74) Thinking of a life ahead with Betty keeps Jack going---Jan. 31, 1945

APO 321 Mindoro, Philippines

Somewhere in the Philippines
Jan. 31st, 45

My darling,

I really am mad at myself for not writing you when I recieved your 2 letters day before yesterday. I kept telling myself, “I’ll write tonite” and here it is 2 days later and I’m just writing. Your letters were dated Dec. 29th & Jan. 11.

I went to the show the nite I got them and was so sleepy when I got home (the tent) that I went straight to the sack. Last night I simply wasn’t in a very good mood so I thought I had better wait another nite.

Tonite is really a beautiful nite. The moon is out and almost full. You can see the mountains in the distance about 18 or 29 miles from here. There is some kind of fire burning over in the hills somewhere. The whole side of a hill is covered with flame bright orange. It is so bright from the moonlight that you can read a book with ease.

We have some really pretty scenery all around camp. The nights are cold & clear, the mornings are cloudy & the afternoons scorching hot. It rains maybe once a week and some days the wind it terrific. One day last week our supply tent blew down. We had to set it up and really anchor it this time.

I really don’t see anything really funny in falling down those steps. Please dear be careful in that ice & snow. Better to miss one of those teas or parties than to get a “broke” leg. I really don’t want anything to happen to you. I’ll sure need someone to look after me after I get back.

You asked me what I wanted to do after the war. Darling can’t you see after all this time that there is just one thing that I want and that is to share everything with you. We will have plenty of time to make plans when we see each other next.

Dear, keep one thing in mind and that is that no matter what I do or where I go you are the one who is dearest to my heart.

I hope that we won’t have to have many more of the best months of our lives ruined & wasted by this damn war.

Maybe it is better this way it could probably have been worse if the war had started 5 years late. Oh well we have a long wonderful life ahead of us. Somehow looking forward to those days is what keeps me going.

Please keep the letters coming. Reading your letters has to take the place of talking to you & being with you. Damn poor substitute too.

Yours,
Jack

My best to your Mom & Anne.

NOTES:

1. Falling down the stairs story--- Even though I don't have Betty's letter to Jack that tells this story, referred to in this letter, I heard the story many times when I was growing up.  There were three concrete steps down to ground level from the house where Betty lived and one icy day she hurried down them to a cab that was waiting to take her to a social event downtown.  Her feet slipped out from under her and she hit the ground.  As she struggled to get up the cabbie, rushed to her and instead of initially asking if she was OK, asked if her "nylons" were OK.  I can't quite remember if perhaps the cabbie was maybe a woman.  
2. Shortages of Stockings in WWII---Many women wore silk stockings before the war but Japan was the primary source of the U.S. silk supply which was cut off  in 1941 when the U.S. entered the war.  Nylon was invented in 1938 and nylon stockings came on the market in 1940, but supply of nylon was limited during the war because stock was needed for rope, parachutes and other wartime needs.  This required women to treat their remaining stockings with special care and often they only used them for special occasions.

73) Betty struggles with Algebra & declares her love for Jack---Jan. 20, 1945

From Betty (Louisville, KY)

Jan. 20, 1945
Saturday night

My darling,

I feel terribly about not writing any more than I have been, but I have been going all the time and studying might hard. It paid – I got a B on my Spanish test. I don’t think I did so well on my Social Science test. I have a Physical Science test Monday. I don’t know much about it. I’ve just gotta’ make my grades.

I gave blood for the third time last Tuesday. Mother is going to make me wait ten weeks before I give it again. I think it’s silly ‘cause it doesn’t bother me. She thinks I’m going so hard that I should wait ten weeks. As long as I can’t give it without her consent (under 21) I guess I’ll wait.

We had to practice basketball Thursday night. Our first game is Tuesday night. We play the K.D’s We’ve just got to beat them. We should.

Wednesday night I went to see U of L beat Evansville. It was a pretty good game. They play Eastern here next Wed. night.

Last night I went to a party at the Henry Clay. The Psi Omega’s (a dental fraternity) were having a rush party and they asked us Pi Phi’s to be hostesses. We really had a swell time. The boys were so nice to us. They wanted us to dance with everybody and meet all the boys. Every one had a grand time.

This afternoon I was going to study and write letters. I started reading my English and got so sleepy that I went to sleep and slept about four hours, so I’m studying and writing letters tonight. I’ll never catch up on my correspondence. It’s beginning to look hopeless. I’ll never get to the bottom of the pile. I never have time to write to anyone but you. You really rate, old boy, but I guess you realize that.

I talked to your mother tonight. She said that your Aunt Lillian has a feeling that you’re on your way home. I hope she’s right. I want to see you terribly, but I know it’s harder for you. Always remember that I love you. I know you’ll come home to me pretty soon. My heart tells me that.

I’ll have to struggle with Algebra now—aren’t you jealous? It’s really an exciting date. I can’t figure the dumb stuff out.

I’ll write again as soon as possible. When I don’t write it isn’t because I haven’t thought about you. I think about you all the time. That’s right- you’ve guessed it! I LOVE you !!!

All my love always,
Betty

Notes:

1. K.D.'s---The Kappa Delta sorority
2. The Henry Clay--- This historic Louisville building in the theater district has been a historic lodge, hotel, women's community center and multi use event space. The building is on the National Register. It was built in 1924 as an Elk's Lodge. Link to website and photos 
3. Aunt Lillian---This was Jack's mother's younger sister. Jack was very close to his Aunt Lillian, whom he called "Deedee." After the war Jack, his mother Avery and his Aunt Lillian were business partners.

72) Betty- playing basketball and studying hard.--Jan. 5 1945

From Betty (Louisville, KY)

Jan. 5, 1945, Friday night
My darling,

I’ve been struggling with Algebra for about an hour and I finally decided to write to you and do Algebra some other time. It isn’t due until Monday.

Yesterday I had a 8:30 and a 9:30 class. After my last one I went in town and had lunch with Mother. Then I met a girl friend of mine and we went to see “Winged Victory.” I thought it was grand. I’ve seen a lot of pictures about the Army, but I think this is the best. It seems to be more typical of the Army than any of the others. It was sad in spots, but some of it was a scream. I laughed ‘til I was weak. There was the cutest comedy with it- Pluto. There was a darling little cat in it. It’s the most adorable comedy I’ve seen in ages.

After the show I came home and studied about an hour and ate dinner. I had to leave at 6:15 to go out to school again. We practiced basketball last night. Our tournament starts in a couple of weeks. Johnny Mohr is coaching us. He’s in V-12 out there. I didn’t get home ‘til about 10:15. I sure hated to get up at 6:30 this morning. I was really tired. I had classes all morning today and then I fooled around out at the house this afternoon and came home.

Anne went to the Military Ball tonight with Bob Hancock from A.H.S. The dance is given by the R.O.T.C. at Male and is at the Crystal Ballroom.

Tomorrow I have one class at 9:30 and that’s all. We’re going to practice basketball from 12:30 to 2:30 tomorrow afternoon. After that I think I’ll come home and study. I have really been studying in college. I certainly didn’t expect to study this harad. I planned to go out there and have a good time and study very little. Boy! Did I get fooled!!!

Guess I’d better take a bath and go to bed. I need some sleep. I’ll write again real soon- Maybe tomorrow. I love you very much but you already know that. At least I hope you do.

Good night, darling. Miss you

All my love always,
Betty

NOTES:

Winged Victory-- Released in late December 1944.  The movie was a joint effort of 20th Century Fox and the U.S. Army Air Forces.  About 5 friends who go through the training process to become pilots.  See a clip here: Winged Victory clip

First Aiders---I think this must be the Pluto short that Betty refers to in this letter.  Minnie Mouse is learning First Aid.  Also stars Pluto and Figaro the kitten.  You can see it here: Pluto Short-First Aiders

Crystal Ballroom---The Crystal Ballroom is in the historic Brown Hotel, which opened in 1923 and still operates today.  The hotel is on the National Register.   Here are some photo links:  Crystal Ballroom in 1927 &  Crystal Ballroom today

Johnny Mohr---a fellow student of Betty and Jack's at Anchorage High School, where he was captain of the football team.  At U of L he was on the baseball, basketball and golf teams.

71) Betty is busy with college classes and activities--Jan. 3, 1945

From Betty (Louisville, KY)

Jan. 3, 1945
Wednesday night

Darling,

Got two letters from you yesterday. The dates were Dec. 12th and 15th. Gee! I was glad to hear from you. It had been about three weeks since I had heard from you. I didn’t have time to write last night, so I’m taking time-out from homework to write tonight.

I’ve struggled with Algebra for an hour and a half and I’ve finally finished it. When I finish this I’ve got some poems to read for English and some Spanish to study. None of these things are due until Friday, so if I don’t do them tonight I can do them tomorrow. It’s nice in college ‘cause you don’t have the same class two days in sucession. You just have each class every other day.

I’m well into school again. It’s awful hard to get up at 6:30 and 7:30 instead of noon. I’m awfully tired ‘cause I haven’t gotten used to it yet. Another thing that made me tired tonight is that I played basketball from 12:30 to 2:30 continuously this afternoon and believe me I wasn’t in condition this soon after the holidays. I’m sore all over.

We have been having some very good and serious discussions in the Student Center out at school. There are two sailors (V-12’s) and another girl and myself. All three of them are swell. The way it all got started was that one of the boys is really crazy about a girl. He asked us how you know a person is in love with you? Then somebody else said that better still how do you know you’re in love with a person? I don’t think there’s any set plan you can follow. It’s little things and things you feel. Then they asked if you should marry before a boy goes overseas. I said yes, but they disagreed. I still say yes.

Let me see, the last time I wrote to you was Satruday night. Well, since then I’ve been on the go pretty much. Sunday night (New Year’s Eve) I went to a formal dance at Fort Knox. It was pretty good. I didn’t meet anybody very interesting. I ate a handful of confetti. I turned around to say something to somebody and just as I did a fellow threw a handful of the stuff in my face. I choked on it. I must say I’ve eaten tastier things. Monday night I went to a party. I had a pretty good time, nothing to rave about.

Yesterday I started to school. Sad Day! Everything went pretty well except I had to clean the kitchen for the first time since before the holidays. It was a mess! It hadn’t been cleaned since our slumber party and you can imagine how dirty it was. It took me an hour and a half to clean it. Usually it takes about 20 minutes. It wouldn’t have been so bad if we didn’t have a dead mouse somewhere in or around the house. We can’t find it, but we know it’s dead. It’s been there since our slumber party. It smells worst in the kitchen. When you open the back door it ‘bout knocks you down. Every five minutes I had to go out and get some air. If I have to clean that kitchen much more I’ll smell like the dead mouse. Enough of this mouse talk!

Sounds like you’ve got a pretty good set up with your tent fixed up and a boy to take care of it. Bring him home with you. We could use him swell.

They’re playing the “Army Air Corps” song on the radio. That’s my favorite branch. Naturally.

I’m so crazy. I know just as well that when you don’t write it’s because you haven’t time, but this time when I didn’t hear from you for so long I had the craziest ideas. I thought well maybe he’s decided he isn’t in love with me and he doesn’t want to write and tell me. I kept thinking about it until I was a nervous wreck. When your two letters came yesterday I was really happy. I’ve felt 100% better since then.

Can’t get rid of this cold. I’ve had it all winter. It gets better and then it snows or rains and I’m off again. I think I’ll come see you. Maybe I’ll get rid of it there where it is warm.

Guess that is all there is this time. I miss you terribly and I love you so much. I want to be with you more every day.

Take care of yourself. I’ll write as often as I possibly can.

All my love always,
Betty

NOTES:

1. Pi Phi House (University of Louisville) -- The Pi Phi House, which Betty mentions so often in her letters, was a little cottage on Shipp Street, near the U of L campus.  In this letter she talks about having to clean the house after the Christmas break- a task obviously given to the sorority pledges.  The sorority girls did not live at the house. The house was used by the sorority for meetings, fellowship, and as a place to host events. The house is no longer standing and long ago the area was incorporated as part of the current campus.   At the time Betty attended the University of Louisville, it was termed a “streetcar college.” Most of the students lived in the Louisville area and commuted to the university, like Betty, on the streetcar. There were no dorms, although there was some housing for the men in the Navy V-12 program. Students who were from out of town often just rented rooms near the campus.   The Pi Phi house provided a nice base on campus for the girls in the sorority to hang out between classes.
2. Army Air Corp Song--click this link: Bing Crosby Singing the Army Air Corp Song
3. V-12 Navy Program--The V-12 Navy College Training Program was initiated in 1943 to meet both the immediate and long-range needs for commissioned officers to man ships, fly planes and command troops called to duty in World War II. When the draft age was lowered to 18 in November 1942, the Navy quickly foresaw a shortage of college-educated officers for its operations. Likewise, hundreds of the nation’s colleges and universities feared economic collapse without students to fill suddenly empty classrooms. Help came from the federal government with the creation of the V-12 Navy College Training Program. 

• V-12 accepted students already enrolled in the Navy and Marine Corps college reserve programs, enlisted men who were recommended by their commanding officers and high school seniors who passed a nationwide qualifying examination. Between July 1, 1943, and June 30, 1946, over 125,000 college-age men were enrolled at 131 colleges and universities throughout the United States in the V-12 program. All those in V-12 were on active duty, in uniform and subject to a very strict form of military discipline. 
• V-12 schools ran the gamut from the Ivy League and large state universities to small, church-associated colleges in very small towns. V-12 participants were required to carry 17 credit hours and nine and one-half hours of physical training each week. Study was year-round, three terms of four months each. From the V-12 program, most of the Navy trainees went on to a four-month course at a reserve midshipmen’s school, and the Marines went to boot camp and then to the 12-week Officer Candidate Course at Quantico, Virginia. 
• The curriculum was heavy on math and science for "regulars" -- or those entering college for the first time. "Irregulars," those students who already had some college credit, were allowed to continue in their majors with the addition of a course or two in mathematics and science. 
• Blacks were allowed to enroll in the V-12 program in late March 1943, nearly a year before there were any black officers in the Navy. One black who gained prominence in the Navy after his V-12 graduation was Vice Admiral Samuel L. Gravely Jr., the first black to command a Navy warship and the first black to advance to the rank of admiral. 
• The V-12 program thrust heavy responsibilities upon young men at an early age. At least 38 admirals and 20 generals can trace their first officer training back to the V-12 program. 
• The V-12 program was an unqualified success in meeting the urgent need for Navy and Marine Corps commissioned officers for duty in World War II. It also had a major impact on American education. Commandant of the 9th Naval District Rear Admiral John Downes remarked on the uniqueness of the V-12 program just 14 days after it began on July 1, 1943. Speaking to the V-12s at Northwestern University, Downes said, "For the first time on any large scale, men are allowed to go to college, not on the basis of social prestige or financial ability, but upon their own merit." 
• The V-12 program provided educational and military leaders to the nation for the pivotal 40 years after the wars end. 

Source : Schneider, James G. The Navy V-12 Program; Leadership for a Lifetime. Boston: Houghton Mifflin Company, 1987.