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 30 Jan 1945.  Envelope stamped on front, “Passed by Naval Censor,” and initialed by the Censor.]

Jan. 28, 1945

Hello Sweetheart,

     I’ll have to admit I have been trying to put this off.  I can’t put it off any longer however.  It is now almost 9 o’clock Sunday night.  You see, any letters that are written after 8 o’clock Saturday morning are not censored and mailed until Monday morning.  I almost always have at least one letter to you in that mail; and as I say, I’ve put it off until now.  I’ve told you before that it’s getting harder each time for me to find something to say.  This weekend I’ve been waiting for an inspiration.  There just doesn’t seem to be such a thing though.  I can’t think of a darn thing to say.

     I went to the show last night – “To Have and Have Not.”  I’m not sure, but I think that was the name of it.  Humphry Bogart played the lead.  It was a very good show.

     I received 2 packages from Frankfort yesterday.  There was one from my Father-in-law and one from my wife.  In case you didn’t know, I love my wife very much.  She’s everything to me.  The flash-light came though O.K.  It serves the purpose very good.  I christened it last night.  I guess I should say “baptized.”  It rained during the show.  No damage done however.  I had my raincoat with me.  The canned-goods were put to good use.  They furnished me with 2 meals to-day.  I certainly do appreciate the cigars.  I can’t remember which box they were in, but I’m thanking somebody for them.  When I’m not too lazy, those nuts sure taste good.  The only trouble is that I have to get them out of the shell before I can eat them.  They are about ½ gone now.

     Well, I just happened to think of something you could send me.  I have a locker-box but no lock.  I don’t know how things are back there; but if you could find a lock and a couple of keys, I could put them to good use.  I’d rather not have a combination lock if you have any choice.

     That’s all for tonight, Sweetheart.  I’m waiting just as anxiously as you are.  I love you.

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

An iconic scene from To Have and Have Not (1944):