Iheya Jima July 4, 1945
Iheya Jima July 4, 1945
Dear Mom -
Hope you know the good news by now. I'm so happy and know how you must feel - isn't it wonderful? And I'll bet Joe will be one of the first ones home! There goes my career - I hope. Oh gee I'm so awful happy. Can't wait to hear from him now. Here is the last one I've gotten. Oh Mom - this is a wonderful day. Wish we could be together!
We're out of school for two days. I went to Church last nite and to the beach all day today - this time is dragging by and I'm so anxious to get to S.F. Wonder what you're doing today -
We graduate the 24th - so only a little over a week - I can hardly wait. Hope I see you.
Guess I better write to the folks now - write me - gee I'm sure happy - it's been awful quiet here - and everyone looks so happy - what a day!
Don is coming Fri to spend the week-end - wonder what will happen to him now -
Love ya -
Bette Mac.
Dec 14, 1944
My Darling,
Four letters from you tonight so I have quite a bit of writing to do. Certainly glad to hear from you, and to know you made it okay. Knew you would enjoy the ride, and glad you liked it. How does the old room feel. I suppose it is as cold as ever. When you use to leave the windows up it was the next closest thing to a refrigerator. Know how you must feel, and only wish I could make your wish come true right now. You two are really a couple of sad sacks, and I have to laugh everytime I visualize you two carrying on in one of your moods. Glad to hear everyone got along together, and only regret I wasn't there to make it a perfect hexagon or rather I should say square; you see I am getting so that I can't even add anymore. Don and Jean really have got a nice location, and we will be sure to steal if for a night or so. You really made a good plan for the attack on Ed, and know it will work if anything does. That was sort of funny about Jeanne, but would like to hear all the news, and know you understand. You two have probably met by this time, and glad you decided to spend a day in Eugene, for the Bailey's would have been disappointed if you hadn't. Glad to know Mom looks good, and I realize she suffers more like all the others when we are in combat, but there is nothing that can be done about that. I think that both you and Louie are nasty, and just to make it even will stand up for Marietta. I received a letter from him the other day, and he said he hadn't been sick since the time we went out together, but that he was ready to repeat the ordeal anytime now. He is sure a swell guy, and it is too bad his hands are tied. It is getting to be a fine state of affairs when Ed even interrupts my letters, but will excuse him this time. He must like to talk over a phone, for he certainly spends a long time talking. Must close now and just one thing, how did Marge know that was my handwriting? Goodnight honey and love you always.
Love,
Joe
Pfc. Joseph C. Wicks
My Darling,
Haven't written for a few days so decided I had better write a few lines. That must be quite some place La Rue has, will have to go out there and see for myself someday. It looks like I am going to have to do a lot of practicing to beat you at bowling; I doubt if I could bowl a hundred. We have a ping pong table now, but at the present we are out of balls. We get sundays off now, and I spend most of the time playing volleyball. We have really got a nice looking camp, and only wish we were allowed to have cameras so I could get some pictures.
That is too bad about Don and Jean, but they will make out alright; it is probably just temporarily. Excuse the spelling. I have thought about that my self sometimes, these damn islands have got so many different kind of diseases on them, and will just have to wait and see, but I know one thing for sure, that I am going to live some place where there is the four seasons of the year. I expect Mt. Hood will be getting its first coat of snow pretty soon. As for the subject of writing, you tell those girls that someday they will be able to understand also. I received a long letter from Gene, and he is pretty homesick for Ethel. He said mom was worrying quite a bit lately; wish the two of you could see each other for awhile. I imagine she wrote you about her trip to Seattle. How is Johnny feeling these days? She is sure swell honey, and we are lucky along that line anyway. Only hope she doesn't think that I have changed too much. Must close now, and love you as always darling.
Love,
Joe
Pfc. Joseph C. Wicks
Feb 15, 1944
My Darling,
No letters from you today. not much too say except that I got a letter from Bobbie, Dena, and Roy, or in otherwords all the relatives are responding. also received a letter from Darrell today, and he isn't on a ship as yet. He typed me out quite a gossip column about all the kids at school, would send it on to you, but it is not too nice in places. Suppose you will be going to Salt Lake before too long to be with your folks again. anyway, that is what your mother expects, and you should spend some time with them for a change. heard on the angels cried over the radio last night that is really a good song. would sure like to get to a good state-side dance again. I would probably be stiffer than a board anyway, so it doesn't make any difference I guess. Helen wrote me and said you were planning on visiting them around the nineteenth, is that correct? What does the profit and loss statement read now. Guess I am getting too inquisitive now, so will quit. Glad to hear you are going to send me some more pictures. I can never get enough of them. you weren't wrong when you said we were going to take the best honeymoon that two people ever took. I am just waiting for that day to come and all the rest will follow. Goodnight darling, and I love you and am with you always.
all my love,
Joe
Pfc. Joseph C. Wicks
Jan 21, 1944
My Darling,
Back from liberty and a flood of mail waiting for me. Those were really some pin-up girls that you sent me, and as for those pictures of you, I guess you are really my pistol packing Mama. You look something like Barbara Stanwyck in one of them. Got you some more souveniers today, dont know what you will ever do with all that junk, but will keep getting stuff anyway. Gene and I had a pretty good time today, and we were both pretty good, although I did get my lip cut in a fight. It has been so long since I was even in a scrap that it seemed pretty good, and there wasn't much harm done. I must have really written you a nasty letter, but then guess that what mom said is just about right. Guess it was funny to you what Gene said about the fried chicken, but I honestly dont think I will ever be able to eat it again. I really mean what I said about the Liberty Theatre, but I could be wrong. Gene and I tried to get our pictures taken today, but they were out of film so will have to wait for awhile. As for South America, guess you answered that so that is that. Do you think this war will ever end. I am getting mighty sleepy so think I had better close. Will try and find out about Pete. Would sure like to just talk to you for just five minutes, but guess that cant be. Glad that I have you and that we are in love and everything will turn out okay. Goodnight darling, you have all my love.
All my love,
Joe
P.F.C. Joseph C. Wicks
Letter from "Guy", 08 Aug 1945
Feb 1, 1944
My Darling,
No mail for a couple of days so haven't much to write about, but will attempt it anyway. That was a pretty cute letter that your friend Boogie wrote. Think you should answer her plea and return to school for spring term. After all you are only young once and that is the time to have fun, besides it will keep your mind busy and the change will do you good. I know you want to go back and can't blame you a bit so we will plan on that for sure. Will send you another money order by the first of March and with what you and I have already got should be ample to carry you through okay. Glad that they hurried and hit the Marshalls, for the fast they hit all the remaining islands, the quicker this thing will be over. That is going to be tough sledding, but imagine Truk and the Caroline group will be the grand daddy of them all. Has Wilson left the states yet? Suppose he has by now, but was just wondering. The are showing pictures of Tarawa tonight, but it doesn't appeal to me so guess I will get in a bull session instead. Also, I have to answer Ed's letter tonight. Hope this month goes by as fast as the last one. Something takes place on the fourteenth of this month, but I can't quite recall what it is, can you refresh my memory. Well honey must close now, and love you always.
All my love,
Joe
Pfc. Joseph C. Wicks
Dec 16, 1943
My Darling,
Dec 16, 1943
My Darling,
Received lots more mail from you today as well as a couple of
packages from Ed with most of the drugstore included in them. Haven't
received yours yet but it still isn't Christmas. Tell mother that I got a
letter from Mrs. Pope today. She is sure a swell woman. Warren has
really traveled around huh, but he hasn't been anyplace where the going is
rough and hot. Maybe I am just pessimistic but it seems to me that the
people back there are just taking too much for granted about this war
being over in a jiffy. After all, those American newspapers are just
circulation happy. Why was it a good thing you saw child's before I did,
I don't get it? You tell our friend Hecker that someday she is going to
get a hot foot from a flamethrower or its equivalent. Sounds like some of
your customers are like these marines <sp?>. Was surprised about
Barbara Bell, and as for Gullins girl <sp?>, shouldn't rush at
conclusions might
have been a friend. You and I must be Psychic, for I had the same kind of
a dream. By the way, that Dorothy Hecker and this business of poetry, she
must be giving you a snow job. Just living for the day when we are at the
cabin again. It will take half a dozen bull dozers to make me move out of
there. Gene and I are going to walk up the road and indulge in some cakes
so will close now, and my thoughts are always with you.
All my love,
Joe
Pvt. Joseph C. Wicks
"Dear Mother,
"It has been a week since I have written you, so I will admit that I
should have a good bawling out. I am just now starting to recuperate from
seeing my future wife, and I really need a lot of rest. I got thursday
night, friday night and the weekend until 7:00 sunday morning to see her
so you can see that neither one of us got any rest. We were both so happy
to see each other that all we could do was cry for about 10 minutes. I was
never so glad to see anyone before in my life. Sunday night was terrible
though, and if there is anything I hate, it is to say goodbye. Why I never
weakened and got married is beyond me, but I am still single. Don't see
why we weren't married though, for we both feel & act like we are married,
but suppose it is best to wait. I promised her that I would marry her in 2
months, for I thought I would be going across in 8 weeks, but yesterday we
were told that we would be stationed here for 5 or 6 months, because our
regiment is just forming and it will take that long to form, beside the
fact that the marines finally learned it didn't pay to ship men across as
fast as they were doing, so I am perfectly happy now. I am in the engineer
battalion and it is really a pretty good deal, and I am glad I am in it,
for we will have little if any combat, outside of ducking artillery shells
and bombs. We are going through a week of basic training now, learning how
to fire all the different types of weapons just in case we ever have to
pitch in with the infantry and help them fight. We went on a 20 mile hike
yesterday and had to swim 300 yds. across a lake with a pack and all of
our clothes & shoes on. I hadn't had any sleep for 4 days so I just fell
asleep at 4:30 yesterday afternoon and slept til 7:00 this morning. We had
class-room lecture all day today so it was an easy day, but tomorrow we go
on another hike & sham battle. It is really swell out here & everybody is
so darn nice to you. We get off at 4:30 every afternoon and have base
liberty every night, and can go into town every other night if we want,
and have 2 weekends out of 3 to go to L.a. or San Diego, or anyplace we
want for that matter. There are 2 shows out here everynite and it doesn't
cost you a cent, or you can go to the P.X. & drink beer for 10¢ a bottle.
So you see being a full fledged marine is a pretty darn good life. Thank
you for the $15 dollars even though it went to my wife. She had to do so
darn much travelling that she ran out of money so I gave it to her, but I
will get even with her yet. Golly mom, I never dreamed I would ever love a
girl so much as I do her, or to have a girl love me as much as she does.
at any rate it is perfect, and can't wait for this darn war to end, for I
have a lot of things to do which will keep me busy after it is all over.
Bet that you are really going to miss her and I sort of wish she was going
to stay with you. I am going to go into Oceanside tomorrow night and get
my pictures made, and that will be my mother's day gift to you. Guess that
Betty will give you the lowdown on everything so I will close now and go
down to the P.X. and drink a few beers. Please write when you find time,
and don't worry about me, for I am not in the infantry and you should be
thankful for that, for they are the unfortunate ones in this outfit. Must
close now and love you very much.
all my love,
Joe.
