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The original letters can be seen at the above link:

'Dearest John'
Following are excerpts from We Just Did: The World War II Letters & Diary of John & Katherine Backus.

Sept. 12, 1944 Lake Worth, Fla.

Letter written by Katherine to her mother while Katherine was living near John while he was stationed near Lake Worth

Sunday we went deep-sea fishing again and now you have a fisher-lady in your family. Believe it or not, I caught and landed a 6 foot 11 inch sailfish, which weighed about 45 pounds. And that is not a tall fish story for we are sending you some of the sailfish, which a man is smoking for us ... A sailfish is the prize down here. I know I worked for it for my arms ache and my wrist is black and blue for about three inches where I held the reel. Several times I yelled for John to help me and to take over but they all said I had to do it myself.

Jan. 7, 1945 Tulsa, Okla.

Letter written by Katherine to John while he was stationed at Camp Kilmer, N.J.

Dearest John,

Over the radio they are singing a song "Into Each Life Must Come a Little Rain" -- Well I guess the rain has come into our life now. I hope it doesn't last long since we have to have some. If that is true I guess our life later will really be rosy. It sure will be fun just being together again for I miss you so much. They are now singing "Dear One I'll be Waiting" -- and that hits home true too -- I'll be right here waiting on you.

Jan. 16, 1945 Camp Kilmer, N.J.

Letter written by John to Katherine after she joined him in New York City on an unexpected furlough just before he's shipped overseas

Dearest Katherine,

It was more than tough to put you on the train last night, knowing that we can't expect any more good breaks like this last unexpected furlough. Anyhow, I'm glad that you had enough spirit of adventure to come a-running, not knowing for sure whether you'd find me in the city. I had so much fun that I don't even feel like seeing NYC for a while, and so turned down the chance to have another pass there tonight. Instead, I expect to stick very close to the barracks tonight ... By now you should be approaching St. Louis, and I'm keeping my fingers crossed that weather hasn't held you up. Take good care of yourself, dear.

I love you,

John

Jan. 24, 1945 S.S. Aquitania

Diary entry while John was crossing the Atlantic on the British liner S.S. Aquitania

Regulations are strictly enforced on the Aquitania, especially concerning smoking, and blackouts. Fire at sea is a larger hazard than submarines ... Blackout time starts at 1800 and lasts 'til 0800, and during this time we must stay off, since the light from one match can be seen in a submarine 3 miles away.

Jan. 26

Strong wind and heavy seas, which makes me just as happy: submarines find it hard to operate in this kind of weather. it takes a submarine a minimum of ten minutes to load, aim and fire a torpedo after sighting its target, se we've been changing course every 9 to 9 1/2 minutes, in order to make the ship as difficult as possible to hit.

Feb. 9

Diary entry as John travels to London on his way to his base

Arrived at Euston St. Station in London at 1500, and heard the explosion of a V-2 rocket about a mile away while we were starting out for the Liverpool St. Station. Went by a number of stores where the concussion had shattered plate glass windows, and the glass trucks were already there to repair the damage. Saw plenty of results of the past few years bombing by the Jerries.

March 15

Work was routine and no trouble. Fort (B-17 Flying Fortress) #852 was a mess but got back alright, with flak holes as big around as a barrel. Waist gunner's head blown off. No. 090's tail gunner killed by flak.

Apr. 10, 1945 Tulsa, Okla.

Letter from Katherine to John

Dearest John,

This morning I brought your khaki shirts down to be laundered and they first told me they couldn't run a special on them and that I couldn't possibly get them until a week from Wednesday. Then I started my tale about getting them off to a service man. Oh, then that was a different story -- why of course they would run it special -- some other customers standing by said "why, hold mine up if it is for a service man" -- My, my, all the to-do -- Now I know the system of getting laundry done but I doubt that it will work on my things.

April 13, 1945 Diary entry

Read this morning that Roosevelt died yesterday in his sleep. Quite a blow, at this time, with a man like Truman to take over. latest report is the Yanks have entered Berlin, and are expected to join with the Russians tomorrow. At this rate, there won't be much left to bomb.

May 7, 1945

Letter from John to Katherine

According to the stories I hear, the Germans came to terms this morning, and that the official announcement will be made later on today, and that the King will speak at 9 this evening. Looks as if it might be time this time -- we're all restricted to base, and have had to turn in our firearms -- temporarily -- so that they won't be used for purposes of celebration.

May 8, 1945

Letter from Katherine to John

I am just weak all over since the news came in this morning and a bit numb too. I came down to the office and brought Chuck's small radio ... After President Truman's announcement the whistles started blowing and people started throwin paper out etc. We of course can take the day off if we want to but somehow since I am already here I would just as soon work and not miss my overtime this week -- then too I don't really feel like celebrating now for I want to do my celebrating with you.