A Letter From Lt. Jim Gregory to "Dearest Emma," Saturday, April 24, 1943
Boy, I'm really going places and doing nothing much. From the end of the 2nd phase of a problem yesterday morning (in the rain) to Shelbyville for eleven hours sleep, to Tullahoma, back to the outfit, to Lynchburg for a critique and now in Winchester in charge of trucks to bring some enlisted men in to town on an evening's pass. I'm on duty so gotta stay sober and have until 11:30 to think of you as at that time, it's up to me to get 'em back on the trucks, drunk or sober, and get them back out in our muddy Bivouac.
Down to more detail and to start at the beginning of the week's news. Honey, I sure got wet the first thing Sunday night as soon as we started. That night I got 2 hours sleep then didn't get any more until Tuesday night at the end of the first phase when I slept eleven hours. I didn't get another wink until last night when I went to Shelbyville on a pass where I got a shave, took a shower and even washed my shoes and leggings in the shower. Ha! After a square meal I went to a show, a crazy thing to do as I soon went to sleep and didn't wake up until about ten when the show had been on the second time for awhile. I don't know what it was all about but the name was "Careful, Soft Shoulders." Wondering why they didn't throw me out for snoring. I ambled off to bed and just plainly passed out until 9 o'clock this morning. Fifteen minutes later I was on the bus to Tullahoma to catch a bus to Lynchburg for the critique.
I think I really got along good as a member of the Battalion Commander's Staff and I sure like the work. Getting enemy information is mighty interesting, which is why I missed so much sleep. If I hadn't been so interested I might have slept more. It's kind of a dream come true to be a Staff Officer, especially in the Intelligence Section. If I could just speak two or three foreign languages now. Anyhow, I have my own special built Jeep to ride in most of the time and jump around everywhere.
After almost drowning and freezing all week, I'm back in my shirt sleeves tonight, feeling and strutting like a king in the air of a wonderful evening. Honey, how about going for a little walk, a little window shopping or whatever you can think of. We can't go in to Camp Forrest though to the dance, as the camp is off limits to keep the opposing (Reds & Blues) forces from mixing up and giving away information.
I don't have to start fighting again until 6 p.m. tomorrow so I can spend Easter at least thinking about you and wishing to Lord we were spending the day together. Wish we were getting married tomorrow. How about you, Honey? I could wear my G.I. shoes, leggings, O.P. and no tie, just as I am now and you could really deck out in Easter style.
I hope you didn't work too hard this week and are all set for a swell time tomorrow. Please think of me a lots though, Honey. Will you? And write to me in afternoon or evening and tell me all the news. I haven't received a letter this week but maybe it will catch up soon, here's hoping.
I expect to get back in Camp about two weeks from tonight, Honey, so please get everything already to visit Camp Forrest again, for a long time, I hope. I do still have that ring, Sweetheart, and I can't wear it. I know it won't be too nice down here but I promise to do my best, Darling, and to be reasonable.
The Grand Ole Opera is on the radio here in this little old hotel lobby, where I just borrowed some stationery and made myself at home. There's a half a dozen soldiers taking it easy while they wait for their turn to take a shower rather than to tip up the beer uptown. They've sold so much beer, the blinkin' staff is hot anyhow.
I was going to send you a telegraphic greeting but the blinkin' office closed before I got in to town. Hope you got my card, Honey.
Are you going home for Easter tomorrow or not, Honey? I sure wish I were.
I think I'll stack up all the sleep I can get, maybe go to Easter Service, then get my maps etc. ready to go to work again.
Dang it, today is Vincent's birthday (one of Jim's brothers) and I never sent him a card. Not long since I wrote though.
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| Vincent Gregory |
I have an hour yet to wait for the boys so maybe I'll write to Mother. In the time I wait to see you, Honey, I won't forget for a minute how much Spring seemed to be your middle name last year for those three weeks we spent together. That's the most spring we ever did have together. Guess we should have let spring get the best of us back in "37" when I interrupted a little fishing expedition for a date one evening.
Excuse the shop, Honey, and write me a nice long one.
Missing you and excited already with my hopes. Honey, I remain only yours forever. I love you, Emma.
G'Night with a sweet Easter Kiss,
Jimmy
p.s. When you going to hold me tight?
