Wartime Love Letters

Johnny (April 17 & 23, 1944)

Monday Night after chow                                                                                                              Apr. 17, 1944

Dearest Ella Mae,

I received your letter to night at 4:30. I got all my mail on the evening call that's when we return from classes.

Today our classes were all one that lasted all day and a long day to for it was all I.Q. tests I think if I remember there were 7 or 8 tests. I think if I remember right there were 7 or 8 tests. My machinist school helped my answer a lot of questions. My fooling with electricity and radios helped me a lot in answering questions too. I do hope I get a good mark in my tests today because they mean something to me soon. Tomorrow I guess we go for interviews.

My left arm under the armpit has an egg under it from the small pox vaccination it hurts like a son of a gun but I'm not sick in any way. I feel swell. Some of the fellows have been sick from the first shots. We got a double typhoid next that will come some day this week. I hope that don't make me sick but I don't think it will. I seem to take it real well.

I hope strength tests affected the kids more than it did me. I was surprised at that because there are 10 or 12 kids 17 years old here.

We have a 17 yr old red head here from Poughkeepsie his name is Ryan. Boy can that guy eat he goes through chow line 2 or 3 times ever meal. He's a big kid too.

Basil + Gorham are O.K. so is Donahue. Donahue is on Dog watch now until 8 oclock. Some of the guys have gotten boxes of cookies and etc. and boy do they go fast around here. They all have some and with 112 guys it don't take long.

Well sweetheart yesterday was a long day with not much to do. I wrote 5 letters you must have gotten a couple from me. I got your letters the next day Darling and boy I'm glad to here from you. You're a sweetheart for writing but why don't you get to bed sooner. A little sleep will do you some good. I roll in at 9:30 usually sleepy + tired I run 7/8 ths of a mile in my Dungaries + blue sweater 5:30 every morning but Sunday. Some trot.

We listen to the radio until 9:15 P.M. every night. You don't have to walk over to get Benways address or Lawrence Hay call them on the phone. Hows your mother and everybody these days. Is your mother home yet.

Well sweetheart I'm thinking of you every minute and love you with all my heart. I must write Johnny a letter and then take a shower + shave.

All my love to you Dear                                                                                                                                                  Johnny

Monday night                                                                                                                                        Ap 17, 1944

Dear Sonny,

Daddy got yours + mothers letter today. I was glad to here from both of you. I got a letter from Uncle Murf tonight too.

I see by your letter that you are busy moving your camp and what did you do to your face. You better be careful because I don't want anything to happen to my boy.

How's school going these days? Are you making out O.K. I suppose now that butchy + Tommy live in Edmond Forest again.

How are you and Roxy + minnu making out. Does Mommy ride her bike much.

I expect to come home on the 11th of May tell mommy. We made out our papers for furlough Saturday and I made my ticket out for Albany because that way I may get home sooner then having a ticket through to Edmond Forest as I don't know what time we get to Albany yet. But there is plenty of time to find out between now and the 11th. I sure will be tickled to see both you and mother and I don't mean maybe.