Sept. 13, 1942 - Dear Audrey

Jan Palson

13 Sep 2026 — 4 min read

Hartford Courant Sports Sept 13, 1942 - Saturdays game? Support this work: Newspapers.com

I couldn’t hit a cow with a paddle...

You won't believe what happened in the big horse race yesterday. The "dream" race turned to nightmare when Alsab's owner pulled the horse at the last minute leaving Whirlaway to own the day. Fans were disappointed to say the least. But never fear - a special rematch is being called for next weekend. The story is provided below. Meanwhile, back at Fort Ruckman, there's ice cream for chow on Sundays. Or just break into the mess hall at midnight for cookies. And even though the Army team was beat - it was a good football game and a good day relaxing. Still there are chores to do and let's all wish Dad good luck with the rifle tomorrow. I don't think they can use cows for targets. Next pass is next weekend and it's easy peasy since he has the car!

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!

Research, learn, and support this work. Go to: Newspapers.com

September 13, 1942

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

Dear Audrey:

Here is another Sunday that has come and gone. I expect to spend next Sunday with you. My pass will come on Sat. and I will be down there early. With the car you can almost wait supper for me and if I get a break, I will be waiting for you to come home from work. Sundays are always the best days around here but for me it is just another day. I have to work. The only difference is ice cream for chow. My shift is the eight to twelve shift and so I had the afternoon to lay around and listen to the football game. Today the Army team got beat but it was a good game. When we have any time off during the week and try to lay around everyone thinks it is terrible and so we have to keep out of sight or they will put us to work. They just forget we have to work every night. I did some of my washing today but there is still some left. I won’t be able to do it tomorrow because I am going to fire my rifle. I couldn’t hit a cow with a paddle, if the cow was dead and it was snowing it still would make any difference. If I get a hundred I’ll be very lucky. I’ll let you know how I make out tomorrow. Maybe if I turn out to be a good shot they will send me over to shoot Japs and that would never do. I suppose you expect me to turn up with the car all shined up like the seat of a pair of blue serge pants. So far, I haven’t had time to take the magazines out of the car but I think I will have some time this week.

Last night when we came off at midnight we were hungry so we decided to get something to eat. The door to the mess hall is easy to force so we got in and got some milk and cookies. I was carrying them and we were going to go out in back and eat but coming out the door we saw a flashlight approaching us. What a spot and me with the goods. The other lad scooted off and so was all right but what the h-ll could I do. Well I just stood there on the porch and waited with a quart of milk in one hand and cookies in the other and just as it seemed he couldn’t help seeing me, he turned and went up between the mess hall and the office. Well then instead of hiding I just sat down on the porch and ate the cookies and drank the milk and then went to bed. I still don’t know who it was with the flashlight. Tonight I’m going straight to bed and wait for breakfast in the morning. I’m enclosing a card I got awhile ago from that fellow who was hurt so bad. At least everyone said he was hurt so bad but I don’t think he was as bad as they said. From the reports I got, I had him half buried. Well you only get a cheesy little letter tonight. Nothing to say anyway. I haven’t told you that “I love you” yet have I? Well I do but let it go.

Love,

Leonard