March 7, 1944

(There was a birthday card enclosed in the envelope)

Dearest Sweetheart,

I was so busy at the office I could not get to write earlier in the day. I worked until 6:30 also, trying to catch ahead as I’m trying to work a deal to get Saturday off. The Ensign said okay, but the Chief Petty Officer is raising hell because he hasn’t gotten enough time off himself. He is really a selfish man. He’s the one who has high hopes of being an Ensign soon. He was a former school teacher. The guys are REALLY down on him. Well enough about him. I sure miss you though. Seems the second day is the worse. It will really be tough when I ship out and don’t see you for a long time or maybe never again. God I hope that don’t happen because I wouldn’t ever rest even in death until I saw you again. Sometimes I wonder why we must have these damn petty quarrels when all I ever want is you. I love you more than anything I could ever want and if anything ever happened to you, [I] suppose I’d be the same as my mother. After all you were my first and last girl. It’s sort of chilly in my room tonight. Must have run out of oil as the radiator is a piece of ice. I exercised in the room last night (bed at 8:30). Today I am stuffed so tonight I again took another strenuous workout then a shower, saw a neighborhood show, (where are our children). Bed at 10:30. I am supposed to go to dinner out to Joe’s house and we are taking Charlie Majors along as he is going to stay over tomorrow night. I can stand a good meal after two days of no good nourishment. I got a letter from Felton today. Said he was sorry he didn’t write soon. Asked me to stop by sometime. I hope Mom is feeling better and getting along better. Tell her “hello.” I’ll be over Saturday night to see you at the hospital. I sure hope the injections fill you up and stop that damnable itching. Well you’ve got all of the reports now so I’m going to sign off and hit the sack (BED) Salty ain’t I?

Your Lover,

Johnny