Dad’s WWII Letters To Mom™

This first letter to his Anna Mae is my father’s last civilian correspondence before his enlistment is processed and he officially joins the U.S. Navy. We get a glimpse of his moral character in his comments about what could, or as he said, would have happened if he had stayed another night in Oilton before heading to Oklahoma City. We’ll learn a lot more about him very soon — apparently he had a bad reputation in his home town, something that I never knew anything about — regardless of the concerns he shows in this letter. Also, there are a lot of typos. After all, this was written a long, long time before instant editing and spellcheck!

In the second correspondence, Dad sends her a hastily written postcard to announce his imminent leaving Oklahoma for Texas, now a Pharmacist Mate 1st class in the U.S. Naval Reserve. The card he sends to her has a picture of the Pensacola Dam across the Grand River in northeastern OK that created the lake known as Grand Lake of the Cherokees. Years later they would have a cabin on that very lake, at least for a little while. I caught a lot of sun perch in the cove that cabin was located on, and spent some fun time as a four-year-old swimming there with the aid of WWII era surplus life preservers, but my best guess is that they had a lot more fun in that cabin than I did!

We’ll never know what “Don’t forget what I said” was — but we can guess.

The third letter details for Mom his first five days in the Navy — he has already witnessed five deaths — and contains the first of many reassurances for her of his devotion. He also expresses the hope that he will not see any ship time — what a naive, Okieboy he was — but not for long . . .

On to the letters, enjoy the journey!

[Postmark: June 6, 1942]

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June 5, 1942

Dearest Anna Mae,

Well here I am sunburned and all. Sure am having a swell time Will leave here monday and go to Okla. city
I dont know where to from there. but will let you know
I would like to have stayed home till time to go to the city but I had some things to do and if I had stayed there we would done things we shouldnt have.

I may be gone a long time so what ever may happen ### ## dont ever forget my heart is with you where ever I may be.

Tell mother hello and I will write her when I get in Okla. City.

With Love
Duke.

[Postmark: June 9, 1942]

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June 9, 1942

James I. Baker
Ph. M. 1C. U.S.N.R.
Corpus Christy, Texas

Dear Anna,

Am leaving OK. City in one hour. Will write later. Don’t forget what I said.

Love
Duke.

[Postmark: June 16, 1942]

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[U.S. Naval Hospital - Corpus Christi, Texas]

June 14, 1942

Dearest Anna Mae,

I’ll bet you are rather angry with me but it really isn’t my falt. I wrote mother & just as I finished I was called on duty at medical ward II & worked from then til 9 oclock at night & have every day till this evening. 14 hours per day.

I signed up in Okla City at 4:30 last tues. night, caught a train at 5:30 & landed here in Corpus at 6 oclock Wed evening. Road in a pullman & was given money for meals. My first meal cost $1.35 pretty high for me but I didn’t care it was on Uncle Sam.

The first 2 days I was sent around & took an examination & given small pox, tetanus, & typhoid shots. Then I checked out my uniforms. Saturday I went to work in the hospital. I check peoples (Men) temperatures, pulse, & Respiration Rate. We are suppose to get paid the 15th. but I haven’t been here long enough to have my record straightened out yet. Won’t be paid til 1st. also where I work I serve the patients their meals.

This is a Naval Air training station there has been 5 men killed in plane crashes since I have been here. There are planes in the air Day & night.

I am trying to get to work in the laboratory where they run blood tests, type blood & make cell counts. I hope I get it. also we run tests for syphillis.

You don’t have to worry about me going with anyone (if you do) they tell me girls don’t even look at a sailor down here. I haven’t been to town yet & may not go for a month or so.

The first time I go to town I’ll have a picture made & send it to you.

Have you heard about the effect of salt petre? Well if you haven’t it reduces your sexual desires & they put it in our food.

If the rumor is true I won’t be sent on ship for 2 or three months & maybe not at all.

We are on the shore of the Gulf of Mexico. It is about 2 Blocks from where I sleep. I think I’ll go down & swim tomorrow. I can’t think of anything to tell you so ask me when you write anything you would like to know.

With all My Love
Duke.

Dad’s WWII Letters to Mom™
A celebration of love and discovery by Duke’s son.
Copyright © 2005-2006 — Arthur Dale Baker — All Rights Reserved

World War II letters, WWII, Dad’s WWII Letters

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