Friday · March 12, 1943
I don’t give a damn.
Hotcakes, a rainy-day box, and a request signed by his commander.
March 12, 1943
My Darling Wife
As I have some spare time this morning I am dropping you a line. This morning, the sun was out and shining brightly—maybe it will dry up the mud. For breakfast I had 7 delicious hotcakes with marmalade syrup—The marmalade is diluted, sugar added—and it makes good syrups. A shave fixed me up for the day.
I have a small box—which I have packed with cigarettes, shaving articles, what extra candy I have, emergency food. I’m getting prepared for that rainy day when such things might be scarce.
At present I’m getting that low down, disgusted feeling again. It’s too bad they can’t leave brass hats with infantile minds back home in charge of Jr. military academies. I’m a reasonable human being and can do anything reasonable—but there are limits. Among other things to discourage and disgust us—an officer 8-balled out of the division—was transferred to S.O.S.—Service of Supply. He was not qualified to wear the uniform and should have been tried by court …
… martial. Instead they promoted him to Captain and his prospects for fast advancement are good. Meanwhile, the faithful, plugging officers are still 1st Lts—and frankly disgusted. I’m afraid I have too much of a mind of my own—and I have been pretty outspoken about what I think. Maybe it will get me in trouble—but I don’t give a damn.
I’m requesting my Bn CO. to approve my request for certain items—that I would like to get. If you send the cigarillos be sure to pack very well so they won’t get crushed. My two overseas hats are filthy and can’t be worn—when & if I can wear them again. I’ll need some new ones. Size 7¾ fits me best, altho 7⅝ can be stretched. Get as low a crown as they have. On the insignia—Captain’s bars—three pair of silver bars—plus about 6 pr of the cloth kind which sew on to the uniform would be preferable to all silver. I think the cigarette lighter can be bought if for overseas mailing.
We got paid this afternoon—and I got about. …
March 12, 1943
Mrs. Virginia B. Lauten, [street address left out], Glendale, Calif.
Dear Virginia: Please send me the following items which cannot be procured either by purchase or issue in this theatre of operations:
2 Officers’ overseas caps—size 7 3/4
1 Bx of Robert Burns “Cigarilles”
1 Cigarette Lighter [Not sent? (handwritten)]
4 prs. of Captains bars (Just in case)
Please continue my subscription to the Glendale Newspress indefinitely.
John H. Lauten, 1st Lt. 16th Inf. Address: 3rd Bn., 16th Inf. A.P.O. # 1, C/o Postmaster
APPROVED: John H. Mathews (signed for by 3rd Bn adj. Gerard J. [B…?] Capt. Inf.), Lt. Col, Commanding, 3rd Bn., 16th Inf.
About this letter
Two pages on American Red Cross stationery and a typed request form, approved for Lt. Col. John H. Mathews, commanding the 3rd Battalion.
THE REQUESTUnder the new rules, Ginny could mail him a package only if he asked in writing. The typed form was signed for Lt. Col. Mathews by the battalion adjutant. Someone wrote “Not sent” beside the lighter.
BEFORE YOU READHe is angry about an officer “8-balled out of the division” and promoted instead of court-martialed. His words are kept as written; the officer is not named.
READING CLOSELY
“I’m afraid I have too much of a mind of my own—and I have been pretty outspoken about what I think.” Packages now needed a written request approved by a commanding officer. His is the last page.
“8-balled” was Army slang for a misfit pushed out of a unit.
Page 2 ends mid-sentence (“I got about.”); the rest of the letter is missing.
This scan appears to be made from a photocopy. His serial number on the request is blurred.
The Big Picture
Patton takes over
On March 6, Lt. Gen. George S. Patton took command of II Corps, the American force in Tunisia that included the 1st Division. He cracked down at once. Officers had to wear neckties, and soldiers had to keep their steel helmets on. Breaking the rules cost a $25 fine, half a month’s pay for a private.
The same day, Rommel attacked the British at Medenine and was beaten back. On March 9 he left Africa for good.
Where he was
Behind the lines in central Tunisia, five days before the 1st Division’s attack on Gafsa.
In this letter. His package request follows the new rule from January: the Post Office would accept a package for a soldier overseas only with his written request, approved by his commanding officer.