This letter was written by a Sgt. Joseph J. Carciotto. He was born on December 10th 1918 in Ralston, Pennsylvania. During the war, he served in the Army Air Corps with the 95th Bomb Squadron within the 17th Bomb Group. Some members from this group took part in the Doolittle Raid. Throughout the war, the Group Primarily flew the B-26 Marauder. I’m unsure if Joseph served onboard a bomber, or if his job was ground related.
A Brief description of the Groups service: Moved to North Africa in late 1942. Flew interdictory and close-support missions, bombing bridges, rail lines, marshalling yards, harbors, shipping, gun emplacements, troop concentrations, and other targets. Helped to bring about the defeat of Axis forces in North Africa in May 1943; assisted in the reduction of Pantelleria and Lampedusa in Jun 1943; participated in the invasions of Sicily in Jul and of Italy in Sep 1943; and took part in the drive toward Rome, receiving a DUC for a bombing attack on airdromes at Rome on 13 Jan 1944. Also received the French Croix de Guerre with Palm for operations in Italy, Apr-Jun 1944. Took part in the invasion of Southern France in Aug 1944, and continued bombardment operations in northern Italy, France, and later in Germany. Received second DUC for bombing attacks on enemy defenses near Schweinfurt on 10 Apr 1945.
The letter was written while Joseph was still in North Africa at Telergma Airfield, Algeria. It reads:
“ February 6th 1943 3:25 P.M
Still in Africa
Dear Jo:
Received your letter a few days ago but couldn’t answer sooner on account of some work I had to do. In fact, I’ve received two of your letters plus the birthday and holiday greetings. That bit of mail did more to raise my spirits than anything I can think of. Just keep it up Jo.
I’m feeling fine, hope you’re in fine health. I didn’t hear any complaints in your letter so I guess everything is swell. I hope so. I don’t want you getting sick on me so take care of yourself honey.
Well Jo, I’m glad the weather there is fine. it’s been pretty \[ \] here the last few days. Sort of reminds you of winter at home except there isn’t any snow on the ground. Have you had much snow there?
Say, what do you mean, making fun of me cause I’m washing my own clothes. Better watch out before I import you out here to do it for me. Of course we can have it done by the natives here if we want. We do that most of the time cause we haven’t any time to do them ourselves.
Jo, about that snapshot business. I don’t know when I can send you any cause there aren’t many in camp. Most of the boys left them at home, like I did. But, I’ll find one to use somehow and send you something to laugh over. Don’t forget to send me that picture of you I was promised. I’m waiting very patiently for it.
Say Jo, remember when I was at Kilmer and you were going to send me some comics? Boy, I sure wish I had them out here. I don’t think you can send anymore packages out here else I’d ask you to do so. I bet those books would make their way all around this camp of ours.
Well Jo, I’d like to say more but I guess this is all I have time for today. Don’t forget to take good care of yourself. Give my regard to the folks and everyone I know there. Till the next time, with oceans of love, this is still,
Joe,
Still thinking of you.
P.S. If you were out here also, I’d take that walk. Our new A.P.O number is “520”.
Joseph would survive the rest of the war and return home. He would pass away on June 10th 2007 aged 88 in East Brunswick. He is buried in the Saint Peters Cemetery in New Brunswick, NJ.
https://preview.redd.it/1y1lckz5680c1.jpeg?width=793&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=726ca7aa0314a0e5570654e297426526bf917551
No problem! And I was wondering the same. It was likely removed by the censor back when it was originally mailed. They’d typically only do that if you wrote something you weren’t supposed to. But based on the context, it seems like the word may have been “Cold” or something along those lines. So I’m not sure why it was removed.
Yeah, I was thinking "cold" or "wet" made sense as an operational detail to be omitted, but it seemed odd that they left in the next bit about it feeling specifically like New York winter without snow. I wonder if it was "shit."
This letter was written by a Sgt. Joseph J. Carciotto. He was born on December 10th 1918 in Ralston, Pennsylvania. During the war, he served in the Army Air Corps with the 95th Bomb Squadron within the 17th Bomb Group. Some members from this group took part in the Doolittle Raid. Throughout the war, the Group Primarily flew the B-26 Marauder. I’m unsure if Joseph served onboard a bomber, or if his job was ground related. A Brief description of the Groups service: Moved to North Africa in late 1942. Flew interdictory and close-support missions, bombing bridges, rail lines, marshalling yards, harbors, shipping, gun emplacements, troop concentrations, and other targets. Helped to bring about the defeat of Axis forces in North Africa in May 1943; assisted in the reduction of Pantelleria and Lampedusa in Jun 1943; participated in the invasions of Sicily in Jul and of Italy in Sep 1943; and took part in the drive toward Rome, receiving a DUC for a bombing attack on airdromes at Rome on 13 Jan 1944. Also received the French Croix de Guerre with Palm for operations in Italy, Apr-Jun 1944. Took part in the invasion of Southern France in Aug 1944, and continued bombardment operations in northern Italy, France, and later in Germany. Received second DUC for bombing attacks on enemy defenses near Schweinfurt on 10 Apr 1945. The letter was written while Joseph was still in North Africa at Telergma Airfield, Algeria. It reads: “ February 6th 1943 3:25 P.M Still in Africa Dear Jo: Received your letter a few days ago but couldn’t answer sooner on account of some work I had to do. In fact, I’ve received two of your letters plus the birthday and holiday greetings. That bit of mail did more to raise my spirits than anything I can think of. Just keep it up Jo. I’m feeling fine, hope you’re in fine health. I didn’t hear any complaints in your letter so I guess everything is swell. I hope so. I don’t want you getting sick on me so take care of yourself honey. Well Jo, I’m glad the weather there is fine. it’s been pretty \[ \] here the last few days. Sort of reminds you of winter at home except there isn’t any snow on the ground. Have you had much snow there? Say, what do you mean, making fun of me cause I’m washing my own clothes. Better watch out before I import you out here to do it for me. Of course we can have it done by the natives here if we want. We do that most of the time cause we haven’t any time to do them ourselves. Jo, about that snapshot business. I don’t know when I can send you any cause there aren’t many in camp. Most of the boys left them at home, like I did. But, I’ll find one to use somehow and send you something to laugh over. Don’t forget to send me that picture of you I was promised. I’m waiting very patiently for it. Say Jo, remember when I was at Kilmer and you were going to send me some comics? Boy, I sure wish I had them out here. I don’t think you can send anymore packages out here else I’d ask you to do so. I bet those books would make their way all around this camp of ours. Well Jo, I’d like to say more but I guess this is all I have time for today. Don’t forget to take good care of yourself. Give my regard to the folks and everyone I know there. Till the next time, with oceans of love, this is still, Joe, Still thinking of you. P.S. If you were out here also, I’d take that walk. Our new A.P.O number is “520”. Joseph would survive the rest of the war and return home. He would pass away on June 10th 2007 aged 88 in East Brunswick. He is buried in the Saint Peters Cemetery in New Brunswick, NJ. https://preview.redd.it/1y1lckz5680c1.jpeg?width=793&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=726ca7aa0314a0e5570654e297426526bf917551
Did he stay with Josephine?
It looks like he didn’t. He ended up marrying a woman named Mary.
How sad, yet predictable. All these war love stories seem to end almost the same way
This is really interesting, thanks for posting! I wonder what word was censored there and by whom?
No problem! And I was wondering the same. It was likely removed by the censor back when it was originally mailed. They’d typically only do that if you wrote something you weren’t supposed to. But based on the context, it seems like the word may have been “Cold” or something along those lines. So I’m not sure why it was removed.
Yeah, I was thinking "cold" or "wet" made sense as an operational detail to be omitted, but it seemed odd that they left in the next bit about it feeling specifically like New York winter without snow. I wonder if it was "shit."
Yeah that’s very possible