Oct. 14, 1942 - Dear Audrey

Jan Palson

14 Oct 2026 — 5 min read

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You know I only want one now. Holy Smokes!!

Just one rifle and one kid. And you would think a new rifle would be ready to go. At least you get plenty to eat in the kitchen. I hope she's getting enough to eat. I wonder what her new suit looks like. Can't be easy dealing with pregnancy and working and the restrictions this war is causing. I hope they get more gas and the tire situation can be resolved. Now, who's visiting?

Original Letter

Transcript follows.

Transcript

For some context, War Updates follow the transcript. It includes the front pages of The Daily Evening Item from Lynn, Massachusetts (local to Fort Ruckman) and Mom's local Connecticut paper the Hartford Courant for additional news, plus the Women's Page so you're up on the latest recipes and styles, especially hats!

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October 14, 1942

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

Dear Audrey:

Don’t worry too much about writing faithfully because I have sort of slipped up this week myself. There seems to be something for me to do all the time. I’ve just finished reading the magazine we bought at the station before I left the last time and now I have picked up two more but I don’t expect to get time to read them. I didn’t write last night because I’ve got a new rifle (I suppose I shouldn’t even tell you that or so they tell me I shouldn’t) and it is quite a job cleaning it and getting it into a presentable shape. Besides yesterday afternoon and last night, I’ve spent this afternoon and part of tonight and I’m still not satisfied. It is a real job. But what is this about you going to bed with cramps and cold chills. That sounds like the real thing and aren’t you a little worried? You know I only want one now. Holy Smokes!! I wouldn’t know what to do with twins. I’ll be the proudest lad in camp with one but with twins I won’t be able to button my clothes. You are the nicest wife a fellow could have and I love you so very much. Without you to work for and knowing you are waiting for me, this life would ruin me but you make it all possible. You are my staff of life, the hinge I swing on, you are my everything and I wouldn’t trade places with anyone. I told you how I am spending a week in the kitchen didn’t I? it is just regular duty. Everything goes by the week now. Probably when I get off this, they will put me on guard for a week. Anyway, the kitchen is tough but I have been managing to get plenty to eat. The other K.P.’s with me are a pretty good sort and we have been cooperating nicely so that it is made easier. We manage to get the best of everything.

We steal pies and fruit and hide them until we get hungry. In fact some days I never get hungry. I just keep eating all day and when mealtime comes I have a cup of coffee. I only have tomorrow and then I’m all through and I will be glad. It is not bad but I don’t want a steady diet of it. I’ve been giving the dogs a good break and we have quite a few. Some days as many as seven and never less than three or four. We have two black ones and they look almost alike except one is just half as large as the other so the big one we call “Black-out” and the small one “Dim-out”. I hope we don’t attract any more because they are always underfoot. So you like your suit? How are you going to pay for it? I am sure it will look good on you. You would look good in a potato sack and I would love you just as much in one. I still haven’t got any more gasoline. I haven’t had a chance to get over to the ration board so I can’t send you back the registration yet. I’ve got to get the Major to sign the application and I don’t know whether he will do that or not. I don’t see how we can afford any tires (and the car doesn’t mean as much as it used to. I used to think it was everything but now you have given me something better and greater to think of) so why the gasoline. Anyway I intend to put it through. Well what else shall I say? I can’t think of anything else. I’ve covered everything from “I love you” to the number of fleas on the dog this morning. I am glad you have company down there for a few days. I rather think you two get on each other’s nerves after a while or at least you should. Well with that and the end of the page, I’ll close. Someone gave me this paper.

Lots of love, Leonard

War Updates

The Lynn Daily Evening Item

If nothing else, the war has facilitated evening hours for shoppers. Unfortunately, they need to double the man power which means 18 year olds will be eligible.