Disclaimer: Any errors and historical inaccuracies are mine alone. The idea for this story came from a country song called "A DEAR JOHN LETTER" ~ performed by Jean Shepard & Ferlin Husky (1953). Hope you enjoy it. By: Dex27

"Dear John"

The Rat Patrol had finished their mission and they were on their way back to base. Night was fast approaching so Troy decided to spend one last night in the desert before reaching base tomorrow. It was always safer to drive in the daylight than risk jeep problems with night time driving.

The soldiers while sitting around having their supper and were engaged in quiet conversation.

Hitch brought up the topic of girlfriends back home.

"Hey, Sarge, do you have a special girl waiting for you when this war is over?" Troy laughed, "Not really Hitch. We're not all like you with girls writing perfumed letters pining for your safe return."

Hitch then turned his attention to Moffitt. "Doc, I've seen you get letters from someone other than your Mom. Is that a special someone?"

"You know Hitch curiosity killed the cat but for your information I do get letters from a girl named Felicia. This was someone I was introduced to – a daughter of my mother's friend. We were going out fairly steady before the war but I wanted to serve in the field which makes relationships precarious. We shall see what happens when the conflict ends."

Tully was on guard duty when Hitch came to relieve him. "Tully you missed hearing all about Doc's girl."

"You mean he has someone steady back in England?" Hitch laughed and nodded his head. "He has never mentioned anything to me but then again I never asked."

The next day they made it back to base safely. As they were getting ready to grab a bite of lunch there was mail call. Tully went and collected the mail for his fellow rats. Troy had a letter from his parents, Hitch had three perfumed letters all in different handwriting, there were two for Tully, one from his mom and the other from his sisters. The surprise was a single letter from England for Moffitt. Normally Moffitt had several letters from Oxford colleages, his mother and archeology periodicals.

Lunch was the first order of business and then they each went their separate ways to catch up on the news from home. When they all met up for supper they noticed that Moffitt was quieter than usual.

Troy ever watchful over his team asked, "Is everything okay at home, Moffitt?"

"Well I suppose so. Interestingly the letter was from Felicia, the girl I told you about last night. Apparently she has met a Colonel in the Air Force and has decided to marry."

Hitch immediately stated, "Moffitt you got a 'Dear John' letter!"

"Pardon - what do you mean?"

Tully nodded as Hitch explained that servicemen who got letters from home telling them their special lady have found someone else were nick named Dear John letters. This was probably named after the first soldier that got a letter like that – guess he was called John.

The guys were feeling sorry for Moffitt when he started to laugh. "I think I have just dodged a bullet because I sure was not interested in being married to Felicia and was wondering how to let her down gently. In a way I feel greatly relieved! I will respond and wish her well and I suppose I'd better let my mother know what has happened as well."

With that episode over the guys ate a hearty supper and went out for a beer to celebrate Moffitt's new found freedom.