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Dear Bill
Suzanne Marsh
June 2nd, 1943
Dear Bill,
What an enjoyable time I had at Mrs Swans' home; thank you for giving me your address. I hope I am not being overly presumptuous sending a little good luck Scottie Terrier. I did not ask what your assigned job is in the Army. I hope I am not being to nosy. I am curious about people in general. Mrs. Swans was so glad to see you; her son Billy is a bombardier; I am sure she told you that; are you Billy's friends? I have so many questions but no answers. Do you have a girlfriend or someone special, I don’t want to get myself into trouble if you do. Mrs. Swans told me that this will be your last leave for a while. Hopefully, this horrible war will end soon.
While working at the Fifth Avenue Bank, I had the pleasure of waiting on Miss Merle Oberon,
I loved her as Cathy in Wuthering Heights. This last week Ree, Grace, and I went to see The Song of Bernadette. We will see Yankee Doodle Dandy with James Cagney, it is about George Cohen and his music...I hope it is well done. James Cagney is a great song and danceman; and a good gangster also. Have you seen Casablanca? Ingrid Bergman is wonderful in her part as Ilsa Lund. She is really beautiful.
I think it is time for me to say goodbye for now. I will write again tomorrow.
As Always,
Cathy
June 8th, 1943
Dear Bill,
I said I would write to you every day but between volunteer nurse's aide, my job at the bank, and a quick stint as a fill-in candy stripper I have been sort of busy. Can you tell me where you are or is that classified; like most of this horrible war. Don’t laugh at me; most of us would be much happier if the war ended soon. The rationing is difficult, Mom wanted to purchase a chicken but did not have enough coupons; she eventually settled for pieces of chicken. My brother Georg needed gasoline for a car he drove, five-gallon limit. Can you believe that? A five-gallon limit; most gas stations throughout New York City have the same problem. Please write soon Bill.
As Always,
Cathy
June 10th, 1943
Dear Cathy,
I was really glad to receive your letters; it is difficult here in Holland. I am staying with a Dutch family by the name of Geizen, they treat me like a son. For the most part, the destruction missed them. I have been taking pictures of the area, I will send you a few, Holland is beautiful. I have no idea when this war will end, I pray it is soon. I think we are winning against Germany but Japan is still looming; they are far more dangerous than Germany to our survival. I have not been to a movie in over two years, there just never seems to be enough time except to eat and sleep. I received the little Scottie Dog and will think of you every time I sit down at my desk.
I am going to be promoted to Chief Warrant Officer; more money, less hassle; sounds good. What type of house would you like once things are back to normal? I want a nice home with a nice-sized lot, preferably in Brooklyn or Long Island. I have thought about returning to Buffalo, New York where my two brothers live. There are so many houses there with beautiful backyards.
I was drafted and went into the army from Buffalo, and had a great job there. I miss Buffalo, it really is beautiful, both my brothers live in the Riverside area. I hear from them both and their wives at least a few times a month. I wonder if you would mind doing me a small favor, go and see my mom; let her know I am all right and will write her soon. Thanks, Cathy.
As always,
Bill
Jun 30th, 1943
Dear Bill,
I will try to visit your mom this next week, I have Saturday off from the bank. I can picture a small brick home with green trim and a white picket fence, oh how lovely that would be! Long Island would be perfect there is still “country” there. I have never been to Buffalo, I hear they have a lot of snow in upstate New York. I love snow, the pristine white covering, the cold. Maybe someday I will see Buffalo but for now, I want to stay in Brooklyn; and enjoy the vastness of this city. I really enjoy our correspondence; you are such a gentleman!
I haven’t heard from Billy for quite some time; I keep wondering if he is okay if he is safe. Mrs. Swans tells me he was a tail gunner not a bombardier; my mistake. I am going to see her also on Saturday, we can catch up on the latest news.
When the war is over I am thinking of going to Nursing School, do you think I would make a good nurse? Time is not exactly on my side I will be twenty-three in August. I am going to meet Ree and Grace for lunch at Schraff’s then we are going to see Meet Me In Saint Louis. I love musicals, they are divine. Please take care of yourself Bill.
As always,
Cathy
July 4th, 1943
Dear Cathy,
I haven’t heard from Billy either, Mrs S hasn’t written either. This might be a good time to go and see her. Billy is all she has if something happens to him it will devastate her. I would not worry too much about Billy, he can take care of himself.
As always,
Bill
July 30th, 1943
Dear Bill,
I am sorry I did not go to see your mom I went to Mrs Swans, and something told me she needed me. I was correct; Billy was killed in action 17 July 1943, he was on a mission to bomb Amsterdam-Noord. His plane was shot down, according to the telegram she received; there were no survivors. Why? I have asked myself this repeatedly. I thought I was in love with him even though my parents did not want me to marry him, that Protestant versus Catholic stupidity.
I hate the thought of never seeing him again; he was so handsome in his Army Air Force uniform. She can’t even give him a decent burial, there were no remains. Please Bill be safe and come home to me.
Love,
Cathy
August 14th, 1943
Dear Cathy,
Happy Birthday, Cathy! You should receive a package today for your birthday. I hope you like it. It is too bad about Billy; he was my friend, too. The raids on Amsterdam were bad, I am stationed not too far from there. I can’t go into details about these things. When I get leave again, would you consider going out on a date with me?
Well, we are moving out tomorrow, I have to get my gear packed up.
Love,
Bill
The letters ended here, Cathy tried to find Billy’s remains but to no avail. She and Bill eventually married, and they had one daughter. I am that daughter.
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