A young woman keeps a diary during World War II
(This diary was written by Wanda Olson, a young woman who grew up at Lincolnville. The late Warren Olson of Marion was her brother. Wanda died young from what is believed to have been an aneurysm.)
Nov. 6, 1942 — My first entry in my diary. I can't help but wonder what will happen between now and my last entry. I came home today (from Wichita). My brother has to go to the Army next Wednesday.
More than anything else in the world, I hate to see him go but God willing, it will only be for a short time and then may peace and happiness come to all the world.
But at times like these we must not think of personal feelings but of the good for all humanity. Courage is the price life exacts for granting peace. "Above all, God, give me courage."
Nov. 7 (Saturday) — Another uneventful day except for facing the fact that Wednesday Warren has to go to the army. Today over the radio it sounds as though the war might soon be over. I believe they are about to open the second front. May it be soon. It can't be too soon for us all.
It seems so peaceful at home. No watching the clock continually. For some reason, I'll be glad to go back to Wichita. I won't have so much time to think about things. And as ever my constant prayer, "May the war be over soon."
Nov. 8 — Today we went to Salina about noon. Of course they were all very glad to see us, I hope. I wonder when we will ever be able to get together again. That is, all of us. I'm afraid it will be quite a long time. I'll be glad to get home.
And I still dread Wednesday. If only I never had to face that day. The only thing we at home can do is to work hard, keep faith in all that we believe in, and pray for peace and security once again.
Nov. 9 — We went home today. More than anything else, my grandmother crying as she said goodbye to Warren affected me. It must be terrible for the old people. I'm so terribly glad that I'm young.
If only I were a boy to take Warren's place. I have nothing to bind me to home or any singular place. Warren loves the farm and all that it stands for. If only I could go to the army. I would be happy. We went to Mabel's for supper tonight. They all wished Warren luck. May God grant their wish: may peace come soon.
Nov. 10 — Tomorrow Warren leaves for Leavenworth. How I dread that day. I can't help but wish it were all over. He hates to go because he knows how homesick he will get, and I do know how it is to be homesick.
The Americans are still taking Algiers. The second front can't come too soon for me! I hope the Americans can push up to Italy and invade Germany, that they might have a taste of their own medicine. May victory come soon to the Allies and God bless America.
Nov. 11 — Today, on Armistice Day, Warren left for Leavenworth. We took him to Marion at 12:30 and at 5:45 we waved goodbye to him as the train carried him far from us, perhaps never to return again.
No one ever knows what might happen next. It is much better to be prepared for whatever may come in the future. Twenty-four years ago America signed the treaty "that would make the world safe and free." Today her sons are going to war, dying, suffering. Please, God, keep Warren in safekeeping. Amen.
Nov. 12 — Another day gone by. Gosh I missed Warren. It seems as though he should come bursting in the room as he always does. It almost seems as though I'm not at home really.
We went to the community program last night. A lump came in my throat as I thought of my high school days. It seems years since I've been there. Nothing will ever quite be the same again. Oh, God, in all Thy mercy, please let there be peace again all over the world.
Nov. 13 — An unlucky day, "Friday the 13th." I wonder where Warren will be sent. To some remote end of America, I suppose. I washed my clothes. Tomorrow I will iron them. If only the war would be over. When I think of peace, I really can't comprehend what a peaceful world would really mean. It seems as though I've known nothing but war even though America has only been in war 11 months. Then I think of the people of England, France, Norway, Poland, etc., and thank God for our freedom and peace as long as we did have it.
Nov. 14 — Dear Diary, Another day passed on into, well, I should say, history. The whole world is really making history with a grand flourish. I didn't do anything unusual today. Daddy went to town. That's about all that happened today. So long, old Diary. Oh, God, may the war end soon.
Nov. 15 — Today was "God's Day." It is so peaceful here in rural America, it seems impossible that there are thousands dying, suffering on battle fields, concentration camps all over the world.
What must God think of his children, murdering, torturing, causing so much unhappiness to everyone. It must be so hard for Him to bear. Oh God in all Thy mercy, please let there be a peaceful world soon.
Nov. 16 — Dear Old Diary, nothing exciting today. That is except the war. Every day seems brighter.
The U.S. won another great naval battle from Japan. U.S. sank 23 Jap ships including three transports of soldiers to be taken to Guadalcanal. They estimated about 24,000 Jap soldiers drowned. The rats, and I'll bet two to one they all squealed when they went down.
I embroidered today. It is really pleasant and peaceful at home. Oh, God, may we have victory in April 1943.
Dear diary, today has been a busy day for me — washing, ironing, and patching. Tomorrow I'm going back to Wichita. Just a little country girl trying to make good, and I do mean trying. I rather hate to leave Dad and Mother. I know how lonesome it must get for them but sooner or later they must be alone anyway. I know how hard it must be. Warren's clothes came back today, so I suppose he is somewhere in camp today. And as ever my prayer, May the lights go on again all over the world.
Nov. 18 — Well, Old Man Diary, here I am back in Wichita again. It seems rather nice to be back here again. I sure hated to say goodbye to Dad and Mother. Gosh they're grand.
Boeing Aircraft is paying 50 cents an hour to go to defense school. I'm signed up and I'm supposed to go out to Boeing's tomorrow at 3:30. I sure hope I can make the grade. Then I can buy war bonds and lick the Japs. What a pleasure, while my brother is licking the Germans! Oh, God, please let this coming spring be a peaceful and victorious one.
Nov. 19 — Dear Diary, Well, here I am again. I didn't go out to Boeing's today. I missed the bus. However I'm going tomorrow. Oh, I hope I can get on and earn some real money. Baby oh boy, then will I ever dress. If Velma talks anymore about those darned truck drivers, I'll scream! My nerves are simply on edge. Well, so long old diary. Goodbye and wish me luck. And God, please don't forget my everlasting prayer, "That peace may come once again."
Nov. 20 — Dear Diary, What a day. Nellie and I went to Boeing's today. We were there from about 1:40 to about 4:30. They called a whole bunch in to have their interviews at one time. Out of our bunch, I was the only one that was promised a job without taking training. I have to be out there at 7:30 in the morning. I sure dread it. It'll still be dark out, raining or sleeting, and I don't know for sure if the buses go then. Oh God, give me courage. And please let there be an American victory in April 1943.
Nov. 21 — Dear Diary, Well, I got a job at Boeing's today. I report to work at 3:30 Monday. I have to get $20 or so worth of tools and some regulation uniforms. Us girls went to the show tonight. We sure had fun. A guy sat by me and offered me popcorn and gum, then he put his arm around me. I felt like a perfect fool. Then he wanted to take me home, take me to the theater or go somewhere Sunday evening. What a night. Please dear God, may peace come to the world soon and please let me get along OK at Boeing's.
Nov. 22 — Another messy day. Cold and snowing. We got up about 11:00. Then I called up home to get some money. They sent it special delivery. So we went to Velma's nephew and listened to the radio. Then in the evening we went to the show and saw, "Meet the Stewarts," and "They All Kissed the Bride." I vow that some day I'm going to be well-to-do. Anything to be independent.
Gosh, I dread tomorrow. Please dear God let the war end soon. And please, dear God, let the money come. Let me find my tools, and let me work OK at night tomorrow.
***
August 20, 1943 — Dear God, please let us pray for tomorrow, a tomorrow that many will not know. Please let me live on — to the home on high.
Please, our Lord, please let those boys fighting to save us from all evil, be let in that almighty place, please let there be a happy tomorrow for them all.
And those watching from the shores — those who say goodbye and stay at home, with memories and lonely thoughts, who, with love and hopefulness wait for the return of someone dear that may never come, to them I say also, let their tomorrow be a happy one.
Amen.
August 21 — To all lads in the U.S. forces.
I salute you, the young rookies, uncertain and a little cocky with a new uniform. The lonely sentry standing guard that others within may be safe, alone with memories of the girl he loved, the parents that wait for him. Alone, far from home, keeping vigil in the night, a strange place, stillness, darkness, a lonely figure. Always pacing back and forth. Alone.
There's the boy from New York. He's lonely. No crowds. No girls to whistle at.
And then there's the young soldier with his first stripe, very proud, a little awed by it and the responsibilities connected with it, a little self-conscious. To you, I say, "God bless you," and keep that one stripe as clean, untarnished as you would a gold bar.
