"Wherever slinking saboteurs slink to" - July 15, 1942

In 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 More
1942Emily WinsauerCamp Polk
"Remember Tony the Italian?" - May 25 & 27, 1942

I'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
1942Emily WinsauerCamp Polk
"Just because of the darn army again — phooey!" - March 11, 1942

I 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 More
1942Emily WinsauerCamp Polk
"Impressive enough to wow any mosquito" - February 28, 1942

One 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 More
1942Emily WinsauerCamp Polk
“Sorry Mrs. Bloom, no soap.” - February 3, 1942

This 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 More
1942Emily WinsauerDenver
“Mom or no Mom” - January 15, 1942

I’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
1942Emily WinsauerDenver
"I get as tongue tied as a sophomore" - December 23, 1941

Darling I got your swell present this afternoon, and don’t know how I’ll ever be able to thank you. Sitting here this evening I can’t find the words to express my thanks or show my appreciation, not only for the swell case, but for the many things you’ve done for this soldier in the last six months. And ironically enough, this Christmas, it must be with words alone that I express my appreciation.

Read More
1941Emily WinsauerDenver
"If I were you I’d probably tell me to go to hell" - September 29, 1941

I got your letter yesterday out here at our temporary (?) parking place and the middle of a swamp “somewhere in Louisiana”—and tho I wanted to answer it immediately I didn’t get the chance to write till now. When I saw your handwriting on the envelope yesterday I was more than a little hesitant about opening it, for I fully expected to find a brief note telling me what a heel I was an

Read More
1941Emily WinsauerCamp Polk
"We couldn’t get Louis Armstrong" - August 16, 1941

Wanted to get this letter in the mail by yesterday morning, but I haven’t had a minute’s time to write until now. Thursday night there was a practice blackout; last night the whole battalion had to listen to Sec. Stinson’s speech then watch a compulsory training movie; and this morning we had our weekly inspection—so no letter writing.

Read More
1941Emily WinsauerCamp Polk
"What the heck, Jeanne" - August 4, 1941

Dear Jeanne, I didn’t get your letter ’till this morning, as I left camp Saturday noon to go to Shreveport (About 120 miles away) and didn’t get back until late last night. Ten minutes after mailing my last letter to you I began to wonder if I perhaps had misinterpreted your words, and by the next morning I would have given just something to be able to have gotten it back.

Read More
1941Emily Winsauer
"A bunch of goon girls" - July 23, 1941

Darling another week has passed and I’m in trouble trying to decide whether to regard the passing of time as — ”Swell, one month nearly completed,” or “Hell, eleven more months to go.” In either case it looks like one heck of a long time to December and our probable first furlough. This past week was a relatively easy one — that is, it wasn’t quite as tough as those which preceded it. (Something is wrong with my pen, so if you’ll bear with me I’ll finish this letter in pencil.)

Read More
1941Emily Winsauer