Spitball Army

[Written to Alice in Frankfort, Indiana. Return addressed: Richard, Co. G, 2nd Bn., 1st Mar., c/o F.P.O., San Francisco, Calif. Postmarked at U.S. Navy, on 9 Nov 1944, A.M. Envelope stamped on front, “Passed by Naval Censor,” and initialed by the Censor.]

November 7, 1944

Hello Sweetheart,

     I want to write you tonight, but I don’t know yet how it will th turn out.  I’m not in the mood for writting.  Quite a few things have happened since I last wrote you.  I spent one week working.  I was on a work detail every day of the week with the exception of Saturday and Sunday.  Saturday, I spent 8 hours walking guard.  This last week has been a week of changes.  I was in a rifle platoon as assistant automatic rifleman.  Then, I was transferred to Hdqs. Plt. and given a flame thrower.  The same day I was called up for an interview about getting into radio work.  At the time, I didn’t particularly care what I was in; that is, I had no special choice.  That’s what I told them anyway and now I’m afraid I’ll be transferred and I deff definitely don’t want that.  I’m happy where I am now.  Two days after this all happened, I was called into the 1st Sgt. office; and he asked me what qualifications I had for a clerk.  I told him about the bookkeeping I did for Dad at the shop.  So, I am now Company Clerk.  It’s a good job.  Most of the time I don’t have much to do but answer the phone.  Other times, though, I’m pretty busy.  Like today for instance, I was in the office almost 8 hours and I took very little time off.  Most of the time I’m sitting down at a desk (that’s what they call it, anyway); and, since I’m now used to that, I’m pretty tired.  I don’t think I’d be near as tired if I’d been out running around all day.  I’m not griping though.  I like it.

     We signed the payroll to-day.  FINALLY!  It’s a relief to know that they do have my name on the payroll.  I was beginning to doubt it seriously.  I don’t know for sure, but I imagine we will get paid tomorrow.  Anyway, as soon as I do, you can be watching the mails for a money order for $100.  I guess that’s all the money I’ve earned in 5½ months.  I aksed for all the money I had coming and that’s what they say I have on the books.

     How’s the bank account coming along?  There is one, isn’t there?  It’s rather bad when I don’t get any mail.  I don’t know what’s going on back there.  I’ve been getting mail from the folks and they haven’t heard from you.  So, I just have to guess that everything is all right.  These letters that I have received from the folks have been addressed to Pendleton and forwarded on to me here.  I have received one letter from you though.  That letter you wrote Aug. 8 and addressed to the Re-classification Center finally caught up with me.  I can’t understand it, I sent you my new address about 4 days before I sent it to the folks and I received a letter about 2 days ago from them with that address on it.  You are writting me Air Mail, aren’t you?  That’s how their letter came through.  I keep expecting a letter from you every day and I’m about to drive the mail clerk crazy asking about my mail.  Maybe I’ll get a bag full of mail one of these days.  I’m hoping and waiting rather impatiently.

     Sweetheart, I miss you terribly and I’d like to hear from you so bad.  I have two letters from you that I received back at Pendleton and I’ve almost worn them out reading and re-reading them.  They are very nice letters but I would like to read a more up-to-date one.

     I’m rather ashamed of myself because I haven’t written you more often.  In my spare moments, I relax and think about you and the fun we have had.  Then once I get started, I don’t want to stop and I can’t get myself to sit down and write.  You know how well I like to write letters anyway.  I love you Sweetheart.  I wonder if you think about the same things that I do.  I like to remember the first time you played the first full round on the school’s gold course.  That was quite a game.  And the times we went bowling.  Do you remember, as if you would ever forget, how happy you were that night you beat me.  While you’re remembering that night, don’t forget that that was the highest game you ever rolled and that you only beat me by one pin.  Oh well, I think I got as much enjoyment out of that as you did.  And the swimming – I can’t leave that out.  When I’d wait for you in the car in front of the gym and everythbody would come out but you – Then, you would come running down the steps and jump into the car.  Your hair would always be dripping and running wild.  Then you would get unhappy with it and finally get disgusted and forget about it.  You were “a wet, little chicken.”  Now, where did I pick that up?  You were beautiful, Sweetheart.  You might not have thought so at the time but I did.  Then, it always seemed like about the first thing you would think about was getting something to eat.  And I would always disappoint you and go to the Tripple X in stead of the Sweet Shop.  You didn’t mind too much though, did you?  Of course, I couldn’t think about you without the West Stadium Ave. entering into my thoughts.  That was a pretty little spot and with you there beside me, it was perfect.  If we could only go out there tonight.  And the night of Feb. 29 – you said that I was so nervous that I almost shook off my shoes.  But I think you were so surprised that you came nearer to losing your shoes than I did.  Are you still disappointed because I didn’t get you the roses that day?  Do you know what will take place 2 days from the time I’m writting this letter?  It will be exactly 6 months – ½ year.  It makes it sound longer when expressed in terms of years but it was not so long ago.  I’ve done a lot of thinking since I’ve been over here, Sweetheart.  There is one song that sticks in my mind.  I can’t seem to forget it.  It’s name is “Time Waits for No One.”  That song has more truth in it than any song I ever heard.  I’m so very thankful that we did things the way we did.  I was a little skeptical at the thi time, I know, but I’m glad now.

     When I close my letters, Sweetheart, I don’t just put down the same thing because it is customary.  I mean every word of it and I think over and over what I say.  I love you Sweetheart.  I love you with all my heart and soul.

     Goodnight Sweetheart.
          Pleasant Dreams
               I love you  x x
                    ‘Nite  x x

[audio:Geraldo_and_His_Orchestra___Time_Waits_for_No_One.mp3]
“Time Waits for No One” by Geraldo & His Orchestra (circa 1930-1945)