Spitball Army

[V-mail addressed to Ralph N., Richmond, California.  Return addressed to E.R.G., C.M. 3/C, 55th Battalion, Company D, Platoon 4, c/o FPO San Francisco, California. Envelope postmarked 14 December 1944 at 8 p.m.]

Wish you were here!
Bud.

Exhibit 7: Mick Jagger.

[V-mail addressed to Ralph N., Richmond, California.  Return addressed to E.R.G., C.M. 3/C, 55th Battalion, Company D, Platoon 4, c/o FPO San Francisco, California. Envelope postmarked 27 November 1944 at 3:30 p.m.]

Nov. 13 – 44.

Dear Ralph –

Just finished reading a book from the local library so now with nothing to do I’ll answer your letter of the 27th.  I usually see our free movie every night (that is, when a good picture is on), tonight it was Red Skelton so I just stayed away.  This afternoon I helped dock a ship just three weeks out of Pedro.  Small world, isn’t it?  Yet we can’t seem to make connections getting across that way.  Still hoping though!  Yesterday was an anniversary for us fellows from the Bay district.  Two years of active service!  It seems like ten years since that train started east from Oakland.  For the past six months I’ve been hoping for another rating but it seems to be no soap.  They say the battalion is over-rated now so the new rates are coming out few and far-between.  If we do go home I probably won’t make it until we ship out again.  Oh well, that discharge paper is what I want the worst.  Hope everything is O.K. with you and your mother.

So long now.
Bud.

Card is titled: “N235:-Swimming Pool and Club House, Staunton River State Park, Halifax County, Virginia.  Photo by Virginia Conservation Commission.”

Printed on back of post card:

Staunton River State Park, Halifax County, Virginia, operated by the Virginia Conservation Commission, at Richmond, has a large swimming pool with a small wading pool for children nearby. Cabins are available for one or two weeks’ vacation.

Text of written message:

Sun. morn

Dear Mom, Paul & Julia

Still 3 times as busy as before – think I may be given the job of as boss – right now I am doing that – do very little typing. Have not written in two days and don’t worry if I don’t write – Camel Caravan show was here did not see it. I think the holidays are over here. Started raining Sat. and still rain this morning – mud on streets results mud on shoes.

Regards, CKarsen

Card in place I was looking for when I went over to Danville.

Publishing information:

Published by Asheville Post Card Co., Asheville, N.C.

[V-mail addressed to Ralph N., Richmond, California.  Return addressed to E.R.G., C.M. 3/C, 55th Battalion, Company D, Platoon 4, c/o FPO San Francisco, California. Envelope postmarked 15 November 1944 at 2:30 p.m.]

Nov. 7, 1944.

Dear Ralph –

Election Day once again!  How are you doing?  Still the old radical Red or are you a die hard Republican?  Too much red-tape from over here so I skipped voting this time.  Thanks for all the cheerful news about post war jobs for us veterans!  From what we read and hear, it just didn’t appear to look that way.  Hope you’re right.  As for me, don’t over-estimate my abilities.  You see, I’ve forgotten almost all I knew and really haven’t learned a thing in the past 2 years that will help me in the future.  Wait till you hear how things are done in this outfit.  We’ll all have to start from scratch again, as far as knowledge is concerned.  Plenty of time for that when the time arrives though.  I might even consider to go abroad with some big construction company.  Ought to be plenty of foreign building going on.  Still here at the same place but I do sorta expect to see you soon after the first of the year.  Hope my wishes come true!  I’m fit as a fiddle and hope this finds you and your mother the same.  Write again soon and keep your fingers crossed for good luck.

So long for now.
Bud.

Exhibit 6: Ed Harcourt.

Here’s a real advertisement for a fundraiser to elect the Republican adjutant general candidate in South Carolina, circa 2009.