Cherbourg, France

June 20, 1945

My darling wife: (Chubby?)

Here I am back again to give you a little more loving. It doesn’t seem right if I miss a day, but then I don’t miss very many. Darling remember last night I told you I love you, well if I could be with you at this moment you would know how much more I love you, and you would really know what a good loving is. Maggie—I love you.

You know that boat I was telling you I was working on, well today we lost it. It wasn’t registered or something so today the harbor patrol picked it up. Seems they waited until it was in good running order and all painted up, then they took it back. I guess some officers will have a good time with it. We still have one left, but I am finished with bots for awhile. I guess it best to keep my feet on the ground. Wouldn’t it be funny to go out and one of them sink and me with it, and me so near to coming home. Anyway I hope I come home soon. We just received word yesterday that we were put in class II which means a transfer from an inactive to a active theater—so you know what that means. We don’t know if we are going direct or through the U.S. I don’t like the idea very much, not that I don’t want to go, (I don’t) but that if we go it will be about two to three years before we get home. It is going on five months now and that is long enough to be away. If we do go I think I’ll have you get a divorce. I don’t like the idea of years sitting around waiting for a couple more years. It isn’t fair. But I guess you will wait for me—even if its 10 years. I know you love me darling, and you wouldn’t want anyone else, (I hope) but if you do pick a good man, and get out of Fiffin, for you don’t belong there that’s why I come into your life. You belong anywhere east of Ohio. If I had a few more points I wouldn’t have to worry so much. The only thing I have is a wonderful wife, who is very understanding and two loving children. Why couldn’t Bobby be twins? I think I’ll sue that doctor—or where you just giving me a line? I have your pictures before me again and you are looking swell today—hair look pretty, your eyes are very blue, just like the sky and are clean, and you are giving me a big smile like you wanted me to give you a big, long kiss; the love is just gleaming out of your eyes, you can’t hide that. I can see your ankle bracelet and it still looks pretty. By the way your legs look very shapely, and I can see the scars on your right leg. I love you darling, only you know how much. I was just thinking maybe if we come through the states I’ll get a long furlough, and catch you at home in PA. So don’t be in too much of a hurry to go back home.

I didn’t do very much more today. Made out a monthly report and picked up the laundry. I am waiting until tomorrow morning to sort it out. Its quite a job, but then there isn’t very much more I do.

No mail again today honey. The mail situation is getting pretty rough and I guess it is for you too. There was an asterisk in the paper tonight about air mail going home, they say they need the space for returning veterans. They want me to use more V-mail, but with those things I can only tell you I love you one time, and I love to tell you more than that. While I’m on the subject—I do love you Maggie darling.

Just happened to think of something funny. Remember the first time you come to Franklin?-- I bought a pint of whiskey and only had about one swallow, and when I come in the next night you had killed it. You were sitting there rocking and you looked so cute. I’d give anything to see that again. And the time I meet you at the bus station in Indianapolis. I was so glad to see you, I was all nervous and I guess I did have a few tears in my eyes. You can tell by that, that my love isn’t false. I never did that for a woman in all my life. Sometimes I felt ashamed. There are times now that when I think of you tears come in my eyes, in fact it happened a page or two before this.

I am glad you are going home and for such a long time. I’ll never be able to thank you enough. It means a lot to me. You can stay longer honey. Maybe you can find a place to live for us or maybe a lot. Anyway tell Dad to give you some pointers and take you around. I do wish you could stay a few weeks longer and see our fair. You and the kids would enjoy it I know. I can see Allen now eating one of those fluffy cotton candies, and riding the little merry-go-round.

If you ever have a chance to take more pictures please do. Write to mother maybe she can get some film for you. I am very anxious to see what you look like and your shape. I enjoy showing you off to the boys for you are beautiful. I used to like to show you off when you were at camp with me. They all say I am lucky, and how did you do it. It isn’t luck honey. It’s just one of those things, I was meant for you and you were for me, maybe someday their prayers will be answered too. I started praying for you when I was 15 or 16 but it was answered. I couldn’t have had a better wife for you and the best there is. Don’t ever let me down Maggie.

George is still missing you honey and this is the longest time yet. In a month and a half I’ll have one more stripe. One six month overseas bar. Who knows how many more I’ll get. I hope it’s the first and only. I still think I’ll see another hash mark before I come home.

How is the bank situation honey? What is the scare up to date?

Your birthday is on Sunday, Your 24^th on the 24^th. I would like to be there to celebrate it with you, but duty calls. Maybe next one? Just think in six and a half months I’ll be 27. The best years of my life gone. We have a lot to catch up on honey, and life is so short.

Maggie, I am so lonesome for you