Spitball Army

[Written to Alice c/o Uncle Art in Wingate, Indiana.  Return addressed: Richard, U.S. Naval Hospital, Ward 46A, Oakland, California.  Postmarked at Oakland on 4 Jul 1945 at 10 A.M, and at Wingate on 6 Jul 1945 at 9 A.M.  No censor marks.]

July 3, 1945

Hello Sweetheart,

     Yes, I’m back in California.  I got here Sat. evening and since then I have been trying to find someone who could give me some information as to what would happen next.  Well, I finally got to talk to the doctor and then I got on the phone.  I tried last night but nobody would answer the phone.  I guess they were not at home.  Then as you know, I succeeded this afternoon.  I was rather disappointed though weren’t you?  Conditions weren’t so good on this end.  I had to go to another ward to call and there wasn’t any booth.  I was right out in the ward and everybody was talking.  There were quite a few visitors there and this one fellow like to have his radio LOUD.  I hope it’s better next time.  No doubt you are wondering and perhaps a little unhappy because I i hung up so soon after the 3 minutes were up.  Well, it’s like this, the Red Cross paid for the call and they request you restrict your call to 3 minutes.  So that’s what I tried to do.

     What’s the dope here?  When did you go to Wingate?  Tell me all about it.  Better yet, I think I’ll try the phone again tomorrow.  Hope we get better results.

     I talked to another doctor this afternoon.  He told me that I would end up either in New York or Washington, D.C.  According to him, those are the only 2 hospitals I can go to for treatment of my nerve injury.  As to when I’ll get there and how many other hospitals I’ll be in before I get there, he had no idea.  They are supposed to send me out of here as soon as possible.  They tell me that all the hospitals are full.  So where ever an empty bed comes along, somebody gets transferred.

     That’s about all there is to tell on this end.  I’m getting along O.K.  They aren’t treating me in any way.  I’m just waiting.  How are you?  Is your blood pressure up to where it should be?  Mine is high.  Looks like we’ll have to get together.  They they would both go higher.  Oh Sweetheart, I love you so much.  It won’t be long now before we will be together.  Are you happy Sweetheart?  I hope so.  I hope I can make you happy.  I love you Sweetheart.

     Goodnight Sweetheart
          I love you with all my heart
               Pleasant Dreams
                    ‘Nite Sweetheart           x x