1:00 AM July 25^th 1943, Sunday

Hello Darlin’:

Boy, am I tired. Lang put me down on that job I told you about. Under the 3rd platform, right in the bottom of the ship. I welded about 26 feet and about half of that had to be welded with the mirror.

After work I had a Tom Collins. It was pretty good but not as good as Pepsi-Cola.

I had my shower but I won’t shave until in the morning. I want to get a bite to eat and then I’m going to bed.

It is a very beautiful night out. The sky is clear and the moon is out. If everything had gone right, we would probably be out parking in Herman someplace. In the morning we did maybe go out and play a little golf and then on a picnic in the afternoon.

Wouldn’t it be swell if you were here now? I could hold you in my arms and tell you that I love you, I could kiss you and make love to you. I could rub your back and your knee. I miss you so much.

Well Darlin’, I guess I will have to close for now. I will write again when I get back from Russian River.

I love you so very very much. Good night Sweetheart.

Love & xxxxxxxxxs Harlan

Sunday 3:00 PM July 25, 1943

Hello Honey:

Long time no hear, right. Well I’ll try and tell you everything that has happened. Yesterday morning, Momie got me up at 9:00, we then all went to the hospital, on the way I mailed your letter. When we got there, Daddie was very bad, his temperature was 103 and he was very restless. At 12:00 noon, his temperature was 104 but he was resting. The nurse said one of us should be there all the time, so I went out and bought sandwiches for them and we sat down there and ate. At his 2:00 his temperature was 105 and he was restless again. Chuck or I were in the room all the time opening to hold him down. About 5:30 PM he began to quiet down. (All this time the nurse gave him a hypo every three hours) So the nurse told us we could go home for an hour. We did, ate a bite and cleaned up. Went back down there at 7:00 and his temperature was up to 106. All we could do was sit and wait. We stayed there all night and 6:00 this morning the nurse told us his temperature was 107 but he would be all right for a couple hours so we came home and went to bed. Chuck got up at 8:00 and went back down and just got home an hour ago.

Harlan is now 9:00 PM and I have just sent you a wire right after I finished that last sentence above. The nurse called and told us all to come right down. By the time you got this you will know it’s all over. Daddie will never have another pain or worry. I’m sorry but I can’t write anymore. Maybe I can do better tomorrow.

Love as Always “Your” Darlin’ Janie

I got the bond.

1:00 AM July 26, 1943

Darling, I can’t tell you how sorry I am about your father. It just doesn’t seem possible. When I got home this morning and the landlady told me you had called, I thought that maybe he was all right and you were on your way out here.

There were two letters from you today counting your Special. I will answer your letters after work in a nice long letter.

I don’t know what to say. I’m always at a loss for words. I love you so very very much. You can always count on me to help you and your Mom in every way I can. Just like always, I will be thinking of you every minute.

Love & xxxxxxxxxx’s YFH Harlan

July 26, 1943 (type written letter)

Dear Harlan:

Nana brought her typewriter with so I thought I would use it. O.K? O.K.

Well first, thanks for calling and Harlan I’m not mad at you. Should I be? Well, all right, gosh you didn’t know anything was going to happen, although I’ve written all about Daddie, it is hard for you to realize just how sick he was. I’m terribly sorry I couldn’t talk anymore but there wasn’t much to say and I haven’t been very talkative since yesterday anyway. I hope I do better tomorrow.

Personally Harlan, I would give my right arm to have you here but it’s a useless expense and you couldn’t make it by Wednesday anyway.

Honey, it’s kind of hard write now because I’m still kind of mixed up. It still doesn’t seem possible, I keep thinking Daddie was going to be alright. I didn’t give up hope until yesterday at 5:00. And poor Momie, she doesn’t know quite what to do but she is sure taking it on the chin. The Doctor got Chuck an extension on his leave and he doesn’t have to be back until the 31^st of this month. So that helps a lot. Nana is here as you probably know and she is a lot of help too. Uncle Jack and Aunt Jenny are coming down, I think. Sooo, the house is full.  Your Mom called this morning and I called her back after I talk to you, I told her you were going to call me tomorrow morning and she wants me to call her again. She is terribly broken up over it all.

Well Honey, this is all for now, I can’t talk, I can’t do anything, so please try to look overlook anything I say or do. Please try to understand. Keep those letters coming. I love you more than ever now. You are my one and only man.

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

PS A year has taken a lot out of my typing, hasn’t it.

1:30 AM July 27, 1943 Tuesday

Hello Darlin’:

I said in my last letter that I would write you a long letter tonight. I have two letters of yours to answer, so I will do that first. It is good that Chuck got to stay with you a little longer. I don’t know if Opal has left yet or not. Yes, I imagine it would seem funny for someone to say that you can’t see your father.

I feel awfully sorry for Dick when he finds out. It will be an awful big shock to him. He will feel a lot like I do right now. I wish there was something I could do and yet there doesn’t seem to be anything I can do. If you would have even sounded like you wanted me to come home when you called me, I would probably be on my way right now.

I have been doing a lot of thinking tonight after work. That is one good thing about welding. You can work terribly hard and you still have time to do a lot of thinking. I have sort of a plan. You can let me know how you like it. In about three or four months you and your Mother to come out here and stay with me. We could find a nice apartment somewhere. Dick is out in the Pacific and Chuck probably will be too. When ever they come in, it will be into Frisco. When they come in, they don’t have very long leaves, so it would be nice that way. You can get a job out here and make a lot more than you do there.

Darling, I wish there was a little more I could say or do. I feel so helpless, I could this be with you and by your side like I should be. I love you so much and miss you so much that it hurts. There isn’t very much to life without you.

Well Darling, I guess I had better go to bed and get some sleep as I am going to call you in the morning and I don’t want to be late. I love you very much. Good night Sweetheart.

Good morning Darling:

Gee, it was sure swell to hear your voice again this morning. You are sure keeping your chin up swell. I’m very proud of you.

There isn’t any news so I don’t know what I’m going to write about. Lang wants me to go over to his new home with him the Sunday. He lives in Berkeley. That is across the Bay by Oakland. I will take my good clothes with me to work and then go right there. He said that Sunday morning we would get up about 9:00and mow the lawn.There is a big lake somewhere close to there, so we can go swimming before dinner. Maybe we can go to a show in the evening. I’m glad you were coming next month. I guess it is pretty certain now but just let me know when you are just about ready to leave.

After I talked to you, I fixed breakfast and then I went to the store. I then went up on the roof and lay in the sun for about an hour. Then I came down and fixed dinner and my lunch to take to work. It is almost time to leave now, so I guess I had better close.

I love you so very very much. I will see you at 8 in thoughts and in person soon.

Love & xxxxxxxxxs  Harlan

July 27, 1943 (please forgive any errors etc.)

Dear Harlan:

I have started and torn up thee letters so far this morning so decided to try and type it and see if I could finish one. It is awfully hard to write, because I think you would like to know all about the funeral.  I will try to tell you.

Daddie was instate from Monday night until this morning at 9:30 (meaning that one could go and see him at the home). Chuck, Mary Jane, Rosie, Uncle Jack and Aunt Jenny, Momie and I went down last night to see him. He really looks swell but kind of thin. While we were there, your folks came up and several other people.

At 9:30 this morning the service car came after us as they furnish transportation you know. The service started at 10:00 sharp and Harlan, you should have seen the flowers, they were beautiful and quite a few of them. You couldn’t see Daddie because Momie had the casket closed just before the service, you know Daddie, he wouldn’t want people walking around looking at him. The service was lovely, short but just the way Daddie would want it, with organ music. Your Mom can probably tell you more about it than I can because we were in the mourner’s private room, for just the immediate family, and we were to the side of Daddie. I think your folks were there anyway because when I talked to your Dad last night, he said he was going to lay off of work so they could go.  We had no more than got home and kind of settled down when Mr. March, Vice President of Enterprise Paint Company called and he said he and four other of Daddie’s closest business friends would like to come over. They were his dealers, all the bigs you know.

Daddie had on his new suit, (he had never worn it before) a white shirt and a pretty tie that Dick sent him for Father’s Day. It had a little bit of red in it. I’m awfully sorry you couldn’t have been there as you would probably like to see Daddie again. But you can remember him as he was. I don’t know how many people were at the funeral but I don’t imagine there were many because Daddie had so many friends from out of town who couldn’t get here.

After the service we went and looked at him once more. I thought it’s the last time I’ll ever see Daddie, but I have a feeling he will always be near because I’ll never forget the things that he has taught and told me. He was a great guy. There will never be another to take his place. What do you think?

Several people have been here, but I don’t think there will be anymore. Chuck just left to take Uncle Jack and Aunt Jenny to the station, Nana isn’t leaving until Friday and Chuck isn’t leaving until next week.  So I’m going back to work tomorrow.  The girls from my department sent two beautiful bouquets and Marion has called me twice a day. I really don’t know what I would’ve done without her. I’ll be kind of glad to get back to work, as it will take my mind off of things.

There were two letters today, one written Saturday night and the other after I talk to you on Monday morning. Thanks Honey.

This isn’t much of a letter, but it is the best I can do at present, I had almost decided not to write at all today but decided that wouldn’t be fair to you. I still can’t realize that I’ll never see Daddie drive into the driveway again.

Must Go.

Love & xxxxxxxxxxxs “Your” Darlin Janie

1:00 AM July 28, 1943

Hello Darlin’:

Well here it is another day closer to the sweetest little girl in the whole world. I just got home from work and again I’m pretty tired. The ship is still some behind but we’re still going to launch it Sunday.

I received a letter from you today so I will answer the questions in it now, if there are any. This letter was written at 3:00 PM on Sunday. Nope, there were no questions.

Darling, I’ll be so glad when you get here and we are together again. Things won’t go exactly as planned but we will make the best of it. As long as I have two hands and as long as there is a job somewhere, you and our Mom won’t have to worry. I love you so much and nothing can change it.

Jane, I forgot to ask you on the phone Monday, have you heard from Dick? If you haven’t, I think I can get in touch with him someplace here in San Francisco. These let me know if you would like me to try.

Well Darlin’, I have to take a shower and shave and then go to bed. I have to go to the Union in the morning. I love you very very much. Good night Sweetheart.

Good morning Darling: I got up about 7:30 and my washing is all done. Now I have to go down to the Union, so I haven’t had much time.

There isn’t any news so I don’t know what else to write about. The radio is playing “Melancholy Lullaby”.

I haven’t received my new gas ration tickets yet. I sure (Harry James is playing “I Saw You Last Night” I did at 8) wish you were here now. I don’t know why, but I feel pretty low. The radio is playing “I’ve got My Eyes On You” (Fred Astaire https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M5oYQ-xSmYE) and now they are playing “When You Wish Upon A Star” (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M5oYQ-xSmYE Glen Miller).

Well Darling, I can’t seem to think of anything more to write about so I had better close for now. I love you very very much and I will see you at 8.

Love & xxxxxxxxxs Harlan

12:00 Noon July 28, 1943 Wednesday

Hello Darlin’:

Well here it is another day closer to ? and you. I didn’t write last night because I was just dead and my eyes were very sore. I had a job last night where I had to use a leather hood. It was very hot and the perspiration would run down my forehead and against the leather. It ran in my eyes and it made them burn.  I would have to take it off and rub my eyes with my handkerchief.

I didn’t get up until about 11:00. I fixed breakfast and then went to the store. Now I’m writing to my one and only, and I don’t know what to write about.

I will sure be glad when you get here. I can use a vacation myself. I’m tired and full of smoke and galvanized. I really need the kind of rest you can give me. There isn’t anything else I can write about.

I miss you so much and I love you more than I ever thought possible. I will try to write a longer letter tonight. I will see you at 8.

Love & xxxxxxxs YFH Harlan

Thursday 9 PM July 29, 1943

Hello Honey:

Well I went back to work today and I’ll have to admit it wasn’t very easy with every one expressing there sympathy and asking questions. But I got through it, everyone was pretty swell in the long run.

When I arrived home, there were 3 letters here, one from one of my girlfriends, one from Frank Webb and the most important that promise long letter from you, it was swell. I read it to Momie, I didn’t think you would mind, did you?

Momie is pretty low tonight, she is all right until all of a sudden, she thinks of Daddie and kind of strikes her that he won’t be home tonight. It’s the same way with me, I’m okay until night time, then I start looking for him in the big chair or out in the kitchen or in the yard. And when I go to bed, I can’t get him out of my mind. I keep seeing him as he was when he was well, then all of a sudden, I see him laying in the hospital so white and thin and breathing so heavy, and then I see him laying so still atthe funeral home. I imagine it will wear off sooner or later. I hope it has by the time I get out there.

By the way, I think I will be it will either be the last of August or the first of September when I come. O.K? BUT WE WON’T PLAN ON IT, will we Honey? As far as clothes are concerned, I really don’t need any for that time of the year. I paid another $16 on my fur coat yesterday and I only owe $58, how’s that?

I’m enclosing Frank’s letter because it is you, he wants to hear from. If you can find time you should write him. I think I sent you one of his letters about four months ago, so you could write him but evidently you did.

It’s it was nice of Lang to invite you to his house next Sunday. I wish I could go too as I’m sure you will have a swell time. By the way how old is Lang Honey and his wife too???

Harlan, in my letter last night to you I believe I forgot to tell you that I love you, I was pretty mixed up kind of low. No matter how many times I don’t tell you that I love you that doesn’t mean I’m not. Right now I love you and miss you more than I ever have before.

Well Hon, they are waiting for me to finish this so we can take a ride to the post office I had better close. Thanks for the nice letters, keep them coming. Good night Honey. See you in thoughts at 10:00 as always.

Love & xxxxxxxxs and oooooooooox “Your” Darlin and F.W. Janie

They are playing “You’ll Never Know How Much I Love You’. Oh Harlan, I wish I could say more but maybe I can do better when I come out. I hope so. I hate close, but must, Little Dickie he is getting tired. Bye for now.

Jane

PS Honey, I was sitting on the davenport reading this over when Nana said did you tell him I love him? So I will tell you. Nana says she loves you.

1:00 AM July 30, 1943 Friday

Hello Darlin’:

Well here it is another day closer to ? and you. I just got home from work and have had been my shower and am now ready for bed. And the moon for a little smooching tonight. I wish you were here with me right now. I’d take you in my arms and try this squeeze you right through me. I would kiss your sweet mouth and your neck. I would blow in your ear and try to tell you how much I have missed you and how much I love you and adore you.

I’m pretty tired tonight again I made out pretty good. Do you remember last week I told you I made out very good? I made $13.02. Well tonight I made out more than that, I think. I hope.

This will be your Special as I will mail it tomorrow on the way to work, it should be there Saturday morning.

Well Darling, I think I had better close for now and get some sleep. I love you very very much. Good night sweetheart.

Good morning Darling:

Boy did I sleep last night. I woke up about 7:00. I was still tired so I rolled over and went back to sleep. I woke up at 9:00 and was still dead to the world. I went to back sleep and woke up at 11:30. I then got up and washed. I fixed breakfast and my lunch to take to work.

There were two letters from you. Both type written. There were no questions so I haven’t very much more to write about.

This is being your Special, I should write a lot more.

I think I will go to the launching Sunday. Carl said his wife wanted to see it too. If it is very hot, we may not go, instead we may go swimming. I won’t be able to write Saturday night. I’m going to take my good close down to the yard with me.

Well Sweets, I can’t seem to find anything more to write about so I had better close. I love you very very very much. I will see you at 8.

Love & xxxxxxxxs YFH Harlan I love you

Friday 6:00 PM July 30, 1943

Hello Honey:

Well here I am again and this time no typewriter, Nana left at 3:00 this afternoon.  No letter today, must be in the mail.

Marian just called and was she excited, you bet! She had just arrived home from work and there was a letter from Wess and he is either coming home or is going to send for her, my but she is happy. She said now if you can only go to Frisco, we will both be happy again. The only plan I have so far is in about two or three weeks I’m going down and make my reservation for just as soon as I can. OI.K? O.K!

I’m terribly tired tonight as last night was the same as it others and some where the how I have caught a terrible cold the middle of the summer, can you imagine that. I can hardly breathe. I guess my resistance must be low.

It’s 6:10 and I have eaten and now I am going to take a hot bath and a couple of aspirin and be in bed by 8:00 or die trying.

It’s been terribly hot here all week, between 90 & 100 all the time. How is it out there?

Well Honey, I’m going to wipe up the dishes for now so better close now. I love you and miss you so much. Keep those letters coming and as long as possible. Write about any thing and every thing.

Bye for now.

Love & xxxxxxxxxs “Your” Darlin’ Janie

PS You didn’t tell me about your trip to The  Russian River.

Jeepers Honey, I don’t know what is the matter with me. Here it is time for your Special and I haven’t a thing to write.

I hope you have a nice time Sunday. I’ll be thinking about you every other minute and wondering if you are thinking of me. Will Lang’s wife’s sister be there too?

I’m sorry there just isn’t any more & Momie is waiting.

By for now.

Love Again Jane

1:30 AM July 18, 1943 Sunday

Hello Darlin’:

Well here it is another day closer to you. I just got home and work and have had my shower and am ready for bed. I don’t feel so good tonight. I worked in the double bottom tonight and last night and I got a good dose of galvanize and to top that off I’m dead tired.

I’ve been invited to go on a picnic tomorrow with Hook and his wife and his wife’s sister. I think I will go because it over a year since I have been on one.

I drove to work today. Herman’s battery is going up. It sure isn’t like it used to be though. We could park for a couple of hours and listen to the radio and it never went down. Those were sure swell days. I sure wish I had you with me now. I could try to keep my hand on your knee. I could take you in my arms and kiss your lips and neck. We could go and bowl a couple of games or play a little golf. Maybe go to a show or dance. We could really live again. Say Jane, did you see the moon tonight? It is a big full moon. I went up on the main deck at 8:00 and smoked a cigarette and then went down and worked until 11:00 PM. We quit at 11:00 on Saturday so we can pull our lines up. (The radio is playing “The Right Kind of Love” with The Vagabonds (https://music.youtube.com/watch?v=VAMSf8B32qw&list=RDAMVMVAMSf8B32qw) Have you heard it?) Getting back, I came up at 11:00 and there the moon as bright as day and round as I’ve ever seen it. It kind of sent chills up my up and down my spine just thinking of all the wonderful nights we used to spend under it.

Well Sweets, I guess I had better get some sleep. I love you so very very much. Good night Sweetheart.

Good morning Darlin’:

The Sun is out and it is a beautiful day. I am going with Hook.

Have you heard the song “In My Arms?” (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LL9rM0wP5Lw Dick Haymes) It’s kind of cute.

Well Sweets, I will put this in the post office on the way. I will see you at 8. I love you more and more every day.

Love & xxxxxxxxxxs Harlan YFH

11:00 PM July 18, 1943 Sunday

Hello Darlin’: I sure miss you today. I kept thinking that you should be with me instead of me being with someone else. I did have a lot of fun though. We went out to the Golden Gate Park, I told you about the artificial lake they built around the hill. Well, they have row boats in it now. We got one and rowed for about an hour. Hook’s wife bright some chicken and we had potato salad etc. etc. None of it tasted as good as yours the day we went out to the park and then went to the Glenn and went horseback riding. Getting back, after eating we back to Hook’s house. Then we went to a show. We saw Madam Du Barry Was A Lady, with Red Skeleton. It sure was funny.

Hook has a little girl about a year old. She is the cutest little girl you ever saw She is starting to talk and she understands most of the things you say for her. I guess she must be a little over a year old. We were listening to the radio dance time so I took a hold her hand and danced with her. When I was going to leave, she just cried and cried. She didn’t want me to go.

Oh Honey, it’s so hard isn’t it. I can’t get out of my mind that you’re not here and won’t be for quite some time. I have been planning on it for so long. I love you so much and I miss you more than ever. It doesn’t seem right that we should be apart so long. Just a year ago tonight, we were together up by the Statehouse. I was getting all ready to leave. I had so much do before I left and I wanted to show you how much I love you and to make you see that someday I come back for you. Remember how we sat on the hill and watched the freight trains below us. The wind was blowing and a storm was coming up. I loved you so much then and now the love is even stronger. It is torture, isn’t it? I guess I had better get some sleep. Maybe if I’m lucky again I will dream of you.

Goodnight sweetheart.

Good morning Darlin’:

The time is 11:45 AM. I got up about 8:30, fixed breakfast and watch my clothes. I had a pretty big laundry. The mail is here and there is a letter from you. Your Special came yesterday about 12 noon, I think. The Vagabonds are singing ‘The Right Kind of Love”. I’ll answer the questions in your letters. No Darling, nothing is going to happen to your father. It just can’t. I’m glad he is a little better.

Well Sweets, that is all the questions in your letter so now I don’t know what I’m going to write about. I sure wish you were here now. The weather is very gloomy and foggy today. It is a heck of a day to wash clothes. It will take about 2 to 3 days to dry.

Well Sweets, there isn’t any more news, so I think I better close for now and get ready for work. I love you very very much. I will see you at 8.

Love & xxxxxxxxxs YFH Harlan

Monday 10:00 PM July 19, 1943

Hello Sweetheart:

It’s 10:00 and the Chesterfield Hour is on. “All or Nothing At All”. It would be awfully easy for me to get sentimental.

Well, I went back to work today and on the day shift now you know. It was kind of good to be back, everyone seemed glad to see me and it kept my mind occupied for a while. Daddie isn’t any better tonight, we just arrived home from the hospital. He looks very bad and oh Honey, he is getting weaker by the day. He has thrombosis of the heart, in our language he has a blood clot right by the heart, every once in a while it moves and when it does he can’t breathe. When I was there tonight and he wanted me to kiss him and he hung on so tight for so long. Poor Dadie, he is so good I don’t see why he has to suffer so, there never was a better man, husband or dad.

Gee Honey, that’s swell about that job you did, I’m very proud of you. I told Momie and she is too. You have every right to feel good. That’s swell. I got my check today and when they, the government, got through with it, there was $22.88 left when they started there was $33.38, it really hit the single ones. That letter today was swell, keep them coming, you’ll never know how much they mean to me. I miss you so much.

Well Honey, this about covers it, everyone is just fine, except Momie is beginning to wear down under it all. She sure can take it though. I love you so much and miss you more than you’ll ever know. Keep those letters coming.

Love as Always, “Your” Darlin’ & FW Janie

1:00 AM July 20, 1943 Tuesday

Hello Darling:

To begin with, this is just going to be a short letter. I am just about dead. I made out tonight. I think it will be the largest bonus I have ever gotten. I am really pooed.

I have to get up rather early and go to the ration board in. I forgot to sign my application for new book, so I have to take it back.

I can hardly keep my eyes open. They are kind of sore. I think it’s because of the smoke. I was working in a small tank and an inspector came down and he couldn’t even see me in it. There were three lights in the top about 4 feet apart and you couldn’t see the end of one, so you see it was pretty thick. I love you so very very much. Good night sweetheart.

Good afternoon Darling. 1:00 PM

It is another cloudy day. I’m not wide awake it. I got up at 9:30 AM, fixed breakfast and then drove to the ration board. I got home about 11:30 AM, I ironed a work shirt and a pair pants and fixed dinner and my lunch to take to work. The mail is here and there is a letter from you. I will answer it now before I go to work. I’m sorry your father is a little worse. There are no questions in your letter so I guess I had better close for now. I will write a longer one tonight. I love you very very much. I will see you at 8.

Love & xxxxxxxxxs Harlan

PS Keep your little chin up.

July 20, 1943

Hello Honey:

It’s now 2:00 and we are shut down because of an electrical storm. In the cafeteria relaxing with a cigarette and it sure tastes good. It’s 12:00 out there and you are probably eating your lunch or working on Herman. Our wing is sure noisy today, one of the water pipes sprung a leak under the current cement and two men are in there with one of those big cement drills, you know like they used to tear up the street, my ears are ringing like bells. Marian isn’t here today and I sure do miss her. We help each other so much that it makes the week seems harder when she is not here.

Daddie is just about the same, only maybe a little weaker. This morning at 2:00 the phone rang and it was Miss Bremer, his night nurse saying, we had all better come down, and quick, so we rushed down and Daddie was barely breathing. I honestly don’t know how he pulls through those spells, but he does. The nurse gave him a heart stimulant and a hypo and she said we better stay a while, so we stayed until 5:30 and he was sleeping soundly, so then we came home. I laid down when I came home and didn’t wake up until I heard Don knocking on the door and I it was 7:00, so I really had to hurry.

There’s the all clear signal, so gotta go now. Will finish this tonight. Bye for now. Janie

Hello Again:

It’s 11:00 and I’m all ready for bed, jeepers am I tired? I can hardly hold my eyes open. We were down to the hospital, Momie and I, but we didn’t go in Daddie’s room because it would only upset him and besides, he wouldn’t know we were there anyway. Daddie is a little better tonight, he is a little bit stronger but every little bit counts, we sat in the hall for about two hours. He hasn’t had a bad spell since 2:00 this morning.

You your letter was a nice one. I hope you had a nice time on the picnic. It was swell of them to ask you.

Gosh Harlan, I’m too tired to write, so please excuse me for tonight. Yes, I have heard “In My Arms”, and thought of you the first time I did. It sure is cute, I like it a lot. Gotta go now. I love you with all of my heart, and oh yes Saturday night, I did see that moon and it was beautiful.

Good Night Honey

Love “Your” Darlin’ Janie

1:30 July 21, 1943 Wednesday

Hello Darlin’:

Well here it is another day closer to ? and you. There isn’t any news so I don’t know what I’m going to write about. I just got home and wash my face and hands and then took a shower.

Work wasn’t so good tonight. I only welded about 15 feet. Most of that was either with a mirror or standing on my head. I don’t care so much for that kind of welding. You work yourself to death and you never get any place. Our ship has a lot to be done yet and they have to launch it the first of August.

I think Johnny and I are going to drive up to Russian River this Saturday. I have five gas stamps and they won’t be good after tomorrow. I’m going to fill Herman in the morning and also John’s car. Well Sweets, I guess I had better get to sleep. I will write finish this in the morning. I love you very very much.

Good night Darling.

Good morning Darlin: The time is 1:15. I got up about 8:00, fixed breakfast and then drove over to Johnny’s. We had a cup of coffee and then filled his car and mine with gas and also two 5-gallon cans. I came on home and had dinner and fix my lunch to take to work. Now I’m writing to my one and only. The weather today is really beautiful. The Sun is out and there isn’t a cloud in the sky. It would be swell if you were here. We could go out and play some golf and maybe go to the beach for a swim, and then we could go to a dance or just go out and park some place. Anything except just waiting and wondering and hoping.

I think I will go out tomorrow is in golf. I haven’t been out for some time.

I didn’t get a letter from you today, so I have nothing to answer. It’s almost time to leave for work so I had better close.

You’ll never know how much I love you and miss you. I will see you at 8.

Love & xxxxxxxs YFH Harlan

The radio is playing “With the Wind and the Rain In Your Hair” (Bob Crosby and his Orchestra, Marion Mann Vocal https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5BSt2-FxOQQ). It reminds me of the last night we were together just before I came out here.

Wednesday 9 PM July 21, 1943

Hi Honey:

Well here I am again. Hey, you know what? Daddie is better, yup he is. He hasn’t had a bad spell for over 24 hours and has hasn’t had a hypo since this morning and was without the oxygen for a little over an hour this morning. Isn’t that swell Honey. Gosh, I’m so happy. We all are. Now if he can only go tonight without another bad spell, he is on his way.

There was another nice letter today. I’m glad you had a lot of fun Sunday. I wondered if you would love chicken and potato salad. Gosh that sure does bring back some memories, very sweet ones. Harlan, you’ll never know how many times I’ve thought of that last night on the State Capital Hill. I’ve driven by that hill many times. 

Gosh, I’m tired tonight I was in bed last night at about 11:00, but couldn’t go to sleep, guess I was too tired.

Darling something happen today that is very good. But I can only say this about it, keep saving your gas and keep Herman shiny and don’t have it your hair cut too short the next time.

I received my telephone bill today – yikes

Gosh Honey, there isn’t any news. I wish you were here to rub my back and legs, but then again I don’t know.

Your mom called this evening and she said (In the Blue of the Evening is playing on the radio) that Opal hadn’t heard from you for quite a spell and she thought I was out there.

Well Honey, I’m going to cut the top of my hair now and bathe and try to get in bed by 10:00.

I love you with all of my heart and miss you so much. See you in thoughts at 10:00

Love as always “Your” Darlin Janie

I love you

I love you

I love you

11:30 AM July 22, 1943 Thursday

Hello Darlin’:

I suppose you are wondering at the time this was written. I was so tired and full of smoke when I got home last night that I could hardly keep awake. My eyes were burning a little bit too. Last night right after supper, Howell the Quarterman, came up on the ship and asked Lang where I was at. Lang said I was down in a hole. He had a job for me under the ship on the rudder. It had to be done last night. I worked steady until about 20 minutes after the whistle blew but I finished it. There was no place to rest my arm while I was welding. (The radio is playing “Miss You” (by Bing Crosby https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DVrKo8tWeug)). On a job like that you have to keep welding until you’ve finished it.  If you stop, it will cool too quickly and maybe crack. If it cracks, the whole thing would have to be done all over and the ship wouldn’t be ready to launch for maybe a week later than the schedule. 

I got up about 9:45 and washed and then fixed breakfast.  After washing the dishes, I ironed the rest of my clothes.

The mail is here and there was a letter from you.  When it came, I was upstairs doing my ironing.  I had the radio on and Harry James and Frank Sinatra were playing “All or Nothing At All”.  (The radio is playing Harry James “I Don’t Want To Walk Without You” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K6dUkkjPI_I) I read your letter and you started out by saying, “The Chesterfield Hour is on, they are playing “All or Nothing At All”. This song Harry James is playing sure brings back sweet memories. I don’t want to walk without you,

I’m very sorry your father isn’t any better.  You and your Mother keep your chins up.  Everything will turn out for the best.

I guess this is an all Harry James program.  He is playing “Come To Me My Melancholy Baby” (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6HcYm3Ellw4).

Well Darling, I guess I had better close and fix my lunch. (He is playing “I Cried For You” (Helen Forest vocal https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uOxq3p5e-7M)).

I love you so very much. I will see you at 8.

Love & xxxxxxxxxx’s Y.F.H Harlan

1:30 AM July 23, 1943 Friday

Hello Darlin’:

Well here it is another day closer to ? and the sweetest little girl in the world.

I got home about 12:30 and talked to Mrs. Purcell for a while. Then I came down and took a shower and now I’m writing to my one and only.

There isn’t any news so I don’t know what I’m going to write about.

I sure wish you were here tonight. It was warm and clear out when I got off work and now the fog is coming in pretty fast. If you were here, we could drive up to the top of some hill and park. We would be right in the middle of the fog. The radio is playing “Good Night Little Angel” (Russ Morgan and His Orchestra https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fEqY0FJIno8 ) Have you heard it yet?

Well Sweets, I’m very tired so I guess I had better get to bed and get some sleep. I will finish this in the morning. Okay? Okay! I love you very very much. You’ll never know just how much. Good night Darling.

Good morning Darlin:

The time is 11:45. I got up and went to the store. I then fixed breakfast and my lunch to take to work. Now I am writing to my one and only. The mail is here and there is a letter from you and one from my cousin Connie in Patterson (The radio is playing “Begin the Beguine” (a rumba from 1939 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EDczOaOSfAo) Do you remember that one?) Your letter was written in two parts. The first one first part was written at work and the other half at home.

You were telling me about those drillers drilling the cement. Now you can imagine how noisy it is where I’m at. All of the chippers and rivetters use the same amount of pressure in their guns only they hammer against steel instead of cement. The noise just bounces back and forth across the tanks. When there are about 15 chippers on the ship you can see how noisy it would be.

I like these letters when you say your Dad is a little better. I’m sure he will be all right.

They sure are keeping us busy on the ship. They want it launched the first of August. They are quite a ways behind, so they bring in a lot of extra welders up to work on it.

The radio is playing “Let’s Get Lost” (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NsV-5Cw9gFI Kay Kaiser) That is what I would like to do. I wish there was some way.

I’m getting awfully tired of working now. I should be with you or rather you with me. I sure wish you were going with John and I up to the Russian River Sunday. That is where Syd and I went last year. I sent you some pictures of me in a swimming suit that you said ought to fit Timmy.

Well Darling, I guess I had better get dressed for work. I will see you at 8. I love you so very very much.

Love & xxxxxxxxs YFH Harlan

Harlan Harry James is playing “Miss You”

Friday 11:30 PM July 23, 1943

Hello Honey:

Well how are you tonight? Fine, I hope. We had a bad day. At 11:30 AM my foreman came back and told me that I was wanted at the hospital at once, so while I dress, he fixed up my pass out and then I left. I was at the hospital at 12:15. Daddie was somewhat better when I arrived but Momie told me when she called the plant the nurse didn’t think he would live until I got there. We really got a skear. I still think Dad is going to pull through this. The doctor came tonight and told Chuck that he didn’t think he to go back, (he was leaving tonight) and he that was going to wire the station for an extension. Personally, I’m awfully glad because I don’t know what Momie would do without a man around. I’m not going to work tomorrow, because Daddie is so bad. His pulse is up to 260 Honey. He’s still got a lot of fight in him though, that’s why I think he can make it.

There was no letter today. I sure missed it but it must be the mail, hope you aren’t sick again. There really isn’t any news. I’ve thought of you many times today while I was sitting in the hospital corridor, wondering what you are doing, etc. Is Opal leaving tomorrow? That old backache is here again, sure wish you were here.

Well Sweets, I’m sorry but I must go get ready for bed. I love you and miss you more than you know. Good night Honey.

“Your” Darlin – Janie

Honey I just happen to think it’s time for your Special, gosh I don’t know what I’m doing I guess. But two pages just isn’t very much for your Special.

I don’t know, there doesn’t seem to be much to write about except Daddie and you probably are getting tired of reading about our trouble. But if I write and tell you how much I miss you, now that makes me feel bad and you too, so all I can say is please don’t be too discouraged and low. I’m awfully sorry for everything. It can’t last forever Harlan. Please say everything is going to be all right. Can’t write anymore, have some fun Honey and don’t work too hard.

Love as always. Jane

12:30 PM July 24, 1943

Hello Darlin’:

Well here it is another day closer to ? and you. I didn’t write when I got home last night because I was just dead. I had to take a shower and wash my hair and shave. So when I was through, I just went right to bed.

I got up not too long ago. I fixed breakfast and went down to the post office and got some envelopes and then to a clothing store. I bought some work clothes. I came home and fixed my lunch and dinner and now I’m writing to my little darling before I go to work.

I had a good job last night. I welded about 186 feet. I made about $5 bonus on it. Tonight I’m going to really have a tough job. Lang said I was the only one he would give it to because I was the only one who could get into a hole that small. We are going to leave for Russian River really early in the morning.

The mail is here and there was an awfully nice letter from you. That sure is swell about your father been better, I’m so glad. There are no questions, so I haven’t much to write about.

If I can get a camera, I will try to get some pictures taken at Russian River.  I will see you at 8. I love you so very very much.

Love & xxxxxxxxxs Harlan

1:00 AM July 8, 1943 Thursday

Hello Darlin’:

Boy oh Boy, the time is getting closer and closer. I can hardly wait until you get here. One week from now I will say to myself. ‘I have one more night to work and then she’ll be here’. What a big day that’s going to be.

I have to get up early in the morning again to go to the ration board, so I think I had better get a bite to eat and then get to bed. I will finish this in the morning. Okay? Okay! I love you very very much. Good night Sweetheart

1:00 AM July 9, 1943 Friday.

Hello Darlin’:

Yes, it’s another day closer to July 16 and you. The reason for this letter being written as it is, is that this morning I got up at 9:00 and fixed breakfast and then I drove down to the ration board and I was down there until about 1:15. I came home and it was time to go to work. I didn’t even have time to fix my lunch. I hope you will forgive me. You will be happy to know that I got everything straightened out. I think I will get another tire and my new ration book about the 21^st  or 22^nd.

Darling, I saw the Big Dipper’s tonight for the first time in a long while. I came up on the main deck at 8:00 and it was foggy out, then at 11:30, when it was time to quit, I came up and there it was, big and bright. Just like it was before I came out here. Just one week from this morning and I will be able to hold you in my arms again and tell you much I love you and adore you. Oh! Oh! I just went upstairs to see if I had gotten in the mail today. There were 3 letters from you. 2 ordinary airmail and 1 Special. I guess I sure caught the devil that time. In your Special, you forgot to tell me you love me.

The other two letters were written Monday at 1 AM and Tuesday at 12:45 AM. They were both past postmarked the same day and the same time. You must have done the same as thing I did. Forget to mail one. I didn’t mean that I have changed in the way you of lending you money, a year ago or now, I meant it a little differently as you will soon see.

To answer you questions, Yes, I remember ‘Sleepy Lagoon’. I have to buy a new pair of shoes for one thing. The rest I’m not sure of.

I’ve been praying ever since the first attack that your father had.

Now about this Special. Jane, I don’t like to get letters like this from you. It doesn’t sound like you and I don’t think it is you. I haven’t missed 3 days writing. I wrote you and told you how busy I was and you told me you understood. When you see Herman, you will be able to tell how much work I put into him. I’ve been busy trying to get my tires straightened out. That alone has taken me almost 3 days. The work on Herman has taken two days, all day Sunday and the other morning and I am still not through. I am still washing and ironing my close, fixing my own meals. I’m not complaining but when I get letters like this Special you sent me, it makes me feel like an awful heel.

Why do you say you haven’t heard from me since Saturday? In one of your other letters I got today, you thanked me much very much for the swell Special you received at 11:00 AM Sunday morning.

I still love you as much as I did and I always will. When I get letters like this one it makes a fellow wonder a little bit. Good night Jane.

Good morning Darling: The time is 11:30, I got a flash last night. I woke up about 2:30 AM and I couldn’t open my eyes. They were real sore and swollen quite bad. I put cold packs on them for about 2 hours. They seemed to get worse. I went upstairs and called Johnny and he took me out to the hospital. We got there about 5:45 and was there until 6:30. He brought me home and I lay down for a while. I slept a little bit. My eyes are still pretty sore. I shouldn’t work today but I can maybe get an easy job.

Well just one week from now you will be here. I sure hope that next Thursday night is like this one.

I guess I had better close now. I will write again tonight. I love you very very much

Love & xxxxxxxxxx’s YFH Harlan

Thursday 11:00 PM July 8, 1943

Dear Harlan,

There were two letters this morning, so I just want to apologize for the one I sent bawling you out. I’m terribly sorry Honey but I was terribly worried and with Daddie and all, but even then I shouldn’t have written that letter.

I’m sorry you were sick and hope you are all O.K by now and the very idea of you forgetting all those things, you’re as bad as me. As I said before, those chops sound delicious and I’m very anxious to try them out.

Well Honey, I may as well get to the point of this letter. Yesterday morning they took x-ray pictures of Daddies chest and they show that he has a growth in both of his lungs as big as your fist. I went down and talk to the doctor this afternoon and he said that this is very serious and explained it to me as clearly as he could. It’s pretty awful Harlan, the doctor hasn’t told Daddie yet and neither has Momie, so he doesn’t know about. Harlan, I never hated to write anything so much as my in my life but I told the doctor that I was leaving for San Francisco next Thursday night and he told me not to go. Yes, Harlan it’s pretty hard to take. The doctor told Momie it wasn’t a matter of years for Daddie, but a matter of months and he took more tests this morning and will know all about it for sure tomorrow. As yet I haven’t canceled my reservations, still hoping. The doctor told me to call him tomorrow afternoon and you would let me know. I’m sending this Special and if he still says for me to stay home, I’ll call you tomorrow night after work. Of course, you won’t get this until Saturday but if you haven’t heard from me by phone or wire by the time you get this then you can be pretty sure I’m coming. Also if you haven’t heard from me by the time you get this, you can expect a wire Sunday.

Harlan it’s awfully hard to write things like this, we had planned such a long time and looked forward to this time. It’s so hard because Daddie is such a grand man and to have to write about him like that and because you are such a grand fellow, you have waited so long already, and now, it’s going to be longer.

Harlan, this is pretty hard to say, but are you tired of waiting, are you tired of all these disappointments? If so, I’ll understand and at least I’ll try, I love you very very much, more than I think you realize. It took a long time for me to find it out but there is no doubt in my mind now and there will never be. I just hope and pray that I won’t have to call you tomorrow night for every ones sake. Please don’t tell anyone yet about Daddie.

Well Honey, I guess there isn’t any more I can say. I’m not very good at talking or writing you know. Please Honey, try to understand.

Love as Always “Your” Darlin FW Janie

PS You have probably guessed by now that I stayed home from work today, but Momie asked me to so I thought you would understand, tomorrow is my day off.

Love J.

Friday 4:00 PM July 9, 1943

Hello Harlan:

Every time I write it’s harder, because now I know for sure I’m not coming. The doctor called this morning and he said that Daddie had asked too many questions and he had to tell him what was wrong with him and then Daddie wanted to come home immediately, so Momie and I went after him and brought him home. Oh Harlan, he is so thin and weak and he cried when he heard that I wasn’t going to Frisco. He wanted me to go so bad, he still wants me to go but the doctor says no. So Honey, it’s out. This isn’t a very happy Special for Sunday but then it’s the best I can do.

I’m going to the show with Rosie tonight as I haven’t been out of the house for a week other than to the hospital and work and I got to get my mind off of things or I’ll break. Tomorrow morning I’m going down and get my money back on my ticket then put it back into the bank. I guess I will go right on saving until something comes up that we can be together again. I have all of my bills paid thinking I was leaving, so I can save quite a bit and I’ll send you the $10 next week.

Harlan, you will never know how very sorry I am this happened but there just isn’t one thing I can do about it. Please don’t be bitter and there was no letter today. Please try to write every day for a while anyway because your letters are the only thing I have to look forward to. Please? Daddie is going to stay on the payroll as long as possible, then we are going to sell the car and I’m going to take over the house by paying the rent. That won’t be hard though. Rosie and Dickie Jr. are going to have to move from where they are living and they may move in here, but that is yet to be just seen.

Gosh Harlan, I shouldn’t tell you all of this, you have enough to worry about as it is. I’m sorry, I won’t say anymore but you’re my only out, I’m sorry.

It’s a terrible day, gloomy and hotter than heck. I took our ring down to Plums yesterday morning to be cleaned and I sure miss it. I’m going after it tomorrow. I sure hope there’s a letter tomorrow.

I’ll bet Herman really looks grand. Tell him not to give up, I’m going to get a ride in him yet, wont’ I Honey. Oh by the way, your Mom and Josie were here this morning with Donna, they were on their way to some lady’s house, I forgot who. Donna sure looks like Max and has a very nice smile. Your Mom wanted to drive over to these people’s house later on but when I came in, I laid down and went to sleep and only woke up about half an hour ago so now it’s too late. I sure didn’t look very nice.

Well Honey, there isn’t any more to write. I’m awfully sorry about your Specials not getting there. I’m going to mail this down town tonight, so it should get there in plenty of time.

Well Darling, must go for now, be talking to you tonight. I love you Harlan and I’m so very, very sorry. The next time we won’t make any plans, I’ll simply get on the coach and come. Don’t forget to write every day.

Love & xxxxxxxxxs “Your” Darlin Janie                 

Saturday 12:45 AM July 10, 1943

Hello Harlan: Well here I am again, but nothing much to write about. Rosie and I went to see Mr. lucky, it was pretty good. 

I’m all ready for bed now, hair up and everything. Everyone else is asleep but I can’t seem to go to sleep, so thought I would get up and drop you a line as I was thinking of you anyway. I was going to call you tonight but will call you in the morning about 9:00 and if I get you out of bed, I’m sorry. I guess I’m putting it off as long as I can. The radio is on and so far they have played; Harry James “I’ve Heard That Long Before”, All or Nothing At All” and “The Trumpet Rhapsody”, pure torture.

I go back to work tomorrow and I’m sure glad we changed shifts this week. I’ll get off tomorrow night at 12:00 midnight and have to be back to work at 8:00 AM Sunday morning. That’s the day shift you know. I sure wish it was this shift again. I sure dread the evenings. Honey, the way to spell dinner is with two n’s, ‘dinner’ not diner.

Well maybe I can go to sleep now. I will call you in the morning.

Good night Honey. Love as Always. Jane

1:00 A.M. July 10, 1943

Hello Darling:

Just 6 more days now and I will be holding you in my arms. One week from right now, we will be together.

I just got home from work. I wish now that I hadn’t gone. I did a good job to my eyes, they are pretty sore and I also have a headache.

I’ll bet you are really going around in circles, just like I was before I left at Christmas time. Harry James is playing “All of Nothing At All”. It is sure going to be swell being with you again – dancing, laughing, making love and doing all of the things we used to do. Just so nothing goes wrong. I’m almost afraid to breathe. Now the radio is playing “I’m So Sorry For Myself” (Glen Miller Orchestra https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mpcV4AyuZB4 ). That song is just opposite of the way I feel. I’m just walking on clouds. I hope it doesn’t start to rain. Well Sweets, I guess I had better go to bed. I want to dream of you and what we are going to do together when you get here. Harry James is playing “Prince Charming” (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JXTu-7iOsrs). Now all blue Baron is playing “Linger A While” (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xFEkVCJSDBE).

I love you more than you’ll ever know. Good night Little Angel.

11:30 AM (Jane’s letter continued after the phone call)

Well Honey, it’s over. You know I’m not coming. It was so hard. I’m terribly sorry I cried. I haven’t cried only once until I heard your voice and then I just couldn’t stop. You sounded so grand, then so quiet. Oh Honey I’m so sorry. I feel just like I did when you first went away, a lump in my throat is big as my fist and no matter what I do, it just stays there. I love you. What more can I say?

I have to go down town now. Please keep the letters coming Honey, and don’t give up hope, maybe, who knows, something good might happen to us pretty soon, it can’t go on like this forever.

Love, all I have. “Your” Darlin & F.W. Janie

… Dad’s letter continued after the phone call.

Good morning Darlin’: Your Special came about a half an hour after you called me. Now I’m at a loss as to what to say now. Of course, you should stay with your father. I’m terribly sorry. Yes, I’m tired of all these disappointments but I’ll never be tired of waiting for you. I’m sure going to miss you now. Herman will too.

I’ll call you tomorrow afternoon. I’m not very good at writing what I want to say either. The mail is here but no letter from you. I sure don’t feel like going to work today. If I was a drinking man, I’d probably go out and get stiff tonight instead of going to work.

Well Darling, I guess I had better close. I want to fix my lunch and go down the bank before noon. That is when it closes. I love you very very much. Everything will turn out all right, so don’t worry.

Love & xxxxxxxxxx’s YFH Harlan

I love you and you alone

Sunday 11:00 PM July 11, 1943

Dear Harlan,

Gosh Honey, I’m awfully sorry I wasn’t home when you called, but when I arrived home from work the doctor was here. Daddie could hardly breathe and the doctor said you must go to the hospital at once, so we took him down. Mary Jane couldn’t take him because she had been waiting for a call from Chuck since 4:00 o’clock. Daddy has one desire and that is to live long enough to see Chuck, so he is coming home as soon as we can get hold of him and tell him. Of course, he would give his right arm to see Dick too, but there is no way whatsoever. He is slipping the rapidly. He had to have an oxygen tent. I’m not going to work today. In fact, I don’t suppose I will work much all week but I have plenty of money, so I’m not worried. In a way I wish you were here with us, but then again, I guess it’s better that you are not. I will call you first thing in the morning. I’m terribly tired as I only had three hours of sleep last night. It’s still hard to realize this is happened. To think that three weeks ago, he was in perfect condition. Momie is taking it terribly hard naturally, but she sure puts up a swell from in front of Daddie. And Daddie, he is just as jolly as ever, when he is conscious.

Jeepers Harlan, I hate to write to you because it is all such bad news, but we have to face facts. As soon as Chuck calls, I’m going to take Mary over to her place to get money to wire him. We think he can fly but if he has to take the train, well I’m afraid he won’t be here in time, unless a miracle happens.

Well my Darling, I’m going to take a bath and put on some different clothes. I will finish this after I talk to you. This is costing you quite a bit of money isn’t it. Well good night Honey. I love you.

6:45 P.M.

Well Harlan Dear, here it is evening again and I’m just getting around to finishing this letter. After I talked to you, Mary Jane and I went downtown, I paid the rest of my Yonkers bill and got our ring. I feel a lot better now that I have it on. Somehow it brings you closer. I love you so much and miss you more than I ever have. Thanks so much for calling.

To get back, after I got our ring, we went to the hospital. Daddie didn’t even know I was there until he heard my voice. We stayed there until 4:30 then came home and I made dinner, steak, French fries, peas. I pretended I was making it for you. O.K?

Honey, this is the 12^th and I forgot to even mention it, 3 years and 11 months ago.

When I got home your Special was here, and thanks Harlan for saying what you did about waiting for me. Thanks so very much. Someday I’ll make up for all this.

Nana just called and she is coming in tonight, so that means up all night again tonight. She is coming in 2:00 A.M.

Well Sweetheart, we are going to the hospital now, better get dressed. I’ll let you know as soon as Daddie takes a turn, either way.

Love as Always “Your” Darlin FW Janie

You are my Sweetheart.

PS You know the mailman came while I was talking to you? Well no letter, but don’t feel like a heel, it isn’t your fault.

12:30 AM Monday, July 12, 1943

Hello Darlin’: I sure had a tough time getting through today. I started to call about 2:30 and didn’t get through until after 6 o’clock. I went over to Hook’s for dinner and came back at 2:00 to call you. I then went back and we went to a show. We saw ‘Bataan’ with Robert Taylor. It was a good show.

On the way home I put my lights on and they burned out. I don’t know yet what the trouble was. I hope I don’t need a new battery.

Well Darling, I think I had better get to bed as I expect you to call in the morning. I love you very very much. You’ll never know how much.

Good night Sweetheart.

Good morning Darling:

I just got up and started to dress and the lady came down and called me and said there was a call. You must have started to call me just when I woke up. Maybe I heard you call my name. I was dreaming about you just before I woke up.

I’m terribly sorry your father is worse I wish there was something I could do to help. I know how you must feel. I did all of my ironing this morning and have had dinner. I was shorted $4 in my last two checks, so I have to go down and see about them.

I will write you a nice long letter tonight when I get off work. I love you, I miss you, I want you – to be mine. I will see you at 8.

Love & xxxxxxxxxx’s Harlan

1:00 AM July 13, 1943, Tuesday

Hello Darling:

Well here it is another day gone and another day closer to you. When? I wish I knew. In the letter I wrote last night and this morning I told you I would write you a nice long letter tonight. Now I find I have only two sheets of paper left so I will have to write on both sides.

It is maybe a good thing that you aren’t coming for a while. I don’t think I could get off work now. No one in our crew can even take his vacation until after the first of August. We are very short of welders and we all have about two men’s work to do. The ship is supposed to be launched the first of August and we can hardly keep on schedule. There is something new on our ship that others don’t have. There is a big knife on the bow. It is made with real hard steel and is reinforced with heavy armor plates. With the speed and power ship as it will be able to split a submarine and half by just ramming it.

The weather is foggy and damp out it would be in my night go out and parks some place.

Well Darling, as much as I love you and I miss you, I think I had better get some sleep. I love you more and more every day. Keep your chin up and everything will turn out all right. Good night Darling.

Good morning Sweetheart. I didn’t get up until 10:15 this morning. I guess I was really tired. The mail came and there was a Special from you. I guess it came yesterday but whoever was here to get it said that I didn’t live here, so they took it back and now came in the mail. There was no other mail though. I also went to the store and bought another package of paper.

Darling, I can’t tell you how very sorry and things are happening like they are. I wish there was something I could do, if only to be with you so you could maybe cry a little on my shoulder. It used to help a lot if I could just be with you and tell you my troubles. It was a lot better than writing them on paper.

You don’t need to send the $10 back. Ever since I asked you to marry me, and you said yes the next day, I considered us as almost married. What is mine is yours and what’s yours is mine. All of your troubles and heartaches of mine too. If it helps a lot to write down your troubles, worries and thoughts to me, I wish you would. If your folks are sure they want to sell the car, why don’t we buy it? If you need any help in keeping up house, don’t hesitate asked me.

Herman is still waiting for you too. A girl at the station I had him greased at offered me $150 for him, so you can imagine how swell he looks.

I don’t think it is your fault that the Specials haven’t been getting here on Sundays. This is one was postmarked Friday, July 9 at 8:30 and it was received in San Francisco Monday, July 12 at 12 PM, so you see, the plane must have gotten a flat tire or ran out of gas on the way.

Well Sweets, the time is coming in for me to shove off for work.

I love you very very much. If you need anything or want to tell me your troubles, I’m still your ‘pal’ and F.H.

Love & xxxxxxxxxx’s YFH Harlan

Tuesday 11:00 PM July 13, 1943

Hello Honey:

As you say, here it is another day gone by and what a busy day. Last night at 11:00 we received a letter from Chuck saying he would come into Omaha at 8:00 this morning by airplane and would take the train from there. And we received a wire from Nana saying she would arrive here at 1:30 AM. So first of all, went down to pick up Nana and then I got the car gassed up and everything checked. On the way home we stopped at the hospital to see how Daddie was, he was resting under a hypo, then we came home and Mary Jane and I left about 3:00 this morning for Omaha and as the next train didn’t leave there until noon, thus he wouldn’t get here until about 4:00. We arrived at 6:30 this morning and went out to the airport. The plane was late and he didn’t get in until 8:45.  Well we left immediately. He was so surprised to see us, that he could hardly talk as he didn’t have any idea we would be there. We left at 9:30 and arrived home at last, I drove. We went right to the hospital. Daddie was so glad to see Chuck. It upset him so, they again gave him a hypo and we left. We just arrived home and received a wire from Aunt Dod, that she would arrive here at 5:00, so I took of bath and cleaned up and went and got her. Then back to the hospital again. Daddie was stronger then, and then home to eat and back down again at 8:00 but Daddie was asleep so we came back home and Toots and Ralph were here, they had driven the way down from Carra just to see Daddie and then couldn’t because it was too late. It’s now 11:15 and they left about a half an hour ago. I have taken another bath and am all ready for bed except for putting my hair up. Boy am I tired, 36 hours without any sleep is a little bit much and oh yes, we received another wire from Aunt Jenny and Uncle Jack and they are arriving tomorrow at 5:00 PM. Mary Joe and I have to go out to the plant tomorrow at 3:00, as she is making arrangements to take her vacation now and I have to go see my boss about not working.

There is no change in Daddie, except that he is having to be under hypos more every day.

Your Mom called this afternoon but I was at the hospital and have been so busy that I haven’t had a chance to call her back.

Well Hon, I as I said before I’m really pooed. There was a letter today but of a sad & short. Keep them coming Honey and write nice long ones, full of news and how much you love me.  See I can’t even write. A nice long puppy love letter would sure hit the spot right now.

It cooled off now, I should sleep good. Bye for now and Honey. I miss you so much and I’m in love with you.

Love as Always “Your” Darlin FW Janie

PS Nana says hello and to keep your chin up and Toots wanted me to say hello when I wrote. They all ask about you. Love again Jane

1:00 A.M. July 14, 1943 Wednesday

Hello Darlin’:

Well here it is another day closer to you and God only knows. I just got home from work and I have I am just about dead. I worked in a pretty tough spot tonight and I guess I worked a little too hard. Lang thought I would get about half through with it and I finished it. I don’t feel so good tonight. I don’t know whether it is the galvanize or the thought that if everything that had gone the way we planned first, you would be here in the morning about 9:00 AM, but then you had your reservation changed and you would’ve been leaving right now.

It is funny how things seem to turn out for us. It just doesn’t seem possible that your Father is ill. He just has to get well.

Well Darling, I guess I had better go to bed and get some sleep. I love you so very very much. Good night Sweetheart.

Good morning Darling:

I got up this morning and fixed breakfast, then I went out and worked on Herman. I have him fixed pretty good. Tomorrow I’m going to clean the spark plugs. Last night after I finished saying good night to you, I went to bed. I couldn’t go to sleep just thinking about your father. I got up and slipped some clothes on and put my topcoat on over me and went out for a little walk. I took my pipe with me. I walked up to the top of the hill and looked out over the channel. There I said a prayer for your Father. I guess that is all I can do for him, I wish there was more.

I guess I had better fix my lunch and get to work. I love you more and more every day. Keep your chin up.

Love & xxxxxxxs YFH Harlan

Wednesday 11:45 PM July 14, 1943

Hi Honey:

Oh Honey, I have the most wonderful news. This morning Chuck and I went down to see Daddie and we met the Doc. He said that on an impulse, he had taken an x-ray picture of Daddie’s chest and that they show that Daddie’s right lung is all cleared up. What ever was there, is gone. Just like that and there is now a chance for Daddie. His heart is still very low and his left lung is still plugged up but it too is going away. Oh Darling we are so happy, but we try not to let our spirits get too high. The next 24 hours tell the tale. I know that Daddie is going to be okay. By noon tomorrow I will call you, otherwise I will call you Friday morning. If Daddie gets well, oh Honey he just has to. You can’t get Hare down, not only for Daddie, but you know what this will mean for us. I wanted to wire you so bad tonight but hated to in case he is worse in the morning. When you get this, you will probably have heard from me one way or the other. The water pump in the car has sprung a leak and I have to get it fixed at 8:00 and go get it fixed while Chuck is at the hospital. He isn’t allowed to see anyone but Momie, Chuck and me and Honey, he hasn’t had a hypo for 12 hours. Oh Honey, everything is going to be all right.

Well Honey, I’m really tired as I didn’t sleep very good last night. I thought of you all day long and wanted to talk to you as bad, but I’ll try very hard to call you tomorrow. I’m in love with you but definitely. Aunt Jenny and Uncle Jack both like my ring and think you’re swell. I’ll have lots to tell you when I’m come out. I’m sleepy Hon, bye for now. I love you and keep that handsome chin up for me.

Love as Always, “Your” Darlin and F.W. Janie

1:00 AM July 15, 1943, Thursday

Hello Darling:

Well here it is another day closer to you and what I’m still waiting for. I received two letters from you today so I had better answer them first of all. That dinner you fixed sure sounded swell. I wish I was there to help you eat it.

There are no questions in either letter, so I don’t know what else to write about.

All this that has happened in the past weeks seems like a bad dream. I seem to believe that you will be here Friday. I guess I have been planning on you coming for so long, it is hard to realize that you won’t be here.

When you get here, we will have to just up and say “let’s get married” and then get married. That’s about the only way you will ever make it.

Well Sweets, I’m just dead. I just that I think I had better get to bed and get some sleep. I love you more and more every day. Good night Sweetheart.

Good morning, good morning, good morning Darling.

This is the most beautiful day I’ve seen out here, even if it is raining and foggy and damp out. I was never so happy to hear anyone’s voice in my life as I was to hear yours this morning. After you called, I ate breakfast and went out and worked on Herman I cleaned all of the spark plug, fixed the aerial and then the mailman. No letter though, but who cares. After working on Herman, I took a little drive right up in the sky and all over the clouds and everywhere. I don’t even feel like going to work today. I have fixed my lunch and it is 1:00. Almost time for me to go to work again. I sure wish you were getting here tomorrow morning at 9.

Next Monday is the 19^th. That is the day I left for Frisco last year. I sure hated to leave. Just think, in over a year only get together as less than two weeks. Over 50 weeks have been lonesome.

Well Darling, I guess I had better close for now. You will never know how much I love you and how happy I am that your Father is going to be all right.

Love & xxxxxxxxxxs YFH Harlan

1:00 AM July 16, 1943 on Friday

Hello Darlin’:

Well here it is another day closer to you and August, I hope. I just got home from work. Although I’m pretty tired I feel very very extra special good. First because your Father is better and second is because something happened tonight that made me feel pretty proud. Lang, the quarterman over the whole yard and a big shot Navy inspector went on the ship. I was working in a tank and Lang came down and said he had a special job for me. It was under the ship on the sounding device. The quarterman whose name is Howell and the Navy inspector took me down and told me what they wanted done. They took me over to another ship and told me one that was completed. The Navy inspector said that it wasn’t too good a job because there were 3 little pin holes and. He said that the water passing through those holes could be picked up through the sounding device. It can also pick up the movements of the fish swimming in the water under the ship. The holes would have to be filled up and then ground off. When I walked away Howell slapped me on the back and said “Well Johnny, let’s see you go over and really put in a good weld. About 11 o’clock all 3 of them came down to see how I was getting along. The Navy inspector took one look at it and said he thought that was the best one he had ever seen. Howell said it was perfect. Laying said that I wasn’t the fastest welder on the ship but I was just about the best he had ever seen. Just I just about passed out.  So now you see why I feel pretty good.

There isn’t any news and I haven’t any letters to answer so I guess I had better get some sleep. I love you so very very much, more than I can ever hope to show. Good night Sweetheart.

Good morning Darling: Boy what a sleep I had. I didn’t get up until 10:30, drove Herman to the store and got some eggs, butter, bacon, bread and soap. I fixed breakfast and wash my dishes. It is 1 o’clock and I haven’t fixed my lunch yet, so I had better do that now and go to work. I have a letter from you but I will answer it in your Special tonight. Okay? Okay!

I will see you in thoughts at 8.

Love & xxxxxxxxs Harlan

Friday 9:30 PM July 16, 1943

Hello Sweetheart: (let’s pretend)

Well here it is Friday night, 9:30, Gee Frisco is pretty night but doesn’t it look kind of busy with half the lights out and look at the moon, and the ocean, after the dance let’s go up on the peaks and looked down on the city. O.K? O.K! And you know what? Jeepers, it’s so nice being in your arms again. Oh look, what’s look what’s that building over there? Oh, well what do you know, I’ll have to tell Momie about that. You say you missed me terribly. I missed you too. I remember Friday night, the 16th July. I had just got home from the hospital and had washed my hair. It wasn’t quite dark yet but I did see the stars and the moon. Gee, I was sure lonesome for you that night. I’m afraid I almost cried but I didn’t have your shoulder so didn’t.

Well it’s no go Honey, I’m sorry, but I sure am lonesome for you tonight. There were two letters today, wait, I’ll see if there are any questions. They are playing “You’ll Never Know How Much I Love You” (Vera Lynn https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JZtWNlCTc6o ).

One was written the 13^th and the other the 14^th. The first one was swell. Thanks for saying all of those nice things. They mean a lot to me. I love you very much, you are in a one in a million and I’m very luckie.

I’ll bet Herman looks swell. Now if you take care of him, you won’t have to do it all over again when I come. Thanks for the prayers. It sure was swell to hear you sounding happy on the phone yesterday, which reminds me. I didn’t write yesterday, because I didn’t have the heart, you see yesterday afternoon Dadie got worse. The nurse and the Doc worked over him for over an hour and he came through. After that is hard was barely beating, you see his lungs have cleared up but he has put up such a fight for six days that his heart is almost gone, what he needs now is complete rest, and all the nourishment he can get. The only ones he can see is Chuck, Momie and me. If he can only get stronger, he still has a chance but he still in very grave danger. We are still praying and hoping. However Harlan, I will be able to call you this time, I’ll send a wire or special.

As far as I know I’m going back to work Monday, but if he is still going like this, I won’t. He has to go one way or the other pretty soon. But like the Doc said, even he can’t tell, we can only wait.

Well Sweetheart, it’s time to put my hair up. They are playing “In The Blue of Evening” (Frank Sinatra https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jz59m9bliak). Darling you you’re a brick, some day I’ll pay you back for all this. I love you, so very much. My chin is up and you keep ears of too, I want to tell you this though Honey, if anything should happen to Dadie, I won’t be able to come out for a long time. I have to stay with Momie and help take your things, but nothing is going to happen, is it Honey?

Better close now.

Love as always “Your” Darlin & F.W. Janie PS Be careful and don’t work too hard. Oh I forgot, I got a bond today, $625 now. Darling how much have you in the bank? J

1:00 AM July 17, 1943 Saturday.

Hello Darlin’:

Just think if everything had gone as planned that we would be out parking in Herman someplace. The air is very damp and chilly out. It would be a nice night cuddle up very close. But there will come a day. Work went on about the same as usual tonight. I made a little bonus but not much. I got my first check with my income tax taken out and I made eight $93.86 and after everything was taken out, I got $56.

When we were waiting for a streetcar to bring us home, John and I saw about 5 fire engines heading out towards South San Francisco. The streetcar came so we got on it. When we got to the top of the hill and saw the fire. It was really a big one, so we went over to his house and got his car and we were going to drive out and see it.

We drove up to the top of a big hill and couldn’t see the flames anymore so he brought me on home and here I am.

Your Special that you said you said isn’t here yet. I sort of looked for it today. I do have a letter to answer that came today. The letter is a little behind times because you of your father still very bad then. It was written before you called me. I guess you really had a busy, busy day or rather two days.

About writing you a real “love letter”, I wish I could really write down what I want to write but I just can’t seem to find the right words. Maybe I can do a little better when you get here. I love you so very very much and miss you more than ever now. One thing I’m living for is you.

Well Sweets, it’s getting late and I have to get up pretty early so I had better get some sleep.

Good night Darling.

Good morning Sweetheart: it is cloudy and very damp. The time is 8 AM. So I will have to hurry if I’m going to get this in the mail. I also have to go to the bank. The barbershop will also have to be one stop. I was going to get a new pair of shoes but I think I will wait until next week to get back.

Now you keep me posted on how your father is getting long.

I will see you at 8 tonight.

Love & xxxxxxxxxxxs YFH Harlan

Saturday 1:30 PM July 17, 1943

Hello Honey:

Well, Dadie is a little better but they have him in an oxygen tent now, one of those big one you know. Momie and Nana are down there now. He told Momie he had bought four horses for $16,000, two were a little cheaper than the others and he would take care of those but she would have to take care of the other two and that they were coming back to Des Moines and going into business. You see he is so confused with all of that dope he has had, but he sure is cute. I can’t help but laugh.

Guess who I received a letter from today? Don Shields, remember that boy I used to write to, well he is in Tunisia, he wanted to know if I was married. There was a letter from you too, one written after I talk to you. It was more like you, peppy and nice.

There isn’t much news, but as I think I will go to a show tonight, thought I would start this now. Your mom called this morning to see how dad was, she has called every day all week.

Oh yes, I received your bond today $650. Now if we can only reach $1000, I’ll be happy.

Momie just called and said that Dadie is afraid of the tent, he thinks he can’t breathe under it. He says ‘this damn thing isn’t any good’. You know Pop, he’s one in a million.

Well Honey, I have to drop Toots a line, so better close now. I love you very much.

Bye for now.

Love & xxxxxxxxxs “Your” Darlin & FW Janie

Saturday 11:30 PM July 17, 1943

Hello Honey:

I just arrived home from the hospital and have had a bath and put up my hair. I didn’t go to the show. Momie and Chuck stated the hospital but someone had to come home as we were expecting a call from Uncle Jack and Nana didn’t want to stay alone, so I came with her. Dadie isn’t any better and he wanted Momie to stay with him tonight. Chuck didn’t want to leave her alone. Dadie is afraid of being closed up oxygen tent and as he fought it constantly and wouldn’t relax, they took it off and are now giving him oxygen through the mask again. He isn’t doing good at all tonight Honey, he doesn’t seem to care and that isn’t like Dadie, he is so tired of fighting. Tomorrow will be the seventh day and his heart can’t hold out much longer.

There isn’t anything to write about except Dadie, but Honey I have to talk to someone and as everyone is so busy with this their own thoughts, you are my only consolation. I took Momie to the hospital at 6:00 and came back home because they said I couldn’t stay. I know more than got home when she called and said he was sinking fast and for all of us to come down so we raced down and it looked bad, but he saw Chuck and me and seemed to snap out of it a bit. I don’t know whether it was seeing Chuck for not. So we stayed until about 11:00.

Chuck just called and Dadie is resting again so I’m going down after them. I’ll finish this in the morning.

Good morning:

It’s 11:30 and your special just came, so yours gets there today. There were no questions but it was a nice letter, just right. Thanks.

Momie is down to the hospital again. Dadie had a fair night and is sleeping now. So Momie stayed state down. Mary Jane is out in the sun, Chuck is making a meatloaf and Nana is taking a nap, so everything is quiet and peaceful around here this morning. If I was out there, I would probably be playing golf with you or maybe taking a ride or swim or anything but sitting, writing a letter.

Well Honey, Chuck wants me to help them, so better close. I love you with all my heart.

Bye for now.

Love & xxxxxxxs “Your” Darlin’ Janie

1:00 AM Thursday, July 1, 1943               

Hello Darling:

Well here it is another month closer to July 14 and the sweetest little girl the side of heaven.  I’ll bet you that 3 weeks from tonight I won’t be sitting here writing a letter to you. I’m tired as the devil tonight but I sure feel good. Just think, 1 week and 6 days and you will be here.

I made out again tonight. I got my make out slips for last week. I only made about $13.

Darling, if my letters seem pretty short lately, I hope you will forgive me but I really have quite a lot to do getting ready for you. I love you very very much.

Good night Sweetheart.

Good morning Darling:

I have been up since 8:30. I had breakfast and also fixed the brakes on Herman. The mail came but there was no mail at all except from the bank, I received my monthly statement. It was $550. But my income tax check wasn’t cashed yet. Glenn Miller is playing “At Last”. It sure is good. One week and 6 days and you will be here. I’m just sitting on pins and needles.

The weather is cloudy and damp today. There is a pretty heavy fog coming in.

It is almost time to leave for work, so I guess I had better close. I have to drop a line to the folks. I haven’t said anything about you coming out as yet. Have you told them? I love you very very much.

Love & xxxxxxxxxx’s YFH Harlan

Friday 1:15 AM July 2, 1943

Hello Honey:

Well I’ve been out and I’m home again. To start with, I picked up Yodie and Eleanor at 2:00 and we went to see “Coney Island”.  It is a must Honey. Then we picked up Joyce at 6:00 and went out to the Tally Ho for meatballs and spaghetti and was it ever good, you bet! Then we went to the Chesterfield Club, from there we went to the Jungle Room at Babe’s, by that time it was time for Eleanor and Joyce to go to work as they are on the graveyard. We took them work and have here I am. Home again. The girls paid my way and bought me a fingernail set and a set of beads. Altogether they spent about $7.00 on me.  It sure was well of them and I sure did have a swell time.

There was a letter today marked Special Delivery but no special delivery stamps. However it contained two bonds and a $10 bill. Thanks a million Harlan, hope it didn’t hit you too hard. We have $600 in the bank now. I’m awfully sorry you were sick the other night, in fact I’m terribly sorry. That was quite an ironing but pretty soon you can take a vacation, maybe I’ll do some for you while I’m there. O.K???? Say that deal about the pork chops sounds O.K. We will try it when I get there.

Daddy is getting along pretty good. Thanks.

Jeepers Honey, I miss you. Every time I go out, I realize it more. I love you so much and to think that in two weeks, in fact two weeks from tonight, I’ll be in your arms again, seems impossible. I love you, I love you, I love you, so very very much, soon I’ll show you. You’re wonderful, you’re sweet, you’re super, in fact I think your tops. Did I mention that I love you? Darn it so hard to make love on paper but pretty soon I won’t have to.

Gotta go to bed now. Goodnight Darling.

Love & xxxxxxxxs “Your” Darlin FW Janie

PS I love you.

PSS It seems a shame to let all this paper go to waste. I love you

1:00 PM July 2, 1943 Friday

Hello Darlin:

Well here it is another day closer to July 14 and you. I didn’t write last night because I was just about dead. This morning I cleaned the garage out and it was really a job. Sunday I’m going to spend the day cleaning the car up.

The mail is here and there are two letters from you. If you really want to hurt your eyes, a good way to do it is to just watch the welding without a hood. I don’t weld in just a little room like that. Where we weld is miles and miles of welding.

Now here we go again. Would you please look on some of your letters to see if the number 10 isn’t on some of them. I know I missed some but this is something new and it is pretty easy to forget once in a while when you are in a habit of writing it a certain way for almost a year. Of course I didn’t mind sending you the $10. If I did, I wouldn’t have sent it. You see I changed quite a bit, as you will soon see. Yes, “All or Nothing At All” (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IAN_jLnD_Q8) is kind of sad. That is too bad about Marian. I know how she must feel. Yes, you could get a job in the yard, but we will see. Yes, there is a song called “Good Night Little Angel” (Russ Morganchestra Album Music in the Morgan Manner 1941-1954 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fEqY0FJIno8).

Well Darling, I think I had better close for now and finish this when I get home from work. Thus making it your Special. The radio is playing “Sleepy Lagoon” (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t1r6PCa6II0 Harry James). Do you remember that one?

I love you very very much. I will see you in my thoughts at 8 and in person the 14^th.

1:00 AM Saturday, July 3, 1943

Hello Darlin’:

Well here it is another day closer to that day. There isn’t any news so I didn’t know what I’m going to write about.

The weather is rotten foggy and damp. It would be a nice night to go out and park in Herman for a while with you in my arms. I still have 6 gas stamps left. I may have to use another one tomorrow, rather in the morning.

Work is just about the same as usual tonight. It didn’t make out though. The ship I’m on now will be launched when you are here, I think. I hope they launch it on Sunday, we could get it get into see it then. It’s going to be a beautiful ship.

(Could be USS Twining (DD-540), a Fletcher-class destroyer, was a ship of the United States Navy named for Rear Admiral Nathan C. Twining (1869–1924).

Twining was laid down on 20 November 1942 at San Francisco, California, by the Bethlehem Steel Co.; launched on 11 July 1943, sponsored by Mrs. S.B.D. Wood; and commissioned on 1 December 1943, Commander Ellis Kerr Wakefield in command

Or

USS Yarnall (DD-541), a Fletcher-class destroyer, was the second ship of the United States Navy to be named for Lieutenant John Yarnall (1786–1815).

Yarnall was laid down on 5 December 1942 at San Francisco, Calif., by the Bethlehem Steel Co.; launched on 25 July 1943; sponsored by Mrs. Earl Groves; and commissioned on 30 December 1943, Commander Benjamin F. Tompkins in command.

The destroyer spent the first two months of 1944 conducting her shakedown cruise and other training exercises in the San Diego operating area. She departed the west coast early in March and arrived at Oahu on the 19th. For the next 10 weeks, Yarnall carried out additional tactical exercises in the Hawaiian Islands.)

I’m going to get up about 7:30 tomorrow morning, so I had better go get some sleep. I love you very very much.

Good night Sweetheart.

Good morning Darlin:

The weather is terrible this morning it is foggy and damp out. I hope it is better weather than this when you get here. There is one thing for sure and that is that any kind of weather is good weather as long as you are near me.

I’m going downtown this morning and get some things for Herman. Next week I’m going down to get something for myself.

Well Darling, I guess I had better get be going. I love you more than you will ever know. Pretty soon, I’ll will try, in my meager way, to show you how much that is.

Love & xxxxxxxxxx’s YFH Harlan

11 more days here

13 more days until I see you.

Saturday 1:15 AM July 3, 1943

Hello Honey:

Well here it is another week closer to you, and Frisco, and Herman and living at again.

To start with that man called this afternoon and I absolutely cannot get a ticket until the 14^th so I’m going down tomorrow morning to plump down the cash for it.  Yes, I know Darling, that is two days later than we expected but it just wouldn’t be right for our plans to go as they should. So I’ll arrive Friday morning the 16^th at 9:00 AM. I leave here at 3:00 in the morning.  I’m going to work tomorrow, Saturday, Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, and then next Friday is my day off, back to work Saturday, Sunday, and Monday. Then Tuesday the 11^th, I’ll go out to in the morning, get my release, come home, pack, and leave that night. Dad and Momie are going to drive me up to Ames, so I will leave from there. Now that the date is set I can hardly wait and please pray with me that nothing happens with in the next 11 days. Two weeks from tonight I’ll be in your arms. Oh jeepers, time has to fly.

Harlan, I’m still your little girl, you said you better wait until I get out to see for yourself if I was little angel you left behind. I never was an angel Honey, but I haven’t done anything in the last year that you would be ashamed of. Oh yes, I’ve been out with the girls and had a few drinks but I’ve never been tight and hope never to be, unless you are here or there to take care of me.  I’ve changed, I know I have because people say I have but not for the worse. I’ve seen an awful lot of the last year working where I do. That’s only natural, but I tried not to get hard and to let it get me down. Someday I’ll tell you about some of the things, but I also learned a lot about people. I love you Harlan and appreciate you more than I did a year ago because of these things, so you see it hasn’t hurt me anyway. There is one thing for sure that I have gained from the plant and that is a very good friend that’s Marian. You would like her I’m sure. There are times I knew if it hadn’t been for her, I would have chucked the whole thing. But if you want, you can wait and see for yourself about me.

Gosh, you should see my shoulders, they are pealing, darn it. I hope it’s all gone by the time I get there.

Well Hon there are no questions in your letter today so I guess I better close now as I am getting up early, going to the bank and then after that ticket. I love you more than you know and hope that your love for me won’t be changed. Bye for now Honey, hope you have a nice time Sunday. Be good and above all be careful.

Love & xxxxxxxxs “Your” Darlin FW Janie

PS I haven’t had a love letter for some time, I need one more before I come

and don’t forget to write the folks about Wednesday, then they will get it either Saturday or Monday before I leave.

Love as always Jane

10 more days here

12 more days until I see you

12:45 July 4, 1943

Hello Honey:

Happy 4^th of July. Remember last 4^th? Everyone was here for dinner and then later I took great picture of you, one of which I have in my billfold right now. It was very warm out and you had a white shirt with a collar open and those tan summer pants, and you‘re two tone shoes.

Oh yes, in the morning I took one of you with work clothes on standing beside Herman. Remember? I do.  This 4^th will be mighty different, I’m going to celebrate it by getting I and a half for working.

There was a letter this morning, short but sweet and yes, I understand about them being short.

I went downtown this morning and pay for my ticket became $116, which included everything but my birth coming back. Now that I have my ticket I can hardly wait. I called your Mom the minute I arrived home and told her I had my ticket. She said something about Opal and Max wanting you to come down to L.A., are you going? I also want went to the post office and bought nine airmail envelopes and two special delivery stamps and that is that because I won’t be buying any more of these until I get back from Frisco.

Well Hon, it’s 1:10 and I have to rise early in the morning. I love you very much. Will write again tomorrow night.

Love & xxxxxxxxxs “Your” Darlin Janie

PS I talked to Lucille, Elmer’s wife the morning. She said Elmer was home two weeks ago for five days. They tried several times to get me on the phone but no answer, Elmer is in Seattle Washington waiting for his ship to be repaired. He said that it they might stop at Frisco and refuel and it, so he has your address and is going to look you up. That’s all.

Good night Honey

11:30 PM Sunday, July 4, 1943

Hello Darlin’:

Well, here it is another day closer to July and you. I didn’t write Saturday night when I came home because I was pretty sick. I welded about 160 feet and I got galvanized. I didn’t sleep very well that night.

I got up this morning about 10:00, fixed waffles for breakfast and started working on Herman. I worked on Herman until 8:00 PM tonight. What I did to it I won’t tell you until you get here. Then when you get here you can see him. He really looks good. After I finished, I came in and took a shower and shaved and then took a nap for about 45 minutes. I put on some clean clothes and decided I’d take a little ride in Herman. I had the top down. I drove down to see Hook. He got a flash last night at work, so wasn’t feeling very good.

The way home I imagined you sitting there beside me like we used to do. Need trying to hold my hand on your knee and you always to find brush it off. I would want to park and you would say ‘we parked last night’, then you would set a time limit of maybe 10 or 15 minutes. I could easily squeeze about half an hour in at least. It is going to be wonderful holding you in my arms again.

I have a letter that came yesterday to answer before I go to bed. I sure hope you get a reservation for the 11^th. I have one letter from Sis, I answered it but haven’t heard from her the second time. That is all the questions.  NOW = would you please do me a big favor. Please send your Special just a little earlier. Your Special for this week isn’t here yet. They never get here until real late. This is about the third or fourth time that they haven’t come until Monday. Mail delivery isn’t so good so just send it a little earlier.

Well Darling, I guess I had better get some sleep. I can hardly keep my eyes open. I love you so very very much.

Good night Sweetheart.

Good morning Darlin:

It is a beautiful morning out, I just got up about 10:00 and had breakfast. I just came down and am writing to my one and only. Your Special came this morning. Two more days won’t make so much difference as long as nothing goes wrong now. There were no questions in your Special, so I have nothing to answer there. You didn’t tell me whether or not you got the $10 or not. Now I won’t know until tomorrow as there is no mail deliveries until tomorrow. I’ll sure be glad when you get here. If you get here Friday, I won’t work either Friday or Saturday. Saturday night we will go to a dance.

Well Darling, I guess I had better fix my dinner and my lunch to take to work. I love you very very much. I will see you in thoughts at 8 and in person the 16^th.

Love & xxxxxxxxxx’s YFH Harlan

9 more days here,

11 more days until I see you

Monday 1:00 AM July 5, 1943

Hello Honey:

Well here it is another day closer to you and everything. Your Special came about 11:00 this morning and a nice one too. Wait until I see if there are any questions. I can hardly wait for my first ride in Herman, dear Herman. You and I am Herman. No Honey, I don’t see that you have changed, you would’ve lent me $10 last year if I had needed. Do I ever remember ‘Sleepy Lagoon”, we have danced to it many times and smooch to it too. What do you mean ‘your meager way’. Darling, your way is anything but meager and I love you. That was a nice Special Hon. Nothing exciting has happened. We had a terrible storm while at work. The lights went out and I was alone in the primer room and Marian was up front and I couldn’t find her, so I was more skeared but I just sat down on the floor and tried to think about my trip to Frisco and pretty soon the lights went on like. And come to find out, Marian was on the other side of the wall. So we laughed and I wasn’t skeared anymore. Other than that, everything is fine.

Rosie and Dickie are with me this week as the couple where they are staying went on a weeks vacation. So we have quite a household full

Let’s see, anything else?  Nope, guess not. What did you buy for Herman and what are you going to buy for yourself?? Better go now as Dickie is going to call me at 9:30. I love you, I love you, I love you.

Love as Always “Your” Darlin FW Janie

PS saw the Big Dipper tonight and there is a new moon

Jane

8 more days here

10 more days until I see you

Tuesday 12:45 AM July 6, 1943

Dear Harlan  What am I doing?

Hi Honey:

One more day gone. They sure are going slow aren’t they. How are you? As today was a holiday, I didn’t get a letter but there should be two tomorrow.

There isn’t any news, so I don’t know what I’m going to write about. It’s warm again tonight and the moon is new. It should be big and round when I’m out there. Jeepers, the moon, Herman, and you, what more could a girl ask for? Saw the Big Dipper at 10:00.

Well Hon, I have bad news. Momie and I are taking Daddy to the hospital tomorrow. He seems to be okay until he lays down, then he starts coughing and gets those pains, sooo the Doc says he has to go to the hospital for observation. There he can get complete rest and the night care. The doctor said it shouldn’t be for more than four or five days. If he isn’t better by then – well – Oh Harlan, say a little prayer that he gets well with me. I probably shouldn’t tell you, but if anything does happen that I can’t come, then it wouldn’t be such a shock you. I’ll let you know as soon as we find out if he is going to get better.

Better go now Harlan as I have to get up early. I love you very much and am hoping and praying that it won’t be long now. Good night Honey

 “Your” Darlin FW Janie

PS I saw Lord at work today and told him I was going out. He thought it was swell.

1:30 AM July 6, 1943

Hello Darlin’:

Just 10 days from tonight and you will be in my arms. I just got home from work and am I’m kind of tired. I went to work today and forgot my badge and my cap and, above all, the letter I wrote to you last night. I was sitting listening to the radio just after I finished eating dinner and I got to thinking the sooner I get to work the sooner the day will be over with and the sooner I get home and in bed and the sooner tomorrow will be here and the sooner tomorrow gets here the closer the 16^th will be here and the sooner the 16^th gets here the happier I will be. I want to be happy. So the fact remains that I left your letter here and I’d probably forget my head is it wasn’t fastened to my shoulders.

Well Darling, I think I will take a shower and get to bed. I love you very very much.

Good night Sweetheart.

Good morning Darlin:

The time is 11:45. I got up about 9:00 and fixed breakfast. And then I went out and started to wax and polish Herman.  I’m not even halfway through now. I fixed my lunch to take to work and now I have two pork chops in the grill while I’m writing. I put diced onions on top of them with a little butter. The butter melts and puts a delicious flavor clear through them.

My porkchops got finished and I have finished eating them. I am back in my room listening to the radio and writing to you. The mail came and there was a letter from you. I’m glad you received the bonds and the $10. The radio is playing ‘Do You Care?”( https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-0wMR2q9YLw Bing Crosby). That is a coincidence. Reading your letter, I find that you must love me almost as much as I love you.

I didn’t get to see ‘Coney Island’ when it was here. I heard it was a good picture though. It was here about a month ago.

We’ll see how good you can iron when you get here then we will see whether you can iron my clothes (just kidding).

Well Darling, I guess I had better get on to work. I will see you in thoughts at 8 and in person in the 16^th. I love you, I love you, I love you, so very very much more than I ever thought was possible to love anyone

Love & xxxxxxxxxx’s YFH Harlan

Harry James is playing “All of Nothing At All” (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u7klm1GS3v8)

7 more days here

9 more days until I see you

Wednesday 1:00 AM July 7, 1943

Hi Honey:

No letter today, gosh this is like writing to a stone wall.  This morning is Wednesday and I haven’t heard since Sunday, which was written Saturday. It kind of worries me, I guess I’m so afraid something will go wrong, and I won’t be able to come out that’s why. Are you sick or were you too tired to write?

Daddie was too weak to go to the hospital this morning, so Momie took him after I went to work. I have been home since 12:30 but was so hungry that I fixed myself a bacon and tomato sandwich, now I’m kind of sorry because I won’t be able to go to sleep for about half an hour.

There isn’t any news. All I can think about is my trip, just a week from now I’ll be leaving for Ames. Jeepers.

There isn’t any thing to write about with no letter and all, so maybe I had better close. O.K? O.K! I sure hope I get a letter tomorrow. If I don’t, you can expect a wire from me inquiring why. You really got me worried, I’ll bet I’ve read your Special that came Sunday a dozen times. Well gotta go. See you soon.

Love & xxxxxxxxs “Your” Darlin FW Janie

1:00 AM July 7, 1943 Wednesday

Hello Darling,

Well, well. Just one week from right now, you will be leaving on the train. Oh boy and then two more days and you will be here. Just think, one week and two days. I can hardly wait. I had a very busy night and I’m pretty tired. I don’t think I made out though.

I have to get up early and wash my clothes and also I have to go to the ration board to see above getting another tire. If you don’t mind, I think I will go to bed. Okay? Oh please. Yes, I wish we were married too. Okay? Okay! I love you more and more every day. Good night Sweetheart.

Good morning Darlin:

I got up about 9 AM. When I got up stairs to wash clothes, I found them already washed and ready to hang out. The landlady had washed them. That was sure nice of her. I then went to the ration board to see about getting another tire. Now that I’m here at this place I find that I have to change ration boards. So now I have to start all over again.

The mail is here and there was a letter from you. Short but sweet. Yes, I remember last 4th of July. That was a swell day. Mom told me that Sis and Max wants me to come down and see them but I haven’t heard from them as yet. I’m glad you got your letter. There were no questions to answer so now I don’t know what I’m going to write about.

I wrote your folks a letter this morning. It was kind of short but I hope it serves the purpose. Syd called me again this morning. He wanted me to go on the picnic with him again this Sunday. He says he will get me a date. I told him I have a date with an Angel next week and I’m was going to be busy getting ready for that.

Well Sweets, I guess I had better close for now and fix my lunch to. I love you very very much I will see you in my thoughts at 8 and in person the 16^th.

Love & xxxxxxxxxx’s YFH Harlan

I love you I love you and I love you

July 7, 1943

Dear Mr. and Mrs. Hare,

I thought I’d better write you a letter before Jane comes out. She will stay here at the same place as I am. The landlady said she would find room for Jane. If there are no rooms vacant when she gets here, she will take my room and I will either sleep on the top floor with another fellow or in the garage with Herman. Probably the first though. This fellow has a large room with twin beds and I don’t think he will be sleeping in both of them.

I still have five gas stamps left and I plan on using them when she gets here. I have been working on Herman for quite some time. He looks like a million and runs like 2 million. I’m getting another tire for him. I hope I get it by the time Janie gets here. I have almost enough hours for a vacation with pay. I need 1200 hours.

The ship I’m working on it will be launched the latter part of July, so Jane will probably get to see it. There are millions of things to do and see in San Francisco, so we will probably be pretty busy.

This letter is for the purpose of telling you not to worry about Jane while she is here. I love her very much and I think more of you folks than I can ever hope to show. I will take very good care of her.

Love as always YFSIL Harlan

Wednesday 12:00 Noon July 7, 1943

Dear Harlan,

Say, what may I ask goes on there. There wasn’t that much hope for letter this morning. If you are trying to get me worried you are doing very nicely. Here it is six days before I leave and I haven’t heard from you since Saturday, three days without a letter, and I want to know why. Are you sick, if you are it seems to me you could get a note off somehow. I can’t believe that you are hurt or I would have heard through a wire or your landlady. Or did you go to LA over the weekend and forget to write or now that I’m coming so soon do you think it wasn’t necessary to write me for a couple of days??? It’s enough to have Daddie in the hospital and Momie a nervous wreck, over him and me trying to get my clothes ready, take care of Dickie Jr. in the mornings and work too – no – I have to go three days without any word from you. Harlan what is wrong? I was going to call you about an hour ago but decided you probably wouldn’t be home and I’m really can’t afford it right now. If I don’t get a letter tomorrow, I’m apt to do anything. I have to go to the hospital now, so better get dressed.

Love & xxxxxs Yours Jane

PS I’m going to send you a night letter tonight and I’ll expect an answer immediately.