Spitball Army

[Letter postmarked on 7 October 1942 at 10:30 p.m. at Saint Louis, Missouri. Addressed to Miss Crystal K., Berwyn, Illinois. Return addressed to Richard N., Portage Des Sioux, Mo.]

Portage
Oct. 7, 42
1:00 A.M.

Hello Darling,

Well, it’s been 3 days since I have written. Believe me Honey, they have been busy days. Since the C.G. has taken this place over, there has really been work to do and we are the guys that are doing it. New fences, runways, cutting grass, piling logs and a mess of other things. I did go to the Show Sun. and saw “Crossroads” – very good picture. Mon. we worked all day and in the evening I went to the show again with 2 other boys and saw “Fly by Night” & “This Is My Life,” also very good. I got a shot for tetanus Mon. afternoon and it really stiffened my arm up for 2 days. Tuesday, I worked on a fence again in the morning. My arm was so stiff they let me out of exercises. In the afternoon, I went to St. Louis to get the generator. I went to the clothing locker and got most of the rest of my clothes. I got my overcoat – that was what I was after. Driving at 30 M.P.H., I didn’t get back till late. Bob Gordon and J & 5 others went up the road for 3 beers. I was back in bed at 10:30, all poo’d out. Up at 6 this morning for exercises and then worked on the motor all morning. We are now running up to Grafton for what we have been out of for the last 3 days. You see what I mean when I say I have been busy.

I received your letter of the 2nd yesterday “by doggies.” That sounds like a fair arrangement you have with the new girl. That elopement to Riverside must have been something but, Honey, Harlem & Archer is not in Riverside – it is way south. Saturday night I stood watch from 8-12 PM in the rain. Every so often I think over every mile of our trip back, Honey.

I received your letters of the 4th & 5th today, along with the package. I haven’t opened it yet but I’ll bet they will be good. I see you got some new stationery. The green & brown go good, Hon. I am glad to hear about your eyes, Honey, and sorry for Cassy. (letter of the 5th) Darling, I do love you and miss you more than this pen can tell. How do you think I would have felt, you at the station and me at Portage? Hon, I can’t wait to see you in that night gown or do I mean – without it!? Oh boy, welllll.

Darling, I have something to say but I don’t know how to write it. I received a letter from home yesterday and my mother says she couldn’t figure you out or what you meant the night of the meeting at Besada. She said you merely smiled and said hello to her. She figured you might have come over and talked with her. She said your mother did. I figured you probably didn’t think about it, Hon, but she thought it awfully peculiar. Write and tell me what it’s all about Hon, please. If it happens again, I will have some real explaining to do that I don’t know how to explain, dear.

We are getting back to Portage now and I am going to try and find someone going into town for this letter.

Darling, as I said before, I can’t tell you how much I miss you and how much I love you. If I had you in my arms I think I would squeeze you to death loving you, dear. If I didn’t squeeze you to death, I would kiss you to death.

Darling, I couldn’t wait to open the cookies. Darling, you sure can make them, they are absolutely delicious. The skipper said he would marry you on your ability to cook alone. Good by now, my darling. (I love you 1,000,000,000,000,000 times.)

Love,
Dick xxxxxxxx