Letters to the Homefront
Firsthand Accounts from US Soldiers who Fought in World War II
Jun 14, 2008
US History is full of “firsts” and “onlys.” For example, the Selective Training and Service Act of 1940, the only peacetime conscription in US History, required that all men ages 21 to 30 register with local draft boards. By the time the US entered the Second World War in December of 1941, all men ages 18 to 45 were liable for military service and all men ages 18 to 65 were required to register. The draft was called by way of a lottery. Prior to the official entry of the US in the war, duty was originally set to be 12 months but as US involvemnet drew nearer duty was extended to 18 months. Upon official entry, the US required all drafted soldiers to serve until 6 months after the war was over. Many American families sent sons, husbands and brothers to fight in the many parts of the world that were ravaged with war. One family in particular, the Falzaranos of Newark, NJ, sent their eldest son off to the navy, and through his many correspondences with his family one can get a glimpse of what life was like in the US Navy during the Second World War.
Louis Falzarano served in the US navy during the Second World War. Though he was not 18 when the US entered the war, much to his mother’s dismay he signed on when he became of age, as he knew there was a good chance he would be drafted anyway. As a many young officers did, he wrote often, especially to his family. In a letter dated 1 December 1943, he shares what life was like for a young naval recruit upon arrival. “The first thing, they took all of my hair.”
Being away from home was not easy for this young man, as he was close with his 2 sisters and 2 brothers, as well his loving parents Clement and Maria. “Well the first few letters I wrote I used to tear a little, but now I just get a lump in my throat. So in about a couple of days I’ll be OK. See, I miss you, you stinker.” His oldest sister, Jenny (short for Virginia) corresponded with him almost daily. Though a five year age difference separated them, their relationship was close, and he often referred to her lovingly as “stinker.”
For a young man not accustomed to life in the military, he went through an adjustment period that he feared his mother would find too difficult to hear, therefore he only revealed certain experiences to his dear sister. “Well you told me to tell you everything that happens to me. But you must promise not to tell Mama because she would worry. . . . . we’ve got to clean the barracks so I’ll say so long, stinky. Please excuse my writing and spelling and try to convince mama I’m OK because I really am.”
The close of this letter reveals what many soldiers have felt and continue to feel as they are away from home; a longing to remain connected to the daily life that they are no longer part of as well as a constant concern for the people most important in their lives. This letter, as did many others, contained a post-script, urging his dear sister to “Write often and long letters when you do because I wait for them.”
