My Darling, –

I have spent most of the evening shooting the breeze and reading the mail that finally arrived today. And Mrs. Tomas Cartmell not Mrs. Zoe Cartmell unless you have divorced me lets keep our return address as it should be, which is Mrs. Thomas Cartmell. Honey, your letters were swell and I was glad to hear you reassure me about John. I wrote last night but due to censoring and what I said I had to take it back and forget it, all of which leaves me very little to say other than I have missed you a hell of alot. I’d be satisfied just to be able to kiss you and I’d give anything in the world to be with you. Darling, I love you more than you could ever know.

I wasn’t mad at Jr. for not kicking sooner I was just wondering when she or he would start.

You asked if Andy was in my tent, yes. I was glad to hear about Bob, it sounds like he got a good deal. Lucky boy. Jean should be well informed after her trip home.

Also received the letter from the bank, will send it back tomorrow. Hope everything is about straightened out.

I also received a letter from Bill and he doesn’t say much to me about married life either. Maybe he’s playing dumb. He told me about Ben Brown being killed, rough on Jenny. The more you see of this damned war the less you can understand it.

Honey, you don’t need to send me any long underwear as we were issued some. And are they ever sexy. However food is always welcome and anything will be OK. You also might send a few vitamin pills as we have been living on C & K rations for sometime.

There isn’t much more to write about and strange as it might seem if you could see my sack it is calling me.

Goodnight Darling, remember I love you very much –

Forever,

Tom

In case you need to show anything to send a package, show this and send it.

Tom’s Flight Log: Tom flew as co-pilot the B-25C aircraft which the 417th NFS used for utility purposes. He accumulated 4 hours and 35 minutes of flight time.

While censorship rules did not allow him to discuss this flight, he alludes to the flight in his letter.

My Dearest, –

Not an awful lot of letter writing time tonight but I did want to tell you I received your letters of Tues. and Thurs. both of March 22 so I am alittle confused. However, Hon I don’t care about the dates as long as you write the letters. Don’t worry about the letters piling up because I haven’t gotten too many and they don’t pile very fast.

Thank Fay Coleman and your Mother’s cousin (our distant cousin, off hand can’t think of the correct title) for the wedding present for me. It seems funny though feeling like a papa and receiving wedding presents. That’s speed sister.

About my smoking, no I don’t smoke much. Once in awhile I smoke my cigars but I have been trading my ration for tomato juice which taste pretty good. I have been trading 4 pacs for one large qt. can. Of course I have to drink it all at once which starts things flowing or rather I mean floating.

Also Hon – with you wearing out my blue p.j.”s what am I suppose to wear when I get home? On second thought I have it all figured out, go ahead and wear them.

I really had a day today, sometime remind me of it and I’ll tell you all about it. Just remind me of the major and his co-pilot so I’ll remember it.

I told the boys about Charlie Barnett being at Hammer and after several unrepeatable words the conversation continued on normally.

I haven’t received the papers from Fred Martin as yet but should in a few days. Hon, don’t worry about Jr. as yet because he might not take after his old man.

Thank Ruth for the clipping, I read it to the boys and I am surprised we can still live together. Everyone thins it’s a perfect description of himself.

Goodnight Darling, see you soon and until then I am sending all my love.

Forever,

Tom.

Honey,

Send as much shrimp and sauce as you can because there are several of us over here that like it. If it takes point forget it as we can live without it.

Lt. T.E. Carmell
417th N.F.S.

My Darling, –

Another rough day Hon. got up at 11:30 and just did make it to lunch. However, didn’t miss anything even though I did get in on the tail end. These C rations are getting to taste worse and worse and I also haven’t been seeing any of that delicious chicken mixture you use to tell me about. They are probably eating too much of it in their tests in Chicago that consequently very liittle is getting over seas. Leave it to the QM^[1]QM = Quartermaster Corps snafu the works. – O.K. so I am bitter.

The Chaplain came to our estate about 4:00 this afternoon and held Easter services. He must have had several stops before getting here. Tonight’s dinner was alittle better with baked ham, I’ll never know where they got that unless the farmer on the other side of the field was willing to do alittle trading. It is really surprising how often food enters a persons mind over here, especially such things as milk, ice cream, candy and cakes. I haven’t been able to figure out what we are getting calcium in so I might be writing for some pills before so very long. As yet my teeth haven’t started falling out and even though my bones ache they haven’t been breaking.

Hon, what did you do today? I though about about you an awful lot. I laid down on the bunk this afternoon and dropped off for about 30 mins and even in that short time I really had a swell dream. I was home with you and to make it short we were really having a swell time. Certainly hope it comes true pretty soon. Hope you are still felling O.K. Hun, and take awfully good care of yourself. Remember to take your pills, and do anything else the Doc says.

Goodnight Darling and I think you are the most wonderful person in the world, and I have told you how very much I love you, so what more is there to say, other than I’d give anything in the world to be with you.

With all my love,

Forever,

Tom

Dearest Zoe –

It seems that these letters are getting less and less interesting and hope they are not too boring for you, but Hon I do enjoy writing to you even if it is just to remind you that you have a husband who loves you very much. It just goes to show you what the right woman can do for a wrong guy.

I’ve told you about the tent and as much as I can of what we do. Maybe when some of your more recent letters start arriving I’ll be able to know what you want to hear about.

As usual everyone is in bed except me but I like this part of the day the best as I am able to think of you so much deeper.

I wrote Elaine’s and Grandma C. earlier in the evening so you can see that I have accomplished something today. That happens to be just about all. When not sleeping we have been picking up some nice juicy rumors, some sound nice and others not to sharp, but you can’t depend on any of them.

I’ve really been a good boy lately in having stayed away from the club during drinking hours. Andy and I both have made a decision and hope we can stick by it. Would hate to go back to the states and spend a couple weeks in the hospital getting ulcers taken care of and I am afraid that’s what it would end up in if we kept drinking this stuff. I’d give all the whisky and wine around here for a couple gal. of cold milk or a case of coke. We haven’t seen any of that since leaving the states. I am sending a request slip in this letter. On second thought I’ll put a p.s. at the bottom of this.

It is getting pretty late Darling so guess I had better turn in. Goodnight Hon – I love you

Forever,

Tom

P.S. If you can send some home made cookies or candy. Show this and you can send a box. We are not too particular any more so if it doesn’t turn out too well send it anyway, no complaints will be made.

My Dearest –

Another rainy day that you helped out on. Your letters of Mar. 6th and 7th came this afternoon, keep it up Hon, you will never know how much they help. About my being able to hold my liquor, thanks for the compliment, hope you will always be able to say it. I got quite a kick out of Bill and Anne’s letters. I just can’t picture Bill being married but I guess he feels the same way about me. It sounds as if they have a pretty nice place to stay. Hope Bill doesn’t stick his foot into anything and end up in some God forsaken place like Southern France. You mentioned you had been doing alittle sewing – how are the bibs coming along? Those silk panties you got fro Karen must be O.K. but those of yours were good enough for me. Those white ones that you could see through were I think my favorite, however, maybe I wasn’t influenced altogether by the material. Also that black nightgown – now there is a masterpiece of workmanship. lThe person who thought up that creation had had an experience or else a very vivid imagination. I’ll bring my mind up out of the gutter and sometime in a more decent way – hope you are not too disgusted with me.

In your letter of Jan 7th you didn’t know where I was as you hadn’t heard for sometime. I imagine you had to wait even a good while after that – hope it wasn’t long enough for you to forget me entirely.

You tell our son to take it easy in his kicking or he will come to an understanding with his old man. If it happens to be our daughter tell her she will have to wait just one year longer before she will be allowed to go on her first date.

Darling as in your letter there hasn’t been an awful lot happening. today that’s worth writing about. The lights went out about 30 min. ago but I sort of like to write to you in the candle light. The other three are in bed asleep and with a warm fire and the candle light on your picture I realize how very much I love you. I can’t understand how I lived as long as I did without you Darling. I don’t think that whoever the person or persons might be that are responsible for the mess we are in, you being at home and my being here, could have ever possibly have been in love. If they had I don’t think things would be as they are but instead I’d be with you, where I really should be. anyway Hon all I wanted to tell you in all of the philosophying is that I miss you and love you very much –

Forever,

Tom

My Darling,

I was going to write you last night but the lights got so bad and candle light isn’t too good for letter writing. I certainly have been missing you and it seems like I am aways looking at my watch and counting back seven hours and trying to figure out what you would be doing. At the present time it is about 3:00 PM in Sorento and I imagine you are probably washing your hair or taking a nap. Am I right? Haven’t received any mail for several days but this morning around sort of puts those things on the snafu list.^[1]SNAFU = Situation Normal, All Fouled UpI hope you are OK and don’t forget to go back to the doctors. It is getting about time.

Andy and I worked awhile on our living abode today and it is really getting fairly comfortable. Put in the heating system, built a walk leading to the front door and rigged up a sky light. Wish you could se it because we are really quite proud of it. Maybe I can send you a picture one of these days, which reminds me if you and Ruthie take any pictures a few snapshots would be greatly appreciated. Do I make myself clear?

Remember about the gadgets and conveniences that they have in men’s John’s that you had never heard of and that I had to explain to you? Anyway my education has really been broadened on these things. Both in Italy and here they don’t make any bones about such things. In Caserta Andy and I were walking along and on the main corner of town they really had a fancy job. It was like a semi-private telephone booth in the states. Shoulder high, enclosed on three sides and right in the middle of the street. In France they are alittle better, that is they are enclosed on all sides but they begin at about your knees. I hope you are able to understand all my sketches, etc. Don’s see how any of us over here can keep any of our modesty. We haven’t been able to figure out where the women’s John’s are.

Did you receive the allotment and also the travel pay for your going home? Let me know if you don’t.

The lights are getting mighty dim and I think it is about time to investigate my beer rations.

I hope you still miss me alittle Honey, I don’t want you to worry, but think of me once in awhile.

Goodnight Darling – I love you very much –

Forever,

Tom

My Darling,

As you can tell we are no longer in Italy and I must say that it is alot nicer around here. I hope you don’t mind the stationery being beat up alittle but at the present we can’t get any other.

Now that we are out of Italy can tell alittle of what we saw. I went through Naples and between our bombings and the Germans blowing up everything when they left the place was really a mess. I really don’t think there was a house or building that wasn’t either completely ruined or else full of holes. One night Andy and I went into Casterta where the royal palace and the king at one time lived.

It was the only decent building in the city but there weren’t many war ruins there. It seems that the people there were not too well fixed. There weren’t anythings there that you would care to buy. At the officers club was the only place to get any decent liquor. It isn’t too sharp. We flew up here to our present location and got to see what the Anzio beachhead looked like from the air. I guess that country will get patched up in time.

The set up here is pretty nice and so far haven’t done much. Four of us are in a tent and we spent today laying a floor in it. We really worked. After building a door and fixing up a stove we should be fairly well set. The weather is alot nicer here and not nearly as cold as in Italy.

I haven’t seen much of the country yet. Andy and I were thinking of going for a walk last night. However, found out that there were still alot of mines around so decided to wait awhile. Aubill is in this squd., you remember the boy on the motorcycle that we saw in Fresno one night while we were waiting for bus on the Corner Drug corner?^[1]On the same night that Tom’s P-61 was shot down, George Aubill crashed his P-61 during a wheels-up landing. George survived the crash, and the war, and became a career Air Force pilot.

All our luxuries are rationed over here, three bottles of beer a week, seven packs cigs, afew candy bars, etc. It is plenty Darling so don’t send me any of that, however, some homemade candy would be mighty nice. We can get all our laundry done from the French women that come around all the time. Andy and I were both saying that we couldn’t compare any of them with our wives, so don’t get any ideas.

Honey, don’t worry about me because there’s nothing to worry about over here, as yet. Just remember how very much I love you and miss you. Goodnight Darling –

Forever,

Tom

P.S. Remember the new address, I sent a change of address card that you can send a package with, but here’s no hurry.

My Darling –

Received two letters from you today, one that you wrote on Feb. 25th & the other on Mar. 2nd. I also got one from Dad that he wrote on Mar.6th so you can tell that something is snafu^[1]SNAFU = Situation Normal, All Fouled Up along the line somewhere. Dad said that he had received a letter from Doctor Mark and that he had been very much impressed with you and also that you were getting along fine. All of which I was glad to hear.

You asked if I remember when we saw the show “Kismet” in Fresno. Is that a crack? It seems like that is the night Andy and I went out early to the stag party and met you folks later, that is, after I was finally able to drag Andy away from all the beer.

I sure hope you haven’t been sick any other days. You said you had been sick the day before you wrote your letter of the 25th. It must be the water, you know it take awhile to get use to it. Must have been something like you had at Fresno, when we first moved. OK, I’ll admit that I made a mistake but you weren’t right either. anyway, honey I sure hope you haven’t had any other bad days and take awfully good care of yourself.

Believe it or not I kept warm last night, however, I did have to wear all my heavy flying equipment. I didn’t sleep too well because I wasn’t able to hardly move. I do have a little cold but hope to have it under control before so very long, just about everyone has one.

Darling, I don’t think you would have to tempt me very long to get me to curl up in bed with you. The reading would be OK for awhile and the rain on the roof would make it seem mighty cozy. After thinking it over, I’ll accept , so put it down in the book under future plans.

So Ruthie is laughing at your figure. You might mention something about having the last laugh on those who laugh first, or something to that effect. Personally I don’t care if you are straight up and down from the back view.

The letter really smelled OK, that perfume must really be good stuff to last so long. It couldn’t by any chance be that which your no-account husband gave you?

I can’t figure out what was in that letter I wrote that could have been censored but guess they didn’t like the sound of it. Hope the rest of them have been coming through OK and have not been chopped up too much. I am glad Grandma wrote you and I doubt if she would complain much about having a little girl. As for your pleasing me – you did that along time ago honey when you married me. As far as my wanting a boy or girl, either will do. However, if you promise the girl would be just like you then lets forget about a boy.

About that raincoat, I wouldn’t have sent it home had I wanted it. It is too small for me and also too cold. And don’t you take anything for it. Hope she can use it, and if there is anything else you can use in that stuff go ahead.

One more thing; lets try and keep as many of your dreams about me as possible on the clean side. However, if you think up anything new remember it and we can give it a try sometime. this has gone far enough.

Tell everyone hello and take good care of yourself. And remember Darling that I love you very much –

Forever,

Tom

My Darling,

I hope you can read this – but my hands are pretty cold which makes writing alittle difficult. Honey, I received alot of your letters, everything from your valentine up to your letter of March 2nd. Needless to say I was about the happiest fellow around here. They were all swell and whether you know it or not they took me right back to the states. In fact I was even with you for about an hour while reading them, then grim reality. I can’t tell you yet of what we have seen, but I am certainly glad Willie is being born in the U.S. I’ll be able to tell you more at a later date.

Our living quarters are tents with wooden floors, (the difference between ours and the enlisted men is that they haven’t any floors) at night it’s colder than hell and I just about froze my fanny last night. Had a canvas cot with two blankets on the bottom, two sleeping bags (one inside the other), and two more doubled blankets on top. I wore my p.j.’s and socks. They say you are not to get your face in the sleeping bag but after freezing for about 3 hrs. I went clear down in the center of the thing and closed the top. I still froze but it wasn’t so drafty. At 7:00 A.M. I decided I couldn’t stand it anymore and if was going to freeze to death I’d just as soon do it walking around as in my sack. There isn’t any stoves, but if it isn’t any warmer tonight I think I’ll rip up the floor and build a fire anyway. I hear it’s been done. Also tonight I’m putting on my flying boots and heavy winter flying gear. I wish I could come home with you and get what is called “dual sack time.” I think I’ll take you up on that two weeks in bed deal, however, about both of us getting up to feed junior, there isn’t any sense in that, we’ll just flip to see who goes.

Now we’ll discuss your letters:

Feb. 15th: There isn’t any reason why you should feel like a poor wife for not doing my washing, there was only alittle bit to do and it didn’t hurt me in the least. About girls names; Honey, it doesn’t make an awfully lot of difference to me. I don’t care too much for the name Sara but it is still up to you. Need I say more?

Feb. 17th: Still about the laundry; the next time I am around you are not going to wash everything – and anything you choose. Enough said. So you came across some of my old letters, do you mean ones I had written to you or someone else? Honey, my life is an open book to you.

Your Wed. night letter: I wrote Bill and Ann a letter on the way over. About where we went that Sat. night (Andy and I), it wasn’t the Gold Nugget it is closed. The first one was the Hideaway, and the rest I’m not sure of.

Skipping the 18th

Your 19th letter: I’m certainly glad you got tot the doctors, and that everything is OK. I won’t mention the calcium, but see that you keep taking them. About staying in the hospital only 6 days, I think you should stay longer than that. Darling when he told you he had heard that you were the only girl I had ever loved he knew what he was saying. Maybe I didn’t realize it at some times but I’ve been sure of it for a long time now. How can I convince you?

Feb. 21st. The lipstick looks OK, but wish I could get alittle more benefit out of it. Glad John was able to write even if it was so short. You might write him R. H. I. P. ^[1]RHIP is a military acronym for “Rank Has Its Privileges. but that would be dirty, in fact if anyone wrote that I guess I should. Your cooking sounds pretty good, I doubt if you hear any complaints from me after all this. I am glad you have about gotten your teeth all fixed. Hope he was still as gentle as the first time. I’ll take good care of myself.

Fri. evening: Believe me honey, I would like to see you in my plaid shirt, even without your p.j. pants. You always did look sharp to me, even in the morning; dressed or not. Tell Julius, the special delivery man, that someday I’d like to do something for him. I haven’t received the calendar but maybe it will show up someday, but must send some pictures of yourself and to hell with the pin-ups.

Feb. 26th. Honey, I’m glad you think of me and darling no matter how busy I am I still won’t be able to stop thinking of you let alone forget your. I was telling Andy about your reading in the family doctor book, he says he’s a sure bet at having a girl. You mentioned methods of “running down” the woman but never said what they were. I’m waiting. We sold the apt. dishes for $10.00 and the rent was $47.50, we split them both.

Feb. 27th. About sending request slips, when I get my regular APO# I’ll send it to you on several cards or V-mail forms and you can use one of these for each package. I’ll send one to you, Mother & Dad, Ruthie, and each one of the chickens, if the ducks are still there let me know and I’ll send one to each of them because you can use them all. Thanks to the folks for sending the Advocate. I’ll be looking forward to it.

Feb. 28th Glad to hear you about quit of the habit.

This just about covers everything Darling, tell Mother, Dad, and Ruthie all hello. Sending you alittle of the money we use over here. One lire (pro-lear) is equal to 1 cent.

I love you very much Darling; and really it won’t be so very long until I can tell you just how very much. Until then –

All my love,

Tom

Darling,

Andy and I are sitting here in the apt. writing, Jeans ironing and Bob isn’t doing much of anything. Andy and I are going to do some ironing when they go to bed.

We got back from Merced about noon, went out to the base and found out that we should have been there at 8:00 this morning to have something at ground school. However, no one showed up as most of the fellows are strung out all over Calif. There were a whole bunch going to L.A. when we went to Merced.

I received Dad’s card today but haven’t received the shells as yet, but they will probably come tomorrow.

Honey, Andy and I went to the barber shop this afternoon. I’m sending you a sample, but now listen if you get your hair cut have it planned so it will be grown out when I get back.

Darling, I’m really looking forward to talking to you tomorrow night. Here’s hoping that the call goes right through so I won’t have to get you up real late. However, even if I have to wake up everyone in the Foran household at 4:00 AM I will to talk to you.

We got our shipping orders today so I put in for your transportation. You should receive a check for about $70.00, maybe not exact, and you can use the power of attorney to cash it. Let me know when you receive it.

Keep writing and send your letters here until you receive my APO number. There might be quite a spell that I won’t be able to write but honey you keep writing anyway and don’t worry. When I do get to where I’m going I’ll tell you I’ve arrived and date it odd or even.

Andy’s just about through ironing so guess I’ll take over.

I love you very much –

Forever yours,

Tom.