My Dearest Lu (eBook)

A young man's journey through World War 2 as an Army Air Corps Armorer as told through his letters to his sweetheart

Carol Lemke (Autor)

eBook Download: EPUB

2025 | 1. Auflage
388 Seiten
Bookbaby (Verlag)
979-8-3178-0813-6 (ISBN)

Infos

My purpose for this book is to tell the story of a young man's journey though World War 2 in the Army Air Corps. Orvin T. Lemke. It is the story of an ordinary guy who left his home, job and sweetheart to fulfill his duty to his country in the time of war. When he left home, he didn't know where he would end up or what he would be doing, or even if he would ever see home or his love again, but yet like so many others, he went. He went with a sense of adventure and a purpose, to save our great country from the evils of the enemies overseas. These pages are filled with stories and excerpts from the over 1000 letters that my father wrote to my mother in the three years he served. Because he wrote her nearly every day and sometimes more than once, it gives us an interesting look in the daily life of an American G.I. The spelling and grammar are his, that of a man who grew up on the 'wrong side' of town during the Great Depression. These letters have been edited because some parts are just too personal to share. It's rare he wrote a letter on just one page, three or four pages both sides was more usual. Many of the letters from overseas were written on V-mails, so were pretty short. Not all of the letters are included as well, there's just too many. The photographs I have included were taken by my dad or his friends. He was no great photographer, but he endeavored to document his journey in order to show his future kids 'what their old man did in the war'.

Carol Lemke inherited a box of her father's letters written to her mother during his time in World War 2. After dragging them along through several moves she finally decided to read them and discovered a side of her father that she never knew. She decided to compile the letters and pictures from his album into a book to share with her family. Along the way quite a few people expressed an interest in learning of the life of a WW2 G.I. so this book is also for them. I hope everyone who reads it might find it informative and entertaining.

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My purpose for this book is to tell the story of a young man's journey though World War 2 in the Army Air Corps. Orvin T. Lemke, my dad, wasn't a fighter pilot or an infantry hero. He never saw combat but still it is the story of an ordinary guy who left his home, job and sweetheart to fulfill his duty to his country in the time of war. When he left home, he didn't know where he would end up or what he would be doing, or even if he would ever see home or his love again, but yet like so many others, he went. He went with a sense of adventure and a purpose, to save our great country from the evils of the enemies overseas. As you will see he had great respect for the men who flew those planes, those paratroopers who jumped out of them into the fire and those who fought hand to hand with the enemy on the front lines. But he also took pride in the job he was trained for, as an armorer. He knew the importance of his job to maintain the armament and load the bombs on a plane. And he knew the importance of all those soldiers who never actually saw combat, the clerks, the cooks, mechanics and the other ground crew for without them those planes couldn't fly. These pages are filled with stories and excerpts from the over 1000 letters that my father wrote to my mother. Because he wrote her nearly every day and sometimes more than once, it gives us an interesting look in the daily life of an American G.I. The spelling and grammar are his, that of a man who grew up on the "e;wrong side"e; of town during the Great Depression. He had to leave high school to help support his family and spent time working with the Civilian Conservation Corp during the Depression. His technical school training as a machinist likely influenced his being assigned to be trained as an armorer. These letters have been edited because some parts are just too personal to share and also to avoid much repetition. If I had a dollar for every time he told his sweetheart he loved her, I'd be very rich. It's rare he wrote a letter on just one page, three or four pages both sides is more usual. Many of the letters from overseas were written on V-mails, so were pretty short. Not all of the letters are included as well, there's just too many. The photographs I have included were taken by my dad or his friends. He was no great photographer, but he endeavored to document his journey in order to show his future kids "e;what their old man did in the war"e;.

Textauszug

Chapter 1
Fort Sheridan, Ill.

July 9, 1942

My Dearest Lu,

Well honey I’m in the Army! And is it fun! “nuts” This is the first chance I had to write & seeing as I’m always thinking of you I write to you first. I sure miss you already. I’m writing this on a bed so excuse it please.

I came down here yesterday all alone. I’ll tell you what they did to me so far. First a Captain talked and told us what to expect. Then over for a “checkup” and shots. They make your arm “kinda” sore. Then we got our outfits and I sure don’t look like a soldier. In fact I look like hell! Last night at 6:00 p.m. we got 10 minutes drill then a parade for retreat. At 7:00 p.m. we saw training films (& sex!) until 10:30 and then to bed. (without lights) They turn the lights out at 9:00 and you have to be in bed at 11:00.

So at 11:00 I was thinking very strongly of you, honey. (did you feel it?) I’m afraid it will be a long time before I see you. They tell me, we’ll be here about 5 days, then go for basic training for 3 months someplace. This morning we took our test. (I’m not so smart I think) We didn’t get the results yet.

We’ll get a haircut this afternoon, boy am I glad you can’t see that! I could cut hair that good with a broken arm and blind. We are waiting for dinner now.

We just ate! They sure feed good here they really do! There was so much I wanted to write and now I can’t think of it. How are you doing baby? I sure wish you could answer in person! I would kiss you a million times the way I feel now. I sure miss you already.

Well honey I just got back from being classified. Don’t know how I’ll come out on it yet. I’m going to try and mail this right away so maybe I’ll get an answer before we leave. Maybe we’ll be here a week and maybe not! Well honey that’s about all for now. Think of me once awhile cuz you’re a honey, ain’t cha? You know I’m thinking of you all the time don’t you? And don’t forget I love you.

Lots of love,

Orv.

July10, 1942

My Dearest Lu,

I’ve finally got some time and as I was thinking of you decided to write a few lines. This Army life is the nuts! I’ve went over to the warehouse 2 nites and sat around an hour waiting for my coat and haven’t got it yet. They have to lengthen the sleeves.

It’s plenty hot here now (even for me) I had to drill all morning and scrub the barracks this afternoon. And I mean scrub! On hands and knees. Good practice for when you marry me, huh? Do you still love me? I wonder if you would if you could see me now. All my pretty curls are gone. I’ve got my hair cut to about 1/2 inch. (And it wasn’t my idea!)

My pal that I’ve hung around with here left this afternoon. I don’t think I’ll be here very long. Nearly everyone is gone or going who came in with me. Some more guys are leaving for Virginia tomorrow maybe my name is in too. I wasn’t here when they called.

We went to a show last night & saw “Ten Gentlemen from West Point”. I’m going to close this now. If I have to go tomorrow I’ll drop a card. Remember I love you!

Lots of love, honey,

Orv

July 11, 1942 4:00 p.m.

My Dearest Lu,

Gee honey was I glad to get your letter. (I didn’t get the first one yet) It makes me feel good “all over”.

It looks like we’re going tomorrow for sure. We had clothes inspection and that means “that’s it”. We are going to Jefferson Barracks too. It’s a ground crew training station. It isn’t so far away either if I ever can get a furlough. It must be about 400 miles from Fondy.

I feel sorry for a lot of these fellows, about 1/2 of them are married, you can see it bothers them quite a bit. Most of them got married on their 12 day furlough (I wish we had). Some have been married for 1-2 years tho. You wait until this mess is over. You’ll be married so fast you won’t have time to think. You still love me, don’t ‘cha, huh?

When I get settled I’m going to send for the newspaper. I haven’t seen a Wisconsin paper yet. And boy what I wouldn’t give for a drink of Fondy water! (I’d damn near give up a kiss from you for it.). I’m going to a show tonight “Take a Letter Darling”. Got to go now honey.

Lots and lots of love, honey,

Orv

July 11, 1942 6:00 p.m.

My Dearest Lu,

How are you honey? Miss me yet? I’ve got a few seconds so thought I’d write you the news. By the time you get this I’ll maybe be in Missouri at Jefferson Barracks, that’s what they tell us tonight. There is only 4 of us left, of the gang that came down here with me, and they are all college men. I wonder if I’m smart or sum’thing. It is an Airplane replacement center. All the reports we’ve heard tho say it’s a hell’va place to go. (I’ll see!) And don’t forget honey I love you and am thinking of you all the time!

Lots & lots of love,

Orv

July 12, 1942

My Dearest Lu,

Hello honey! How’s the sweetest gal in the world? I thought maybe I’d get a letter from you but no. (Am I blue.)

I’m worried about my math test coming up Friday. If you fail it you don’t go to school. I’ve been trying to brush up on it. One of the fellows in the tent here is going to help me tonight.

Gee honey I’m glad you’re not down here, you’d die of the heat. This is the hottest place in the U.S. I just took a cold shower and I’m lying here stripped and the water (sweat) is just running off.

I hope I get one of your letters soon cuz it brings you a little closer to me. I could recite your letter by heart. Have you seen any of the gang? I bet they’re hanging around that nice cool lake, boy! (Send me a cold glass of Fondy water and I’ll marry you next week!) Well baby, I’m going to close now and catch up on school. I love you and am thinking of you every night. Bye now sweetheart.

Lots & lots of love,

Orv

Jefferson Barracks, MO

July 14, 1942

My Dearest Lu,

How are you honey? Feeling fine I hope. We arrived here last night about 8 p.m. Talk about a train ride, wow! It was so damn hot and dirty and no chance to wash cause our barracks bags didn’t catch up to us until this morning. Is this ever a big place, there is a lot of fellows here, so many I won’t even attempt to count them. We are living in tents. This is supposed to be a tough joint, but I kinda expect it.

We are going to be processed for 7 days (that’s tests, shots, lectures etc.) then for 18 days drill. Then you get your assignment. We are members of the U.S.A. Air Force. Ain’t cha proud? The Lieutenant who gave us a lecture this a.m. said the U.S.A. Air Force gets the cream of the crop. (That’s us!).

I just came from dinner and good meal it was, even apple pie. If I jump around from one thing to other don’t mind. So much has happened in the last few days that I’m writing just as I think of it.

The only tough thing about this so far is that I’m all alone. I mean if Huns or someone was along it wouldn’t be hard. I know a few fellows but it’s not like home. If you get time, call some of the gang and tell them you heard from me and I’ll write sometime but probably not this month. This is going to be the toughest of them all. After we get assigned then I’ll have more time.

I wonder if I’m going to think about you, as much as I have since I’ve been in the Army. I do know that I’ll love you forever. (and I’m not fooling!)

Lots and lots of love,

Orv

July 17, 1942

My Dearest Lu,

No letters yet! Gee honey, I’m getting low. I don’t know what’s the matter but I’m not getting any mail. Only that one at Fort Sheridan. I just know I’ve got a few coming from you.

We had our Math test and I don’t think I passed. And if you don’t you can’t go to school. So I don’t know where I’ll “wind up”. We have an aptitude test tomorrow, I think I can get by that tho.

We had a Major General here today & so had a parade. It sure was an impressive thing, about 20,000 men took part. And about 200 “passed out” of the heat. It sure am hot here!

I saw the nurse’s quarters today, they ain’t bad. But don’t join the Army.

Gee honey, I sure hope I get some mail soon. I feel as tho it’s been months since I saw you last. If I get a letter then its O.K. again for a while. Not that I don’t miss you honey, the lights go out at 9:00 p.m. so I have about 1 or 2 hours to think of you.

Do you see any of the gang? What do you do for excitement? (I hope some guy hasn’t found out I’m gone yet!). Tell the gang I’ll write someday, we really don’t have much time to write. But I tell the Colonel that I have to write to my honey, so he lets me.

By the way, the Colonel in command here is the former General of Pearl Harbor. He was broke...

Produkt-Details

• Erscheint lt. Verlag: 18.7.2025
• Sprache: englisch
• Themenwelt: Literatur ► Biografien / Erfahrungsberichte
• ISBN-13: 979-8-3178-0813-6 / 9798317808136