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

Mar. 20, 1945

Hello Sweetheart,

     I ran out of the small stationery so I’ll have to use this.  It’s all I can get at the PX.  This is the first letter I’ve written on it so we’ll see how is turns out.

     Boy, am I going to freeze when and if I get in a cold climate again.  I don’t just what the temperature is but it must be rather high.  I don’t seem to notice it much but the sweat just pours off.  Most of the day I look like I just got out of a shower and forgot to dry out off.  The only bad part is the constant dripping and irritation of this fungus I have.  The dripping is bad enough and it’s very difficult to keep my glasses dry so I can see.  The most annoying part however is the fungus.  It itches and when some part of my body touches it, it stings.  I’ve got the stuff all over me.  The only part that really bothers me though is under my arms.  It seems like I can’t do much about it though.  Enough of my troubles – – – Just wait till I get back.  Maybe I can get this stuff taken care of as it should be.  There are too many here with the same thing and the Corpsmen either don’t have the time or don’t want to take the trouble to take care of it as it should be.  It’s not exactly their fault.  They don’t have much to work with; and if they did, they wouldn’t know how to use it.  I guess the doctors know their stuff all right but you only see them if there is something seriously wrong with you.  The Corpsmen have just had a little course in first aid.  They know how to dip a swab and paint you and put on a bandage but that’s about all.  They save a lot of lives on the battle-field.  You have to give them credit for that.  They are a darn good bunch of fellows.  They are Johny “Johnny-on-the-spot” then so I am told.  Every body who has had use for them in combat hold them in high admiration.

     You know, it has been quite a while since I told you I loved you.  I’ve told you and thought it often enough but you still haven’t heard or read it, have you?  At times, Sweetheart, you have to do as I do.  You must always remember that I love you Sweetheart.  You will I know.  The letters may be rather far apart at times and I may not be able to tell or write you those words you want to hear, but you must always remember them and trust me.  I am sorry I haven’t written more often but I won’t try to offer any excuses.  I’m not being spiteful by any means.  I definitely want you to understand that.  You know I write whether I receive any answer from you or not.  Since the last time I wrote, I have received only 2 letters from you.  I’m sure you have written more but they haven’t arrived as yet.  Always keep your trust in me and love me Sweetheart.  I will do the same.  Those are two things that we will both need a lot of.  Our life is still ahead of us Sweetheart.  We’ve a long way to go yet.  There will be many hardships and much unhappiness along the way but together we can be happy.  We will be happy with our love.  It is much harder when we are apart I know, but that is just one of the many hardships that we must take in our stride.  Nothing can be done about it.  We can only promise each other to wait and to do what we can to see that the same thing does not happen again.  I know that if it is left up to me and we can do anything about, we won’t be separated a second time.  This once is sufficient for all times.  I love you so much Sweetheart.  I can’t tell you enough I know.  You like to hear it the same as I do.  It isn’t the words but the meaning.  You don’t know how much it means to me to know beyond a doubt that you are waiting waiting for me, trusting me and loving me.  I feel sorry for those who have no one waiting for them – those that have no one to love.

     After writing those last couple of sentences, I stopped in amazement and reread them.  I got to wondering why those thoughts had entered in my mind.  Then I realized why those thoughts were in my mind.  At the present I am reading a novel by Emile Bronte.  The name of it is “Jane Eyre.”  Jane is a lonely orphant girl and the author follows her through her life.  It’s a very good book and it leaves you a lot to think about.

     Well, Sweetheart, I have a little duty to preform very shortly.  It’s not exactly a duty, – more of a task or necessity.  I have to go to chow.  I would how long it will be before I change my oppinion concerning chow.  We are getting pretty decent food but I still dread the idea of going after it and eating.  If I just didn’t get hungry – .

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