Pvt. W.D Johnson Jr 34945847 (Postmarked August 27, 1944)
B Co 227 Bn
69th Trg. Regt. IRTC
Camp Blanding Fla.
Saturday Afternoon
Dearest Mom & Dad:
Your letter came the other day, Mom. Your letters mean an awful lot to me and I surely enjoy receiving them. As you know, I haven’t had much time to write lately, but it is surely good to think of home.
I’m at the USO Club in Stark. It’s just 7 miles from camp and I managed to get loose & get permission to come over here and eat a steak. We go on bivouac tomorrow when we’ll be eating a lot of C Rations & stuff for the next 2 weeks, hence my yen for a steak fore I go.
You asked about sending me something to eat – We have been told that any food sent to us on bivouac will be confiscated so do not try to send me anything till after I leave Blanding. We finish here on Sept 16 & shortly after that I should be in Mtg. So wait until I get my new assign- ment and I’ll order some good ole cookies or somethin’!
I’m glad the news from Macey & Rip is good. I had a letter from Macey a couple of weeks ago at which time he was sorta upset about what his assignment would be. I’m glad it worked out nicely for him.
There isn’t much news from me except that I’m fine & the training is still pretty rough – but will be over soon. Because of our change to a rifle Co. Our last 3 wks has been tough but I think the worst is over. Aside from the discomforts of 2 weeks of camping in the Florida Swamps and the long marches to & from the camp site, I don’t think bivouac will be to bad. So I’m looking forward to the end of this 17 weeks of training at which time I’m sposed to be an A-1 foot soldier. I’m also getting interested in where I’ll be sent etc.
It’s about time for me to go in search of my steak. How’s your business Dad? Still working you hard? I hope all goes well & I also hope you wont try to do too much.
Louise writes me how Julie enjoyed being with you all – how she loves your Oak Park jaunts. From what Louise says you all have really helped out with the nursing.
It won’t be long till I’ll be seeing you all & I’m really looking forward to it. In the meantime mail will be brought to us while we’re on bivouac so don’t fail to write.
Love to you both always
David Jr.