July 22, 1942 - Dear Audrey

Jan Palson

22 Jul 2026 — 3 min read

Fort Ruckman - Nahant, Massachusetts (Credit: Capt. Gerald Butler)

They have all kinds of peculiar ideas.

Seems like they should get that field worked on. It wouldn't do to have soldiers out of commission because of softball injuries. "How'd you get wounded soldier?" "Stealing second base!" Wisdom teeth woes continue. It must be hard to concentrate on math when your jaw aches. Does he get another pass or is she planning to come up and talk through the fence on Sunday? Stay tuned.

Original Letter

Transcript follows.

Transcript - July 22, 1942

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

Dear Audrey:

How is your new job coming along. I feel kind of guilty about you having to work in the factory. It is so hot and you probably have to work so hard. If I didn’t leave you with a lot of bills, you wouldn’t have had to go looking for more money. You should be taking it easy. What a guy I’ve turned out to be. Making my wife work so hard just to keep my head above water. You are wonderful and I love you very much. You treat me much too good, honey. I got a good night sleep last night and today I felt pretty chipper. Not that I don’t miss you. I am always thinking of you. We played softball this afternoon and it seemed funny. It was the first afternoon we have had off since we left Banks. I don’t get any kick out of playing anymore or at least today I didn’t.

The field is terrible in the first place. If you don’t watch where you run you will step in a rut and break a leg. It is funny too; how they insist we go out there and play. They wouldn’t even let us work if we wanted to and if they caught us on the bunk getting some well needed sleep, they would have a fit. No need to say anymore. They have all kinds of peculiar ideas. My jaw still bothers me. I guess that fellow in E. Hartford didn’t fix me up or he hasn’t as yet. It seems worse tonight. Now don’t go worrying because it will be all right in a day or so. I’ve been rinsing my mouth with salt water after each meal and that helps. This is not much of a letter. I’ve just come back from that math class and I have to go on guard tonight so I think I better go to bed. I’m on from 3 to 6 in the morning. These classes are tough. They cover a lot of ground. Every minute I have I use studying so your letters are shortening a little. I love you so very much and I am looking forward to Sunday very much! Just talking thru the fence is something.

All my love - Your man