WGN Studios in Chicago, 1930-1945 (Image via Wikipedia; Wikipedia Commons)

In this letter, the radio stations WLW and WGN are mentioned. Surprisingly, they still exist and they have a long history throughout the 20^th century. WGN (720 AM) is broadcast from Chicago, Illinois. WLW (700 AM) is broadcast from Cincinnati, Ohio. I am amazed that the transmission reached as far as Kentland, Indiana, especially for the Cincinnati station.

Although there are no additional clues as to my grandfather’s exact location, it is interesting to hear that one of his responsibilities was censoring the letters of the enlisted men. In addition to some droll tales from his extended military camping trip, we get to experience some more of my grandfather’s dry sense of humor in this letter.

And I am very glad that my grandfather was “sorta” nutty.

Letter transcription:

Sept 16, 1942

Dear Mother,

This paper was given me by the Red Cross of Cleveland. I told you about receiving the package and this was in it. I’m again writing by candle light. It isn’t good but it will have to do.
Went into town tonight with a group of the boys and had a couple of beers per person but they ration the stuff. Wouldn’t sell us anymore. Some of the boys started drinking wishey [whiskey] but Walsh & I decided it was time to come home, got back to camp at 8:30 went around to see Lentz and he was in bed. He isn’t used to being around in the dark. Lentz didn’t shave all the trip so he now looks like a Jewish so & so.
Just in case the letter didn’t come thru that I mailed this A.M. I sent two money orders but I’m keeping the stubs. So let me know if it didn’t arrive. Our news is rather brief. I’d certainly like to be there and tune in on WLW or WGN but if I were there guess I wouldn’t be so interested in news. Lots of the boys think I’m “sorta” nutty for writing every day but

[page 2] I think you’ll appreciate hearing each day even though these may be bunched.
I helped censor several of the recruits mail today. For the most part most of the letters were very sensible and uninforming as far as the enemy is concerned. Didn’t have to clip out anything in any of the letters I read. I finish in the A.M.:

Bright and early after chow-Had the same trouble last night as previous. My bunk slopes toward the foot and during the night I keep slipping. At one time during the night I was up to my knees out of bed. Have the foot blocked up three inches but it is still too low. Afraid to go much higher because if the blocks slipped I’d be probably be dumped out rather than just slip out as it now happens.
We haven’t received any mail as yet but are still hoping. In fact I think we got lost maybe and when we get

[page 3] “caught up with” will be all right, maybe the maps of the mail man don’t go any farther south than the equator. I’ve often wondered when you got my first letter. Guess you will have that in your letters which are now enroute. The first one I sent was written several days before it was mailed.
A laundry boy from town just came in to see if we had anything to send in today. Had a hard time trying to explain things. These people are so dense-can’t even speak English or are they?

Well, hope we get some mail before the day is over.

Love Daddy