16 February, 1944

438^th AAA AW BN

APO 527 % Postmaster, N.Y.

England

16 February, 1944        1015

Dearest sweetheart,

I’m at the Dispensary now. Sick call is over, the place is clean and quiet. It’s raining a steady downpour at about a 50º angle – much like a New England rainstorm during a Northeaster. Because the weather is so wet and bleak outside, I’ve decided not to visit any of the sections this morning and that explains my writing at this hour, dear. It’s warm and comfortable in here and quiet enough to dream. I shaved a short time ago (electric razor – because I don’t have to have my face too smooth these days, darling). I’m sitting at a desk, smoking my pipe. I’m wearing the conventional O.D. shirt and trousers and wearing a sleeveless O.D. sweater.

Here's a listen to the Bugle Call for Sick Call:

In front of me – across the room and between two windows – is a sketch of some plasma bottles and how to use the needles, tubing, etc. for the administration to a soldier in case of shock. At my left, above a row of benches is our bulletin board, particularly conspicuous with a large scale Venereal Disease chart which I made up recently. It traces the cases month by month that this battalion has had and I’m glad to say that for 2 consecutive months the graph-line has been on zero, dear. Now, don’t you feel better about human nature? At my right wall is a large scale map of the section of England we’re in, with many familiar New England names on it. That, sweetheart, about completes the picture of myself and my surroundings on this mid-February morning.

For the past several nights, darling, I’ve been getting a tremendous amount of rest and sleep. Some of the line officers have gone to various schools here and there’s no one around who can get off to go to a movie even. So I’ve just been sitting around, listening to the radio and reading. I got a big kick out of one program the other night – over the American Forces Network; it was a re-broadcast of a program by the Boston Symphony Orchestra, with Serge Koussevitsky conducting. I closed my eyes – and presto! I was back at Symphony Hall.

Darling, yesterday I got your letter of January 24th and was I glad to get another small picture of you! I didn’t want to ask you for another just like the one you sent me – but I did want one for my wallet. The first, dear, as I’ve explained – I shall always keep out on some shelf, stand – no matter where we are. The other I’ve got in my wallet in the cellophane jacket around my Identification card. The data is on one side – and your picture (over mine) is on the other – so that now, Sweetheart, in addition to everyone else the M.P.’s will get to know you, too, – every time I show my card. My, dear, you’ll have quite a following!

CLICK ON PICTURES TO ENLARGE

I enjoyed your letter of the 24th very much and was surprised when you mentioned that we had known each other for 6 mos. The date, frankly, had slipped my mind – and I sat back to ponder about it. Six months, Sweetheart – that I’ve known you. Our association is really taking some age with it. I wonder how much more or better I would know you now if I had been around – all of the six months. That question arises in my mind very frequently. In other words, darling, will you or are you loving me as a symbol of someone you knew and cared for – but didn’t get to know too well – or am I able to stay in your mind as vividly as when I was seeing you frequently. I want so much for the latter to be the case. No matter what the length of our separation is destined to be – can I continue to hold your love and interest by mail alone? Dearest – I hope so like I’ve never hoped for anything before; I hope that whatever power attracted me to you – never diminishes. If that is so – I have no fear that when I come back – that we’ll really feel that we’ve known each other for a long time. How about the reverse? Sweetheart – there’s not a doubt in my mind at all. In the few months that I was around, I saw you often. We were alone enough to exchange ideas – important ideas – from point of view of marriage. We were alone enough to have physical contact, too, also an important point, and I believe from what contact we had that we’ll be quite compatible from that angle. Do you feel so, too? I’m glad we had enough to find that out, because without it no matter how much we felt we loved each other, that question would be in both our minds and would be troublesome. Do you feel as certain as I do, dear? I’ll be interested in what you have to say.

Well, darling, I’ll have to close now because a couple of things have turned up that I have to attend to. I hope, dear, that from my letters, what I say and how I say it – that you realize how much I love you, how certain I am of my love for you, and how much I want you to be mine in every sense of the word – If you do realize it, dearest, it should make waiting for me, just a little bit easier. I hope so.

Best regards from Charlie and Pete who are always asking for you. Regards to your family and our friends. For now, Sweetheart, you have all my love and remember I will be

Forever yours,

Greg.

* TIDBIT *

about Plasma in World War II

CLICK ON PICTURES TO ENLARGE
   
Medics administer Plasma on a Normandy beach

Plasma is the liquid portion of the blood--a protein-salt solution in which red and white blood cells and platelets are suspended. Plasma, which is 90 percent water, constitutes 55 percent of blood volume. Plasma contains albumin (the chief protein constituent), fibrinogen (responsible, in part, for the clotting of blood), and globulins (including antibodies). Plasma serves a variety of functions, from maintaining a satisfactory blood pressure and volume to supplying critical proteins for blood clotting and immunity. It also serves as the medium of exchange for vital minerals such as sodium and potassium, thus helping maintain a proper balance in the body, which is critical to cell function. Plasma is obtained by separating the liquid portion of blood from the cells.

In 1938, Dr. Charles Drew, a leading authority on mass transfusion and blood processing methods, set up a blood plasma system. By 1939, Dr. Drew had set up a blood bank at the Columbia Medical Center. He made a breakthrough discovery that blood plasma could replace whole blood, which deteriorated in a few days in storage. This discovery played a major role during World War II where many countries experienced extreme casualties.

Blood was urgently needed for wounded troops as war raged across Europe in 1940. Dr. Drew was chosen by the International Transfusion Association to organize the Blood for Britain project. This program collected, processed and transported 14,500 units of plasma - all within five months. Dr. Drew's scientific research helped revolutionize blood plasma transfusion so that pooled plasma could readily be given on the battlefield, which dramatically improved opportunities to save lives.

Plasma as it was supplied

Fearing the U.S. would be drawn into World War II, the American armed forces requested development of a similar blood collection system. In February of 1941, Dr. Drew was appointed Director of the first American Red Cross Blood Bank. He established an effective plasma collection and preservation organization - a model for today's volunteer blood donation programs.

Because of its ability to reduce death from shock caused by bleeding, dried plasma became a vital element in the treatment of the wounded on World War II battlefields. By the time the program ended in September 1945, the American Red Cross had collected over 13 million units of blood and converted nearly all of it into plasma. "If I could reach all America," said General Dwight D. Eisenhower, supreme commander of Allied Expeditionary Forces, "there is one thing I would like to do--thank them for blood plasma and whole blood. It has been a tremendous thing." At war’s end, some 1.3 million plasma units were returned to the American Red Cross, which made them available to civilian hospitals.

The development of the Blood program in World War 2 was a real landmark, and the increased use of Whole Blood as well as Plasma was fundamental to medical success in saving the lives not just of wounded men but of generations to come.

15 February, 1944

438^th AAA AW BN

APO 527 % Postmaster, N.Y.

England

15 February, 1944 1115

Dearest darling Wilma,

I don’t expect to finish this before lunch, when I’m left alone. I haven’t written to you in the forenoon for some time now. I happen to be free at the moment.

I’ve just looked at your letter of the 31st in which you toasted me at dinner. That was thoughtful, darling, and believe me – I would have given anything to have been with you that evening. Incidentally, you’re still a two-drink girl, aren’t you, dear? It’s just as well. I never could like a girl who was heavy drinker – and boy! there are plenty of that kind around.

Your news about the 570th was interesting. They should be through their training by now – but the usual procedure is maneuvers and then overseas. Incidentally no outfit like that one is in the E.T.O. – so if they do come overseas – it won’t be in this direction. I guess it’s just as well I stayed with this battalion, dear, because I do feel it has been lucky so far. And yet in my early days here – I couldn’t help but think that had I stayed with them we’d have been engaged and who knows – even married. But everything must be considered as happening for the best. The ability to leave you and find that I love you more – your loving me, even though I’m away – that adds up to an awfully strong point to our love for each other. I have never felt more certain about anything, sweetheart, than I do about my love for you, and I know you feel the same way about me. But I don’t want you to feel ‘years older’, darling. And the feeling for fun etc. shouldn’t leave you at all. If anything – you should merely be saving it up, because that’s what I’m doing.

Late last night I got your letter of January 22. You can see how screwed up the sequence is, but each letter is a symbol in its own right, and the order really makes very little difference. You give me some of the reasons which led you to give up your job, and I don’t blame you one bit. Of course – as you say – being my wife would be a 24 hr. job, but it would entail being my companion, confidant, mother of our children – and what job that you know of gives you a 50-50 split of the profits, darling? And all expenses, naturally. The job is yours, dear, and I’m not advertising for anyone else. And don’t forget. I am not asking for previous experience!

I suppose working in the bridal shop must have been hard to take, dear. I think about our getting married very often when I’m alone. I wonder what it will be like, will I be excited, nervous, in a hurry to get the actual thing over with, I think not. I’ve had so much time to think about getting married that I know I’m going to enjoy it immensely. I suppose when the time comes I’ll feel somewhat differently, and you’ll be there to remind me of it – i.e. that I said I wouldn’t be nervous.

You mention reading; you certainly should do some if for no other reason than to keep your mind working. I’m not doing a heck of a lot myself, for that matter – but I try whenever there’s something available.

Darling, I must mention again how nice it is to get your letters and find that you still love me. I know I keep repeating that – and I’ll continue to do so. I don’t want you ever to forget my appreciation. Your letters have been so helpful – you’ll have no true idea until the time comes when I return home to you and tell you. I’ll be able to tell you what my thoughts and feelings were on these long winter days and nights in a faraway spot, alone a good bit of the time. It’s then that your letters stand out like beacons, darling, giving me the lift that nothing else could match. I’ll tell you about it, someday, and you’ll really know what I meant.

I love you so strongly, dear, that I know my words are constantly falling short of what I feel. But I can only repeat over and over again that I love you and won’t rest completely easily until I can marry you, call you my wife and take you with me to our own home. Then, perhaps, darling, will you know what I mean and how I feel when I say I love you strongly. For now dear, I can only say so long, once more, but keep in mind always that my love for you will always exist and grow stronger. For now dear –

All my love

Greg.

* TIDBIT *

about Carolyn Gardner and Roe v. Wade

In yesterday's letter, Greg spoke of Dr. Stuart Gardner and his wife Carolyn Gardner. What he did not mention, but probably knew, was the story of how Carolyn Gardner contributed to the eventual Roe v. Wade decision giving women the right to choose whether or not to carry a pregnancy to term. Much of the material here was taken from a book written by David J. Garrow. This book, Liberty and Sexuality: The Right to Privacy and the Making of Roe v.Wade was published in 1994.

An 1879 Massachusetts statute, brought about to fight debauchery, stated in part:

whoever sells, lends, gives away an instrument or other article intended to be used for self-abuse, or any drug, medicine, instrument or article whatever for the prevention of conception or for causing unlawful abortion, or advertises the same, or writes, prints, or causes to be written or printed a card, circular, book, pamphlet, advertisement or notice of any kind stating when, where, how, of whom or by what means such articles can be purchased obtained, or manufactured or makes any such article shall be punished...

Anyone who violated this statute faced stiff fines and imprisonment. The first successful change in the law came from Margaret Sanger's 1916 arrest for opening the first birth control clinic in America. The Federal case that grew out of her arrest resulted in a 1918 decision, which allowed women to use birth control for therapeutic purposes. The next amendment of the law came in 1936 when doctors were given permission to distribute contraceptives across state lines. While this decision did not eliminate the problem of the restrictive "chastity laws" on the state level, it was a crucial ruling.

On June 3, 1937, five days before the American Medical Association’s landmark birth control resolution acknowledged that contraception merited a physician’s attention – Lieutenant Charles Duffee and 3 others of the Salem, Massachusetts Police Department, armed with a search warrant signed by John McGrath of the Salem Board of Health, raided the North Shore Mothers Health Center on Flint Street in Salem, one of seven birth control clinics operated by the Birth Control League of Massachusetts (BCLM). Undercover policewoman Beatrice Clark and a female colleague had just left the clinic. Dr. Lucille Lord-Heinstein was in the midst of seeing patients, and the patients were detained and questioned while the officers packed up the clinic’s medical records and supplies. Dr. Lord-Heinstein, nurse Flora Rands and social worker Carolyn T. Gardner were arrested and taken to Salem police headquarters for questioning, and all three women were charged with violating the Massachusetts birth control statute by distributing contraceptive devices.

The Salem clinic had been operating for seven months, and the BCLM had heralded its opening by announcing that it had “the backing of a large committee from Salem and nearby towns, comprised of leading physicians, ministers, public spirited citizens and representatives from the boards of welfare agencies.” The BCLM had also noted that, in the opinion of its lawyers, “advice given for medical reasons does not come under prohibitions of our statute.”

But when the three Salem defendants appeared in court on June 22, Judge George Sears refused to return the patient records that had been seized and set trial for July 13th. The prosecution’s first witness that day was Policewoman Clark, who testified that she had first visited the Salem clinic in late May under a false name, and then had returned on June 3 along with a civilian woman, Rose Barlotta, whom she had paid for her assistance. Mrs. Barlotta had been examined, was found to have severe hypertension, and was fitted for a diaphragm, which she had turned over to the officers as evidence. Defense attorney Robert Dodge put all three defendants, plus three well-known Massachusetts doctors and prominent clinic chairwoman Dorothy Bradford on the stand, and Judge Sears said he would reserve his decision.

On July 20, Sears entered a verdict citing a previous Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court affirmation concluding “I must find the defendants guilty” even though they did not believe “they were acting contrary to law.” He imposed a fine of one hundred dollars upon each of the defendants, and the league filed notices of appeal. The cases against the three Salem defendants, plus a fourth colleague, clinic volunteer Pamelia Ferris, were set for a hearing in Superior Court. On October 15, Essex County Superior Court Judge Wilford Gray upheld Sears’s verdicts against Lord-Heinstein, Gardner and Rand and levied a hundred dollar fine against Ferris.

Fifteen Massachusetts doctors wrote to the membership of the Mass Medical Society to ask that each doctor join in a statement of protest. “Two fundamental rights of physicians have been violated,” they declared. “First, in the seizure and holding of confidential medical records by the police; second, by police interference with the right of physicians to practice medicine in accordance with accepted methods.” Within several weeks more than 1700 Massachusetts doctors, more than one third of those in the state, joined their petition of protest. However, on May 26, 1938 the Massachusetts court unanimously affirmed the Salem convictions, saying that the statute was clear and relief should be sought by changes in the law and not from the judicial department. The Massachusetts League decided to appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court as to whether a state legislature may interfere with the practice of medicine under the guise of police regulation of morality and health.

On Monday, October 10, 1938, the US Supreme Court dismissed the Massachusetts League’s appeal of the Salem convictions. The Gardner ruling, as it became known, shocked and disheartened the Massachusetts activists.  On Friday the four Salem defendants appeared in court and each paid their hundred-dollar fines.

In 1965, Griswold v. Connecticut,, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that the U.S. Constitution protected a right to privacy. The case involved a Connecticut law that prohibited the use of contraceptives. By a vote of 7–2, the Supreme Court invalidated the law on the grounds that it violated the "right to marital privacy". The argument was built on the claim that it was a violation of the Equal Protection Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment to deny unmarried couples the right to use contraception when married couples did have that right under Griswold. Justice Brennan wrote that Massachusetts could not enforce the law onto married couples because of Griswold v. Connecticut, so the law worked "irrational discrimination" if not extended to unmarried couples as well. Since Griswold, the Supreme Court has cited the right to privacy in several rulings, most notably in Roe v. Wade in 1973. The Supreme Court ruled that a woman's choice to terminate a pregnancy was protected as a private decision between her and her doctor. And that is the story of how Carolyn Gardner played a part in the events that led to a woman’s right to choose.

POST NOTE: 10 years after this was written, a woman's right to choose was astonishingly lost by a decision of the US Supreme Court, against the will of the majority of Americans.  The quest for freedom-to-choose endures.

14 February, 1944

438^th AAA AW BN

APO 527 % Postmaster, N.Y.

England

14 February, 1944       1230

Dearest Valentine –

I have never before really felt that I had a Valentine until this year – or at least had what the word ‘Valentine’ stands for. Whatever it is, I’m glad you’re mine and I’m yours. I wonder if you got the cards I sent you. The choice was limited in this country, but anyway – you must know what I mean.

Back about a month ago I began thinking about Valentine’s Day and how girls like to be remembered on such days, and how you were being left out in the cold, so to speak. That worried me, darling, because I don’t want you to miss out on completely everything. Anyway I wrote to a couple of places, dear, and I hope you were remembered. I won’t mention what or where. If you got it, darling, I hope you were pleasantly surprised. If not – well then I’m the one who is disappointed. Today is a bleak, barren type of day, dear, but only moderately cold. Last night I was listening to the American Forces Program and heard the news from home. It seems as if winter has really set in – in New England. I’m glad you’re not working now, sweetheart, because it would have been awful to have trudged back and forth by street-car in that kind of weather.

This week I’m supposed to have another 2 day pass – this past week-end as a matter of fact. I’ve had no particular incentive to go though and so far, have no plans. Perhaps the latter part of the week one of the boys will be able to take off and I’ll go. I’ll let you know later.

Yesterday, darling, I got an awfully nice letter from Carolyn Gardner, Dr. Gardner’s wife. I believe I wrote you recently that I had received a Christmas card from him – from the Pacific theater. Well he wrote his wife and gave her my address and she wrote me. She’s a very interesting person and a nice hostess. I’d say she’s about 33-35. She did Social Service work before marrying Stuart. He’s about 46-47. They’ve been married only about 5-6 years and have the cutest daughter of about 2 years of age – named Marcia. When Stuart went into the Navy, Mrs. Gardner did some social service for awhile at the Salem Hospital. Then she went to live with him at Newport and rented their house. (They live on Chestnut St.) When he went West, she went to Springfield where her folks live and she wrote me from there. It was a very newsy letter about a lot of people from Salem she’s in touch with. She’s planning to return there soon and occupy an apartment because the house is too large for her, the baby and the maid, and she said she’d write me again from Salem and bring me up to date. I know, sweetheart that the Gardners will be good friends of ours when we live in Salem. And I know they’ll like you, dear, not only they, but everyone who meets you – and it won’t be because you’re my wife either. I’d hate that. I know of a couple such cases in Salem – doctor’s wives who get by only because of their husbands. But in your case, darling, I know I’ll make even more friends – because of you. And that’s not flattery, either, dear – because after all – I’d only be fooling myself.

I got another nice letter from you written January 31st. You tell me you’ve re-read my letters from Christmas on and you cried. Why do you cry, darling? Is it what I write? I’m glad you feel the way I do in respect to our agreeing on so many things. It is surprising too, that we seem to be so compatible. And we are finding out a good many things by correspondence though, aren’t we? I know that when I return – we’ll know each other completely and thoroughly and that we won’t feel strange. And learning how to kiss you, dear? Will that be difficult do you suppose? Wait and see.

I’ve got to run along now, dear. There’s a patient waiting for me at the Dispensary – question of appendicitis and I don’t want to keep him waiting. Charge for the call? Three dollars? Five dollars? No – the usual – on the house! Well – that’s the way it is. I’ll write tomorrow, darling, and for the time being, so long and

All my love

Greg.

Regards to your folks.

Love

G.

13 February, 1944

438^th 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 –

All my love

Greg

Best regards to home

Love

G.

* TIDBIT *

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.

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.”

12 February, 1944

438^th AAA AW BN

APO 527 % Postmaster, N.Y.

England

12 February, 1944       1235

Wilma, darling –

I notice that today is the 12th. That should make it Lincoln’s Birthday back home. Here it’s just another Saturday, of course. For that matter it wasn’t much of a holiday back home. And Monday is Valentine’s Day. The days slip by before you realize it. That’s the paradox of being over here; there’s little or nothing to do, time should drag and yet the months are slipping by.

In that connection we got notice today of furloughs for the men and leaves for officers. In the States – these were given every 6 mos. In the ETO apparently the practice is 7 days every 3 months and our time is approaching. Gosh how I used to look forward to time off when I was in the States. Now I can’t seem to get excited about it. I should be one of the first, dear, to get a leave because my last one was in June – and several of the boys had theirs after that. Where to go and what to do is the question. There’s really no incentive when you can’t get home – but the advice is to take the leave anyway because you don’t know when you’ll get another. Darling if only I could see you for a few hours – that would be tonic enough for me – but that’s impossible right now and I better stop thinking along those lines.

Edinburgh, Scotland, dear – seems to be the place where most soldiers head for. One of the reasons is that the Scotch are very friendly to the Americans; another is that it’s very pretty there. I don’t know right now and really sweetheart, it makes very little difference. It seems to me I should get my leave, barring complications, around the first week in March. I might go to Oxford or Cambridge just to take in some lectures. Or I might go to London and visit some of its hospitals. Whatever I do, dear, will be a very poor excuse for what I’d rather do.

I got a letter from you yesterday, darling, written January 30th. You had spent the day at my home – and I so like to read about that. It makes me feel very happy sweetheart, when you write about enjoying yourself with my folks and finding it natural to be with them. It makes you that much more close to me. You’ll really know them well when I get back. I guess I’ll have to catch up with your folks, though – won’t I dear? Well it won’t take long, I know. You know – when you visit with my family and get to know them – it makes me feel as if our courtship is going along in natural lines and not just by mail.

As for my folks being crazy about me, dear – it isn’t just I, it’s the same for all their children. They just happen to be perfect parents and children could wish for no better – I know, because I’ve known the parents of a good many friends of mine and they are in no way quite like my folks – but there I go boasting again, darling. The fact is – you’ll see for yourself, because when I marry you, you too will be their child.

You mention two pictures which you’ve sent me, dear. So far I’ve received the one I wrote you about – and that was a blessing. I’m looking forward to the other 1 and of course I want the ones your Uncle took – and as many more as you can get to send me. I’ve almost given up on trying to get a portrait of me to send you. They don’t even take recognizable passport photographs. Maybe if I ever go to Italy I’ll be able to get one of their artists to paint me. Seriously though, dear – I will continue to try to get one to send you.

Darling – one thing we’re bound to have in our home (yours and mine) will be dishes. That, anyway, I can guarantee you. Yes I know the Ranchero Style. I always liked it because it’s bright and gay. I hope your mother likes it, too, and I hope my father doesn’t over charge you!

Before I stop dear I want to tell you how touched I was by your likeness – depicted by you (free hand – no doubt) at the end of your letter. I was deeply moved, darling, when I realized whom I was looking at – it was sweet of you to do it. Honestly, though, I roared and in answer I am truly right, dear, there isn’t an English girl – or any other – that can hold a candle to you – and I mean that, sweetheart. I love you, dear, and I know I always will – so sit tight, darling. It will be a happy day when I can call you my wife. Until then and forever after – you’ll have

All my love

Greg.

Regards

Love

G.

* TIDBIT *

about a "Directive to Eisenhower" on this date

This directive was issued February 12, 1944, by the Anglo-American Combined Chiefs of Staff, formally authorizing General Dwight D. Eisenhower to implement Operation Overlord, the plan for the Normandy Invasion.

"1. You are hereby designated as Supreme Allied Commander of the forces placed under your orders for operations for liberation of Europe from Germans. Your title will be Supreme Commander Allied Expeditionary Force.

2. Task. You will enter the continent of Europe and, in conjunction with the other United Nations, undertake operations aimed at the heart of Germany and the destruction of her armed forces. The date for entering the Continent is the month of May, 1944. After adequate Channel ports have been secured, exploitation will be directed towards securing an area that will facilitate both ground and air operations against the enemy.

3. Notwithstanding the target date above you will be prepared at any time to take immediate advantage of favorable circumstances, such as withdrawal by the enemy on your front, to effect a reentry into the Continent with such forces as you have available at the time; a general plan for this operation when approved will be furnished for your assistance.

4. Command. You are responsible to the Combined Chiefs of Staff and will exercise command generally in accordance with the diagram at Appendix. Direct communication with the United States and British Chiefs of Staff is authorized in the interest of facilitating your operations and for arranging necessary logistic support.

5. Logistics. In the United Kingdom the responsibility for logistics organization, concentration, movement, and supply of forces to meet the requirements of your plan will rest with British Service Ministries so far as British Forces are concerned. So far as United States Forces are concerned, this responsibility will rest with the United States War and Navy Departments. You will be responsible for the coordination of logistical arrangements on the continent. You will also be responsible for coordinating the requirements of British and United States forces under your command.

6. Coordination of operations of other Forces and Agencies. In preparation for your assault on enemy occupied Europe, Sea and Air Forces, agencies of sabotage, subversion, and propaganda, acting under a variety of authorities, are now in action. You may recommend any variation in these activities which may seem to you desirable.

7. Relationship to United Nations Forces in other areas. Responsibility will rest with the Combined Chiefs of Staff for supplying information relating to operations of the Forces of the U. S. S. R. for your guidance in timing your operations. It is understood that the Soviet Forces will launch an offensive at about same time as OVERLORD with the object of preventing the German forces from transferring from the Eastern to the Western front. The Allied Commander in Chief, Mediterranean Theater, will conduct operations designed to assist your operation, including the launching of an attack against the south of France at about the same time as OVERLORD. The scope and timing of his operations will be decided by the Combined Chiefs of Staff. You will establish contact with him and submit to the Combined Chiefs of Staff your views and recommendations regarding operations from the Mediterranean in support of your attack from the United Kingdom. The Combined Chiefs of Staff will place under your command the forces operating in Southern France as soon as you are in a position to assume such command. You will submit timely recommendations compatible with this regard.

8. Relationship with Allied Governments - the re-establishment of Civil Governments and Liberated Allied Territories and the administration of enemy territories. Further instructions will be issued to you on these subjects at a later date."

11 February, 1944

438^th AAA AW BN

APO 527 % Postmaster, N.Y.

England

11 February, 1944       1335

Dearest sweetheart –

I’ve just finished lunch and here I am imagining I’m talking with you again. I hope the ability to do that never leaves me, because it makes me feel very close to you. After yesterday’s snow and sleet, today is clear and dry and not cold. There’s no trace of snow on the ground.

This morning I didn’t go out to the gun sections at all, dear, but once and for all decided to finish dictating the history of the medical detachment. It’s a good thing I’ve been with it from the very start because our movements and changes in the States were so many that a newcomer could have had a whale of a time trying to piece things together. Well, darling, shortly before noon I finished the darn thing and now it has only to be typed by my sergeant and then submitted. So that’s one more piece of work out of the way. It’ll be nice if I don’t have to write another year’s history, won’t it dear?

CLICK ON IMAGE TO ENLARGE

Members of a gun section man
antiaircraft guns like this 40 mm Bofors.

By the way – I like the variety of your stationery. You must find mine dull by comparison. I thought you were going to stick to the nice wide type which enabled you to get my address on one line; then – the very next day you surprise me with a royal blue trimming! But it makes very little difference, sweetheart, as long as I hear from you – and that – I have. I guess you are the most constant correspondent a guy could ever have. If any mail comes into the battalion at all – I’m pretty sure to hear from you – and often when very few others get letters, sure enough – there’s one from you. Yesterday was such a day – and I was the only officer receiving a letter. This week has been just about perfect with a letter every day. That makes the day complete and no matter what else occurs – I’m satisfied. I’m sorry though that you’re having delay in getting mine. They go out of here daily – I know that – but there must be some hold-up farther along the line.

In your letter of January 25th – you tell me about leaving your job. I surmised that in a later letter. I suppose you find the same trouble when my letters get mixed up. I’m glad you left, dear, because it seemed like an awfully hard job – physically – and there’s no sense in getting exhausted. It was nice of you to write you’ll be dissatisfied with everything until I come back. I feel the same way, too, dear. Everything else except you seems so inconsequential.

Your tendency toward stubbornness according to the fortune teller’s book does not worry me at all, darling; and determination is a good quality. As for loving with passion and vigor – I know that, without the book, too. Did you look mine up also? I hope it jibes with my feelings. I love with passion and devotion, darling, in case the book doesn’t say it – i.e. I love you that way.

I’m glad you’re keeping in contact with Irv and Verna. What you say about her is true – but she’s fundamentally a good kid. Talk about stubbornness – though. If she doesn’t want to leave her job, she won’t – come hell or high water. What you wrote about Diana was strange. Does she have to leave Boston or does she do her work there? Have you ever met the Hoffmanns? They’re a nice couple. I don’t know how Bud has stayed out of the Army so long – but he ought to be a good G.I. man when he’s through his training. Oh well I’ll start from scratch and pick up some loose threads here and there. One thing I’m not afraid of Sweetheart – and that’s the ability to make patients and once made – to hold them. And that’s what you need in practice. I still get letters from patients telling me they’re waiting to let me be their doctor when I get back – and that’s encouraging.

Darling – with you as my wife to help me – I can’t miss. And the one good thing about Salem is that even though you have to stick around in the early days – i.e. to help the older doctors – there’s so many things we can do – and still be in Salem on call. Of course – just being with you, dear, by ourselves – will be just a novelty and thrill – you’ll have to drag me out of the house. God – why can’t this thing be over with so that people can go back to live as was meant for them to do? It can’t last forever, dearest, and I’m willing to wait even that long for the opportunity of calling you my wife. Anything less than that is manna from heaven – and I’m angling for a front seat. So long for now, darling, if we keep our courage up we can’t lose. Best regards home and you have

All my love

Greg

P.S. Will you please send me some hair-restorer?

Thanks, darling.

Love

G

* TIDBIT *

about "AAA AW BN (Mobile)"

Antiaircraft Artillery [AAA] is the branch of the U. S. Army dedicated to protecting ground forces and static elements (aircraft on airfields, harbors, etc.) from concentrated aerial attack. The AAA battalions [BN] were organized as either gun (equipped with the M1 90mm AA gun) or automatic weapons [AW] (equipped initially with a U.S.-designed M1 37mm gun, but later almost wholly re-equipped with the famous M1 40mm Bofors-designed gun, and with the M51 or M55 quad-mount .50 caliber machine gun). AAA automatic weapons battalions were "Mobile" if attached to an infantry division and "SP" (self-propelled) if attached to an armored division. The automatic weapons battalions of all types were organized with four firing batteries, lettered A to D, an H&H (Intelligence and Reconnaissance) Battery, and a Service Battery. 

10 February, 1944

438^th AAA AW BN

APO 527 % Postmaster, N.Y.

England

10 February, 1944      1400

Dearest darling Wilma –

It’s a dark, gray day today and I’ve seen snow falling for the first time in a long, long while. Remember, dear, I was South on maneuvers last year and saw no snow then. Actually here – the snow is melting as it falls and so there’s no accumulation. I am now in my quarters, it’s windy and cold outside, but really quite comfortable here, darling.

This morning it was quite clear out and instead of riding around to the various sections in a jeep, I thought I’d use the bicycle. As I once told you, dear, everyone uses the bike in England and the American soldiers have taken it up too. The reason for this is that bicycles are made available for almost anyone who wants to use it. So I have one for my own use. Naturally, they’re all of English make and darned good. The brakes are applied by hand levers and the bikes are very speedy. I covered several miles this morning with very little effort. I thought my legs would tire, darling, but they didn’t. I must be in pretty good shape. No wonder though, – plenty of sleep, good food, plenty of fresh air, plus exercise. Sweetheart – if I should embrace you now, there’s no telling what would happen (you can interpret that in any way you like, dear).

CLICK ON IMAGE TO SEE THE HAND BRAKES

8th Bomber Command, B-17 Flying Fortress
ground crew on English bicycles.

Well last night – as the night before – I received a letter from you. This one was dated January 28th and although you said you felt blue – your letter was swell, darling, and made me feel very good – so you really weren’t too blue for me.

I’m glad you finally got the little book I sent you. It wasn’t so much the story – which incidentally was light and amusing – as the title that attracted my attention. I try, darling, in as many ways as I can to tell you how much I love you and miss you. When I can get the aid of a book which blazens forth I Love You, I Love You, I Love You – I couldn’t help but use that too.

I’m glad, too, that you’re receiving Yank now. I wondered if it would get to you. As you see, we get it weekly, and some of the items are interesting. I thought it would help you project yourself a little bit more easily into our environment. You’ll get to know and like “Sad Sack” who exemplifies the Army “Ne’er-do-well”; I find “Mail Call” particularly interesting. It concerns the enlisted men mostly and they discuss, or try to – any and all subjects – not always in the choicest language either. When I get back, darling, I’ll expect you to understand my G-I talk completely. Incidentally the newest in the Snafu, Sasfu series is Fubar which stands for ‘fouled up beyond all recognition’.

Cover of Yank - The Army Weekly
9 January, 1944

Anyway – having received the book etc. – I feel that anything else I might want to send you ought to get to you. And by the way darling – you remember I promised you a Zippo lighter. Do you still want one – or does anyone in the family want one? If so – I can get one. They’re different over here – in that they’re black – for camouflage purposes – but it’s the same good lighter. If you don’t want it, I might send it to my brother. Let me know, dear. They’re just as difficult to get here – as in the States.

In a letter of a couple of days ago, dear, you mention the possibility of being at my house for Passover. Gee – I hope you can make it. I know though how you must feel about Grandma B. – and I can’t blame you. Maybe you could get over on one of the nights; it seems to me they celebrate on two nights. Your presence at my house for one of the Sedars would be very symbolic to me – as I always pictured no one but my wife or wife-to-be at one of those Jewish Holiday things. I’m glad anyway, darling, that my folks want you to come because it shows me how much they think of you, dear – that they want you to be present at anything resembling an intimate family gathering.

Sweetheart I know my folks love you – and since I do too, everything will work out fine. I love you, dear, – I can’t tell you often enough – because I want you to know how much. Do you?

I’ll stop for now, darling, and I’ll write again tomorrow. Until then, so long and be well. Keep your spirits up, dear – we’ll be so happy when we’re together again that this sacrifice now will not seem too hard.

All my love, dearest –

Greg.

* TIDBIT *

about "Sad Sack"

"Sad Sack" was the creation of Sergeant George Baker, a cartoonist who had worked for four years at Disney Studios contributing to Pinocchio, Fantasia, Dumbo and Bambi. After being inducted into the Army in June of 1941, he spent his evenings drawing cartoons of Army life using the "Sad Sack" as the bewildered civilian trying to be a soldier. Yank magazine, which was then forming as a magazine written entirely by enlisted men, invited him to join their staff. In his three and a half years with Yank, he was sent at various times to five overseas bureaus, in Panama, Italy, the Philippines, Okinawa, and Japan. A humorous, interesting and brief autobiography of George Baker can be read at: Sad Sack - George Bakers's Autobiography.

Many examples of "Sad Sack" as it appeared in Yank can be seen on the official Sad Sack web site. Here is an example from there:

CLICK ON COMIC TO ENLARGE