Jan. 2, 1945

Dear Folks:

I haven’t written for three days so here goes my first letter of 1945. Hope you all had a Happy New Year, we had turkey for dinner, there wasn’t much but what their (sic) was was good.

It’s a little colder here than it was at my old station. We have a stove in our tent so we keep pretty much warm most of the time… I’ve visited Florence since I arrived, it really is pretty nice since it hasn’t been bombed… You can send me something to eat whenever you’re ready. Send candy, gum, cookies, cheese, grape jelly, popcorn, nuts, peanut clusters, vicks vapo-rub, wool socks, wool scarf, fudge cookies, ice cream, liver and onions, chicken, banana cake, milk, fruit cocktail, swiss steak, crackers, more candy, lifesavers, peanuts, piano, radio, living room suite, record player and Frank Sinatra. I guess you might as well send the whole house if you can get it in a five pound box. I would like some food though, honestly… Has my footlocker gotten home yet, don’t forget to check on it if it doesn’t get there in six weeks. I’ve got some wool socks in it that I could sure use now. P.S. Keep your fingers crossed!!

Feb. 20, 1945

Dear Norma Jean (Dole’s sister):

… Let me know whether you’ve received your January allotment check or not yet. Save it for yourself for I’d really like to see you go to school. Somebody should be a college graduate in our family and it may as well be you. Think it over seriously now — still not much doing where I am, I’m almost getting lazy from doing nothing. Almost all my buddies are gone so it shouldn’t be much longer for me… P.S. Let me know if any of my mail has been censored?

March 13, 1945

Dear Folks:

I hope you haven’t worried too much because you haven’t received any mail from me. I think its been about two weeks since I’ve written. I’ve really been keeping pretty busy. I’ve got a platoon of men to look out for and it means that I never have much time to myself. When I’m not busy I’ve generally got a big stack of mail to censor.

I’m a combat soldier now folks. I suppose you’ve been reading about the 10th Mountain Division in the paper the last few weeks. We’ve really done some pretty good work so far and I hope we can continue to do as well. I’m feeling better than ever so far. I guess this outdoor life agrees with me. I’m starting to get a suntan since the weather has warmed up.

We are in a rest area now so whenever I have a chance to write you’ll know that I’m writing from a rest center. It is really nice around here, we are living in a hotel and I really enjoy sleeping nights in a bed, instead of a foxhole. A foxhole isn’t as bad as you probably think, we generally fill the bottom with straw which makes it pretty comfortable.

I received your letters written the day after you returned home from Yuma. I’m sorry to hear about all the Russell boys being killed or wounded but I’m glad you write and tell me anyway. I guess so many were meant to be killed in this war, there’s nothing either you or I can do but trust in God and pray that he will look after us.

March 21, 1945

Dear Mom & Dad:

… When I’m not in my foxhole ducking German artillery I’m generally on night patrols or trying to catch some sleep. I’m pretty dirty right now, I haven’t shaved or washed for several days but I guess it won’t hurt me any. I can’t see why the Jerrys don’t give up but I’m just a second lieutenant who doesn’t know too much about the big picture.

March 31, 1945

Dear Mom and Dad:

… I’ve been hoping I might get a pass but so far I’ve been unfortunate. I’m a new officer in the company so consequently I’ve been catching all the assignments. Eventually I’ll get caught up with the other officers and may be I’ll get a few of the breaks… Keep the packages coming, I received one three days ago, it contained candy bars and sunflower seeds.

I’m the “OD” today, there’s not much to it but I’m not getting much sleep nevertheless. I think I get more sleep on the lines than I do when we are in a rest area. There’s really not much danger in the lines a few artillery and mortar rounds now and then. The thing I dislike most is night patrols, I think I age about ten years on each patrol. You can’t see a thing, which is probably the worst part of it. I’ve led quite a few patrols and I’m gradually getting used to it.

Tomorrow I intend on reading all my letters again and I’ll try to answer some of the questions in them. I’m going to sleep for a while now so don’t forget the packages.

I hope Russell Hi won the State Tournament.

April 4, 1945

Dear Mom, Dad:

… I finally got a break and wound up in Rome. It’s really swell here almost like home, but it won’t last long.

I was very fortunate today I ran in to Dean Nesmith and Bill Hargiss who are in Rome conducting a sports program. Nesmith was our trainer at K.U. and Hargess was my track coach. I’ve spent the entire day visiting with them. I’ve a pretty good chance of going to the next class if I do I’ll be back in Rome before too long. Maybe you’ve read about the Sports School in the K.C. paper. A class lasts two weeks and is composed of 60 men, half officers and 1/2 enlisted men. During the two week period you are taught practically every sport in the business. What they are trying to do is to develop instructors for the post war world. If I’m lucky enough to get in I’ll let you know. I’d sure like to relax for two weeks with nothing to do but play basketball, football and run.

I plan on taking a tour tomorrow to see some of the sights that I used to study in history.

I had my first plane ride yesterday. I caught my ride from Florence to Rome, it was really a thrill. I’m really convinced now that the Air Corp is a racket. I think I’d trade my bars for a (P.F.C.) stripe in the Air Corp. They go home after 50 missions we stay until the war ends.

When I saw Coach Hargiss and my old trainer Nesmith I was convinced that I’m going back to school. Primarily to study but also to compete in athletics. I love to play basketball and football and compete in track meets. I hope I’m not too old when the war ends for I really want to do a lot of things.

April 7, 1945

Dear Mom, Dad:

What a life. I can hardly believe that I’m living in such a wonderful place. My rest is about over, but I’ve really enjoyed myself so far. I’m going on a tour this afternoon also one tomorrow morning. I should see about everything when I’ve finished.

The radio is playing it reminds me of the times that I’ve been home playing Norma Jean’s records. So far I haven’t heard any records by Frank Sinatra. I guess he isn’t too popular over here.

The war news really sounds good. I guess Russia plans on helping us with Japan. Keep your eyes on the news for big things to happen.

Had a fine breakfast this morning, scrambled eggs, bacon, tomato juice, toast and coffee. I sure miss my quart of milk per day. Tell Aunt Mildred to be sure to save some for Kenny and I when we get home.

One week after this letter was written Dole was severely wounded while leading a charge against a heavily fortified German position in the hills around the northern Italian village of Castel d’Aiano, not far from Bologna. For the next three years he was in and out of hospitals, unable to dress or feed himself. His weight reduced at one point from 194 to 122 pounds. With the help of a pioneering Chicago surgeon named Hampar Kalikian and the people of Russell, who raised $1,800 to defray his medical expenses, Dole rebuilt his life as “Dr. K” rebuilt his shattered shoulder. Putting aside his own youthful dreams of becoming a doctor, by the fall of 1950 Dole had embarked on a new career — campaigning for a seat in the Kansas Legislature.