49) Jack sends Betty money to buy Christmas presents.-- Oct. 11, 1944

APO 920 = Base H, Biak, Dutch New Guinea- Schouten Islands
Mokmer Airstrip


Oct. 11th, 44, 11:45 PM, “Pretty dark out”
Darling,

This will have to be a short letter but I know you will understand the reason. I am really very busy here lately. I missed lunch today. You know that I’m busy when I miss a meal. I hope that in a week or so things will settle down and I can really write some long letters. Dearest you know that it is really hard for me to go many days with out mail from you. I got one letter (on that funny stationery) today. It was mailed Oct. 2nd. I really am held together by those letters you write. I wouldn’t last long if I didn’t get them. You seem to understand so many things. Have you been thinking about just what you want to do after I get back for good? Do you think we will be able to be happy together? I really do hope we can. I have really some wonderful plans and ideas I would like to tell you about but most of them will have to wait. Never could put it over on paper.

Sure am glad you get around to see the family so often. Guess you will really rate with them by the time I get back there. As if you don’t right now. Boy they think your tops and “I ain’t just kidding.” Remember though that I am the guy that really loves you. Don’t ya think so maybe?

Darling you have probably been thinking & wondering about the enclosed Money Order. Here’s what I want you to do. See that every body (that is Mom, Pop, DeeDee & My Grandmother) all get some Xmas present with my name on it. Let it be a surprise. Also get that cute little devil of a sister of yours something from me. If you have any cash left have a big bunch of flowers sent to mom on Xmas day. I know I can depend on you to pick out nice things. You might have to shop around some to find out just what each one can use. Get something nice for Pop, maybe a tie from A.l.Warner.

Well that is about all for this time. Don’t worry about my letters. I will write as often as I can get time. And if things get any worse I’ll take time off from sleeping to write. Rather write to you than sleep or eat.

Please excuse or forgive the short letter.

I remain yours till the very end of time.

Good night sweet,
Jack

Notes - Jack's Christmas List:

1. "Mom"---Avery Merriman Riley, Jack's mother was 43 years old at this time.  She helped run the Louisville Loan Company, which had been started by her father, Clarence Merriman. She also helped manage various properties that had been owned by Clarence Merriman.  When Clarence died, just after Jack began his WWII service, these businesses were left in the hands of Avery, her sister Lillian and their mother Maude Sargent Merriman.
2. "Pop"---Jack W. Riley, Sr., Jack's father was 49 years old at this time.  He and Avery lived at 127 Bonner Avenue during the war years.  I am unsure what his occupation was at this time.  Most of his life he was a salesman (furniture, bourbon, cars, etc.).
3. "DeeDee"---Lillian Merriman was Jack's beloved aunt, the younger and only siblings of Avery.  At this time Lillian was divorced from her husband Robert G. Pitz, owner of the Pitz Foundry in New York (Link to info about Pitz Foundry).  Lillian and Robert Pitz had one son, "Bob" who was a few years younger then Jack.  I don't know where she was living at this time but perhaps in Louisville.
4. "My Grandmother"---Maude Sargent Merriman, Jack's maternal grandmother was a 70 year old widow at this time.  She was born in Beallsville, PA and raised by her aunt and uncle in Pittsburgh until her marriage to Clarence Merriman in 1900, at which time they moved to Louisville, KY.  In 1944 she was still helping to run The Louisville Loan Company, with her daughters, Avery and Lillian.

48) We made donuts.---October 3, 1944

APO 920 = Base H, Biak, Dutch New Guinea- Schouten Islands
Mokmer Airstrip

Oct. 3, 44, 9:30 PM
Dearest,

I didn’t write last nite because we made donuts and when we were finished I was so very tired that all I could do was sleep. Even got up 45 min. late this morning.

We were supposed to get paid today but I didn’t sign the payroll last time. (Remember I went down south). As a result I will have to wait till next month. It really don’t matter much over here whether a fellow misses a month or not.

I got two letters & a newspaper from you. One letter was on that wild stationery. I sure am anxious to see the others. That one was mailed Sept. 18 & the other letter the 22nd.

Glad you all had such a nice dinner party for the folks. They sure did enjoy it. My folks sure do think you’re swell. Mom & Pop are really fond of you honey. That sure makes things swell for me.

Maybe if they keep talking about their boy Jack enough you will fall for him. Or did you. I hope I hope. Yes?? No kidding darling I really want to come back there and show you that I am sincere when I tell you that I love you with all my heart. I somehow know from your letters that you do trust me & believe (finally spelled it) in me. Seems as if you really under-stand how I came to feel that way. Maybe I felt that way about you down deep inside always but was just too dumb to realize it. Can’t really tell about that. But there is just one thing now and that is on my mind all the time. I want you & only you when I get back. I know I’ve said it before and I’ll say it over & over again. We will be able to make each other so very happy if you will say yes to the right questions at the right times. Honey do I have to draw a picture?

I am sitting here on the floor writing this and listening to the records coming over the PA system from the next outfit by wire. We still have music if not lights. I’m doing better than candles tonite. I have a gasoline lantern which gives off a swell light.

I went to the show tonite and saw “Bathing Beauty” with Red Skelton & Ester Williams. Harry James & Xavier Cugat were in the show also. It was a swell color picture. But then you have probably seen it already.

I really was busy today. We made 3 trips to the Quartermaster to get stuff. We handle the issue of cigarettes & tobacco through supply and when ever we issue them we are busy as a bunch of beavers.

I’ll bet Ann was really glad to get back to school. Ha! Ha! When do you start by the way? Why don’t you tell me what kind of course you plan to take and what subjects you will have? Guess there won’t be so many boys going to U of L this year.

Have you been to a football game yet? Where? Tell me about it. Gee! We will have to go to lots of them when I get back. Guess I won’t ever play football anymore but I sure do like to go and watch.

The moon is almost full now and believe me if it is as big and as pretty at home as it is out here then you had better stay at home till it goes down. Don’t want to take a chance on somebody working one of those smooth lines with you. Not in moonlite like that. Honestly I’m only kidding. Don’t you know it? Really could do some romancing with you here to share that moon with me. Or am I dreaming?

Well, I’ll say goodnite now and write a few lines to the folks before I go to bed.

RILY

Yours always,
Jack

Notes:

1. Army Quartermaster Corps---This is the U.S. Army's oldest logistics branch and was  established in 1775.  Their mission is to support the development, production, acquisition and sustainment of general supplies, materials to troops and also to handle mortuary affairs.  Click this link for more information about their role in WWII:  Army Quartermaster Museum Link
2. Bathing Beauty---1944 musical which showcased competitive swimmer and actress Ester Williams.  Bathing Beauty wiki article
3. RILY---Later in life Jack often added "YDLY"to his written notes/letters to me. It was an acronym for "Your Daddy Loves You."  Occasionally in these WWII letters both Jack and Betty use "RILY", likely an acronym.  Perhaps "Really In Love with You"??  Any other guesses?  Please comment with your thoughts.
4. Army Pay During WWII---At this time Jack's rank was Corporal.  He would have been earning about $79.20 a month (base pay plus 20% added for foreign service).