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The following letter appears courtesy of and with thanks to Harmon Buckley and Michael P. May

Harmon wrote the following letter to his younger sister, Billye Jean, who was about 15 years old at the time. In the letter, Harmon describes the birth of his son, Russell Evan. Because Russ was born in Texas, and Harmon was about to ship out from Virginia for overseas duty with the 45th Division, Harmon never saw his son.

1st. Lt. Harmon L. Buckley 0-427802
Company "I", 179th Infantry
A.P.O. 45
Camp Pickett, Va.

Miss Billye Jean Buckley
1021 E. Main Street
Holdenville, Oklahoma
Sunday --May 23, 1943.
Camp Pickett, Va.
Dearest Billye Jean,
Honey I guess you are thinking that I have forgotten you but I really didnt. I have been very busy and I have been telling you hello in the letters that I've been writing Mother and Dad. I like to receive letters from my little Sister but I havent received one in a long time. So you get on the beam and write me a letter.
Billye did you know that you are an Aunt? I received the telegram yesterday that Anita and I have a Nine (9) pound baby boy by the name of RUSSEL EVAN BUCKLEY. If you dont think I wasnt excited your wrong. I gave out two boxes of cigars. I am the happiest guy in all the world. I know that Mother, Dad, and you are tickled over the big event as well as myself. Anita's Mother was tickled pink and was so excited she hardly knew what she was doing. So you can tell everyone that you have a little nefphew and he is the worlds best baby. I hope he favors you.
Billie what did Mother and Dad say when you all received the telegram? I bet they were as excited as I was. Hon. I want you to go down to see Anita and the baby if Bill will fly you down and you can stay until Anita and the baby are ready to return with you and stay awhile with Mother and Dad. I received a letter from Mother telling me that Lois and Bill was going to fly down just as soon as Anita went home from the hospital. I really hope they do because Anita will enjoy having them down so much and they can see the big Boy.
Well, Billye I guess school is just about out and you are glad to get the vacation and just think next year you will be in the 9th grade. It doesnt seem possible for you to be so far up in school. I want you to take good care of Mother and Dad. You should see that dad takes good care of himself. You tell him that I am proud that he bought the buggy for the big boy. I know he wont be using it very long because he will be walking in a short time and he will be the smartest boy in all the world.
Hon. today is Sunday and it is really pretty outside and I am going to Church here on the post. I go to church every Sunday here and really enjoy it. We have some nice chapels here. Well Billye Jean tell everyone hello for the happy daddy and I will write you again soon and will try to send you something if I can find anything to send you. The heck of it there is no place around here to buy anything worth sending. I will see if I can find anything that you would like to have. I sure would like to see my little sister and see how much you have grown. I bet you are really a big girl now from what I hear.
Billye Jean I will close now and you had better write me a letter or I wont let "Russ" call you Aunt. Say how do you like his name? We will try to keep from spoiling him but not to hard. Take good care of yourself and help Mother. I am going to try and call you all today and I hope I can get it through.
With lot of love from your brother,
Harmon

Continued.....
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