Excerpt from August 13, 1942 Letter from Janie to Johnny:
This morning they told me I was a “primer feeder”; in other words I insert the bullet case into the machine. This department is rather dangerous, as no matter what they do there is at least one explosion every day. So I have to have safety glasses with special lenses, and I have to wait for a week for them because as I am wearer of glasses. Anyhow, the lenses have to be ground according to my eyesight. So while I’m waiting, I will have to be up “packer” but as soon as I’m equipped with the right safety glasses I start on my machine. I pledge 10% of my earnings for bonds and took out accident insurance. So I’m all set. I make 45¢ and I work 48 hours a week. I get time and a half for the last eight hours. Then, 2 weeks after my first paycheck, I received 9¢ an hour increase. (My first paycheck will be Friday on the 28th). Which will make 40 hours at 54¢ and eight hours at 81¢ in other words $28.08 a week. (Now I am making $23.80 per week, not bad huh!) I’m going to save 1/3 of each paycheck, which will be about $30 a month. Christmas is four months away which will be $120 and by July I will have about $250, which will enable me to fly one-way O.K.? O.K.! Now I told you my plans, why don’t you tell me yours?,
Well Hon, that’s about all. I miss you more than ever since last night.
All of the love & xxxxxxxxxx’s I have “Your” Darlin’ Janie
PS Thanks again Honey
(Fun Facts: DMOP Des Moines Ordnance Plant ~ Six to eight sites surrounding Des Moines were originally considered for the small arms cartridge plant, but a signed United States court order on Monday, July 7th, gave the War Department immediate possession of 2,445 acres southwest of Ankeny for the proposed $30,000,000 small arms ammunition plant. A second area of over 2,000 acres for a rifle range would be added to this site at a later date. The entire site was approximately three miles long and two miles wide with thirty-nine parcels of land owned by seventy-five persons and firms. Although the War Department could take immediate action due to an emergency wartime statute, the land would be appraised and purchased with possible appeals. This site was just ten miles north of Des Moines on the outskirts of the small town of Ankeny. .-“206 ~ ^^Des Moines Tribune, 7 July 1941.
There are no more letters, either because of military censorship, the mail, their moving or simply just some were lost.
Their story continues with information from Janie’s 1945 journal.
Jane traveled by train on her birthday May 14, she was 21, and wrote in her journal “Happy Birthday to me”. Johnny met her in San Francisco.. On June 16, 1945, they purchased their first home 420 McKendrie, San Jose. Taken directly from Jane’s journal ~“Pretty nice little house, white frame with red shutters, all furnished, 2 lots with a double garage plus 30 chickens. So happy Mom is coming out.” Here are pictures of their first home.
Johnny continued to serve as a Merchant Marine and was ofter shipped out. He was sailing as a Licensed Jr. Engineer, and making $180 a month. This ship was a Class C2.
Fun Fact: Type C2 ships were designed by the United States Maritime Commission (MARCOM) in 1937–38. They were all-purpose cargo ships with 5 holds, and U.S. shipyards built 328 of them from 1939 to 1945. Compared to ships built before 1939, the C2s were remarkable for their speed and fuel economy.
June 26, 1945 from Jane’s journal, a last evening before Johnny shipped out again…..The last week or so we have been here at Maddens. Johnny was aboard ship every day and at night Syg, Johnny and I went out to eat, then to the beach or to a show or a walk, something every night. Johnny came back at 3:00 today and liberty is up at 4:00 am tomorrow, so we cleaned up and went to the Paris Restaurant for a lovely dinner. Johnny bought me a beautiful corsage of roses and then we met Dik and hois wife at the Elpadio to dance, we were there until 11:00 then over to the Club Savay & Backstage, then home at 1:30. Johnny packed and I walked down to the street car with him and he left. Yes, Johnny is gone and now it doesn’t seem like we were even together. It went so fast but it was wonderful whilte it lasted.
June 27, 1945 …No word from Johnny. I’m not doing anything. I’m afraid to leave the house for fear Johnny might call.
June 28, 1945 …Still waiting… No word, guess he is gone.
June 29, 1945 …No word~
June 30, 1945 …Received a note from Johnny they left on Friday. Also received a wire from Momie, she arrives tonight. Am so glad ~ am almost crazy with the last three days being alone and not hearing from any one.
July 1, 1945 ~ After Mom arrived in california, we went to the Cliff House for dinner and walked down the beach wall and watched the ocean, knowing that somewhere out there Johnny is going is going further and further away from me every minute……
July 19, 1945 ~ Yes today is our first anniversary and Johnny is thousands of miles away, well that’s war. It doesn’t seem possible that it has been a year since that happy, happy day we were married. How time flies and how it drags at times. What can I say, nothing, soooo, I wish only that… I wish Johnny was here.
July 25, 1945 ~ Today is a sadder than most day. Two years ago today Daddie died. Poor Momie, so many things have happened since then and not very many of them happy. Will this war ever end, will things ever be like they used to be ??
August 14, 1945 ~ Today is a very big day throughout the world. Japan surrendered. It doesn’t seem possible that at last the boys will be coming home and we will once more be living normal lives. Mom and I listened to the radio almost all night last night waiting for the news. Chuck, we hope, won’t have to go overseas now with the baby coming & all. Maybe things will work out for Momie and everyone now. But it will take a long time to get things straightened out I’m afraid. The main thing is the boys are through fighting & soon they will be home, of course my Johnny expecially.
August 15, 1945 ~ Johnny is 25 today. I wrote him a letter and that was all I could do. But maybe he will be home soon, I hope…
August 22, 1945 Received a wire from Johnny, “Darling, leave and pay off cancelled. Leaving for NY today. Contact you from there”…. Well my bubble really went down but fast. Messed around all day and ready to go to the store when another wire arrived “Darling ~ Disregard previous. See you Saturday or Sunday” I let out a yell and up goes my bubble, I’m on a pink cloud, my Johnny is coming home, really!
August 26, 1945 Am so happy my Johnny is home. Ya he is! Saturday morning at 9:20 he walked right in and now once more we are together for a while. He loves me very mucj. He says our place looks swell. He may only be here for a day or so ~ but that is better than nothing.
August 27, 1945 Well, we are going to b together longer than we expected. We may have a couple weeks. Am I happy! Jeepers its so nice having him around. Oh well, mayb one more trip will do it and he will be hoe for good. We have been lucky Johnny is still alive.
September 3, 1945 Well, Johnny and I have been working around the house, enjoying living together. He has to keep on sailing for six months or more, saying if Momie doesn’t come back to California, that I may be alone here for quite a while, sooo we have decided to sell the house and after doing so I will go back to Des Moines until Johnny is done sailing with the Merchant Marines. The thought of leaving California is not a happy one.
Johnny reported September 19, 1945, in the early morning for instructions. They sold the house on September 27 and on October 3 Johnny reported to his ship and left San Francisco at 5:30 AM, heading to Tokiyo. Janie hated being alone and as soon as the closing on the house was complete, she headed back to Des Moines not knowing that she was pregnant.
Johnny served as a Junior Engineer on the SS Czechoslovakia Victory, from September 27, 1945, until December 10, 1945. She was a leader in her class of cargo ships.
Johnny was called again to service as a 3rd Assistant Engineer on February 2, 1946, and served until July 11, 1946, on two different voyages aboard the SS Queen of the Seas.
Johnny & Jane’s first child, Nancy Ann was born May 29, 1946. Johnny was at sea.
Johnny faithfully served in the Merchant Marines until October 1946.
Johnny & Jane never did have any boys, much less twin boys that they always referred to as T & T, (Timmy & Tommy). They did, however, raise 5 girls.
This family picture was taken in the spring of 1966, Nancy Ann, Susan Ellen, Sandra Jane, Christine Marie, and the youngest Jennifer Jean. This was just before the tragic accidental death of their eldest, Nancy Ann, at age 19 on May 23. It is the only picture we have of our entire family.
Johnny passed away in December 1976. Johnny & Jane barely had 30 years together following his service and the war. Although Johnny served his country as a Merchant Marine, he never received any veterans benefits. The men who served with the Merchant Marine during World War II, hauling precious cargo around the world, pulled the most dangerous duty during that war. Working sometimes without escort and with only modest fire power aboard, the ships of the Merchant Marine sailed through mine fields and dodged submarines and bombers to deliver invaluable cargo everywhere from Arctic Russia to the Persian Gulf. But formal military recognition, veterans’ status and benefits were denied these brave Mariners until 1988.
Janie passed away in October of 1998.
Susan, ours next eldest sister passed away January 27, 2006.
We are so grateful that Jane, our mother, kept these treasured letters and pictures for so many years. We only wish we had taken the time to read them when she was alive. We can see Dad and Mom’s faces in our minds with each letter we read. The expressions and emotions written in these endearing letters lights up our souls.
We want to thank you for following along and sharing our parents story. We hope you have enjoyed their true love story.
sChristine Marie Berhow Greiman & Jennifer Jean Berhow-Hanson
Janie received notice from Johnny that he was coming come and they were to be married. She only had 5 days’ notice to get ready for the wedding. Johnny only had 2 weeks leave from July 13 through July 25, including the train ride to Des Moines and back to San Francisco. Johnny arrived in Des Moines on July 18, 1944.
They got their marriage license.
and They were married at St. Lukes Episcopal Church in Des Moines.
With reception that followed at Janes home.
Jane had planned everything. They then ventured off on their honeymoon, staying at the Hill-Top Hotel, Clear Lake Iowa.
They enjoyed the lake, restaurants and dancing at the Surf Ballroom.
They went back to Des Moines following their honeymoon. Janie returned to work at the Ammunitions Plant and Johnny returned to San Francisco, awaiting assignment or acceptance to a new ship.
August 12, 1944
Hello Darlin’:
Well, well, well, here it is another year added to our years of happiness. Five years seems like a long time but yet it has gone by so very fast. In the five years I have known you I have never missed you, loved you, adored you as much as I do now.
Shipping has been very slow. Maybe Monday I can get a ship.
I found a book Naval Machinery and beings it was the last one they had I bought it. Now my total money left is $.63. Pat is just as broke as I am. Maybe a little worse.
I did have a chance for a Jr. job on a diesel transport but another fellow registered before I did so he got the job. Outside of that, there hasn’t been anything. The way shipping I now, I may not get a ship until next weekend.
Darling, I want to thanks you for the swell birthday card, it sure is swell. I had almost forgotten about it. I have you on my mind so much of the time I can’t seem to concentrate on anything else. I love you so very very much,
Pat and I are going down to the drug store for a little bit and splurge a done for a coke, I will finish this a little later. Okay? Okay!
Hello Darling, I’m back. Well after we started drinking our cokes, we met an Ensign in the Navy. He was from Ottumwa and knew some fellows from East that I knew. He used to be in the Merchant Marines but as he put it ‘he went crazy’ and went into the Navy. He wishes he was back where he was. We talked for about an hour and a half. Pat and I then came home.
Well Darling, how is my little wife tonight? Fine, I hope. As much as I love you, I’m afraid I will close for now and go to bed. I will write again tomorrow. Goodnight Sweetheart.
Good morning Darling and your wire came this afternoon sometime. Pat and I got up about 11:30. I really got a good night’s sleep. We fixed dinner and went for a walk. We were going to make it a short one but we ended up in the Marina. From there we walked up to Van Nuys Ave and took a street car down town. We went in and shot some pool for 40 minutes which came to $.40. We also had a hamburger. I’m sure glad your check came.
There isn’t any news so I don’t know what I’m going to write about,
Oh yes, I’m going to sell my Blues to Syd. When I come home next time I will have a gold braid on it so I won’t need them anymore. If you rather I kept them, just write Syd, and tell him. See it makes no difference to me. He will send you the money for them.
Pat’s money hasn’t come yet so I still have to take it easy.
Well, I’m sorry honey but that I about all there is to write about. We are going to how at the Vogue. It id that little theater down here by the house. I forgot the name of it but Pollett Gaddard is playing in it.
I will finish this in the morning. I love you so very very very very much. Good night Darling.
Hello Honey. I’m fine and fit as a f fiddle this morning and I hope you are the same. Outside of missing you something terrible, everything I just swell.
It is still very dead here at the hall. Oh yes, I’m down at the Union hall. I’ll bet you think I will never get this letter mailed. There are quite a few fellows here this morning. Pat and I got up about nine and had breakfast and got down to the hall by 10, which is the first call. I wish there wasn’t so much noise going on. It wouldn’t be so hard to write.
(5 min later) I just walked over and got a drink. Did you miss me? I hope.
I have a few clothes to wash one of these days. I have been trying to keep them all up on cleaning so when I get a ship I won’t have a lot to do,
EXCUSE ME THERE IS A CALL ON THE BOARD for a Jr. I will be called in about 10 minutes. I’ll be back soon.
I’M BACK AND I GOT THE JOB AS JR. It is on a C1 Troop Transport, the name is the SS Cape Nedrek. I’m not sure of the spelling. I have to report tomorrow morning at 9. I guess I will have to wash those clothes now. When I get the right spelling I will wire you. Okay? Okay! I love you very very much.
Love & XXXXXXXXXs YH Johnny
S.S. Cape Neddick
Fun fact: C1 Type ship. The C1 ships were the smallest ships designed by the US Maritime Commission and were intended to be used on routes that did not call for fast ships. The SS Neddick was a C1-B and had diesel motors. It transported 1,232 troops.
August 16, 1944
Hello Darlin’:
How is my little wife today? Fine I hope. I didn’t write last night as I couldn’t stay aboard and write as the ship was supposed to be fumigated. They are fumigating it tonight instead. I called Syd and then met him at 6:00. We went out and had dinner and then went to the world premiere of “I Love A Soldier” with Polly Goddard and Sunny Tufts. It is a good show, I insist you should see. It was made right in Frisco and the cable car you see is the one you and we rode to the Ferry. Even the station in Oakland, where we ported twice and met once. Everything is so real.
(credit imdb.com)
I’m awfully glad you called me yesterday and it was very sweet of you. It didn’t even seem like a birthday until your sweet voice came over the wire saying “Happy Birthday”.
I’m down at the USS now writing. It is for Merchant Seamen only. They have a bar, pool tables, ping-pong tables, movies, lockers, showers, nickelodeon, lounge etc. It sure is swell.
We are moving over to Oakland tomorrow to take on some supplies. I don’t know when we will be leaving. The ship is a C-1 Transport. We carry troops. It is kind of funny n=being on a ship like this after being on the Santa Ana. The Santa Ana was a larger ship, but there is so much more ship to this one. It has a hospital with all kinds of wards, and regular troop quarters. They are pretty cramped but that can’t be helped.
So fat I have been doing a lot of repair work on the engine and pumps. I’m getting along a lot better than I expected.
Well Darlin, I think I had better close for l=now. I will write again soon.
Pat and I have a hotel room tonight and last night.
I love you so very much and miss you terrifically.
Love & xxxxxxxxxs Y.H Johnny
August 17, 1944
My Darling Wife,
It is your husband again to take up a few minutes of your time. I’m kind of blue and lonesome tonight and I shouldn’t be writing. I love you so much and miss you until it hurst. I finally bought a picture frame for you picture. It sure looks good with you picture in it. I wish it was you instead. I could never love anyone as much as I do you. I’ll be glad when is war is completely over and we can lead a normal life again. We will do the things we used to do and have a lot of fun together.
I’m down at the U.S.S. again. It is pretty noisy aboard ship so I came ashore to write to you. I just finished a few lines to the folks. It has been quite some time since I have heard from them or written to them.
The weather has been terrible yesterday and today. This afternoon we had quite a bit of sun for a little while but right now you wouldn’t be outside without your fur coat. If you were here, I could hold you in my arms and feel your soft warm lips on mine, it would be a beautiful night. Everything would seem gay and perfect again. (Is this me talking?)
That is the way I feel right now. I love you, and only you. I love everything about you, your eyes, your cute little nose, your beautiful mouth, your hair, your perfect figure. Everything about you is just right. I like doing things with you because everything seems to be more fun, nicer, and sweeter.
Darlin, I’m afraid I had better close for now and get back to the ship. I love you with all my heart.
Love & XXXXXXXX Y.H. Johnny
August 18, 1944
Hello Darlin’:
This will just be a note, I’m going right back to the ship. I came down to get some clothes and send you a telegram.
The reason I need the money is that I have to eat out the rest of this week. I haven’t had a meal on the board yet. It costs quite a bit. I also have a few things to buy. I have to have a pair of wooden shower sandals and also another pair of jeans.
We moved to another pier today. I expected to move to Oakland, but we have stayed right here in Frisco.
I don’t have any idea when we will leave as yet.
Well Darling, that is all for now. I will write a longer one tomorrow.
I love you so very very much.
Love & XXXXXXXXs Y.H. Johnny
Monda August 21, 1944
Helo Darling:
Well we are still here in Frisco. We moved three times since I came aboard.
I quit work a little early Saturday afternoon. I went ashore and had a haircut and them met Syd after he quit work. We went to the Golden Gate and saw ‘Count Basie’
I was a little disappointed in both his band and his entertainers. I also wish you could have been there with me. We came out of the show about 8:30 and then out to the house and I picked up the Money Order. Thanks a lit Honey. I bought Mom a pin and am sending it to her. I have $10 left.
I think we may leave Thursday again to pick up our troops somewhere. Getting back to Syd and I.. After we left Jackson we went out to Syd’s and picked up his swimming trunks and I came back to the ship and picked up mine. We stayed downtown at the Harbor Club. It is ran by the U.S.O. We have a bunk to sleep on and breakfast in the morning for 50¢. We woke up at 8 and left Frisco at 9 and went down to Searsville Lake. We hitchhiked down, taking seven rides to get there. It is down south of Frisco about 35-40 miles. Frisco was foggy and very cold Sunday while down at the lake it was warm and sunny.
It is a state owned lake back of Stanford College. It is a very beautiful place. We swam and laid out in the sun until about six then hitchhiked back. Syd was pretty tired so he went home. I had three pairs of pants over at Dearr’s that I forgot so I went over and ironed them and came back to the ship. I’m going to stay aboard tonight and get some sleep. You should see the moon tonight. It is really beautiful. From what I hear, this trip is going to be rather short. Maybe just to the Islands and back. I wish I could talk to you again. I haven’t had any more mail yet so I get kind of lonesome. I’ll sure be glad when this war is over so we can be together for good. The next time you come out here, we are going to Yosemite for a week or so. It will be another honeymoon. This month and three days of married life sure went fast., It seems like only yesterday that you were walking down the aisle.
Darling, I guess that will be all for now. I will write again tomorrow.
Love as always. Xxxxxxxxxxxxxx’s Y.H. Johnny
Tuesday Aug 22, 1944
Hello Darlin’:
Well, I am aboard ship again tonight and just about freezing. It sure is cold and damp here. The air just seems to go right through me. I wish we here together now, I could keep you warm.
Darling, I guess I had better find something interesting to write about because there isn’t any news at all. I think we will be leaving Thursday morning so I may go ashore tomorrow night and call you. I want to hear your voice again before we leave. I miss you so much. The troops should come aboard tomorrow morning. I guess they are coming to the pier. So far we have had very good meals aboard. I hope they keep up this way.
So far I have done pretty good as a Jr. Engineer. I have been doing a lot of repair work, repacking valves, pumps, repairing flanges, etc, etc. While we are underway, I have charge of the evaporator plant. I have four evaporators to keep going, making fresh water for the ship, it will be a hot job, but when we are in port and coming home the work will all be repairs.
How do you like the hours you have now? I hope you like the 4 week changes better than you thought you would. How are Marian and Mom? Fine I hope.
Well my little wife, I think I had better close for now. Will write again tomorrow night if can.
Darling you have such a nice voice. I sure was good to hear it again. I know how my letters and and I know there haven’t been very many. I will try to do better in this one. It is a funny feeling to have when you know that someone beside you will get to read them.
I can’t begin to tell you how I feel about not being able to come home, but if you feel anywhere near the way I feel, it isn’t so good. If I don’t do so good at making love to you in this letter, I will sure make it up to you in June.
I saw the big dipper tonight, right after I called you, for the first time since I left. It sure seemed good and sent sort of a warm feeling down my spine. I remember the last night we saw it just before I left home. It was on top of the hill by the state house. I don’t think I will ever forget that night. When I look in your eyes, I could see my whole life centered around them in your sweet face in your curly hair. It seems funny and odd that I can be away from you so much and still love you more and more every day. Every time I saw something new, I would think how swell it would be to have you with me to see it. When you pass under the Golden gate Bridge, it gives you a funny feeling in your stomach. You wonder if you’ll ever get to see it again and the things you have built your whole life on. Going across, I spent more of my spare time studying and working in the machine shop. Sometimes I would go out on the deck and catch the sunset. Again the thought of you would come into my mind. The sun sets out here are just about the most beautiful thing to look at there is. Only one thing I would rather look at and that is you. Once in a while you could see a school of porpoises playing in the water, or schools of flying fish and even a lot of sharks. One evening I was laying up in the bow and watching the sunset when we ran up on the school of sharks. About all the three went right out of our away. The three that stayed there for a while reminded me of the times we have driven in the country and a rabbit or a chicken would cross in front of us and try to make up its mind which way to go. Finally they turned out of the way.
On 25 December and the 1st of January I was more in the dumps then I ever was in my whole life. I do remember the time on New Year’s Eve, I worked for about 15 minutes trying to find out what time it would be at 12 AM in Des Moines. It was 6 PM where we were. I came up and took your picture in my hands and kissed the glass again and again. I sure miss your loving and kissing now more than ever before because I will have to wait until June for it again. We crossed the equator on the 29th. There I got my initiation including having my head saved. My hair is about 1 1/2 inches long now.
Our first stop was Noumea, New Caledonia. It is a French colony and also has a lot of tickets.
Fun fact: Naval Base Noumea became the main fuel oil storage depot for the fleet from 1942 to November 1944. The tank farm had storage for 30,000 barrels of fuel oil and 20,000 barrels of diesel. US Navy and United States Merchant Marine tankers brought 225,000 barrels of fuel oil to be stored at Noumea on the Ducos Peninsula.
There isn’t very much there. I went swimming a couple of times. The reason I didn’t go anymore was that I got tangled up with something of a fish and I got four cuts on the back of my hand and or more on my foot. They were just scratches and are all healed up now.
After we left Noumea, we went to Guadalcanal with a convoy. It took us five days. We didn’t get to go ashore. From Guadalcanal, we went about fifteen miles to Tulagi Island. We pushed into the dock for three days and then right out again. I got to go to shore once. The rest of the time we were taking on fresh water. From Tulagi, we went to the Russel Islands. I was sure worried when I saw the number of islands there were. We went to the big main one so I felt a little better. The first engineer gave me some time off to look for Dick. There were about twelve different units, so it was quite a job. I started walking and got myself into some real mud. I walked knee-deep in it to several of them going to the main tent where the records are kept of the fellows in each outfit. I came to one and I was beginning to get tired and disgusted and mosquito bites all over me. When I got to the tent, there was no one in it so I went through the files myself. No luck again. I sat down in a chair and what should I see hanging on the tent post but a walkie talkie telephone. I walked over to it and pushed the button and a boy says “Yes?.” So I said “give me Acorn number nine’, and I got it. I asked if anyone by the name of Dick Hare was in their outfit, the fellow look it up in their files. No luck. Well I called every unit on the island, with no luck. I tried another island right next to the one I was on. I ridden in just about every kind of vehicle the Army asked. I even rode in a captured Jap truck. I made an ashtray down in the machine shop out of some shells I picked up at the Russells. The wings and tail on the P38 are made out of some aluminum that came from a cracked up Liberator Bomber on the Russel Islands.
Well Darling, it is getting late and I can hardly keep my eyes open. So I had better get some rest. I will finish this in the morning. I love you very very very much. Good night darling. I have a date with the dream. Yes, you are always in them.
Good afternoon Darling. I just got off watch so I will have to hurry a little bit to get this in the mail. I am going out to 3070 Jackson. I think we are shifting ship Monday to the southern part of California. I will be on watch Sunday night, so will be Sunday morning that I have to call you.
I only received one of your letters today and also one from the folks. One from the folks at their telephone number in it. I will write again when I get back on board tonight. Okay? Okay!
Darling, I love you very much. That is about the only thing I can say.
Love & xxxxxx’s Y.F.H. Johnny
P.S. Tell your Mother hello for me.
Wed. March 16, 1944
Hello Darlin’:
If my writing is a little shaky, don’t blame me. The ship is rocking and vibrating quite a bit. The sea is rather rough. We are on our way down to the southern part of California to get our cargo.
I think I can finally settle down and start writing now. We didn’t get another fireman until just before we sailed and I was standing 16 hour watches. I haven’t had time to even read the letters I’ve gotten yet. I think I have read two of them. I got off watch at 8 AM this morning and laid down after breakfast for 4 hours. It is about 1 P.M. now. I go back on watch at this afternoon.
It sure is cold out here off the coast. The air smells crisp and clean like is does in Des Moines on a winter morning.
That is a very good idea about a joint account. I think I would like that. If you should happen to need anything, you can still get the money out if you don’t have me there with you, if not just put it in your own name.
I was out to the house on Sunday when I called you. Your Special came after I called you. I also got one from the folks. I was a little disappointed in yours because you said you were going to send me some pictures in your new coat, all I got was a picture of Dick. Monday afternoon we were going to leave so I gave up hope. The 1st Engineer came in and asked me if I knew anyone by the name of Drearrs, I said YES! It seems another Special had come so I took a taxi out and back. Darling, I sure was one happy fellow when I opened it and found those pictures. The letter was swell too.
I called Syd from the house on Sunday and he came right over. We went over to Kay’s and got her new camera and took some pictures. We will send them to you when he has them printed. I sure hope they come out good.
Darling, can you feel that steady rocking? Port to Starboard to port to starboard again. It is a funny feeling. We have the port hole closed so you can’t see the water line or the horizon. That makes the focsle seem like it is just swimming around. It is wonderful to sleep while it is rocking. It is like the ship is a small child and Mother Nature is rocking it to put it to sleep.
I sure wish it was about June 1st, and we were on our way back and almost back to Frisco.
We should put into dock tonight on my watch. I don’t know what we will load or where we are going. I sure hope to see Dick if we go anywhere near him.
Well Darling, I’m afraid I will have to close for now. I have to write a letter to the folks and one to Syd.
I’m sending $300 to you, and $100 to the folks. It has been a long time since I sent them anything and you never know what to expect on these trips.
Darling, keep your chin up and I will be seeing you soon. I love you very very much.
Love & XXXX Y.F.H. Johnny
P.S. I am also sending a Hawaiian Dollar Bill.
Sat 2:30 AM March 18, 1944
Hello Johnnie:
Well Dear, and it has been five days since I heard from you, that being when your letter came. No mail from you since Monday. Must say, am kind of worried after you definitely said you would write again and you said on the phone the first time you would send some money. Will you certainly leave things hanging in midair for sure. I thought sure you would drop me a line Sunday after we talked. It’s kind of late I’m kind of ill at ease and as Mom won’t let me take a walk decided maybe I could calm down a bit if I wrote you. We got our back pay Sunday and I’m going to get the car fixed with mine. And I tell you I’m going to start driving to work? Well regardless, I am. I’m wondering if you are still in the states or have left already. When you come home, we are going to straighten some things out because this uncertainty is about to drive me insane.
Luise, (Elmer’s wife) called today and said she hasn’t heard from Elmer for three months. Maybe you will run into him out there somewhere. Am wondering if you received my two letters written, as I have gotten them back. Am also wondering about a lot of things. I’m going out tomorrow night after work with some of the girls for a little while and as I will be late coming home, suppose about tomorrow night you will call. Just my luck.
Dick is still in New Hebrides and from what he says, will be there for some time. Remember he’s unit number 14. Maybe you will find him this time.
Well strange as it may seem, it has taken me a long time to write what I have written, so I guess I’m sleepy enough to go to bed and go to sleep. Will finish this tomorrow, maybe. Good night my Honey. God bless you.
May 13, 1944
Hello Darlin’:
First of all I want to wish you a happy birthday. I wish I could have been there to spend it with you. I’m sorry not to have been able to send you something besides my love and this letter. That is the best I can do at the present. I will make up for it when we are together again.
This will be a boring letter, I know, under the circumstances I cannot do any better.
The weather has been rather warm. I still have a lot of heat ash. Whenever I start to perspire, the sweat comes out to the skin and seems to stop. It feels like a lot of needles sticking you. It feels like H….
We haven’t had an email yet so I don’t even know if mine are going out or not. It sure would be nice to get a letter from you. I sometimes wonder if you are just a dream instead of a real person. If we had some mail, I could find something to write about but as it is, I still can’t.
The Big Dipper is out every night now. It is really a site.
So far we haven’t been unloading very much. So I don’t know how long it will take. I’m afraid the trip will be a little longer than I expected. That is one thing that is impossible to even guess.
I had been raising a mustache but I don’t know just how I’m coming along as yet. I will try to keep it at least until I get back.
I wish I could find something interesting to write about it of this usual blundering through a letter.
We been doing nothing but sitting here since we arrived. It gets pretty dog gone monotonous. Once in a while, you get a little excitement but not very often. The air is pretty hot in the daytime but cool and quiet at night.
I will sure be glad when we get out of this godforsaken place and start home. We can’t even go ashore here. We will probably be taking saltwater showers before long as our freshwater supply is getting low and we don’t know how long we will be here.
The Engine room has cooled off quite a bit now that will sitting still on long. It is about 107°
Well Darling, as much as I love you, I’m afraid I must close for now. Life will start all over again for us when I get back. We will make up for all of the things we have missed for such a long time. I love you very very much and I’m always thinking of you. I will write again soon.
Love & xxxxxxxxxxxxxx’s Y.F.H. Johnny
May 26, 1944
Hello Darlin’:
Well here I am again, finally. I feel like a million and I also feel like a heel and a no-good son of a gun. I got off last night, rather while I was on watch night, a fellow brought down some mail for me from home. From from the folks and about five from you.
Here you are telling me how sorry you are that you didn’t write at such and such a time and that you will do better. Well I can tell you that I don’t deserve the letters I have gotten because I now have ten letters in front of me that I haven’t answered. You don’t have to forgive me unless you want to. I won’t say I will write every day. I promise I will do better and then when I get home I’ll make up for everything and I do mean everything.
My heat rash is a little worse now than it was. When I get to Frisco, I will take a couple of Turkish baths and sweat most of it out.
I been thinking a lot of just coming home instead of calling but I won’t for several reasons. 1, I don’t think I can wait that long to hear your voice, 2, it would be wasting some very very precious time, 3 I want you to meet me at the station. I would like to have you meet me at Omaha, but it would take too much gas and it would be best to drive up to the lake. I’m really getting homesick.
I’ll try to answer some of them before I’ve been out of there. I will have to get some more. I’m glad you finally got some mail for me. I know how it is not to get any word or something. There is one thing I especially like in your letters. That is pictures of you. It seems to bring you closer to me when I do get some. I sure like the one of you on that latter cleaning out the eve spouts. When I get mail from you, I must feel the same way you do. Yes, I saw the Big Dipper about 10 minutes ago. It is northeast of me.
Whether it is the second or third day I am home it doesn’t make any difference when we get married but it will be the soonest date we can. That is for sure. Have you told the folks check? I wish you would if you haven’t already. Please.
Just don’t you start worrying if our day will come or not. This time it can’t miss. You are on my mind all the time. You sure must be getting a lot of songs in the states. New ones, I mean. I haven’t heard about 90% of the ones you keep mentioning all the time. I sure like the idea of that Victrola.
You have been doing very well in your bowling scores. I wish I could do as well. You will probably beat me as usual. Golly, I can hardly hold you in my arms and carry you up to the house. Remember the day Nana, you and I went bowling? I couldn’t get hit the broad side of a barn door that night. I couldn’t beat either one of you. I sure love you a lot. You’re so adorable, sweet. I miss you more and more every day. Do you remember the night we went horseback riding? We went with Melvin Rygh, didn’t we? Those were sure the good old days. I remember the first night I met you. I wouldn’t come down the ramp at the library. Elmer and I jumped over the side. I’m sure glad I chose you instead of Rose Mary. I’d have been in a mess. I was really scared the first time I kissed you. When I did, I thought for a minute the bottom of the car fell out or at least I was getting struck by lightning.
When I get back I will take you down and tell you all about a steam engine. I used to think they were really big. You could almost shove one down our stack. We have eight fires going instead of one. When I get back, I’m going to try to squeeze you right through me. (again). It sure is a lot of fun, trying I mean.
In one of your letters you said something about coming out to Frisco if I am not able to come home. Well the fact is that my draft board is still in Des Moines. I’m going up and talking to them when I get back. I’ll be able to have at least 30 days off anyway. I haven’t heard that song “I Love you,” but you know I do. (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nXIXknT-iQ8 by Cole Porter)
Yes, my hair has grown out. I’m even combing it now.
We must have quite a few bonds by now. T & T will be able to go to college at that. Say, just what do you mean by my “other little faults”?
I see those bowling scores of 147 and 136 but what is that 101 doing in there? You will have to do better than that. By the way, you had better have my golf clubs ready when I get there, and I’ll teach you how to play some. (Golf I mean)
Well Darling, I think I will have to close for a while. I will finish this after my watch. Okay? Okay! I love you very very very much.
Hello Darling: I just got off watch. It is a beautiful night out. There are quite a few clouds but every once in a while the moon sort of peaks through. I can’t find the Big Dipper although it is usually there and about this time of night. We are sure going to have a lot of fun looking at that big dipper when I get home. In all my life, I never needed anyone as much as I need you. This the thought of seeing you and talking to you makes me feel pretty good. This war is making as much a mess as it has out of the lives of so many people, is something I’m going to forget completely when I get home.
I love you so much, so very very much, that I can’t begin to tell you how much that is. When I get home I’ll be able to partly show you how much that is.
By the time you get this letter we should be on our way back. We have at least two more stops after this one, maybe three, and they should go a little faster.
Well Darling, I’m afraid I must close for now or I will have to send this by freight instead of airmail.
I love you more and more every day.
Love & xxxxx’s Y.F.H. Johnny
PS Tell Mommie Hare and Miriam hello.
June 2, 1944
Hello Darling:
To begin with, I haven’t anything to write about but I do have some more letters to answer.
It is about 9:30, I think. I took my shower in saltwater because of the shortage of fresh water and shaved and eaten breakfast. Now I’m trying to write to my one and only. That lake Toots was talking about sounds swell.. The fireplace is a nice idea but in the summer time it won’t do so good. The first part of your letter wasn’t what I expected. Now dog gone it, you are going to to many dances. I won’t even be able to keep up with you. I don’t know about those Air Corps cadets. Enough said the better.
I’m very anxious to hear those records. It is going to be wonderful to get back. I only hope it is not too warm. I’m getting a little tired of the heat. If it could snow in the summertime, it would be swell. We have had a little rain once in a while but it never rains long enough to do much good. The air at night is pretty cool and it is wonderful sleeping. If it wasn’t for having to get up at 4 o’clock in the morning, it would be swell. It sure is hard to get the right sleep. It is impossible to get over six hours at any one time. Then you have to rush.
I guess I won’t be seeing Dick this trip either. I sure wish I could. I haven’t met anyone that I knew at home yet. I have met some fellows from Iowa though.
I have some more letters to answer of yours so I had better get on with them. This one was written May 2. I guess all of our hopes and dreams will have to come true next May. Maybe it will be T & T. I know what you look like when you put your hair up but let’s just skip that for a while, shouldn’t we. (Just kidding). You look very sweet but that is all. I was sure and was talking to the natives. Rather, trying to talk to the natives. They think it would be terrible to live in the states. I asked the Chief if he would like to live in the states, he said “Olagoona Sig Maymia Toolaoalala histonaga allzam peeling your goomoo” “Lala mistag pasa.” In English, that means no. He said any place you can’t have all of the wives you want, is no good. Will will it took him almost 2 hours to tell me that.
The married women all have two have their heads shaved. The single ones don’t. If a native man wants a wife, he goes to the father of the girl and trades a pig for her. The women do all the work, including chopping down coconut trees, cooking, etc. etc. All the men do is learn to paddle their own canoe. I don’t know how to spell the word canoe but I mean a small boat that you paddle with the paddle. I guess I spelled paddle right. It is wonderful the sense of value these natives have, one cigarette for a bunch of shells, one cigarette for a basket, one pig for a wife. I tried to find a pig to trade but no luck. I did get a lot of shells from one native. I brought them aboard with me and in a can and set it on top of my locker. The next morning I thought someone had dumped the garbage and anything else they could find into our focsle but I found out that the natives had forgotten to take the meat out of the shells and they had turned sour, in other words they stunk. I took them back to the natives. In the course of getting there I almost got thrown overboard twice. The crew didn’t know I had shells, they thought it was me. Then the C.B.’s on the island weren’t going to let me on shore. I finally persuaded them to let me come ashore because no one would come close enough to try to stop me. I got to the native village and went straight to the complaint department. This native told me to take the shells down to the beach and bury them three feet from the 103rd coconut tree on the sunrise side. After finally finding the tree, I buried them. I was a little skeptical when he told me the spirits who carry the meat away, but after all he has lived on the island for a long time and he didn’t want to be impolite and tell him I didn’t think there were any spirits. The next day I went back to get them. What do you know, no coconut trees, no beach, no shells. I didn’t even know if I was on the right island let alone the right beach. Either the spirits or the C.B.’s had knocked down all the trees and pushed them down to the water covering the beach completely. Whichever it was, they sure worked fast. I was going to make you a necklace out of them too.
Jeepers, I thought I was answering one of your letters. PS. Back to the letter. That is nice of you with Mom to the banquet. It does give you a swell opportunity to tell her that little something.
I’m glad that April 12 letter got there. I don’t have anything to do with mailing them. They are censored right on board. By the way Jane, I’d like you to meet Mr. Morley. (Side note: Hello Jan, I’m from Indianola, not far from you. Lt. Morley). He is the Navy Gunnery Officer aboard and also the fellow who sensors my mail.
I just threw a match out of the porthole, there were two natives in a little outrigger coming up towards the ship. I would like to have one of those little canoes but I would have to take the native too, so I can’t see any sense in taking him with me unless I wanted to start a sideshow.
Well Darling as much as I love you, I am afraid I must close, besides Mr. Morley is probably getting bored. I will see you soon, and I love you very much.
Love & xxxxxs Y.F.H Johnny
June 5, 1944
Hello Darlin’:
Well, it won’t be long now, we are all through unloading. The weather is perfect today. It is raining like the devil out. I have my pipe and a cold coke to go with it. Did I tell you I had quit smoking cigarettes? Well if I didn’t ~ I have quit.
I was out on deck today and had my shower. It is the first fresh water shower I have had in over two weeks. You really begin to appreciate them now. Dog gone this coke sure tasted good. I haven’t had one for about one week now. My supply is getting rather low.
I found out today that I can tell you where I’m at. I’m in the ____ Islands (NOTE: the name of the island was cut out of the letter by the Naval Censor) somewhere. I can’t tell you which one though.
Well, how is my ‘pin up’ girl? Fine, I hope. I still have some letters of yours to answer so I had better do that, then maybe I can find something else to write about. (I hope). We have been aboard almost 4 months. I did think we would be back before this, but that is something you can never tell about. We have to sign articles for a year. If the ship wants to stay out for a year it will and there is nothing anyone can do about it. It has been almost a year and a half since I’ve been home. That is just a little too long. We will have to hope for next May. No I haven’t heard “Long Ago and Far Away” (Dick Haymes & Helen Forrest https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6e1mLKyzeDw)
It is a very nice title. You really must have had some rain if Euclid is flooded again. I don’t know about this war causing so much bad weather, we have had clear weather every day up until today. Yes, I remember ‘By The Light of the Silvery Moon. I would like to have some of your potato salad. I also would like some of you. That is swell about your raise. No, I haven’t heard “I’ll Get By” (Bing Crosby https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pF7SzRyp5H0) . When you blew out the candles on that birthday cake of yours, I know what that wish had better have been.
Well Darling, I’m all caught up on answering your letters.
I have a little good news for you now. We are all secured as far as the hatches are concerned, the boilers are both going with full steam and we are waiting for sailing orders. We are going back to where Dick is supposed to be and from there we head home. (I hope).
Well Darling, I think I will sign off until tonight after watch. Okay? Okay! I love you with all my heats and soul.
Hello Honey: Well we haven’t left as yet but it shouldn’t be very long from now. I received two more letters. One from you and one from the folks. Your letter is a very nice one but it makes me feel kind of low because you are a little downhearted yourself, but everything is so mixed up and uncertain. I don’t remember saying anything that should have been censored.
I can’t think of any suggestions for our getting married except that we should get married. There is one thing you must remember and that is that we can’t plan on anything but marriage right at the present time. This war may be over tomorrow or it may last several years. There is one thing that this war has done. I’ve changed my mind about a lot of things. My view points, my ideas, my wants. Since I wrote that last line, I have reread your letter six times and I still don’t know quite how to go about answering it. I wish I could write what is in my heart but it just seems to be sealed up inside of me. Maybe it will break loose when I get back,
I love you and you alone. I miss you more than thought possible. I will write again soon.
Love & xxxxx’s Y.F.H Johnny
PS. Be seeing you soon.
(We are sure Janie wondered just how soon, “seeing you soon” would be)
Note the censorship stamp on the back of Johnny’s envelope.
Johnny was aboard the USS Santa Ana.
Fun Fact: USS Santa Ana (ID # 2869), 1919-1919. Served in 1941-1946 as the U.S. Army Transport and U.S. Army Hospital Ship John L. Clem. Was assigned U.S. Navy hull number AP-36 in 1941.
USS Santa Ana, an 4942 gross ton (8890 tons displacement) transport, was built in 1918 at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, as the civilian passenger liner of the same name. She was taken over by the Navy upon completion and placed in commission in February 1919. As a unit of the Cruiser and Transport Force, she made four round-trip voyages to bring World War I veterans from France. USS Santa Ana completed this work in July 1919 and, later in that month, was decommissioned and turned over to the U.S. Shipping Board. Between the World Wars she operated commercially under the names Santa Ana, Guatamala, Santa Cecilia and Irwin. In 1941 she was acquired by the War Department and served during and shortly after World War II as the Army’s transport and hospital ship John L. Clem. Soon after her acquisition by the Army she was assigned the U.S. Navy hull number AP-36, but did not enter U.S. Navy service. The ship was sold for scrapping in 1948.
South Pacific
Tue Jan 4, 1944
Hello Darlin’:
well it has been a long time I imagine sent you at any mail of any kind.
I’m really having a lot of fun. I don’t think you will know me when I get back. I think I have gained a little weight and lost a little waist. I here is a little shorter. In fact it is all gone. There is an old tradition among seamen. Until you cross the equator you are called a pollywig. After crossing the equator you are known as a Shellback. In order to become a shellback there are several things you must go through first. The old seamen aboard shave your head, make you drink some hot sauce straight, etc. etc. etc. etc. I am now a shellback. My hair is about an eighth of an inch long.
The weather is very hot out here. I suppose you’re having some nice cool or rather cold snow. I wish I were in it. It is even too hot to sleep in our focsle at night. I’ll have cots and mattresses to put on the meeting at. It is nice sleeping under the stars. If I could see any stars it is usually raining off and on. The first night I really got soaked. Now we have a cover over us.
We should reach our destination about this coming Friday. After we leave there I hope to see Dick. I don’t know if they will let us go ashore or not but I’m sure going to try hard enough to see him.
You remember the night we skied at the back country club? This warm weather, that hot engine room, makes me wish we were skiing again.
I have been out to the sun quite a bit and then changing a little bit in color.
It was sure while talking you before we left Frisco. I’m sorry about not getting to talk to the folks. I wish I can talk to you now and I’ll bet that there are several million other fellows wishing they could call their wives and sweethearts at home too.
I will sure be glad when we get back. I’m going to try to stay right on the ship if possible and make a second trip. I’ll try to get leave to come home. If I can’t get me, I will fire off the ship and come home anyway.
Well sweets, I guess that just about covers it for now. I will write again soon. I love you very very much.
Lov & xxxxs Y.F.H. Johnny
P.S. Don’t Worry
January 11, 1944
Hello Darlin’:
Well, here I am again without very much to write about. We pulled in to talk Friday evening. I was supposed to have Saturday afternoon and evening off and all day Sunday. I was going to go ashore and get a souvenir for you. Bill, my shipmate and I finished at 12 noon and after eating chow and taking a shower, we were getting dressed to go ashore. The 1st engineer came in and said we have to stand by to take on fuel oil. This went on both Saturday and all day Sunday. Sunday evening we did get a sore but we didn’t do very much as it was pretty late when we got started and we have to be back aboard by 8 PM. I went ashore last night after chow and I got you something. I think you will like it very much. I wish the war was over and you were here with me on a cruise. Even if it were a pleasure cruise, it would still be nice to get to the states.
I bought four cartons of gum and two cartons of candy bars last night. There is sure no shortage of gum out here. I had a malted milk, if that is what you want to call it. It didn’t even taste like milk. We haven’t had any milk since we left Frisco, outside of and milk. We have quite a bit of Coca-Cola though. We have movies on board every night. Some real good ones too.
There are different constellations of stars out here, I think because since we left Frisco, I haven’t seen the big dipper. Do you remember the soldiers constellation? He is just about overhead.
I forgot to tell you that I have had some milk besides canned milk, coconut milk. It is quite a bit like how milk but much sweeter.
It is odd to see the natives on the island. They are very much like a colored person only their hair is colored and longer than a colored person. It is black on the bottom and a golden color on top. They are called Javanese. There are also lots of French people. The island as a whole is a French colony. There are a lot of French cars with right hand drive.
Our dock is about 12 miles from the main town, so we hitch hike to it. I have ridden in just about every type of army trucks and jeeps there is.
Well darling, I’m afraid that is just about all for now, except to say that I love you very very much.
P. S. Try writing to me.
John H Berhow
S.S. Santa Ana
Postmaster
San Francisco, Calif
Love & XXXX Y.F.H.
Johnny
6:15 PM Jan. 27, 1944
Hello Darlin’:
Well, here it is, time to drop another line or two. We are one or two days from our next stop. I hope the reach it tomorrow. It is really hot down here. In the engine room, it is about 125°, which is really hot.
In our last court only it was cool was out on the deck. We had out door movies that were a great relief. As soon as we unloaded, we pulled away from the dock and anchored out for a week. It gets pretty on this is sitting there not knowing when you are going to leave. It is really very beautiful down here but I can’t say I like it any better than the U.S.A. it is kind of nice seeing places that you studied about in school. The only thing is that they never seem to be just what you think they should be.
Darling, I may have to ask a favor of you when I get back. I will let you be the direct. When I get back, I will have enough sea experience will or time to get my fireman and water tender ticket and rating. I should make another trip on this chip before I hire off of it. It’s all I am familiar with the way things are run and if I would ship out another ship, I would have practically everything to learn all over again. Once I made a trip as a fireman, and other ships would be much easier.
Hello Darlin’: well it has been two days now since I wrote that line and I have changed my mind about shipping out again before coming home. When I get home I will tell you why.
We have been up to the dock and unloaded our deck cargo and we took on freshwater.
The reason I finished or rather quick writing so abruptly is that it was so hot in our focsIe couldn’t stand it. I went out on deck. I had a cot out there to sleep on. Well anyway, it is 7:00 PM here and it is 3:00 AM yesterday morning where you are now.
Fun fact: What is a Focsle? The Foc’s’le is the forward deck of the ship. It derives its name from the days of sailing ships when the raised forward deck was known as the “forecastle.”
Now this is good ~ at 10:00 P.M. your time it is 2:00 AM tomorrow my time. We have crossed the International Date Line, which makes me a day ahead of you. About 4:00 AM, you go out and look at the stars. When you find our little soldier constellation, I will be right under it.
(credit Wikipedia)
After I get to Frico, I will call you. You can start getting ready then. I will have to spend about a week there to get my papers, etc. etc. Being a member of the Armed Forces, I won’t have any trouble getting a seat on the train. I probably won’t be able to get a birth though.
Well suites, I guess that is about all for now. I will write again soon. I love you very very much.
Love & XXXX Y.F.H. Johnny
P.S. we had a bulletin to a saying they were going to cut out all air – mail service from here to the U.S. Everything will be ‘V’ mail.
Fun Fact: V Mail. What was the purpose of Victory Mail? Victory Mail, more commonly known as V-Mail, operated during World War II to expedite mail service for American armed forces overseas. Moving the rapidly expanding volume of wartime mail posed hefty problems for the Post Office, War, and Navy Departments.
last year at this time, Johnny was home. This year Janie is home alone on Christmas not knowing when she will get the next letter or when she will see her dear Johnny.
Well here it is time to write a little more to my one and only. I just finished my watch at 5, and I took a shower and have had supper. We had a sardine salad that was really good and a big ham steak, French fried potatoes, and spinach. My watch has been from 8:00 AM to 12 and then from 1:00 to 5:00. This ink all over the paper is from this darned old pan.
My first try aboard the ship wasn’t very much but is still exciting. There are so many gauges and wheels you couldn’t count them all in a week. I have tonight off but I’m going to stay aboard and get some sleep as I’m rather tired. I will also have tomorrow night off from 5:00 PM until 8:00 AM. I’m going in to Frisco. Maybe my Christmas present will be here by then. I also have a few clothes to buy and also a pen, paper, envelopes etc. etc.
There are two of us in our compartment. It is approximately the same size as your room at home. There are three bunks, one double-decker and one single. I have the single lower. It is on the main deck.
We have reading lamps, mattresses, and springs. In the mess hall we have a jukebox and about 200 records. Even “You Made Me Love You”. They are loading the holds now. Part of our cargo is lumber. It takes a long time to load it. We might be here this weekend. They load day and night.
There are about one million things inside of my mind would be to say and I can’t seem to find the words. I don’t know what the matter is. I love you so very very much and still that is the only way I can tell you. Tell me it means a great deal, although it doesn’t sound like very much.
Well Sweets, I guess I had better close for now. I have quite a bit of work to do right here in my cabin. Scrubbing, painting etc. etc. I will finish this tomorrow night. I love you very very much. Good night Darling. (there’s boiler grease on the letter).
Hello Sweetheart: It is 7 PM and I am ready to go ashore. I will write again tomorrow night. I love you and you alone. Love & xxxxxs YFH Johnny
December 16, 1943
Hello Darling:
Yes, finally I have some time to write you. I should have some more time then I have had.
Darling, I was in Frisco last night and my present from you was there. It was really beautiful. You so very very much. I’ve seen a lot of them but never one as nice as this. I think I will get shore leave Saturday afternoon or night and I’m going to have it engraved a little more. Under my name I will put U.S.M.M. and on the back I will put your name and address on it. (Maybe TNT) It just fits perfect.
I don’t know just when we will be but I think it will be about Monday. We have a rather good cargo to carry. It isn’t a secret but when we sail is. I don’t think the skipper even knows. I don’t think it will be a short trip though. By the looks of the cargo, we are heading towards Guadalcanal. Maybe the Russell Russell Islands. This ship has made the last 6 trips just to the islands and back, that is the Hawaiian Islands. We have a million feet of lumber, and a lot of trucks, caterpillars, a lot of miscellaneous The thing that makes me think we’re going to the South Pacific is 40,000 cases of beer and about 10,000 cases of whiskey. There aren’t that many soldiers or sailors at the islands. We also have a great many shoes for the Marines.
That is enough of that. It is kind of hard to find things to write about. I have told you just about all there is to tell.
Except that I’m going to miss you more than ever. I have your picture right on the bulkhead next to my head. You can be with me in spirit always. I love you so much. I have kind of a feeling that we will be back about next May. That would sure be swell, wouldn’t it?
Well Sweets, getting late and I’m kind of tired and I will finish this tonight. I love you very very much. Thanks again for the swell bracelet. Good night Sweetheart.
Hello Darlin: The time is – gotta go -.
Hello again. Time sure goes fast. What started to say was that it was Saturday afternoon. I was supposed to have the afternoon off. I was going into Frisco but my 1st Engineer came in and said, ‘Hit the deck’. A barge was coming alongside with fuel oil. I had to work until 12:15 AM, Sunday morning. It is now 1:00 Sunday and I’m writing from the post office. I came in after I finished and stayed with Hook, I was up to the bookstore just now and bought three Marine Engineering books. They cost me $15. I saw what the rest of the fellows do a board so I thought I would get these books and really study instead of playing poker or shooting craps. I could lose $5 in 5 minutes doing that so I think my money was well spent.
I think we will leave Tuesday maybe Monday. It is very unpredictable. I’m going to buy a couple more pairs of the dungarees and some T-shirts to take with me, then I will be complete.
Hook has my leathers and is going to sell them for me and send the money to you.
I was up to the house this morning and got the package from the folks. I won’t open it until I get aboard.
Darling, I’m going to miss you so very very much. I asked my chief about keeping a diary, I find that I can’t, if I do and I get caught with it by the inspectors, I get my papers taken away from me. I’m very sorry. I love you more than life itself. I will be thinking of you always and I will call you the minutes I get back.
I’m going to try to write again tonight. I don’t have to be get back until Monday at 8, but I think I will go back anyway. I love you with all of my heart and soul.
Well here it is, another day closer to the sweetest little angel this side of heaven.
I have a letter to answer so I will do that now. No, I didn’t forget to put the sugar in the cake. Yes, I know I could have been home and back by now. I wish I was sometimes. I’m glad that Marian is such a swell girl, I’m looking forward to meeting her.
I have a lot to do in the morning, so I had better get some sleep. I love you very very much. (I’m getting tired so I can sleep is playing). I want to sleep so I can dream. That is the only way I can be with you. Good night Darling.
Good morning Sweets: I have all of my packing done and called the express company.
The mail is here and there is a letter from you. About the sweet shirts and the boots, if you like the looks of the sweatshirts, you can keep them for me, if not you can give them to Dad. I do want you to take the leather jacket over to him. It will fit him much better than it does me. I will remember the Russell Islands. If anything should happen to me, I’m going to leave you to decide what to do with the bonds. You will know better than I.
Well Darling, I have to drop Mary a line, so I had better close for now. I love you and miss you very very much.
Love & xxxxxxxxxx’s YFH Johnny
December 8, 1943, Wednesday 1:00 AM
Hello My Darling:
Here I am again with my little old pencil. I bought a cheap pen today and stuck it in the top pocket of my jacket and I must have lost that some place as I can’t find it any place now. In the last letter I wrote, I told you I was all through packing. Well, I was mistaken. I packed all afternoon and then I was to meet Syd downtown and we were going to get me a sea bag. Well, I found a trunk and a suitcase. So I had to unpack and repack. That is what I had have been doing tonight. The express man is coming tomorrow and beings they are going to be picked up, I can only send them collect. I will pay my income tax tomorrow and send you what I have left, which by the way it will be as much as I had planned. I want you to take it and buy a watch and something for our Moms and Dad and for Sis. I have a present for Donna Neal that I bought at the Emporium. I will send it to you and you can give it to her from us.
Well Darling, I’m getting very tired and must get some sleep. I will finish in the morning. I love you very very much. Good night Sweetheart.
Good morning Darling: Well the express man has just left, it will cost approximately $12 to get the things. There it is a one small trunk, one cardboard box and my golf clubs. In the cardboard box is my radio, letters, jacket etc. In the trunk, good sweaters, shirts, topcoat, boots and your school pin, my wristwatch, keychain, collar buttons and cuff links. They are in a small box on the top of the first section. There are much safer in the trunk then they would be in the parcel post, no matter how much insurance I had on. It should be about six days before they get there. Darling, will you take my golf clubs covers out of my shoes and put them on the clubs. One good idea would be to put something in the trunk to keep the moths away from my topcoat. I guess that’s all for now. (PS Don’t drop the radio) Just kidding.
Excuse me for a minute, I will see if the mail is here yet. (Oh, the pen and ink? I found a pen like we used is penmanship in school). No mail.
Well My Darling, I’m afraid I must close for now. I will see you at 8 as always. I love you and miss you so very very much.
Love & xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx YFH Johnny
9:45 PM December 9, 1943, Thursday.
Hello Darlin’:
Well here it is another day. I almost got my ship this morning but I was about 15 minutes too late. I stopped to see if Jr. was ready yet. He wasn’t, so I went to the Union. I asked about a job and was told that they had just had one but a fellow was there and got it! I waited there all day but no more came in. Maybe tomorrow. I went out at noon and took your letter to the post office and had a bit bite to eat. I look for a while for the bracelet but couldn’t find one.
There was a letter waiting for me when I got home. You can tell by the letters you got from me that was meant for Mom and Dad, how much you are on my mind. Yes, if you like I will grow another mustache while at sea, maybe a beard if I’m gone long enough. Yes, when I come home we will make up for a lot of lost time. I’m sorry my letters have been rather quiet and quite short and sort of cold. I’m a little discouraged because it seems that everything but you is running against me. I thought I would be able to send you a little money when I leave but I will be glad or rather lucky if I can send any more than about $50. If I can sell Jr, I’ll be able to send all of that. I have my dentist bill all paid up, so the only money I have left to pay is my income tax. Out here it seems that people have money for a God. That is all they care about. When I took my scooter into have it overhauled right after you, left the owner of the shop said he thought it was worth about $125 then. Well, I spent $50 to have it fixed and some money for paint and brushes. I spent about two weeks on it painting it. Today I told him I was going to ship out and I asked him how much he thought Jr. was worth. He said $50 or $60. He wants to buy it. I told him I would rather take it and store it and just let it rot before I would sell it to him for $60. If that is all I could get out of it, it would be worth shipping home to you.
I love you so very very much Jane. There never has been and never there never will be another girl like you. I wish there was some other way I can tell you what I think of you and the way I felt feel but I guess I can’t say anything except for that I love you, I adore you, and I miss you and I want you.
Well Darling, I guess I had better get some sleep. I will finish this in the morning. Good night Sweetheart.
Good morning Darling. I think it’s going to be a beautiful day day out. I wish you were here with me. I don’t have much time, I will have to leave for for now. I will write some more tonight. I love you very very much.
Love & xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx YFH Johnny
10:30 PM December 10, 1943, Friday
Hello Darlin’:
Well, this is an entirely new experience for me. That is writing from aboard a ship. I will start at the beginning of the day and describe or try to describe everything. I got up and I fixed breakfast. After breakfast, I finish your last letter. Then I went down to the Union. I met another fellow there by the name of James O’Neill, from Minnesota. We talked for quite a while. Nothing came up there, so we walked over to another union called the N.M.U. That is the National Maritime Union. Well, they had jobs for us. There we met two other fellows who were going on the same ship. We all came aboard together. We met our bosses and then we had to come back ashore and get our gear. (clothes). Then we had to come right back and stand watch until 5:00. Then we got off at 5. The ships name is The S.S. Santa Ana. It is a little larger than a Liberty ship and is about 5 years old. It has quite a few guns on her. We ate dinner at 12. We had beef stew, salad, apple pie, all the milk you can drink, bread and all the butter you want (no points..ha-ha). For supper we had steaks (all you can eat), milk, salad pumpkin pie, ice cream. They really feed you good. Today we have been loading supplies, including all kinds of food, potatoes, etc., etc., some machinery and parts. I can’t tell much about the work yet, but so far I like it swell.
I don’t know when we will leave.
I got off at 5 and had my supper. I washed and had to wait quite a while for our clean linens. Then Jim went with me and we went up to the old homestead. I had to pay my board and room, garage, and telephone bills. $51.18. My telephone bills were $36.00. Darling, after I pay my income tax, I will only have $27.00 left in the bank. I will try to sell Jr. and send you the money I get for him.
I will have to call you ‘collect’ on Sunday. After I sell Jr., you can take out the money for the calls.
Well Darling, I have to be up at 6:30, so I had better get some sleep. I will tell you all about my cabin in the morning. Right now, I can look out the port hole and almost see the moon. If I stick me head out, I can see it and its reflection on the water. Darling, I love you very, very much. Goodnight, sleep tight, I’ll dream of you.
Good morning Darling: By the time you get this, you will know that we pulled out at 6:00 Sunday morning. We are not sailing out of port, but we are moving to some other dock to load up. The time is 12:30 PM. I just got off watch. I have to be back at 6 in the morning. I don’t have much time, I will have to leave foe now. I am going to call you tonight. I will write again tonight. I lover you very, very much.
Dec 1943 ~ These are the last 2 letters from Mom to Dad that were sent back to Mom to keep.
Thursday 1:10 AM December 2, 1943
Hello Honey: .
(White Christmas with Bing Crosby) There was a letter today written Saturday 11:00 PM. Honey, since you can’t get a diesel boat, does that mean you won’t be an engineer or Marine engineer? If you take a freighter or a Liberty ship, what will you do on it?
So you bake a cake huh, maybe you forgot the sugar. Do you know you could have come home and been back again since you signed up and been just as far along as you are now. When I think about that, it kind of makes me blue. I’ve been terribly lonesome of late anyway, if it wasn’t for Marian, I really don’t know what I would do. She is a real little chum, sure wish you could meet her. If I come out to Frisco next spring, she wants to come with me, wouldn’t that be swell.
It’s somewhat colder tonight and snow is forecasted for tomorrow, kind of hope it does. It would be nice to see some snow again. I’m writing on both sides now because writing paper is not only hard to get but is expensive too. I have to buy a license for the car next week, which will be $18.
Gee Darling, how I yearn for your arms. I miss you terribly, especially lately. Don’t know just why, but I would give five years of my life to see you right now, to feel your lips on mine, your head close to mine, your nice warm hands over mine, and your arms around me. I better close before I make you blue too. I love you so, so very much.
“Your” Darlin’ & F.W. Janie
Friday 1:00 AM December 3, 1943
Hello My Darling:
Another night night or day gone by and you’re till in the country, which is some consolation. There was a letter today written Monday and Tuesday. Am wondering if you have heard from Mary Jane or has she arrived yet?
About your letters, I will keep them with mine. O.K? But I’m not going to give any of your sweatshirts or boots to your Dad because you will need the sweatshirts for Sunday mornings (after the war & we have our little place) to wash the car in & rake the yard & clean out the basement, see and the boots too. Johnny, I have something to ask you about these bonds of ours. You have quite a few and they are made out to me in case anything happens to you. If we aren’t married, I shouldn’t have that money, do you think? Darling, if anything does happen, what should I do about the money and your Mom?
Where was the tooth that you had to have pulled, in front or back? I’m awfully sorry about it.
It’s much colder tonight, but no snow, even though it is cloudy. Sure wish it would.
We received a letter from Dick today and he said if we want to get married, we should. He was glad you’re in the Navy end instead of the Army. He sends you his best wishes and lots of luck and if you are anywhere near Guadalcanal to be sure and inquire around for him or the Russell Islands.
Well Sweets it’s getting late and much to my regret, better close now. (Hotel St. Francis in San Francisco is broadcasting now.) I’m very tired. I love you so very much, you will never know how much I miss you. Love & xxxxxs “Your” Darlin’ & F.W. Janie
10:00 PM December 1, 1943, Wednesday
Hello Darlin’:
Well here it is another month gone by and the Christmas month coming. Do you remember a year ago at this time we were both really going around in circles. I sure had a lot of fun when I came home. It has been 18 months we have been living 2000 miles away. With one month together, that is 17 really apart. That isn’t right. You always told me you only wanted to be engaged about a month before you got married. We have been together only a month since we’ve been engaged and the next time we get married. Oh boy! I’ll believe it when I see it. I have a letter to answer from you. You really had a busy day last Sunday. I didn’t think the show “Du Barry Was A Lady” was such a good show either.
I haven’t heard from Mary Jane yet so I don’t suppose she will be here until Friday. I don’t know whether to so Jr. or not. I don’t like to but I can get a good price out of him now and later he won’t be worth so much.
I have to be at the dentist’s at 8, so I must get up about 630. I will finish this in the morning. I love you so very very much. Good night Darling.
Good morning Honey it is still dark out but it should turn out to be a nice day. There isn’t any news so I don’t know what else to write about. I still haven’t heard from Mary Jane as yet. I will write again tonight. I love you very very much.
Love & xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx YFH Johnny
Dear Little Chum: While sitting here waiting for 1:00 to roll around I decided to write you a note, O.K? First please excuse the writing as I am writing on the floor and am finding it rather difficult and I’m also running out of ink I see. About the present, I only hope you like it half as much as I want you. Janie
10:00 PM Thursday, December 2, 1943
Hello Darlin’:
Well, here it is Thursday night. I will be all through with the dentist in the morning. I haven’t heard from Mary Jane as yet. I hope she didn’t forget to wire me.
I received a very nice letter from you today. I’m glad you finally got some mail from me. I’m glad you had a lot of fun with the girls. Did you tell them hello for me?
Shane is just fine. She was down here a little while ago. She wanted a picture of you and I together before I left so I gave her one. I know you did see the searchlight on the plane but this time there were a lot more planes (too many to count) and about 5 times as many searchlights.
This afternoon I had to fix Jr’s back tire. It was flat and had a nail in it about 2 inches long. I sure felt funny pulling it out of the tire. The nail looked about as big as the tire.
There isn’t any news so I don’t know just what I’m going to write about. I’m going to make this your Special as I want you to get it on Sunday. The weather was sure swell today. I hope it lasts a little while.
Before I forget it, I’m sending my wristwatch to you I can’t get any parts for it out here. Maybe you can get it fixed at home.
It sure gets tiresome just sitting and waiting, waiting, and hoping and waiting some more.
I just happen to think, I got another bill from the Collector of Internal Revenue. It seems that I owe them $117.14, by the 15th of December. When I pay that I will be all through with my income tax.
Darling I love you very very much but my eyes are getting tired so I had better get some sleep. I will continue in the morning. I love you. Good night Sweetheart.
Good morning Darling. I slept right through the alarm so I will have to leave very soon.
I have had breakfast. It’s going to be another beautiful day out. I haven’t heard from Mary yet but she must be on her way.
Well Darling, I will write again tonight, I love you so very very much.
Love & xxxxxs YFH Johnny
12:30 AM December 4, 1943, Saturday
Hello Darlin’:
Mary Jane sent a wire from LA at 1:45 PM today and said she should arrive in Frisco about 10:00 tonight. I have waited for her to call but so far she hasn’t. She had better call me no matter what time she gets here or I will be mad at her. I spent the evening cleaning up my room and got clean bed clothes and towels for her so she could have my room and I will stay up in the hall. So far she hasn’t called. That is enough of that.
How are you Darling? Fine I hope. I sure wish we were married tonight or even just together. I don’t know when I felt so much like smooching. It is a beautiful night out. The stars are big and bright. Just the right kind of night. I’m in just the right mood and no you. Why does this have to happen to us? It just isn’t right.
There isn’t any news. I didn’t get any mail today so there really isn’t very much talk or write about.
Well Darling, I think I’ll get a little shut eye. Maybe Mary will call pretty soon and I will go down and bring her out here. I love you so very very much. Good night Darlin’.
Good morning Darling” When I finished writing last night, I went upstairs got a Coke and a magazine and waited for Mary Jane to call. I waited until about 1:45 and decided that she must have gotten a room in a hotel and would probably call me in the morning. I came down and went to bed. I just dozed off to sleep and Mr. Drears came down and called me saying there was a girl on the phone waiting for me. I went right up. The time was 1:55. I had been in bed 10 minutes. She was at a drugstore on Market Street. I drove down and picked her up. (I took Jr. over to Johnny’s last night and got one of his cars). She sure looks good. She hasn’t had a bath for six days, so she didn’t feel very good. I drove out Van Ness Avenue to the Marina and up and drive by the Golden Gate Bridge and then home. That is where we rode Jr. that night. She took a shower and dressed again, and then we drove out to the Cigar box Restaurant to have something to eat. They were closed. Then we stopped at a place on Market and Van Ness and had some bacon and eggs. Then after that we came on home. It is very foggy out this morning, and the fog horns are blowing allover the place. Mary is in getting dressed while I finish writing this. We are going down to the big City of San Francisco in just a minute. I sure wish you were here with us.
Well Darling, Mary is coming so I must close for now. I will write again tonight.
I love you very very much.
Love & xxxxxxxxxx’s YFH Johnny
Hi Janie & Mom. This is the life! Johnny met me – drove around town til 4am & then ate – Will see the sights today1. Write later – Love Mary Jane
11:30 PM December 5, 1943, Sunday
Hello my Darlin’:
Well here it is another day closer to you, whenever that time comes.
I hope you don’t mind me not writing last night too much. Mary Jane was here and I have been trying to really show her the town. I got John’s car. Everything happens to me. I drove Mary all around San Francisco. We came over by the Golden Gate Bridge and she wanted to drive over it, I did. I turned around after we crossed it. I turned off the road onto the one to Sausalito and then just turned around and came back on the highway. The Highway Patrol stopped me and said I had turned back on the highway at the wrong place. They gave me a ticket, so I have to go over to Sausalito in the morning. I don’t know how much it will cost me. It was sure swell seeing Mary again I wish I had thought to ask you if I could use that tin grip of yours that I borrowed when I came out here. I can’t find any to use when I leave. I don’t want to buy a real good one.
Darling, your Special came last night just before Mary and I left for a show. It was wonderful. Thank you so much for saying those things you did. There were no questions to answer.
Like you, I also wish I could write on paper and how much I love you and adore you. It is hard for me to write the things I think. There is no doubt and never has been that you are the only girl for me. I wish that things were more certain than they are. I do know that there will come a day and I will come after you. I can only say now that I love you and like you too, more and more every hour. You will always be in my heart as long as I breathe.
It is getting late and I must go get some sleep. I will finish tomorrow. I love you. Good night Sweetheart.
Hello Darling: I’m back from Sausalito and like I told you before in this letter, everything happens to me. I just got on the bridge and the chain broke and I had to push Jr. clear over to Sausalito. I talked pretty fast to the judge and got by for $2.50. I had to leave Jr. there and have him brought over on a truck. It will cost me about $2 to bring it over here.
The mail is here and there is a letter from you. If I go out on a cargo ship, I can still work up to an engineer and my work will be just the same, except that I just won’t be on a diesel.
Well Sweets, I had better take this down to the post office. I will write again tonight. I love you very very much.
What is the good word? No letter again this Sunday. I have had only 3 letters from you since a week ago yesterday, 2 Specials, one Monday and one Thursday, one ordinary letter on Monday. No letters Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday, Saturday or today. The mail shouldn’t be this slow. Should it?
I went downtown Saturday to do my Christmas shopping but I didn’t get much accomplished. All I got was to pair of work pants to take with me aboard ship. I got home and Syd was here waiting for me. I spent the evening with him, just messing around. We neither of us spent one cent except for a bite to eat, just before we went home. I spent the night with them. This morning and this afternoon we spent working on his car. He had 3 flat tires and he couldn’t start it without pushing it. We fixed the tires at the station two blocks from the beach. You should have seen the waves. They were about as high as a room and they came way up to where we were sitting at a when we dug the tunnels (remember?). After we fixed the tires, we walked down to the boardwalk for about 5 minutes and watch the breakers. Then we rolled the tires back to the house and put them on his car. We then drove to a filling station and I installed a new terminal cable on his car and then it started swell. We had a malt and he brought me home.
I came upstairs to fix a bite to eat and the Spanish girls wanted me to have dinner with them, so I did. They had chicken, salad, pie, beer, and coffee. After dinner, I helped washed dishes and then I set the mangle up to iron my clothes. I brought my radio up and then started to mangle. They wanted to learn how to use the mangle, so I taught them how with my clothes. We got them all done. We danced in the kitchen and I wish you could’ve been here to watch them. I just about laughed myself sick. Shane was there, Mr. and Mrs. Drear, Mona Belle, the girl from Iowa, her folks and the Spanish girls and yours truly.
Fun Fact: Here is a picture of a 1940-1950’s General Electric Electric Mangle Iron. Used to iron clothes. Can you imagine?
(credit ‘Courtesy of the Historical Society of Western Virginia).
That is just about all the news. I have to be down at the Union in the morning at 8, so I had better get some sleep. I will finish this in the morning. I love you very, very much. Good night Sweetheart.
Good morning Darling. It is 7:15 and I must leave for now. I will write again tonight and if I find out anything, I will call you or wire you.
I love you so very, very much.
Love & xxxxxxxxxx’s YFH Johnny
Mon 2:15 PM Nov. 22, 1943
Hello Honey:
Well, beginning of another week and some news this week, I hope. It’s been three weeks since you signed up.
Your second Special came about 10:00 this morning, but you didn’t say if you went to the Union office Friday morning or not. Gee, that’s too bad about your washing, did you swear? Wouldn’t blame you.
About your clothes, you can send me in boxes, that will be O.K, then I’ll buy a small trunk and pack them away for you. I know where I can buy a nice big one. O.K? O.K! Johnny, before you leave, will you please stock up on air mail envelopes so’s you will have plenty on hand while you are abroad, then if you have a chance to write and can mail them at different stops, I will get them sooner. Please. O.K?
I thought I would start this before for work. I’ll finish this tonight. Bye for now. Love.
1:00 AM Tues. Nov 23, 1943
Hello Dear:
It’s 11:00 out there, are you in bed or out? Aha. Just what I thought. How are you Honey? I hope you are O.K. and gee how I wish I could see you again, I’m terribly lonesome tonight. It’s a nice crisp night with the stars very bright, and an ideal night for a walk and a talk, then home and lay down by the radio with the lights low and the radio on with soft music on. Right over there by the radio. Remember Honey, way back when, when we were young, free, happy, and not a worry in the world, except about the next weeks expenses or having enough money to see a certain show. Those times are now over but we can still remember them, just as we will remember this five years from now. But we are still young and in love and we have our whole life ahead of us and we will make up for what we have missed, wont we Honey?
Well to get back, I’m not going to work tomorrow as tomorrow is Trinkie’s wedding day and I’m going. It’s at 8:00 at night. As I sit there, I will be thinking of you and me, wondering when we will be at the altar. I’m so damn sentimental, I’ll probably even shed a tear, oh well, there will come a day.
Oh, I have a bit of news, Momie didn’t get laid off, the building she works in is closing down the 6th of December, but she got transferred to my building. Isn’t that swell, we were kind of worried.
Well my Darling, entered get to bed as I have a big ironing to do in the morning. Hope I receive a letter tomorrow. Maybe I’ll here if you’re going or coming, huh?
Good night my dear, I love you very much and always will.
Love & xxxxxxxxxx’s “Your” Darlin & FW Janie
Tues 6:00 PM Nov 23, 1943
Hello Honey:
I have a few minutes before I go get dressed for to go to the wedding. There was no letter again today. Two days in a row and I can’t help think maybe you are on your way home. It’s really an awful feeling not knowing.
As you know I didn’t go to work today. After Momie left, I washed and ironed our clothes and cleaned up the house, have written Donna a letter and am now writing to my one and only.
I’m going to wear my fur coat and hat tonight. Well Honey, better be moving, just wanted to say hello, Hello honey. I’ll be thinking of you. Bye now. I’ll be thinking of you.
10:15 PM
Hello again. Well I’m home again and the wedding was beautiful. Trinkie was in a beautiful white dress and the groom was in tux. There were three bridesmaids and three ushers. It was lovely, the reception was held in the basement of the church. They make a perfect couple. But do you know what Johnny, she threw the flowers, her bouquet, and I caught it. I was so thrilled Johnny, that means I’ll be next and I definitely believe in superstitions, don’t you.
It’s rather lonesome here as Momie is at work, so I just placed a call for you, sure hope you’re home. As for the money, poo. Wish it would hurry up and come through. Oh yes Johnny, I kissed the groom, it is the first time I kissed a man since I left you.
Well, I went and had a sandwich, feel somewhat better, but am still waiting for the phone to ring. I love you Honey.
Well, it is 10:30 and it did ring but you weren’t home, well huh, must admit was kind of disappointed.
Well Honey, yes I’ll go to bed now. Will write again tomorrow.
Love & xxxxxs “Your” Darlin & FW Janie
Wed Morning, 2:00 AM
Hello My Darling:
Well, I was rather disappointed in not hearing whether you are coming home or not but was so happy to hear your voice. You will let me know all as soon as you find out. I know you must get tired of me telling you that, but it is so hard to be on this end and not know what is going on until it’s all over, especially not knowing if you are coming home or not I’m just having to sit and wait.
Darling, about our getting married now that you have finally asked me and the answer is yes, yes, yes, before you leave, if you come home. We don’t need to worry about money, it only cost $3 for the license. We can be married very quietly in the little brown church and then take the car and drive to some little town, not too far away and stay for a couple days. Then return here and stay here at Mommie’s until you leave. Oh Honey, wouldn’t it be heavenly, just you and I, at long last married. What we have been dreaming of for four years. But please Johnny, don’t say anything to your folks about it yet because it is so indefinite and if you tell them, they will make plans and everything and I don’t want them to. You see because in respect of Daddy, we can’t have but a small quiet wedding anyway, and we won’t tell a soul, until you get home and make our plans. Please don’t say anything to anyone. When you get home and we will set the date and make plans to the hour, then we will tell and not until. I’m not even going to tell you Nana. This is my wedding, so don’t tell your folks. I’ll call your mom in the morning and tell her everything you said except about getting married. Is that understood?
Jeepers Honey, you and I getting married. I can think about it seriously for the first time because even if you don’t come home now you will be home after your first cruise, then we will be married. I love you Johnny with all my heart. Oh, more than you know.
I must get to bed now. Good night my sweet, keep your chin up and don’t worry because we are going to get married, aren’t we my dear future husband.
Love & xxxxxxxxxx’s “Your” Darlin & FW Janie
7:00 PM Wednesday Nov. 24, 1943
Hello My Darling:
I came home last night, I didn’t feel so good. I had a pretty bad headache. Your Special came about 6 PM. There was another letter in the mail. I sure don’t know where that Special has been. You wrote it 1:45 PM, Nov 19. It left D.M. 3 PM. Nov. 20. I got it in Frisco 11 AM, Nov. 23. You are safe because it isn’t your fault. You would be safe anyway. That is too bad about all of those people getting laid off. Frankly, I think they will lay off quite a few out at the yard. (Bing Crosby is singing “Sunday, Monday or Always” (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tIa9UtI6Chs) . My hair isn’t quite a butch, but very close to it. No, you didn’t tell me Mary Jane was coming out this way. If I’m still here, I will see her but I don’t think I will be here. I’m not getting cocky about the way the company feels. No, I haven’t heard the song “I’m Sending My Love For Christmas”. I tried calling the bus depot and I think they just took the phone off the hook. I will try to stop in or call again soon. That is nice about the ring that fellow made for you. You are a fine one, you are. You said you were going out for a bit of fun at 1:00 a.m. You also said, they are going to pick up at 1:00 a.m. Who is they? What can you do at 1 o’clock around D.M.? I was looking for a letter today, but no avail. What mail I’ve gotten from you has been nice but the delivery has been terrible.
Yesterday, I went down to the Union and found out that I couldn’t get the ship I want for 6 or 8 weeks, so I would have to take the first ship that went out, whatever it was. Well, I don’t like to give up so easy, so I got the bright idea about the ATS. That is the Army Transport Service. I went out to see them. They had some good news. There is the kind of ship I want, going out soon. They haven’t gotten the OK from the Army to sign on a crew yet but expect one this Friday or Saturday or Monday. I think it will be worth my while to wait and see if I can get it. I’m just taking a chance, I have a hunch that I can make it. (I hope).
I was downtown today doing a little Christmas shopping, I didn’t get very far. I think they have just doubled the prices on everything just for Christmas and it makes me so damn mad to have someone try to sell me something I don’t want.
A fellow just came in and wants me to go swimming with him at the center. It is about 5 blocks from here. I will see you later. Okay? Okay! I love you very, very much.
Hello sweet, I’m back and I sure feel clean and fresh. That chlorine makes my eyes tired though. I sure wish you were here and could’ve gone with me.
I love you so very, very much. I wish I could carry you in my arms again like I used to when we came home from a show or something. Life just doesn’t seem to mean anything without you by my side. Life will sure be swell then if you were in my arms again.
Well sweets, I’m getting sleepy, so I will dream of you. I will write again in the morning. I love you and you alone. Good night Sweetheart.
Good morning Darling: it is kind of a cloudy day and it looks like. I will finish this and get it in the mail.
Happy Thanksgiving Darling. Terribly sorry that I can’t spend with you in person, you are always in my mind and heart.
I will write again tonight. I love you very, very much.
Love & xxxxxxxxxx’s YFH Johnny
Nov 24, 1943
Hello Honey:
I haven’t had any mail since Sunday and I don’t think it is very nice of you, after all you know that I’m just waiting for word from you, any kind of word will do, but not to get any letter for three days is a little more than I can stand. Darn it, you could write every day, you’re not working and there is no reason why you can’t find at least enough time to drop me a line. You have made me pretty much on the mad side.
I have to go call your Mom, as I promised her I would. Well, she didn’t answer either, so that’s that. I know you haven’t left however because Mr. Drear said you were out for the evening last night when I called. All I can say is that I hope I get a letter tomorrow. Darn tomorrow. Thanksgiving and no mail, now I am mad. Oh well, I guess it won’t do me any good.
Well it’s getting late so better be going. I have to meet Mariam downtown 2:15.
Bye for now. I can’t help but think that you are on your way home, even though Mr. Drear said you were out for the evening only. Darn you.
Well it may be confusing but it’s now Thursday 9:30 p.m. When I got home from work last night, I was so tired, I went right to bed. But when we arrived home there was a box of flowers for Momie from you, a Special for Momie from Nana and a box containing cookies, candy, and peanuts for us from Aunt Jenny and Uncle Jack. It was really very sweet to remember Momie Honey. Thank you very much.
We got up about 11:00 this morning and ate a bite, dressed up, and over to Mary Jane’s. Then we went to the Tally Ho for dinner and then saw the show “Sweet Rosy O’Grady’ with Betty Grable. It was very good, now we are home. I kind of expected a Special and I arrived home, nope.
If I don’t hear tomorrow, I will be frantic. Did Mr. Drear tell you I called?
Well, I’m very tired and here’s a good chance to get in a little extra sleep. Will write again tomorrow.
Love & xxxxxxxxxx’s “Your” Darlin & FW Janie
Thurs 2:15 AM Nov 25, 1943
Hello Honey:
They say everything happens at once and I believe it. They have laid off over 200 people at work. There are five buildings and they are going to close all but my building and another and only have two shifts going in them. They aren’t laying them off according to seniority rights either, so I’m really kind of skeared to get my check Friday for fear there will be a little piece of paper with it telling me I’m out of a job. Then we will both be out of a job here. Momie was told tonight that this would probably be the last week out there. What do you think of that? I believe that everything bad that can happen to us this year has happened, but it looks like we aren’t through yet. I’m afraid I’m rather discouraged. But I’ll keep my chin up for you. I will try anyway. I can still hope that you are able to come home.
It really is really a grand night, and the stars are very bright and the moon just came up about an hour ago. You probably wonder at it being so late, but I had to wash my hair so decided to do it before I went to bed. My darn cold isn’t any better, it feels as plugged up as a pumpkin and as big too.
There were two letters today, and the pictures. Johnny, have you got a butch haircut? It sure looks like it. The picture was a lot better than most of them though, in fact I like it, it’s in my billfold now.
Well Honey, my hair is dry enough to put up now so better get myself moving. I called your Mom this morning and told her what you said and that you had called me.
Did I tell you, Mary Jane has a ride out to California the sixth of December, a fellow is going to Frisco by way of Texas and Los Angeles and she is going with as far as Frisco and take the train onto Tacoma Washington from there. I’m going to give her your address and if you are still there you might see her on the train, how about it?
Must close now. I love you very much. Your Darlin’ & FW Janie
PS Don’t worry, be careful and keep your chin up.
11:30 PM Nov. 25, 1943, Thursday
Hello Darlin’:
Well, that was sure a nice conversation we just had. I wish it could have been over an hour. I called the operator back and she said we talked for 13 minutes. It seemed about 3. I remember when we used to talk for an hour and it didn’t cost us a cent. Those were the good old days.
I haven’t done very much today. I finished your letter and took it to the post office on Jr. I then rode over and talked to Kay Martin. She is Syd’s aunt that I stayed with when I first came to Frisco. I talked to her until about 4:30 and then came on home. I had dinner with the Drears. After dinner, Shane and I did the dishes. Right after I finished the dishes, the folks called me. It was nice to hear them again. They said you had gone to a show with your Mother and wouldn’t be home until about 11. I then took Jr. and rode over to see Johnny and his folks for a while. I came back at 9 and called you. The operator said it would be 3 – 4 hour delay, so I put the call through. I messed around in the kitchen until the call went through. Now I’m down in my lonely room writing to you. I’m lying on the very bed that you slept in. I sure wish you were here to sleep in it again. I love you so. Well Darling, it’s almost 12, so I had better get some sleep. I have to get up 7. Good night Sweetheart. I love you and you alone.
Good morning Darling: I just finished breakfast and am all ready to leave. Here’s hoping I find out something today.
It sure was nice hearing your voice again last night, even if you did have a cold. Some of this salt air at the beach is good for the cold. That is what you need.
Well Darling, I’m afraid I must leave for now. I will see you at 8 as always. I love you very, very much.
Love & xxxxxxxxxx’s YFH Johnny
10:00 PM Friday Nov. 26, 1943
Hello Darlin’:
Well, here it is another day without any news. Your Special came late this afternoon. It was very nice. I have some boxes that I’m going to pack my clothes in. I may send them out Monday or maybe tomorrow. You will undoubtably get quite a bit of mail from me when I ship out. I don’t know about airmail from out to sea. You really begin to make me homesick when you talk about the night in front of the radio. Those times aren’t over, just postponed. I hope Trinkie had a nice wedding.
I just finished taking a shower and I also washed my head. I feel good. I wish you were here so we could do a lot of necking. There is nothing I would like better than to hold you in my arms again and kiss your soft lips, and squeeze is your tiny body next to mine. I could look into your eyes and I could see your sweet smile again. I wish I could jump the time backwards once in a while. We would sure live some of those days over again.
Well Sweets, I think I had better close for now. I have to get up early. I should have written your Special last night and mailed it this morning but Thursday got me all mixed up. This pen of mine is going to the dogs. I will finish this in the morning. I love you very, very much. Good night Darling. I love you very, very much.
Hello Honey: it is 8:30 a.m. I just finished breakfast. It is still kind of dark out. I sure hope I find out something today. Either yes or no. It is very clear out, so I think it will be a nice day out.
Last night after I finished writing the first part of this letter, I happen to think that I had forgotten to put Jr in the garage, so I had to dress and go out. I came outside and the searchlights were in the sky playing on a formation of planes. It sure was a nice site. I wish you could’ve seen it.
Well Darling, I’m afraid I must leave for now. I love you very, very much.
Love & xxxxxxxxxx’s YFH Johnny
11:00 PM Nov. 27, 1943, Sat.
Hello Darlin’:
Again today I find out I can’t get on a diesel boat. Monday, I will go down and the first shipped out. I hope I get a good one.
I have been doing some baking. I baked a cake. It came out fairly good, but it tastes more like corn – bread and cake.
I didn’t get any mail today, so I have nothing to answer. It is a beautiful night out. I sure wish we were together again. It is very lonely without you. Maybe I will find something in the sea. (If I ever get out.) It will be a good experience to see other countries and other people. I hope I don’t get to seasick.
I am kind of tired and I’m going to take a shower and go to bed. I love you very, very much. Good night Sweetheart.
Good morning Honey: Oh what a beautiful morning. The sun is out and there is a cool soft breeze. It is a nice day to go down to the Marina, Mount Tamalpais, the beach, the zoo, or any place with you.
I’m going downtown for a little while and will take me to the post office. I have had breakfast and I called Syd. He hasn’t sold his car yet. Well sweets, I must go now. I will write again later. I love you very, very much.
Love & xxxxxxxxxx’s YFH Johnny
Sun 10:45 PM Nov 28, 1943
Hello Honey:
Well, another week but still no Johnny. Your Special hasn’t come yet but then I realized I didn’t expect to get one until tomorrow.
Got up at 12:00 today and I did our washing and ironing and scrubbed the bathroom floor, the tub and shower and put-up clean curtains and cleaned my room, then took out the ashes and cleaned out the inside of the car. By that time Rosie and Dickie Jr. were here and we had dinner and Rosie and I went to see “Du Barry Was A Lady”, it was fairly good. We brought ice cream home with us, had that and I just arrived home from taking them home.
Mary Jane left this morning and she will arrive in Frisco on Thursday or Friday. She is going to wire you from San Diego or Los Angeles so be on the lookout for her, will you please, and did you get the information about trains and buses out there to Tacoma? If she has to stay in Frisco a night. Hope you can find her a place and will see her off on the train. Please Dear.
I forgot to tell you in your Special that if you want to go ahead and sell Jr, you can use the money as it won’t do me any good here.
Well my Dear, I have to get up early in the morning so better get to bed. I’m going to take the car down to be greased and washed. I sure hope you hear this week you are going to do. Will write again tomorrow. Love as always.
Love & xxxxxs “Your” Darlin & FW Janie
11:45 PM Nov 28, 1943, Sunday
Hello Darlin’:
Well, I have really been busy the last 3 hours and I’m still not quite through. Packing is really quite a problem. Your Special came this afternoon. It is a very nice one. No, I’m very sorry to say that I haven’t found out at information for you about the buses and trains. I haven’t had much time and when I have had a little time it completely slipped my mind. I don’t think it will do for any good to know anyway because she can’t leave until she gets here and the schedules usually change now and then I imagine the prices do too.
By the way my dear, I have a bone to pick with you. Did you read in one of my letters where I asked you if your Mother had got that cookie jar or not? I don’t believe you answered me on that. That will be nice to have Yodie come home again. I hope you and the girls have a lot a fun. Tell them all hello for me and please think of me once in a while, while you are with them. That phone call sure was swell. I wish we could have one every night. I’m sending all of your letters back and I want you to keep them for me. Don’t you dare tear any of them up or lose any. You can take those boots over and see if they will fit Dad. He can have the sweatshirts and some of the things that you know I can’t use again.
Well Darling, it is getting late and I must sleep. I have to be at the dentist at 9 in the morning. I love you so very, very much. I think of you always because you are always in my heart. Good night Sweetheart.
Good morning Darling: this isn’t the morning you think it is. It is a day late, meaning Tuesday morning. I got up late yesterday morning and I didn’t have time to finish this before I went to the dentist. I have one more filling left. He worked on it for a while and was going to put a gold inlay in it. He sent me upstairs to another office to have an x-ray. The tooth was cracked clear across. He said it had been cracked for some time, so he had to pull it. I didn’t feel so good when he finished. I came home and just lay in bed. I have to go down and have a print taken of it. He is going to put a bridge in it. (“Put Your Arms Around Me Honey” (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MnPqSn-8Go4). There are only two time I can think of when I might have cracked it. When I was playing basketball at home, I fell in one game and hit my chin on some fellow’s knee. The other time was when I was working at the yard. I was welding in the engine room. I was standing on a foundation. I stopped welding and turned around. Some machinists were up top with the crane letting some parts down. The parts were swinging. One of them swung and caught me just as I turned around. It split my lip on the inside, the hospital treated it. I didn’t think of it then. My tooth was sore but I didn’t pay any attention to it then.
Your Mother’s Special came this morning. I will answer it tonight. It was very nice.
Well sweets, I guess I had better close for now. I will write again tonight. I love you very, very much.
Love & xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx YFH Johnny
Tues 1:00 AM Nov. 30, 1943
Good morning Honey:
It is 11:00 out there, are you in bed? You should be. You know what? I received three letters this morning. Your Special came about 10:00 and then there were two letters the mailman brought, one had 6 cents postage due on it, it was the one you wrote Wednesday 7 PM, but it was worth it. I believe I told you in another letter that Trinkie, Barbie, Joyce, and Bev and I were going out and we found plenty to do at 1:00 AM. We went out to the Air Line Inn, out across from the airport and had chicken dinner and Cuba Libre’s (Rum Cokes), then we stayed at Trinkie’s apartment. We had a really swell time. We even had an accident with Trinkie’s husband’s car, but nothing serious. Just a lot a fun. We drank to Trinkie and her future husband and we drank to Joyce and her boyfriend and then we drank to you and me and then I got up and won $3.00 on the machine.
Little Shane, how is she, tell her hello for me. I sure wish I was there to sleep in that little old bed again too.
Honey, they don’t use V mail in the Pacific ocean like to do in the Atlantic. We tried it with Dick and he got in on the original paper we wrote in and it was a week slower than airmail, so once more I say to stock up on air mail envelopes.
Smooching, not necking.
I did see the spotlights on the planes, remember up on the hill.
Well my stubborn, independent, cocky, adorable Merchant Marine, I love you very much but must close now and get my beautiful little self to bed. I love you. I love you. I love you. Understand? I love You.
“Your” Darlin & FW Janie
PS See you when you come home
9:30 PM Tuesday Nov. 30, 1943
Hello Darling:
Surprise, I can’t find my pen, so I have to use a pencil. I don’t like it so good either. I went to the dentist this noon and he did a little work, then I had to go back tonight at 7. I just got home.
I went out and play a little golf this afternoon. I played with two soldiers from New Zealand. They were very nice fellows.
It is a beautiful night out and as usual I wish you were here so we could smooch a little be together again. I received your mother’s letter and have read it over and over. It is very sweet.
I’m looking forward to seeing Mary Jane, I hope I don’t have to leave before she gets here. I don’t think I will.
I’m glad your Mother like the roses. I remember every Nov. 26, your Father used to send flowers for her. No, as I told you on the phone, Mr. Drear didn’t tell me you had called. Darling, you forgot to tell me you loved me in this letter.
Well Sweets, I must get some sleep, so I will close for now. I will finish this in the morning. I love you very, very much. Good night Sweetheart.
Good morning Darling: It is a very beautiful morning out. I wish you were here. I have to go to the dentist again so I will have to make this short.
Johnny & Jane 