Aug. 6, 1942 - My Dear Mrs. M.

Jan Palson

06 Aug 2026 — 3 min read

Big Guns! Casemated 12-inch gun at Fort Ruckman. Source: Wikipedia

I went up tonight and took out some Insurance.

He's already sent one letter off today but it's evening and who wants to study when you can write to your best girl. And figure out the next pass. No more messing around - fellows are getting in trouble. So, he's thinking ahead and planning for a future. The Army is planning for the winter. Imagine getting a mystery note inside your woolen socks. I guess she didn't save the note. Hey, this was a big hit back then and yikes.

Original Letter

Transcript follows.

Transcript - August 6, 1942. Later that day....

Bat H - 9^th C.A., Fort Ruckman

My Dear Mrs. M.:

I can’t seem to concentrate on Algebra tonight. If I could only think of it as easy as I can dream of you, it would be a lead-pipe cinch. It is interesting and I really like it but it is hard to buckle down to it every spare moment especially after working. That is why it is so discouraging. There is so much work and they expect us to be shined up so much all the time that it is not hard to lose sight of your perspective. I’m listening to Horace Heidt and he just finished playing “You can’t say no to a soldier”. We got a kick out of that. Are you listening too? I’m still thinking of asking to save my next pass so as to have two days off instead of one. I’m not expecting too much luck. If I don’t get this, I don’t think I’ll try getting down to see you. I’d have to leave at noon to get back here at six. This sudden urge is due to the stories around here of the fellows getting turned in. They put a corporal in the guard house for being an hour late and quite a few others are spending four and five days in the kitchen for being late or A.W.O.L. I’ve been seven and eight hours late and got away with it but I can’t hope to do it for ever.

However I shall try to get two days on the 21^st of august and if I don’t I’ll see you anyway. I went up tonight and took out some Insurance. I’ve got to protect my sweet little wife. I took out $5000 and it will cost me about $3.50 a month. Is that too much? I refuse to go in the trailer and sleep with you until you throw out all those dangerous weapons. I’m too young (you notice I didn’t say “handsome”) to die and I can’t be taking chances like that after putting $5000 on my head. I wrote you a letter down on the beach today and I really enjoyed being down there this morning. A swell view and a nice cool breeze, but at night it is different, then I dislike it. Notice the address I’m sending you. By telling you I am going to try and save this pass so as to have two days later on to see you. I can have the day off to see this little “cove”. Nice number too. She has a convertible coupe, apartment, and plenty of money. Aren’t I lucky? The truth is that I had some woolen socks issued to me today and this was pinned inside one of them. I offered the address to the fellows but no one seemed willing to take a chance on her. So save it for me until you decide to divorce me, which will be never I hope.

"All the love in the world from your guy"

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