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

Feb. 24, 1945

Hello Sweetheart,

     I love you.  Well, Sweetheart, here is the beginning of another letter.  As far as what’s going on around here, there isn’t much to tell.  I went to the show night before.  It was a pretty good show – what I saw of it.  “Bathing Beauties” with Red Skeleton & Ester Williams.  Red had a lot of fun.  You will too when and if you see it.

     It is rather warm at the present.  I hope I don’t ruin this with my persperation.  I have an old envelope under my arm but it’s beginning to soak through.  Can’t help it.

     I hope you have received some mail by now.  It’s not altogether my fault.  I haven’t been writting as often as I should but I definitely know I’ve been writting more regular than you have been receiving.  The letters were put in the mail.  This business about the dreams is rather queer, isn’t it?  I had the same kind of dreams when I first got over here.  As soon as I received your first letter though, I quit having the dreams.  Maybe our trust was momentarily slacking.  In my waking hours I knew everything was all right.  Those dreams can make you very unhappy, can’t they?  I sure don’t want to have any more of them.  I hope you don’t have any more of them either Sweetheart.

     You write as if you are pretty tired of snow.  What I wouldn’t give to see a little!  For me this has been a pretty long summer, you know.  I sure you like to get out of this climate.  It’s a cinch I won’t be able to get rid of this heat rash and crud until I do get away from here.  That will all come in due time I suppose.

     You made a pretty broad statement in one of your letters.  You said that if I kept on loving you, you would be happy.  That’s a load off my mind.  I won’t have to worry a bit about your happiness from now on.  Your happiness is assured.  I’ll always love you, Sweetheart.  If any other things come up, let me know and I’ll make you as happy as I can.  I just hope all the rest will be ½ as easy as this.  I like making you happy.  More than ever, I like making you happy in this way.  I love you with all my heart Sweetheart.

     I can’t remember whether I told you about getting my glasses or not.  Did I?  Well, I got them and chased Mundell down again.  I had some trouble this time.  It took me almost an hour to find him.  He was out running around and nobody knew exactly where he was.  I found him though.  He took me to chow with him again as I had planned.  Queer, both times I found him just in time to eat with him.  I did plan on eating with him, but I hadn’t planned on searching all over the place to find him.  We had some good chow and talked for over an hour.  I had a nice time and when I left, he gave me a flashlight.  He had two good GI lights so he gave me one of them.

     Sweetheart, I’m afraid I can’t give you much in the way of suggestions for the apartment.  I think I would like the Varsity Apts.  I like their looks and the outside.  I still don’t know what’s on the inside.  I think I would rather have our own furniture and stuff in it.  I don’t like to see other people’s.  You could fix it up gradually.  What are you going to do about a job?  Have you decided or tried anything yet?  Let me know your progress and what you think of any suggestions.  As far as what I’ll do after the war, I don’t know yet.  I’ll probably come back and go on to Purdue.  I can’t say definitely as yet.  I do want you to get the apt. as soon as possible though Sweetheart.

     Where was Queen?  What was wrong with her?  You told me you brought her home.  That’s very nice, but you must have slipped up some where.  You must have thought in stead of writting.  I didn’t know she was gone any place.  You’ll have to write and cut me in on the scoop, won’t you?  You’d better write anyway.  That’s what I’m really interested in at the present.  I am curious about Queen though.

     I was rather surprised to hear about Jim & Lois.  Especially the part about Lois was surprising.  You’ll have to extend my apologies and regrets.  I’m truly sorry I can’t be there.  (That’s also kidding)  You can also extend my congratulations and tell her I’m going to be a bit on the digas disagred disagreeable side.  I hope it’s a girl.  Then I’ll bet I wouldn’t get all wet just because the baby decided to.  Danny made me rather unhappy that afternoon.

     Well Sweetheart, you have a birthday coming up next week.  This is a little different than it was last year, isn’t it?  This time last year we were really having a nice time.  Are you still disappointed about the roses?  It seems like all I can do is dream, Sweetheart.  I’ve spent most of the afternoon dreaming now.  I can’t seem to write any more Sweetheart.  We’ll both have to continue dreaming.

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

“Over-the-top” seems hardly adequate to describe this synchronized swimming “dance number” from 1944’s Bathing Beauty, featuring Esther Williams: