December 1944 South Pacific

Dear Mom,

Sorry I didn't write last night like I said I was going to do, but I just didn't get a chance.

I got a letter from Ted Stout today. He didn't have much to say. I also got one from you. I got an awful nice Christmas box from Eileen Slack yesterday. It took about 2 months for it to get here.

Sorry to hear that Dad hasn't been working. I hope the snow has melted by now. Tell him to be careful on those icy roads.

You said that in one of my letters the last sheet was missing. The censor must not have put it back in after he read it because I know I put it in.



Dear Dad,
Received your letter this evening and was awful glad to hear from you. I feel ashamed of myself because I never write to you, but I try to write Mom every chance I get, and I mean it for all of you.

I am sitting here with sweat pouring off of me. It's hotter here than it ever gets back home.

I hope you all had a good Christmas. Mine was pretty good.

Dad, I'm sorry I'm dropping sweat on this letter and making a mess. I hope you can read it.

Yes, I wish I had been with you all this Christmas, but just like you said -- I'm over here fighting so we can have many more Christmases ahead of us. I know we'll spend next Christmas together. We'll make those Japs wish they had never seen an American boy. I know this war won't last much longer.

I would really like to have some pictures of the snow back there and also some pictures of the family to show the other boys here. Everybody has pictures of their family except me.

I will be able to call myself a man when I get out of this outfit. I've been through a lot already. But don't you and Mom worry about old Pedue. There never was a Jap born that could whip a Chapman.

Well, Dad, write me again when you have the time, and I'll do the same. Tell Mom I will try to write her tomorrow.





Dec. 2, 1944

Dear Mom,

Will answer your two letters received this evening because I know I won't have a chance to write tomorrow.

Sorry to hear that you haven't been feeling good. You should go to a doctor. Don't worry -- you're not old! But, Dad sure is. haha He's 44 now, isn't he?

This is another lonesome Saturday night here. I sure do remember all the good times I had back home on Saturday nights.

I received another package from you today. It sure makes me feel good to get stuff like that. The fruitcake was awful good.

We can get all the cigs we want here. I've got about 6 cartons in my sea bag right now, and they only cost 50 cents a carton.

No Mom, I haven't started fighting yet. The reason I don't write very often is that they keep us so busy that I just don't have time. But, I write every chance I get.


Letter to sister Jewell

Dear Sis:

Will try to answer your letter received the other day. Sorry I haven't been writing much, but I haven't had much time here lately. Been pretty busy.

I received a box from Roy yesterday, and it had an awful nice wallet in it. I was sure glad to get it because I didn't have one.

There is a boy sitting beside me playing his guitar. He is pretty good, but he is making me homesick.

Christmas is about here. I don't have but 12 more shopping days left. haha Don't guess I'll do any shopping this Christmas but sure hope I will next Christmas.

Guess you heard about how Louise is going to get married on me. It don't worry me.

Well, Sis, we've got 4 hard days in front of us starting Friday. We will be back on Monday. Hope I make it ok. I'll be a man for sure by the time I get out of here.



Dear Mom,

Will answer your four letters received today. I was sure glad to get them. Haven't been getting much mail here lately, and when I do, it seems like it has taken 2 or 3 weeks to get here. The mail is getting held up some way.

Did East Bank lose any games this year? If they beat Charleston, they must have been good because Charleston always has a good team.

I will try to get you a grass skirt and see if they will let me send it to you.
Don't you be uneasy about me now. You know there's not a Jap been born that could whip or shoot me.

I had about 25 bucks, and I hated to send that little bit home, so we had a war bond drive and they talked all of us boys into buying one. I had it put in your name. They said it would be a nice Christmas present for our mothers, but it might not get there in time for Christmas.

I finally received your nice package and was awful glad to get it. I've already ate the two boxes of cakes. I can sure use the toothbrush you sent. We can't get any good ones here.

I got a letter from Louise a few days ago and she told me that she hated to tell me this because she knew it would hurt me, but she is getting married. Ouch - it hurt me - haha. I had just about forgot about her until I got her letter.

That's awful about John Scott losing both of his sons. You are right, it does seem like a lot of boys are getting killed, but don't you worry about old Pedue -- he'll be coming back just like he left.

Sure wish we could get some of that snow that you've got on the ground back home.

Dear Mom,

I'll write to you first of all before I write to anyone else. Got back OK. We've been gone since Thursday morning and here it is Monday night. I'm pretty tired. It's been a tough time, but they won't get the best of a Chapman.

I saw Pete Brown day before yesterday while I was out. Didn't get to talk to him but a few minutes, but I was sure glad to see him. He's coming down here on Sunday and spending the day. It sure felt good to see somebody from home over here.

There aren't a lot of native women here, but there are a few. They go bare-footed and don't wear much of anything. Sure wish the girls back home would dress like that. haha

I'm going to close for now and try to get some sleep. It will feel good to sleep in my sack tonight.

Got a box of home-made candy today from Eileen. It was sure good. She must have marriage on her mind because I haven't heard from her for about 2 months.

I also got a letter today from June R. She has been writing just about every day. It's funny how a fellow can start writing to a girl and learn to like her just by writing.

Heard some news from Europe tonight. Looks like those damn doggies aren't doing any good at all over there. Looks like us Marines are going to have to go over there and do their fighting. I'm sure proud to say that I'm not in the Army.

Yes Mom, I guess this war is getting all the young boys. But, I'm no better than the rest of them, and they're not any better than me. Tell all the boys back home to stay out of the Army and get in a good outfit in the Marines.

Well, I'm getting sleepy, so I will close for now. I will write again the first chance I get.