Spitball Army

[Written to Alice in Frankfort, Indiana. Return addressed: Richard, Co. G, 2nd Bn., 1st Marines, c/o F.P.O., San Francisco, Calif. Postmarked at U.S. Navy, on 15 Oct 1944, A.M.  Envelope stamped on front, “Passed by Naval Censor,” and initialed by the Censor.]

Oct. 10, 1944

Hi Sweetheart,

     I’ve been assigned to an outfit and one of these days we may get a little training. Nothing has happened since I wrote you. We are still on work details. We work during the day, and at night we can do two things. We can either go to bed or to the show. You can’t read or write very well at night. The only light we have is candles and I think my eyes are bad enough the way they are. We get some pretty good shows here. Last night I saw Mickey Rooney in “Girl Crazy.” Th To-night is “Paris After Dark” and “The Sultan’s Daughter.” I’ve seen all three of these but that’s about all. They have only had one other show since I’ve been here that I’ve seen. It was “Claudia.” Remember when we saw the Playshop production? I’d like to see more of them. Oh yes, when you write, keep me posted on the Purdue athletics. As far as I know now, we have just played Great Lakes and lost. What all has happened since then?

     Tell the folks hello for me. I sure wish I could be there to run the corn-picked corn-picker this year. I’m afraid I won’t be able to make it though. My – vacation – just doesn’t come at the right time for it.

     I don’t know when this letter will go out, we don’t have a censor. That is the reason there is so much time between this and my first letter. I’ll write again as soon as we get a censor and we can mail our letters.

     Well, Sweetheart, that’s not much but that’s about all I can think of to tell you now. I miss you, Sweetheart. I go to sleep every night thinking about you. One of these days we will be back together again like we should be. I love you, Sweetheart.

     Good-night Sweetheart
I love you with all my heart.
     Pleasant Dreams
          ‘Nite Sweetheart
               x x

Judy Garland and Mickey Rooney in a clip from Girl Crazy (1943):