New Guinea
Thurs. eve.
Oct. 19, 1944
My darling wife;
Boy, I sure rated at mail call tonight. Eight letters all at once. Oct 4, 5, &7th from you. One from Mom & one from Pop Kelser, one from Mom & Hazel, and one from Jim. That's seven. The eighth was also from you only it wasn't a letter. It was a picture of a very serious minded girl with big wide set, straight looking eyes. full round face. but showing quite a lot of determination in spite of the soft contours. The most remarkable part of the face is a pair of extremely kissable lips. Nice and full and a perfect Cupid's bow. They look very capable of giving and receiving some very thrilling kisses. Perfect for gooey, wide open ones. I'd go wild if I ran into anything like them at this stage of my exile in N.G. The girl is my wife. I'm very proud of her too. I love her. It is a very unusual picture of you, sweetheart. I've never seen one of you even similar to it. What were you so serious about, darling? I have seen you look exactly like that a few times in person. Usually when we were having one of our very few disagreements. It really isn't you as you usually are but I like it anyhow. I have it mounted on the cover of the other one you sent me so now I can see you in two moods, widely different. The pictures show one thing in common. The likeness of a very beautiful girl. You are so. I'm not prejudiced so much I can't see. I've seen lots of poorer faces on magazine covers and such. Above and beyond looks there is unmistakable character showing in all your pictures and that is one thing usually absent in beauty pictures. Is it any wonder I'm in love with you gorgeous? Gee, I'm glad I gothcha, honey.
There I guess you can gather that I liked your second picture also. I'm getting a lot of my favorite pinup these days. I now have four of you where I can see you all the time. Got another new picture to show off to my buddies.
Mom & Hazel also sent a picture. One of Bob's Jackie. Taken there in town. Very good picture. Jackie surely is a blond. Her hair looks as white as Bob's shirt. I think I can understand your first unfavorable impression of her. I can't say that I am much taken by her looks either. I can't say why. Just an impression. Pictures are a poor way for me to form opinions. I'm not as good as you at it. From your description I know she is small, but in this, she looks as big, if not bigger, than Bob.I expect the heavy legs help that impression along. Bob looks good and very natural. I'm going to take your estimate of her until I have a chance to form a first hand opinion of my own. I sure hope you are right.
Now I guess I'll start on your letters. Oct 4th. I guess we are both having a bit of trouble with our mail lately. Skipping and not coming in rotation. But, what the hell! They get here and that is what counts. The 6th skipped in this bunch.
Yes, honey, I made another little mark on my calendar tonight. I had guessed it but waited to mark it until I had confirmation. Silly, aren't I? I don't care. It's one intimate thing I can still do.
I imagine Bobby is getting to be quite a kid. Six months make a big difference at that age. I can also see why he would be a tough little egg with Ed to play with. Good for him.
I can't believe that Ronnie really remembers all the people that go with the names he remembers. It's cute though and he must be a smart little tyke. Say hi to him for me.
You are a devil but I won't bawl you out about it. Taking my letter in to Baldwin! Such a business. I don't care though, if you don't. If I had had any idea you'd do that I'd have scattered little la-de-das all through it or else been a bit careful of the words, spelling and etc. I can't imagine it being fit to appear in print without a lot of rewriting. As I said though, I don't care if you don't. I'm not ashamed of anything I write to you. It's me. You can do as you please with any of my letters. They're yours. I'm yours too to do as you please with. So there too.
Sixteen boxes already on their way to me. You must spend an awful lot of time packing boxes for me. I sure appreciate it too. How much, I'll someday show you. What are the real Christmas presents you promise to give me when I'm home again? It better be what I'm thinking. You can afford those presents too 'cause they won't cost any money. Only a lot of energy and willingness. Think you can manage?
I'm sure it won't be any fault of yours if I don't have a bigger Christmas than any other soldier over here. Sounds like I'll need another tent for storage. You're so sweet, darling.
You are doing a very good job of wrapping and tying these boxes. They have all been in one piece and only one box has even been damaged very much. Some boxes come in broken open and lots of things lost. Not the way my honey wraps 'em. You're doing swell.
Oh, so I'm going to learn to sing am I? Well I don't know about that. For a teacher that doesn't like teaching you are undertaking a big and hopeless job. John Beck gave it up way back in the third grade as hopeless. I just haven't got what it takes, honey. I won't promise to be an apt or very enthusiastic pupil along that line, certainly not until you've taught me all the other things that are much more important in my mind. When I can listen "To the Colors" and "Retreat" as many times as I have the past months and still not be able to tell them apart, I don't have much hope of any improvement. Afraid I'll always be a dumkoph in music, so don't be getting too enthusiastic about the idea. If you treat me real extra special I may consent to give it a try. May, I said.
Honey! I'd never slap you down, even for that. I'd be more apt to laugh at you and remain unresponsive. Wouldn't that be closer to my reaction? I could give you a beating about now but never beat you. Get what I mean? I love you, you devil.
You don't need to tell me to look at your picture and ask me if you're sweet. I have your pictures where I can see them all the time. I look at them and do a lot of dreaming too. Sweet dreams that make me want to get back with you and start living again. I get along and survive but I'll never live again as long as we're apart. As for you being sweet, I thought I was telling you that so much it would be getting to be an old thing and you'd begin to take it as a line instead of what I really mean. I do mean it so much, honey. I wish I could think of some way to prove it in a letter but I can't seem to. You'll just have to accept protestations until such time as I can get within proving distance. That's a very, very short distance. Can you remember how I used to try to prove it? Night, darling. I love you.
Your hubby.
Norm.
Tuesday, May 21, 2013
Wednesday, May 15, 2013
Letter # 501 October 18. 1944
New Guinea
Wed. eve
Oct 18, 1944
Hello Beautiful;
Wednesday afternoon again and a half day off. Like it used to be back in civilian life only here I don't have to make up for the time off by working until late on Saturday night. Quite a racket this army life. It may be a racket as far as work is concerned but I'll go back to working at home like I used to anytime they see fit to turn me loose. I don't mind all the crazy and unnecessary stuff they pull so much but I sure do mind being away from my wife so much and so long. I want my Mummy all the time. She's part of me and I can't feel right or satisfied as long as she isn't with me. If that isn't love, honey, it will have to do until the real thing comes along. It's love. I'm very positive of that. I do love you so much darling.
I did work a little more on your surprise but not much. I seem to have quite a bit of time off but, even then, by the time I keep my chores done up, I don't have much time left anyhow. Seems there's always a little mending or repair work about the tent or some other little things to take up my time. It gets dark here so early too. By 4:30 it's necessary to have lights to see in the tents. Our lights aren't very good and I can't do any close work by them. Write is about all. That is a long winded explanation of why I don't seem to be making much progress on the surprises. I know I shouldn't be teasing you about them so far in advance, but you asked for it. You sweet devil. Another thing slowing me down quite a bit is I'm lazy. This constant hot weather is really slowing me down plenty. I've gotten so I like to assume the position of horizontal devotion as often as I can. This afternoon, for example, I had good intentions of getting the chores out of the way quick and working on your surprise. I did go right to work after dinner, had to remark all my clothing and cut some weeds around the tent. When I got that done I lit a cigarette and stretched out on my cot to smoke it. Next thing I knew I had been asleep for over an hour. See where my time goes? Another thing you'll have to teach me, being energetic again. Maybe you'd sooner I wasn't too energetic. How about it?
Woke up this morning to the patter of rain on the tent. I like to hear it rain on a tent [if it doesn't leak]. It stopped soon after daylight as is usual, it very seldom rains during the day, but it stayed rather cloudy and steamy all day. Thundering right now and will probably start raining shortly again. Usual temperature again, 96 in the shade. Don't imagine it will get a lot hotter except occasional days, because the sun is almost directly overhead now. It will pass on over and then come back again in January. It is raining now. The boys got rained out at the show and just came in.
No mail again today and I have nearly answered all the letters I have. I'll finish this one of Oct 3rd and probably stop there. I don't seem to have much to say again tonight.
You're making a broad statement there, honey. "I'll do anything for you if you were only near me." That could mean a hell of a lot but I don't have any doubt you'd try it. You needn't worry though. Even though I do think N.G. may have a great future I wouldn't want to be a part of it unless I could do it from a long distance. I couldn't, rather wouldn't, stand the climate very long on my own either. You committed yourself and I'll remember that statement just in case I ever do have an idea of some sort that doesn't meet with your approval. At present and I don't expect, anytime, to require any more from you than you gave before this war. You were perfect except for one thing and you've corrected that since. That is if I can judge from the times I've seen you. Perfect in every way now. Know what I mean? If you don't you will be told and shown the first thing when I get home. Best loving ever came down the road, sweetheart.
You would have been scared if you had known about the headhunters, you say. I wasn't very easy about it either when I found out even though there were too many of us and we were too well armed to be in any danger at all. I realized that and still went to sleep with my gun & knife under my hand. I sure didn't care much for their looks. We were kidding Pendelton all the time we were in the area. You can gather from his picture that he's a big boy. Almost exactly like I was before my diet two years ago. Weighs about 220. Well, we were telling him that the natives were all looking at him and thinking what nice soup he'd make. Don't guess it worried him much but we had fun trying anyhow.
We weren't supposed to do any trading with the natives according to the Australian in charge of the school and we didn't on the way up while we were in a big group. These natives and Aussies have a more or less set price for things. Such as, one cigarette for two coconuts, one cigarette for a paw paw, two cigarettes for a bunch of bananas, or the same number of razor blades. Razor blades and cigarettes being about the same value. Watches are worth more and up in the out of the way places the natives go wild for them. The Aussies know Americans are too generous and don't like to have us do any trading 'cause when overpaid once, the native always wants as much the next time. Like anyone else in that way aren't they?
On the way down Mathews was our trader. He seemed to be able to get along with them best of any of us. One village we saw a nice patch of corn and decided to try to buy some. Went in and Mathews asked for corn. The old black acted like he didn't understand but after a little persuasion and a look at matches and razor blades we had, he yelled out something and almost immediately women came with squash, green bananas, and such. The poorest they had and insisted it was good Ki Ki. That means food. After a bit of that Mathews got disgusted and yelled, "To hell with the Ki Ki. We want some corn." We got it too. They are shrewd traders and unless persistent you'll never get what you want. We came away from there with corn, cucumbers, paw paws, bananas, and squash enough to make the six of us a feast and only spent one book of matches and six razor blades. They use the razor blades to make sharp tools, not to shave.
I guess I wrote more than I thought I would. Your questions did it. There are probably lots of things I forgot to tell about the trip. A few questions may get results, honey. I like to have you ask about anything you want to know or you may not understand about what I write. Ask 'em and I'll answer anything I can and not violate rules.
Night, my darling, I love you. Did you know that? Any questions about it? I can answer them without violating any old rules. Here's some more big, thrilling kisses.
Your hubby.
Norm.
Wed. eve
Oct 18, 1944
Hello Beautiful;
Wednesday afternoon again and a half day off. Like it used to be back in civilian life only here I don't have to make up for the time off by working until late on Saturday night. Quite a racket this army life. It may be a racket as far as work is concerned but I'll go back to working at home like I used to anytime they see fit to turn me loose. I don't mind all the crazy and unnecessary stuff they pull so much but I sure do mind being away from my wife so much and so long. I want my Mummy all the time. She's part of me and I can't feel right or satisfied as long as she isn't with me. If that isn't love, honey, it will have to do until the real thing comes along. It's love. I'm very positive of that. I do love you so much darling.
I did work a little more on your surprise but not much. I seem to have quite a bit of time off but, even then, by the time I keep my chores done up, I don't have much time left anyhow. Seems there's always a little mending or repair work about the tent or some other little things to take up my time. It gets dark here so early too. By 4:30 it's necessary to have lights to see in the tents. Our lights aren't very good and I can't do any close work by them. Write is about all. That is a long winded explanation of why I don't seem to be making much progress on the surprises. I know I shouldn't be teasing you about them so far in advance, but you asked for it. You sweet devil. Another thing slowing me down quite a bit is I'm lazy. This constant hot weather is really slowing me down plenty. I've gotten so I like to assume the position of horizontal devotion as often as I can. This afternoon, for example, I had good intentions of getting the chores out of the way quick and working on your surprise. I did go right to work after dinner, had to remark all my clothing and cut some weeds around the tent. When I got that done I lit a cigarette and stretched out on my cot to smoke it. Next thing I knew I had been asleep for over an hour. See where my time goes? Another thing you'll have to teach me, being energetic again. Maybe you'd sooner I wasn't too energetic. How about it?
Woke up this morning to the patter of rain on the tent. I like to hear it rain on a tent [if it doesn't leak]. It stopped soon after daylight as is usual, it very seldom rains during the day, but it stayed rather cloudy and steamy all day. Thundering right now and will probably start raining shortly again. Usual temperature again, 96 in the shade. Don't imagine it will get a lot hotter except occasional days, because the sun is almost directly overhead now. It will pass on over and then come back again in January. It is raining now. The boys got rained out at the show and just came in.
No mail again today and I have nearly answered all the letters I have. I'll finish this one of Oct 3rd and probably stop there. I don't seem to have much to say again tonight.
You're making a broad statement there, honey. "I'll do anything for you if you were only near me." That could mean a hell of a lot but I don't have any doubt you'd try it. You needn't worry though. Even though I do think N.G. may have a great future I wouldn't want to be a part of it unless I could do it from a long distance. I couldn't, rather wouldn't, stand the climate very long on my own either. You committed yourself and I'll remember that statement just in case I ever do have an idea of some sort that doesn't meet with your approval. At present and I don't expect, anytime, to require any more from you than you gave before this war. You were perfect except for one thing and you've corrected that since. That is if I can judge from the times I've seen you. Perfect in every way now. Know what I mean? If you don't you will be told and shown the first thing when I get home. Best loving ever came down the road, sweetheart.
You would have been scared if you had known about the headhunters, you say. I wasn't very easy about it either when I found out even though there were too many of us and we were too well armed to be in any danger at all. I realized that and still went to sleep with my gun & knife under my hand. I sure didn't care much for their looks. We were kidding Pendelton all the time we were in the area. You can gather from his picture that he's a big boy. Almost exactly like I was before my diet two years ago. Weighs about 220. Well, we were telling him that the natives were all looking at him and thinking what nice soup he'd make. Don't guess it worried him much but we had fun trying anyhow.
We weren't supposed to do any trading with the natives according to the Australian in charge of the school and we didn't on the way up while we were in a big group. These natives and Aussies have a more or less set price for things. Such as, one cigarette for two coconuts, one cigarette for a paw paw, two cigarettes for a bunch of bananas, or the same number of razor blades. Razor blades and cigarettes being about the same value. Watches are worth more and up in the out of the way places the natives go wild for them. The Aussies know Americans are too generous and don't like to have us do any trading 'cause when overpaid once, the native always wants as much the next time. Like anyone else in that way aren't they?
On the way down Mathews was our trader. He seemed to be able to get along with them best of any of us. One village we saw a nice patch of corn and decided to try to buy some. Went in and Mathews asked for corn. The old black acted like he didn't understand but after a little persuasion and a look at matches and razor blades we had, he yelled out something and almost immediately women came with squash, green bananas, and such. The poorest they had and insisted it was good Ki Ki. That means food. After a bit of that Mathews got disgusted and yelled, "To hell with the Ki Ki. We want some corn." We got it too. They are shrewd traders and unless persistent you'll never get what you want. We came away from there with corn, cucumbers, paw paws, bananas, and squash enough to make the six of us a feast and only spent one book of matches and six razor blades. They use the razor blades to make sharp tools, not to shave.
I guess I wrote more than I thought I would. Your questions did it. There are probably lots of things I forgot to tell about the trip. A few questions may get results, honey. I like to have you ask about anything you want to know or you may not understand about what I write. Ask 'em and I'll answer anything I can and not violate rules.
Night, my darling, I love you. Did you know that? Any questions about it? I can answer them without violating any old rules. Here's some more big, thrilling kisses.
Your hubby.
Norm.
Sunday, May 5, 2013
Letter # 500 October 17, 1944
New Guinea
Tuesday eve.
Oct 17, 1944
My Sweetheart;
Another hot scorching day gone by. It didn't register so high in the shade, only 98 degrees, but in the sun, oh my but it's hot. Be resting in the shade and be all dried off and step into the sun for a couple minutes and you just melt and run in your shoes. The slightest movement is enough to open the sweat gates and from then on the clothes are soaking wet. Sure is funny weather for the middle of October isn't it? I'd sure like to have some of those snappy, frosty October evenings and beautiful days. I can see it is really going to get quite warm here by the first of the year.
I guess I forgot to tell you. I went to the show Sunday eve. It was "Destroyer". If I remember right it was an old show, but not too bad. Once in a while a show goes pretty good.
The show "Dragon Seed" that you mentioned seeing in Cleveland was put on at the base over the weekend. I was tempted to go but the long dusty ride and the crowd I knew would be there made me decide against it. It was highly recommended by the army, more for education of our ally, China, than anything, I imagine. From your description I imagine it might have been a good show, even if you didn't like it.
Shows are one thing we seem to disagree on occasionally. You always used to go with me if I wanted to see one but you'd squeeze my arm and not look when things started to happen. "I won't look", you'd say, but you usually did anyhow. You sure would hang on to me. I like to have you hanging on to me. I like to hang onto you too. Especially when I walk behind you and reach around under your arms. You know how. That's fun and thrilling. I love you, honey.
You are probably in possession of the correction of your understanding of locations down here. I probably didn't write it the way I mean it. You have the positions reversed anyhow. Steve is north of me.
Now what could you be packing in a syrup can to send to me? The obvious certainly isn't right but yet you say it should be tasty. Well, let her come. I'll find out then what it is. With the Grange boxes and a soldier of your own to send boxes to you should be having a big time getting boxes ready to mail.
Gosh, honey, I never dreamed that anyone would argue about the privilege of who is going to send me the lantern. I'm sorry there aren't enough things I want to go around. It sure is swell of everyone to be so thoughtful. It's nice to be remembered by old friends. It's much more than that to have such a perfect wife pulling for me and not letting anyone forget her husband.
Another sideline job for you. Going out to the hospital in a librarian capacity. Yes, honey, I'd think you would rather enjoy that and as long as it won't take much, if any, extra time, it should break the everyday routine of the library. Maybe you can also pick up some pointers on being a mother. Remember you have big plans of being one as soon as possible. You haven't changed your mind yet, have you? You'd make a swell mother. Nearly as good as the perfect wife you are now.
Ok, ok, honey, I'll hush my mouth about not writing to you. I can see I am forgive, you devil. Teasing me again about the present you had to saw in three pieces to send. I don't know what in the hell it could be or why I should quickly splice it together, but I'll do as you say. You devil. I love you to pieces.
I can see you are being well taken care of honey, and I don't need to worry or even think about it, but darn it, I just have to suggest something once in a while to salve my vanity. I gotta feel that I'm a little bit necessary anyhow. I want to be taking care of you so much you know. I assure you I'm not worrying at all about you anymore. You're a very capable girl. All I do now-a-days is dream and think of what we'll do when we are together again. Fun and more fun.
I'm going to cut you short tonight. I'm tired and need to get a big night's rest. I'll do better tomorrow night.
Night, sweetheart. I'm loving you so much and missing you constantly.
Your hubby.
Norm.
Tuesday eve.
Oct 17, 1944
My Sweetheart;
Another hot scorching day gone by. It didn't register so high in the shade, only 98 degrees, but in the sun, oh my but it's hot. Be resting in the shade and be all dried off and step into the sun for a couple minutes and you just melt and run in your shoes. The slightest movement is enough to open the sweat gates and from then on the clothes are soaking wet. Sure is funny weather for the middle of October isn't it? I'd sure like to have some of those snappy, frosty October evenings and beautiful days. I can see it is really going to get quite warm here by the first of the year.
I guess I forgot to tell you. I went to the show Sunday eve. It was "Destroyer". If I remember right it was an old show, but not too bad. Once in a while a show goes pretty good.
The show "Dragon Seed" that you mentioned seeing in Cleveland was put on at the base over the weekend. I was tempted to go but the long dusty ride and the crowd I knew would be there made me decide against it. It was highly recommended by the army, more for education of our ally, China, than anything, I imagine. From your description I imagine it might have been a good show, even if you didn't like it.
Shows are one thing we seem to disagree on occasionally. You always used to go with me if I wanted to see one but you'd squeeze my arm and not look when things started to happen. "I won't look", you'd say, but you usually did anyhow. You sure would hang on to me. I like to have you hanging on to me. I like to hang onto you too. Especially when I walk behind you and reach around under your arms. You know how. That's fun and thrilling. I love you, honey.
You are probably in possession of the correction of your understanding of locations down here. I probably didn't write it the way I mean it. You have the positions reversed anyhow. Steve is north of me.
Now what could you be packing in a syrup can to send to me? The obvious certainly isn't right but yet you say it should be tasty. Well, let her come. I'll find out then what it is. With the Grange boxes and a soldier of your own to send boxes to you should be having a big time getting boxes ready to mail.
Gosh, honey, I never dreamed that anyone would argue about the privilege of who is going to send me the lantern. I'm sorry there aren't enough things I want to go around. It sure is swell of everyone to be so thoughtful. It's nice to be remembered by old friends. It's much more than that to have such a perfect wife pulling for me and not letting anyone forget her husband.
Another sideline job for you. Going out to the hospital in a librarian capacity. Yes, honey, I'd think you would rather enjoy that and as long as it won't take much, if any, extra time, it should break the everyday routine of the library. Maybe you can also pick up some pointers on being a mother. Remember you have big plans of being one as soon as possible. You haven't changed your mind yet, have you? You'd make a swell mother. Nearly as good as the perfect wife you are now.
Ok, ok, honey, I'll hush my mouth about not writing to you. I can see I am forgive, you devil. Teasing me again about the present you had to saw in three pieces to send. I don't know what in the hell it could be or why I should quickly splice it together, but I'll do as you say. You devil. I love you to pieces.
I can see you are being well taken care of honey, and I don't need to worry or even think about it, but darn it, I just have to suggest something once in a while to salve my vanity. I gotta feel that I'm a little bit necessary anyhow. I want to be taking care of you so much you know. I assure you I'm not worrying at all about you anymore. You're a very capable girl. All I do now-a-days is dream and think of what we'll do when we are together again. Fun and more fun.
I'm going to cut you short tonight. I'm tired and need to get a big night's rest. I'll do better tomorrow night.
Night, sweetheart. I'm loving you so much and missing you constantly.
Your hubby.
Norm.
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