July 29, 43
Hello my egotistical Wife;
I've been forced to neglect you the past couple days, but I'll make up for that when I see you in a few weeks. I can be a little egotistical also, you see I have a little more good news. It is definite that we are going to Fort Knox, but I'm not sure when. We were supposed to leave today, so I packed up last night and this morning I turned in my bed and etc and they paid us off.
There was some mix up in the orders from Washington, so we aren't leaving today. I'm going to borrow a bed for tonight. We will leave as soon as they get the orders straightened out. It may be tomorrow or it may be two or three days yet.
You said you wanted me to call you. I would but it is a 4 or 5 hour job from down here and I may not be at Fort Knox by Sun or Mon. If I am I will try to call you. I'm sending this air mail and hope it reaches you by Mon. at the latest.
There is one more little piece of news. I guess in as much as you were a good girl and didn't peek in the last letter I'll tell you at once. That was kind of a mean trick and I can imagine what you were like as you read it. As I said before you deserved it. I love you honey.
Here is the news. I am now wearing one stripe on my sleeve. You probably noticed it on the return address already. It was a long time coming and now that I'm going to school, I probably won't go any further until I graduate. This outfit is slow to give ratings, but after the first one they usually come fast. There are only 4 of us in this outfit so far. I'm rich now honey. $4.00 more next mo.
I was talking to the C.O. again today and he said I shouldn't figure on a furlough until Christmas, but we'll see. If we want I may be able to work it from the other end at graduation. We won't worry about that now.
Here is another of the current rumors. The 8th is moving to Camp Perry. Boy if that one turned out to be true I'd be kind of "pissed off". Me way down in Fort Knox.
Honey the pictures were swell, nearly as good as seeing home again. The only trouble is I can't get a feel of those nice legs of yours. The belly looks good also. In fact you look the same as always to me. Damn good. Really honey. You look so good I could practically eat you. I love you plenty honey. I'm sending part of them back but keeping the best ones. Thanks honey but I don't want anything to keep them in. Too bulky to move around. I've got two, two bushel bags full now. I hate to think of lugging them very far. The picture of you and Vi was also very good. I kept the only one in which she didn't have her face in a glass. Boy those drinks must have been good.
I see the old place looks much the same even to all the current magazines on the table and the notions on the new magazine rack. It looks so natural I can just imagine sitting in my chair in the corner and seeing it all. The boys think the place looks like we must be wealthy. They don't know the half of it. They all like my wife also and can't see how you came to marry me. I fixed that up by showing them the bedroom picture. The 410 shows very plainly and I told them it was a shotgun wedding in reverse. I forced you to marry me at the point of a gun and have kept it handy ever since.
If I didn't have you now I think I would try that method if nothing else worked. I love you too much to let you get away. Gee I'm glad I got you honey. I'm really anticipating seeing you soon and may even insist on that every other week business. You're a sweet old devil and I believe you would wear yourself out to come down if you thought I wanted you to.
I'll look the situation over as soon as I can after I get there and let you know. If we had left today I could have looked around this Sunday but now I guess it will have to wait until next weekend.
Honey I'm as bad as you are. I can't even think of anything else but seeing you. I don't think I looked forward as much to our wedding day as I am to this reunion day. It seems a hell of a while since I saw you. It is exactly 4 mo. today. 1/3 of a year. It sure beats me how much I miss you honey. You must be a peach.
Well bye for now honey. I may not be able to write for a few days but I'll sure be thinking of you and getting myself primed to show you a time in Old Kentucky. I love you honey. Boy I could squeeze the daylights out of you if I could get a hold of you. Night sweetheart.
I'll be seeing you
Your lover
Norm.
Saturday, July 31, 2010
Monday, July 26, 2010
Letter # 70 July 26, 1943
July 26, 1943
Hello Wifey darling;
Well honey I guess you must really have made up your mind to see me. You're a sweet old thing and I'm flattered to think that after all the things I said about this place you would still come to see me in spite of it. You must want to very badly. I sure hope it won't be necessary. It won't be bad for you to come to Louisville. Not nearly so far and they say it's a damn nice town. Sgt. Marinics says there is a small town about halfway between Fort Knox and Louisville where we might be able to stay. We won't worry about that yet. As soon as I get settled I'll look around and then we can decide.
I haven't heard anything more about the time we have or anything, but they haven't changed their minds as yet. I've got everything crossed.
Yesterday I met Shorty Bishop again and we went down to see Henry again. I wanted to say goodbye in case I don't see him again. If they break up this division and I go to Fort Knox we may not meet again until after the war. We tried to find Kenny but I guess he was in town with his wife. I suppose she is still here. I haven't seen anyone that knows for a long time.
This army just doesn't want to let me get settled anyplace. They took me off night shift and put me back as leader of my old squad. It won't be for long. We are having a series of tests on drill and other phases of training on Wed. morn and we are doing some extensive review and brush up work today & tomorrow. I don't know why they had to pick on me. I haven't had any of that for some time and I sure was rusty. I stumbled all over myself for a while. Rahill was called out also and he had the same trouble I did. He has been working with intelligence about as long as I've been at the motor park.
Today the C.O. said that as far as he knew, furloughs would probably start in a couple weeks. Only 10 days though. Looks like I'm getting screwed by going to school. See, that's what I get for working, just more work. I was just kidding there but it sure would be swell to get home. As it is I'll have to wait until school is over. I won't mind much if my wife come to see me for a few days. Will she? I love her and will do my best to show her a time as well as show her how much I love her. I do you know.
One nice thing about the furlough business is, if they do change their minds about the school, I still have a chance to get home. One or the other ought to click. Maybe I wasn't dreaming too much after all.
Henry didn't have very much to say except that he is still very disgusted. He thinks he will get leave about the end of August.
I just put another "Turret Topics" in an envelope and will send it along. Even I broke into print in it.
I wish the picture of the infiltration course was better, but the description is good.
Well honey I guess I better quit. Nearly time for lights out. Hope it won't be too long before you have something more than a dream to hug. I'll have a dream to hug but it'll be a real flesh and blood dream. I love you honey. It will be like a dream to have you again after all this time. Here's to what will happen when we meet again. Night honey, I'll be seeing you and I'm loving you bushels.
your "wild" soldier.
Norm.
Hello Wifey darling;
Well honey I guess you must really have made up your mind to see me. You're a sweet old thing and I'm flattered to think that after all the things I said about this place you would still come to see me in spite of it. You must want to very badly. I sure hope it won't be necessary. It won't be bad for you to come to Louisville. Not nearly so far and they say it's a damn nice town. Sgt. Marinics says there is a small town about halfway between Fort Knox and Louisville where we might be able to stay. We won't worry about that yet. As soon as I get settled I'll look around and then we can decide.
I haven't heard anything more about the time we have or anything, but they haven't changed their minds as yet. I've got everything crossed.
Yesterday I met Shorty Bishop again and we went down to see Henry again. I wanted to say goodbye in case I don't see him again. If they break up this division and I go to Fort Knox we may not meet again until after the war. We tried to find Kenny but I guess he was in town with his wife. I suppose she is still here. I haven't seen anyone that knows for a long time.
This army just doesn't want to let me get settled anyplace. They took me off night shift and put me back as leader of my old squad. It won't be for long. We are having a series of tests on drill and other phases of training on Wed. morn and we are doing some extensive review and brush up work today & tomorrow. I don't know why they had to pick on me. I haven't had any of that for some time and I sure was rusty. I stumbled all over myself for a while. Rahill was called out also and he had the same trouble I did. He has been working with intelligence about as long as I've been at the motor park.
Today the C.O. said that as far as he knew, furloughs would probably start in a couple weeks. Only 10 days though. Looks like I'm getting screwed by going to school. See, that's what I get for working, just more work. I was just kidding there but it sure would be swell to get home. As it is I'll have to wait until school is over. I won't mind much if my wife come to see me for a few days. Will she? I love her and will do my best to show her a time as well as show her how much I love her. I do you know.
One nice thing about the furlough business is, if they do change their minds about the school, I still have a chance to get home. One or the other ought to click. Maybe I wasn't dreaming too much after all.
Henry didn't have very much to say except that he is still very disgusted. He thinks he will get leave about the end of August.
I just put another "Turret Topics" in an envelope and will send it along. Even I broke into print in it.
I wish the picture of the infiltration course was better, but the description is good.
Well honey I guess I better quit. Nearly time for lights out. Hope it won't be too long before you have something more than a dream to hug. I'll have a dream to hug but it'll be a real flesh and blood dream. I love you honey. It will be like a dream to have you again after all this time. Here's to what will happen when we meet again. Night honey, I'll be seeing you and I'm loving you bushels.
your "wild" soldier.
Norm.
Saturday, July 24, 2010
Letter # 69 July 25, 1943
July 25, 1943
0600 Sun.
Good morning honey;
I can risk saying good morning to you this way and not get a scowl for an answer. You never were too sociable at this time of the morning, were you? Especially if I would have wakened you this early on Sunday. Wish I was near enough to try it though. I'd risk a scowl. I might even try to break your rule about no loving in the morning. Maybe you've changed in that respect also. Have you? I love you, you old devil and I think maybe I'll try it the first chance I get.
If the army doesn't change its mind about sending me to Fort Knox I'm going to take you up on that business of coming to see me so maybe it won't be too long until I have a chance to try. I sure am keeping my legs crossed and hoping.
Every time the C.O. or first Sargent want to see me I get scared. Think the bad news might be coming. It just seems too good to be true, being shipped back so close to my good old wife. I'll really heave a sigh of relief when I get on that northbound train. I don't know when anything has meant so much to me as the prospect of seeing you again does. I'm afraid I've allowed myself to dream a little too much about this and if it doesn't happen I'm going to be very much disappointed. Now don't go thinking, "Well, damn it I'll go to La." because I won't be so broken up that I would want you to do that.
You can believe me honey, this weather is hell and to someone not used to it, it would be something worse. Yesterday it was 116 degrees and already this morning I am dripping and I don't sweat until it gets about 90 degrees anymore.
This past week we had two Nco's come back from furloughs in the north, Sgt. Rush, the one I bivouacked with that night, from New York, was one of them and they nearly died after they got here. Had to stand on the train for long periods of time and the heat nearly got them. They had to give Rush two heart shots to keep it from stopping. They are both recovering slowly.
Now that I have gotten used to it, it doesn't have much effect on me other than keep me constantly dripping, but I don't think I will ever kick about cold weather again.
They've kind of had me on "unlimited" service again the last couple days, didn't even get time to write you yesterday. I got up Friday noon and worked Friday night. Sat morn they had some special lectures "Ernie", Sgt. Marinics, and I had to attend. Got to bed at 1000 and they called us back to duty at 1130. We worked until 2000 last night. Almost like the old days when I spent nearly all my time on my feet. Although then I had some very pleasant work to do part of the time. Loving you.
The "old man" can still take it. I wasn't even sleepy so i took Sgt. Caruso's trick at C.O. for him. His wife is living in DeRidder and they had kept him so busy last week he didn't get home at night. So when he asked me would I take his turn I felt sorry for him and did it. He was so tickled he offered me $5.00 for it but I couldn't take money for that. He had asked all the rest of the qualified men first. He knew I hadn't had any sleep. None of them would take it for him. He looked so down hearted I don't know how they could refuse. Anytime I can do anything to help a man see his wife, I'll sure as hell do it.
I finally got to bed at 2400 and had hardly gotten to sleep when one of the boys came in and got me up again. He had been given an emergency furlough and then a 4 day extension and had overstayed that for 6 days so he is in trouble. I had to do a little record work on it and get him settled under company arrest. Then I went back to bed until 0500 this morning. He sure has himself in a jam. He will be court marshaled and probably get at least 6 mo. in the guard house, and may get up to 10 yrs. They sure are tough on A.W.O.L. In this outfit they have already given 2 yrs for 2 days A.W.O.L. and they accept very few excuses. Even a few minutes to an hour late for any formation without a very good excuse, give a week of K.P. or other extra company duty, such as digging stumps, hauling gravel or any kind of work there is to be done.
Even this morning I had orders to call the company out at 0800 for "police up" and then had to go through the barracks and take the names of men that didn't fall out. They are now on detail for the day. It sure pays to stay "on the ball" in this man's army. I learned that quick and have so far been lucky. I've done a lot of extra work but none of it has been for punishment yet.
This C.O. business explains the reason I'm writing this letter so early. I had to get the cooks and K.P.'s out at 0500 so I just decided to do my writing this morning. I go off duty at 1200 and then I have quite a lot of laundry to do and a few other things to take care of so I'll be ready to take off when the time comes. They'll probably only tell us an hour or so before we are to be on the train. I can't send my laundry out because it wouldn't be back quick enough. I still need my "red headed secretary". I seem to be finding too many things for that mythical secretary to do. Guess all I want is a wife. I already have the best one of those available, but she's too damn far away. I love you darling. Do you believe me now or haven't I told you often enough?
I just nearly got mobbed and if as they say, I wasn't an old bald headed man they would have, but I don't think that was the whole reason. I am just as big as they . However I guess maybe I had it coming. Sgt Brown & Sgt Otis were sitting around here in the orderly room and we were "throwing the bull" about this and that and as is always the case, the subject of furloughs came up. They were ribbing me about going so close to home and not being able to get any closer so to get back I started to say how nice it would be to be on the headwaters of a nice clear, cold mountain stream watching the trout scoot by over the riffles and be able to follow the stream bed with the eye up through a pine clad canyon to snow capped peaks and a beautiful cool looking blue sky. To have nothing to do but sit there on the bank and dream or fish or maybe have some very nice female companion to keep you company or whatever. That was as far as I got. Both of them are from the mountains, Brown from Calif. and Otis from New York. You can imagine when you stop to think where we are and where they are from how many memories that would bring back and how they would feel about it. I got back at them and couldn't have blamed them very much if they had mobbed me. I did such a good job of it, it even made me feel bad.
We're going to have to do that sometime honey, when our ship comes in and we can afford to take a couple weeks vacation. That would be a nice life. You and I and have nothing to do in those surroundings but fish and ---- and love. Can you guess the missing word?
Honey, I think you're the one to say "It's me" when we meet again. It just doesn't seem like the old you. Getting up and calling the boy to go out and do chores. I can't believe it. Why you must be changed so much you even look different. However I can tell from your letters that I'm still going to love you more than ever, even if you have changed.
The expressions are probably colloquial. I spelled it the same as you, so if it's wrong it's your fault. I had never heard that one. "Aw blow it out your ass" "fuck up" and "pissed off" are the most common around here. The "pissed off" means to get mad and I have explained the others before.
Well honey I guess I rambled around quite a little in this letter but I wanted to write something. I quit now and see if I can compose something to the folks. Bye honey, I'm loving you and at present doing a lot of dreaming. Hope they aren't just pipe dreams. Keep up the good work honey and have a good time. So long, I'll be seeing you, you darling. I love you and love you and love you.
your hubby.
Norm.
0600 Sun.
Good morning honey;
I can risk saying good morning to you this way and not get a scowl for an answer. You never were too sociable at this time of the morning, were you? Especially if I would have wakened you this early on Sunday. Wish I was near enough to try it though. I'd risk a scowl. I might even try to break your rule about no loving in the morning. Maybe you've changed in that respect also. Have you? I love you, you old devil and I think maybe I'll try it the first chance I get.
If the army doesn't change its mind about sending me to Fort Knox I'm going to take you up on that business of coming to see me so maybe it won't be too long until I have a chance to try. I sure am keeping my legs crossed and hoping.
Every time the C.O. or first Sargent want to see me I get scared. Think the bad news might be coming. It just seems too good to be true, being shipped back so close to my good old wife. I'll really heave a sigh of relief when I get on that northbound train. I don't know when anything has meant so much to me as the prospect of seeing you again does. I'm afraid I've allowed myself to dream a little too much about this and if it doesn't happen I'm going to be very much disappointed. Now don't go thinking, "Well, damn it I'll go to La." because I won't be so broken up that I would want you to do that.
You can believe me honey, this weather is hell and to someone not used to it, it would be something worse. Yesterday it was 116 degrees and already this morning I am dripping and I don't sweat until it gets about 90 degrees anymore.
This past week we had two Nco's come back from furloughs in the north, Sgt. Rush, the one I bivouacked with that night, from New York, was one of them and they nearly died after they got here. Had to stand on the train for long periods of time and the heat nearly got them. They had to give Rush two heart shots to keep it from stopping. They are both recovering slowly.
Now that I have gotten used to it, it doesn't have much effect on me other than keep me constantly dripping, but I don't think I will ever kick about cold weather again.
They've kind of had me on "unlimited" service again the last couple days, didn't even get time to write you yesterday. I got up Friday noon and worked Friday night. Sat morn they had some special lectures "Ernie", Sgt. Marinics, and I had to attend. Got to bed at 1000 and they called us back to duty at 1130. We worked until 2000 last night. Almost like the old days when I spent nearly all my time on my feet. Although then I had some very pleasant work to do part of the time. Loving you.
The "old man" can still take it. I wasn't even sleepy so i took Sgt. Caruso's trick at C.O. for him. His wife is living in DeRidder and they had kept him so busy last week he didn't get home at night. So when he asked me would I take his turn I felt sorry for him and did it. He was so tickled he offered me $5.00 for it but I couldn't take money for that. He had asked all the rest of the qualified men first. He knew I hadn't had any sleep. None of them would take it for him. He looked so down hearted I don't know how they could refuse. Anytime I can do anything to help a man see his wife, I'll sure as hell do it.
I finally got to bed at 2400 and had hardly gotten to sleep when one of the boys came in and got me up again. He had been given an emergency furlough and then a 4 day extension and had overstayed that for 6 days so he is in trouble. I had to do a little record work on it and get him settled under company arrest. Then I went back to bed until 0500 this morning. He sure has himself in a jam. He will be court marshaled and probably get at least 6 mo. in the guard house, and may get up to 10 yrs. They sure are tough on A.W.O.L. In this outfit they have already given 2 yrs for 2 days A.W.O.L. and they accept very few excuses. Even a few minutes to an hour late for any formation without a very good excuse, give a week of K.P. or other extra company duty, such as digging stumps, hauling gravel or any kind of work there is to be done.
Even this morning I had orders to call the company out at 0800 for "police up" and then had to go through the barracks and take the names of men that didn't fall out. They are now on detail for the day. It sure pays to stay "on the ball" in this man's army. I learned that quick and have so far been lucky. I've done a lot of extra work but none of it has been for punishment yet.
This C.O. business explains the reason I'm writing this letter so early. I had to get the cooks and K.P.'s out at 0500 so I just decided to do my writing this morning. I go off duty at 1200 and then I have quite a lot of laundry to do and a few other things to take care of so I'll be ready to take off when the time comes. They'll probably only tell us an hour or so before we are to be on the train. I can't send my laundry out because it wouldn't be back quick enough. I still need my "red headed secretary". I seem to be finding too many things for that mythical secretary to do. Guess all I want is a wife. I already have the best one of those available, but she's too damn far away. I love you darling. Do you believe me now or haven't I told you often enough?
I just nearly got mobbed and if as they say, I wasn't an old bald headed man they would have, but I don't think that was the whole reason. I am just as big as they . However I guess maybe I had it coming. Sgt Brown & Sgt Otis were sitting around here in the orderly room and we were "throwing the bull" about this and that and as is always the case, the subject of furloughs came up. They were ribbing me about going so close to home and not being able to get any closer so to get back I started to say how nice it would be to be on the headwaters of a nice clear, cold mountain stream watching the trout scoot by over the riffles and be able to follow the stream bed with the eye up through a pine clad canyon to snow capped peaks and a beautiful cool looking blue sky. To have nothing to do but sit there on the bank and dream or fish or maybe have some very nice female companion to keep you company or whatever. That was as far as I got. Both of them are from the mountains, Brown from Calif. and Otis from New York. You can imagine when you stop to think where we are and where they are from how many memories that would bring back and how they would feel about it. I got back at them and couldn't have blamed them very much if they had mobbed me. I did such a good job of it, it even made me feel bad.
We're going to have to do that sometime honey, when our ship comes in and we can afford to take a couple weeks vacation. That would be a nice life. You and I and have nothing to do in those surroundings but fish and ---- and love. Can you guess the missing word?
Honey, I think you're the one to say "It's me" when we meet again. It just doesn't seem like the old you. Getting up and calling the boy to go out and do chores. I can't believe it. Why you must be changed so much you even look different. However I can tell from your letters that I'm still going to love you more than ever, even if you have changed.
The expressions are probably colloquial. I spelled it the same as you, so if it's wrong it's your fault. I had never heard that one. "Aw blow it out your ass" "fuck up" and "pissed off" are the most common around here. The "pissed off" means to get mad and I have explained the others before.
Well honey I guess I rambled around quite a little in this letter but I wanted to write something. I quit now and see if I can compose something to the folks. Bye honey, I'm loving you and at present doing a lot of dreaming. Hope they aren't just pipe dreams. Keep up the good work honey and have a good time. So long, I'll be seeing you, you darling. I love you and love you and love you.
your hubby.
Norm.
Friday, July 23, 2010
Letter # 68 July 23, 1943
July 23, 1943
1400 Fri. Aft.
Dearest Wifey;
Well honey I've finally got some good news. Now don't get excited. It isn't a furlough but it is good news never-the-less. I have an excellent opportunity to turn the tables on you and make you wait for the surprise good news. But I don't know if I can be that way or not. It's almost too good to be kept and anyhow it takes place so soon, not later than the first of August so maybe I should tell you all about it. Now don't get curious and jump over part of this letter to find out what it is. Promise you won't or I'll make you wait for tomorrow's installment to find out what it is. Do you promise? Good, then I'll tell you a little bit. No, it isn't a rating or anything like that. Better than that. I had hoped that it might happen but was so doubtful of it that I never said anything about it.
Have I teased you enough yet or should I keep on for a little longer? Knowing how you like surprises I guess I better keep you in suspense a little longer. Aren't I mean though honey? I told you I would get back at you for making me wait on your surprise a while ago. I think I'll go over and get me a drink at the P.X. before I tell you. Boy it sure is hotter than hell here today. If that is where I'm headed for after life it will be a snap after this session of hot weather. I bet you are consigning me to that very place about now.
No luck with the drinks, they don't have a bit of ice.
What am I doing talking about other things at a time like this? Just teasing you of course. Have you had enough yet, you old devil? No? Well then I won't tell you just yet. I love you honey but I do get a kick out of teasing you. Now I have a little bad news before I tell you the good.
I just came back from the Orderly Room. I asked the old man about a leave of some kind even if only 3 or 4 days but no soap. I definitely will not get a furlough until Thanksgiving or Christmas. Now don't get too excited, just wait until I tell you the good news.
I guess I've made you wait long enough but this is the first chance I've had to tease you for a long time and you had it coming you old devil you. I love you honey even if I do tease you.
Have you been honest and not peeked to see what the news is? I think you have so I'll tell you on the next sheet.
I am being transferred to Fort Knox, Ky. mechanical school for 16 weeks. Now ain't that something? We are to be there by the 1st of August, at least that is the story now. The damn army may change its mind but I think this is nearly certain. I won't be entirely sure until I get there though.
I tried to get a three or four day start and then I could have come home for a day or so. I know you probably would have been in bad shape, it's that time of the mo, but I wouldn't have minded that so much. It would have been swell just to see you.
There are quite a few men going from the division and we will go on troop train, so I couldn't take off before the rest. I even offered to stand the train fare myself but no soap.
After I get there and get settled a week or so I won't have any objection to you coming to see me there over a weekend or maybe for a week or so. That's back in civilization and I imagine you can do O.K. there. I don't know any of the particulars or anything about my schedule there but I guess we go to school 6 days a week during the entire course. We'll see about that later.
Anyhow I won't be so very far from home and even if I can't get home, maybe I can talk you into coming to see me once in a while on Sat. night. That will be swell. I'm sure keeping my fingers crossed that they don't change their minds this time.
I'm not so wild about the school, although it will give me an opportunity to get some valuable schooling. The nicest part is that I'm now planning to be able to see you again and that's enough to make me want it badly. You don't know how hungry I am for a look at you again. It will also get me out of this Turkish bath down here and that is also something. Honey, if you can bring me that kind of luck just by sending me a $10.00 bill, keep it up.
I still think you were the best luck I ever had and now you send me a good luck $10.00 bill and look what happens. I love you honey, more and more. Maybe that "showing you" I speak of isn't so far away anymore. It sure looks a lot more promising than it has for a long time. Keep your fingers and your legs crossed and I'll do a little of that praying that the army doesn't change its mind this time. I'll sure be mad if they do. Well here's to seeing you soon honey and I'm loving you lots.
your hopeful hubby.
Norm
Honey.
P.S. I forgot. You can keep on sending mail to me here and it will be sent after me until I know my new address for sure, but don't send anything but letters.
1400 Fri. Aft.
Dearest Wifey;
Well honey I've finally got some good news. Now don't get excited. It isn't a furlough but it is good news never-the-less. I have an excellent opportunity to turn the tables on you and make you wait for the surprise good news. But I don't know if I can be that way or not. It's almost too good to be kept and anyhow it takes place so soon, not later than the first of August so maybe I should tell you all about it. Now don't get curious and jump over part of this letter to find out what it is. Promise you won't or I'll make you wait for tomorrow's installment to find out what it is. Do you promise? Good, then I'll tell you a little bit. No, it isn't a rating or anything like that. Better than that. I had hoped that it might happen but was so doubtful of it that I never said anything about it.
Have I teased you enough yet or should I keep on for a little longer? Knowing how you like surprises I guess I better keep you in suspense a little longer. Aren't I mean though honey? I told you I would get back at you for making me wait on your surprise a while ago. I think I'll go over and get me a drink at the P.X. before I tell you. Boy it sure is hotter than hell here today. If that is where I'm headed for after life it will be a snap after this session of hot weather. I bet you are consigning me to that very place about now.
No luck with the drinks, they don't have a bit of ice.
What am I doing talking about other things at a time like this? Just teasing you of course. Have you had enough yet, you old devil? No? Well then I won't tell you just yet. I love you honey but I do get a kick out of teasing you. Now I have a little bad news before I tell you the good.
I just came back from the Orderly Room. I asked the old man about a leave of some kind even if only 3 or 4 days but no soap. I definitely will not get a furlough until Thanksgiving or Christmas. Now don't get too excited, just wait until I tell you the good news.
I guess I've made you wait long enough but this is the first chance I've had to tease you for a long time and you had it coming you old devil you. I love you honey even if I do tease you.
Have you been honest and not peeked to see what the news is? I think you have so I'll tell you on the next sheet.
I am being transferred to Fort Knox, Ky. mechanical school for 16 weeks. Now ain't that something? We are to be there by the 1st of August, at least that is the story now. The damn army may change its mind but I think this is nearly certain. I won't be entirely sure until I get there though.
I tried to get a three or four day start and then I could have come home for a day or so. I know you probably would have been in bad shape, it's that time of the mo, but I wouldn't have minded that so much. It would have been swell just to see you.
There are quite a few men going from the division and we will go on troop train, so I couldn't take off before the rest. I even offered to stand the train fare myself but no soap.
After I get there and get settled a week or so I won't have any objection to you coming to see me there over a weekend or maybe for a week or so. That's back in civilization and I imagine you can do O.K. there. I don't know any of the particulars or anything about my schedule there but I guess we go to school 6 days a week during the entire course. We'll see about that later.
Anyhow I won't be so very far from home and even if I can't get home, maybe I can talk you into coming to see me once in a while on Sat. night. That will be swell. I'm sure keeping my fingers crossed that they don't change their minds this time.
I'm not so wild about the school, although it will give me an opportunity to get some valuable schooling. The nicest part is that I'm now planning to be able to see you again and that's enough to make me want it badly. You don't know how hungry I am for a look at you again. It will also get me out of this Turkish bath down here and that is also something. Honey, if you can bring me that kind of luck just by sending me a $10.00 bill, keep it up.
I still think you were the best luck I ever had and now you send me a good luck $10.00 bill and look what happens. I love you honey, more and more. Maybe that "showing you" I speak of isn't so far away anymore. It sure looks a lot more promising than it has for a long time. Keep your fingers and your legs crossed and I'll do a little of that praying that the army doesn't change its mind this time. I'll sure be mad if they do. Well here's to seeing you soon honey and I'm loving you lots.
your hopeful hubby.
Norm
Honey.
P.S. I forgot. You can keep on sending mail to me here and it will be sent after me until I know my new address for sure, but don't send anything but letters.
Thursday, July 22, 2010
Letter # 67 July 22, 1943
July 22, 1943
Thurs 1400
Hello Miss Independence;
I've been keeping my fingers crossed for quite some time. I was afraid you were going to decide to come down here before you went to school this fall. I can't stop you from coming and wouldn't if I could but I am still against it. I have talked to all the fellows I knew that had their wives down here and none of them have liked it at all. One of the clerks in the garage had his wife here since a week ago Sunday. She left for home today. She had originally intended to stay until he got a furlough and they were going back together. She just couldn't stand the heat and living conditions. He said the only good meals she got were the ones they ate here at the Service Club [on the post]. Now that I am back on night shift it would turn your hours all around again. All in all I don't think it would be very satisfactory for you.
Sure, I'm thinking of you and not so much of myself. If I were only thinking of myself I would have had you here all the time. I don't think the satisfaction to me would be worth the hardship to you.
Don't worry about my being sent before I get a chance to come home. There is no indication that this outfit will go overseas for a long time. I'm beginning to believe this is an experimental outfit and will be broken up. The chances are very slim of me getting home before school but I'm sure I'll get there. As you said before you can always get someone to take your place for a week or two. Under the conditions they would be glad to let you off and that would take care of the very slim chance of my being shipped without a leave. Beside all this honey it would bring on another period of loneliness for both of us, [like at first] and not be satisfactory enough to either of us to be worth it. When I see you I would much rather be on leave and not have army mixed up with us.
All this is just as I see one side of it. You are still perfectly free to do as you please. You can bet I want to see you as much if not more than you want to see me but I just can't see all the trouble to you.
Talk it over with your Mom and Pop and read them what I have to say. I've kept this much of the letter so you could. If you still decide to come down let me know a week or so ahead and I'll see what I can do for living accommodations. Above all don't forget to bring an alarm clock or I would probably oversleep and be A.W.O.L. If I were you I would wait until the last part of August. Something may happen by then.
In case you get the wrong impression from this letter, I'm leaving it up to you from here on and whatever you decide will be swell with me. I won't be mad if you come and I won't be disappointed if you don't. I just love you a hell of a lot and would be glad to see you anywhere. That is enough on that subject.
What was the idea of the $10.00? Did you make a mistake and get it in the wrong envelope or was it just in hopes I might get a furlough and need it to get home? You're a sweet old devil and I love you lots. Always worrying that I might not have enough to get along on. Don't worry honey, the only things I want that I don't have money for, can't be bought with money. You know what I mean. You, and a normal home life again. Thanks anyhow, I'll be able to use it for something.
Well honey I've got to try and get some sleep so I can stay awake all night. I love you more and more. You're a swell person to have for a wife. Bye honey, you're the apple of my eye.
Your loving husband
Norm
Thurs 1400
Hello Miss Independence;
I've been keeping my fingers crossed for quite some time. I was afraid you were going to decide to come down here before you went to school this fall. I can't stop you from coming and wouldn't if I could but I am still against it. I have talked to all the fellows I knew that had their wives down here and none of them have liked it at all. One of the clerks in the garage had his wife here since a week ago Sunday. She left for home today. She had originally intended to stay until he got a furlough and they were going back together. She just couldn't stand the heat and living conditions. He said the only good meals she got were the ones they ate here at the Service Club [on the post]. Now that I am back on night shift it would turn your hours all around again. All in all I don't think it would be very satisfactory for you.
Sure, I'm thinking of you and not so much of myself. If I were only thinking of myself I would have had you here all the time. I don't think the satisfaction to me would be worth the hardship to you.
Don't worry about my being sent before I get a chance to come home. There is no indication that this outfit will go overseas for a long time. I'm beginning to believe this is an experimental outfit and will be broken up. The chances are very slim of me getting home before school but I'm sure I'll get there. As you said before you can always get someone to take your place for a week or two. Under the conditions they would be glad to let you off and that would take care of the very slim chance of my being shipped without a leave. Beside all this honey it would bring on another period of loneliness for both of us, [like at first] and not be satisfactory enough to either of us to be worth it. When I see you I would much rather be on leave and not have army mixed up with us.
All this is just as I see one side of it. You are still perfectly free to do as you please. You can bet I want to see you as much if not more than you want to see me but I just can't see all the trouble to you.
Talk it over with your Mom and Pop and read them what I have to say. I've kept this much of the letter so you could. If you still decide to come down let me know a week or so ahead and I'll see what I can do for living accommodations. Above all don't forget to bring an alarm clock or I would probably oversleep and be A.W.O.L. If I were you I would wait until the last part of August. Something may happen by then.
In case you get the wrong impression from this letter, I'm leaving it up to you from here on and whatever you decide will be swell with me. I won't be mad if you come and I won't be disappointed if you don't. I just love you a hell of a lot and would be glad to see you anywhere. That is enough on that subject.
What was the idea of the $10.00? Did you make a mistake and get it in the wrong envelope or was it just in hopes I might get a furlough and need it to get home? You're a sweet old devil and I love you lots. Always worrying that I might not have enough to get along on. Don't worry honey, the only things I want that I don't have money for, can't be bought with money. You know what I mean. You, and a normal home life again. Thanks anyhow, I'll be able to use it for something.
Well honey I've got to try and get some sleep so I can stay awake all night. I love you more and more. You're a swell person to have for a wife. Bye honey, you're the apple of my eye.
Your loving husband
Norm
Wednesday, July 21, 2010
Letter # 66 July 21, 1943
July 21, 1943
2000 Wed eve.
Hello sweet and lovable;
Well honey I have a very good example of how the army can change it's mind. Yesterday they said no more night shift and today they put Sgt.Marinics and I on night shift indefinitely. Just the two of us now. We go on tomorrow night. we'll work until noon tomorrow and have the afternoon to sleep or whatever. I think it will be okay.
I got your box of cookies and your Sunday letter today. The cookies are swell honey and you're a sweet old devil to take such good care of me.
I guess you have been doing a lot of gadding as you call it, but that's what a vacation is for and it's what I want you to do. Get it out of your system if you can honey. [I doubt it] because when I do come home again I'm not going to be too easy to talk into leaving very much. I always did rather like to stay at home and I think I will like it a lot more after this. I can really appreciate wife and home now.
The rumors are really flying around here now. They're coming so thick and fast I can't even remember all of them. Here are a couple of them but treat them as nothing but rumors. Probably no truth in them at all.
#1 All furloughs for privates are cancelled from this date forward to some indefinite date, because a lot of them are going to be shipped out to replacement centers.
#2 The 8th division is changed from a combat unit to a training unit for non-comms.
#3 The privates will get their ratings and be sent to other armored force divisions to train other rookies.
#4 In two mo. North Camp Polk will be empty except for a staff of officers and non-comms to begin another 8th division.
#5 Camp Polk is to be used for prisoners of war camp. They say there is already a bunch of them in south camp. where they moved the W.A.A.C.S. from.
That is all I can remember at present but there are lots more. All you can gather from them is that there might be something afoot and these are the guesses someone has passed out. I don't think any of the Division officers know much more than we do about it. We'll just have to keep on waiting until something happens. Don't get discouraged honey. I'm just talking gossip, and a break may come our way at any time.
I sure am glad you are getting along so well by yourself. I had thought all along that you would be better satisfied there at home than anywhere else and I'm glad it's turning out that way. I want you to be as happy as you can be under the circumstances. It's a hard spot for you and I want you to do as you please. I've told you all this before but just keep it in mind.
Well honey I'm all unwound again. Must be slipping or else I'm writing too often. Can't seem to fill the pages anymore. Not doing so many new things to write about either. I'll soon be down to short love notes. I should be able to write a lot on that subject but I can't say what I want to. I'm still much better at showing than telling I'm afraid.
I do love you a lot honey and think you are the sweetest most desirable woman in the world, even though you say you aren't as nice as I say and call yourself a hard woman of the world, I think I can soften you up and know you will be entirely satisfactory. You're a peach honey. I'm glad I got you before someone else found out how nice you were. I was lucky. No competition.
Night honey, I love you and am hoping to see you soon.
your lover
Norm.
2000 Wed eve.
Hello sweet and lovable;
Well honey I have a very good example of how the army can change it's mind. Yesterday they said no more night shift and today they put Sgt.Marinics and I on night shift indefinitely. Just the two of us now. We go on tomorrow night. we'll work until noon tomorrow and have the afternoon to sleep or whatever. I think it will be okay.
I got your box of cookies and your Sunday letter today. The cookies are swell honey and you're a sweet old devil to take such good care of me.
I guess you have been doing a lot of gadding as you call it, but that's what a vacation is for and it's what I want you to do. Get it out of your system if you can honey. [I doubt it] because when I do come home again I'm not going to be too easy to talk into leaving very much. I always did rather like to stay at home and I think I will like it a lot more after this. I can really appreciate wife and home now.
The rumors are really flying around here now. They're coming so thick and fast I can't even remember all of them. Here are a couple of them but treat them as nothing but rumors. Probably no truth in them at all.
#1 All furloughs for privates are cancelled from this date forward to some indefinite date, because a lot of them are going to be shipped out to replacement centers.
#2 The 8th division is changed from a combat unit to a training unit for non-comms.
#3 The privates will get their ratings and be sent to other armored force divisions to train other rookies.
#4 In two mo. North Camp Polk will be empty except for a staff of officers and non-comms to begin another 8th division.
#5 Camp Polk is to be used for prisoners of war camp. They say there is already a bunch of them in south camp. where they moved the W.A.A.C.S. from.
That is all I can remember at present but there are lots more. All you can gather from them is that there might be something afoot and these are the guesses someone has passed out. I don't think any of the Division officers know much more than we do about it. We'll just have to keep on waiting until something happens. Don't get discouraged honey. I'm just talking gossip, and a break may come our way at any time.
I sure am glad you are getting along so well by yourself. I had thought all along that you would be better satisfied there at home than anywhere else and I'm glad it's turning out that way. I want you to be as happy as you can be under the circumstances. It's a hard spot for you and I want you to do as you please. I've told you all this before but just keep it in mind.
Well honey I'm all unwound again. Must be slipping or else I'm writing too often. Can't seem to fill the pages anymore. Not doing so many new things to write about either. I'll soon be down to short love notes. I should be able to write a lot on that subject but I can't say what I want to. I'm still much better at showing than telling I'm afraid.
I do love you a lot honey and think you are the sweetest most desirable woman in the world, even though you say you aren't as nice as I say and call yourself a hard woman of the world, I think I can soften you up and know you will be entirely satisfactory. You're a peach honey. I'm glad I got you before someone else found out how nice you were. I was lucky. No competition.
Night honey, I love you and am hoping to see you soon.
your lover
Norm.
Letter # 65 July 20, 1943
July 20, 1943
1900 Tues. Eve.
Hello Sweetheart;
Another day and another letter from my nice wife. You sure are a nice person to get letters from. I stand every mail call and I haven't left empty handed very often. It must be quite a chore for you. I'm more trouble to you being away than I would be if I were home. It's very nice though to be able to look forward to the end of this war and know I have a nice wife waiting for me. I love you honey and you can just bet I miss you more than a little.
I guess they have decided to quit the night shift at least for the present. That is what the first Sargent said this morning. Of course he said "you know the army" They may change their minds again tomorrow.
I was working all day on a tank. Overhaul on the engines. They are bitches to work on. Need a can opener or a charge of dynamite to open them up so you can get anywhere near the engines. I stood on my head and worked in all sorts of cramped positions all day. Got a good workout. It was really hot today. I don't know how hot, but I believe it was the hottest yet. It looks like rain tonight.
We couldn't go swimming tonight so I just took a shower and am sitting here taking it easy as I write to my old sweetheart.
Max went to the hospital yesterday for a hemorrhoid operation. I don't know how long that takes but I guess they are painful as hell. Glad I don't seem to have anything wrong with me. There are some nice nurses at the hospital they tell me but I'd sooner be well and not see them. If you were a nurse there I'd try to have something wrong very often. I'd like to have you for a nurse. If I wasn't too sick maybe I could get a little fresh once in a while.
Your comment about Bob Indoe sounded a bit green eyed to me. I don't blame him for taking all he can get, but I don't see how he does it.
Has Thurston ever had more than the emergency furlough when his baby was born? Some fellows just seem to be lucky or know how. I wish I did. I wouldn't mind coming to see you every month or so either.
Honey, I believe you are also changing. I can't imagine you offering to do someone else's work. I bet Jean was surprised. Hope it's nothing serious with her.
Well honey this letter just doesn't seem to click so I'm disgusted and going to quit for tonight. I love you honey and you were very hard to make but I'm a persistent cuss so watch out. Night honey. I'm loving you as much as ever even if I can't seem to write tonight.
Night Tootsie Wuggles.
Norm.
1900 Tues. Eve.
Hello Sweetheart;
Another day and another letter from my nice wife. You sure are a nice person to get letters from. I stand every mail call and I haven't left empty handed very often. It must be quite a chore for you. I'm more trouble to you being away than I would be if I were home. It's very nice though to be able to look forward to the end of this war and know I have a nice wife waiting for me. I love you honey and you can just bet I miss you more than a little.
I guess they have decided to quit the night shift at least for the present. That is what the first Sargent said this morning. Of course he said "you know the army" They may change their minds again tomorrow.
I was working all day on a tank. Overhaul on the engines. They are bitches to work on. Need a can opener or a charge of dynamite to open them up so you can get anywhere near the engines. I stood on my head and worked in all sorts of cramped positions all day. Got a good workout. It was really hot today. I don't know how hot, but I believe it was the hottest yet. It looks like rain tonight.
We couldn't go swimming tonight so I just took a shower and am sitting here taking it easy as I write to my old sweetheart.
Max went to the hospital yesterday for a hemorrhoid operation. I don't know how long that takes but I guess they are painful as hell. Glad I don't seem to have anything wrong with me. There are some nice nurses at the hospital they tell me but I'd sooner be well and not see them. If you were a nurse there I'd try to have something wrong very often. I'd like to have you for a nurse. If I wasn't too sick maybe I could get a little fresh once in a while.
Your comment about Bob Indoe sounded a bit green eyed to me. I don't blame him for taking all he can get, but I don't see how he does it.
Has Thurston ever had more than the emergency furlough when his baby was born? Some fellows just seem to be lucky or know how. I wish I did. I wouldn't mind coming to see you every month or so either.
Honey, I believe you are also changing. I can't imagine you offering to do someone else's work. I bet Jean was surprised. Hope it's nothing serious with her.
Well honey this letter just doesn't seem to click so I'm disgusted and going to quit for tonight. I love you honey and you were very hard to make but I'm a persistent cuss so watch out. Night honey. I'm loving you as much as ever even if I can't seem to write tonight.
Night Tootsie Wuggles.
Norm.
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