Category: Letters

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.

Pvt. W.D Johnson Jr 34945847     (Postmarked September 10, 1944)
B Co. 227 Bn
69th Trg. Regt. IR.T.C.
Camp Blanding, Fla.

Sat Nite
About 8:30 P.M.

Dearest Mom & Dad:

Your letter of the 6th came today, Mom, and I also enjoyed your letter the other day on bivouac.

Yes, that ordeal is over & was climaxed by a 28 mile march in 8 hours starting at 8:30 last night & lasting all night till 5 am today. All during the night we marched without stopping except for 5 to 10 minutes out of every hour. Miraculously, I did not get any blisters, but we were all worn out from previous strenuous work before the march started. Anyhow, when we got in my feet were numb and my legs ached from ankles to hips. We made the march with field packs, rifle, gas mask, cartridge belt, canteen, bayonet steel helmet and an extra pair of shoes tied on the outside of the pack – about 60 -75 pounds in weight in all. Approx 20% of the men fell out, but I wasn’t in that 20% as I made it right on in with the best of them I had a real feeling of pride in that march as so many who couldn’t take it were the younger fellows – fellows 10 -17 years younger than I. Stamina is not all a manifestation of physical strength. It involves something of the spirit in almost as great a proportion as it does muscle. I was glad to know I could do it, and I’m none the worse for it. Aside from being tired & sleepy tonite, I’m ok. Incidentally, I “slept” in a foxhole Thurs nite, marched all nite Fri nite, worked on equipment this morning (no sleep) & now I’m on guard, but I was lucky to have a “sitting” post at Bn. Hqrs. Which gives me some time to write this. I’ll get some sleep after 10:30 tonite so I’ll be okay tomorrow.

Louise wrote about meeting Bee Savage and I’m interested to know how it all turns out.

Don’t you all worry about me going overseas. I’m really not keeping anything from you all and truthfully, my hunch is that I will not go overseas. It looks like I might be sent to Ft Meade Md (near Baltimore) for reassignment. Ft. Meade is no longer a P.O.E. so the fact that I may be sent there doesn’t mean I’m headed right out. The war news is so favorable that it all may be over soon.

Mom, you may worry about Rip trotting around in a Fortress, but I’ll bet he isn’t worried! I can imagine he’s in a 7th Heaven. I’d love to ride somewhere in one.

Dad, Mom tells me you have been very busy as usual and that you’ve got to break in a new helper. If you are still “armchair generalling” I can probably give you some additional ammunition for your computations when I get home. I’ve lived, eaten & breathed infantry tactics for the past few months so can tell you how the generals ought to do it. Seriously, war is more or less of an exact science up to the point where the variations call for real generalship. There are a lot of fundamental principles of warfare that must be second nature to a good soldier – or a good general.

While on the subject of the infantry, you all need never feel that a buck private in the infantry is an ignominious & slightly unnecessary adjunct to the modern war of plane, ship & machine. When they mark a line on a war map and say our forces are here they mean the infantry is here. The big guns may be firing miles ahead, the bombers flying miles ahead but our position is still the place where the infantry is. The plane pilot has to be skilled – true – so does the tank driver, or the turret gunner, but the foot soldier – to stay alive – must be adept at a dozen skills. He must know & be able to handle a dozen different weapons: he must be a scout – able to crawl unseen for long distances – He must understand camouflage & concealment. He must be able to walk miles & still be able to fight; He must know first aid, in short, the American rifleman is the most versatile fighter in the world either individually or as a team. So, after all, I’m not ashamed to be in the infantry, and to those who really know, the infantry man is quite a guy.

Well, our training ends here about next Saturday Sept 16 and some of us will be shipping out around Mon. or Tues. I hope to know some- time during the coming week where I’ll be sent, but in any event I’m looking forward to getting home soon. And, Mom, I can use some of your good cooking!! Boy am I looking forward to some hot biscuits!

You all take it easy and don’t worry about me and all will work out okay. And in the meantime it won’t be long before I see you.

Love always

David Jr.

Pvt. W. D. Johnson Jr 34945847     (Postmarked October 11, 1944)
B-19-5  A.G.F. Repl. Depot  # 1
Fort Geo. G. Meade, Md.

Thursday  7:15 P.M.

Dearest Mother & Dad:

I surely was happy to hear from you today, Mom. Yours was the first letter I’ve received since I’ve been here – Louise’s letters have gotten held up somewhere. I was glad to hear that she is okay.

I’m doing fine here. Our outfit is headed overseas. I was told first (yesterday) I was going now today they say I’m not on the list. I’m the only one not shipping so I don’t know what to think & can’t tell you all anything yet as to what disposition they will make with me. I could be shipped with another outfit or held here or transferred to another camp in the interior.

Have spent evenings in Washington & Baltimore since I’ve been here. They are very liberal on passes here – to give us as good a time as possible before we go over, I guess. Wash is about 20 miles and Baltimore is about 16 or 18 & good transportation to both towns. The money you all gave me has enabled me to go to town & splurge a little & it has surely been fine to have. Also I bought me a little cigarette lighter with some of it. Thanks again.

They aren’t working us too hard – just enough to keep us busy & keep us from getting soft.

The enclosed sorry picture was taken by a 15 mechanical camera booth in Baltimore last nite. I sent Louise a couple – none of them were any good. I only took 3.

Mom, I appreciate Alice’s message. Also I was glad to hear the picnic was a success but was sorry Julie didn’t get to go.

It’s pretty cool weather here – ideal weather for marching etc. It’ll be cold here before too long. I sorta like it but might change my tune when it really turns cool.

I’ll let you all know where I’m going as soon as I know and in the meantime, don’t worry. Since I was not put on this shipment I have a hunch I’m not to be sent overseas. You all write as often as you can and here’s

Lots of love to each of you

David

Pvt. Wm D. Johnson Jr 34945847     (Postmarked October 17, 1944)
B-19-5 AGF Repl. Depot  # 1
Fort Geo. G. Meade, Md.

Monday Nite

Dearest Mom:

Two letters from you today! Swell! They were written Thurs & Fri of last week & I also got your letter written last Wed. I’m glad you liked your purse honey. I’m not a good picker-outer of women’s things so I hope it is suitable. I thought you might like something that came from about the ritziest store you ever saw!

I had a nice week-end in Washington. Am getting quite familiar with the town & riding these fast trains etc. I spent most of my time at the YMCa USO. Im appalled at the free entertainment, & food furnished soldiers in the larger cities. They really take care of you. I slept Sat nite at a USO for 50. I’ve been on KP again today. Nuff said. Glad you gave me Jess’ address. I’ll write her a card right now. I’ve meant to write her & tell her Im sorry I didn’t even have time to call her when I went thru Atlanta. I nearly missed my connection there.

Honey, maybe I forgot to tell you, but please don’t mention to anyone any of my comments about what I might do or my outfit leaving etc. I’m really not sposed to mention those things to you all.

Still no news of what they intend to do with me. I’ll let you know as soon as I hear something.

Dad I’m glad you had your picture made. Mom writes they were good & I know they must be with such a subject!

Well, honies, I gotta get up at 3 am tomorrow & serve on KP till 7am so better go to bed. Surely enjoy your letters, Mom, & would like to hear from you too Dad. You all take good care of yourselves and you can be sure that I’m taking care of my self too.

Love always

David Jr

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