40) A rainy night at the movies--Sept. 23, 1944

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


Sept. 23. 44
Dearest,

Well I sure did make a bad move tonite. I went down the road about 2 1/2 miles to see a movie instead of waiting till it came to our show. Everything was alright until about the middle of the first reel when it started to rain and thunder & lightening. Boy did I get drenched. The movie was “Double Endemnity” with Fred McMurray & Barbara Stanwyck. It was very good even in the rain.

Darling I didn’t get anymore letters from you today but I guess they will get here tomorrow. I got two letters from the folks yesterday and they sure do say nice things about you and Ann. Pop sure likes to kid and make wise cracks with Ann. Are she & your Mom still in Florida?

My morale sure goes up when ever I look at that swell picture you sent. Please send me more. I don’t get to hear many new songs but I heard one today that sure is the best I’ve heard in a long time, “People Will Say We’re in Love” from the show “Oklahoma”. Maybe it isn’t so new but I’ve never heard it before.

Honey did you ever finish reading “Gone With The Wind?” Some times I think I would like to read it again. Guess I wouldn’t have the patience to finish it.

Boy is it raining outside. I have got it fixed so the rain can’t blow in but it sure seems like it will beat a hole in the tent any minute. Guess it will last though. I hope!

Darling what have you been doing with yourself? You tell me about going to Bowman Field or Fort Knox to dances. Don’t you go to other dances or don’t you ever date civilian boys? Wish I could be there to take you out to dinner and a show or dancing. Then sit in front of our own fire place and just be in each others arms and tell each other the 1000 and 1 things we both have to say. Please don’t think I am silly but I worry about the things we will do and how we will act when I get back. Somehow I just know that every thing will be as I have planned and we will be wonderfully happy together.

Guess I will close this before the lights go out, as I have to make my bed.

Please remember that where ever I am and what ever I am doing at anytime, my deepest thoughts and my deepest love are both centered on you.

Goodnite and pleasant dreams (or do you still dream).
Give my best regards to Ann and your Mom.

Yours till we can be one,
Jack

Notes:

1. Double Indemnity trailer: click here
2. Biak Rainfall---average is about 8 inches in September, average yearly rainfall is over 100 inches.  Jack is probably hopeful that the rain will last because it likely cooled things off a bit and because fresh water was so scarce, rainwater had to be collected to meet the needs of the soldiers.

39) A trip to Australia with good food and fresh milk!--Sept. 20, 1944

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


Sept. 20 (1944)
Betty dearest,

Well here is the explanation for my not writing to any of you all back there for the last 10 days.

I have been down in Australia on Temporary Duty. I won’t be able to tell you much except that I flew down and I had a really swell time. The food and fresh milk really helped out after eating what they have here for so long. Darling I hope I didn’t cause you any worry about me. It was almost impossible to write while I was away from the Sqdn.

I had three wonderful letters waiting for me when I got back. They were the kind of letters that really make me realize just what I want to come back to. The days are really much shorter and the whole thing seems to move so fast when I get your letters like that. Honey I don’t want you to worry about me because I am really quite safe and my health is good.

The best thing that has happened to me in ages was receiving that swell picture of the girl I live for and dream of all the time. Gosh! You don’t know how much that picture means to me. I really did think that was an evening dress you had on till I read you letter. You sure look more beautiful every time I get a new picture. Maybe I will be able to see that smile in the flesh some time soon. Things will be so different when I can reach out and touch your cheeks instead of sitting here and staring at the picture and wishing I could speak to you. Well there isn’t any use thinking about coming home for several more months. There are so many fellows over here who have more time overseas than I do.

I got about four of the small papers you sent. I really did enjoy reading all the home town news. Where did you get that crazy stationary?

The party sounds like it must have been fun. Need I say “wish I were there.” I probably wouldn’t know how to act at a civilized party. You will have to teach me when I get back. What a swell way to learn anything. I mean with you as my teacher. Don’t mind me I just love the gal that's all. Isn’t that enough.

Say why don’t you get those same boys to take some more pictures of you so you can send them to me. Tell them they would really be doing something to help a certain soldiers morale.

Darling, the three letters I received were dated Aug. 22, 26 & Sept. 1.

Well that’s about all I can think of tonite except to say that Darling I will write as often as I possibly can and some in between times to.

I love you with all my heart. Goodnite and pleasant dreams.

Yours always,
Jack

Perhaps this is the photo Betty sent him.  It was taken around this time.