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

Feb. 12, 1945

Hello Sweetheart,

     I’m pretty tired tonight.  It’s not from work, I was just doing something I wasn’t accostomed to.  I went to see about getting and another pair of glasses.  I was at the Medical Bn. this morning at 6:45.  Then they just messed around for almost an hour.  Then the boat ride and we were at the hospital by 10.  I had some more waiting for the next hour and a half.  After I saw I wouldn’t see the doctor before chow, I started looking for Mundell.  I didn’t have a bit of trouble finding him.  I went over to the chief’s mess and waited till he came in.  I got a good meal out of it.  What a change!  He practically lives in heaven compared to this.  We talked for an hour.  He had to go to work and I had my consultation at 1 o’clock.  We were so late getting back here that I almost missed chow.  I’m supposed to go back Saturday and get my glasses.  He told me to look him up when I came back.  Don’t worry, I will.  I don’t need a second invitation to eat that kind of chow.

     I’m about ready to hit the sack, Sweetheart.  Can’t be done just yet though, can it?  I haven’t even told you that I love you and I haven’t wished you a happy birthday yet.  You’re an inbetween, a misfit.  I love you though.  I guess you can’t help being a little slow.  While everybody else has a birthday once a year, you have to be different.  I guess that’s one of the reasons I love you so much, Sweetheart.  You are different.  I want only you Sweetheart.  No one could ever take your place in my heart.  I hope you have a happy birthday.  I know what you are going to say.  I don’t want you to have complete happiness without me, either.  I’m afraid I won’t be able to make it this year, Sweetheart.  I’ll just write my wish and it will have to do for a while.  Can’t do anything else about it.  Just think of me and don’t forget that I am deeply in love with you, Sweetheart.  You are what I am living for and what I will be fighting for one of these days.  All I want is you Sweetheart.  You be there waiting and I’ll do everything in my power to get back to you – as soon as possible and in one piece.  Have fun Sweetheart.  Enjoy yourself as much as you can.  You know what I wouldn’t like for you to do, and I think you know what I would like for you to do.  I want you to have all the happiness in the world Sweetheart.  Happy Birthday – – – – Happy Birthday to my wife, the sweetest woman in the world.  You are my world, Sweetheart.  I love you.

     Good-night Sweetheart
          I love you with all my heart.
               Pleast Dreams & a Happy Birthday.
                    ‘Nite Sweetheart

                                                  ‘Nite