Home Front to Battlefront. Frank Lavin
regiment. I think I may be able to do it. In that company you ride wherever you go—you don’t walk.
Learned yesterday that all that stuff about moving from Shelby was just stuff. We’ll be here indefinitely.
‘Bye now—love Carl
. . .
Apr 18 1944
Monday
Dear Mom,
O.K.—I’m ready for those pictures—let’s have them. Are you and Daddy getting some made together? I think it’s a great idea, personally.
Figure 4-1. Camp Shelby letter and envelope, Mississippi, April 18, 1944. Author collection.
I’ve got some pretty good news. It looks like I’ll be getting a furlough in about six weeks instead of four months as I originally expected. Maybe even sooner. I’ll sound out the powers that be and give you a more accurate picture as soon as I can.
What do you think of the idea of having Edith come and stay with us during my furlough? I imagine we can work out some sleeping arrangement or other. (In fact if things come to the worst she and I can sleep in the same room—but I don’t suppose either you or she would agree to that.) I haven’t said anything to her about coming to Canton yet.
Spring has officially arrived at Camp Shelby. We went into cotton uniforms today. A terrific cold snap is expected by all concerned. The army is still determined to make something out of me physically. I don’t know yet whether it’s good or bad. But they’re working us like—ah—beavers.
Let me hear from you. Let me know of all the excitement of and in Canton.
Love –Carl
. . .
Dorothy Lavin was in contact with her congressman, Rep. Henderson Carson8 (R-OH, 1893–1971), in an extensive effort to attain some type of consideration for Carl. This type of constituent request was frequent during wartime and when you add to this the fact that Carson was in his first term in Congress as well as a member of the minority party it should not be surprising that her efforts were not particularly fruitful.
. . .
Apr 18 1944
Friday,
Hello, Mom,
I’m still very dubious about what Carson can do. If you’re going to get some good out of him, why not have him get me into an O.C.S. or some special training of some kind? That metabolism stuff sounds like a lot of bunk to me, but if a chance comes for a transfer, I’d welcome it.
Whatever happened to those pictures you were going to send me? I’m still waiting for them. By the way, physically I’m better off and can take more than about half the guys here. I’m disgustingly healthy. It’d be pretty much of a joke if I got out of here because of a physical disability. You know my metabolism is normal.
It’s late mother, so good night.
Love –Carl
. . .
A letter from Edith:
Brooklyn NY
May 2, 1944
Dear Mrs. Lavin,
When I received Carl’s letter asking me to come to Canton during the time he’s home on furlough, I was hesitant, naturally, about accepting—though there’s nothing I wanted more—not knowing what his family thought of the idea. When your warm-hearted and thoughtful invitation came it was very sweet of you to ask me, Mrs. Lavin, especially when I know you and Mr. Lavin would much prefer having Carl to yourselves, for the short time he’s home, to sharing him with anyone.
Because I do want to meet all of you and because, needless to say, I want very much to see Carl, I’m going to be as selfish as you’ve been unselfish, and accept. I’d love to come—thank you.
I know I’ll have a wonderful time—being with Carl and his family is guarantee of that.
Sincerely, Edith
. . .
May 4 1944
Wednesday
Hello Mother,
First I want to thank you for writing to Edith and I know you would write her as hospitable a letter as you could. You didn’t have to assure me of that. I have confidence in your judgment (even if you don’t in mine—but wait ‘til you see her.)
Yes, she goes to school, but she gets out on the seventh of June and I won’t get my furlough until about the middle or end of it, as near as I can tell.
I don’t believe any harm can come from writing to Carson, don’t worry about that. But, by the way, has any good come from it yet? I mean, if he wants to make me an officer I won’t object.
The watch hasn’t come yet, but I’ll start thanking you for it anyways. I do appreciate all the trouble you went to get it. It’s coming at an opportune moment, since the crystal fell out of mine a few days ago and I haven’t been able to have it fixed yet. I’ll send it back. There’s nothing wrong with it but the crystal and it’d be a good idea to have it fixed and cleaned when you receive it. By the way, take it anywhere but to C’s.9
Those cartoons you’re sending me are really very good. No, I don’t see them in any other papers, so please keep it up, please.
Yesterday we got back from a four-day bivouac out by the rifle range. We shot the carbine and the rifle for record. I presume you’ll be proud to know your soldier scored “expert” (highest you can get) on the rifle and “sharpshooter” (above average) on the carbine. Scored a 45 out of 45 on rapid fire at 300 yards, and I think I was the only one in the company to do it. That should prove to you, pop, that I can think and act quickly.
Only about five more weeks and I’ll be seeing you, I hope.
Until then—love Carl
. . .
May 10 1944
Tuesday
Hello, Mom,
Received the watch! It’s really wonderful! Although I didn’t ask for the sweep second hand, it’s exactly what I wanted! Thank you very much.
I’ll tell you in a week how it runs, but I’m pretty sure that you couldn’t ask for anything better.
About two weeks ago I told you I was getting my furlough in six weeks, remember. Well, now I’m getting it in seven weeks. (not even holding my own.) That’s as definite as anything can be in the army (which it can’t.) That is, the orders for my furlough are definite; the time isn’t. There are forty-five guys ahead of me, and they’re sending new men out as the old ones return, so the time is rather indefinite. But I think we can figure on about the last of June.
Tonight at two o’clock we go out on a twenty-five mile hike, with full field pack and gun, of course. The infantry’s got something new out called an expert infantryman’s badge and you have to pass a lot of physical and mental tests to get it.10 So this is supposed to be the toughest physical part. Probably by tomorrow I’ll be about two inches shorter after being pounded into the ground for eight hours and having my feet worn away for ditto time by all that weight.
Well, I’ll let you know what’s happening and what’s happened, when it does. Same from you?
Bye now—with love Carl
. . .
May 12, 1944
Mother’s Day Card
“A tender greeting
Filled with loving cheer
To tell you, Mother,
How very