. She never complains about anything. She told me that she thought I was a very lucky fellow to have you for a girlfriend.
Syd said he was coming right over so I guess I had better get ready to close.
We are launching another ship today. I worked on it for about a week just before my ship the U.S.S. Miller was launched. In two weeks, another one will be lunch. Then two more weeks and the one I’m working on now will be launched. I think I will be put back with Lang on Monday. It is a ship that is just started.
Well Sweets, again I say I love you very very much. I will write you again tonight.
Love & xxxxxxxxxxxxxx’s Harlan
Sunday 7:30 PM March 21, 1943
Hi Honey:
Well, here I am again. I just woke up. After I came home I read your letter, ate dinner then laid down on the davenport about 5:30 PM and just woke up to hear on the radio that they have frozen butter, can’t buy any for week after midnight tonight, well we only have a half a pound here at the house and as I take my lunches, we went to get some. We went to seven stores and they are all out, sooo I guess I’ll have to buy my lunches this week, darn. Jeepers, no butter for a week and you know me and my butter.
Your letter Special was swell Honey, just swell. It came about 3:30 PM and it was waiting here for me when I arrived home. I grabbed it quick like and read it thoroughly. We will go to that dance once a week. O.K? O.K! Just think, once every week. Honey, I was figuring up today there is this is March 21st. Five months from this very day we will in all probability be together and it will only be 4 1/2 months before I leave. Now that isn’t so very long when you stop and think about Rosie and Dick. If he comes next week they will be together for four days at the most and then they probably won’t see each other for the duration, which looks like a long time. Kathleen, the little girl in car, hasn’t seen her husband for four months and it will be two more before he gets a furlough, then he will probably go across. So see Honey, we aren’t so very bad off. Don’t worry, I know how hard it is to be alone evenings, to see the young couples together, going places alone, almost getting tired of going on sometimes but that then I look down at my ring and think and remember what a wonderful future husband I have, working and writing too. I think how lucky I am to have a job to keep me busy, swell parents and nice friends to help, if we can just keep happy and partially content until August, I know the worst will be over. Please, please don’t be too impatient, because I do love you so much and want nothing more than to become your wife and the day I step on that train bound for Frisco will be the happiest day in my life, so far, because I’ll always be on my way to you.
Darn, it’s much colder tonight. I’ll be so glad when it gets warm again. My little old winter coat is just about worn out, my gloves are worn out and my flannels are thread worn, oh dear what can the matter be.
Well Harlan dear, I believe I had better go now as I am tired and tomorrow up at 5:45 again. I must get my beauty sleep you for you. Momie says I’m changing very much both in actions and looks. I hope not too much and please, please Harlan don’t grow up too much remember you’re only 22. That is very young. When you were home Christmas you seemed so old at times, it was nice, but I felt like I didn’t know you, like you were someone else, not the Harlan I knew. Stay young and gay as possible and I’ll try to too. Now I must go. I say as I have said so many times before that I love you Harlan with all my heart.
Love & xxxxxxxxxx’s “Your” Darlin’ Janie
Fun Fact: When the United States declared war after the attack on Pearl Harbor, the United States government created a system of rationing, limiting the amount of certain goods that a person could purchase. Supplies such as gasoline, butter, sugar, and canned milk were rationed because they needed to be diverted to the war effort. The OPA froze the sale of butter at midnight March 21, 1943 through March 28, following the freeze, butter and other fatty oils were rationed.. The OPA (Office of Price Administration) assigned points to each type of fat based on scarcity.. Oleo was naturally white, it came with a packet of yellow food coloring to mix in and gained in popularity as it took less points then butter. Lard and oils rations ended in spring of 1944, but oleo and butter continued being rationed until November 1945. (credit to nps.gov/articles/rationing…)
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”.
credit imbd.com
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”.
credit imbd.com
credit imbd.com
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.
(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.
Well this is quite a mixed-up day behind me. After I finished talking and writing to you I went out to the golf course. There was a city championship tournament on, so I had to wait until this afternoon to get on the course. Then I went over to Johnny’s and helped him wash his car. Then I went back to the course at about 1:30 and played 13 holes and had to be back at Johnny’s for dinner at 5:00. We had dinner, smoked a cigar and then I came home to clean up. John picked me up about 8:00 and we went downtown to show. The shows were all packed want to wait in line for an hour or more, so we didn’t go. He asked me if I wanted to hear some really good music. I said yes, so we went to a nightclub club called “Back Stage”. They have a colored man there of six pieces that are really good! There are lounge chairs all around the bandstand that you just sit and listen to them. We ordered a drink and sat there for about two hours. Then we went down to the restaurant at the marina and had some spaghetti. Then we came home and here I am writing to my one and only.
Well Darling, I guess I had better close and get some sleep. If you were here I think I would stay up all night and just look at you. Why, Oh why must this war keep us apart so much. I love you so much it really hurts inside. All of the time, when I was talking to you, I had to fight to keep the begging you to come out. I will write tomorrow night.
Love & xxxxxxxxxxxxxx’s Harlan
Monday 5:15 March 1, 1943
Hi Honey: – How are you?
I just arrived home from work well, about a half an hour ago. Momie said your Mom had called so I called her, and she told me she had called the draft board, as you will probably know about when you get this letter, and your case comes before the board tomorrow. She’s going to call back Wednesday and let me know Wednesday night, then if she doesn’t mind I’m going to either wire or call you. That will be Wednesday night, or better yet send you a night letter and then call you Thursday night but I suppose it will all be all over by the time you get this and all I have is an airmail envelope so I can’t send a Special. I’m sorry.
Well how’s My Honey today? I hope this finds you well and quite happy. I have thought of you all day, nothing I do seems to drive you from my mind, oh not that I want to Honey, but jeepers it’s been this way for a week, and I don’t know but it isn’t the kind of feeling I like. I love to think of you but – Oh, I don’t know, maybe I’m crazy, you wonderful brute you.
I love you very much
There was no letter today, so no questions to answer but the reason there wasn’t any letter is because of the two Specials which were very sweet, so I don’t mind.
Has my package arrived yet? Work went along as usual today, but Marion wasn’t there, so it wasn’t quite the same. It’s very cold here again right now. It’s only 10 above and this morning it was about 8. Tonight it’s supposed to be 10 below, now isn’t that always the way, March and 10 below.
Oh I forgot, your Mom found some baby pictures of you and she is going to give them to me. I haven’t one of you and I wanted one so bad and now I’ll have one. And then when Timmy comes, we can compare you two. Besides, I want one of you for myself. O.K? O.K!
Excuse me Honey, I have to eat. Be back when I’m through. Hellow, it’s 7:00 o’clock, took me quite a while didn’t it? Well I did the dishes and then talk to Momie for a while, fed the dog and washed and here I am again.
Harlan, if you don’t get a deferment, don’t pay your income tax because in the first place you don’t have to until you get back and in the second place you may not have to pay any because in the last war after the boys came back they didn’t have to pay any and I don’t think you should pay it when we will need the money so bad. You may think I’m talking like you aren’t going to get one, but I’m not going to kid myself.
Well Sweets, I’m through. No more to write about. Please Harlan, I think you are working too hard. Please Honey, there is no sense in killing yourself. And please be careful and take it easy. Have some fun and don’t work too hard. Maybe you are making out too much. And one more thing Harlan, no matter where you are or what you’re doing, I’ll wait for you because I love you so much, and if you go, there is nothing we can do and it is because you are needed but I shall always love you and wait for you.
Love as Always
“Your” Darlin’ Janie
PS YOU HAVE TO FILE YOUR TAXES BUT NOT PAY IT.
1:30 AM Tuesday, March 2, 1943
Hello Darlin’:
Well, here it is another month closer to August and you. Boy oh boy, do I rate. 2 letters, one special and your package came today. I will exchange the things tomorrow. Your letters were all perfect. They couldn’t be any better. Whenever I get blue or disgusted I will take these three letters out and read them over and over. I only have two sheets of paper left, so I will have to write on both sides like you did in yours. I heard that song ‘Black Magic’ last night well eating supper. I was going to ask you if you had heard it or not. I don’t know why those letters should take so long to get there.
My spine is all right now, I think. It is a little sore when I sit on it for a long time but otherwise okay. Yes we work hard, and it is fun in a different sort of way. I’m terribly sorry about writing that phrase ‘I hate you’ because I really didn’t mean it. I’m not much good at putting in words what I mean or what to say so I guess I put anything down comes into my mind. The only thing I’m really sure of is this, I love you more than anything on this earth. There isn’t a thing in the world that I want more than you to be happy. You were very much mistaken about me not going to say anything about loving you during your telephone conversation. I had something all made up to say and didn’t get a chance to say it. I was going to say, “Well Darling, as much as I love you etc. etc.” I don’t quite remember the last part.
You know Darling, I’ll never forget that night I asked you to marry me. It happened all too fast. Darn you, you wanted to go right up and go to bed too soon after I asked you. You didn’t even say yes until the next day. When you come out in August can we do it again just for fun? I’m so sleepy and tired I can hardly keep my eyes open. Would you mind if I finished in the morning? Okay? Okay!
All the love I have I give to you and you alone.
Love & xxxxxxxxxxxxxx’s Harlan
PS Goodnight Sweetheart
Good morning Little Darlin’:
Well here it is another morning without you. I wish I could get up in the morning and say “Hello Darlin’, how do you feel this morning, still love me? You do? That’s swell. I love you too. By the way what are we going to have for breakfast?” Or something on that order. It sure is torture just thinking about things like that. Wondering, waiting, and hoping is all we can do.
There isn’t any news, so I don’t know what else to write about. I have to go to see my tire board this morning and exchange your things so I can guess I had better close and get downtown. In closing I want to tell you that I think you are the swellest girl I have ever known I love you more than anything on the earth. I’m waiting for you.
Love & xxxxxxxxxxxxxx’s Harlan
Tuesday 5:15 PM March 2, 1943
Hi Honey:
I have been home from work for about a half an hour, your Special was here waiting for me. It had come about 15 min. before I arrived. Boy I sure am rating lately, especially this weekend. I’ve forgotten all about last week. This one sure was a swell letter all nice and newsy and enough of you know what. Thanks a lot, it was swell.
I won’t ever be mad at you for not writing. I’m sorry I was kind of sore last week if I had of received your letters regularly I would’ve thought anything of it, but it won’t happen again unless the occasion comes to often. Yes indeed – the 9 minutes did go fast. Too fast. But when one is enjoying oneself, time always goes fast.
Jeepers, I don’t know. I think I would rather have you write both Saturday and Sunday nights because then I would get one on Tuesday. You see Friday night, you write my Special, which comes Sunday and then if you don’t mail your Saturday night letter, I don’t get one until Wednesday and between Sunday and Wednesday I’m going crazy without of any letters from you. You can never know what your letters mean to me. A day without a letter is lost, even if I get 2 the next day, so that’s the way it is.
I’m very glad you have found a new friend and especially one at your age. Is he married? If not, that makes it especially nice. Has he a deferment too? Oh boy what a car. I’ll bet you like that like what.
Well tomorrow night at this time I will know whether or not you are granted another deferment. I don’t know whether I’ll be glad or not if you get it, because you never came right out and said whether you wanted one or not and I wanted what you want and as I don’t know what you want, how can I tell. But that all that will be discussed by the time you get this.
I just happened to think, do you mean that you would start writing Saturday night and finish on Sunday night and then send it Special? If that’s it, why sure that’s O.K. I would like to get a Special on Tuesday. Anything Honey, just so I get a letter.
Well I have to go eat now, Mary Jane just came in and I will finish this later. I think I’ll wash my hair and then back to you Honey while it’s drying. O.K? O.K!
Hi, it’s 6:15 and Harry James orchestra is on for 15 minutes and if he plays “You Made Me Love You”, I’ll let you know. Be back.
Tuesday 5:15 PM March 2, 1943
Hi Honey:
I have been home from work for about a half an hour, your Special was here waiting for me. It had come about 15 min. before I arrived. Boy I sure am rating lately, especially this weekend. I’ve forgotten all about last week. This one sure was a swell letter all nice and newsy and enough of you know what. Thanks a lot, it was swell.
I won’t ever be mad at you for not writing. I’m sorry I was kind of sore last week if I had of received your letters regularly I would’ve thought anything of it, but it won’t happen again unless the occasion comes to often. Yes indeed – the 9 minutes did go fast. Too fast. But when one is enjoying oneself, time always goes fast.
Jeepers, I don’t know. I think I would rather have you write both Saturday and Sunday nights because then I would get one on Tuesday. You see Friday night, you write my Special, which comes Sunday and then if you don’t mail your Saturday night letter, I don’t get one until Wednesday and between Sunday and Wednesday I’m going crazy without of any letters from you. You can never know what your letters mean to me. A day without a letter is lost, even if I get 2 the next day, so that’s the way it is.
I’m very glad you have found a new friend and especially one at your age. Is he married? If not, that makes it especially nice. Has he a deferment too? Oh boy what a car. I’ll bet you like that like what.
Well tomorrow night at this time I will know whether or not you are granted another deferment. I don’t know whether I’ll be glad or not if you get it, because you never came right out and said whether you wanted one or not and I wanted what you want and as I don’t know what you want, how can I tell. But that all that will be discussed by the time you get this.
I just happened to think, do you mean that you would start writing Saturday night and finish on Sunday night and then send it Special? If that’s it, why sure that’s O.K. I would like to get a Special on Tuesday. Anything Honey, just so I get a letter.
Well I have to go eat now, Mary Jane just came in and I will finish this later. I think I’ll wash my hair and then back to you Honey while it’s drying. O.K? O.K!
Hi, it’s 6:15 and Harry James orchestra is on for 15 minutes and if he plays “You Made Me Love You”, I’ll let you know. Be back.
They are playing ‘Old Black Magic”, ever heard of it? I like it. Be back.
PS I’m eating banana cream pie. Momie is teaching me how to cook Honey and I made this one, honest! Now they’re playing “There are Such Things”. Isn’t this fun? I like that one very much. Be back, I got to fix the fire.
Well here I am again in the didn’t play my song. Darn, oh well, maybe they will tomorrow. By the way I fixed the fire I made, I’m in training Honey, for the future.
Must go now and dry the dishes. See I do a little bit of everything. Be back.
Guess what’s on now? “Lights Out”. Remember? We used to listen to it almost every week or did we? I guess I was it was Bill O’Brien and I. Now how did that get in a letter to you? Oh well, it’s there and to cross it out would make it messy.
FUN FACT: Lights Out’ was an American old-time radio program devoted mostly to horror and the supernatural. It was aired on many different radio stations from 1934 through the summer of 1947. It was one of the earliest radio horror programs.
I’ve simply got washed my hair Honey. I will finish when I get through. Be back. I love you and only you.
Well here I am, of course it is only a matter of seconds but since I wrote that last paragraph I have pressed my clothes for work and washed my hair. I looked like the wild woman of Borneo. It’s 9:15 and Bob Hope is on, but he isn’t very good, he never is any more. Kind of corny you know.
Well Sweets, I guess I have written all there is to write. I will feel either a lot better or a lot worse tomorrow night. I don’t know which, but we’ll see. I miss you like hell ooops, like heck and like the very devil and love you very much. Better go to bed now.
Love & xxxxxxxxxx’s “Your” Darlin’ Janie
Goodnight Honey
PS I still like Herman best Honey. be careful and don’t work too hard.
PSS Aren’t my letters nice and long? You bet!
1:30 AM March 3, 1943
Hello Little Darlin’:
Well, here it is another day closer to August and the most wonderful girl in the world. How is my little girl today? Fine, I hope.
There isn’t any news and I didn’t get a letter today, so I don’t know what I’m going to write about.
I took your things downtown on the way to work to exchange them. They are all out of things that small but have a shipment coming in pretty soon. They will call me when they do come in.
I sure feel tired and lonesome now. I sure wish you were here with me, where as you put it, “You belong”.
I can’t seem to keep my eyes open. Would you mind too much if I would finish this in the morning. Okay? Okay!
All the love I have, or ever hope to have, I’m saving for you.
Love & xxxxxxxxxxxxxx’s Harlan
PS Goodnight Sweetheart
Good morning Darling:
How are you this fine morning? It is a little foggy out now. I hope it clears up or rains like the devil.
I miss you even more now than I did last night. If that could be more.
There sure is a lot of excitement around here all the time. There are several murder trials going on now and there are girls who have been attacked almost every night. Some of them sure are kind of silly. One claimed she was attacked three times in one night by the same man. Another case was a large woman, I believe the paper said she was 6-foot-tall and weighed about 180 pounds, claimed she was attacked by a real small man while she was standing up. The judge said he didn’t see how that could happen and didn’t believe that it could. She said she could stoop a little couldn’t she? We had a big fire in Oakland the other night. Some flour mill on the waterfront caught on fire. There was a brand-new ship in the docks right by the warehouse. The fire made the ship red hot. The firemen put their hoses right to the ship and a lot of the rivets just popped out. The radio is playing “Falling Leaves”. That song brings back a lot of wonderful memories to me.
Yesterday, Lang, our boss, talked to all of us welders. He said we were to be congratulated. The Navy Department has put out a statement that the U.S.S. Miller is the best ship yet to go down at the yard here. There has been $100,000 saved in time and materials. The welding department has a lot to do with that, so we feel pretty good about it. I don’t know when we will go on our new boat. I have been working on three different ships so far. There isn’t any more welding on our ship. I hope our next one goes as well.
I sure wish you were here now. I sure love you a lot. I sure miss you a lot. If I should get a deferment, will you tell me then what you plan on doing in the way of coming out or getting married?
I have to write a letter to the folks, so I guess I had better close for now.
I love you very, very much.
love and kisses Harlan
Have you heard the song “I’m So, So, So in love with you?
Wednesday 6:15 PM March 3, 1943
Hello Honey:
I waited a little longer than usual to start writing because I have been trying to get your Mother, but of no avail, d – – – it. I told her I would call her the minute I arrived home from work but maybe she is working.
I received your letter on Monday night today. Now isn’t that the way you mailed it, yesterday morning and it came this morning, where for heaven sakes did you mail it? It is postmarked 12:30 PM March 2 and last week it for days for one of your letters to get here.
I’m sure glad to hear my letters were so nice and I’m also very glad you’re back is O.K. Yes, if you want to, you may ask me to marry you all over again when I come (or when you come home?) Your baby picture came today. Jeepers, you were cute and sweet, and do you know what? You haven’t changed a bit.
There is something I want you to do for me. Will you please let me know when this letter is postmarked? Please. Thanks.
I just tried to call your Mom again, but she isn’t home yet tired. Darn.
Well it’s 9:00 o’clock. Now don’t get excited since the last line. Barbie called and after I talk to her then I ate and have been trying to get your Mom about every 15 minutes ever since. I can’t imagine why she hasn’t called, I’m just about going crazy.
Kay Kaiser is on and I’m going to press my slacks and take a bath and then I will finish this letter. Maybe I can get a hold of your mom in the meantime. Be back Honey, very soon.
It’s 10:15 and I’m burnt up! I put I just got a hold of your Mom and she hadn’t called the board at all today. So Momie is going to call tomorrow morning. I’m sending you a night letter just as soon as I finish this.
Harlan, I was sitting here putting up my hair and pulled out 15 white hairs out. Jeepers, I must be getting old.
Must go now. I love you Honey but will talk to you soon again.
Love & xxxxxxxxxx’s “Your” Darlin’ Janie
1:30 AM Thursday, March 4, 1943
Hello Little Darlin’:
Well, how are things going along on this next day closer to August (I hope) and the sweetest girl the world? I hope just fine. I received an awfully nice letter today from you. Here we go again about our plans. We won’t even think about getting me getting galvanized after we are married. It is no fun. Yes, Darling, that checking account is really the thing. I believe I have your Father to thank for that. I’m going to write him a nice long letter after I find out about my deferment. That will sort of decide what I’m going to write about. I think we have a lot in common, let alone the checking account. Just think we’re both engaged. That is something decidedly in common. I get what you mean about the ‘No’, but we will see!
I made out about $16 last week. That will just about take care of my bond.
Boy am I tired, I run around about 98 feet tonight and I think I got a little galvanized. I hope not though. I just got home and haven’t eaten or had my shower, so I guess I had better close for now. You sure will be nice to come home to. We can have a midnight snack, read the paper, do little necking and then go to bed. All the love I have for you I will give to you in August.
I woke up this morning to find a telegram waiting for me. I feel just like getting up and sitting by the telephone until the call comes in. I’m sure excited. Here I not only find out about my deferment but unexpectedly I get to talk to my fiancée. The radio is playing my old theme song “Why Don’t You Fall In Love With Me?”
There isn’t any news, so I don’t know just what I’m going to write about. I have a batch of laundry to do before I go to work. I guess I’ll have to go to the store and get some soap. I wish you were here to help me or rather I to help you. When I wash my clothes they come out looking just like they did when I put them in, but they smell nice and clean.
I love you and you alone. Love & xxxxxxxxxxxxxx’s Harlan
Thursday 7 PM March 4, 1943
Hello Honey:
Well here it is Thursday night. Now what A hack of a way to start a letter. Oh well. In about two hours I will place a call for you. O.K? O.K!
Well, there isn’t any news to speak of. I received a letter from Von but even she didn’t have much to say. The weather was warm today but it’s getting colder again right now.
I’m awfully sorry if I caused you any trouble or worry over the night letter but your Mom just knew she could find out and I thought I could let you know to but I’m going to call you anyway because I want to hear your voice again and I don’t think you will mind.
I’m very tired today as Eva wasn’t at work and I was on the floor all day and my feet hurt my legs ache and my back aches, but as soon as I finish this I’m going up and take a bath and place your call and go to bed and dream of you and until you call. I hope I’m not too sound asleep when you call.
In Dick’s letter yesterday he said he just might get a 10-day furlough after he graduates, so we are hoping and praying that he will because we don’t know when we will see him again if he doesn’t.
I didn’t get a letter today so I’ve no questions to answer, all I can say is I miss you like – oh – I can’t even think of words to express it. I miss you so very much, even when I’m at work, I miss you when I’m downtown, when I’m with the girls, when I’m home, no matter what I’m doing or where I’m at, I miss you and love you more than life itself. I best go now.
Well here it is another day closer to August in the sweetest little girl in the world, whom I have just finished talking to. It sure was good to hear your voice. I would have liked to talk all night but then I guess we don’t own the telephone company, yet. If I did, I’d put a phone by your bed and one by mine. Then with a private wire and we could talk all night.
I have never in all of my life seen my face as dirty as it was tonight. I really had a tough job. I ran about 8 feet all night and I was very busy all of the time. I feel pretty good now. All I have to do now is brush my teeth and go to bed, that is after I write a little. I sure wish you could be here to see my ship launched. It may be my last you know.
Well Darling, I’m getting kind of sleepy and my shoulders are very tired. I think it’s from being on them upside down all night. I will finish in the morning and I love you very much. Good night Sweetheart.
Good morning Darling:
Well, well, I sure must have been tired last night. I didn’t get up until 11 AM. Dick called this morning and said he’s coming in Sunday morning early. I sure hope we have nice weather. This may be our last Sunday together. He is through his schooling in a couple of weeks so he will be pretty busy from now on. He will have this Sunday off though.
There is also a letter here for me from you that is sure swell. No my new friend isn’t married. He hasn’t a deferment. He is 1-A. He expects to get his papers soon. I didn’t like his car when I first saw it, but I sure do now. I guess you have to get used to a large car. Yes, I’ve heard “Black Magic”. It sure is a good song. Who is Bill O’Brien? Just kidding, I didn’t even think you’d remember him. Well Darling, I guess that’s just about all. I will write you a nice long Special tonight. I love you very, very much.
Love & xxxxxxxxxxxxxx’s Harlan
Friday 7:30 PM March 5, 1943
Hello Honey:
Well here I am again, but I’ll bet you are probably with Dick when this comes.
I got home from work about 5:00 o’clock, read your letter and lay down on the Davenport and I just woke up, and now I have to go eat. Goodbye.
Back again. I’m so sleepy I can hardly hold my eyes open.
About your letter while, why Harlan I’m shocked tisk, tisk, tisk, such goings. Oh my—
That’s really swell about your welders. You are the best one there, so they probably meant the message for you alone, but didn’t want to show any partiality. Don’t you think? Why of course. Well I think you’re the best anyway and that’s all that counts.
It sure was swell the hearing your husky big voice this morning. We talked for 7 minutes, person-to-person. Oh well! There’s always Momie to fall back on but besides Honey, you’re worth twice as much. I’m awfully sorry you couldn’t understand me but then now you know how I’ll sound when we get up in the morning. Oh happy morning!
I haven’t heard “I’m so, so in love with you”, but I will listen real careful and sharp and stuff.
I haven’t heard from your Mom since the last time.
Gosh I’ll bet this letter sounds screwy but I’m only half here, the other half is in bed sleeping.
Oh I almost forgot – Gosh and I was thrilled. Today while Marianne and I were back in the primer room shaking we were laughing and working and looked up and there stood Mr. Evans the building supervisor and another man in uniform. And Honey, it was a commanding officer of the Royal Air Force from England. Jeepers, he stood there and watched us fill four trays a piece and then we went on the floor and he came out and watch both of us fill for machines. Were we ever thrilled! You couldn’t touch us with a 10-foot pole because we were the only ones he spoke to in the whole wing. Just think Honey, a commanding officer clear from England. Isn’t that thrilling!
Well Sweets, Daddy just told me I could have the car to take this to town, so I think I’ll take advantage of that fact.
I hope you have a nice time Sunday and be sure and let me know about your deferment.
I love you, I love you, I love you, and oh yes I miss you too. How well you know.
Good night my Honey
Love & xxxxxxxxxx’s All I Have “Your” Darlin’ Janie
PS I just read this over. Oh well maybe tomorrow night I’ll be all here. Love Janie
PSS Your letters are coming through okey-dokey. Thank you, you wonderful thing.
Well here it is another day closer to August and you (I hope). As yet I haven’t heard anything about my deferment. I’m looking for it any day now. There sure is a lot depending on it. I guess our whole future. I’m not worried but I sure will be relieved when it does get here whether I get deferred or not. It really it really has me guessing.
I had a good job tonight!! I feel swell. I was working under the stern, right over the bay. It is too bad you’re not here, we could maybe go down and pull or something. Maybe for drive over to the park. I wouldn’t that be fun? I’ll bet you’d like it. I know I would.
I have to go to the bank in the morning. My bank account will be $361.00. Pretty good, huh? I made $90.00 last week. My check was for $66.00 and after everything was taken out. You think we could live all right on $90 a week? That is if I could make that much each week.
I hope it clears up on Sunday so Dick and I can have one day without rain. It rained like the very devil at the yard tonight, and it will probably be cloudy in the morning.
Hook and Zeigler want me to go bowling with them in the morning before work. It’s been quite a while since I’ve been bowling, I may have forgotten how.
There are so many things I wish I could say to make this a special Special, but I still don’t have it in me. I love you very much and miss you something terrific. I guess when I find out about my deferment we can maybe make some definite plans for the future. I wish this damm darn war would end. Everything is so uncertain. Maybe we had better wait for the duration. Even if I do get another deferment it won’t last for more than six months. After that it will probably be almost impossible to get one – that I’m sure of.
Johnny, the new friend I was telling you about, received his induction papers yesterday. He happens to be the first kid I really liked to go out with and now they’re going to draft him. He has to report the 15th. Hook and his wife then and little girl and Zeigler’s wife are going home for a vacation about the 1st April. Zeigler’s deferment is up about then, if he gets another one his wife will come back out. If not, she will stay at home.
Monday we go on our new ship. I guess we are going to be put on another galvanized ship. There it is one that has just been started and so far it is way behind. I guess they just want to put a good crew on it so they can catch up a little bit, ahem!! The new destroyers that are going to be built are to combat the U-boats that sink so many merchant ships. They were first built by the English. They proved very satisfactory, so the government gave us an order for 300 ships. They are called ‘corvette’ type ships. They weigh 1100 tons. The ones we are building now weigh 2100 tons. So you can see that they will be quite small.
Fun Fact: ‘Covert’ or Corvette ships were Destroyer Escort ships, 20-knot (23mph) warships designed with endurance to escort id-ocean convoys and merchant marine ships. 500+ destroyer escorts (DE’s) were commissioned between Jan 1943 and May 1945. The DE was not nearly as expensive as the fleet destroyer (DD) and much better suited for convoy escort duties. They were slower than the DD’s, well-armed and most important, they could be built much faster. These vessels became the most common U-boat hunters from middle of 1943 throughout WWII.
Well Darling, so much for that. I had to make kind of a long letter, so I had to fill in with something. I love you very much. Everything about you is just about perfect. When we finally do get married I will be the happiest fellow in the world. All the love I have I give to you.
Love & xxxxxxxxxxxxxx’s Harlan
Saturday 5:00 PM March 6, 1943
Hello Honey:
The radio is on and ‘There Are Such Things” is being played.
Well, how are you? I came in the door and no letter, darn no letter, and I was so sure I would have one. There isn’t a bit of news I don’t know what I’m going to write about. It’s much colder again tonight and it’s supposed to drop down to 10 below later tonight. Oh well, I’ve plenty of warm close.
Chuck’s clothes came back today. Jeepers, gives one sort of a funny feeling, clothes, but no Chuck.
I would like to go out tonight but it’s so darned cold and most of the girls have dates. So I guess I’ll go to bed.
Jeepers, I can’t think of anything to write so I think I’ll stop for a while and try later, O.K? O.K!
I love you Harlan.
Well here I am, back again, and its 8:15. I ate, read the paper, and then took a nice hot bath, brushed my hair, put on my lounging PJs and the ‘Hit Parade’ is on and now I’m listening to all the best music pieces and writing to my Honey some more.
Jeepers Harlan, I miss you so much. I suppose you get awfully tired of reading that, but I can’t help it, I do. I long for your strong arms, your firm but gentle lips, oh it’s just you, sweet you. I’m hungry for the sight and feeling of you. You probably read this and think ‘If she misses me so much, why doesn’t she come out?’ But if you really stop and think you will know why, and I promise you it won’t be too long before we are out there in the same room, night and day.
Well Honey, I don’t have any more to say except I love you so much.
Love & xxxxxxxxxx’s “Your” Darlin’ Janie
PS How is everything at work, Lang and all the boys? The folks send their love.
Well here it is another week closer to the sweetest girl in the world.
Dick just came in and woke me up. The weather looks like it might be nice all day, there are a few clouds, but they are big white ones, so it might not rain. He is in shaving right now so I thought I would drop my usual line now. I didn’t write last night because I was just about dead. I had to stop at a grocery store and get some things, so I missed the last car and this out this way and had to walk about 6 1/2 really long blocks and when I got home I had two letters from you. One was your Special. They were both perfect. The Special was a little mixed up though. I had to shave, take a shower, fix something to eat and then go to bed. I got to bed about 3:00 AM. Well Darling, I guess Dick is about through, so I had better close. I will write again tonight I love you very much.
Love & xxxxxxxxxxxxxx’s Harlan
PS Sorry this is so short.
Hi Janey – what you doin -we didn’t go to the dance – Love Dick
a little note added by Janie’s brother Dick, while he was visiting Johnny
Well here I am again. (Alone as usual). Dick is gone back to the island as he has a lot of studying to do. He has had a lot of tests lately and I guess it’s very hard for him to write very often.
To begin with, I wrote you a letter right after I got up, while Dick with shaving. Then we took the streetcar down town and had breakfast. Then I found out I had forgotten my badge, so I had to go back after it. We then took our (yours and mine) good old Herman and drove out to the yard to see the best ship Bethlehem has ever built. (Bing Crosby is singing “Moonlight Becomes You”) Dick got almost as big a thrill out of it as I did. It sure what went in nice. There will were an awful lot of people there. There were some pictures taken. If I find them in the paper I will send you one. I tried to show him some of the yard, but it was pretty hard to because one no one was allowed to walk around the yard. The main thing was that we got to see the ship lunched.
After we left the yard, we stopped and picked up a camera to take some pictures. Then I it got really cloudy so we couldn’t take any. We came back to my place and I fixed a bite to eat. Then we went down to the YMCA and went swimming, took a steam bath, boxed, played basketball, and then went to a show. Now here I am. Darling, I never imagined it was possible to miss anyone is much as I have you lately. It keeps on getting worse. After Dick leaves, I don’t know what I will do. It’s very hard to figure out why we should stay apart for so long.
Well Darling, I think I will get to bed early tonight. I will finish this in the morning. Okay? Okay!
All the love I have I give to you. Good night Sweetheart.
Love & xxxxxxxxxxxxxx’s Harlan
Good morning Darling:
How is my little girl today? Fine I hope. I got up, had breakfast, and went and got my laundry now I’m writing to you. The mail has come, and I received a card from my draft board and a letter from you. I’ll answer your questions first.
Can you imagine that? No questions! Dick did tell me he thought he was going home when he graduated. He wanted me to go back with him if I don’t get another deferment.
What? Oh the card I received from my draft board?
Well they just said they had received my change of address. Yes, that is all they had to say so far.
Well Darling, again I seem to be running out of words site better close. I will write again tonight.
All the love I have I give to you.
Love & xxxxxxxxxxxxxx’s Harlan
Sunday 11:00 PM March 7, 1943
Hello Honey: Well, well, well, here I am again. I just arrived home from the show “Arabian Nights”
credit imbd.com
I went with Marian, it’s the first time we’ve gone out together. She was staying at Marg’s and called and wanted me to go to the show and as I had nothing better to do said yes. She lives in Boone.
Your Special was here waiting for me when I arrived home from work. It was very nice. Thanks a lot Honey. (Moonlight Mood is on the radio) Maybe I’ll get word about your deferment tomorrow. As soon as I do I will write you my little idea because we have got to decide on it definitely. You want to get married, I want to get married and yet we want to be right and fair to both ourselves and everyone else. And besides when people ask me when we are going to be married, I will want to be able to tell them. It would be so easy if we could talk it over while together but that’s out so Harlan you must write your opinion too – O.K? O.K!
It’s very cold again tonight, about zero. I didn’t wear my slacks tonight and just about froze my little old legs off. I sure hope it didn’t rain out there today, so’s you and Dick had a nice time. I often thought of you today. Wondering what you were doing, where you were at, and if it was raining, etc.
Mary Jane moved over to the apartment today so we can go back to normal living again. She is a nice girl, but I wouldn’t want to live with her because she is too complaintive, but then I guess we all have our faults.
Tomorrow is my day off, so I guess I’ll go downtown and pay some bills. I don’t even old only about $15 so I guess I’ll get it out of the way.
Your bank is coming along swell and yes I know we could live on $90 a week, if we couldn’t I don’t know who could.
Well Sweets – “Juke Box Saturday Night” (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GK72A_eV8Lg ) is on the radio now, ever heard it? If not, listen to it sometime. As I was saying, I better close now as I’m getting sleepy. All I can say is I love you and I miss you terribly. Goodbye for now.
How are you? I’m going downtown about 5:00 and I wanted to mail this, that’s why I’m writing now instead of tonight. I received two letters today, both of them swell.
Well here we go again, the first thing this morning your Mother called and said that she had called the draft board again and that they had told her that your case doesn’t come up before the board until tomorrow. Now doesn’t that beat all. If I should find out, I’ll send a Special, but I can’t call again. Personally, I don’t think this calling the board is doing or going to do any good at all. I got all excited and upset and everything last week and now this week I’m going to just take it easy. If you get it, you do and if you don’t, you don’t, and there isn’t a thing we can do about it. There is one thing however I would like to suggest. I don’t want to boss you Harlan, but if you do pay your income tax this week don’t pay it, only half of it, because it isn’t necessary to pay all of it at once and then you are taken, maybe the other half will be dropped and besides, Daddie and I only paid half of ours because Daddie said that with this new pay-as-you-go plan, that they may drop the other half because they can’t collect two years income taxed at the same time, so please Honey, Daddie knows what is he is talking about and if you can save yourself a little money, why not. And another thing, what are you going to do with Herman, all of your clothes and your money? If you go, are you going to ship the clothes home, or what, and after you pay your bills are you going to leave your money in the bank, or turn it into bonds, which you could do, or send to me, or what or have you even given it a thought? Please answer. If it’s true about your case not coming up until tomorrow, it will be another week before you hear.
You know what? I’m eating crackers and cheese. You remember we used to take a stack of them and lay down by the radio and eat them while listening to the radio.
Your mom went to Bondurant today for a couple of days as Opal doesn’t feel good.
It’s cold again today, to be exact 18 above and the ground is all white with snow and wind. Boy it’s more than blowing. I haven’t heard you say much of Herman, aren’t you driving him at all now?
Oh yes Harlan, if you want to send your things here you may, because we still have plenty of room in attic. Both Chuck and Dick have all of their things here and you might as well to. But use your own judgment about it. You’ve got to think about these things because if you don’t you’re going to be caught in a mess.
Now please, write a nice long letter answering all these questions and answer them thoroughly, right? I will try and write again to tonight after I get home from town. I still love you immensely.
Always “Your” Darlin’ Janie
PS Are you by any chance coming home if you get drafted?
Monday 9:30 PM March 8, 1943
Hi Honey,
I just arrived home from town and have tried on all of my new things. I bought a new slip, six pairs of panties for work, Momie bought me a cute little yellow apron for when we get married and then I bought two little hand towels and some thread and I’m going to embroider them for my hope chest. Can’t you just see me sitting on the davenport, embroidering on a little towel for our hope chest and later for our kitchen? Oh well, I’m going to try.
I also mailed your Special, you should get it by early Wednesday morning.
There isn’t any news as for me writing this afternoon, but I thought I’d better drop you a note tonight so you could get a letter Thursday. O.K? O.K!
Oh yes, I bought seven airmail stamps and two Special delivery stamps, and the fellow said, “You must write a lot”, and I said, “It’s a week’s supply”, and he said and “Two specials?” I said, “That’s right”’ he said, “That is either love or hate”, and I said, “the former” and he laughed!
Well Sweets, I hate to, but I better go to bed now, maybe I’ll be lucky and dream of you. I love you very much
Well here it is another day closer to you in August. Oh happy August. This is making another one of those lonesome days I hope I’ll never have to spend again. On the way home tonight I had to get in a place out of the rain where I was transferring. Yes, it’s raining again. Getting back to where I was, I had to get out of the rain. I stepped into a doorway. There was a girl that looked a lot like you, only not near as pretty. There was a fellow with her about my size. When I saw them, I got to feeling funny inside, wishing, and wondering why we couldn’t be like that couple, or even like a lot of couples I see every day. Life just isn’t life without you. Just going to shows, playing golf and going to the Y isn’t much fun if you can’t go to them without someone you know. It isn’t any fun to see kids going to shows and dances with someone and then not being able to do that myself. It isn’t any fun either to have to come home every night and be by yourself. Only having yourself to talk to. When I come home from work, I’m always very dirty and usually very tired. I’ll take a shower, and shave, and get a little bite to eat, and write my letters and go to bed. I get up when I wake up.
That is enough of this sob stuff. I’m sorry about writing it but I just can’t help it. It is the way I feel now and by the time you finally get out here it will be worse.
The piece of ribbon I’m sending is from the champagne bottle that christened the USS Miller on March 7, 1943. Please keep it for me, will you?
Fun Fact: The USS Miller DD-535 Destroyer was built by Bethlehem Steel, Shipyard San Francisco CA in 1942/1943. Johnny welded parts of that ship.
I love you very much. As yet, I haven’t heard anything from my draft board. I sure wish I knew which I got I-A or II-A. (Fun Fact: Draft Board Classificiations: I-A Available for Military Service, II-A Registrant deferred because of civil occupation) The worst part about it is the waiting. The radio is playing “When the Lights Go On Again” (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vzlFaY0s_QI, This was a song of hope looking forward to the end of WWII).
Well Sweets, I better close and get some sleep. In the morning I’m going down to pay my income tax. That is, part of it.
All the love I have I give to you. I wish you were here now. I could really get romantic then.
Here it is another day closer to August you. I have just had my shower and although I feel pretty good now, I think I might get galvanized sickness tonight. I was in it all night. The smoke was so thick you couldn’t see 5 feet ahead of you. My nose is kind of sore inside and I did have the chills a while ago. The shower got rid of the chills I think when I get a bite to eat for myself I will be all right. (I hope) I do know one way that could fix it up all right. That would be if you were here with me. If you were here, I’d be well enough so we could maybe go downtown and bowl a couple of games or we could go to bed and then when we get up we could play a little golf before I had to leave for work! Darling, I hope you will forgive me for writing things like this in my letters, but I can’t help it, I guess. I love you so much and get so damned lonesome sometimes, that for 2 cents, I’d chuck everything and come back and work for Browns again, just so we could be together. Life just isn’t life without someone you love to be near you all the time.
I’m sending another bond to add to our collection.
Well Darling, if you will excuse me I guess I will go up and grab a bite to eat and then go to bed. Okay? Okay! I love you very, very much.
Harlan xxxxooxxxxxo oooxxoxxoxoxoxoxoxox
Darling, isn’t it funny how I have never gotten tired of kissing you, not even once in all of the 3 1/2 years I have been going, you?
Hello Honey:
I’m back from getting a bite to eat. I found a Special here for me, with strict orders to answer each and every question. Sooo, I guess I had better do just that.
I feel fine now. I think you are right about Mom calling the board. I think it’s kind of silly and I imagine that is what they think too. I’m only going to pay 1/4 my income tax. That way, if I do get drafted, I won’t have to pay it until I get back. If I should get shot or something I won’t even have to worry about it. I suppose I’ll have to sell Herman if I go. There is no place I can leave him out here. I will send my clothes to you because they will probably be safer there than here. I think I will turn my money into bonds if I go. Yes, I remember the cheese and crackers very well. I haven’t heard from the folks for about a week. I drive Herman just once in a while. Dick and I had a ride in him last Sunday. (Right!)
Whether I’ll be coming home if I get drafted or not is something I’ll have to decide later. There’s nothing I would like better. Does that answer them all? Again I say I had better get some sleep. I will finish this page in the morning.
I love you very, very much. Good night Sweetheart.
Good morning Darling:
I love you very much and miss you something awful.
Love as always with lots of love and xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Harlan
A letter was waiting for me when I arrived home from work. They sure have been coming through swell, one every day and Monday I received two. Thanks a lot Honey.
Kay Kaiser is on playing “You’d Be So Nic To Come Home To” (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LT0DUeG1jJM) I just finished my first towel Harlan and tomorrow night I will start another one. I’m going to try and get a pair of those ‘Him and Her’ towels, don’t you think they would be cute for our bathroom?
I’m kind of surprised that you and Dickie didn’t do more Sunday or what, was Dickie broke? It’s too bad you didn’t get to take some pictures but then I guess I can picture you two in my mind. Don’t forget to send the pictures of the ship if there are any.
Momie says she had a funny feeling all day that something is going to happen. She said she had you on her mind all day too. Soo, now she has me thinking maybe something is going to happen too.
Yes Honey, I know how it is still possible to miss someone, because I still can’t go out but what I miss you too. It’s natural Harlan, because I love you and when one loves a person they want them near constantly, but then I look at your diamond and say someday forever –.
I just called your Mom, but she is still out at Opal’s. Sooo I’ll try again tomorrow night.
The weather here is still the same but somewhat warmer. Boring isn’t it. Well let me see, what else?
Jeepers, it would be swell if you could come home with Dick if you don’t get another deferment. Then even if you don’t pass the physical, we could make our plans and then when you go back, we could have our date all set, in fact the more I think about it the better I like the idea. In fact that would be just about perfect. I could get some time off and we could have some fun and Rosy and I would be happy again and then maybe you would be contented to wait until August. Oh sure, it would cost money but then life is so short as you said. And even if you do pass the physical, we still could makes our plans maybe for the first furlough.
Oh dear, what am I saying! Well it was a beautiful idea and it is food for thought, don’t you think Harlan? Answer
Well Honey, I guess that’s all. I’m going to send this Special just for you, don’t you think I’m pretty nice? Way sure. Well anyway, I’ve got to go now. I love you, I love you, I love you, and I miss you too.
Love & xxxxxxxxxx’s “Your” Darlin’ Janie
12:30 AM March 11, 1943
Hello Darlin’:
Well here it is another day closer to August and you. I suppose you are wondering all of the time I’m writing this letter. I’m just getting in practice at getting home as fast as I can so when we get married I can really get home to you very soon. I’m not going to miss being with you a second if I can help it. I sure wish you would let me know of this idea of yours as soon as you can. I received a very nice letter today from you. Yes, I will write my honest opinion about your idea on getting married. Know you want to know mind? You do! Okay! I will tell you. You catch the first train out here after I’ve heard from the draft board and we’ll get married. How does that sound? That’s what I thought! Well maybe I can think of a better one. No, I haven’t heard “Every Saturday Night” but I remember a lot of beautiful ones.
I will have to apologize for the letter I wrote last night. I kept It in my pants pocket to mail on the way to work. I put it in the wrong pants. I was going to send it Special so I know you would get it. It has our bond in it. I will mail it in the morning.
Some big shots gave all the welders a talk today on being absent from work. I guess there have been too many days taken off. There are 400 welders who take two days off every week. I have been doing pretty good, not counting the two weeks I took off at Christmas time, I have only missed a half of day. That was when I first started work and I forgot my badge.
Well Darling, there doesn’t seem to be much more news, so I don’t know what else to write about. Oh yes. I talked to a counter today or rather tonight. A counter is one who comes around and measures up your welding each night. Well anyway, he is married and has twin boys. They are about s year old now. One weighed 7 lbs. and 4 oz. and the other one weighed 8 lbs. 3 oz. when they were born. He told me the formula for getting twin boys. I told him about you and how we planned on having twins. And he said he and his wife did the same thing.
Fun Fact: There are lots of old wives tales to conceive twins. Some include increasing dairy, eat oysters, eat sweet potatoes, drinking bourbon (pre-pregnancy). No idea what they heard or were thinking.
My dear sweet little girl, as much as I love and miss you, I’m mighty hungry so if you will excuse me for a while I will grab a bite to eat. Okay? Okay! I love you very much.
Well, I’m back. I think I would enjoy eating a lot more if you were here to cook it for me and also eat with me. There isn’t any more news, so I guess I had just as well close. I will write again tonight after work.
Love & xxxxxxxxxxxxxx’s Harlan
I don’t see how I could love you anymore then I do now but tomorrow it will still be greater.
March 10, 1943
Hello My Little Sweetheart:
Here it is another day closer to August you. I have just had my shower and although I feel pretty good now, I think I might get galvanized sickness tonight. I was in it all night. The smoke was so thick you couldn’t see 5 feet ahead of you. My nose is kind of sore inside and I did have the chills a while ago. The shower got rid of the chills I think when I get a bite to eat for myself I will be all right. (I hope) I do know one way that could fix it up all right. That would be if you were here with me. If you were here, I’d be well enough so we could maybe go downtown and bowl a couple of games or we could go to bed and then when we get up we could play a little golf before I had to leave for work! Darling, I hope you will forgive me for writing things like this in my letters, but I can’t help it, I guess. I love you so much and get so damned lonesome sometimes, that for 2 cents, I’d chuck everything and come back and work for Browns again, just so we could be together. Life just isn’t life without someone you love to be near you all the time.
I’m sending another bond to add to our collection.
Well Darling, if you will excuse me I guess I will go up and grab a bite to eat and then go to bed. Okay? Okay! I love you very, very much.
Harlan xxxxooxxxxxo oooxxoxxoxoxoxoxoxox
Darling, isn’t it funny how I have never gotten tired of kissing you, not even once in all of the 3 1/2 years I have been going, you?
Hello Honey:
I’m back from getting a bite to eat. I found a Special here for me, with strict orders to answer each and every question. Sooo, I guess I had better do just that.
I feel fine now. I think you are right about Mom calling the board. I think it’s kind of silly and I imagine that is what they think too. I’m only going to pay 1/4 my income tax. That way, if I do get drafted, I won’t have to pay it until I get back. If I should get shot or something I won’t even have to worry about it. I suppose I’ll have to sell Herman if I go. There is no place I can leave him out here. I will send my clothes to you because they will probably be safer there than here. I think I will turn my money into bonds if I go. Yes, I remember the cheese and crackers very well. I haven’t heard from the folks for about a week. I drive Herman just once in a while. Dick and I had a ride in him last Sunday. (Right!)
Whether I’ll be coming home if I get drafted or not is something I’ll have to decide later. There’s nothing I would like better. Does that answer them all? Again I say I had better get some sleep. I will finish this page in the morning.
I love you very, very much. Good night Sweetheart.
Good morning Darling:
I love you very much and miss you something awful.
Love as always with lots of love and xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Harlan
A letter was waiting for me when I arrived home from work. They sure have been coming through swell, one every day and Monday I received two. Thanks a lot Honey.
Kay Kaiser is on playing “You’d Be So Nic To Come Home To” (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LT0DUeG1jJM) I just finished my first towel Harlan and tomorrow night I will start another one. I’m going to try and get a pair of those ‘Him and Her’ towels, don’t you think they would be cute for our bathroom?
I’m kind of surprised that you and Dickie didn’t do more Sunday or what, was Dickie broke? It’s too bad you didn’t get to take some pictures but then I guess I can picture you two in my mind. Don’t forget to send the pictures of the ship if there are any.
Momie says she had a funny feeling all day that something is going to happen. She said she had you on her mind all day too. Soo, now she has me thinking maybe something is going to happen too.
Yes Honey, I know how it is still possible to miss someone, because I still can’t go out but what I miss you too. It’s natural Harlan, because I love you and when one loves a person they want them near constantly, but then I look at your diamond and say someday forever –.
I just called your Mom, but she is still out at Opal’s. Sooo I’ll try again tomorrow night.
The weather here is still the same but somewhat warmer. Boring isn’t it. Well let me see, what else?
Jeepers, it would be swell if you could come home with Dick if you don’t get another deferment. Then even if you don’t pass the physical, we could make our plans and then when you go back, we could have our date all set, in fact the more I think about it the better I like the idea. In fact that would be just about perfect. I could get some time off and we could have some fun and Rosy and I would be happy again and then maybe you would be contented to wait until August. Oh sure, it would cost money but then life is so short as you said. And even if you do pass the physical, we still could makes our plans maybe for the first furlough.
Oh dear, what am I saying! Well it was a beautiful idea and it is food for thought, don’t you think Harlan? Answer
Well Honey, I guess that’s all. I’m going to send this Special just for you, don’t you think I’m pretty nice? Way sure. Well anyway, I’ve got to go now. I love you, I love you, I love you, and I miss you too.
Love & xxxxxxxxxx’s “Your” Darlin’ Janie
12:30 AM March 11, 1943
Hello Darlin’:
Well here it is another day closer to August and you. I suppose you are wondering all of the time I’m writing this letter. I’m just getting in practice at getting home as fast as I can so when we get married I can really get home to you very soon. I’m not going to miss being with you a second if I can help it. I sure wish you would let me know of this idea of yours as soon as you can. I received a very nice letter today from you. Yes, I will write my honest opinion about your idea on getting married. Know you want to know mind? You do! Okay! I will tell you. You catch the first train out here after I’ve heard from the draft board and we’ll get married. How does that sound? That’s what I thought! Well maybe I can think of a better one. No, I haven’t heard “Every Saturday Night” but I remember a lot of beautiful ones.
I will have to apologize for the letter I wrote last night. I kept It in my pants pocket to mail on the way to work. I put it in the wrong pants. I was going to send it Special so I know you would get it. It has our bond in it. I will mail it in the morning.
Some big shots gave all the welders a talk today on being absent from work. I guess there have been too many days taken off. There are 400 welders who take two days off every week. I have been doing pretty good, not counting the two weeks I took off at Christmas time, I have only missed a half of day. That was when I first started work and I forgot my badge.
Well Darling, there doesn’t seem to be much more news, so I don’t know what else to write about. Oh yes. I talked to a counter today or rather tonight. A counter is one who comes around and measures up your welding each night. Well anyway, he is married and has twin boys. They are about s year old now. One weighed 7 lbs. and 4 oz. and the other one weighed 8 lbs. 3 oz. when they were born. He told me the formula for getting twin boys. I told him about you and how we planned on having twins. And he said he and his wife did the same thing.
Fun Fact: There are lots of old wives tales to conceive twins. Some include increasing dairy, eat oysters, eat sweet potatoes, drinking bourbon (pre-pregnancy). No idea what they heard or were thinking.
My dear sweet little girl, as much as I love and miss you, I’m mighty hungry so if you will excuse me for a while I will grab a bite to eat. Okay? Okay! I love you very much.
Well, I’m back. I think I would enjoy eating a lot more if you were here to cook it for me and also eat with me. There isn’t any more news, so I guess I had just as well close. I will write again tonight after work.
Love & xxxxxxxxxxxxxx’s Harlan
I don’t see how I could love you anymore then I do now but tomorrow it will still be greater.
1:30 AM March 12, 1943
Hello Darlin’:
Well here it is another day closer to August in you. Oh happy August. To begin with this letter is going to be kind of short. I’m not feeling so good and have to go down town in the morning and pay my income tax. I had a lawyer fix it out for me. He saved me about $35. He charged me $5 for both state and federal.
There was a letter here from you when I got home. I sure get a kick out of some things you say. For instance ‘He said, “that is either love or hate” and I said, “the former” and he laughed. Just kidding you a little. I went downtown yesterday morning and decided I would go to the show I thought “Hitler’s Children”.
credit IMBD Hitler’s Children is a 1943 American black-and-white propaganda film made by RKO Radio Pictures. The film stars Tim Holt, Bonita Granville and Kent Smith and was directed by Edward Dmytryk from an adaptation by Emmet Lavery of Gregor Ziemer’s book Education for Death. RKO Radio Pictures, Inc.
If it comes to Des Moines you ought to see it. With the show they had a stage show with Jan Gaber and his orchestra, Edgar Bergman and Charlie McCarthy, Billie Gilbert. Billie Gilbert is that fat fellow who is always sneezing. I sure wish you could have gone with me.
There isn’t any news of my deferment as of yet. Darn it. This waiting is what really bothers me.
Well Darling, I have to just shave yet and I am really tired, so I guess I had better close for now. I love you so much. Love & xxxxxxxxxxxxxx’s Harlan
Good night my little Sweetheart. I wish I didn’t have to say that on paper.
Friday 5:15 PM March 12, 1943
Hello Honey:
Well here it is again Friday night, time to write your Sunday Special.
You’re Special of Wednesday, March 10 was here waiting for me when I arrived home from work. They came not long after I left for work this morning. Jeepers! Thanks a lot. It was very sweet of you to send it Special and especially to answer all of my questions. I sure hope you weren’t sick after you wrote it. Your idea of bowling and golf in the morning is a grand one. We will have a lot of fun Honey when I get out there, golf, swimming, bowling, writing, sightseeing, parking, talking, and laughing and being together once again. Oh yes Harlan, the day will come, don’t you worry. I had an awful lot of fun today at work. I laughed so hard at got a headache it wasn’t at anything in particular. Marian and I were both tired and we were silly. Which reminds me, ahem-er, well to get to the point, I didn’t write you last night because I went out. Rosemary called and we went down to Yonkers for dinner and then to see “Hitler’s Children” then over to the Green Parrot for T.C. (Tom Collins).
It’s the first time I haven’t written since you left (I think) and I thought you would understand, and you do don’t you? When I arrived home it was 11:30 and 5:45 AM rolls around sooo fast. Forgiven? Swell.
Your Mom called this morning and said that she had called the board again and they said they hadn’t had time to try your case and it would come up again next Tuesday. Do you suppose we will ever find out? I’m about going crazy.
The weather here is swell again, it’s about 45 out and the sun is very bright and the sky very blue, but enough of that.
Well let’s see, what else. Nothing I guess. There isn’t any news. I’m fine, how are you? I think I better go now as I’m going to the store and want to get this in the box. I love you so very, very much and miss you as much. Someday I’ll tell you that every night just before we go to sleep, only I won’t miss you then only when you are at work.
Goodbye for now and be careful.
Love & xxxxxxxxxx’s “Your” Darlin’ Janie
Yes I do think it’s funny you never get tired kissing me through the 3 & ½ 3 years 7 months we have gone together but I wish you were here so I could prove that I’ll never get tired of your kissing me.
Goodnight Fiancé, Love, all I have Janie
I received the bond, that makes it $150 in bonds together.
12:39 AM March 13, 1943 Saturday
Hello Darlin’:
Well here it is another day and another Special for my little girl. There isn’t much news, so I don’t know just exactly what I’m going to write about. But I will try to do my best.
I received a letter today just before I left for town. I will answer your questions first of all. I’m sorry about you cutting your finger. I remember the night I cut your forehead with my fingernail. I also remember a lot of other nights too. What are you embroidering on the towels? I think it’s very good idea.
Yes, Darling I realize I have never told you whether or not I want a deferment. That is something that is very hard to decide.
You see Darling, I’m a man. I would like to be in the service for one thing and one thing only. That is to really fight for my country. If I could help to bring peace to my country by giving up my life, I would gladly do it. I don’t want to go into the service and have to do office work or some kind of work were you are shut up a lot. If it wasn’t for my hearing, I would be in now. I realized a long time ago, even when the war first began that I would never be any good in actual combat. It is entirely up to my draft board to decide whether I would be of more value to the country in the service or where I’m at. The yard I’m at is very short, short of help, especially welders. Bethlehem has the highest priority rating of any defense plant in the United States. The ships are used as escort ships to convoys and transplants and they are the best ships for the fighting U-boats, they are the fastest ships in the water, the British have lost some 481 fighting ships. Only 18 were of the type we are building. Thiers are not as fast or well-constructed.
An average amount of footage put out by welders in the shipyards around the bay area is around 40 or 50 feet at night, and the welding is never or rather never has to be passed by the Navy. Our yard averages about 95 or 100 feet. Most of all, it is almost or is perfect. On real good, welding my averages around 110 to 115 feet. Tonight I ran 126 feet. Bethlehem welders are supposed to be the best in any shipyard in the US. I’m not bragging or anything because it is in actual fact. My welding is about 10 times as good as it was when I started because they just make you weld good. As most welders will put it, if you asked them if they can weld something, sure I can weld it, I can weld anything except a couple of bricks.
The way I feel now is that if I could, I would like to be somewhere doing some real fighting, simply because I’m really lonesome. There doesn’t seem to be anyone I can talk to or go out with except Dick and he gets off every other Sunday. That helps a lot on that one Sunday but as soon as he leaves to go back to the island, I feel the same way all over again. However I’m very thankful that I can work and save something so we can get married. I can also thank God that I have a girl is nice and sweet it is you waiting for me. Jane I don’t believe I will ever be able to tell you or show you in any way how much I love you and miss you. All I can say is that I love you very much. You are the only girl I have ever loved or ever will love.
Love & xxxxxxxxxxxxxx’s Harlan
Good night Sweetheart
Have you heard the song “Why Do I Love You?”
Need to Know: Harlan (Johnny) had rheumatic fever as a child which damaged his inner left ear)
9:15 PM Saturday, March 13, 1943
Hi Honey:
Well here I am again, only this time I’m at work. I had a little time so I thought I would drop you a note. Marian is standing over there are at one of the machines laughing at me. I haven’t figured out why yet. It’s raining here this morning and it’s terrible. I had to drive the car out this morning because it’s Don’s week and off and everyone else has Sunday off in my neighborhood. Kathleen wrote out with me, we had the radio on, and the rain was pouring down. Jeepers, it sure would’ve been nice if it had you been you instead of Katy. Oh well.
The song “You Are Always In My Heart” has been going through my mind all day. Well what do you know? Got to go, someone just yelled ‘primer’ which means me.
Hello again. Marian took care of it. Everyone and is trying to read this, nosy aren’t they. I’m back again. Oh? You didn’t know I left, did you? Well the machines ran out and I had to fill them. My boss is standing right behind me, but he thinks I don’t know he is there. I wonder what he is going to say. There he goes, he just laughed and walked by. He’s swell – – when he’s in the right mood.
Well we just had a double explosion and fire! Some fun. I was back in the primer room when Bang Bang Boom and then came the fire. I thought I would die laughing at Marian as she ran out the door before the third boom and then she was really sorry because she didn’t get to see the fire. Two tool-setters put it out and everything is back to normal now. Be right back.. Here I am! Oh Marian is now writing to Wesley now too.
Oh good, it stopped raining. Rosy and Little Dickie Jr. are coming over tonight. By the way what are you doing today and is it raining?
Eva is in a bad mood today. She went out last night didn’t get in until about 2:00 and is she dead, you bet!
Now let’s see what else. I just heard a cute joke but it’s kind of dirty so I will repeat it in paper. Besides nice little girls don’t tell dirty jokes to their boyfriends and I’m a nice little girl, aren’t I honey? Don’t answer.
This is sure a dull old day. Marian and I can’t even get in the grove. I wish you were here.
Well Sweets, its 10 o’clock, time to blow out the machines so I better close. I love you, I miss you and I _____ _____. Goodbye for now.
Well here it is another week closer to you and __? When I got home from work tonight there were two Specials are for me. First of all I will answer them as I go along. I also been thinking about some towels for our bathroom with ‘His and Hers’ on them. I thought maybe that was what you were putting on the ones you were embroidering. Dick and I maybe go maybe didn’t do very much last Sunday but what we did was a lot of fun and I think he got an awful big kick out of it. Yes, it would be nice if I could come with Dick, but I don’t think it will be possible. Yes, it is food for thought, but if I don’t get another deferment, why don’t you come out here? It would be the same thing only better, I think. Even if I do get one you could come out anyway. That is the food for thought too. Don’t you think? How did you like ‘Hitler’s Children”? I believe I told you I saw it the other morning before work. It was very good I thought although it was a propaganda picture. I’m glad you received the bond. I have two more that are paid for, but I haven’t gotten them yet. That makes $200 in bonds we have. I have $310 in the bank, and my first installment of my income tax is all paid for.
Well Darling, it is getting very late so I guess I will trot off to bed. I will finish this in the morning. Okay? Okay! I love you very very much.
Love & xxxxxxxxxxxxxx’s Harlan
PS I made out again tonight
PS Good night Sweetheart
Good morning Darlin’:
Well how is my little doll this morning? Fine I hope. The sun is out but it sure is windy, and I think I will go out and play a little golf. Jeepers, I sure am sleepy. I can’t figure out why. Gosh, I wish you were here now. This is going to be another one of those Sundays that I dread. Those darn Sundays, I look forward to them and when they get here I’m kind of sorry they came. Dick is coming in next Sunday, so it won’t be so bad.
Well Sweets, I hate to be the one to say it, but I think I’d better close I will write again when I get home tonight. I love you very very much.
Johnny & Jane 