When I was
discharged from the U.S. Army in June of 1947, I had volunteered to become a
member of the U.S. Army Reserve. After
spending two quarters in school at Utah State University from January to June
of 1949, Anita and I were married in September of 1949 in the Salt Lake Temple
and I returned to Logan, Utah with my bride to continue my college education.
The resources that was available for my education was the G I Bill of Rights, $
105 per month for married students. The
money provided by the G.I. Bill of Rights was hardly enough to get along on for
married couples. It came to my attention
that I could volunteer to become an officer in the Army reserve by joining the
ROTC (Reserve Officer Training Corp) and be paid a monthly stipend of about $
100. Being desperate to support my
family, I saw this as an opportunity to nearly double our educational
income. I joined the ROTC in October of
1949 shortly after returning to school.
Classes were held two or three times per week and college credit was
given. The “hitch” was that the ROTC
required a six week summer camp at an Army base. For our class, the base was
located in Dayton, Ohio. Everything
seemed to be working out well for us and we planned that Anita would go back to
her parents’ home during the ROTC summer training camp which was to occur in
the summer of 1950.
During the
spring quarter of 1950, Anita became pregnant and had lots of morning sickness
for which Dr. Craigun of Logan attended to during her pregnancy. After a few months, Dr. Craigun assured us we
would have a baby boy in January of 1951.
We were so very happy about the news, but sad, at the same time, regarding
the prospects of being separated for six weeks during the summer.
On June 25
1950, the U.S. decided to enter the conflict between North and South Korea by
assisting the South Korean government.
The result was that all army reservists were called into active
duty. However, those who were in the
ROTC were exempt from the call at the initial time of the conflict. As the need arose later in the war, Officers
could be called to duty. What a blessing
for us! This becomes the context in
which these two letters were written. I have briefly summarized briefly pertinent points below:
1. 1 A very naive young man unfamiliar
with the needs of a pregnant wife soon to have a baby boy.
2. 2 These were the days without
ultrasound.
3. 3 Fear of being called up to serve in
the Korean War.
4. 4A father-in-law in Oregon wanting his
son-in-law to come and make a good living for his daughter.
5. 5A very lonely husband, afraid of his
own shadow, trying to build courage, uncertain of the future.
Letters
23 July 1950
My Darling Wife:
After I sent the letter
to you today, we went over to the main PX and I purchased many things, some of
which I hope you will like. I borrowed a
little money, I don’t know whether I did right or not. They had baby clothes and articles of all
kinds. I spent about 8 dollars on our
little boy to be. They seemed so cheap
and I figured I couldn't pass some of them up.
Is $2.50 too much to pay for a dozen diapers? I only got a dozen as it was all they
had. I got a crib blanket for
$1.90. I don’t know much about things
like this, but I got two receiving blankets for $0.90. I’m still not quite clear as to the use of
them. I also got the cutest little
romper you ever saw. Of course, he won’t
use it for a year, but for $1.20, I couldn’t go wrong, or could I? I also got a little bottle warmer. Claire says they really come in handy. It was $1.60.
Now I know how much fun you have been having. You just don’t know what a thrill I got out
of buying those things. It was so much
fun. I hope you will like what I got
you. I’m never much good at satisfying
your taste, however I love to try, do you mind?
You know it is wonderful what you and I have together. Especially what I have: a wife who is patient
and so lovable. I find it positively
impossible to go on each day without her.
It seems the day will never end unless I have a kiss or a touch from
you, my darling. Do you doubt my love
being so strong, that I would do anything to keep from being pulled away from you
again. I don’t know how I’ll stand it if
I ever am forced to leave you. That day
had best not come. We now have one week
and five days before I can start to meet you.
This next week will be the most trying I assure you. They plan on cracking down quite a bit. If I just don’t do anything rash, I’ll be
OK. I become more brave each day.
Tomorrow is Sunday and
the weekend is only half gone. I've never seen them go so slow. Honey, I’m
so tired tonight, I’m going to go to bed now.
I didn't get much sleep on that soft ground last night and my kicks aren't any to lively. I’m very grateful
for you and love you more than I can tell you.
I will tell you soon and show you – how eternally I’ll always love you
Roy
23
July 1950
Darling:
It is now Sunday
afternoon and I find myself as always dreaming of you. Two weeks from tomorrow and I can hold you
in my arms. You just don’t know how
glorious that day will be. I’ve been
sitting here for the past ten minutes trying to express to you, to think of a
way I can tell you how much I love you and how lonely I am for you to be with
me. I’m listening to them play the 3rd
man theme. Have you ever seen anyone
love sick or home sick? That’s exactly how
I look now, believe me. I guess I should
be writing a cheerful and happy letter, because I only have two weeks left
here. But, those two weeks will be like
years. How long can a man try to appear happy without his wife?
I’m sorry for the way I
act, and for the many times I have hurt you.
I don’t deserve to be blessed with a wonderful wife like you. I’ll always try to be the best kind of a
husband for you and the best kind of a father for our children.
Enough of my
crying. I just plain love you and it
hurts to be away from you and it always will.
And, in two weeks it will take more than the average man to make me
leave you again.
Since bivouac, I just
haven’t felt up to much. We ran around all
that day after we came back. I should
have gone to bed and rested. I tried to
get it all last night. My kidneys are
sure sore. It must have been from
sleeping on the ground Friday night. I
hope I’ll never forget all the things that we have done here. May they all be a reminder that the army is
good only for the life of a dog.
I washed my garments
just after chow this noon. My first pair
is just about gone. Did I tell you I’m
converted into buying nylon garments from now on? They are really worth it.
I just got some
pictures back yesterday. It is the ones
I took at Phyllis’ and Ken’s They aren’t
good at all. After you see the one of me
don’t show it to anyone else. I have
made a few notes on the back of each one.
I should be getting my color shots back soon too.
Gosh! It looks as if it will rain again. The sky is sure dark. I’ve never seen a summer quite like
this. Are you having good weather there
all the time?
Honey, if I get a job
lined up there at the college, don’t you think it would be best if I took it
instead of going to Eugene to work? I’m
not sure whether you are completely sold on that idea. I assure you, honey, it won’t be a matter of
just starting school then having to quit because of being called. I’m sure enough to plan on finishing
school. Believe me, I wouldn't plan it
just to make a hardship on you. If that
was what gave you the idea that I should go to Eugene and start work, well,
please don’t worry about me having to go.
So why don’t you write and give me some more of your ideas. If you come on the train, tell me where and
the exact time you’ll be in. This fellow
Reed Izatt hasn't said anything more about coming down to take us home if you
come in to Ogden. If it is late at
night, maybe I can borrow his car and get you that way. I don’t want you to have to ride in a bus
after you get to Ogden or Salt Lake. Do
you think Mrs. Barlow will let us stay that night at her place? I’ll see her as soon as I arrive. I figure we’ll be there in Logan about noon
Monday. We are going to drive it as fast
as we can without stopping very much. Personally,
I hope we don’t stop at all. I’m for
getting there just as quickly as possible.
I guess there isn't anything that will travel that fast.
Honey, would you do me
a favor? Send me some of your clothes
sizes, or something you would really like to have. (That is, that I can
buy). I didn't say I wanted to buy it
now, maybe next year.
I’ll bet you are
getting tired of listening to me yak on and on.
I never get tired of writing, it’s the only way I cab talk to you. Anyway, I’d better close for now.
Darling, please
remember the love I have for you is endless and we shall also have endless days
together. You know the song “ I want to
be loved by Inspiration, I want to be loved by you tonight” ? That’s my song to you. I love you, darling, with all my heart
forever.
Roy
RHB
