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).

47) I dreamed that I was with you-wherever you are. --Sept. 14, 1944

From Betty (Louisville, KY)

Sept 14, 1944
Thursday

Dearest,

Got your letter of Aug. 27 yesterday. I got the one you wrote Sept. 1 before this one. The mails are so crazy.

I just got back from a luncheon over at the Country Club. There were seven of us girls and we just had loads of fun.

I talked to your Mother last night. She had gotten a letter from you too. We had a beautiful time talking about some fellow by the name of Jack Riley. Do you know him? He’s really a swell person and I kinda like him. What do I mean kinda? Don’t mind me. I carry on like this all the time. You’ll get used to it after so long a time- I hope!

You wanted to know what Anne did to make your dad think she was so cute. Well, she was just acting crazy and cutting up as usual. She’s awful cute, but I never know what she’s going to say next. Sometimes it’s embarrassing.

I know I’ll love the picture frame. You’re making it and that’s enough to make me love it.

I don’t need a request to sent things after tomorrow. The Christmas mailing starts tomorrow. I’ll keep this request for use after the Christmas mailing stops. I’ll try to send you some nuts.

I think that’s interesting about your all listening to the Tokyo radio. At least they have good music. They couldn’t actually think you all believe that junk about the U.S. losing the war. They’re just crazy, but of course you already know that.

I had the strangest dream last night. I dreamed that I was with you - wherever you are. It was all so odd. I am with you, honey, if only in thoughts. Some day soon, maybe I’ll be with you – really. I hope so. I’m looking forward to the day you come home. I’ve never seen you with your parents. I think it’ll be fun. Everybody will be so happy.

Bob is already in the Army. He has been inducted and has his serial number, rank, etc. He will be 18 Sunday. I don’t know how soon after that he’ll be called. He’ll be an Air Cadet. Hope he makes it O.K. He just loves flying.

Anne and I saw “Impatient Years” yesterday. It was just adorable. I enjoyed it thoroughly. See it if you have a chance when it comes over there. You all get swell pictures. It’s just amazing. You certainly deserve the best, though.

Mother is up and around today. She’s feeling much better. She has gone up to the doctor now. She’ll be back at work next week.

Anne starts to school Monday. From then on, I’ll be home alone most of the day. Guess I’ll do a lot of reading.

I like keeping house much better than working. I’m really enjoying it. I love to cook, as I believe I’ve said before. When you come home I can experiment on you. You’ll probably wish you hadn’t come home after that. Oh, well, I have to learn someday. I might as well let you suffer with it. Only joking you know.

Last night I went to bed at 8 o’clock. I was worn out. Today I’ve just felt wonderful. A good night’s sleep can do wonders for me.

I think maybe I’ll go in town tomorrow to see “Janie.” Every body says it’s so cute. It all depends on how Mother is.

I’ll probably go to bed early tonight too. Nothing else to do except read or maybe I’ll go up to the Crescent. “Gaslight” is there and I didn’t see it when it was in town. You said you saw it and it was good. I like Ingrid Bergman and Joseph Cotton. He has the cutest wolfish expression. I don’t like wolves, though. They make me furious out at Ft. Knox when they start handing me the G.I. line. I wonder if they think the girls believe it. Some of them are dumb enough.

Excuse the writing. I’m writing on my lap and it doesn’t work any too well. Flushie is lying here snoring away. She leads an easy life. All she does is sleep and eat. Poor thing. She’s getting so old looking. Her face is all grey. You do remember her, don’t you? She’s our red cocker spaniel.

Guess that’s enough nonsense for now. Miss you loads.

Always yours,
Betty

NOTES:

1. "Bob"-- Betty is referring to her 1st cousin Bob Giltner.  Even though she says in this letter that he was inducted, his enlistment record lists his enlistment date as March 6, 1945.  Maybe that was when he was "called up".  He served for about 6 months in 1945, then attended the University of Kentucky majoring in Agriculture and graduating in 1949.  He joined the Air Force in 1950 and became a jet fighter pilot during the Korean War.  In 1952 his aircraft crashed in a non-combat incident in Korea, resulting in his death.  Read more about him in one of my other blogs here:   Robert Hardin Giltner  and here: Update to Robert Hardin Giltner Story
2. Movies Betty Mentions in this letter (links to more info)---The Impatient Years----Gaslight---Janie
3. Crescent Theater---This theater was located at 2862 Frankfort Avenue in the Crescent Hill neighborhood of Louisville and was only about a half mile from Betty's house.  See more here:1927 photo of interior of Crescent and Crescent Theater exterior 1934
4. Ft. Knox Dances---The Service Club sponsored the dances at Ft. Knox.  Girls would board buses in Louisville to be taken to the dances.  Ft. Knox was about 45 miles away.  Betty's mother Emma Allen often served as a chaperone.