Spitball Army

[Written to Alice in Frankfort, Indiana.  “Frankfort” crossed out with ink pen and replaced with “Beaumont, Texas, Box 2721.”  Return addressed: Richard, Co. G, 2nd Bn., 1st Mar., c/o F.P.O., San Francisco, Calif.  Postmarked at U.S. Navy on 19 May 1945, and at Frankfort, Ind. on 28 May 1945, 1 P.M.  Envelope stamped on front, “Passed by Naval Censor,” and initialed by the Censor.]

May 16, 1945

Hello Sweetheart,

     Remember me?  I’m your husband and I’m still here – believe it or not.  I’m O.K. and feeling pretty good.  I had a great time this morning.  I took an ice cold shower and shaved.  More fun.  That business of shaving really took the time.  My whiskers were over a ½ inch long.  I let them grow for over a month and were they “purty.”  They were getting so they didn’t taste very good.  I always had some chow with me anyway.

     I love you Sweetheart.  In case you didn’t know it, you have been on my mind most of the time these last couple of weeks.  You’ve been with me all along, Sweetheart.  Stay with me, Sweetheart and I think I’ll see you one of these days.  It may be a short time or it may be a long time.  But there will be a time if you stay with me.

     I’ve had a little change in status since my last letter to you.  I’m no longer company clerk.  I am now an ammunition carrier in the 5th Machine Gun Squad attached to the 3rd Rifle Platoon.  Does that mean much to you?  Do you know what I’m talking about?  I’m having a lot of fun.  These are swell fellows and I’m glad of the change.  The only draw-back is that besides my regular load, I have to carry one and sometimes two 20-pound boxes of ammunition.  It gets rather heavy at times but I’m happier here than in Hdqs. Plt.

     I have no idea what the censor will pass so you’ll just have to follow the 3rd Amphibious Corps or the 1st Marines Division in the newspaper.  If the papers know what the outfit is doing, you can bet that I’m right there with them.  I get little things wrong with me, but nothing serious enough to go to Sick Bay.  My blisters are all healed up.  My feet are just tired and tender now.  Now my hands are scratched up a little.  I knock the hide off and then I keep hitting the spot.  I can’t get a good scab on the thing until I knock it around some more.  Some how I got infection in my thumb.  It runs about half way around the nail and partly under it.  The Corpsman cleaned it out this morning and bandaged it up.  The way he fixed it up, I can’t bend the joint.  It just sticks out like a sore thumb.

     I really have quite a few letters to answer.  I have to answer your letters from Mar. 17 to May 3.  That’s quite a few letters.  I’ll bet you I spend more time reading than I do answering.

     I just filled my stomach with “C” rations.  I really feel like going to sleep but I think I’ll start my reading and see what happens. ———- Well, I’m caught up to April 12 now.

     I received a letter from Uncle A–.  It was quite a letter – 2 full pages written on both sides.  I had a little trouble making out parts of it, but I finally struggled through it.  He’s quite a caracter (?that doesn’t look like it is spelled right to me – is it?  I’m all confused.  There is a fellow in the company by the name of Caraker and that’s all I can spell.  You’ll have to reeducate me when I get back.)  Uncle A– sent me about a dozen crossword puzzles.  I wonder when I be able to start working them.  I received some that you sent also – 6, I think.

     Have the clerks and the bonds been coming through O.K.?  You haven’t mentioned receiving any for quite a while.  How is the bank account?  Has it still got its head above water?

     Well Sweetheart, I want to get this letter off as soon as possible so I’ll close it here.  Don’t forget – I love you with all my heart.  I write and remind you of it every chance I get.  I’m all yours Sweetheart.  Keep waiting and take care of yourself for me.

     Stay with me Sweetheart.  I love you.
          Goodnight Sweetheart
               I love you with all my heart
                    Pleasant Dreams
                         ‘Nite Sweetheart