August 21, 1942.

My Darling Sweettail Wife, 

So during the 1st break this bright sunshiney (Hot - [unreadable] - sticky) Thursday I got a jobe. Yesterday we got our first mail. We have a wise guy in our barracks who has been bragging how many gals he has done “it” to, – how he knows his wife is getting “it” done to her while he is away – “Oh – that is the way to live,” he says, “wait until the mail comes in, – I’ll show you whorates around here.” So yesterday the mail came. He got no letter from his wife, + 2 from other ports, – Mae got 2 letters, a package + a 10.00 bill from his wife, a letter from Pete Allen, a letter from Voyle, one from Gene + Evelyn, – my Corporal certificate and a card from the post office telling me if I had 6 cents I could have some more! The fellows really gave him the works. Most of the men are real men, they gotta be to be here. – As for the Corporal ship – it is just one step nearer our goal, – I worked my butt off for it, now we got it, lets work for the next one. – Just look around + see how many men from our surroundings have been made such with less than 3 mos service in the army. Nuff said. However they say we are addressed as “Candidate” here. Thus eliminates titles,  – we are all the same. 

10:00 

We are being lectured on “Gas” this morning – I certainly do hope I never am confronted with it. – Remind me, my dearest, when I come home, to tell you about the story of the lottery that was guessed on Carolina Maneuvers recently. It is good, but lengthy. Your remarked that such + such a letter was interesting. You save them + we’ll go over them some day. – I never plan a letter +never re-read one. – They truly come from the heart. – Oh yes, by the way, the sweet kiss on your one letter was about all I could take. Like a flash of your sweet, doll-like face appeared behind them + I darned near grabbed for you. I am so cussed homesick to see you I hurt so, – Jesus –will it ever end. Just to see you + fondle you + caress you –in that old house coat, Lord- Lord, Please!! - Too my eyes were wet, + I mean it, when you told me about my boy. Gee honey, that guy is the grandest guy in the world, + not because he is our boy either.  (Please note the absence of the word son)

11:10 - I can say boy can’t I, I assume you should never think more of a Son. Not much breath this time I had to P.P. –

1.20 - You know I let my letters ramble a lot but it is the very vest I can do, baby, please try to be content with them for a few more weeks. If I get thru here, we’ll have to have the Stoves + Howells + Mac + Arvets in for one big bull session wont we. – I will be so glad to get my hands in your – kitchen (Ha, Ha, I bet I fooled you) again + make meat loaf + stuff again. Gosh. 

6:00 - Honey – we were just read a war bulletin. - For fear some mail might be opened – No more notes. – I will tell you all – in bed some 1,000 nites. – I’m gonna stop this baby + drop a note. – I have heat rash terrible – + I do mean terribly – But still going – +we’ll be too. 

Love my Johnny. –

Write – I love you lots 

Forever + Ever - your loving husband + Dad 

Don 

Harry Hatfield is a SKONK!! A conch- skonk!