May 23, 1942 - Dear Audrey
I sure wish I understood the weaker sex better.
I'm sure she does too. Anyway, stamps are 3 cents in 1942 so we must have an outstanding postal service. But still, how did it get there so fast? I don't think they got a very high gas card since she's not making any trips up to Boston. It is a stressful time. A dance could be fun. I love that he blames the oven lol for any cooking mishaps. And Inspections? He's learning to work the system, that is, make his rifle shine. Can you almost hear the piano? Roll out the barrel, we'll have a barrel of fun.....
Original Letter
Transcript follows.
The Boston Globe - May 22, 1942
Having a famous guy like the Red Socks star Ted Williams is incredibly motivating for the war effort. He secretly enlisted to avoid any hoopla and kind of took everyone by surprise. While the Russians slaughter 15, 000 Nazis, we have 3 million boys are signing up. And the Army thought about every other type of clothing but forgot women's underwear! it's not resolved in the article so who knows. WAACs do look sharp!
The Boston Globe - Evening
Sure MacArthur is bombing the Japanese while the Nazis are on the move but Ted Williams is one handsome dude!! Holy crap. They couldn't ask for better war propaganda disguised as patriotism. Poor Mexico has tried to stay out of the damn war but welcome amigos. And finally - soldier's pay is doubled - $42 per month. Dad will believe it when he sees it.
Meanwhile in Hartford...
Very disappointed Ms. Dix. This poor woman is still longing for a past romance and you got nothing?? The advice that she just has to live with it is very unsatisfactory. No, I don't have an answer but I'm not an advice lady! And to the newlywed? When you argue, keep silent made me LOL. Honey ham slices are on the menu and a rhubarb roll sounds amazing.
Transcript - May 23, 1942
Bat H 9th C.A., Fort Banks
Dear Audrey,
I’m quite surprised to get a letter from you so soon. It’s better than I did. It’s dated Friday and I can’t understand how it got here so soon. I wish all your letters would come down in one day. All I want you to do is be a good wife. The car doesn’t mean anything and it’s not me that is making all the sacrifices. Everyone is doing without something or other. The hardest thing I have to do, is to do without my girl. She is the nicest girl in the world and I’m sure glad I married her. I love you.
I want you to look nice when you go to this dance the 27th and have a nice time. I don’t see why you can’t buy something new. Get those “on-lookers” shoes too. I still can’t help worrying about you even though you tell me not to. At least not until the end of the month when you can tell for sure. Maybe that will solve the problem of what to do with the car. We will just sell it. I would go crazy up here if I knew you were going to have a baby and I couldn’t be there with you. It’s not that I don’t want it to happen, but I’m afraid of what might happen to you. I sure wish I understood the weaker sex better.
We’ve just finished our regular Saturday morning inspection and as usual it was a pain in the neck. I was in a little better frame of mind this morning and so didn’t mind it very much. I had my rifle all shined up and so it was “very good”.
I’m not disappointed in your cooking because you are really a good cook. The reason that the lemon pie was not quite up to par was the oven’s fault. I’m quite sure you will do better the next time. I just don’t know when the next time will be, but I am hoping it will be around the first of June. They don’t need us around here for Sunday and so I can’t see why I can’t get down there to see you. Let me know if Tony gets a pass so I’ll know what he does. I hope he gets one so he can see Vicky.
The guys down stairs are pounding the piano and singing Roll Out the Barrel or whatever the name of that song is. I forget. The other morning during infantry drill, the band played “Somebody Else is Taking my Place” and they got quite a laugh. Practically every soldier could connect that with something back home. But me. I’m always thinking of you and you are always telling me what a great guy I am, so I know no one is going to take my place. I miss you sweet and I love you. Here we go again so I’ll sign this off.
All my love,
Leonard
Next letter tomorrow, May 24, 1942
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