Letters to Donna Reed: Hometown Girl Was Popular WWII Pinup

Here's a letter written to movie star Donna Reed, from the New York Times' story, "Dear Donna: A Pinup So Swell She Kept G.I. Mail":

Dear Donna:

Have just received your letter from the eight of December. And believe me or no, it was the first piece of mail I have received in the last two months. By the sound of your tale, life in the U.S. is not quite as fine as it used to be. But I honestly feel that it is better than eating the same 3 meals out of the same 3 c-Ration cans for a month or three.

We have been in action for some time here in North Africa, you see. Quite an interesting and heartless life at one and the same time. One thing I promise you - life on the battlefied is a wee bit different from the "movie" version. Tough and bloody and dirty as it is at times. There is none of that grim and worried feeling that is so rampant in war pictures. It's a matter-of-fact life we live and talk here. And for the first time no one has the "jitters." I hear you have done your part and done got married. Congratulations and good luck! See you in your next "pic."

Sincerely,

Norman Klinker

P.S. Can hardly wait for four years ... no "pics" here.

What a wonderful letter!

I dare say your average "Joe" on the frontlines in World War II was a better wordsmith than the average youth slacker of today!

And did you know that Donna Reed became a '60s Vietnam antiwar activist!

Hat Tip: Memeorandum.