438th AAA AW BN
APO 527 % Postmaster, N.Y.
England
13 February, 1944 1100
Dearest sweetheart –
Sunday morning again and were we married now and living in Salem – I’d probably be all through rounds at the hospital and a couple of house calls – and back to the house to bother you in your attempts at getting dinner prepared. After several hugs punctuated by at least a corresponding number of kisses, you’d finally chase me off to the den or library (if we have either) to read a journal or something. Yet, darling, here I am all by myself in my quarters in England. It’s dull and gray today but my imagination is helping me. I will not allow myself to become blue, dear; I just can’t when I know that where you are right now – you’ll be thinking of me. Just that thought makes me feel better.
I got another letter from you, sweetheart, yesterday. This much has been amazing. I’ve got a letter from you every day, and although they weren’t in sequence, particularly, who cares? It’s almost as if you were only 50 miles away and I could expect a daily letter. I hope I haven’t been spoiled.
I’m terribly sorry about the reverse. From what you write dear – you heard from me on January 24th and then up to the 1st of Feb at least (your last letter) you didn’t hear again. I know this to be true; however, it was the same for everybody, because several of the officers had letters from home saying the same thing. By now, darling, you must have heard and you ought to have received a whole batch of mail.
So February broke out with a snow storm? You can always trust New England for at least one or two of them per winter. That part – I do not miss.
I know, dear, how you must feel when these girls have their husbands with them and you have no one in particular. I can’t give you much solace except to say that at least you’ll know I was physically sound in every respect – while those you see around – like Abbot, Irv and Stan – were not and furthermore – they’ll always have their disabilities. Furthermore – your husband will be a veteran and believe me, after the war – in one way or another it will be good to be on the side of the vets. And we’ll be able to tell our children about it, too.
I was sorry to hear about your mother’s tooth trouble and I don’t mind at all hearing everything that goes on at home, you know that, dear.
Again – Stan and Shirley pop into the picture. I didn’t know exactly what you meant by “I don’t know what he wants from my life.” I don’t know either, Sweetheart, but much as I hate to write this – I don’t trust him, somehow. I didn’t right after I first met you when he took you out and in dropping over to your house – implied certain things in reference to me that I didn’t like. Yes – your mother – in an indirect way – tipped me off way back last Fall. However – I’m not worried about it. I like Stan and on the whole he’s been a good friend, but then – so have I been to him. What he wants from you, I don’t know. He’s good company, I do know. However, dear, you don’t have to feel obligated because of me. His reference to Shirley and not mentioning his break-off – is the bunk – if you ask me. For one thing, I think he uses that as an excuse to see you i.e. – not being associated with Shirley, he can be free to call on you; secondly – if its embarrassment he wants to hide, I’m sure its his own because Shirley won’t marry him, for one reason or another. Certainly he has tried hard enough, as you well know.
Enough of that, though. Seems to me I’ve been writing about Stan many times now – but frankly I didn’t trust him in regards to you right after he took you out one night and never mentioned it to me. I still think that wasn’t cricket, dear, and I liked you much more – immediately – when you told me yourself. I’ve always liked your directness, sweetheart, and I hope you’ve liked mine. Certainly, as you write, that’s the only way – between husband and wife, and if you don’t start when its in the sweetheart stage – you don’t have it later on. You’ll always find me on the square, darling. Anyway – I couldn’t lie if I tried, because I give myself away too easily.
Sweetheart – there’s nothing bothering me that I don’t like – as you put it. You have been so sweet and lovable in everything you have written, how can I be bothered? If I’m not telling you enough, dear, I hope you don’t hesitate to ask me. I know that all sorts of things must run thru your mind – a soldier, strange country, no one checking on him, out with the boys, etc. etc. I can tell you this sweetheart; I’ve told you it before: I have never loved anyone the way I do you; I think only of you morning, noon and night – whether I’m in camp or not. When I’m out, I go out with fellows who feel the way I do about their Sweethearts at home; or with fellows like Pete – whom you well know is the sort of fellow who can have his girls or leave them alone. We leave them alone. I’m interested in no one but you, dear; no one. I want to come back to you, marry you, and carry out all the plans we’ve dreamed about. Never forget that, darling, about me. It’s only you I’m thinking of always! Do I make myself clear, dear? And Goodness only knows I’m not writing that merely to cheer you up. I mean it with such earnestness that you must by now realize that nothing can come between us to prevent our being married and happily, too.
Well – a long spiel – but it’s good every now and then isn’t it? I’m going to get ready for lunch now, Sweetheart, and then a nice quiet afternoon of reading, listening to the radio and relaxing. Honestly, I am not bored. How can I be with your picture near me, your letters to re-read and the thought of you waiting for me? Darling that’s all for now – and I’ll write again tomorrow. Be well, dear – and for now –
Sunday morning again and were we married now and living in Salem – I’d probably be all through rounds at the hospital and a couple of house calls – and back to the house to bother you in your attempts at getting dinner prepared. After several hugs punctuated by at least a corresponding number of kisses, you’d finally chase me off to the den or library (if we have either) to read a journal or something. Yet, darling, here I am all by myself in my quarters in England. It’s dull and gray today but my imagination is helping me. I will not allow myself to become blue, dear; I just can’t when I know that where you are right now – you’ll be thinking of me. Just that thought makes me feel better.
I got another letter from you, sweetheart, yesterday. This much has been amazing. I’ve got a letter from you every day, and although they weren’t in sequence, particularly, who cares? It’s almost as if you were only 50 miles away and I could expect a daily letter. I hope I haven’t been spoiled.
I’m terribly sorry about the reverse. From what you write dear – you heard from me on January 24th and then up to the 1st of Feb at least (your last letter) you didn’t hear again. I know this to be true; however, it was the same for everybody, because several of the officers had letters from home saying the same thing. By now, darling, you must have heard and you ought to have received a whole batch of mail.
So February broke out with a snow storm? You can always trust New England for at least one or two of them per winter. That part – I do not miss.
I know, dear, how you must feel when these girls have their husbands with them and you have no one in particular. I can’t give you much solace except to say that at least you’ll know I was physically sound in every respect – while those you see around – like Abbot, Irv and Stan – were not and furthermore – they’ll always have their disabilities. Furthermore – your husband will be a veteran and believe me, after the war – in one way or another it will be good to be on the side of the vets. And we’ll be able to tell our children about it, too.
I was sorry to hear about your mother’s tooth trouble and I don’t mind at all hearing everything that goes on at home, you know that, dear.
Again – Stan and Shirley pop into the picture. I didn’t know exactly what you meant by “I don’t know what he wants from my life.” I don’t know either, Sweetheart, but much as I hate to write this – I don’t trust him, somehow. I didn’t right after I first met you when he took you out and in dropping over to your house – implied certain things in reference to me that I didn’t like. Yes – your mother – in an indirect way – tipped me off way back last Fall. However – I’m not worried about it. I like Stan and on the whole he’s been a good friend, but then – so have I been to him. What he wants from you, I don’t know. He’s good company, I do know. However, dear, you don’t have to feel obligated because of me. His reference to Shirley and not mentioning his break-off – is the bunk – if you ask me. For one thing, I think he uses that as an excuse to see you i.e. – not being associated with Shirley, he can be free to call on you; secondly – if its embarrassment he wants to hide, I’m sure its his own because Shirley won’t marry him, for one reason or another. Certainly he has tried hard enough, as you well know.
Enough of that, though. Seems to me I’ve been writing about Stan many times now – but frankly I didn’t trust him in regards to you right after he took you out one night and never mentioned it to me. I still think that wasn’t cricket, dear, and I liked you much more – immediately – when you told me yourself. I’ve always liked your directness, sweetheart, and I hope you’ve liked mine. Certainly, as you write, that’s the only way – between husband and wife, and if you don’t start when its in the sweetheart stage – you don’t have it later on. You’ll always find me on the square, darling. Anyway – I couldn’t lie if I tried, because I give myself away too easily.
Sweetheart – there’s nothing bothering me that I don’t like – as you put it. You have been so sweet and lovable in everything you have written, how can I be bothered? If I’m not telling you enough, dear, I hope you don’t hesitate to ask me. I know that all sorts of things must run thru your mind – a soldier, strange country, no one checking on him, out with the boys, etc. etc. I can tell you this sweetheart; I’ve told you it before: I have never loved anyone the way I do you; I think only of you morning, noon and night – whether I’m in camp or not. When I’m out, I go out with fellows who feel the way I do about their Sweethearts at home; or with fellows like Pete – whom you well know is the sort of fellow who can have his girls or leave them alone. We leave them alone. I’m interested in no one but you, dear; no one. I want to come back to you, marry you, and carry out all the plans we’ve dreamed about. Never forget that, darling, about me. It’s only you I’m thinking of always! Do I make myself clear, dear? And Goodness only knows I’m not writing that merely to cheer you up. I mean it with such earnestness that you must by now realize that nothing can come between us to prevent our being married and happily, too.
Well – a long spiel – but it’s good every now and then isn’t it? I’m going to get ready for lunch now, Sweetheart, and then a nice quiet afternoon of reading, listening to the radio and relaxing. Honestly, I am not bored. How can I be with your picture near me, your letters to re-read and the thought of you waiting for me? Darling that’s all for now – and I’ll write again tomorrow. Be well, dear – and for now –
All my love
Greg
Best regards to home
Love
G.
* TIDBIT *
about Women in the Marine Corps
CLICK ON IMAGES TO ENLARGE
about Women in the Marine Corps
CLICK ON IMAGES TO ENLARGE
The first division to utilize women in wartime came in August, 1918, when Major General Commandant George Barnett requested authorization of the Secretary of the Navy, Josephus Daniels, to enlist a limited number of women reservists in order to free men from clerical duties for combat in France. Altogether, 305 women answered the call and enlisted as privates. Subsequently many earned promotions to private first class, corporal, and sergeant, the highest permissible rating. On July 30, 1919, they received honorable discharges and the coveted "well done."
Twenty-five years later, with a war on two fronts, the demand for manpower again led to personnel shortages. Although Marine Corps Commandant General Thomas Holcomb initially opposed recruiting women, on this date in 1943 he followed the example of the Army, Navy and Coast Guard and began a drive to “replace men by women in all possible positions.” The Marine Corps Women's Reserve (WR) was established, this time calling for not a few hundred but several thousands of women. The response was immediate. By June, 1944, the authorized quota of 18,000 enlisted women had been met and the majority of the total 821 officers had been trained and assigned.
In order to assist the Marine Corps in getting its women's reserve under way, the Navy made its training facilities for women, already established for several months, immediately available. The first class of 75 women Marine officer candidates reported on March 13, 1943, for training at the U. S. Naval Midshipmen School (WR) at Mount Holyoke College, South Hadley, Massachusetts, and were commissioned May 4th. In all, 214 women officers completed OCC training at Mount Holyoke. [Note from FOURTHCHILD: Wilma was a student at Mount Holyoke College during this time!] The first class of enlisted women reservists, numbering 722, entered Hunter College, The Bronx, New York, at the U. S. Naval Training School (WR), on March 26, and completed its training on April 25, 1943. By July of 1943 the Marine Corps had had time to establish its own training center for women, and in that month both officer candidate's school as well as "boot" training were transferred to the Marine Corps Women's Reserve (MCWR) Schools at Camp Lejeune. In addition, several specialists schools were set up.
After being commissioned at Mount Holyoke College,
new MCWR Lieutenants pin on their bars, 1943.
Unlike their Marine Corps sisters in World War I, who performed chiefly clerical duties, women reservists in World War II took over an ever-increasing variety of military assignments. The original prediction of "more than thirty" kinds of jobs had, by February, 1944, one year after the formation of the MCWR, grown into more than 225 different specialties. More than half of all Women Reservists were engaged in clerical work — about the same percentage as in civilian life. But new ground was broken as women went to work as radio operators, photographers, parachute riggers, motor transport drivers, aerial gunnery instructors, cooks, bakers, Link trainer instructors, control tower operators, motion picture technicians, automotive mechanics, teletype operators, cryptographers, laundry managers, post exchange salespersons and managers, auditors, audio-visual librarians, assembly and repair mechanics, metalsmiths, weather observers, artists, aerial photographers, photograph analysts, chemists, postal clerks, musicians, statisticians, stewardesses, and writers. Women reservists were to be found on every major Marine Corps post, station and recruiting district in the continental United States. By the end of the war they filled 85 percent of the enlisted jobs at Marine Corps Headquarters.
How effectively women reservists lived up to their wartime recruiting slogan, "Free a Man to Fight," was expressed by President Franklin D. Roosevelt in the following message sent to them on the first anniversary of the Marine Corps Women's Reserve, on this day 67 years ago, February 13, 1944.
Perhaps the most rewarding among all the beautifully worded praises of women Marines of World War II, is a simple statement from General Holcomb: “Like most Marines, when the matter first came up, I didn't believe women could serve any useful purpose in the Marine Corps. ... Since then, I've changed my mind.”
Twenty-five years later, with a war on two fronts, the demand for manpower again led to personnel shortages. Although Marine Corps Commandant General Thomas Holcomb initially opposed recruiting women, on this date in 1943 he followed the example of the Army, Navy and Coast Guard and began a drive to “replace men by women in all possible positions.” The Marine Corps Women's Reserve (WR) was established, this time calling for not a few hundred but several thousands of women. The response was immediate. By June, 1944, the authorized quota of 18,000 enlisted women had been met and the majority of the total 821 officers had been trained and assigned.
In order to assist the Marine Corps in getting its women's reserve under way, the Navy made its training facilities for women, already established for several months, immediately available. The first class of 75 women Marine officer candidates reported on March 13, 1943, for training at the U. S. Naval Midshipmen School (WR) at Mount Holyoke College, South Hadley, Massachusetts, and were commissioned May 4th. In all, 214 women officers completed OCC training at Mount Holyoke. [Note from FOURTHCHILD: Wilma was a student at Mount Holyoke College during this time!] The first class of enlisted women reservists, numbering 722, entered Hunter College, The Bronx, New York, at the U. S. Naval Training School (WR), on March 26, and completed its training on April 25, 1943. By July of 1943 the Marine Corps had had time to establish its own training center for women, and in that month both officer candidate's school as well as "boot" training were transferred to the Marine Corps Women's Reserve (MCWR) Schools at Camp Lejeune. In addition, several specialists schools were set up.
After being commissioned at Mount Holyoke College,
new MCWR Lieutenants pin on their bars, 1943.
Unlike their Marine Corps sisters in World War I, who performed chiefly clerical duties, women reservists in World War II took over an ever-increasing variety of military assignments. The original prediction of "more than thirty" kinds of jobs had, by February, 1944, one year after the formation of the MCWR, grown into more than 225 different specialties. More than half of all Women Reservists were engaged in clerical work — about the same percentage as in civilian life. But new ground was broken as women went to work as radio operators, photographers, parachute riggers, motor transport drivers, aerial gunnery instructors, cooks, bakers, Link trainer instructors, control tower operators, motion picture technicians, automotive mechanics, teletype operators, cryptographers, laundry managers, post exchange salespersons and managers, auditors, audio-visual librarians, assembly and repair mechanics, metalsmiths, weather observers, artists, aerial photographers, photograph analysts, chemists, postal clerks, musicians, statisticians, stewardesses, and writers. Women reservists were to be found on every major Marine Corps post, station and recruiting district in the continental United States. By the end of the war they filled 85 percent of the enlisted jobs at Marine Corps Headquarters.
How effectively women reservists lived up to their wartime recruiting slogan, "Free a Man to Fight," was expressed by President Franklin D. Roosevelt in the following message sent to them on the first anniversary of the Marine Corps Women's Reserve, on this day 67 years ago, February 13, 1944.
The nation is as proud of you as of your fellow Marines - for Marine women are upholding the brilliant traditions of the Corps with a spirit of loyalty and diligence worthy of the highest admiration of all Americans. You have quickly and efficiently taken over scores of different kinds of duties that not long ago were considered strictly masculine assignments; and in doing so, you have freed a large number of well-trained, battle-ready men of the Corps for action."
Perhaps the most rewarding among all the beautifully worded praises of women Marines of World War II, is a simple statement from General Holcomb: “Like most Marines, when the matter first came up, I didn't believe women could serve any useful purpose in the Marine Corps. ... Since then, I've changed my mind.”
