1:30 a.m. October 17, 1943, Sunday

Hello Darlin’:

Well, here it is another beautiful day and night gone by.  I took some pictures of Junior and took him to the drugstore. They will be ready by Wednesday.

I think I will call you in the morning. I am going to work tomorrow night so I will be able to afford it. There isn’t any news so I don’t know what else to write about. I have one letter to answer. Well, here we go again. I can’t figure out why you haven’t received my mail again. There is definitely something wrong some place. I wish I knew what it is. Maybe my mind is slipping or something.

You know, it is getting to be the same old story. Every night, I stopped for a paper, Junior gets all the attention. He sure looks good. I’m going to wax him in the morning. I wish you were here so you could help me.

Well Sweets it is getting rather late so I had better close. I will talk to you in the morning. (I hope) I love you very very much. Good night Sweetheart.

Good morning Darling: I fixed breakfast after taking a cold shower. I then watched Shane to see whether she did the dishes or I did. I won, so I didn’t have to do them. I then made a phone call. It took about a half an hour to get you. It sure was a swell telephone call. It was good to hear your voice again. I didn’t get to say half of the things I wanted to say, as usual. After we talked, I went down to the garage and washed and polished Junior. It looks even better. Darling it is getting time for me to leave for work. I love you very very much. I will see you at 8 as always.

Love & xxxxxxxxxx’s YFH Johnny

1:00 a.m. Monday, October 18, 1943

Hello Darling:

Boy am I tired. Now it is my turn.  I wish you were here to rub my back. I welded stooped over all night. I got your Special when I got home. I don’t wish you were here in the next room, I wish you were here in my room, sitting on my lap right now. I think I will go to Patterson next Sunday. I will take the bus or the train up. A ship Wright (that is the way it is spelled) is a person who lines the ship up from all the Stern. He has to keep the ship straight. He also works with the ship letters. If a ship fitting asked to put something, say 7 feet away from the center of the ship, the ship Wright has to line the spot where the ship fitter can measure the 7 feet from. It is not such an unimportant job.  He just sends those fitters a little time.

Well Darling, there isn’t any more news, so I think I will trod off to bed so I can be with you in my dreams. I love you very, very much. Good night Sweetheart.

Good morning Darling: it is a beautiful day out but very chilly. I was going to go downtown to the Y this morning but was just about dead. I got up about 10:30 and then went to the store and bought some groceries. I came back and fixed breakfast, and my lunch to take to work. I feel pretty good. The mail came and there were 3 letters for me. 2 from you and 1 from Mom.  I will answer them tonight. I will have a little more time. I have to go down to the shoe shop and get my boots. I took him down to have been fixed last Friday. I got the $2.  I think I will be going downtown tomorrow morning. It has been so long since I have been down around any stores, I have forgotten all about the belt. It is a good thing you reminded me.

Gosh, I wish you were here now. It is such a beautiful sunny, windy, cold day.

Well Sweets, it is 1:30, so I must leave for now. I will see you at 8 as always. I love you very, very much.

Love & xxxxxs  YFH Johnny

Monday 2:30 p.m. October 18, 1943

Hello Honey:

Yes, it’s 2:30 p.m. and this will be the time that I will be writing from now on, then I won’t keep Momie up after work writing and I never get up in time to catch the mailman in the morning, sooo will this is the way it will be.

There was a letter this morning, a nice one. Did you get your lung x-ray get, somehow I think you should and I think it’s swell that you are joining the Y again. It will do you good and you always have fun there.

It’s another beautiful day, 80° warm, almost hot but really swell. Wish we were together at Frisco down at the beach, laying in the sun, or running from the breakers, wasn’t that fun?  I’ll never, never forget that or the moon on the water when we were up on the ledge. Oh Darling, someday we will do it again, someday.

I sent your cookies this morning and something else. I’m awfully sorry that I didn’t send it long ago, it isn’t much but you wanted one, so I sent it. I hope you like it. Now will you please send the camera back in the box I sent the cookies in, please?

I don’t blame you one bit for being proud of Junior. I am too, although I have never seen him, that is since you fixed him all up.

Well Honey, I have to go get ready for work. Oh I forgot to tell you, we received a bit of bad news. Dick has malaria. Will write again tomorrow.

Love & xxxxxs

“Your” Darlin & F.W. Janie

12:50 a.m. October 19, 1943

Hello Darlin’:

Well, here it is another day closer to ? and you. I have just finished taking a shower and am all ready for bed.  I wish we were married now and you were sitting on my lap, pajamas, and all. I have the heater on.  It is very chilly outside and saying as how I had my windows open all day, my room but very cold.

I didn’t write Junior to work today, I think I will take it a little easy on him, because he is small and can’t stand too much.

Darling, I had a pretty good job tonight with the chance to do a lot of thinking well I was working.  If we go on repair, I will be working 10 hours a day. I don’t know whether I will work 6 or 7 days a week. I do know this though, that if I work 10 hours, I won’t be able to do what I’m doing now. That is doing my own laundry and cooking besides working. The repair work will begin as soon as all of these ships are out.  About February 1 before, I think you ought to come back out and we will be married. Maybe sooner. As soon as I get my papers from Sacramento, I will send for my induction papers, if they will send them to me. If I passed my physical, I pass, if not, I don’t. Chances are pretty large that I won’t, you know that.  I need you out here now and when I’m working more hours I will need you more yet. You let me know what you think. Then we will make a few more definite plans. Okay? Okay! 

Well Sweets, it is getting late and I must close. I love you very, very much. Good night Sweetheart.

Good morning Darling: the time is 1 p.m.  I got up about 10 and fixed breakfast. I then went down to the ration board to get a guestbook for Junior. After I got it, I stopped at a fellow who works at the yard and talked to him for a while. When I started to leave, it started to rain. It is the first rain we have had since Dick and I were together. The ration board is down in the marina. I rode Junior down that long hill and I can hardly stop him. They are sure is fresh. The rain falling on the channel made the water real smooth. That ship that we saw is still there. I stopped at the drugstore to see if the pictures were ready yet. They will be in tomorrow.  The radio is on and Tony Pastor is  Playing “You Should Be Set To Music” (Tony Pastor & His Orchestra 1941 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iTDpJ4M2CbU). How do you like the song ‘Paper Dolls”? (The Mills Brothers https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s3Kl3puJTqU).

Well Sweets, I have to get my lunch and work. I love you very, very much. I will see you at 8 as always.

Love & xxxxxxxxxx’s YFH Johnny

12:30 p.m. October 20, 1943, Wednesday

Hello Darlin’:

Well, here it is another rainy day. I really go for this rain. Everything outside smelled nice and fresh and clean.

I didn’t write last night when I got home because I was tired and sore all over. I laid over some ‘longs’ and had my head down in the whole most of the night. It made my just and stomach a little sore. I feel pretty good now. I got up about 10 and fixed breakfast and did the dishes. Then went down to the drugstore and got the pictures. There weren’t very many, as you can plainly see. The ones of the Herman and Junior came out very good. The mail has come and no letter today. This makes two days. The mail delivery is really terrible.

I was down to the Emporia and got up about. I will send it out tomorrow with the camera and the gloves. Okay? Well, all right!!

I had planned on going down to the Y this morning but so far it hasn’t worked out very well. I can’t seem to wake up in the morning.

Oh Darling, I found out at the first of year is when we start repair and 10 hours. If I’m still here, I will really need you then. How about it ? Have you thought over? Personally I think I will make the best husband you ever had.

 Well sweets, I think to but I must close for now. I have my lunch to fix and then work. I will see you at 8 as always. I love you very, very much. Love & xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx  Johnny

Wednesday 1:00 p.m. October 20, 1943

Hello Honey:

Another day and no letter, no letter yesterday either. Personally I’m getting rather tired of this deal of no letter for two and three days every week.

Again there isn’t any news. I’m sorry I didn’t write yesterday but was so tired that I didn’t get up until 1:00 P.M. so just had time to eat, press my clothes, before June got here.

It’s a gloomy old day here, rainy, and chilly. If I had my way, I wouldn’t go to work but I have to get my hat and coat paid for, sooo must go. I was going to call your Mom this morning but know she is working, so can’t.

Dick is out of the hospital now, we received three letters from him yesterday and he said he was feeling pretty good but had to rest for a two more days before he goes back to work, so he is getting a nice little rest. He deserves it.

Have you heard any more about the changing over of the yard?

Russell Jiglem has gone overseas, did I tell you and Don is still 3A.

My hands are healed up now, I even have the bandages off, which is sure a relief and my arms and legs are better too, so I’m getting along pretty well now. Does it still hurt you to breathe?

Well Honey, I’m sorry but I simply don’t have one thing to write about. Maybe there will be a letter tomorrow and I will have something to write about. O.K? O.K! I think of you constantly and have dreamt of you three nights in a row.

Love as always “Your” Darlin & F.W. Janie

1:15 a.m. October 21, 1943, Thursday

Hello Darlin’:

Boy oh boy, it’s raining out. I sure wish you were here and we were married now.  The air is cool and you can hear the rain outside on the wall. It is a grand night for sleeping. I feel good even if I did work extra hard tonight. I didn’t make out though. I worked the same place as I did last night. My clothes were just wringing wet when I finished. There were 4 of us welders working in one small tank, so you can imagine how hot and smoky it was. This rain and cool air makes one feel good.

Jane, I want to tell me the time that last letter you got from me was postmarked. That should be the one with the pictures in it. I put it in the box I usually looked it in. The mail is supposed to pick up at 3:35 PM.

There isn’t any news, so I don’t know what else to write about. It is still raining now and I still wish you were here. I should have a letter to answer in the morning, so I think I will close for now and get some sleep. I love you very much. Good night Sweetheart.

Good morning Darling: the Sun is out in the weekend is down and the air is warm and I’m sitting out on the front court waiting for the mailman to show up. I think he is on his way up the street. It is really a beautiful day out. It is just about like the day we went over to Muir Woods on Junior, only not as nice because you were here. I have had breakfast and finished the dishes. – The mail just came and no letter from you or anyone. Whenever I don’t get any mail and get to thinking that you are on your way out here and then I get disgusted by getting a letter or two.

The girls across the street are starting to beat their drums again. They sure can make a lot of rocket for a small school.

Well Sweets, I have to go to the store and get a loaf of bread and a head of lettuce to fix my lunch, so I had better close for now. I will see you at 8 as always. I love you very, very much.

Love & xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx YFH Johnny

Thursday 12:30 p.m. October 21, 1943

Hello Honey:

Well, this is a little better, there were two letters this morning. You better be careful of Junior, someone might be interested enough to try and steal him. Do you have any way to lock him while you’re working?  As for Junior not being able to stand too much, hope you have as much consideration for me.

About that idea as the result of your easy night, I would love to say, yes Johnny I will come out in February or as soon as you say, but I can’t. All I can say is that as soon as I am able, I will come. Your papers will have a lot to do with it. Don’t know why but think it will. The way I see it now, it is utterly impossible to make any plans whatsoever definite or indefinite. Remember we said we would never plan again anyway because they never work out for us.

I cleaned out my closet this morning and found some old love letters written by you way back in “39” and “40” and Honey you are slipping.  Remember the one you typed while working at Story & Kenworth, you sure did yourself proud that time, but you couldn’t do so well now.

Guess what I heard today? Rosie told me that Frank Webb didn’t get his wings because he did some stunt flying over an area where it wasn’t allowed. Can you imagine, after 9 months of training and then not getting your wings? I wonder how he will be able to talk his way out of that. He was put in some ground crew. I’ll bet his chest isn’t so big now. His poor mother.

Well it is 1:00, so better be going. Hope I get another letter tomorrow. How is my mail coming through, did you get the $2.00?  I’m getting tired of waiting for the belt and camera.

Love as always “Yours” F.W. Janie

Friday 1:30 p.m. October 22, 1943

Hello Honey:

How are you? I hope you are fine and dandy when this comes. Johnny have you ever heard the piece “Holiday Strings” (https://open.spotify.com/track/0w0Ggn5qGzS7LfkNK54Bta). If you have, don’t you like it? I sure do, better than any song I have heard for a long time. Watch for it on the jukeboxes.

Gosh, I just happen to think, it’s time for a Special, so this is it.  “Stage Door Canteen” is here at the Des Moines’s Theater and “Youngest Profession” is at Ophouse Theater, we saw them both in Frisco, remember?

It sure is a beautiful day here, about 70° out and sunny, with the different colored leaves it really is beautiful. Wish you were here.

Chuck and Mary J. are coming over for dinner tonight and staying all night and tomorrow. I would stay home from work but as we didn’t work last Sunday, it would make my check short.

There was a letter today written the 18^th and mailed the 18^th. Gosh only knows where it has been. I sure hope I get the pictures either tomorrow or in my Special Sunday. I am very anxious to see them.  I hope you are in some of them, as well as Junior. I hate to mention again but hope you sent the camera too.

I wish I could rub your back too O.K., then I wish I was sitting on your lap but I would rather wish that we were down at the marina sitting on the dock watching the breakers hit against the wall and the blimps and the planes. I wish we had on our old clothes, then we wouldn’t have to be careful, then we could walk down by those sales ships and if we did it every day may be we would get acquainted with someone who owns one and would give us a ride.  That is my wish, to be at the marina with you and someday have a sailboat of our own down there.

Thank you for telling me what a ship wright is. Have you received my package yet?

Please try and get the belt Monday or Tuesday. Please.

Well Honey, it is getting late so better close now and go get my clothes ready for work. I love you very much.

“Your” Darlin & F.W. Janie

Hope you have a nice time if you do go to Patterson.

12:45 AM October 23, 1943, Saturday

Hello Sweetheart:

Well, here it is another beautiful night gone by without you. I don’t think I can stand much more of this.

Just got home from work. There is a letter from you and I also got one from dad. Your letter was written Sunday afternoon and left Des Moines Monday at 12 and didn’t get here for four days.  The mail it sure and uncertainty.  Yes, I think you are right about driving out when you come. After we are married, we will do everything together. My dear girl, I’ll have you know that I very seldom catch cold. I was thinking of painting Junior red or maroon but on something that small, it sort of cheapens it. This black and white makes it look rich.

I have been trying to decide whether to go to the country tomorrow or not. But I’m not so much in favor of it. I think I had better go and get it over with.

I was up to the Y this morning and had a good workout. I’m just a little stiff. It will probably be worse when I get up. “Put Your Arms Around Me Honey” (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MnPqSn-8Go4) is on the radio now. It is good.

Well Darling, it is getting late and I must get a bite to eat and then go to bed. I will finish this in the morning. I love you very, very much. Good night Sweetheart.

Good morning Darling: It is a beautiful day out again and again I wish you were here. I am really stiff and sore all over. I could use a good rubdown. There isn’t very much news that I can think of now. I have already answered your letter, so now I don’t know what else to write about. I can’t close yet as this is your Special, so I will try to tell you how much I love you and adore you.  That is very hard for me to do because I love you so much, I don’t have words to tell you. You are everything to me, my life, my hope, and my ambitions. Everything I do is for you. Every minute I live you are in my heart. You will always be there.

Well Darling, I think I had better close for now. I will see you at 8 as always. I love you so very, very much.

Love & xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx YFH Johnny

1:15 a.m. October 22, 1943, Friday

Hello Darling:

Well, here it is another day closer to ? and the sweetest little bundle of love the side of heaven.  It is a beautiful night out. The stars are bright and is down and the air is nice and cool. It is just the kind of weather to do a little loving. In fact, any kind of weather is the right kind to smooch and as long as you are there.

I worked on the struts again tonight. This is 3 nights in a row. They are all finished now though.

I am definitely going down to the Y in the morning. I can sure use a good workout and steamed bath.

I think I will go to Patterson this week and and get it over with. I don’t care so much about going, but I promised them I would come up, so I had better go.

I still have no mail to answer, so I’m having a hard time finding things to write about. All I seem to be able to think about is you, wishing you were here and wondering when I will see you next. Life sure plays funny tricks on people, doesn’t it? Some of them aren’t even within reason. There will come a day though. I wish that day was tomorrow. I guess I had better close for now. I love you very very much. Good night Sweetheart.

Good morning Darling: it is another beautiful day out. I got up at 8:30, shaved and ate breakfast. I’m going to meet a fellow down at the Y at 9:45. It is 9:15 now, so I will have to make this short. I love you very much. I will see you at 8 as always.

Love & xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx YFH Johnny

Saturday 1:30 p.m. October 23, 1943

Hello Honey:

There were two letters this morning, the one with the pictures in it was postmarked October 21, 11:30 a.m. It was written the 20^th, 12:30 p.m.

The pictures were swell and Junior, Gee Honey he sure looks swell, really swell. No wonder everyone ooows and awes at him.  You really did yourself proud. I’m crazy about it, sure wish I could have a ride on it but then maybe I will next spring.

Yes Darling, I have thought about what you said about me coming out when they change the yard over. Will I have to go to work? But I still think we can’t make any plans until at least December 22 until you know about the Army for sure. And even then, gosh Honey, I just don’t know, sometimes I could scream for not being any surer about the future than I am.  Things would look so much better and seems so much better if we could look forward to some thing definite.  But we will figure out some things. I know because next year, by June anyway, if you aren’t in the Army, I’m going to be out there with you. I don’t suppose that will make you feel much better but maybe it will help a little.

I have to go get ready for work now, so will finish this in the morning. O.K? O.K!  Thanks for sending the things.

Sunday 1:30 p.m.

Hello Johnnie:  It’s a gloomy old Sunday, chili, damp and dark and I so wanted to wash the car. If I can get some gas, I’m going to drive Chuck to Ames tomorrow night after work, as he leaves from there. Johnny I just had an idea, why don’t you send me your gas ration book when you sell Herman. You can do it because if you sell your car to a private owner you don’t have to turn it in. How about that, huh?  I sure could use it. O.K?

Your Special isn’t here yet so there isn’t much to write about. I talked to your Mom yesterday and she and John are just fine.

I showed the pictures to the girls last night at work and they sure thought they were swell. Again, I’m running out of things to write so will finish this when I receive your Special. O.K? O.K!  Honey, I love you.

Monday morning 10:00

Good morning Honey: Your Special just came about a half an hour ago, a little late but there was a storm, a snowstorm in Cheyenne Wyoming yesterday, so maybe that caused the delay.

Last night Momie, Rosy and I went down to see “”A Lady Takes A Chance”, but the theater was so packed, we didn’t go.

Your Special was a very nice one and I got the bond. I count up and now see I think it’s $1025. Well Honey, we finally made it over the $1000, doesn’t that make you feel pretty good.

Here comes the mailman, gotta go. I love you very much Johnny, remember don’t change.

Love & xxxxxs “Your” Darlin & F.W. Janie

11:00 a.m. October 25, 1943, Monday

Hello Darling:

I didn’t write when I got home from Patterson. It was late and I was very tired. There were two letters for me when I got home. Your Special came this morning and also a package. Thanks a lot for the billfold. It is really a honey. The cookies are swell. Thanks a lot. I have the box on package and pack up again with the camera and belt and gloves.

I have an appointment with the dentist morning. I am going to have him just check over my teeth.

No, I haven’t had my lungs x-rayed yet. I think I will sometime this week. That is too bad about Dick getting malaria. It is swell that he is getting better. The yard will change over to repair definitely by the first of the year. No, you didn’t tell me that Russ had gone overseas. The weather today is really beautiful. I wish you were here. I had a nice trip to Patterson Saturday and Sunday. Ervin is raising turkeys and has contracted them to the government. He has 7000 turkeys. That is really a lot of them, they can sure make a lot of noise.  We went to a show and Patterson Saturday night. We saw “Air Force”

 I didn’t go to see it when it was to hear in Frisco. It was very good. We had a big dinner on Sunday. Sunday afternoon we drove over to Ervin’s and around the country. It is really beautiful pair. There is a long range of mountains about 20 miles away. You can see the whole range.

Well Sweets, I must go for now. I will write tonight and see you at 8 as always.

Love & xxxxxs YFH Johnny

Monday 1:00 p.m. October 25, 1943

Hello Honey:

This is your little bundle of love writing her little bundle of independence. How are you Hon. There was a letter this morning, surprisingly enough, but it’s daytime here, no stars, no moon, just gloom and cold air and it feels very much like snow.  I wish you would snow.

Gosh Honey, you know what I heard last night on the radio, of course you wouldn’t. I heard “White Christmas”, you remember? “I’m Dreaming of a White Christmas”, Jeepers I could’ve cried because last year that song meant so much to me because you were coming home but then I can listen to it this year and have some very pleasant memories, especially of Christmas Eve, the eve I became engaged, right over on the davenport. You are so dear. Next Christmas, we will be together, I know.

I’m sure glad you have started at the ‘Y’ but am sorry you were stiff.

Oh I forgot to tell you, I think Momie and I are going to Minneapolis on the Rocket for Thanksgiving.  Nana wants us to come, we can stay three days and it will be the last chance I will have to see all my people before we are married. Do you mind?

Johnny, do you remember the night we took Herman and drove up on that hill in Frisco, and parked and talked and what we talked about? Well honey, you were right.

I better go now as I have two iron a blouse and press my slacks. Will write again tomorrow.

Love & xxxxxs “Your” Darlin’ & F.W. Janie

11:00 a.m. October 26, 1943, Tuesday

Hello Darling:

I got up this morning at 10. I woke up about 9 and just laid in bed for an hour before I got up. I had about $13 bonus last night so was very tired when I got home.

I have some news. We had an earthquake here last night at 9:50 p.m. I was standing on a stool when it came. My stool was jumping around. I thought Hook was fooling around and kicking my stool. I turned around and he was clear on the other side of the room.  After work, someone told me there was an earthquake. Some Windows downtown work and and a few of the streets were cracked. This is the first one in a long time.

I was down to the dentist yesterday morning. I have a little work to do and also have to have my teeth cleaned.

There isn’t any other news, so I don’t know what else to write about. There was a letter here for me when I got home last night. Just what do you mean by “hoping I have as much consideration for you as I do for Junior”? Please answer!!

I feel sorry for Frank Webb. Your mail is coming through all right. There is usually a couple of days is here and there but then some days I get a couple of letters. You can’t expect too much in times like these.

Well Sweets, it is getting late so I must close for now. I will see you at 8 as always. I love you very, very much.

Love & xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx YFH Johnny

1:00 a.m. October 27, 1943, Wednesday

Hello Darlin’:

it is a beautiful clear out tonight. I sure wish you were here with me. There was a very nice letter here for me when I get home. I’m glad you liked the pictures. I’m sorry there weren’t a few more than there were. If you come out when the yard changes over you will have to go to work – for me. I will be working for you and you will be working for me. We will be working together. June is a long ways away, but it helps a little. If I sell Herman, I will send you the gas coupons. That $1025 sure looks good. Darn you anyway, you haven’t told me how Chuck is, if he looks or act any different. Does his back bother him any?

I have some news.  I think Carl and his wife are going to split up. Frankly, I don’t blame him in a way.  Francis is nice but she wants to oversell. Carl told me last week that she had been too sick to go to work and when he came home from work she was gone. He looked all over for her, even had the police looking to see if there had been a wreck with his car.  He came in about 5:30 a.m. and said she had been to a party with some girlfriends and had stayed over to one of the girls houses.  He said that she got mad at them because he gave her the devil for not even thinking a note telling him where she had gone. I don’t know whether it will get a divorce or not.

Well sweets, it is getting late and I am going to the Y in the morning so I had better close. I love you so very, very much. Good night Sweetheart.

Good morning Darling: It is a beautiful morning out, sunshine and all. It is 9 AM and I want to be at the Y by 10, so I don’t have much time.  There isn’t any news, so I don’t know what else to write about.

If you were here, it would be a nice day to go out and play a little golf or something. I haven’t played any for a long time.

Well Darling, I’m afraid I had better close for now. I will see you at 8 as always. I love you very, very much.

Love & xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx YFH  Johnny

Wednesday, October 27, 1943

Hello Honey:

Well, I had quite an exhausting day or rather 24 hours.  Last night at work Mariam and I were on the same machine and she was on station 1 and I was on station 4 when Mariam screamed.  The punch had come down on her finger and practically took it off. I & Cliff, the powder charger, rushed for over to the first aid and then I came back and told Mike, our boss, he went over to the base hospital to see her. I got dressed and when Mike came back he said they took x-rays and that it looked pretty bad and that Mariam wanted me to go into town in the ambulance with her, sooo I got her clothes together and a guard take me over to the base hospital. Mariam was in an awful state, she had seen her finger and said she was going to lose it. Mike and I finally got her calmed down and got her into the ambulance, then we came into town to the Mercy Hospital. They took us right up to the room and got her undressed and as she asked me to please stay as long as I could, I stayed until they took her into the operating room. Then I waited until she came out and they told me they thought they could save it. By that time it was 2:00 a.m., so I called a cab and came home.  It made me kind of ill but I finally got to sleep. Marge and I are going over to see her this afternoon.

I got up about 9:00 this morning and took the car over and got it all fixed up for the winter. It’s good for 21 below. O.K?

I haven’t had a letter since Monday and the belt and camera isn’t here yet so guess it’s the mail again. Sure hope so. How are you and Herman and Junior? Have you received your license yet?

Well Honey, I have to leave early today, so better be going. I miss you terribly one I don’t hear. The day seems so empty.

Love & xxxxxs “Your” Darlin F.W. Janie

1:00 a.m. October 28, 1943

Hello Darlin’:

it is another beautiful night out tonight and still no you. We had quite a sight over town today. There were about 500 planes in formation and 4 blimps.  It was really a beautiful site. I wish you could have seen it.

I didn’t get a letter today, so I have nothing to answer.

Good morning Darling: I thought last night that I had better start writing your letters before I took my shower because I was very tired and I wouldn’t go to bed before I took my shower. I started to write and I found out I had to take a shower before I could go any further. After I had my shower and shaved I sat down in my chair to rest for a little while. I fell asleep. I don’t know just exactly how long I slept but I know that all I can remember is getting up and turning the radio off and putting the lights out. Then I crawled into bed. I didn’t wake up until 11:00 a.m. I had a nice long sleep. I feel good now.

It is a beautiful day out. The sun is bright and warm and there is no wind at all. I sure wish you were here.

Oh Darling, all dim – out regulations are going to be off after November 1. All the city will be lit up. The beach is going to be open again. All of the rides and things. All of the stores will light their signs. It really will be the old gay San Francisco again.

Well Darling, it is 1:15. I have to get my lunch and leave for work. I had to iron a work shirt and a pair of jeans this morning. I love you very, very much. I will see you at 8 as always.

Love & xxxxxxxxxx’s YFH Johnny

Thursday 2:30 p.m. October 28, 1943

Hello Honey:

I’m sorry that I didn’t get this in the mail but I was so tired this morning I didn’t get up until 12:00 and I had to dress and drive over to the hospital and see Miriam as I told her we would be over in the morning. She is pretty fine today, they took x-rays again and if complications don’t set in, her finger will be O.K., so she is feeling pretty good, mentally as well as physically.

There were two letters this morning but I will answer them later as I haven’t time now. O.K?  I’m glad you like the billfold. I got to thinking, I did take the price take off of it, huh, didn’t I?

It is a beautiful day here in Des Moines and for some reason or another I miss you terribly today. Don’t know just why, guess it’s love, huh.

I talked to your Mom this morning.

Am very glad you had a nice time in Patterson. I’ll bet those turkeys made a lot of noise.

I meant just what I said, when I wrote “I hope you’re as considerate of me as you are of Junior”, think on it Honey, you’ll get it.

That’s terrible about the earthquake, weren’t you a little scared. I’m afraid I would’ve been.

I’m sure glad you sent the things but thought that you said you sent them Saturday. You must have gotten mixed up. What?

Well Honey, it’s almost 3:00 and June will be here any minute so better close now. I miss you terribly and love you with all my heart.

Love & xxxxxs “Your” Darlin & F.W. Janie

1:30 a.m. October 29, 1943, Friday

Hello Darling:

Well, here it is another day closer to ? and you. I’m afraid this will be your Special. I will mail it after work tomorrow night. Then you should get it Sunday morning. (I hope)

There is a sailor and his wife have to go over to Sausalito Saturday morning and they have no way to get there, so I told them I would pick them. They live here at the house. They moved in shortly after you left.

It is a beautiful night out, very warm. There are a few scattered clouds or fog. It will probably remain tomorrow. I am going to get up at 7 and wash clothes.  Friday is my wash bay you know. It is also a Pay-Day. I seem to have forgotten what that means. I haven’t been to the bank sent you left to put any money in.  A check I get tomorrow is going to look awfully sick. I will be lucky if I don’t know the company money. If I get a, it won’t be over two dollars. I sure would like to see some snow again. I heard “I’m Dreaming Of A White Christmas” too the other day.  It brought back a lot of sweet memories to me too.

I’ve gotten over my stiffness from the Y. Yes Darling, I remember the night we drove up to the top of that hill and parked and talked but I don’t exactly remember all we talk about. I remember some things. Please answer – What do you mean I was right about?

Darling, there is a cabin for sale up in the Santa Cruz Mountains with ¼ acre for sale. I had half a notion to look into it. It would be the matter nice to have if we lived in Frisco. It would be about 75 miles away. We could take some weekends off and take T&T up there and say. If we had a motorboat, we could drive it out in the channel and out in the ocean and sail right down to Santa Cruz Bay. There is a big resort at Santa Cruz with swimming, dancing, all kinds of sports, deep sea fishing and everything. They are asking $300 for it.  It would cost us around 5 or 600 to fix it up the way we would want it. This gives you an idea of what we will do after we are married. Okay? Well, all right!

Well Darling, it is getting rather late and I must go get some sleep. I will finish in the morning. I love you very, very, very much. Good night Sweetheart. Gee, I sure wish you were right here with me now. We sure can have some fun lovin’.

Good morning Darling: well it is still morning for another 15 minutes. I got up at 7. Wash my hands and face and fixed breakfast. I then washed clothes and hung them out. I took Junior down to the filling station and change the oil and put in a little transmission grease. I drove over to Dempsey’s to get my new ration book that Mrs. Dempsey got for me.  I stopped at the Gilt Edge Nickle on the way back and bought some groceries. I bought some delicious apples. Do you remember the ones we bought?

It is a beautiful day out. It was very nice writing unit. It isn’t hot out but nice and cool. It is just about 12 noon now.  Glenn Miller is playing (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jNrg3ZpRXFo) “I Remember You”. 

There isn’t any news so I haven’t very much to write about. Gosh Honey, I sure love you a lot. I sure wish things were a little different.

I have to get my lunch, so I think I had better close for now until tonight. I will see you at 8 as always. I love you, I adore you, I miss you, and I want you.

Love & xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx YFH Johnny

Friday 10:45 AM October 29, 1943

Hello Honey:

It’s a beautiful morning in Des Moines this morning. I suppose you are wondering why I am up so early but I was awakened by something and wasn’t able to go back to sleep, sooo after eating breakfast decided to start your Special. I’m afraid I’ve kind of neglected you the last couple of days.

Gosh, I don’t know why I cannot go back to sleep because I can hardly hold my eyes open. I still have my PJs on and my feet are cold but here I sit writing to my little bit of independence.

How are you Johnny? How is Herman, have you received your license yet and how is Junior and all the kids at the house and all the boys at work, but most of all, how are you? Your lungs? Just you?

Little Pete is coming over tonight to stay all night and tomorrow. I kind of thought I would go out tomorrow night, guess not now.

Darling, I’m running out of words so believe I’ll lay this aside until the mail comes.  O.K? O.K.

Hello again. The mail is here and one letter from you, a nice one. Wish I had of been there when the earthquake occurred.

Gee Honey, that’s swell. I’d lot rather work for you then work any place else, so that’s a deal. Remember I said I would be out there at least by June, but that doesn’t mean that I can’t come sooner. You just save as much as you can and I’ll do the same, then when I do come, we will both be prepared. I’m sorry I didn’t tell you about Chuck, guess I didn’t think you would be interested, but he’s just fine, he acts a little different, a little more independent which isn’t’ a bit becoming, other than that he is O.K. I told him that I would see him next summer, he said O.K, he would be looking for Johnny and I.  Mary J is going out the 1^st of December.

That’s too bad about Carl and Francis. They are so young, but then if she is stepping out on him, I can’t blame them.

You feel any better since you started to go to the ‘Y’ again?

Well Honey, it’s almost well 12:30 and I have to go see Marian at the hospital. This is her last day there. I miss you and awful lot lately. Don’t know just why. I love you with all my heart Johnnie.

Love as Yours… Janie

Hello, I’m back from the hospital & Marian has gone home so everything is going to be O.K, although she probably won’t be back to work for a while.

It’s so nice & warm out that one doesn’t even need a jacket, it’s really swell. I sure wish – well you know what I wish. What are you going to do Sunday?  Just mess around or what? Dickie Jr. will be here and I bought a pumpkin for him to make a jack-o’-lantern with & we are going to have a bonfire. I will be thinking of you all day, O.K? Hope you will be or are thinking of me also.

I wrote Dick wrote a letter yesterday, he is all well now you know. He said that he was going to try and drop you a line, have you received any word yet?

Johnny, I have something I want to ask you, your Mom gives me the impression that she thinks I should go to Frisco right now or at least by Christmas. Have you asked or said anything to her about it?

Well Honey, I better go now as June will be here any minute, maybe I can add more in the morning. Then I can make this a nice long Special.  Johnny, have you heard the song “You Can’t Hold A Memory in Your Arms”?

Saturday morning 11:30, but no time to had any more as the mailman is coming, so will write again tomorrow and see you at 10:00 as always. I love you with all my heart.

“Your Darlin’ & F W Janie

11:30 a.m. Saturday, October 30, 1943

Hello Darlin’:

Well, here it is another day closer ? to and you.  I suppose you are wondering at the time this was written. Well I worked a little overtime last night and asked that 3 – cars don’t run late, I stated Hook’s place. We got up about 9:30 and had breakfast downtown.

Hello Jane, here we are just 2 lonely lads longing for you and my wife and daughter. You remember me don’t you? My wife and daughter left for Missouri last night and I came home with Johnny after work and have been here since. I better stop this nonsense and let someone write that will mean something to you. I think you have the swellest guy in the world for sweetheart. So long, Hook.

That was Hook. After breakfast we came here at the house and the shower. I feel good now. Some ship came in for some small repairs and they needed some welders for four hours. It isn’t much, it will help to buy our little cabin in the mountains.  I mailed your letter at the post office after work. It should go out about 6:30. That is a little earlier, so you should get it Sunday. Please let me know.

Hook’s wife left for Missouri last night for a vacation.  She will be gone for about two months I think, maybe less.  Hook may give up his apartment and come up in the room with me. When they come back he is going to try to get a better apartment in the Marina.  Do you remember the Marina? I thought so.

Well Darling, I’m going to get a haircut before work so I had better close for now. Let’s stay in the apartment for a while. I will see you at 8 as always. I love you so very, very much.

Love & xxxxxxxxxx’s YFH Johnny

PS My check was $6.46

Sunday 1:30 p.m. October 31, 1943

Hello Honey:

Well another Sunday, which means another week. Jeepers. That must’ve been quite a sight, 500 planes in formation.

Johnny, have you ever seen in Frisco when it wasn’t dimmed out? Gosh, I’ll bet that you will go down to the beach after that now, right? I’ll see it though. I’ll see it all, someday.

Trinkie was over yesterday, she had another diamond and says she is going to be married the 19^th of November and is going to have a formal wedding and wants me to be one of her bridesmaids. Barb will be the other one, but I won’t believe it until I’m at the church. She doesn’t love him, I know she doesn’t, she doesn’t know what the word means. I don’t envy her one bit.

Your Special hasn’t come yet, so think I will close until it does. I’m wondering what you are doing, it’s only 11:30 a.m. out there.

It’s 3:30 now Honey and just a few minutes ago Harry James “You Made Me Love You” was on. Been thinking of you all day, trying to figure out what you might be doing. (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bMaCoxOGXPM)

I just called Mariam and she is getting along swell. Wes, her boyfriend, called her yesterday, she was thrilled. It’s a beautiful day here, nice, and sunny and warm. Sure wish my Special would come. I guess Momie and I aren’t going to a show tonight, she is feeling very low today, Sunday and all. I kind of hope she does go to work, it will help her. Poor Momie.  I’m in the mood for writing but don’t seem to have much to write about.

Just happen to think. Guess I’ll go give myself a facial. O.K? Will finish this later.

11:45 PM Yes, it is rather late but Momie and I drove over to the Knott’s and they went to a show with us. “Pride Of The Yankees”, a very show and we just arrived home.

Your Special came just as we were leaving, about 5:30 and your bond too ($1075). Jeepers Honey, $2,00, just how do you intend to live on that? Sorry, I can’t send you some. That really sounds dreamy about the cabin and ¼ acre in the Santa Cruz Mountains, but before you go investing any money in property, don’t you think you should make sure of your staying there?

You can be sure I remember the apples we bought, wish I had one now. They aren’t in season here yet. I remember everything about it Dear. About the night on the hill, where we were or I should say you were talking about married life, remember? You said we should be able to and should talk about it then as it might be our last chance. Well gosh Honey, it’s hard to put it on paper, but seriously I remember, and well anyway. you were right.

Well Honey, your Special was very nice, in fact very nice. I love everything about you, even your independence (but not when it gets toward me).

Love & xxxxxxxxxx’s “Your” Darlin & FW Janie

Oct 31, 1943, Sunday 2:00 PM

Hello Darling:

I’ll bet you can’t guess where I’m at. I’m out at the China Beach. It is next to the channel. I can look to the east and see the Golden gate Bridge. Across the channel are the mountains we went through when we went to Muir Woods.  There are three ships in the channel going out to sea. It looks like sort of a convoy or part of one. If you listen hard enough you should be able to almost here the breakers here on the beach.

Syd is here with me. He called me about 11. I had just gotten up. He has to make a speech tomorrow, so he is hard at work writing it. It is a beautiful day out. There are a lot of sea gulls flying around. Did you hear that last breaker? It was a big one.

I didn’t write when I got home last night because I didn’t feel so good. I pulled a couple stomach muscles in the double bottom. At first I was afraid I had ruptured myself. I went over to the hospital. They said it wasn’t anything serious, but to take it easy for a while. They put tape around me. I took it off this morning. It is so warm here laying in the sun. It is the only beach in Frisco that is safe to swim in because there is no undertow here. The water is rather cold though. Well Sweets, I’m going to have to close for a little while. It has taken me about an hour and a half to write what I’ve written. I have to turn over on my back to keep from burning too much.

I think Syd and I are going to see a show tonight. “For Whom The Bell Tolls”.

Hello Darling, I’m back in my room now. It is 6:00. Syd and I stopped and had dinner. Now we are going down to see a show.

I will write again when I get home. I will see you at 8 as always. I love you very, very much.

Love & xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx YFH Johnny

11:00 PM Sunday Oct 31, 1943

Hello Darlin: I just got back from taking Syd home on Jr.  We saw “For Whom The Bell Tolls”.  If you haven’t seen it yet, please do. It is very good.

Glenn Miller is playing “Blue Rain” (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eQ66X7UJ5Ms)

After Syd and I left China Beach, we drove Jr. around by the main beach. You should have seen the people there. It was just packed. We then stopped at a restaurant on Geary Street and had dinner. Then we rode down to the house and then to the show. After the show we stopped and had a Coke and I took him home. After I left him, I drove down by the beach. I stopped by the Cliff House and smoked a cigarette. The sky was very clear but I couldn’t see the moon. I couldn’t see the ocean I could hear the water breakers. It brought back a lot of sweet memories. I almost feel like crying a little bit. I left and drove up the hill, the cold air blowing in my face and making my eyes water. Little Jr. just passed everything on the street. Everyone just stares at him, just like when you were on him riding around on the Marina. Glenn Miller is playing “You Are Always In My Heart” (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9RZn-JvrVe8).

Darling, I have to go to bed now. I love you so very, very much. Your Special isn’t here yet. Darn mail. Good night Little Angel.

Good morning Darling: it is another beautiful day out. The time is 11:45 AM. I got up about 9 and fixed some pancakes for breakfast. I washed the dishes and came down to my room. Your Special still isn’t here yet. I sure hope you are are on your way out here.

I am going down to a doctor to have him take a look at my lungs today. I’m going to quit welding pretty soon. I will write you a long letter tonight. I will have a little more to write about. I love you very, very much.

Love & xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx YFH Johnny

Sunday 1:30 p.m. October 10, 1943

Hi Honey:

Yes, I know it’s late but its Sunday and such a lovely day that I hate to go to bed. It’s nice and warm and sunny, I almost don’t want to go to work tonight, then I wouldn’t have to go to bed, in fact I don’t want to. But don’t worry I am.

Your Special hasn’t arrived yet, so don’t have much to write about, just thought I could prolong my going to bed. It’s 11:30 out there, I wish I hadn’t called you last week, then I would call you now, only I don’t think I would reverse the charges. That was kind of a dirty trick, wasn’t it?

Well, I wonder if it’s nice on Jackson Street today, maybe you’re out in front working on Junior, huh?  Have you finished painting him yet, don’t forget to take a picture the first nice day. Please. I sure wish we were together today, we could take Herman with the top down and a couple comic magazines out in the country and park. The leaves are changing color now and they are beautiful. Say, I have an idea, why don’t you, if you aren’t taken in the Army, come home and go to work at Herman M Brown and we can get married and you and I can live here with Momie until next year sometime, then we could get a little place of our own and be very happy, I know. What do you think, and oh yes, you could sell Herman because we would have my car, but we could keep Junior. O.K?

Well Honey, it’s almost 2:00, sooo, I must get to bed, I miss you very awful much, terribly. Your Special will be here when I get up and I will answer it tomorrow morning. Did you see the moon last night? It was very much like that night we sought on the ocean. Last night, rather this morning at work, the tracer ring was the only department in our building that worked, so we had to go over to building number 4 to eat and Marion and I walked over about 4:30 a.m. The stars were very bright and beautiful and I thought about 4 weeks ago that time it was 2:30 out there and we were just about getting out of the mid-night show “So Proudly We Hail”, remember?

We went to the beach that night before sunset, then to the Cliff House, then bowled. I remember it and I can see it all so clear. Then we went home and smooch, we tried to buy malts on the way home but that little place was closed, see I remember everything and you’ll never know how many times I go over at all, those glorious two weeks, in my mind, sometimes every day.

Well it is 2:00, must come back from Frisco and go to bed. Goodbye for now Honey.

“Your” Darlin & F.W. Janie

11 PM Sunday, October 10, 1943

Hello Darling:

Well here it is another day closer to the next time we are together. I slept until about 10. I got up and fixed breakfast. About 12:00 I went out and started doing some more work on Junior. I cleaned the bottom guard and painted it. I put another coat on the exhaust pipe and another coat of paint on the trimming. I have two new headlights and an electric horn. I put the horn on and I had to fix a piece of pipe to hold the lights. I cut it, drilled it, and painted it.

After I finished, I walked down to the store and got some spaghetti. I came back and fixed supper. I finished eating and started to iron my clothes. I really had a bunch of them. I’m all through now though. Kay was upstairs baking, Shane was taking care of her mother’s sister’s baby. Miss England was ironing and I was mangling. I had my radio on.  There were some good programs on. Music and stories. Mr. Dearr and Shane were trying to dance in the kitchen and the Spanish gals were jabbering back and forth. It is like 3 ring circus around here.  I sure wish you were here now.

I have two letters from you to answer. Your Special came about noon.  You remember the trouble we had some time before you got here, getting my Specials to you on time?  Well, when I did finally get them to you on time it was because I wrote them Thursday night and Friday morning and mailed them after work Friday night. They got there early Sunday morning. So you see, I didn’t forget. If you keep having those back aches and arm aches from your work, I’m going to up and tell you to quit and get your little self out here and there won’t be any argument about it. There is no sense to it and no need for it and that is final.

I thought we had more than $950 in bonds. I was under the impression that we had over $1000 with that $100 bond that you bought.  Yes, I got the seat for Junior on Friday.

I sure would like to see you in your new coat and hat. I’ll bet you look like a little doll.

Well Sweets, it is getting late and I must get some sleep. I love you very, very much. Good night Sweetheart. The reason I didn’t mail the first part of this letter is that I wasn’t even downtown today. I love you very, very much.

Good morning Darling:  It is a beautiful day today. The weather sure is odd, yesterday it was cloudy and late last night I went out to put the car in the garage, it was raining out. (Harry James “I Heard You Cry Last Night” ( https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NiLMR_OIfGM )  I got up at 9 and fixed breakfast. I then went out and I did some more work on Junior. I’m almost finished. Just a couple more days.

Well Sweets, I have to finish my dinner and my lunch for work. I will see you at 8 as always. I love you very, very much.

Love & xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx YFH Johnny

Frank Sinatra is singing “Oh, What A Beautiful Mornin’” (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BwOfSGQKdn4)

11 Oct 1943

Dear Janie,

Honest, I haven’t forgotten you, it’s just that I haven’t had the time to sit down and write you a nice long letter.

Today I started classes in the Junior group and they get a study hour, so now you know what I’m doing.

I wrote you a letter at Hunter and didn’t receive no answer. How come? I realize you are busy too but be glad you’re not in my shoes.

Gee, I guess I’ll never get out of going to school because that’s just what I’m doing here. You see Hunter was just a basic school where I learned the background of Navy and all the fundamentals.  Also got my shots. I took in stride, and all and all didn’t do bad.

Sorry I had to end up going to Seaman school. But they didn’t seem to think me qualified for anything else. So I had a very nice train ride here. Really saw the country. Our train was a trans-movement so we took the long way around. Believe it or not but I did go into Canada.

I’ve been here one month and the time is really flying. I get worried at times, wondering if I’ll make the grade but I’ll do my best and that’s all I can do. If I successfully complete this course, I’ll be a Petty Officer 3^rd class Seaman. Besides $70 a month.  But it’s the usual old grind, school. My classes now consist of Naval correspondence, English, I think, Naval terminology, shorthand, naval personnel. It may not seem like much but believe me it’s quite a bit to digest.

Stillwater is a typical college town and its name fully describes itself. Very still and besides Oklahoma is a dry state.

We have weekends off so three of us girls went to Tulsa, the oil capital. It’s really okay. There was a swell football game. Tulsa played Texas Tech Saturday night. We went dancing, party, etc. And really did the town in general. I saw Carlton Browning and lots of oil derricks and naturally a little small-town gal like me was dazzled.

Service people really keep things something though. There is no shortage of men and dates are plentiful. The Air Corps has eight days here. Naval Radarmen, R.O.T.C, Stars. So all in all about 5000 or more men.

We have very nice living quarters. Maple furniture and venetian blinds. We live in regular dormitories on the campus and the food is wonderful. Chicken every Sunday and pastries that melt in your mouth.

Most women that leave here go to Washington.  I hope I don’t. I want to be stationed in Florida or the Great Lakes. But I’ll just have to wait and see.

I’ve never once been sorry I enlisted. I got bored and mad at times and that’s human nature. I really didn’t realize it wasn’t all fun but hard work. Up at 6:00 every morning and taps are played at 10:00 but believe me at 10:00 I really dead tired.

I expect to be true here sometime the last of November. Then if I can make connections, will get a seven-day leave. So maybe we can throw a party.

You know the kind of mess plant but also realize how lucky I am to be in and really miss all the gang.

My uniform looks pretty good on me and as soon as I can, I will send you a picture. There’s just one for target first here and he is so busy, then closed down for a week.

Well I’ve been wondering how your trip came out? How your mom is? And all the news. Please write me whenever you can. Please remember I think of you and won’t forget you.

Tell me all about Harlan and you. Got close at as it almost time for lunch.

Until later. Love from a little ripple.  Yodie

Monday 8:00 p.m. October 11, 1943

Hello Honey:

Johnny, you have made me very happy. Yesterday I received a Special that was more like my old Harlan, the one I used to have so much fun with, the idea of a private home is a very nice one. I’m terribly sorry about your eye and shoulder and hope that by now they are both a lot better. And as far as my chin, it is higher now than it has been since I arrived in Frisco and then tonight when Momie called me, there was a package here for me. Roses. Darling, one dozen roses, red ones, I’m afraid I cried a little, it has been so long since I last had some. They are beautiful and thank you very much, as I said before you have made me very happy.

Today has been full of nice surprises. Chuck called just a minute ago, he is home for 15 days. He called from Mary J’s and will be over in the morning. Of course Momie is very elated over it and I feel pretty fine too.  Especially after my nice surprise. The roses are right in front of me and the fragrance of them is all through the room.

I was so tired this morning that I went right to bed when I got home, that’s why I’m up now. There was no letter today, so no comments and not any news. I have from Saturday morning at 8:00 until 4:00 Monday afternoon off, because we don’t have to work Sunday and we change shifts next weekend, sooo I’m going to put on the storm windows, wash the car and wax it again and work around the house a little. There are so many things to be done and with Chuck’s help I think we can get it done. I wish you were here to help me but someday we will do these things together.

Well Honey, I better close now and start getting my things ready for work. Thank you again for the lovely roses. I love you very much, more than I have for some time because you are a little more like my Harlan. I guess I better tell you what to do and what not to do more often from now on – huh?

Love as Always

“Your” Darlin & F.W. Janie

1:00 a.m. October 12, 1943

Hello Darling:

Happy anniversary, 4 years, and 2 months. It has been a beautiful day and a beautiful clear night. The moon was out and the stars were big and bright.

Well, I have some news what is news. I think the Navy has canceled a lot of orders they have for ships. We won’t be building any more destroyers. (As far as I know). The Navy is going to take the Bethlehem Yard over and make it a repair yard. If they do, we will be the largest repair yard on the West Coast.  They are going to put large machines in front of the ways so they can pulley the ships right up out of the water on skids.  If they do this, it will really be something. I don’t know how the hours will be though.  I think they will do this pretty soon.

I guess that is all news, so I had better close and get some sleep.  I love you very, very much. Good night Darling.

Good morning Sweetheart:  It is 11:45. I got up at 8:30 and fixed breakfast. I then went out and finished painting Junior. It will be dry tomorrow. I will put my new headlights on and rewire the taillight and then it will really be beautiful. It looks good now. It will even have that shield on down to the bottom. It looks better than new. I think.

I didn’t get a letter today so I have nothing to answer.

The weather is beautiful. I don’t see how it can last. It will probably be cold tomorrow.  Gosh Honey, I sure wish you were here now. I miss you so much. Life just isn’t anything without you.

I love you very, very much. I will see you at 8 as always.

Love & xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx YFH Johnny

Oct. 13, 1943

Hello Honey:

It’s 11:15 and I just got home and have about 15 minutes in which to drop you a line before the mailman comes.

I haven’t had any mail since Sunday but this week I know it’s the mail. (I hope)

Your Mom called last night, said she hadn’t heard from you in some time but as I was asleep I didn’t talk to her, Momie did.  Your roses are still beautiful, they were buds when they came and now they have all opened.

Today is the first fall day so far, it is cloudy and cold but not too cold, in fact it is very much like a cool foggy day in Frisco, only clouds melted fog. You know the air is clear and fresh. I hate to go to bed, it’s so refreshing.

Well Darling, here comes the mailman so must go. I will make up for this tomorrow. O.K? Thanks Hon.

I love you very much, Janie

1:00 a.m. October 13, 1943, Wednesday

Hello Darlin’:

Well, here it is another day closer to ? and you.  It has been a beautiful day all day and is clear with a few scattered clouds tonight.  It is really beautiful out though the moon is big and bright. The stars are glittering in the sky like reflections of the moon on the bay. I sure wish you were here.

I had a very busy night. I ran 154 feet of 3/16. I made a little over $10 bonus. I feel much better than I did last week though. I’m going downtown, maybe Saturday and have an x-ray taken of my lungs. If they are real bad, I will have to quit welding I’m afraid.

Well Sweets, it is getting late and I must get some sleep so I think I had better close for now. I love you very, very much. Good night Sweetheart.

Good morning Darling: It is a beautiful day. I am also through with Junior now. All I have left to do is to rub the paint down and then wax it. It really looks beautiful. I will have it all finished by Sunday so I can take a picture of it for you.

The mail is here and there is a letter from you, a very nice, sweet letter. No it wasn’t that dirty trick to call me and reverse the charges. Sunday was rather cloudy and damp. I have a chance to sell Herman for  $150.  I think I will take it. That is a good idea of yours about me coming back to Des Moines. Do you really want me to? I have a better idea. Why don’t you and your mother come out here and we can do more things here then we can back there.

There isn’t any news that I haven’t told you, so I don’t know what else to write about. The radio is on and Bing Crosby is singing “I Heard You Cried Last Night” (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tm-7k6G90y0).

Well Darling, I think I had better close for now. I love you very very much. I will see you at 8 as always.

Love & xxxxxxxxxx’s YFH Johnny

1:30 a.m. October 14, 1943, Thursday

Hello Darlin’:

Well, here it is another beautiful night going swiftly by without you.  It sure is a shame. The moon is just as round and just as silver as can be. I’ll bet it is beautiful out on the beach right now. It would be fun to take Junior out for a ride.

I am a little tired tonight. I ran 140 feet so I made a little bonus again tonight. I’m very tired, so I think I will try to get a little sleep. I love you very, very much. Good night Darling.

Good afternoon Sweetheart:  I got up kind of late this morning, about 10. I walked over to Johnny’s. (Harry James ”I Cried For You” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wkIbt-qXOtw) I took the scooter over yesterday to have him drill two holes for my lights. I came home and puts the lights on it and I fixed breakfast. I had 5 pancakes, 2 strips of bacon and 1 egg and 3 glasses of milk.  I washed dishes and now it is time to go to work. The mail is here, there is a letter from you letting me know you received the roses. I’m glad you liked them. I will answer that letter tonight. I will have more time then.

Well sweets, I’m afraid I must leave now. I love you very, very much and miss you ever so much. I will see you at 8 as always.

Love & xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx YFH Johnny

Thursday 9:30 a.m. October 14, 1943

Hello Honey:

Well, here it is Thursday and still no mail, as I didn’t hear yesterday either. Sunday was the last I got a letter, sure hope it’s the mail and nothing wrong with you. Your Mom just called and she is just fine and so is your Dad. He is getting along okay at work. She hasn’t heard from you for some time either and was kind of worried but I convinced her it was the mail.

There isn’t a bit of news. I’m beginning to worry a little about you. The weather is just the same, cold, and drizzly only raining instead clear. We have a fire now. Chuck evidently brought the California rain with him. Chuck and Mary J. are going to Chicago over the weekend.

Oh gosh, I haven’t a thing to write. Momie and I are both fine but kind of tired and Oh how I hope I received a letter today.

Only two more nights on this shift and I sure am glad, then I have 2 ½ days off. By the way, did you try my hot cake recipe and if so how were they??

Well Honey, I’m still at a loss as to what to write about, so I guess I’ll close. Will try again tomorrow. Love and be careful. “Your” Darlin & F.W. Janie

1:00 a.m. October 15, 1943, Friday

Hello Darlin’:

Well, here it is another day closer to you and everything I have been waiting for. 

I rode Junior to work today and am really satisfied with him. Everyone who sees it says he looks like a brand-new one. I had about 100 offers for it but don’t worry, I’m not selling it. It looks really rich and classy not bright and cheap. The colors are black and white. If the sun is out tomorrow, I will take a picture of it for you. I have had offers for up to $200.

I have your letter to answer now. I’m sure glad you liked the roses so well. I guess I have been kind of abrupt for quite some time. I am going down to the Y Monday and join again and see if I can work some of the smoke out of me. Then I may feel much better and be a little more like my old self.

That is swell about Chuck getting to come home. I wish I could too.  Maybe someday soon. I hope.

I was sure cold this morning on the way home tonight. It worked on the stern tubes. I welded about 18 feet. The stern tube is where the propeller shaft goes through. It is about 6 feet down in about 3 inches up from the bottom of the ship. I had to lay over the tube and weld while standing on my head. I got all soaking wet and the sweat would make my clothes just cling to me. That’s why I was cold coming home. That sure is a roundabout way of telling you why I was cold, isn’t it?

Well Sweets, it is getting late and I have to wash clothes again in the morning so I had better get some sleep. I love you very very much. Good night Sweetheart.

Good afternoon Darling: I got up at 9:30 and washed clothes. Then I went down to my room and put my swimming suit on and I came up here on the roof to lay in the sun. It is a beautiful day out. I wish you were here. I didn’t have a very large washing today. The mail is here but no letter from you so I have nothing to answer.

Well Sweets, I’m afraid I must get downstairs and start getting ready for work. I love you more than you will ever know. I will see you at 8 as always.

Love & xxxxxxxxxx’s Johnny

10:30 a.m. Friday, October 15, 1943

Hello Honey:

Well another day and one more night of work.  Well there were two letters yesterday, one was really a honey, long as I could ask and full of news but definitely. Gee Honey, I’m awfully sorry about that $30, that really hurts. It really cost you $50 instead of $30, almost a week’s pay. Personally, I think you should try and find out who took it, after all $30 is a pretty large sum. If it was $5, it would be a little different.

And then about your reclassification, well I can wait until 22 December. Johnny, do you know what, if you wait and are inducted the 22^nd or 23^rd of December and then had two weeks, why, er, ahem, maybe you could come home, well for New Year’s at least but then again, if you do send for your papers and pass you will be home on a leave soon and we can be married so maybe that’s best. It’s all so darn confusing.

You telling me about everything that was going on at the house when you were ironing really hit a soft spot in my heart. How I long to be there. I’m glad you took Shane to the show. I’d much rather have you take her then one of those older girls or some of those fellows I don’t think so much of. “For Whom The Bell Tolls” is here but so far I haven’t been to see it. I think Momie and I will go to a show Sunday. It will be my first day off in almost 3 weeks.

Darling, I hate to say anything it’s still ‘dinner’ instead of ‘diner’.

Yes, we went to the Imporium Theater. Just how do you think I’m going to tell the color of Junior in a black & white picture, tell me the colors. I’m awfully glad you got an electric horn. That other one wasn’t quite up to snuff. Don’t you worry about those back aches and arm aches anymore, they are almost all gone, is just leg aches now and sore hands, so I’m getting along pretty good.

That sure was a swell letter. Say Hon, do you have any sugar stamps to spare? If so, could you send maybe one to us. By the way Momie and I are sending you some oatmeal cookies tomorrow. I can’t send them today because I’m not going downtown. Oh yes, I’m including $2.00 for that belt, please try and get it this week and send it and the camera and the gloves.  It’s getting colder every day here now. I went to see about getting some Preston for the car but no one has any.  I don’t suppose they have any out there do they, I would be a bit surprised since that’s where they don’t need any. By golly, they might, do they? Because I don’t know what I will do if I can’t get any.

If they change the yard into a repair yard, will that make any difference in you to the Army? By the way, I thought that the Navy already had taken over the yard.

How is my mail coming through? I mailed a letter every day this week. Gee, what a nice long letter you get when you write me one.

Well Honey, it is time for the mailman again. I still say I would try and find out who took the money. I hardly think Gus would though. I would miss trust Taylor first, and yes I did meet him.

Must close now, I love you very much and miss you terribly. Keep your chin up Johnny. Mine is up, so don’t worry.

Love & xxxxxs “Your” Darlin & F.W. Janie

PS The roses are still very pretty. I love them and thank you for the compliment Dear.

1:30 a.m. October 16, 1943, Saturday

Hello Darling:

Well, here it is another day closer to ?­ and the sweetest little angel this side of heaven.  It is also time for another Special of the week. There isn’t any news so I don’t know what I’m going to write about. I’m really tired again tonight. I welded 133 feet of 3/16 welds and made a pretty good bonus.  Guess how much my check was for last week. $16 and some odd cents. They took out that extra bond. That is why it was so low. I missed one day but my bonus was high enough to take care of that.

I just about froze tonight coming home on Junior. My clothes were all wet again as usual and the air is quite chilly, even if it is clear out. I have another headache. It is from breathing so much smoke again.

I stopped and bought a paper from Joe tonight and there were about 25 or 30 people standing on the corner waiting for streetcars. I got off of Junior and walked over to Joe’s and when I went back I could barely get back to the scooter. All of the people had crowded around him. They were all asking questions and offering to buy it. Anywhere from $50-$200. I really get a big kick out of the envious looks that most people have when they see it.

Well Darling, it is getting late and I must get some sleep. I love you very very much. Good night Sweetheart.

Good morning Sweetheart:  It is a beautiful day out. The sun is bright and warm. I hope it is nice tomorrow, like this.

Gosh Honey, I wish you were here now. We could go down and lay on the beach in the sun until I had to go to work. Then Sunday morning, we could get up and drive Junior to Muir Woods and go for a hike. If we were married, we could maybe get a little cabin at the mountain home and spend Sunday night there or we could come back to Frisco and go to a dance or to a club.  We could have a lot a fun.  I love you so very much.

Well Sweets, I think I had better close and get this in the mail. I love you, I miss you, I want you near me. I will see you at 8 as always.

Love & xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx YFH Johnny

1:00 a.m. Friday, October 1, 1943

Hello Darlin’:

Well, here it is time for another Special and also another month gone by.  Is one month I will never forget.

I rode Junior to work tonight and I got for him. I also got some sandpaper so I can fix him up good for the paint job. I wish there was some way I could spray him but I guess not. I will get a good brush and do a good job. I made a little bonus tonight, so I am kind of tired. I got my slip for last Saturday night. It was short about 36 feet of 3/16 last. That would make my check short about $5 or $6. I had to turn it back in for correction. I hope it comes in on my next check. I won’t get much of a check tomorrow. I will get about $32. I only made $7 bonus last week. 

There isn’t any news, so I don’t know what to write about. I have a letter to answer. The weather is foggy and damp again – you can hear the fog horns in the Bay and channel. The weather would probably be nice over in the mountains. Yes, it would be nice to take a ride over on Junior (Harry James and Frank Sinatra “All or Nothing At All).  I will try to get up to get that belt for you Saturday. (The store isn’t spelled Imporium, it is Emporium). Yes, I got that laundry finished – finally. I did write Mom. I also wrote one last night.

Sure feel romantic tonight. I could go for some smooching in a big way. I would like nothing better than to take you in my arms and squeeze you against me. I can feel your nice warm soft lips against mine. I love you so very very much and miss you more than I ever thought could be possible. Life without you isn’t anything.

I guess I had better get some sleep. I will finish this in the morning. Good night, Darling.

Good morning, Darling:  I got up about 9:30. I had to go to the store and get some eggs and pancakes flour. I fixed breakfast and then washed the dishes. I then took Junior to the hardware store and got two paintbrushes and a scraper to scrape the paint off.

There still isn’t any news. The weather is very cloudy and damp this morning. It is probably a beautiful day in the mountains. It would be a beautiful day here if you were here with me.

Well sweets, I had better close before this gets to bore some.  I love you very very much.

Love & xxxxxxxxxx’s YFH Johnny

9:00  P.M. Fri. Night, Oct 1, 1943

Dear Johnnie,

Time for a another Special, and nothing to write about. Received two letters today, nice ones, it’s too bad you didn’t go out in the ocean. If you want repair work, I hope you can get it.

Johnnie, I am very sorry but this is going to be a short Special.  I’m very tired and my brain isn’t clear at all. I don’t know whether I’m going to work or not, my cold has gone all through my body and I ache all over, terribly, every time I move, it hurts and all I want to do is sleep and I can’t.  We worked in the tracer wing last night and jeepers, I never realized how easy I had it in the primer wing.   You really earn your money in the tracer wing. But I like it regardless. As soon as we are trained, Mariam and I will be put on the same machine.

Darling, Mississippi not Missippi & dinner not diner, you should know better than that, please try and remember.

I’m sorry but I can’t write anymore, sure wish you were here to rub my back and arms. I’ll do better tomorrow, honest I will.

Love & xxxxxs

“Your” Darlin & F.W. Janie

PS I got the negatives, thanks. Be careful and don’t work too hard. Momie and little Pete send their love. I miss you very much tonight.

2:00 a.m. Saturday, October 2, 1943

Hello Sweetheart:

Well, here it is another day farther away and yet closer to you. I got home from work about 12:45.  I took a shower, shaved, and read the paper. Now I’m ready for bed. I’m really pooed. I made out again tonight. I got my check today. It was for $102. After everything was taken out, I got $63. I got paid for last Sunday. I didn’t think it would come until next week’s check.

I can hardly keep my eyes open. The black smoke makes my eyes sort of burn. Darling, do you mind if I go to bed now? I’m really sleepy. I will finish this in the morning. I love you very, very much. Good night, good night my Little Darlin’.

Good morning, Sweetheart: Connie Apland called me while I was fixing breakfast. She is in town and is coming over. Thanks a lot for the recipe for the hot cakes. I will try them out Sunday.(Excuse me)

Connie came and we have been talking for quite a while. It is time to go to work. She is going to do some shopping downtown, so I will ride part way downtown with her. I will write a longer one tonight. I love you and miss you more and more every day.

Love & xxxxxxxxxx’s YFH Johnny

Saturday 3:30 p.m. October 2, 1943

Hello Honey:

First of all I want to apologize for that Special yesterday, it really was a lousy one and I’m sorry but was so tired last night when writing it I couldn’t even think. Guess my cold is kind of getting me down the last couple days but I’ll be O.K. soon. Well Honey, it’s 1:30 there and I imagine you are getting ready for work. Excuse me while I wipe the dishes for Momie.

Thank you, we are through. In fact, I’ll bet you are just about ready to go get on Junior and away, right? How is he and Herman? I was out your Mom’s this afternoon for a few minutes. I like their apartment, it’s really nice and she gave me our quilt. It’s really beautiful Johnny. It’s a very pretty yellow and white, I’m really crazy about it, the work and everything about it is beautiful. It was very nice of your Mom.  Honey, she has some clothes of yours there that are too small for you and doesn’t know what to do with them. She said she has asked you several times what she is to do with them and you have never answered. They really take up a lot of space, and she could use the room and if they are too small, why don’t you tell her that those that are too small she can give away, unless you want them. There is only one thing I think you can wear and that’s those tweed pants to your jacket, I believe those would fit you now, but why don’t you let her know?

It sure is a beautiful day here, nice, and sunshiny, warm but not hot. Johnny, are you sure you want to send for your papers? I know we talked it over but I don’t know, maybe if you talk to your boss, he would know why you haven’t heard. I don’t want to tell you not to send for them and I don’t want to tell you to send for them. Just be sure that it’s what you want to do.

Speaking of the girls across the street, I remember one day they were drumming too.  They aren’t bad, are they. I sure miss all those things, by the way how is Joe? Tell him Hello, will you please, now don’t forget.  If you would tell me Kay’s last name, I will try and drop her a line or has her husband left and her too.  How’s Shane, and Mr. & Mrs. Dreary?

By the way, you never said a word about that $100 bond, I thought you would be pleased.

Well, guess I better close now. Will write again tomorrow. Bye now.

Your Little Angle & F.W. Janie

I Love you

2:00 a.m. Sunday, October 3, 1943

Hello Darling:

Again I’m tired.  I worked in the double bottom in a hole a little smaller than 3 feet. You can imagine how small it was. I perspired so much, I was just soaking wet.  The smoke was very thick. It just stuck to my face and then I would sweat and the dirt would run down my face and into my clothes.

There is a letter from you that came this afternoon sometime. The mail doesn’t get here now until almost 4 o’clock. Part of the letter was written at work. It is a very inspiring letter. If you stay in that wing called the tracer wing or decide to, remember one thing. No matter how much money you can make or have there is one thing you can’t buy and that is your health. It is an easy thing you lose and a hard thing to get back. Please remember that T & T must have a healthy Mama. I decided that I’m not going to do any more welding on the galvanized ships that are coming in. Black iron is bad enough but galvanized is worse. I’m so full of smoke right now that it hurts to breathe. I can throw this smoke off easy but not the galvanized. There’s not so much of a chance of suffocating when I got caught because I had fairly good air once I stopped welding, but it was just the idea of not being able to get any help because of the noise and it was very uncomfortable.

As soon as you and our Mom decide to come out to Frisco, just let me know, I will start looking for an apartment tomorrow. Okay? Aw please!  Well Okay, I will wait a week or so anyway.

Well Sweets, it is getting late and I’m tired 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:  A fellow from the yard called me and wants me to go out to the beach with him this afternoon. It is a beautiful day. Your Special hasn’t come yet.

I got up at 8 and fixed breakfast. I then went out to the garage and started to sand Junior. I finished painting him. He looks good. He will look at better when I’m finished. I think I will put two coats on him.

There isn’t any news, so I haven’t much to write about. I sure wish you were here. We could spend the day at the beach or in the mountains together. Well I have to shave and take a shower. I got pretty dirty working on Junior. I will see you at 8 as always.

Love & xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx to the sweetest little angel this side of heaven. YFH Johnny

Monday 9:30 p.m. October 4, 1943

Hello Honey:

Well to start with, your Special came Saturday, 2:30 P.M. because you wrote it after work Thursday and Friday morning instead of Friday night and Saturday morning, but I guess you forgot or something. There was no letter today, so no mail for two days. Your Special was nice, thank you.

There isn’t a lot of news. Yesterday Momie and I got up about 10:00 and cleaned up the house and then I cleaned up the car. Chuck called yesterday afternoon, rather called Mary J, and said he was leaving by Thursday of this week for Tacoma and he will be home the last of this month and wants Mary Jane to be ready to go back with him. Isn’t that swell?

I went over to your Mom’s yesterday for a minute, she is fine.

My new job – in case you’re interested – is coming pretty good but every night I have awful arm and shoulder aches, hope I get used to it pretty soon.

Well John, how are you? Hope you’re not working too hard.

Sorry but I have to go to work now. I miss you so much, you will never know.

Love as always, “Your” Darlin & F.W. Janie

11:45 AM October 4, 1943, Monday

Hello Darling:

The friend of mine came over and we took the streetcar out to the beach.  We rode the roller coaster a couple of times and went all through the midway. We had a picture taken. I’m sending it. We left the beach about 6 or 6:30. We took the streetcar back downtown and had dinner. Then we went bowling.  Hook’s wife, Leo’s and Zigler’s wives were there.  The fellows were playing over at Hook’s.  I bowled three games. 129, 172, 169. We had to wait quite a while for an alley so we got out about 11. He (George) and says,” let’s go to a midnight show”. I said all right. We saw “Dixie” and a detective picture. Dixie was well but the mystery was corny. I got home around 4 this morning. I got up about 10:30 and fixed breakfast. Gus came in to wash the floor, so I had to leave the dishes and do them pretty soon.

Darling, I miss you so much yesterday and last night. Everywhere George and I went, we saw couples together, laughing, talking or just being together. It doesn’t seem right we should be apart so long. It was a beautiful day yesterday and it is also beautiful day. The beach was just packed yesterday. (Frank Sinatra is singing “The World is in My Arms” (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iTEYl7FgsOA) He is an awful liar. I wish that song could come through tonight.

George is a redhaired boy from Oklahoma. He has been here almost a month now. We worked together in the double bottom.

Well Sweets, I have to fix my lunch for work and wash my breakfast dishes. I will see you at 8 as always. I love you very, very much.

Love & xxxxxxxxxx’s YFH Johnny

1:45 AM, October 5, 1943, Tuesday

Hello Darling:

Well, here it is another day closer to you and whenever the time will come.  It is foggy out tonight but kind of nice.

There isn’t any news and no letter today so consequently not much to write about.

I wish you were here now. I feel like going on a smooching spree. I just finished taking a shower and really feel swell. I had an easy job last night.

We could drive up to the top of the hill and park somewhere or take Junior and a blanket and go someplace or even stay here in my room. Just anyplace would be all right as long as you were here with me. I could take you in my arms and love you up. I could squeeze you and kiss you.

I have to go to bed and get some sleep. I will finish this in the morning. I love you very very much. Good night Darling.

Good afternoon Darling: It is almost time for me to go to work. I got up at 10:30 and took the seat on Junior down to have it covered and re-padded. I spent the rest of the time trying to get some masking tape. It’s very hard to get, I didn’t get any. I got home around 12. Johnny was here and we went down to the drugstore and had a Coke. I came on back and fixed dinner. I have to get my lunch to take to work and then to work. It is really a beautiful day out again. You can never tell anything about the weather around here.

Well Sweets, I guess I had better sign off for now. I will see you at 8 as always. I love you very, very much.

Love & xxxxxxxxxx’s Johnny

Thursday 9:00 AM October 5, 1943

Hello Honey:

Johnny, I haven’t had a letter since Saturday and that was my Special written Thursday night and Friday morning and yes you have me worried. I keep thinking about that hole you get stuck in. If you wrote Friday night, I’m sure it would’ve been here now and even Saturday night. Is anything wrong? Did you get hurt or are you ill? If I don’t get one tomorrow, I’ll be frantic.

There isn’t much going on. Nana is here. She got a ride as far as Adele and Momie and I went up and got her. It sure nice to have someone around for a while. My clothes came today, thank you very much for sending them. I felt kind of sad when I opened them knowing where they were not long ago. Nana wants to know all about my trip, sooo I can rattle on about it some more, to my pleasure. I love to talk about it.

Gosh, it’s awful getting no word from you for three days. I just got to hear tomorrow. How’s work and the boys and Junior and Herman and all the kids at the house? Tell them hi and I sure wish I was back, ever so much, as you know, every day gets worse.

My cold is a little better but I still can’t sleep very well days but will be off this shift in a week and a half. Momie says she is going to put her application in at the plant soon, so we will both be doing nothing but work, eat and sleep but then the time goes fast.

Well Honey, it’s getting to the time where I must start to dress for work, so better close. Sure hope nothing is wrong out there. Be careful and write me all about your weekend. Maybe you took a trip, huh, and didn’t write. I love you very much and I miss you terribly, especially when I don’t hear.

Love & xxxxxxxxxx’s “Your” Darlin & F.W Janie

PS Nana says Hello

1:00 p.m. October 6, 1943, Wednesday

Hello Darlin’:

Well, here it is another day closer to ? and you.  Thanks for calling me this morning. I don’t know why you haven’t received any mail from me and I can’t figure why I haven’t gotten any from you. I didn’t get any from you today either. This makes 3 days.

After I talked to you, I finished eating breakfast. I then went down to the garage and sanded Junior down. I will put the second coat on tomorrow. Betty came down and wanted to know if I would take her down to the depot, as she is going to Camp Roberts to be with her husband.  She is a little redhead I borrowed the egg from while you were here. Penny rode down and back with me – Penny’s husband is in now. His ship got in Sunday night. She is pretty happy.

It is raining now and has been all day so far. It is kind of a nice after the heat yesterday. It should be rather nice working night.

I don’t know for sure whether I will go to Patterson Sunday or not. If I don’t get Junior finished by Saturday, I won’t go until next week. Junior sure is going to looks swell. If I go to the Navy, I will ship it home for sure. He runs too good and looks too good to sell. I think I can get more money from him than I can out of Herman.

Well Sweets, it is getting time for me to work. I have to get my lunch so I will have to close for now. I love you very very much. I will see you at 8 as always.

Love & xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx YFH Johnny

1:30 a.m. October 7, 1943, Thursday

Hello Darlin’:

Well, I hope you have your mail in the morning. If you don’t get any, I don’t know what the matter is.

The weather is damp and foggy. It was nice working. I made out tonight, I think. I made $21 last week in bonus money. I still have a headache. I don’t know what causes it unless it is the smoke. I have to put the second coat on Junior tomorrow so I had better get some sleep. I have a certain day to wash now. every Friday morning. That saves a lot of trouble with everyone else wanting to wash at the same time.

I love you very, very much. Good night Darling – Glenn Miller “Moonlight Becomes You”

Good afternoon Sweetheart:  I took my radio down in the garage with me. While painting the scooter, I have been listening to the World Series. The time is 12:20. It is a good game. Excuse me for a minute, I think the mail is here. Yes, I got a letter from you. The first one since your Sunday Special. I will answer it as I read it. I don’t know what Special – Holy smokes, you wrote this letter the 2nd. It left Des Moines on the 3rd and got here today.  I don’t remember whether I rode Junior to work last Saturday or not. He and Herman are both fine. I sure would like to see the quilt. Someday we will be under it. Soon I hope. If Mom asked me what I wanted done with my clothes, it would’ve been a long time ago. Yes, I want to send for my papers. If they will take me, then now and not a little later. I don’t want to weld much longer anyway. Right now I’m considered as an old timer in the yard. The welders just don’t last long there. I might go instructing or inspecting but not much more welding.

The girls at school across the street aren’t too good. They were drumming this morning too. Joe is fine. He always asks me about you. Kay’s last name is Royce.

That $100 is swell. I guess I did forget to tell you about it.

Well Sweets, it is getting close to time for work. I love you very, very much. I will see you at 8 as always.

Love & xxxxxxxxxx’s Johnny

Thursday 9:30 a.m. October 7, 1943

Hello Honey:

Gee, I wish this was yesterday morning because then I would be going to talk to you. Jeepers Honey, I can’t get over you, you. Well I must admit, I noticed it a little when I was out there but was having so much fun to pay any attention and then yesterday on the phone it really hit home. You are different, you’re not happy or satisfied one bit. I know Johnny that you are working very hard at work that is hard. I know you have no one out there for whom you really care. I mean that you can feel near and warm with and I’m sorry, sincerely I am. In fact, I feel kind of like a heel but I cannot come out however bad I would like to and you know how badly I want to come. Things just haven’t worked our way this time but we aren’t the only ones, there are many others like us only worse off. Another thing, when you told me you loved me, it sounded like you actually forced it out. It wasn’t warm and nice but kind of cold. It kind of made me wonder – – – I’m sorry because of all of it Johnny, you may not get what I mean, but if you give it a little thought, I believe you will.

Well there isn’t any news. I’m awfully glad you’re all right as I was worried and anxiously waiting for my letters today. Sure hope I get the pictures and the bond and news of everything you have been doing.

Well Nana and Momie are ready to leave and I have to take them down so better close. I love you very much and am thinking about you a great deal.

Love & xxxxxs Your’s Janie

2:00 a.m. Saturday, October 9, 1943

Hello Darlin’:

I hope you will forgive me for not writing yesterday. I got home and I was just dead tired. I took a shower and sat down in my chair and fell asleep. I woke up about 3:00 a.m. and crawled into bed. I got up at 9 and washed clothes.  I fixed breakfast. After I washed the dishes, I went down, and got the seat for Junior and I found some masking tape. I got home about 1:30 and had to take right off for work.

I had a pretty tough night tonight. I made a bonus but I don’t think it was worth the work. I got a hot piece of slag in my eye and had to go over to the hospital and get it taken out. It burned the corner of my eye. After I finished welding, I was crawling down some staging, I got my arm caught and pulled something in my right shoulder. I’m afraid I will be a little sore in the morning.

I got a letter from you and one from Opal yesterday. You shouldn’t talk like this. You will make me start feeling sorry for myself. Maybe I do sound and feel a little colder. That isn’t because I love you any less. It is from being independent from everyone. Not being told what to do and what not to do. It is from not being with someone whenever I want to, but just when I can. I love you very much and I always will. I miss you too, more than I ever thought I could. You probably were wondering why I was thinking of changing to the day shift. I had planned on trying to find a private home to stay at. I could get my meals and laundry done and I could be with someone most of the time. It would be much nicer than this because I could have a little time to myself.

Well Sweets, it is getting rather late and I am rather tired. I love you very, very much. Good night Sweetheart.

Good morning Darling: The weather is rather foggy and damp. I just got up. I haven’t had breakfast yet. I’m not even dressed. My shoulder is quite sore, my eye is all right.

Jeepers, I wish you were here. It would be a perfect day to go over to the mountains for a hike or even stay here in Frisco and smooch all day. I could go for either one.

I think I had better close for now and get this in the mail.

I still have my chin up. You keep yours up. Don’t ever get the idea that I don’t love you or want to break our engagement. I wish I could take you across my knee. Wouldn’t that be fun?

I do love you very much and I will never stop loving you. You are everything I want and everything I ever hope to have. Try to understand the way I feel. I really can’t help it in any way. I will see you at 8 as always.

Love & xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Johnny

PS. I haven’t been downtown yet about the belt. The first time I’m down by there I will get it. I just wanted you to know I haven’t gotten it.

Saturday 9:00 a.m. October 9, 1943

Hi Johnnie: Well Honey, how are you?  Just fine and dandy, I hope. Let me see, I received three letters yesterday written the 4th, 5th, and 6th and mailed the same and oh yes, I received the bond and the pictures. About the bond, we now have $950 (just $50 more and we will have our $1000 – our down payment on our home, because we’ll probably have to cash everything over that in). About the pictures, all I can say is “tisk tisk”. 

All in all you had a nice (“As Time Goes By” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d22CiKMPpaY is on the radio) time last Sunday I think, even though you did miss me (and I’m afraid I would be hurt if you didn’t).  Have you got the seat on Junior back yet? I’ll bet it really looks swell. I don’t think you should sell Junior either and that you should ship him home to me. O.K? O.K!   Well that’s settled.

Well tomorrow is Sunday but we have to work anyway so I’ll get another check for $45 next week, which I’ll need.  I have some good news, I went back to the dentist yesterday to see my x-ray pictures and you know what, I don’t have one cavity. Isn’t that just simply swell and here I thought I would have about a $50 bill.  Boy, I sure was tickled. After I went to the dentist, we went down to Yonkers and I had my fur coat brought down and showed it to Nana and had it shortened. It was the first time I had seen it since last February. While I was trying it on, one of the ladies in the hat department came and showed me a hat to match my coat with the same kind of fur on it, but it was $25 so I told her no, but it was so cute that I couldn’t forget it and Momie and Nana like it, sooo yes, I went back and put it in will-call.  I only owe $60 on my coat and as soon as I get it and my hat I will have Momie take my picture in it and send it to you. O.K? I’m really quite thrilled with the whole thing and I know you will like my outfit, don’t you think?

It is another beautiful day here but I must go to bed as soon as we go to the store. I only had five hours of sleep yesterday, so I’m kind of tired. I’m getting used to my work now and my fingers are getting better, although I still have the small bandages on them. In another week they will be O.K. again.

Well Honey, Momie is ready to go so I better get this off. I will be dreaming of you tomorrow, wondering what you are doing. Keep that chin up and those spirits high and please try and be patient because I love you very much and miss you as much as you miss me.

Love & xxxxxs To you, Forever Mine

“Your” Darlin & F.W. Janie

10:30 p.m. Saturday October 9, 1943

Hello Darling:

Well, I have a lot to tell you and I don’t quite know where to begin.  First of all I didn’t go to work tonight. I haven’t been feeling any too well. I have been in the garage working on Junior most of the day.  It sure looks better and a lot different.  You wouldn’t know him. I have definitely decided not to sell him now. I have really had some good offers, but they don’t even tempt me.

Now for a shock.  Someone got into my room and took $30 out of my dresser drawer. I was going to send $20 home to Mom to pay two payments on my insurance and the rest she could keep. I haven’t any idea who might have taken it. I think it might be one of two. Do you remember Taylor French, the fellow who had his leg in a cast? I don’t remember whether you met him or not. Well, he went home to Oklahoma and just got back Friday. He came in my room early in the morning to wake me up so I would know he was back, (as if I give a damn). He might have taken it or Gus might have, I don’t know for sure. I wish I did.

Now another shock.  I got a letter from my draft board. I have been reclassified as 2B until December 22. I am still going to send for my papers when I hear from Sacramento about Herman. I really want to stop welding pretty soon. It doesn’t bother me so much except for the fact that my lungs are sore when I breathe.

Fun Fact: World War II classification II-B – Deferred in war production.

I finished taking Junior and put the first coat on him. If I haven’t told you about the colors I am painting him, I won’t tell you until I take a picture of him when he is finished. Maybe by next Wednesday. (I hope).

After I finished working on Junior, I came up and fix dinner. I thought I would go down and see a show. I wanted to see “For Whom the Bell Tolls”.  I asked Shane if she would like to go down. Her mother said it would be all right. Do you mind? We went down and the place was jammed clear out to the street.  We then went up to the Orpheum and saw “My Kingdom For A Cook” and “Dangerous Blonds”. The Orpheum is a beautiful theater. I don’t remember if we went there or not. I think we did. Remember the day you went into the phone booth to fix your stockings with your fingernail polish? It is the theater right next door. I was spending too much time looking at you I guess, I don’t even remember the show.

Well Sweets, it is getting late and I want to get up early and do some more painting, I still have quite a lot to do. I forgot to tell you, this afternoon I got a haircut – not too short but short. I also sent you a dozen roses. I hope you got them all right and that they are real nice ones and that you like them. Somehow a rose seems to remind me of you. It is a beautiful flower that smell sweet and looks warm and soft. I love you very much Jane and will never stop loving you.  Good night Sweetheart.