Requests for items Archives

21 April 1945

Dear Folks:

So much mail has been coming in from you folks that I would feel like a heel if I did not write you every opportunity I have. This has been a fairly quiet day and it looks like tonight before dark I might have time to get a few letters off. Some of the boys killed a hog so for supper tonite we enjoyed pork – good treat it was.

I was sorry to hear that you did not get the sandals but in talking to some of the fellows they said that perhaps the hemp used in them might contain insects or germs. I couldn’t tell from your letters whether you received the bolo knife complete with the case or what. Dad said only the handle came and Mom sounded like the whole thing arrived. I don’t wonder that you don’t understand how it is used but a Filipino almost builds his life around it. He can build a house, split coconuts, get food with it and fight with it. Even the smallest boys carry one. I know you would have liked the sandals.

In your letters were many clippings which I’m always anxious to get. I think that in as much as the Free Press is many months in coming it would be a good idea to put a copy in an envelope and mail it first class – in that way it is somewhat recent.

In connection with requests here is another. I’m publishing a battalion newspaper and it is to be run off on the mimeograph. Now the request is this. In order to reproduce headlines and column headings onto a stencil we need print letters which are usually cut out of cellulose so they can be traced onto the stencil. There may be other means that I don’t know about but that is one. So when you are in ‘Bluffs perhaps, LeRoys or Rominger’s or a stationary and supply house, could fix me up.

No, I haven’t received the packages you mailed last February but perhaps these will come through.

On today’s mail I had two letters each from Mom and Dad, and I wished I was allowed to tell you how fast they came. I would certainly like to get home now when spring is beginning to green the land and to see the house.

Yes, I was certainly shocked at the President’s death and undoubtedly he will rank as one of the world’s greatest men. And Ernie Pyle too. I understand he was here on Okinawa for awhile before going to Ice Island. He was buried in the army cemetery there along with GI’s he wrote so skillfully about.

I think your letters are very good Dad, contrary to your occasional reference to their inferiority, and I know it isn’t always easy to write. I gather that your business is doing good and I’m sure it is. I knew you could do good when you got the opportunity. So much has happened since I left – more probably than you realize.

I haven’t seen Dick in the last 2 days. He is very busy to say the least. He is certainly a good kid and he is all around okeh. And the Army is not coercing him. I will let you know when I see him again.

Had a letter from Nancy today and from the more mature tone of her letters, I can hardly reconcile her to the youngster she was when I left. It is beginning to look like the Mosses are getting romantically inclined. I think Dick is more than interested in Helen Emick and I would certainly like him to promote that gal. I’m aching for the quietness, contentedness, and satisfaction that I hope I can soon have in my own home. I’m developing into a family man and I hope before too many years, a part of that ambition will materialize.

Love,

21 January 1945

Dear Folks:

A quiet Sunday morning and I’m taking it easy so a good time to write a letter and perhaps take care of some others. Will probably go to church services this afternoon held in the mess hall across the road. Last Sunday listened to a very good divisional chaplain. The Catholic chaplain who serves our battalion strikes me as a very understanding and likeable fellow, and I think he is the best we’ve had. I hope he comes this afternoon.

Well it was rainy yesterday and everything is mud again but this morning is hot and sunny like a typical June Sunday at home. I even feel the mood of the day, and the morning funnies would complete the setting. But instead of funnies had service records to look at.

Haven’t received any mail the past three days due to the inclement weather. The first class comes in by the plane so if it’s dirty weather, no mail. Should rate several today. No second class has yet come in.

Dan Gottman came in a few days ago with an armload of Star-Heralds and only yesterday I finished reading them. Only a few of them were later than September so everything was pretty old, but still good.

Last nite afforded something a little different in the way of eats. Supper was (a) little weak so we fried a can of bacon that we’ve been lugging around for some time. It’s the best bacon and it was certainly enjoyed. To top this we ate fruit cake that one of the boys received. Each section has a small one burner cook stove so we can heat up a meal when we’re not eating from the kitchen. Probably tonight we will cook the popcorn that the Groves sent me, if we can find anything to substitute for butter. Once in a while we get a PX issue of a few candy bars. The cigarette shortage seems to be felt here also. Now we are issued one pack every two and sometimes three days and that isn’t near enough. Plenty of smokes for the fighting front doesn’t apply here. Have been expecting a hurricane but it hasn’t materialized yet.

Slept pretty well last nite in contrast to a few restless ones. These dark nights make me afraid some Japs may bust in the area and start shooting things up. I imagine they are pretty desperate and hungry now. I always keep my pistol loaded under my pillow together with my knife. Of course we’re pretty well protected but I still wake up easily when I hear a sound.

For the past three nights have been dreaming of getting home. I hope it’s an indication. Last night I dreamt of hitting the streamliner from ‘Frisco and was nervous as a cat. But I can’t help but feel that something will happen that will get me home this year. After I get in the 30 months bracket my chances will increase. Next month the 3^rd I will complete 29.

The Gooks as we call the Filipinos, are working around the area digging drainage holes and cleaning up. It takes about four of them to do an ordinary man’s job. I think they’d be better off working for themselves but a grass hut and a bolo knife seems to satisfy them. (See how I need that pen and pencil set). This one is okeh but it needs a little coaxing occasionally and I’m always using one.

I’m certainly over the dysentery but have a slight cold that keeps my handkerchief busy.

I hope all my mail is getting to you in good order. They seem to censor and dispatch it in good time and I hope they are not too old when they get to you. All the envelopes we get stick together and it’s a job getting them open. Maybe it would be a good idea if you enclosed an airmail envelope occasionally.

I guess I haven’t anything else to write about and it’s about dinnertime now so I’ll knock off, and hope the mailman rings plenty tonight.

Love,

10 January 1945

[The second of two letters written to his parents, just hours apart]

Dear Folks:

I just wrote you a letter only a few hours ago but after writing it I thought it wasn’t a very good one and I know you want to know all I can tell you. It’s a little after suppertime now and I feel pretty decent. I think by tomorrow I will feel almost up to par again, and I hope I never get another attack like that again. I’m so glad you liked the watch and I hope it was just what you wanted – Dad wrote me about it so I knew you were getting it. I can imagine Dad hardly being able to wait until Christmas. I’m darned glad to hear Phil is going to the Merchant Marines. I know he seems very young to you to be put into the world, but even though he will run into a lot of hard talking rough minded men, it won’t hurt him if he doesn’t want it to. I’m sure he will be better off there than in the Army. On a boat he always knows where he’s going to sleep, gets good food, and can always keep clean, while here you’re often moving, sleeping in the dirt and eating boxed rations. I’m glad all over, that he will (should be ‘went’?) where he did. I know you’re hearing all the news about what’s going on in the Philippines and where and what I’m doing but I can’t tell you much about that. Perhaps at some later date they will let us put out more information. About a week ago I sent you forty dollars and it will come in the form of a treasury check, probably you have received it by this time. I will probably send more next month. Also this morning I had three letters from Dad including one V-mail and one from Nancy, and to me they mean everything – other letters don’t spell much. Also there was three letters from Mom and all of them were recent. I understand our mail is routed direct from Frisco avoiding the stop at Hawaii. The mail situation has been pretty good although nothing but first class has arrived in many months. I haven’t received a Reader’s Digest in five months or a Free Press since last August, and aside from the two packages, no other boxes have arrived. But we’re expecting an avalanche one of these days. There must be tons of it somewhere.

I have thought of a couple of things that would come in handy now. One is either a rubberized bag to hold toilet articles or else a small zipper packet to hold the same thing. I think a flat folding one would be the best, pretty compact but one that will hold the standard size articles. And a good sturdy one that water and banging around won’t hurt too much, and put about three combs in it. And the other is a waterproof cigarette holder, to keep cigarettes dry and unsmashed, and a cigarette lighter with plenty of flints, I know they are hard to get and probably you can’t find them.

I think this is all I have in mind now, and twilight is starting to take over, so can’t write much longer anyhow, so goodnight once again.

Love,

23 May 1944

Dear Folks:

This should be a long letter full of quite a bit of news for the past few days have been pretty memorable. A few days ago I received a letter from Jack Conklin and noticing his APO number found he was only a few miles from my station so I immediately tried to get hold of him. I was lucky enough to reach him on the phone and that night saw him for the first time in three years. And for the past three nights we have visited and rehashed all those never to be forgotten things that we did when we were young and foolish. It was as good as a week’s furlough. Jack looks pretty good and acts about the same as ever. He has traveled around quite a bit since he left the states and has a huge stack of pictures that he had to show me. He seems to have a nice job and one that is very interesting and not quite so GI as many of them. He was anxious to see me and neither of us could hardly realize that we were actually talking to each other. I couldn’t get a hold of Dick so that he could see Jack, but perhaps we can arrange that later. I haven’t seen Dick myself for over a week now and don’t expect to see him for a while. Yesterday afternoon (Sunday) got a pass, and just before I left got a letter from you and Dad and so had to tell Jack all the gossip in it. It was (a) good letter to get because there was quite a little in it about the Conklins. Well finally I had to say goodbye and probably our next visit will be many moons from now. You don’t know how good it was to see him and find someone that could talk to you about things in common. After he told me all his travels and we went through his pictures. We talked about the aftermath and what we expected to do. Jack does seem more serious about life and realizes his life was put to him on a gold platter. What did I think I was going to do? Well I said I was going to go home for a while then go overseas again and start myself something abroad. I wish I could realistically relate to you our conversation but I’m not good enough for that. You will have to imagine the rest. Now to get around to your letters and see what I can comment about. I’m so glad you liked what we sent and perhaps again soon I can send you some oddities. I wish I could have sat in with you on the Ouija Board session and added some firsthand comments. One of the big things Jack and I remarked about was the love life of the younger set at home – I mean all the marriages and babies. And now little Jimmie Colson (is) engaged. Jack couldn’t imagine Kate with a baby. And of course Krumenacher, Fry, Carroll, and some others all came into our frying pan of gossip. We feel that we are being left behind and that our future mates will be hard to find (ha). And talking about the late songs – it is the custom in our tent to schedule a bridge game during the ‘Hit Parade’ so we don’t miss any of them. No we don’t hear Tokyo Rose in the Islands, although those who have good radios can tune in Tokyo and hear them pretty good. I heard some about a battle in the South Pacific and compared it with our news broadcast and somebody is lying like hell, and I hope it was the Japs. I would like to meet R. Pitsch but it is increasingly difficult to get off and when I can get off a day I hardly like to spend ¾ of it looking for someone although perhaps I will happen to be out there someday and can locate him. All the busses and taxicabs are crowded to overflowing and the highways are an endless ribbon of traffic and a dogface doesn’t find it too easy to get around. And now around to Dad’s inimitable manuscript. Your business must be very good and I was certainly surprised to hear the amount of money that you grossed last year. It makes me feel very good. Why don’t you take a picture of the place with the new signs and send me one? By the way Jack and I took pictures and he will forward a set to you.

Bill Dick should be a good man to work for you. And with the landscaping and redecorating you are doing on the house, I can’t wait to see it and put out a tear or two just looking at home once again. I know it will be something to see. And I suppose that when the farm is fixed up that also will be quite a garden spot. I hope all your hopes about the war is true and I sometimes think that this thing may crack sooner than we anticipate, but on the other hand think it will take quite a while. I wish you and I could talk the whole thing over. The new furlough plan seems to (be) taking effect for the boys in the Aleutians and I’ll bet they are having a good time, but don’t get too optimistic about my chances for I can’t see anything in sight for some months to come. I had a very nice letter from Gram today and Dick and I both thought after we mailed the package that we didn’t send anything to Gram and Gramp and they probably felt a little put out but we will send them something and try to make up for it. I surely miss her and think she is very sweet to write when I know it must not be too easy for her. She is the most kindhearted and helping person, and I feel bad about not always treating her as I should have. Well, here’s another request. I want you to take some of my money and find me a good, waterproof, shockproof, and accurate wrist watch. One that I can wear anywhere and that can take a stiff beating. You will probably have to put out quite a little for one but I need one badly and I want one that I won’t have to worry about if I get it in water or in the mud or wherever else might happen. Well I think this is about enough and I have a lot to do so I’ll cut off about here. Seeing Jack and reminiscing brought both of (our) homes into clear focus, and we appreciate them much more than you think and know that never again will we hold some of the ideas we did when we were younger. Well, so long for now.

Love,

26 January 1944

Dear Folks:

I started out to do something else tonight but after receiving your letter it made me feel so good that I had to answer immediately. A four page one too, pretty good, and full of interest. I know my letters get pretty dull sometimes but I hope that occasionally you find something of interest. I understand full well what our letters mean to you. Well I’ll dig up the letter and make a little commentary on it to make this one (letter) a little longer. Last night our GI foursome got together and I turned out the goat. After having a five bid served up tight I fumbled and went down two. But we won in the end.

I’m glad you liked the book and I believe you probably feel much as I do about the islands. And about the sharks. Yes, there (are) plenty in the waters around and we are always cautioned to swim in designated areas and stay close to shore. Only a few months ago a soldier disappeared and sometime later a shark was caught with his remains inside. I saw the shark. In ‘Born in Paradise’ you will probably remember how Von Tempski would swim the cattle to the boat and how they were often attacked by the sharks. I often think if you were here how we could see the place much as we did in ‘Frisco, and I know you would enjoy it immensely. I’m very glad you made the request for the shells and I’ll get you the best sets the Waikiki district has to offer. I’m sure I can find something that you will like and I’ll get a big kick of really shopping for something.

Although I wouldn’t exert myself excessively it would be good to see Conklin. He must be back on rest or something. It’s hard to imagine him a soljer but guess that’s the case with many of us. The $140 I get a month really is okeh and as soon as I get the (dental) bridge I hope to increase my allotment again. You should receive $60 a month beginning February 1. I’m always anxious to know that the right amount is getting home for I know that many of them become very mixed up. Working in the Personnel office and being the personnel Sgt Major, I work with many such tangled cases. I guess you know the dependency allotments are compulsory for married men. It is surprising the number of wives who leave their men and that creates trouble for us and for them. But in many cases the situation is applicable to both members.

I remember seeing Dan Gettman at the dance you mentioned and he always plies me with question of folks he knows around Minatare. He is a typical Russian as we know them –rather dull, bold and unaware of his own ignorance. But he is a pretty good kid, always tries hard but can’t make the grade.

I can imagine Duane and Margy as you mentioned. Is Marge any fatter or unshaped? I hope my fixture is a little better proportioned.

I know how you must feel when my letters slow up and I always try to keep up with them. There are many things I would like to tell you and you probably wonder why I haven’t but that’s ‘verboten’. Dick’s future, from what I can gather, is still centered around agricultural interests. I have never heard him mention Miss Sagle but he misses the times he had at home. I never felt the urge to go to school so much as I have now and I always know the fact that time is so short for me to study. Sometimes my plans and dreams occupy a lot of my time and again, I get a little discouraged at the outlook, but never stop believing that all will turn out okeh.

Willis Nichols’ marriage was certainly a big surprise to me but I don’t think he ever quite lived up to the standards of the rest of the Nichols. He’s pretty lucky to stay home.

Probably many times in my growth you thought I was a hopeless case and I know I did little to deserve your attention but now, and everyday a little more, I picture more clearly your patience showing, working and planning you did to ensure my livelihood and wellbeing. Somethings are impossible to see until they are taken away and no longer there to be taken for granted. Now I remember little things you told me at the time I thought you were nagging and old fashioned and couldn’t see the reason for them but now they all fit in the picture much differently. I couldn’t see how fortunate I was.

Well guess this (is) ‘pau’ for this communique but I will find the shells and the best too and make another special request again soon too. I will have as good a time buying them as you will receiving them.

Goodnite to love,

20 September 1943

Dear Folks:

After that punitive letter I wrote yesterday, and the one I got from you today, I guess you well deserve another one immediately. For some reason your letter seemed to reflect a low spirit and maybe a little worried. I also have not heard from Dick for a month or so, but I thought he would write you regularly. I think it’s more this attitude than anything else. You know he never concerned himself too much with such matters. I will write him immediately and see what the score is. No, I don’t think it would do any good to send smokes to Dick—he never smoked any during our visit and I don’t think he does now. I know I should write you often to relieve your anxiety and although I don’t realize it as much as I should, I can imagine how you feel when no letters come. Of course it’s pretty verboten for me to express any opinions as to what may be in store but for the present things look pretty routine.

Only a little while ago I returned from pass but after spending the morning in town, gave it up for a bad job and came back to read and sleep. I make a daily effort to read at least two hours and I believe the result is definitely beneficial. The town seems pretty dead and I swim enough on Sunday afternoons.

I hope you don’t go to any great deal of trouble to find something for Christmas because there are so few things that I need or can use. I do remember one thing that you mentioned—and that was a ring. You always wished I had a good one.

‘Panama Hattie’ is at the theater tonight so better go. Our ‘theatre’ looks like an old gay ninety ‘bowery’ with the Hawaiian girls and signs painted on the walls. Something like the old curtain the Aladdin used to use.

Your letter seemed to touch me quite a bit, I don’t know just how but you all seemed pretty close when I read it. You are so good about everything, and I often feel that I haven’t done as well by you as I should have.

I can’t figure you out not liking avocadoes, because it seemed that I was always the one to turn down your inventions in the way of salads and new dishes. I like them very much and usually have some at dinner and supper. Yes, we use mess kits and I guess I’m like Dick in wanting to sit down at a table with a tablecloth and the food in bowls. And another pleasing prospect will be to use a tile bathroom again instead of the community stable that puts up a stifling stench to say the least. And we have chicken, usually on Sundays although the cooks, in my opinion, lack plenty in the way they prepare it.

I wish you (could) see the sunset as I see it now. The sky is aflame with purple and red setting down on the hills and the ocean. And to think that on the other side of that body of water is the mainland – ho hum. From the papers it looks like Duane C is receiving a round of good times on his furlough. I wonder if Margy is getting any fatter or more ill shaped. I hate to speculate on what our first reunion will be like, or maybe on the other hand the habits of the Army of sitting around in the evenings and chewing over the day’s business, will prevail, who knows.

Well it’s getting show time and my news line is exhausted so it’s so long until the next one.

Love,

10 August 1943

Dear Folks:

Two of your letters came today so I better show my appreciation and get together a little letter. Dad’s letter with the pictures came, and the ones of the girls didn’t ring familiar until I looked close for a few seconds to really recognize any of them but Nancy. They all look so grown up and like ladies that the pictures were hard to associate with the girls as I saw them last. When I had the visit with Dick he said there was a rumor that Kathryn Aulick was about to marry, and I thought he was kidding for awhile. I guess they do it though.

Last night I saw a good show with Fred Astaire, the first I had seen for a couple of weeks. Most of the movies are relatively recent but many of them are old-timers—for instance last week ‘King Kong’ was showing. There is a different show every night, and they offer something to look forward to. Once a week a USO troupes of some kind, from the island, puts on a show, and between long stretches perhaps one from the mainland. More mainland shows have been promised, and I hope so for they never fail to produce a real treat for the fellows. It’s something of a novelty to see a white chorus girl as they usually dress. The ones from the states are pretty breezy and rare but in no sense, in my opinion, could they be called ribald or dirty, just enough on the rare side to make all the ‘dogfaces’ happy.

I read the clippings over carefully regarding the ‘Eagle Café’ incident, and I find it hard to get on either side of the fence when it comes to justifying the action. Of course in times like this about everyone looses his rationality to some extent. But it seems that even as much as you try to believe that there (are) some loyal ones, a suspicion always hangs around the back of your mind. Probably the guy was so drunk he lost his balance and wouldn’t have done it if he was sober.

Sometime ago we had a newcomer to our billet, a young fellow about like Dick, from New Jersey who hadn’t been in the army very long. For the last few days he has been feeling pretty homesick, and for two days wouldn’t say or do anything, just keep to himself and looked at some pictures he had. Most of us adopted a motherly attitude and tried to get him back in spirits again. And it looks like we succeeded, for awhile anyway. But I couldn’t help feel sorry for him and know how he must have felt. But in contrast with the youthful ones, there are also the older ones, many married and some (with) two or three children, and I don’t see how they take it, at least I don’t think I could. I don’t know whether you’re interested in this stuff but you might just be curious sometimes.

My correspondent in Washington is very faithful and for over a year now she has been writing regularly regardless of how long it takes me to reply. She always has nothing but compliments for me, and her letters offer much encouragement.

As to the item of Christmas (in August) I haven’t very much to request although there are a few small things that I could use. One of them is a cheap pocket watch, if such things are still available in the states. They are impossible to buy here although the expensive ones are plentiful. And while I was nosing around the library last week I ran across a book that interested me, but I’ll reserve that until later. I’m still hanging on until the law books get here. I wish more than anything, that I was out of the army so that I could devote a lot of time to it. Although there is plenty of bitching among the fellows, which is common I guess with every doughboy, I find this a good opportunity to study and also to store away a few shekels, which I didn’t do at home. I should have well over a thousand dollars in another year if I don’t get busted, but the chances of promotion are better than going down. My job now is Personnel Sergeant with seven clerks under me, all good guys who make the office a good one. I guess I started this paragraph with reference to Christmas but I seem to have sidetracked myself. With the exception of the book and the watch there isn’t much else I need. Perhaps I’ll think of something in the meantime.

Back to the pictures I couldn’t help but notice how Nancy is shaping out and looking like a young lady. The change in Nancy and Phil is very noticeable, and I even feel that I’m getting old. I can imagine the experience you had in Dan’s automobile and more so what you looked like breezing along with no top.

Well this is pretty long and not much in it and then I must have something to put on the next one, so I’ll call this ‘pau’ as everyone here says for ‘finished’.

Love,

16 December 1942

Dear Folks:

I really owe you some apologies for not writing for the past five days and I don’t know why I didn’t either. Your letter with the flower came yesterday and the flower was in good shape and preserved well. Also the clippings of the marriage and the shower. I can imagine what probably happened on the big day. Christmas is scarcely a week away it hardly seems possible. And another birthday too. Time certainly is fleeting. I believe the big attraction of our holiday will be an Hawaiian festival which is a roasting of chickens and pigs in a ground oven. And I understand a native will be the chef. Maybe he can cook the army out of them.

I’m glad to hear that Dick is in the Air Corps. It is the best place for him I believe. It makes me feel a little funny to have him in, but the feelings aren’t primary I guess.

Today the paper came out so here’s a copy for you to keep for me for some future reference. I don’t have the piece of wedding cake yet. The cable must have made good time to get to you the day after Thanksgiving. That reminds me of the one you sent to me in (Camp) Stoneman.

I think the three page deal last nite will compensate for the ‘shortie’ tonight. I would sure like some more stationery like that—you sent in the boxes. One box is still on the way.

And I always think of you too—

Love,

9 December 1942

Dear Folks:

I’ve been looking forward to taking it easy this evening and writing you so here goes. Haven’t received a letter from you for four days now but they’ll be here soon. The Thanksgiving box came in excellent condition.

I have a pass coming up Saturday but that wouldn’t be unusual if I didn’t have a date. She’s darn good looking so I’ll probably last only one round.

There certainly isn’t much to write about, everything is routine or else it is restricted. I’m enclosing another issue of the paper. My contribution is on page two. Maybe I should have it sent to you.

Had a letter from Jack Lewellen today. I’m not busting to answer it but guess I’d better do it soon.

I have another batch of pictures at the photographers so I’ll be sending some soon. Have been getting the Free Presses, but don’t have any magazines yet.

I think if you look on the paper you can catch more of a glimpse of Army life here than what I could say about. Boy I can’t write worth a darn tonight.

I can’t wait until Katie’s pictures get here. I know they’ll be good.

I really can’t get together much of a letter tonight but at least I wanted to write you and send the paper.

Love,

Will you send me another box or two like the stationery you sent?

24 October 1942

Dear Folks:

You are probably thinking I walked into a switch engine on a dark night by this volley of paper but there isn’t anything to do in the evenings.

Something I just thought of that I would appreciate very much—a subscription to Time and The Reader’s Digest. Reading is the best way I know to spend leisure time.

Tomorrow is Sunday and I’m going to church there in a small Episcopal one in town. Maybe a ball game too and I’m the guy that keeps the score, etc. Last Sunday we got beat 15-0 but we just begun.

Two more letters today but none from you for three days. Suppose they are somewhere enroute.

Well guess this will have to fill the bill this time—after all it was only 24 hours since I wrote you last. Aloha—hate to go to bed—one guy in(the) tent snores and it sounds like a Brooklyn ball game.

Love,