We Are Going to Be Lucky

Description

We Are Going to Be Lucky tells the story of a first-generation Jewish American couple separated by war, captured in their own words. Lenny and Diana Miller were married just one year before America entered World War II. Deeply committed to social justice and bonded by love, both vowed to write to one another daily after Lenny enlisted in 1943. As Lenny made his way through basic training in Mississippi to the beaches of Normandy and eventually to the Battle of the Bulge, Diana struggled financially, giving up her job as a machinist to become a mother. Their contributions to the war effort—Lenny's crucial missions as an Army scout and Diana's work in the Brooklyn Navy Yard—are the backdrop to their daily correspondence, including insightful discussions of democracy, politics, and economic hardship.

Faced with grueling conditions overseas, Lenny managed to preserve every letter his wife sent, mailing them back to her for safekeeping. The couple's extraordinary letters, preserved in their entirety, reveal and reflect the excruciating personal sacrifices endured by both soldiers at war and their young families back home. After decades of gathering dust, their words have been carefully transcribed and thoughtfully edited and annotated by Elizabeth L. Fox, Lenny and Diana's daughter.
Acknowledgments
Preface—From Letters to a Book
Introduction

Part I. Training

1. Induction
Camp Upton, Long Island, New York, May 7–20, 1943

2. Basic Training: The First Six Months
Camp Shelby, Mississippi, May 21–November 20, 1943

3. Basic Training: The Second Six Months
Camp Shelby, Mississippi, November 21, 1943–June 4, 1944

Part II. Overseas

4. To the Front
On the USS Wakefield, June 5–13, 1944
Camp Barton Stacey, England, June 13–July 7, 1944

5. Somewhere in France, Somewhere in Belgium
Betty Lou and the Breakout from Normandy,
July 9–September 11, 1944

6. Somewhere in Holland, Somewhere in Germany
Mid-September through Mid-December, 1944

7. The Battle of the Bulge
Ardennes, Belgium,
Mid-December, 1944, through January, 1945

Part III. Recovery

8. The Long Road Home
January 25–May 1, 1945

9. The Final Phase: Recovery
May 2, 1945–June 15, 1946

Epilogue—Life after the War, 1946–1994
Appendix—Names that Appear in the Letters
Further Resources
About the Editor
Index

Sujets

• USA
• United States of America
• Local history
• Region
• 20th century
• World War II
• History of the Americas
• Regional
• États-Unis

Informations

• Publié par: State University of New York Press
• Date de parution: 22 mai 2018
• Nombre de lectures: 0
• EAN13: 9781438470597
• Langue: English
• Poids de l'ouvrage: 1 Mo

Extrait

PRAISE FOR
We Are Going to Be Lucky
“At the heart of this fascinating and educational tale about a soldier and his wife during wartime is a wonderful love story. Lenny and Diana become relatable almost immediately. Their excitement at their experiences—the eagerness with which they anticipate their few reunions, the battles he is in, the pregnancy and birth of their daughter—draws readers in and allows them to live through the era as ordinary people experienced it day in and day out.”
— Richard Aquila, author of Home Front Soldier: The Story of a GI and His Italian American Family During World War II
“This is a truly remarkable story, contextualized just enough by the editor to provide the reader with a sufficient understanding of the history of the times without taking away the daily realities of a young couple making their way through letters and the occasional souvenir, till their final reunion. It pulls you in in such a way that you will not want to put the book down until the finish.”
— Melissa Suzanne Fisher, author of Wall Street Women
“The correspondence of Lenny and Diana is a compelling account of the war though the eyes of an American soldier in Europe and his wife who stayed in the United States. The drama centers on the birth of their first child in America and Lenny’s increasingly dangerous war. Lenny was to go on to become an eminent scholar of John Milton, and these letters show the young scholar at work, struggling to obtain research materials while recovering from serious injuries sustained at the Battle of the Bulge.”
— Gordon Campbell, University of Leicester
“Is there any genre of writing more immediate and soul-bearing than the love letter? In We Are Going to Be Lucky , Elizabeth L. Fox allows us inside the lives of one New York couple as they endure the challenges of living apart through World War II—Lenny from the battlefront and Diana at home in Brooklyn. From arduous training to the difficulties of factory work, from the hopefulness of pregnancy to a near-fatal injury and painful convalescence, this carefully edited collection of correspondence reveals the pain, sacrifice, and everyday struggles—and magnanimity—of the Greatest Generation, and the universal beauty of human connection.”
— Julie Scelfo, author of The Women Who Made New York
“This remarkable collection of letters gives us a unique glimpse into the experiences of a World War II soldier and his wife on the home front. The correspondences between Lenny and Diana are both relatable and fascinating—full of funny anecdotes, powerful impressions of combat, profound insights into human nature, and a shared hope for a better world. Elizabeth L. Fox, the daughter of the letter writers, has edited this collection beautifully, vividly bringing to life a deeply personal love story within the dramatic context of a world war. From page one, we find ourselves rooting for this couple—for their commitment to fighting for justice, for their daily triumphs and struggles as soldiers and parents, and, ultimately, for them to be ‘lucky’ enough to hold each other again in a time of peace.”
— Andrew Carroll, editor of War Letters: Extraordinary Correspondence from American Wars
We Are Going to Be Lucky
WE ARE GOING TO BE LUCKY
A World War II Love Story in Letters

EDITED AND ANNOTATED BY
Elizabeth L. Fox
Published by
State University of New York Press, Albany
© 2018 State University of New York
All rights reserved
Printed in the United States of America
No part of this book may be used or reproduced in any manner whatsoever without written permission. No part of this book may be stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form or by any means including electronic, electrostatic, magnetic tape, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise without the prior permission in writing of the publisher.
EXCELSIOR EDITIONS
is an imprint of
STATE UNIVERSITY OF NEW YORK PRESS
For information, contact
State University of New York Press, Albany, NY
www.sunypress.edu
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
Names: Miller, Leo, 1915–1990, author. | Miller, Diana F., author. | Fox, Elizabeth L., 1944– editor.
Title: We are going to be lucky : a World War II love story in letters / edited by Elizabeth L. Fox.
Description: Albany : State University of New York Press, 2018. | Series: Excelsior editions | Includes bibliographical references and index.
Identifiers: LCCN 2017040336| ISBN 9781438470580 (paperback : alk. paper) | ISBN 9781438470597 (e-book)
Subjects: LCSH: Miller, Leo, 1915–1990—Correspondence. | World War, 1939–1945—Personal narratives, American. | World War, 1939–1945—Campaigns—Western Front. | Soldiers—United States—Correspondence. | Married people—United States—Correspondence. | Love-letters—United States. | Miller, Diana F.—Correspondence.
Classification: LCC D811 .M517 2018 | DDC 940.54/1273092—dc23
LC record available at https://lccn.loc.gov/2017040336
10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1
This book is dedicated to my parents,
Lenny and Diana Miller, who possessed the insight to write meaningfully, the devotion to communicate frequently, and the wisdom to preserve their correspondence. May their legacy live on, through their grandchildren and future generations, and may it resonate with those who seek justice for all people.
Contents
Acknowledgments
Preface—From Letters to a Book
Introduction
PART I—TRAINING
Chapter 1—Induction
Camp Upton, Long Island, New York, May 7–20, 1943
Chapter 2—Basic Training: The First Six Months
Camp Shelby, Mississippi, May 21–November 20, 1943
Chapter 3—Basic Training: The Second Six Months
Camp Shelby, Mississippi, November 21, 1943–June 4, 1944
PART II—OVERSEAS
Chapter 4—To the Front
On the USS Wakefield , June 5–13, 1944
Camp Barton Stacey, England, June 13–July 7, 1944
Chapter 5—Somewhere in France, Somewhere in Belgium
Betty Lou and the Breakout from Normandy,
July 9–September 11, 1944
Chapter 6—Somewhere in Holland, Somewhere in Germany
Mid-September through Mid-December, 1944
Chapter 7—The Battle of the Bulge
Ardennes, Belgium,
Mid-December, 1944, through January, 1945
PART III—RECOVERY
Chapter 8—The Long Road Home
January 25–May 1, 1945
Chapter 9—The Final Phase: Recovery
May 2, 1945–June 15, 1946
Epilogue—Life after the War, 1946–1994
Appendix—Names that Appear in the Letters
Further Resources
About the Editor
Index
Acknowledgments
I am most indebted to my parents, Leo (Lenny) and Diana Miller, who preserved their wartime letters and who taught me how to live by one’s ideals and principles to make the world a better place.
This book wouldn’t have been possible without the support and love of my husband and best friend, Sid, who believed in this project and supported me, allowing me to spend many hours reading and rereading the letters and sitting at the computer over the past five years. His understanding and knowledge of the history of World War II contributed greatly.
My daughter, Amy, an accomplished playwright and screenwriter, was my sounding board and supported me during all the trying times. Her professional knowledge taught me how to strengthen the manuscript. My son David sorted all the letters by date and inspired me to start reading them. With his passion for history and research, my son Jon motivated me to keep going.
My brother, Fred, took the time to type my dad’s war memoir “Rifleman’s Road” into the computer for easier access to reference that material. He also provided valuable insights while reading the manuscript.
My uncle Eddie (Lenny’s younger brother), often referred to in the letters and also a veteran of World War II, has written many short stories and novellas recording family stories. He also shared his memories of the war and personal family history with me through several conversations.
My friend Alice Levine, a professional editor, guided me from the conception of my book to its completion, always sharing her knowledge of the publishing process and editing expertise. Matt Young, a published author and editor, who read the manuscript, encouraged me and gave meaningful suggestions. Matt also provided technical support early in the process. Shirley Gang’s editorial suggestions were of great assistance.
Connie Rosenblum, retired New York Times City Section editor, believed in the project and encouraged me to continue. Her careful, thoughtful editing skill helped me focus on the main themes of the story and prepare the manuscript to be sent to publishers.
Jim Williams II, dean of Libraries at the University of Colorado, who knew my dad from his visits to the university library provided guidance and support. Darren Pratt, director of the University of Colorado Press, deserves special mention for his suggestion that I submit the manuscript to SUNY Press.
Finally, I acknowledge and thank my team at SUNY Press, starting with Amanda Lanne-Camilli, my acquisitions editor, who recognized the importance and uniqueness of my book and whose advice and assistance was invaluable. Chelsea Miller, Amanda’s assistant, also offered her skill when needed. Laurie Searl, my production editor, worked with sensitivity and devotion to support me through the production and book design phase. Her attention to detail was only surpassed by her artistic eye, her vision for the book, and her commitment to the project. Kate Seburyamo and Michael Campochiaro, my marketing managers, brought their knowledge and expertise of the marketing process to promote the book and to help me develop my mark