Lou Winsauer and Jean Johnson didn’t have a classic love story. They were a pair of strong-willed rebels who ran with a crowd that called themselves The Dawn Club. When they married, neither of their fathers attended the wedding.
Their tempestuous marriage ended in divorce after 10 children, but (after a cooling-off period) they rebuilt a cordial relationship that lasted for the rest of their lives. She saved the letters he sent home while serving as an army medic, and they are published here along with a few other letters that were preserved.
And no, he never learned how to spell “reveille”.
'Lo again, Shorty — I'm over at the Dispensary again tonight, and now that the place has pretty well quieted down perhaps I can finish this letter without too many interruptions. I came over at about 8:30 to write, but about eight of the Medics were here and so we just sat around talking and listening to the radio 'till now. Lt. Welch brought his radio over to the Dispensary again so now we can at least hear a few good bands and get a little news.
Read MoreHi again hon' with a Merry Xmas (a little late) and a Happy New Year and darling I miss you like all hell— and to coin a phrase, 'that's for sure'. How about this stationery? It's slightly dated by now, but from here on in I'll be using so much of it it'll probably be gone in a hurry — Yea, man!
Read More'Got into Camp this morning (Mon.) at 6:00 A.M., — just in time to stand in revielle, eat chow and then get to work over at the Dispensary. We were busy until now (11:30) with sick - call, and are now taking a break till dinner. Will write tonight.
Read MoreI got your letter here in Virginia, via California this afternoon. That black envelope must have caused just some comments on its way across the country and back. Where in the heck did you ever pick it up? We left California at the Desert on pretty short notice on October 24th and after a not too long six-day trip hit Virginia and Camp Pickett on the 30th.
Read MoreIn reply to your letter of May 27, 1942, have entered change of address in our files. We thank you. I have referred your complaint as to the lax mail service you have been receiving to our Mailing Department, who in turn referred it to our Transportation Department, who not being able to locate the source of the trouble contacted the Federal Bureau of Investigation, one of our subsidiaries.
Read MoreI've three free hours now 'till we're due to pull out on another division problem which is going to be just some rugged. It's now 9:00 pm and we leave at 12:15 tonight so I think I'll stay up 'till then. We'll probably drive for three or four hrs. — without lights — and then set up camp somewhere out in the woods, grab a couple hours sleep if we're lucky, and then take off again.
Read More'Just got back from a swell show over at the post theater. The picture was "Shores of Tripoli" and it was a little bit of alright. Have you seen it? Just some Marines and some sweet chicken!
Read More'Had a rugged week on K.P. last week but am hoping it will be my last week but am hoping it will be my last (I'm rapping on wood). An order came out Saturday that from now on Technicians don't have to pull it — and I guess you know that's going to be a little bit of allright one time).
Read More'Was dead tired when I hit my bunk last night but it was nearly an hour later before I fell asleep for thinking of you, and the fun we had while I was home, of the things we did, and the things we left undone. Sweetheart you were wonderful and I'll never be able to find the words to tell you how perfectly swell it was to be with you again.
Read MoreI just got back to the tent from the kitchen — one more day of K.P. finished with only three more to go. Boy and they're really long days — from 6:00 in the morning 'till 9:00 at night. We've got 6 K.P.s to do all the dishes, set the tables, peel the spuds, etc. for nearly 200 men. Right now I look a mess, need a shave, shower & shampoo, and feel pretty lousy in general.
Read MoreOne more night here at Fitzsimons, and school, Denver, and the Rocky Mts. will be a thing of the past. We had our final exams last Saturday and what with the cramming piled on to the regular work last week was pretty rough. I came though with a lot better grade than I had figured on though (Got a 96 ave.), so we went into Denver Saturday night to celebrate it — and once again I'm on the wagon for life.
Read MoreThere's a healthy black-jack game going on over my bed, and all the fellows say "howdy". I've been playing (was pretty lucky too) but can't keep my mind on the darn cards for thinking of you. Hon' these last two weeks at school are really going to drag — it is the home-stretch though and that's going to be a big help.
Read MoreThis seems to be the last piece of stationery in the barracks so I’m going to write as small as I can to make it do. The post exchange is closed so I can’t get anymore ‘till morning and I don’t want to wait ‘till tomorrow night—that’s the trouble, there’ve been too many tomorrow nights. Darling again I’m sorry.
Read MoreI’m right smack back in the old routine again and after the couple of days I had at home it’s harder to take than ever. Thanks a million for the Camels (the best cig.s made), they came in plenty handy, but darling you shouldn’t have spent that money on me. What are you going to use for cash this month? I know darn well you’re going to be short, so thanks a hell of a lot again.
Read More