PVT R.W. Peete

PVT. R.W. Peete
Nurnberg Post Stockade

U.S 53061646 APO 696 New York, NY

May 1951 - Jan. 1953

I received 45 letters between Apr. 1951 and Apr. 1952 .. at which time we discontinued corresponding..probably because I was dating, seeing other boys...and he had met a young German woman whom, his step-mother reported, he planned to bring back with him. Because of the things his sister told me I assumed all was lost between us. SO...it was with much surprise and joy that when he returned, alone, our feelings toward one another were the same as they had been when he left...or perhaps, even deeper...and we married 3 months later... and remained happily together for the next 58 years.


Wednesday, October 31, 2012

Letter No. 7

30 June '51
 Sonthefen, Ger.

Darling
   'Last night at Sothefen and Hump, Nut and I are enjoying ourselves here at the club.  The U.S. Government really furnishes good entertainment in the way of orchestra's.  We are listening to the German equivalent of the "The Three Sons".  Suppose you know that I wish you were here.
   Although our stay here has been very pleasant I'll be glad to get on the road again.  There's only one place that I would like to stay forever  and that is with you.  The place we are to be stationed is Nurnburg.  You've probably read about the trials that were held there for the Nazi war criminals.  It is supposedly a fairly large, modern city.  Hump and will remain together but
Charlie is going to Munich.  Also we are losing Eddie Green, another Memphis Rebel.  He was at the party out at the Cottage Inn.  I'm really going to miss these guys.
   Received your letter dated the 22nd. and you say that people think you're too young.  That may be true but you'll never convince me 'cause honey, I've held you in my arms and kissed you.  You may be 16 with some fellows but you act older when you're with me.  The term years is only a way of marking time and the heart has no clock to govern it's emotions.  You are as old as you feel.  The authenticity of our love I'll never doubt.
   This combo the The Three Woodpeckers is as good as anything I've heard back in the states.  They are typical Germans too. Tall, blond wavy hair and blue eyes.  They're playing a request of mine now.  Guess what...that's right. Too Young.
  That's about it for tonight kitten, so
     I love you, Bob
 Keep sending letters here until I write you my new address. 
     

Letter No 5

June 26, 1951
Sonthofen Military Sub-Post

H Pumkin,
   Just read your letter dated the 20th. again and it seems as if we both feel the same way.  Especially about letter writing.  I go nuts every time I get a letter from you, yet I hate to write. The reason, I can never seem to say the things that I would like to.  I'm afraid that if I told you just how in love with you I am that it would sound mushy.  Then again, I think of how I feel when you write that you love me.  Nothing matters with me as long as you do love me.  When I get my discharge from this army, if you will let me, I'll be with you every minute possible.  Actually, I am now, in spirit.  This probably sounds giddy coming from me, but it expresses vaguely just how much I love you.
   You say you aren't having much fun going out with other boys, that you're miserable.  It's selfish and inconsiderate of me, but I'm glad.  You know how the song goes, quote "I'm sorry, but I'm glad you're lonely, cause if you weren't you really wouldn't care."  It expresses what I feel.  Is this being too jealous?  I know that I told you to go with other guys but actually I'd rather you didn't.  Jealous joker, aren't I.  You don't know the half of it darling.
   And those pictures you sent, I'm crazy about the one of you standing by yourself. It's a wonderful picture of you.  Lucky me, to have such a sweet young lady.  Remind me to thank Margaret for introducing us, and how about telling your mother many thanks for letting you go with me.
   I'll never forget the day we met.  When we were introduced you looked at me as if to say, "What it it, or maybe, if I don't feed it it will go away."  I'm surely glad that you didn't refuse me a date.
   And there was the date that I had the bad luck.  First we had a flat, next we went to the movie and it was slightly boring and then it rained on us.  That could have been a very dull evening if you hadn't been so delightful.  I have fun just being near you though.
   I should probably tell you about this country and some of the latest events that have taken place but this letter is devoted entirely to telling you how I feel toward you.
   It's about time for mail call so until I see you again stay as sweet as you are and if I've taken too much for granted or said anything I shouldn't have, disregard same.
                You are the one girl for me.
                    I love you,
                    Bob
P.S. I'm going to slip in on you one of these years.

Letter no. 4


Wed. June 13, 1951
Camp Kilmer, New Jersey

Charlene Dearest,
    This will have to be short, sweet and to the point as we are shipping out tomorow and you can imagine all the excitement that takes place the night before.  We have to pack our duffel bags (the one I wanted to put you in when I left), shine our shoes and also our brass, before noon tomorrow.  For some reason I'm not as excited about this trip as most of the guys, and I think I know the reason for this lack of excitement.
   Hump told me about calling you today.  We were worried as we thought something could have happened to either you or Molly.
   I would like to go on and on  with this letter, telling you how much I care, how I long for the touch of your lips, the excitement that goes  with just being near you, but I could write an epic on this subject.  If this sounds corny forget it, but honestly it expresses my feeling for you.
   Went dancing last night over at the service club but it turned out very dull for me.  The floor was so crowded, the band so loud, I was miserable all the time I was there.  Actually the only thing wrong with the dance was that you weren't there.
   Received a letter from you this afternoon and let me tell you how lucky I consider myself.  If I were twice as wonderful as you say you think I am, I still wouldn't be good enough for you.  To me, you're the best this world has to offer.  Just remember one thing-  If at any time you feel that you care for someone more than me, please tell me so that I won't make a fool of myself telling you how much I love you.
   I would call you tonight but I feel lifeless after I hang up the receiver.  This is really mushy but again I say, it only expresses vaguely my feeling for you.
   I'm wondering if either of us will change much in the next year and a half.  Here's hoping everything turns out okay and I'm going to do everything in my power to make it so.
   Keep on writing to me sweetheart, and send them to the same address as they will follow me where ever I go.
   Let me try one again to tell you of my love. I keep remembering those days and nights we spent together and believe me darling, if I wanted to, I couldn't forget you. Not even for a moment.  Just remember that wherever I may be in body, I'll be at 520 West Liberty, Covington, Tenn. with Miss Charlene Stallings, in spirit
   Good night, pleasant dreams and sleep tight, Kitten.
                                     Much Love
                                       Bob

P.S. Don't listen to any wild tales about the affair that Shirley and I had, please.

Letter No. 3

  June 12, 1951

Hi Honey,
 Here are a few of the shots we took that Sunday afternoon on the lake.  I think that as a whole that they're pretty good.
As ever,
Bob

Monday, October 29, 2012

Letter No 2

Monday June 11, 1951
Camp Kilmer, N.J.

Hello Darling,

    I have never felt lonelier in all my life as I did after calling you yesterday..   All the things that I had planned to say just didn't emerge from my mouth after hearing your voice.  Unlike most girls you excite me every time I hear or get near you, but enough of this mushy stuff.

    Say, how about sending the negatives of the photo's we took that Sunday.  I'm mailing the snapshots we took with Hump's camera along with this letter. Hope you like them although some are slightly blurred. They will probably get there Thursday or Friday.


    By the way, I wrote Dad to take you and Margaret to luncheon Sat.  He's a little shy about that sort of thing.but here's hoping he will do it for me.  I'm hoping that you will remember me with the same feeling I have when I think of you, and that is constantly.


    These northers, or should I say easterners, do not dance anything like the southern people do.We went to a couple of dances at the service club and before we knew what the score was the girls were teaching us the old fashioned two step.  It isn't nearly as much fun as the free step style of dance, as ou do the same thing over and over, and besides that I can't imagine one counting the steps with you in my arms. It's ridiculous isn't it.


    This camp is named after the poet, Joyce Kilmer, who was killed in the first world war.  Do you know the poem "Trees" that has been put to music?  That is his most famous work.

You should see this camp, Kitten. It's camouflaged from aircraft.  You can't see it from the air.  This is a safety precaution from an air attack as we are only 30 miles fro the ocean and this would be an ideal target.  I'm glad that we are still at peace with Russia, or at least, we are supposed to be.
    I've just heard that we probably won't ship out until Friday. I suppose it's better that way but I wish we were traveling.

    Don't know whether I've told you this or nay, but they give furloughs overseas and if a person has the money he can fly home for a short visit.  It would be wonderful to be with you during the holiday season of Christmas and New Years . I would manage to get you under the mistletoe at least 5 or 6 times.

    Well, I finally found some decent stationery.  sorry I can't improve on my penmanship but it seems as though Dad is the only scribe in the Peete clan.
   
    Let me apologize again for the telephone call Sunday.  It's just that I wanted to hear your voice again and I was slightly tongue tied after saying hello.  Suppose that's about it for tonight so
  good night and pleasant dreams
         Bob

P.S.  Be sweet, in other words, just be yourself.

Tuesday, October 23, 2012

Letter No 1

June 4, 1951
Camp Kilmer, N.J.


Hi Honey,
    Just a note to remind you of my love and how much I miss you.  I could write an epic on my devotion to you but it would be mushy and you probably wouldn't appreciate the sentiment...so I'll just tell you about the trip.

   We arrived in Evansville, Ind. about 3 in the a.m. Thurs. morning.  We had 5 hours to look the town over before the train left for Terra Haute.  We traversed Terra Haute for 2 hours then moved on to Columbus, Ohio.  After we boarded the troop train we didn't get off until we arrived at Kilmer.  In the process of our journey we passed through Kentucky, Indiana, West Va., Ohio, Maryland, Pennsylvania and New Jersey and then went into New York on pass.  Lets discuss New York City for a moment.  There is a town for discussion!  It has whole heaps of everything a body could want or desire.

    We went to the Paramount Theater on Broadway and saw Ray McKinley, his band and vocalist, Peggy Lee.  She's a dream, especially when she sings something like "I Apologize" or  "Too Young".  I thought of you all the time she performed.  I'm not homesick at all but I wish I were with you.

    There isn't much I can tell you except I love you honey.  That constitutes this letter sweetheart so I'll cease for tonight.

                                   Sweet dreams Sweetheart                     
                                           Bob Peete

P.S. Please pardon the penmanship and stationery, Kitten.
Write as often as you can, sweetheart.

Letter No. 34

October 19, 1951
Nurnberg, Germany

Dearest Charlene,

    Received a most wonderful and welcome letter from you today and while I'm on the subject of the days events let me say it has been a busy oneAside from the administrative  duties of the processing department I've been driving a two and a half ton truck, also a jeep. The stockade is temporarily short of chauffeurs and I happen to be a qualified driver.

    I can't imagine why my letters aren't getting to you. There must be a tie up in the mail system somewhere between Nurnberg, Germany and Covington, Tennessee.  Usually it takes only 4 days or five at the most.  Lately it has been 7 and 8 days in transit.

   Got a problem.  I have a friend name of Roger DiRocco.  He's an Italian from upper New York State and he would like to correspond with some pretty young maid or maiden.  He's quite handsome, dark brown eyes, black wavy hair, good physique.  Question?  Do you have a, or any girl friends that would care to correspond with this soldier?  He, aside from being dashing, good looking, witty and utterly charming, is unusually intelligent.  Aha, I foresee a question.  If he has all these qualities afore mentioned why doesn't he have a girl back home?   Answer..he joined the army at age 15, has been in Germany 4 years.  He speaks 3 languages fluently, German, Italian and English.  If you know of some young lady that would be willing to correspond send me her name and address and he'll write first.  Would you do that for me? huh!

    So you only weight 116 lbs now.  No appetite, caused by excessive smoking.  Remedy, quit smoking.  You can if you so desire and it would make me very happy.  I don't like to think of you ruining your health.  You have such a beautiful complexion and smoking is harmful to ones skin. Don't misinterpret this.  I'm not trying to act holy or righteous. It's because I love you and want you to be well and happy. Will you quit smoking, darling, for your own sake, and for me.

    I'm getting a sample of what its like being separated from the people I love most.  You can quote me as saying "I'm not enjoying my trip to Germany".

    I'm going to close for tonight, more tomorrow.  Good night .
Sweet dreams, sweetheart.

Love, Bob

Hi darling,
    This isn't tomorrow, its the night of the 23rd.  An apology would be in order but I'm sure that you're tired of apologies.  We have been working like mad to prepare for 100 new prisoners and I haven't had any spare time in which I could write. By the end of the week I'll have an office of my own  .  I am now in charge of all confinements.

    Saw a magnificent movie Sunday night.  Jim Thorpe, All American.  Reminded me of my high school days and all the sports I didn't participate in.  It would have been nice if you and I had been in school together.  Childhood sweethearts sounds great doesn't it.

    Hump has accused me of liking this army life but you and I know differently, don't we.

    Kitten,  I'll close again for tonight.  I'll honestly try to write again tomorrow.
                                      You're my everything,
                                                 my all.
                                               Love, Bob