Pvt. W.D. Johnson Jr 34945847 (Postmarked October 22, 1944)
B-19-5 AGF Repl. Depot # 1
Ft. Geo. G. Meade, Md.
Sunday Noon
Dearest Mother & Dad:
I know Louise called you last nite & give you the news from me. I’ve more or less felt that I would go across but there has been a slim chance all along that I might not so I’ve just sorta gone easy on stressing the fact that I had a hunch I was due for a boat ride.
Before you folks worry too much about me, just remember these few points: 1. I’ve had the toughest & best training in the world – the enemy can’t match us man for man & weapon for weapon 2. I’m a grown man with no kid illusions about hero stuff. I’ll be a good soldier, & not a foolish, dead hero. 3. I’ve got everything on earth to come back to – a lovely wife & daughter, two fine parents & two swell in law parents. 4. I’ve a hunch Im headed for Europe. The war may end there before I see combat & I may wind up as a part of the occupation troops. 5. Even if I’m thrown in the heaviest part of the fighting at once, infantry casualties are only about 30% – and a casualty is not necessarily a death. If a guy eats too many thick juicy steaks while on the firing line & can’t fight because of a stomach ache, he’s a casualty.
I’m very relieved to know where Im going (or rather what I’m going to do – I don’t know where I’m going) and if it wasn’t for feeling like a heel having the women folks worried about me at home, I’d be completely content to be getting into it. I’m glad I’m going over anyway since I didn’t make the decision myself, but I know it is hard on the folks back home.
But, Mom, you mustn’t worry about me. I’ve always been resourceful & taken care of myself & I can still do it. I don’t mean that I wouldn’t be ashamed to face my laundry man the first time I get under fire, but I know I’ll make out okay. So the point is, don’t you all think of me as a pore lamb being led to the slaughter. I’ll be in there looking out for myself all the time, and I believe I’ve been well-trained to do that.
Louise told me on the phone last nite that Macey thought he might get shifted to infantry. Bless his heart, he’s going to get in the real army yet! I wouldn’t trade the infantry for all the other services.
If by any chance I wind up in England for a stopover I’ll burn the woods looking for Rip. Wouldn’t that be elegant? Rip and I “pubbing”
together in dear old London town!
Louise has refused to believe I would go across so this is a blow to her. You all help her all you can. In one of her recent letters she dealt at some length on how much she loves you all. Don’t let too much time go by without having her over & you all go to see her more often. That’s something you all can do for me because when I walked away from Louise I looked back & saw myself still standing there holding her hand. So I look down at myself & I’m here in a detached sort of way, but the core of me is still back there holding her hand and I won’t be whole again until this shell is again superimposed on the part I left behind. It’s that way with Louise & me. So you all get together & don’t let Louise just sit at home night after night. You all can get together on this waiting which I realize is the hardest job of all.
I’ll write Rip & Macey but after you get my APO # (not before – you shouldn’t talk about my leaving to anyone till you get my APO #) tell them of my recent change in status. Don’t say in your letter to Rip (which might be censored) that I guess I’ll go to Europe. We are not sposed to guess out loud. Just tell him my APO # & if its N.Y. he’ll know I could wind up in England. This is about my last uncensored letter as I go under censorship when I leave Meade. You all keep writing & I’ll do likewise.
Lots of love always
David