Soldiers Transcriptions
In this part of the collection, we feature letters written by various soldiers to Ernest Balarzs during World War II. They provide insights into the lives of soldiers, including one letter detailing the difficulty the soldier had during the war and how it had changed him. We have provided a letter-style transcription for each document, below a gallery containing all of the corresponding images. In addition, the gallery contains the text associated with each individual image. For a full line-by-line transcription of all the letters written by these various soldiers, a PDF is available for viewing as well.
Friday Evening
November 13, 1942
I
Hello Ernie
Sorry that I haven’t answered your letter sooner. Maybe I have been waiting until today the 13th that me all over hard luck. Ernie I feel like a damn fool I was right when I said that I wasn’t no good. I’ve try tried hard to straighten out but its not any use I just can’t. One of those brass hats as you call them tried to get smart and I just told him off and now I have a court Marshal coming up I’m under arrest now. Thanks for trying to encourage me and if you still care to correspond with me I will enjoy it a lot. I just got in this man’s army when I was to young and just haven’t grown up yet. I only hope that I can get out of it alive and start all over again. You might think that this is just a hard luck story well it is to me. but in the army they say it’s just tough shit. I don’t blame you for not wanting your girl friend to meet me. If Lucy only Knew j just how I was. Ernie do me a favor and don’t tell her anything about me. I think the world of her and don’t wan’t to hurt her I’ll try and explain it to her in some other way. I hope you can read this small writing. You had the right idea of college so keep it up Ernie and you will get somewhere. I think that you was right af about Greenie. he sent me a picture of him and his roommate it certainly- was good. Being that they passed that 18-19 draft it will get a lot more of those young boys like skeeter + Frogosky. It will do them good instead of harm. I heard that John Romeo joined the Air Corps. I’ve been thinking about 7. Colorado just how he is taking the Army one thing sure it can’t last forever. Ernie I can’t think of much to write this time but will try and do better the next time. I’ve got to write to Lucy now or she will wan’t to know the reason why so be good and take it easy. If you don’t mind tell your girl friend hello.
Excuse all of those
misspelled Words
To a Swell Guy
A Pal.
Johnnie
If this doesn’t change our friendship and you still want to corrspond here is my new address
Pvt. John W. George
Hqs Co 1st Bn. 112th Inf.
Camp Livingston
La.
CONCORD STATE TEACHERS COLLEGE
ATHENS, WEST VIRGINIA
June 28, ‘43
Dear Friend-
I requested Registrar’s office to send your transcript at once. You may be sure we miss a lot of you boys, and find our college mostly girls xcept the soldiers. About 6 fellows will leave this week - 2 Carrs, Barbera, Huntsman, Dupatta, Doc Lilly, tc tc.
It looks like this war may be over within a year, but no
one knows. If good men are needed to finish the job, you
and other like you will have the real stuff. I am proud of the
record of our Concord men. A few days ago, Carmen Torrie flew a bomber all over the campus giving us a thrill-
Let me assure you that I am hoping for your promotion and the best of luck- Cordially,
Lt. Marsh
ALEX FAZEKAS
2774 E 126 ST
CLEVELAND, OHIO
POSTAL STAMP:[CLEVELAND, OHIO 1943 JUL 27 1230PM]
STAMP:[AIR MAIL 6 CENTS UNITED STATES OF AMERICA]
Pvt. Ernest Balarzs,
1st. PLT. Co. F. 104th MED. TNG. BN.,
22nd. MED. TNG. REGT,
CAMP ROBINSO,
ARKANSAS.
Pvt. Alex Fazeleas 3514059
Co M 222nd Inf.
A.P.O. 411
Camp Gruber, Okla.
PVT. ERNEST BALARZS
CO.C. HETZEL HALL
A.S.T. #1147
U. of N.H.
Durham, N.HAMP.
Gizzie }
Mary }
Julia}
Alex} Fazekas
Joe}
Alice} Doria
July 9th -
Dear ole roomie
I got your letter a couple days ago. at first sight of it I thought you were sending me an anouncement of some kind. Dam- it was a small envelope. Don’t tell me that they are rationing envelopes in Nazis land.
Well - at last I’ve shipped from dear old Texas. may it wash or blow to hell and stay. But they sent me to a chinker (3rd AAF) outfit to work on these damned B-29 which are nothing but a complicated conglamoration of Gadgets. I don’t know a damned thing about them. Today I’ll go to to a B-29 mobile training Unit for 7 days of instruction. I need it.
I like this place otherwise. I go swiming practically every day. But how these bars at Cabrets do flatter the pocketbook, at the rate I’m spending now I wont have money excepting one week of every month.
These past two months I’ve spent over a hundred & fifty bucks. Just between you and my self - only three of us know about this - strictly confidential. I got a delay in Route from Amarillo Field (17) and stayed there and worked the whole time for the Santa Fe Railroad. (as a partner) But I guess if I had plenty of money I would have traveled the U.S. and dropped in on old gal frick. I had only eight bucks to go with when my furlough began. I got two months back pay coming - tomorrow. I’ll blow it in a couple days.
By-the-way Jim Trent is now a Capt. And is instructing Bombardiers(?) down at Midland, Texas. I started down to sees him but was short on money.
Women here are dime a dozen. Hard to meet - especially on the streets but when you do meet them your’e in. Just last night I met one at the beach and was she hot. Hotter than the one we had in the Dormitory at school. But this one got the works inside instead of out.
I’m sweating my ass off while writing this letter - Hotter than all hell.
Boy do I wish you were here with me- one could really have a time. If you ever get home let me know- (As much as I don’t want to go home until I’ve done something to be proud of)- for a furlough.
Again I say- You better hang on to Bebe. I’ll not give Bertop no leads – because I do hope when you once see Bebe again- you may will have changed your mind. Don’t let that frauline get you hooked. She may have too many Nazis ideas implanted in her lovely little head. But ass is ass even on a cow.
Until I hear from you - best of luck - cheers
Ole roomie
Joe-