November 20, 1944
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310.39.1-4.2016 Transcription
Somewhere in So. France
Am – Nov 20, 1944
Back c̅[1] my gang
Dearest,
Whoopie! I’ve just [had][2] my first shower
in weeks—no bathing [this time][3] out of a steel
helment or out of an (occasional) COLD running
French faucet. Ummm!
I wrote out lots ‘n lots of my-heart
yesterday AM. [Gee! I pray that you get such letters!][4]—it was a wee bit on
the hurried side as far as leisurely writing
is concerned. As I wrote then I’ve been
“unloaned” from that General Hospital back
to my own gang—BUT—right away
again I am to be “loaned” agained but this
time quite a few of my gang are going
along so it will be more like “home,”
& also this time there is less chance of
busting up. As yet we still await our “loaning”.
Here again is repetition just for the sake
that a letter might be lost. Yesterday I
wrote you that news that came in Dave
McGee’s letter about the marriage, & even
though this is worded slightly different
as to wedding details I still consider
it just a more thorough “society-column”.
Well, Emily Nancy McGee was married in
really full pomp & frills by Bishop Alden
Mire along c̅ Reverend Lorenzo Court
assisting in a euchartistic ceremony just
like we had when we were married with
the exception that right at hand was
Curate Terrell Gray (or is it Deacon Gray?) to help.
[2]
Boy! are these ceremonial minutiae
& “small-fry” factors gobbled up by
people of their kind.
While still on the subject of letters
from the States—that letter of
yours around Oct 26th-27th-28th-29th
[I got most of them written in that zone][5] that you
enclosed airmail stamps in never
did arrive. Maybe it will show up
someday. However, I am so God-thankful
that 5 of your letters have come through
safe ‘n sound. It just makes me awfully
curious (& disheartened) about those words of
yours that were along c̅ the airmail stamps.
Again, here’s repition [sic] (but in breif)
just to assure that news gets through
to you. I wrote you how tickled I
was that Thump[6] now at last has
a colorful Europeans Theater Ribbon
c̅ one bronze star on it to set-off
his rawther drab Pistol Expert Model.
Again, I “threaten” that you can put one
on your coat [too][7] only if ol’ Thump gives
you permission. I visited Marseille—
I tried like Hell to find a ribbon
there to enclose in a letter but you’ll
just have to ask Mrs. Jack Lee, Major
Smith, etc, etc to get one from their
accessable PXes[8] as we have no [illegible deletion] PXes.
[3]
Anyhooo, I am enclosing the newspaper
clippin out of the “Stars and Stripes[9]
that authorizes ol’ Thump’s ribbon.
You can put it in your scrap book or
his baby book.
You know—this Army is
so full of delays, postponements, delays,
postponements that a guy just can’t
tell when any of his deduction-thoughts
are going to materialize as to the
time they materilize —here just
a few minutes ago another postponement
was rumored. Oh, me! (Oh, you!) Oh, us!
Maybe if I close this letter
soon it will be sure of going for 6¢ s̅[10]
you having to pay—for the
first time, mebee, huh!?!? Ho! ho! hum!
Honest—I just can’t stop writing you—& I won’t –so there!
Anyhooo, I love you & Thump so, darlin’.
Gee!—I guess I don’t do
anything but live for youze two guys.
All my love,
Dave
[1] Medical abbreviation meaning “with.”
[2] Bracketed text inserted into original with a caret.
[3] Bracketed text inserted into original with a caret.
[4] Bracketed text inserted into original with a caret.
[5] Bracketed text is part of original.
[6] Nickname for their infant son, Terry.
[7] Bracketed text inserted into original with a caret.
[8] Post Exchanges for shopping.
[9] US Military newspaper.
[10] Medical abbreviation meaning “without.”