Spitball Army

[Letter postmarked on 24 October 1942 at 8:30 a.m. at Alton, Illinois. Addressed to Miss Crystal K., Berwyn, Illinois. Return addressed to Richard N., Portage Des Sioux, Mo.]

October 24, 1942
Alton, above Dam
10-12 watch P.M.

Hello Darling,

Received your letter of the 20th, post marked Berwyn, oct 20, 8:30 P.M. I suppose you are wondering why that last letter of mine ended so abruptly. Well, as I said before, where we are on patrol, we mail our letters as catch can. There was a man leaving our dock just then and it couldn’t wait – so that is the reason. The above reason is also why I am so interested in when you receive my mail and if you receive it. So when you write me, hon, give me the date on the letter received and the post mark on the envelopes just as I do on yours, will you please, hon.

Well, there hasn’t been anything new developing lately except we have a real electric light now, that’s why I am writing you at this hour of the night. Pratt left a long extension wire on board and we plug into a house on shore. It really makes it nice.

What did you think of the stationery of my last letter?

We had a lot of excitement down here to-night. Boys who were on liberty to-night kept dropping in on us. All totaled, there must have been about 10 through the course of the evening.

Now for your letter, darling. I like that “just want to write you a note.” I am glad it was a very nice letter or you would have heard about that note business. Darn it hon, 21 hey – some people have all the luck, don’t they? Honey, I sure wish I was in that group from Chanute so you could play hostess to me. Say, just how hospitable were you hon, you know, that stuff need be carried only so far. I don’t doubt that you couldn’t handle all 80 of them – you have such a big heart, honey. Tell me, was it very hard? Just kidding, hon.

That sounds like some lunch, hon. I would like to see you eat one like that at least 2 times a day for a while, honey. Big shot, didn’t get back to work till 2:30. You deserve it, honey, when you do work, I know you do the work of 5 people in an hour. I honest and truly wish you wouldn’t work so hard, honey, you would be better off.

That is quite a deal, running into someone who knows Davidson. I must remember that name. I am going to try and get in touch with Davidson this Sunday. He is in St. Louis a lot. He drives a train from Mattwe to St. Louis, you know.

I was going to ask for a leave this weekend but I know you are working to-morrow, and I don’t think I would get it anyway. The skipper is going to the rifle range, the motor makk is getting 10 days. With the skipper gone that will put me in charge of the next patrol – a chance I have been waiting for a long time, a chance to do my stuff. Next patrol, we will be coming in on a Friday and I am going to try for from Friday morning till Monday morning when the boat comes by Alton on the way down to WoodRing. I am holding my thumbs, honey. We have a new man in charge at the base now, maybe I can do better with him. Any way, I am going to try, hon.

Tell me exactly what you mean by “Kings Row” being wonderful, honey.

The next time you see Marty, give them my regards and best wishes, hon. Tell them to stay home in their new house so some one can visit them once in a while. Maybe that’s why they don’t stay home, hey?

My mother had one of the girls at the office type up a bunch and she sent them to me, not a bad idea, hey?

So you would like to hug and squeeze me to death, hey honey? “Oh death, where is thy sweet sting?!” – Shakspier – But he didn’t know what he was talking about – I do, honey!

As I was saying in that letter before this, hon, I never listened to all the words of this song before, but they really express my thoughts, dear. The next time you hear “My Devotion,” hon, listen and think of me, darling; they are just my thoughts set to music, darling.

Well, honey, keep those sweet letters of yours coming, and I will do my best, too. I have been lucky this patrol.

Good-by now darling, remember I love you with all my heart and only live for the day I can hold you in my arms and kiss your sweet lips again.

Endless love
Dick xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx