Shore Leave in Central Park

A couple of young sailors making the most of their time on leave-- with girls, of course. New York City, 1943, shot by Peter Stackpole for LIFE (though apparently unpublished). 

Peter Stackpole, LIFE © Time Inc.

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Peter Stackpole, LIFE © Time Inc.

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Peter Stackpole, LIFE © Time Inc.

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A Scottish Bride

A sweet series documenting the courtship and wedding of an American soldier and Scottish woman who met while he was stationed in the UK, 1944. At some point between meeting and getting married they met the photographer, and re-staged some of the earlier parts for him, haha. 

Dedicated to Grace. :)

A recreation of the soldier's first meeting with his girl, in Edinburgh. Source

A recreation of their first date, Edinburgh. Source

A recreation of their first kiss. Source

The soldier writing to his commanding officer asking permission to marry his girlfriend. Source

The couple travels by train to Windsor for their marriage ceremony. Source

Wedding! Source

The bride wipes lipstick off her new husband's face. Source

A kiss for the bride from her husband's commanding officer. Source

Tea in bed for the newlyweds (let's hope she-- and the photographer-- knocked first!). Source

A spot of honeymoon... rowing in the Thames. Source

The couple tours Windsor Castle. Source

A bit of window shopping in Windsor. Source

The newlyweds walk in Windsor Great Park. Source

Romance in Wartime San Francisco

I'm always a sucker for the wartime romances. Today, San Francisco, World War Two-- certainly a time to be a woman. ;) 1943, photographer Meith Hagel for LIFE. 

A woman with her sailor and two soldiers on the street. Source

A present for a girlfriend. Source

Trying out a replica gun at a museum? Or something? Source

And one-on-one... Source

Feeding the pigeons with the boys. Source

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Sitting around. Source

Evening dalliances. Source

Showing off the harmonica skills (how cuuute is he?). Source

Many admirers. Source

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Many, many. Source

With girlfriends in the evening. Source

Dancing. Source

I'm  not sure what's with that backgound... Source

Drinks or such like. Source

More seated flirtation. Source

A flower for the girlfriend. Source

Trying to figure out how to put it on. Source

Awwww. Source

A kiss, caught in too much flash. Source

On an unrelated note-- this blog is now over 50,000 page views!!! Wow!!! You all are terrific!!! 

Rebellious Dating, Japan, 1946

Oh, those American soldiers. Whether it's a fling in 1944 London or a date in 1945 France, local girls and foreign soldiers sure get along. So well, in fact, that this set of photographs in LIFE accompanies an article laying out the 'do's and 'don'ts' of dating for American soldiers and Japanese girls in Japan, 1946. 

Photographs by John Florea

John Florea, LIFE © Time Inc.

Holding hands in public is fine. Source

John Florea, LIFE © Time Inc.

Sharing chocolate might be fine... giving away cigarettes isn't. Source

John Florea, LIFE © Time Inc.

Rowing on a pond is permissible. Source

John Florea, LIFE © Time Inc.

So is going to a dance. Source

John Florea, LIFE © Time Inc.

Taking the train could be iffy. Source

John Florea, LIFE © Time Inc.

Going for dinner, as he is taking off his shoes to do, is off-limits. Source

John Florea, LIFE © Time Inc.

It's okay for an American soldier to eat in a Japanese home....as long as he brings his own food. Source

John Florea, LIFE © Time Inc.

Riding a bicycle is okay, but handlebar riding is forbidden. Source

John Florea, LIFE © Time Inc.

Giving Japanese girls rides while they are on Red Cross tours is all right. Source

John Florea, LIFE © Time Inc.

Giving a civilian girl a ride is a military jeep isn't. Source

John Florea, LIFE © Time Inc.

Giving away cigarettes is forbidden . Source

John Florea, LIFE © Time Inc.

And kissing is totally, totally not allowed. Source