There were three letters in this envelope. I like the victory stamps on this one. The eagle's banner reads, "WIN THE WAR."
The back of the envelope reads: Send Motorola Radio to Louie here Express Collect he has bought it.
Nov 9 '43
Dea Ma
I'll try to get another letter started and see if I can finish it before the usual Sat letter.
It is still chilly here & me I have been working out side so I have noticed it. It didn't seem so cold last night until I got off then I noticed it. I have been working on the blisters and most of it is out side work in fact it is all considered outside.
Say while I am thinking about it do I have a shoe ration stamp in one of the new books. I have been thinking about buying another pair of work shoes, the soles are out on mine all ready & when it rains I get my feet wet. It also take 2 or 3 weeks to get a pair of shoes fixed here & that's quite a while to wear low shoes.
I got another war bond last night so it means that much more cash in hand. It sure takes them a long time to get them out to us, it doesn't take them that long to get us to sign up for them though. Oh well I guess every one is out after the other fellas money so what's the difference.
Say when is that dear Miss Florence Eutsler supposed to finish school. She better start thinking about getting a job as soon as she gets out & I don't mean a 30¢ a hour job either.
I have been thinking about going fishing but am like Dad Kruse just haven't gotten around to it yet. I guess the fresh water season is closed but salt water fishing is always open, you also don't need a license to fish in salt water.
I noticed the yard is tearing down all the bomb shelters & etc. I guess they aren't afraid since they took the islands. Oh well it wouldn't make much difference to a whole lot of the boys [?] if they did blow this place off the map as long as they got out.
[same letter, continued]
Nov 13 - 43
Dear Ma it seems that I am so lazy I stink – I shouldn't I just took a shower a couple of days ago.
OK here goes & I don't want you to start worring about it. Your son is Pvt Bernard C. Eutsler 39215612 in the U.S. Army. Uncle Sam sent me another one of those little papers about 3 weeks ago asking me if I wished to join the armed forces. I felt like saying no but you know how it is when some one beckons you, just like getting married or something. I went to Seattle & was sworn in I also passed my physical with flying colors. They took me off the Limited service & put me in general service so I was very happy. I will leave here Dec. 3rd so judge your mail & also I'll need to send in my ration books so send them to me so they will get here by that time. The physical they gave us here was a snap compared to the one they gave us in N. Mex. I believe if I had taken my first one here I would have passed.
I would have written you sooner but I knew you would just start worrying about it, & there's no sense worring because I can still take care of myself.
Well we hopped clear across the U.S. last night from West Va to Calif. That's a pretty big jump now isn't it. I sure didn't do any thing either, I welded for about 15 min.
I'm planning on working up to a day or 2 of the time to leave. I will have my checks made out to be sent to you just hold them till I get located and then send them to me. I had You made out as Beneficiary & Florence as alternate.
Well I'll close now and try to get this thing mailed this time.
Jack.
P.S. Get the biggest service flag you can get and charge it to me.
Enclosed $25
Notes:
a 30¢ an hour job would be $4.50 today.
He mentioned deconstructing the bomb shelters after "they took the islands." I'm thinking he is referring to the New Georgia Campaign, which took place in June - October, 1943, in which the Allies took important airfields from the Japanese. Or he could also be referring to the Aleutian Islands Campaign that took nearly a year, June, 1942 - August, 1943. The New Georgia campaign was a little closer in proximity time-wise and was a more important strategic victory. But it could be neither. ...I am learning a little WWII history on the fly here!
The $25 enclosed with this letter would be worth $372 now.
A service flag is a banner flown outside service members' families' homes. A blue star indicates a family member serving in the armed forces; a gold star indicates a family member who has died during military operations.
Here's a little about rationing. Citizens were allowed 3 pairs of shoes a year through the end of the war, unless they applied for an extra hardship pair.
Blisters were anti-torpedo bulges on warships.
Sat [This would be Nov 20 or Nov 27; we don't have a postmarked envelope for this one]
Sat [November 20 or 27, 1943. I'm betting November 20]
Dear Ma
I'll try to get a letter to you today I guess this will surprise you to get 2 letters in one week probable on the same day.
Well guess what Smitty ask me out to dinner so I guess I rate O.K. as a friend with the old man. On the job though I am just like any other person so I guess every things alright – no apples today.
I bought my shoes and they sure are swell, I think Louie doesn't think much of them but I am the guy who has to wear them & I don't think he knows as much about shoes as he pretends to know.
It is still rather chilly out although the sun did come out yesterday but it didn't warm up much if any. I haven't had it bad though been working ? in side & it is sort of warm.
Say write and let me know if Margaret writes & if she sends you any money, if they don't I'll have to write them & jump them again for an explation – that is if I don't get an answer before I leave. I know they probable having a hard time of it but they are probable better off than I ever was or you too for that matter so just sit tight and we'll see what little bro can do.
We are going out today I don't know what we are going to do but I guess we'll find something to pass the time & keep out of trouble. It is very cloudy this morning out maybe it will clear up later in the day who knows. I am shivering because I just took a bath so tell Nene I don't stink.
Tell those little kids I want them to start studying harder because we are at war & every one must start working harder &etc. Say just when will Florence get through with school. I hope she told me correct that she will be through next month. I wish I was finishing up within a month but it looks like I'll be in for at the very least 6 months. OK well I guess I can stand it there are 8 million other guys who are so I am no different from the rest of them.
I still have to go down & cash my check that's the best part of working having a little money in your hand for a few minutes. Oh well if I can do 1/2 as well after the war I'll be satisfied with it all.
Well as usual I am all wrote out so Ill have to close now so start holding off your letters till I write & let you know where I'll be & for how long.
Will have Louie send my stuff collect.
Enclosed $25
Jack
Note: the Margaret in this letter refers to his sister, Tuck. This is an inkling of the years-long feud that developed between them. The feud centered around money, and you can see here that Jack was frustrated that Tuck and her husband were not contributing much to the family.
Dec 1 1943
Dear Ma
Well Ill try to write you a letter I don't know how I'll end up because I have been going around & around. I quite the yard this morning – that is after a fashion, I guess I am through because they took my convict picture away from me & I can't get back in. I had all my stuff sent to your address such as checks & bonds.
I tried to pack my stuff this morning & I ain't just a saying it but I really have a headack. I more or less forgot just when I was supposed to leave & it slipped up on me all of a sudden.
I just can't seem to write my head is swimming thinking about what I haven't done yet. I think I have done almost every thing up to date but I suppose the last minet I'll remember some thing.
[writing with different pen] Well this is my last night - I ship out in the morning about 8:00. This is going to be short but sweet.
I recived your letter today & also one from Marg so I was happy - tell her I'll write after I get located.
I got tight Sat night also today but feel fine now so I guess its ok. - Say send me your birth dates - you and the kids & etc.
Ill let you know where I land the first time I land.
Has been very nice the last few days - raining all the time & I mean rain. Just like N.M. Well I'll have to close now as it is 12AM & I have to get up at 7
Enclosed is a $50 bond.
Every thing will be sent to you
Jack
Notes:
This Marg is undoubtedly my mom! His future wife, Margaret aka Maggie.
As you may know "tight" was slang for "drunk."
******** and we're off!
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