Gladys Davis (Johnson) Archives

30 August 1945

Dear folks:

Had a nice letter from Mom today so before the show maybe I can answer it. I could tell in your letter how relieved you were and the end of the war made me think of your relief more than mine.

We are sitting around living from day to day for our orders to come through. I think it will be very soon and I’m hoping I can be lucky enough to fly back two days that way, and 18 by boat. I wish I could tell you definitely but we don’t know that. Dick has gone to Tokyo. He was looking forward to it. He flew. It will be quite an experience and he will probably get back fairly soon. He will have plenty to tell you on his return. There’s no need telling you how great my anticipation is after four years. Nancy grown, Phil engaged, Katie married with a child, besides all the other changes around town. And how I’m going to enjoy being lazy around the house. I know you know how I feel. Had a letter from Gladys Johnson, formerly Gladys Davis and she says by all means go back to school and take the room I had lived in. She says her mother has been waiting four years for me to be back in my room. If I get back by the middle of October I’ll have a good stay at home before going to Lincoln [to go to college]. But I’ll have to get a lot of new clothes first. I can use the three hundred [dollars] I get on discharge for that.

Here on the island, Jap officers and enlisted men are roaming around the hills getting what Japs remain to surrender. But I’m in no danger. Our area is a big one like a city, not isolated like in combat. And of course I’m being careful and making sure I’ll get back. And I pray plenty for that and thank God we have been so fortunate. Dick has told me he prayed plenty. That time he was pinned down for four hours while the Japs tried to get him, he knew he was going to die and wished they’d hurry up and kill him. He’s had some close ones. But it has affected him and you’ll be proud of him when he gets back.

Well, it’s about time to go to the show. If you don’t hear from me for a week, don’t write any more because I’ll be on my way. But I’ll write at least that often until I leave.

Love,

23 July 1945

Dear Folks:

This won’t be much of a letter but in order to kill a little time before [the] show probably I ought to write you. It’s been hot as hell today and the sweat has been rolling off me, but I feel better after a shower.

We had our first beer ration – four bottles. It’s warm but it’s still good.

Received two Free Presses today – one of them dated this month. It seems like every issue I read about this guy Seich being on a furlough. Has he even been overseas? Another is Clifford Teiser – what a racket he must have. But when I get home I expect it to be permanent.

I don’t [know] when I’ll see Dick again. We are a long ways apart now, but I hope I can have him down for a few days soon. Don’t know where Duane is.

Dug out my law books today and glanced over them a little. I have quite a little time to study now.

In Gladys Davis’ letter yesterday she said she was in Minatare Armistice Day and tried to get hold of you but could find no one [home]. I wished you could have seen her.

Well I told you this letter wouldn’t be much and so it is. But at least it’s some word [from me].

Love,

28 July 1943

Dearest Folks:

I just returned from pass a few minutes ago but unlike most of the others this day was considerably more profitable. I slept during the morning then went to the USO only a few miles away. The place was fixed up by a few well-do-do women in the western motif, which is very clever and homelike. Probably you don’t know that the island was several large ranches and the cattle raised a sizeable industry and income. As I stayed there awhile I met one of the elderly women and we entered into a conversation, and which I later put to my benefit. My inclination for reading books such as I told you about is growing so I requested that woman’s help and through her I met Judge Case who is most cooperative and over anxious to give me whatever help he can. But what I want is some books of my own and I don’t think that will be too difficult now, however don’t fail to send the two volumes that you mentioned and the quicker the better. Probably my effort will yield little results and I may not always carry on with it, but it’s a cinch it will do no harm. But I made a valuable contact today and if I make proper use of it I can do myself a lot of good.

Had a very verbose letter from Gladys Davis today—she is in the middle of the matrimony stream and doesn’t know which bank to go to. And at the same time she gave me some advice about Wylma and what I should do after the war, and it was pretty sound and sensible. She wants me to come back to Lincoln and get back into school and get a degree and I agree with her. My ideas on that remain the same and if there is any normalcy to conditions when I come back, I hope I won’t follow another course. Incidentally I hope Gladys goes through the wedding process now, or I’m afraid she never will.

Dad’s letter came a day or two ago in your peculiarly and distinctive interpretation of grammatical construction but nevertheless a lulu in the other respects. I hope everything is well at home—although you only mention the sunnyside I hope the other side is also as well. Some of the new fellows in the outfit remark about conditions on the mainland and although I allow for some exaggeration I always hope that all is well with you.

I thought President Roosevelt’s speech was an excellent one, as most of his usually are. Some things were straight forward and definite and his plans for the aftermath especially were important and well on the way to reality. Such a plan strikes me as a good solution for the change over and a cushion for the changed conditions, which will be great. Anyway I felt encouragement and determination from it and feel all the more confident that the world won’t be a worthless scarred ruins when all is over.

Well the show begins in a few minutes and we have special entertainment from the big city tonight so hadn’t miss it. Adios for a while.

Love,

9 February 1943

Dear Folks:

I have one of those seldom felt feelings that so rarely finds itself with me and that is to write and write some more and make a night of it. But sadly there isn’t much to put down so perhaps my ardor will diminish before very long. I bought another picture that was taken while Joe Brown was here. I believe this shot was taken when he was doing a caricature of Hitler. The picture gives a stage door view of our plush lined, soundproofed theatre. I believe you can spot me hugging the far left edge, and I was really much happier than the camera shows. Everyone in the shot looks pretty happy and he did make a real hit. Also a few days ago I sent you a Honolulu paper as a matter of interest, but I haven’t found the bridge set yet but I’ve just started to look.

Last night I saw ‘Kings Row’ and in my estimation it lived up the billing I had heard previously. A lot of good lessons in the show other than the story itself. The newsreel showed the final game of the World Series.

I had another red letter day on mail getting about five or six including one from Gladys Davis and Wylma whose correspondence is steadily increasing. And now I am this far (and) I am stumped for anything else. I hate to stop here because I know you want me to write about a lot of things you want to know and must wonder about but I’ll have to have something to talk about when I get home. I’m really very fine and think the climate is the best yet. It looks like this is the best I can do tonight.

Love,

22 December 1942

Dearest Folks:

I have plenty of time this evening so here’s another dubious attempt at a letter. A poker game is going on nearby and it’s a temptation but have several letters to answer. I engage in the sport to some extent but not enough to imperial my finances. I had two letters today, one from you and one from Nancy. I seldom miss a day for letters unless there is no mail at all. Your letters arrive in pretty good time but often not in the order you write them, for instance the ones today were dated earlier than your last airmail. Censorship precludes giving the exact date, the theory being the enemy might be able to ascertain by schedules, our station. Yesterday the piece of wedding cake came. It was hard but I nibbled on it and ate the candy. The bells add a little to the adornment of my bunk. Also the Reader’s Digest came. There is an article in it called “Never Shoot An Hawaiian Twice”. I’ve heard the story over here several times.

I don’t know what I’m going to write about for news. I suppose you have the papers by now. This weeks (battalion newspaper) is out done up in a little fancy Xmas cover. I’ll send it. Gladys Davis has been writing regularly and gives me the dope on the guys that I lived with. I sure want to go back. If Congress passes the six month’s pay for the expiration perhaps it would be easier but anything may be a long shot now. Maybe I’m wrong but I believe after the war there will be many opportunities. With the organization and development that aircraft will undoubtedly realize, every country in the world will be open to development. Wait and see.

This is all I can dig up tonight. I can’t realize its Christmas but every time I hear a carol it beings back plenty.

Love,

22 October 1942

Dear Folks:

I have one airmail stamp left that I want to use and I can’t think of a better use than a letter to you, although you probably think I’ve dropped a marble by my prolific letter writing.

Had a letter from Gladys Davis—she’s doing better by me—she writes a good bit of news. To go back aways to stamps—I can use plenty of airmail ones and stationery of this type that keeps within the weight limit on the clipper. Think about Katie’s skirmish quite a bit and I wrote her tonight—suppose she’s acting a little wacky.

One of the guys I have an especial yen to, is from Youngstown and is pretty familiar with Sharon (Pennsylvania)and those parts. He’s a newcomer and doesn’t fail to voice his protests.

Well I better finish or I’ll be dribbling off into some dreary dogma—put a pen in Dan and Nan’s hand once in a while. Boy, could I go for some peas and shells.

Love,

17 October 1942

Dear Folks:

I don’t feel very disposed to write but maybe I’ll get that way if I get started. This is (a) far different Saturday nite than I used to spend at home–writing letters and listening to the radio. Your letters have been arriving regularly but I notice you still are using the old organization address. Don’t forget to change it or my mail may be held up sometime. Maybe if I dig up your letter I can find something to write about. I can’t tell you how far I am from Ft. Shafter as that is on the ‘verboten’ list but I wouldn’t be able to see him. I have his address but haven’t written to him. Listened to a football game today from the mainland and sitting in my shorts seemed far away from the chilly football season. Heard Nebraska got beaten by Minnesota. Gladys Davis has been writing me regularly and she keeps me in touch with Lincoln. And yesterday I received a letter from a Mrs. Hartnett, a lady who lived on the same floor apartment as Mrs. Davis and who often filled in our bridge games. She was one of the sweetest, and best looking by the way, of any women I’ve seen in a long time. I was very surprised to get (it) and I felt like a chimney sweep when I answered her letter. With all the experiences in Lincoln, I surely want to get back. She wrote that there are more students on the campus than she had ever seen.

Had four letters today and in good time too. In your Xmas package, wrap it securely—the way they toss them around is something drastic. I couldn’t make up a list on a bet but personal things are always needed. Goin’ to play Monte Carlo now—goodnite. I’m to damn well off to be respectable.

Love,

20 September 1942

Dear Folks:

It’s getting pretty dark to write but perhaps I can get it done before it is completely dark. I sent you a letter about a week ago by regular mail and I’m afraid you won’t receive it for some time, so thought I better write another. Well I’m a couple of thousand miles more away from home across a stretch of Pacific in the Hawaiian Islands and what a pretty place—lots of flowers, sugar cane and pineapple. Haven’t seen any hula dancers yet although they gave a show for the troops today. Last night heard a program of real Hawaiian music by some native Hawaiians and it seems much nicer to hear it over here. You’d go nuts Mom over all these flowers and shade trees. For the last few days have been swimming almost daily and this afternoon was no exception. It’s about two miles to the pool but it’s worth it, I mean the walk. Yesterday afternoon there was a dance in a big USO building in a nearby town and to my surprise we were granted passes so we took a bus in and swang a few. Boy what a conglomeration of people—Japs, Chinks, Hawaiians, Puerto Ricans and plenty of half breeds. I think I danced with about one of each. The USO has plenty of facilities for sports so not lacking on that issue. There are several tennis courts, swimming pools, dance halls, bowling alleys and ball diamonds and we’ve had access to them quite often lately. I just got back from swimming about an hour ago and after a big supper feel pretty good. It just started to rain so I had to pull this typewriter into a tent so from the cramped quarters you’ll have to accept a few mistakes. The day after we got here I received a letter from Gladys Davis and of course it was full of news as is Gladys. She told me all about the fellows and the Davis’. Then I also had a letter from you—one you had written before you visited me at (Camp) Stoneman. And a few days back had a letter from Patsy and her flamboyant style makes her letters worth reading. Also had one from Gram that I’ll have to answer tonight. I suppose there are plenty of details you’d like to know about such as crossing and place I’m at but that’s on the verboten list so you’ll have to ask me when I get back. Anyway the important thing is that you have a general idea of my whereabouts. Of course our letters are now censored but that shouldn’t be too much of a stigma although some of the fellows don’t exactly like to have some of their letters read. I’m as well as ever getting plenty of sunshine and exercise and a pass occasionally and all in all it reminds me a little bit of being back in California. Blackouts are every night so I hit the hay early unless I get a show pass. Beer is two bits a bottle and about as weak as pop, but it’s beer. Sleeping on the ground and boxing mosquitoes isn’t exactly home but there are plenty of places that could be worse. Anyway I’m getting used to it after the tenderness left my hips and I got to carving out some hip holes before laying down on my bed. Suppose Nancy and Phil are well along in school by now, with Nancy crazy about it and Dan taking it a little grudgingly. This is a little disjointed and unorganized but for lack of time I’m writing on something that comes to me. Now I’m back in the open again since it’s stopped raining but suppose it will start again. This is the first time I’ve thought about Christmas in September but we better be doing it in order that our packages arrive somewhere near the holiday. I shouldn’t have much trouble finding things over here that you would like. It hardly seems possible that winter is almost here again and that I’ve another birthday coming up but I guess it is. Looks like two Christmases away from home and if I could look forward to being home for it in 1943 I’d be as happy as if it were a furlough. There are some rumors of furloughs after a certain duration in the tropics, if this is considered the tropics, but I know little about it. That’s quite a ways away anyway. It was swell to see you for a few days in (Camp) Stoneman and it doesn’t seem it was a month ago. Bet I had an awkward look on my face when I met you in the visitor’s building. It didn’t seem like it was really you. Is Kate still in Denver and has she heard anything about the navy yet? In a way I hate to see her in the navy but I think it’s a pretty good deal for her. Running out of paper so better pull the curtain. See you in the next letter.

Love,