Feb. 17, 1944 Co. C –735^th Ry. Opn. Bn.

Thurs. 7:00 pm Camp Plauche

New Orleans (12), La.

My Darling Pheety,

Oh Darling you’ve made me the happiest boy in camp tonite. I got your two air mail letters of the 13^th and 14^th and your telegram. I am very disappointed Pheety about your check and from what I hear you won’t get it til March 1^st. If only you had the money to get here this week. If we have to wait much longer I may not be here. According to your letter you’ve been in Springfield a week and I’m sorry you couldn’t have been working at the Pinewood all that time. How did you get my mail all that time, or did you. It’s funny you didn’t have me send your letters there. I’m glad my Pheety liked my Valentine. I was happy to hear how it affected you Darling. I can say the same about yours Pheety and I just know those verses were from your heart.

Yes Margaret, Bob knows everything but he’s all wrong. There are all kinds of jobs here and rooms aren’t as scarce as they say, so I’ve found out myself. Well Darling here it is again and I’m plenty sore and I don’t give a damn who knows it. I’m not so sorry to hear the kids are with your folks but am sorry you’re up there with them around all that ever-tiresome racket. The poor kids can’t help it, but you’ve no business around them, or even at home with all that work.

If you take good care of yourself and don’t work too hard, I hope you go to Springfield and stay over there til you can come to me where you belong Pheety. I do hope you’re in Springfield right now. Darling, I’m sorry about some of the tings I wrote about you not writing me everyday. I didn’t mean to hurt my Pheety but I get so blue and lonesome when I don’t hear from you that I get rather angry and write things I shouldn’t I guess. But after all you stated you wrote me every evening but last week. Well there you are—you didn’t write me for a week every night and that’s why I get angry. You don’t have any excuse for not writing. What in the world have you been doing all that time down at Fran’s. Honey I didn’t mean what I said as bad as it sounded to you. Can you picture me as saying it real nice or is it impossible. Maybe you’ve been feeling too bad to write and I’m sorry Darling, but you really haven’t been writing everyday since I’ve been here. Don’t worry Pheety about the army changing me. Can’t you tell I’m the same, the way I crab and give you advice. I was always giving you the devil about what I didn’t want you to do and giving advice and all that sort of things. Margaret, I was sure happy to get your letters and the sweet things you say are simply wonderful, but when I come to the part where I find out your health I’d just as soon not get a letter. I’m worried sick Margaret and would give anything to get out of this camp right tonite. When I think of what you have to go through at your house and knowing your condition isn’t improving besides, you know I’m getting plenty angry with the source who keeps you in work all the time. Darling I wish you’d quit putting off things and go see Dr. Pratt right away. About your lovely breasts and those fainting spells seems to prove too much exertion and you’re going to have to quit working or else I’m not going to have any Pheety. Don’t be afraid to go to the doctor because of the bill, as I have 6 months after I come back to pay it. If you tell him I’m in the army, he’ll understand I know. I’m going to write him tomorrow anyway. Never put off things like that. It’s always been your trouble Margaret and you’re going to have to tell your folks and take damn good care of yourself. I don’t want you to come down here until you’re feeling 100% because I’d die if you had any of that trouble on the train. Everything seems to happen all at once, your wisdom teeth and effects from your operation! Please get attention right away Darling and then go to Springfield and take it damn easy. You’re just going to have to take care of yourself and make your folks understand. Don’t forget Darling, if you get very bad, send a telegram for me to come home right away. As soon as the Red Cross down here has the Red Cross in Bellefontaine check our case to see if you really are sick, then my Co. Commander will let me come home. Lots of men here have gone home on account of sickness so don’t be afraid to send a wire if you get worse Darling.

And how I’d like to be there now, I’ll bet I’d be plenty busy seeing about my Pheety and get her the hell out of there. She’s so precious! I’m sorry to hear what happened to Clark and how Betty feels about everything. Honey I assure you you’ll have everything nice down here. New Orleans is a wonderful place and since you have no one but yourself to take care of, you’ll get along swell. A woman with children just has a hard time of it when they try to follow their soldier husbands. I’m sure you’re not going to get homesick to go back home when you get here. Especially not since you’ve had to go through so much confusion and work.

I almost cried Darling when you said you were going upstairs to bed and say a little prayer for your soldier boy. I sure know where your heart is Darling and as you once said, I looked at you in bed as though I worshipped you. Darling I must say I do worship you just like you were a God or something—actually Margaret that’s how much you are to me. You’re the Darlingest girl I ever met up with and you’re the last one forever and ever Pheety.

Just for me Margaret, will you please keep me informed everyday about your condition, cause you’ve no idea at all just how much I worry. I can’t do very well in the Army when I know my Pheety needs my care. And please just for me, after you’ve seen the doctor and can work, get the hell off that damn farm and go to Springfield or down here as soon as you can.

If only I could be there now. I’d do plenty for you, at least see about it and especially find out just why you have to work so hard. I’m going to write your folks a nice letter if I have to. Your letters were wonderful Darling and do write me everyday if you feel good. From the very bottom of my heart Pheety I can say everything about you as you did to me in your letters.

I just wish I could express how much you really mean to me Margaret and just how much I do love you.

You must remember my dear wife—I worry so much about you and your condition. Please keep me informed and do take better care of yourself, just for your soldier boy. All that is on my mind constantly, is looking out for you, my Pheety.

God Bless you and take care of yourself! Come as soon as you can Darling—I’ve almost worn out my patience. How could I ever think of anyone else but you.

Your Lonely Husband. All the Love from the very bottom of my heart.

Your Pheety,

Vincent

P.S. Went through 4 different kinds of poison gases with our gas masks today. It was fun but dangerous without a mask.