Transcript Sunday June 22, 1952 Boeblinger , GermanyDearest Sweetheart:How is my One and only today? Feeling nice and Loveable, and I’ll bet real kissable. Oh if only I could find out. Gee Honey this place gives me the whillies. I’ve been down here since Tuesday and I really and truly can’t say that I’ve accomplished a heck of a lot. Although I’ve had a lot of time to sleep. Would you believe me if I said that I went to sleep at 645 last night? Well I did, and that is the...

Transcript Sunday July 13th, 1952 Boblingen , GermanyHi Darling, How are you today? I hope you feel as good as I do. I had better than nine hours sleep last night, woke up at 715 this morning and went over and had breakfast. So now I had better write to you, before you get mad. Don’t worry about me not knowing of any Lovers Lanes, we’ll probably make some of our own. As far as necking goes, I’ll keep you busy most of the first night that I’m at home. We have a lot to catch up on...

Transcript Wednesday Aug. 6th, 1952 Bad Kreuznach, GermanyHi Honey, How are you today? Fine I hope? I feel pretty good, and know you must be the same. I have your picture right beside me while I’m writing this letter, so it’s nearly the same as having you here. Boy aren’t I the liar though. If I had you here I wouldn’t be writing. (Ahem) I’m not kidding either. Oh, what I wouldn’t give to have you in my arms right now, but I guess our day is coming though, and it isn’t too far...

Transcript Sunday August 17th 1952 Bad Kreuznach, GermanyHi Honey, I’m sorry I haven’t wrote sooner, will you forgive me Sweetheart? I hope you will because I don’t want you to get mad at me now, because it is nearly time for me to come home. I want to try my baby out at necking (Ahem) Gee Honey, in another 85 or ninety days we should really be able to pitch the woo. That is if you still want me honey? That is the most important question. I’ll even do anything you want me to....

Transcript Thursday August 21st, 1952 Bad Kreuznach, GermanyHi Sweetheart, How are you today? I feel fine and hope you are the same. I have a heck of a job tonight, they call it Charge of Quarters. It’s a really miserable job I have to stay up till twelve o’clock and then start to take bed check, that’s to make sure everyone is in bed and not A.W.O.L.. Anyone not in bed after midnight is turned in. Then at 430 in the morning I have to get up wash and shave by the time I get...

Transcript Saturday Aug.30, 1952 Bad Kreuznach, GermanyHi Honey, Recieved your most welcome letter today, so I thought I had better answer it right away. Boy that lipstick imprint really looks good. The letter smells real nice too. It won’t be long now Sweetheart, till I’ll be able to hold you in my arms. Boy that lipstick really looks good, (MMM) Honey I just can’t wait till I can get you alone someplace. It just seems so doggone long the days are really starting to drag along....

Transcript Monday Sep. 15, 1952 Bad Kreuznach, GermanyHi Sweetheart, How are you today Honey? Feeling fine I hope. I feel pretty good, but I have another heck of a job today. It is Battalion duty driver, I have to drive the big wheels around to where ever they want to go. What a life. Well how do you like the thought of going back to school? You’ll probably meet some nice guy, so if you do, and he wants to take you out, please go with him, that is if you like him. I don’t want...

Transcript Sunday October 5th, 1952 Bad Kreuznach, GermanyHi Sweetheart, Gee I’m awfully sorry I haven’t wrote any sooner, but I’ll try to do better, no kidding Sweetheart, I mean it. There just isn’t to much to write about anymore. The only thing that worries me the most, right now, is the fact that they won’t tell me when we are to go home. It’s just like the Army though, they let a person know a heck of a lot sooner when he is to be inducted, but then when your time is up...

Transcript Tuesday October 14th, 1952 Bad Kreuznach, GermanyHi Sweetheart, How is everything going for you today? Fine I hope? I’m beginning to feel better every darn day, because I’m getting closer and closer to the day that we start for home. It shouldn’t be too darn far away now, just a matter of 15 or 20 more days. That is according to the latest rumor anyway. A guy just can’t believe anyone, some of the guys told me that I was scheduled to sail November 5th, but when I...

Transcript 25/11/52Dear Ila, Being an obliging sort of young fellow, I thought that as long as you were interested in having a soldier write you, I should elect myself. First off, you’ve never written me, and I’ve never written you (‘til now) and you’ve never seen me, and I’ve never seen you so we start on the same foot, anyhow. In order to make the sledding easier I’ll give you a brief run-down of my illustrious life’s history: Born: Hartford, Conn., Nov 4, 1930, named: Frank...

Transcript Dear Ila, I beg your pardon, fair damsel. Must have misinterpreted along the line somewhere. I certainly didn’t have the big idea you wanted to write to a soldier, I just thought you might enjoy cheering up a lonesome soldier. If you would, I must admit you are off to a flying stop. Only meant, that while these 2 other boys are single and not free, that they are rather seriously attached to young ladies back home. Poor buggers are really suffering from the pangs of woeful love....

Transcript 16/1/53Dear Ila, This may or may not be a surprise to get another letter but I’m in a combat now that requires every address I know and even some I don’t know. Bet one of the lads here in the exec. Post that I can write 40 letters; 10 days time. If I should fail to do so I’ll have to give him the magnanimous sum of 20 dollars. Seems like a lot of work, what? But just to even it up, though, he must write 20 letters in the same 10 days and if he fails I’ll be the...

Transcript 6/2/53Dear Ila, The letter writing bet turned into nothing because we both finished in time, but at least I caught up on much belated writing, such as aunts, uncles and other obscure relations. Speaking about being busy, I’ve really been busting my hump around here. We moved into the Punchbowl 2 days ago, and acquired a pig pen, so work is the password. I took over chief computer for the battery yesterday and of course am swamped with work. Must get a whole new set...

Transcript 28/2/53 3:15 A.M.Hi Doll, Although it is still slightly early in the morn, this is the best day of the month. Payday! The one only, good day of any month that the Army has to offer. Funny you should ask, but the outfit no longer resides in the Punchbowl. We moved west another 24 miles 6 days ago into the Mundung-Ni Valley and are now in direct support of Heartbreak Ridge. Must admit I’m getting sick of all the unnecessary moving, though. It’s a mess everytime we do...

Transcript 21/3/53Dear Ila, Always try to sound cheerful no matter what’s cooking. As a matter of fact this is a snap job the only difference being that is a matter of some 10,000 miles from the states. Course I admit the $70 I won last payday in a poker game undoubtedly boosted my morale. Follows the run down, as best as I can do, on myself that you request. Born in Hartford, Conn.; Nov. 4, 1930 Lived in Massachusetts last 15 years. Live in Wenham, Mass. Now. Founded in...

Transcript 7/4/53Dear Ila, Sitting around wondering this evening whether I’m in the doghouse or that the mail hasn’t come through. Haven’t heard from you in what seems quite a long time and couldn’t help thinking that I’ve probably don the usual and put my foot in my big yap again. I sincerely hope that I haven’t said anything off color that might lead to false conjecture on your part. I’m honestly interested in this correspondence and am thoroughly enjoying myself in writing to...

Transcript 9/4/53Dear Ila, Of course after writing to you 3 nights ago and wondering where you were I got a letter and am back with my trusty sword in hand. As far as your writing more often goes, I think it’s a P.D. (peachy dandy) suggestion. I’m available, that’s for sure. Yeah, my mother informs me that our home is like a bughouse what with my sis getting married. It’s in June but the Army doesn’t see it my way and I’ll still be here pushing ‘em out instead of home. Don’t...

Transcript Hi Doll, This will be a shorty, but I’ve got some pictures to take the place of the missing words. Remember that Confucius said “one picture is worth a thousand words.” Got sergeant a few days ago, which was rather a surprise. I wasn’t seriously looking for it. Rather hoping, would be better. Lot of rumors floating around about moving, but I’m pretty sure we’ll stand fast. Not much necessity for the artillery moving principally because we’re in good position and are the...

Transcript 25/4/53Hi Doll, Got your lovely letter this evening which boosted my morale considerably after a rather miserable day. Was up all last evening figuring out data for a turkey shoot, so I spent a little time in the sack only to get up and find the battery commander pulling a bunch of baloney on me. I’m afraid I don’t get along with him too well and vice versa. After just making me Sgt. I can’t see why he’s trying to give me such a hard time. Heck, no I’m not mad at you...

Transcript 1/5/53 11:30 P.M.Hi Doll, What is it with this younger generation? Today yet I’m a big deal, and a kid. RE: Your letter dated 22 April 1953. Say is that a bunch of squares in that town or a load of hep cats ? If you read me, cat, square off some pulp wood with a little India. Better wise up the community, though, because I hear there’s a commander up that way eating 3 squares a day. Dig me? Cool your heels, Frankie and let’s gum ten. I’m afraid I’ve got spring fever...

Transcript 12/5/53Dear Ila, Finally heard from you this evening, but it wasn’t your fault. Nobody in the battery had gotten any for 6 days until tonite so the mail system was just screwed up. Sounds as if you’re despairing of school again. Heck, I’d be cheerful if I had only 19 days to go over here. As it is I’ve got only about 4 more months to go, so I don’t feel bad about it at all. Not long when you really consider. I’m glad you got the pictures O.K. The only trouble I’ve...

Transcript 16/5/53Hi Doll, Lovely letter from you this evening. Did a wonderful job of brightening up an otherwise lousy day. Seems as though all the days lately have been poor but I guess it’s just because I’ve got only a short time to go and am getting sick of this place. Doggonit all. When I say that you are undoubtedly a sweet young lady why I mean that you are undoubtedly a sweet young lady. You no doubt will gate me for this but I honestly had to smile when you said you’d...

Transcript 19/5/53Hi Doll, Whatever it is, you win. I don’t remember what it is I said, and it probably wasn’t anything intelligent. I seem to have the knack, fortunate or otherwise, of putting my foot into my mouth without any trouble at all. I’m sure, though, I was just fooling around and hope you’ve taken no offense. Sounds to me as though you’re a little squeamish, or else you’ve never had a really good meal of worms and grubs. Why just this evening we had a lovely green...

Transcript 28/5/53Dear Ila, My goodness but you really wound up when you get started on a letter. I’m 3 days late and already yet I’ve forgotten you. How can you assume such a thing? I get much pleasure out of writing to you + also hearing from you and there you go already. Whoa, young lady, slow down. I’m still here and faithfully trying right down to the last nickel. Why, I’m highly complimented to think that you’d really like to have me in your community. And even go as far...

Transcript 3/6/53Hi Doll, Received a chipper letter from you this evening, which I’m enjoying right now. Yes, you might say I’m sick of the Army and vice-versa, but I’m still living and enjoying it. Glad to hear you’d like to help, and it doesn’t sound stupid at all. I don’t know what you think I’m thinking, but if you want me to think what you think I’m thinking, I’ll think it. Doggoned if you aren’t giving me a hard time. Here I am biting my fingers off waiting for pictures...