postmarked July 27 1943 Charleston SC
from CPL John Maxwell 37016789 330Harbor Craft CO Staggin ARea I CPE Charleston SC to Minerva Maxwell 3430 Ted ave Marshall MO
June 23 43
Dear Sis
I will write a few lines again before we go onthe rang as wont be back until Sunday It has been a little cooler the last day or so we went on a hike to day and went threw mustard gas with our gas maks they are getting us ready for anything that there are to get in to. We are going to Fort Jackson tomorrow and stay until Sunday I have been getting a lot letters the last two week. I sure hope they get started next week on our schooling but we will do some drilling to.
They had a shake down this morning they looked threw everything we had even tore up our beds and looked at them THey even read our letters and looked at every paper we had
They said that found some important papers some place but I dont know what kind or any thing about it I got letter from Max Smith he said that they had sent Willard Spaulding to Camp Roberts Calif I got letter from another one of the boy that went there he said they were going across in about month well I had better close but will write just as soon as get back
Love John
in same envelope....
7/26/43
Dear Sis Well how are you now suppose that you cant wait until Saterday so can go home to stay for a while
I suppose about every body has changed around so wont know where any body is. It dont look much like will ever get home any more for a longtime from this place In one way dont know if would work any way afraid if ever got away never would comed back here. I have such a cold cant harley set up to nite anyway Does (scratched out) Dale think he will get to come home any more or have they got him in place cant get away he should make more at Rating after awhile out at his job
I have not heard from Max and Al for a long time think will write a letter and find out what has happened to them they must have been about a sent out from there from what I can hear they (scratched out) have sent most of them out. Have they ever classified Leland or Vermal again or not How is Leland feeling now he should be here he sure wo uld have some swell motors to work on they have about all kinds here Diesel and Gas well I had better close for have some more letters to write I got letter from Clifford Roberts telling about his big Girl he sure if proud.
Love John
postmarked June 23 1943 Charleston SC
letter from John Maxwell to Minerva Maxswell 3440 Tid Marshall MO
June 22 43
Dear Sis
I got your letter Sunday so will write a few lines I was out to the beach Sunday and stayed all day sure had a swell time the next time I go out am going to pick a lot of sea shell and send home They found a lot of pretty shell last Sunday. They were sure lot of people out there I got a nice sunburn while out swimming We probly wont get back in time to go out this Sunday as we are going to Fort Jackson on firing range. They say that this is (scratched out) last week of this walking around we are going to start school the first of July but they might change there mind again cant tell what they will do around her I think will go to the show to nite for a while we are going on ten mile hike tomorrow after noon which dont think will be very good because of the heat we will hve eight weeks after this so it will be some time in Aug before get out of here. I suppose will know in a week or two just what will do for sure.
They sent one bunch to Seattle Wash to day that have just finished their training I hope they send us around to a few parts in this country well I had better close as have two more letters to write.
Love John
letter from John Maxwell to his sister Minerva, no envelope
July 1 43
Dear Sis
I have been wondering what happened I have not got any letters for a week now dont know what has happened If there are not any body writing or they are holding my mail Since we had our
share (? see picture....? ok...after reading a later letter, it is SHAKE DOWN deb) down last week and they looked at our mail I have not got any I seen our
crane (?) that are going to have dont think I want any thing to do with it dont look very safe to me I am taking matiance training now for a while I may try seom thing like that for a while if they will let me It is raining again here and looks like will about all nite if nothing does not happen to stop it they say we are to have hurricane this year as they have one about every seven years about every body has moved off the beach and they wont let us go out any more.
It looks like this thing wont be what they have it made out to be
I will send two picture of thing I (scratched out) drawed of what the boats and crane looks like. These boy from the south sure can take life easy any time they stop for a while they just go to sleep Well I have about run out of any thing to write so will close for this time So write every chance you get
Love John
postmarked December 11 1943 Charleston SC
from Cpl John Maxwell to Minerva Maxwell Spickard MO c/o Glen Hamilton
Dec 11, 43
Dear Minerva
How are you and the new car getting along all right I hope you just might as well sell my car if you dont want to use it for it will not be any good setting around. How is Dale now or have you heard from him for while. I suppose you are going to take week vacation CHristmas I sure wish I coiuld be home this year as it would be the first Christmas since 1940 I am afraid it is going to be another day for me again about the only difference is I wont be cooking it for the other boy to eat this time.
Mclain and I went in town last Saterday nite and stayed all nite the first time had been to town for month Well it is about time to wake the boy up so will close for this time so write when you have time.
Love John
postmarked Oct 22 1943 Charleston SC
from CPL John Maxwell to Minerva Maxwell Spickard Mo c/o Glen Hamilton
Oct 20 43
Dear Sis
How are you getting along with your kids do they give you much trouble yet or have they found out who is boss.
I got letter from Elsie Shirley to day she said Terence was comming back home I would like to see him stay away for think he would be better off
have not heard from Clifford R for long time he must be busy with his wife. I have small kitten here on the bed with me he sure like to play so cant write for him I have got to write Emma today have not wrote her for a while so will close and write her a few lines I sent the iron today so write when you can
Love John
debs note: 1st letter I've read that has a passed by US Army Examiner stamp on it.....>
Cody Somers
Happy anniversary to the love of my life been thru the ups and downs and have accomplished so much these passed 2 years you have been so supporting and I want to thank you for letting me in yours and lily life I will do my best to make all your dreams come true and try to be as supportive as I can even tho i know im an ass sometimes but its only cause u have my heart and honestly couldn't see my life any different with my 2 girls love you always and forever baby!!!!! — with Heather Waymack.
and I am so wrapped up in the love story of my great aunt & uncle! him in the service begging her to come to him & get married....coaxing....asking nicely....I wish I had some of her reply letters! of course we know they were married in Albuquerque New Mexico during WWII. but until very recently, I never knew why...or how.....
