Dad’s WWII Letters To Mom™

It was the Summer of 1942, and less than four months from the first anniversary of the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor.

Gandhi and his chief supporters of committee “Quit India” are jailed in India causing mass riots and the Japanese begin operations to reinforce Guadalcanal. The first serious Air attack from the USA with 12 B-17’s (Flying Fortress), from Eighth Air Force, on shunting yards from Rouen, France, escort by British Spitfire. In September the first B-24’s Liberators arrived.

At Camp Allen in Portsmouth, Virginia, where my Dad was assigned, the Seebees were being trained and dispatched to New Caledonia, Guadalcanal, and other hotspots throughout the So. Pacific.

Shortly after the disaster of Pearl Harbor, a new organization known as Construction Battalions was formed. The name “Seabee” developed, a play on the initials letters of the words “Construction Battalions.” Artists were set to work to develop an insignia and the flying bee with hammer in one hand and machine gun in the other became the identifying insignia.

These units were conceived because of the fact that civilian construction men under the terms of international law were not able to bear arms and the Navy, foreseeing that armed, organized builders were to be needed in this all-out struggle, recruited experienced artificers to train them to be active participants in the war. Volunteers joined the new organization and in May, 1942, preparations were made to organize one battalion a week and train them at Camp Allen, Naval Construction Training Center, located at the Naval Operating Base at Norfolk, VA.

In his letters, Dad mentions these battalions being pushed through Camp Allen at a furious pace. However; Dad, evidently always the optimists, doesn’t seem to be aware of the world-wide chaos that is about to engulf him. He is still focused on the day-to-day boredom of being away from home, but not exactly free to do as he pleases. Also, we see that he is struggling with being “true” to his Anna Mae as all his buddies are off on liberty having the time-of-their-lives while he stays behind and does his wash, and writes letters to the “love-of-his-life”.

So without further ado, my father’s letters, continued. (db)

[Postmark: August 16, 1942]

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[Camp Allen — Norfolk, VA]

Aug 14, 1942

Hello Darling,

I don’t know why I just keep writing, I don’t get any answers.

I wonder if you know just how hard it is to really be good. I guess you do because you are doing the same (I hope). The worst part is when the fellows here come back from a big week-end & tell all about how much fun they had. Oh, I could go downtown and mess around & have a little fun but I might be tempted to go a little further, so I just stay here or go over to Portsmouth & see Bill. I don’t want to be tempted & I have promised myself to be good & true to you. I am sure you still feel the same. It seems I get more homesick everyday & it is all to see you.

All my Love
Duke

[Postmark: August 20, 1942]

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[Naval Operating Base — Norfolk, VA]

August 19, 1942

Hello Darling,

Well, was I glad to get two letters two days in succession. Don’t even get the idea that I get tired of reading your letters or that you write too often or too much because your letters are the main thing that is keeping me together. It doesn’t matter what you say, just so you write.

I watch the post office every day with anxiety < (misspelled). I love you darling but I don't believe that you are convinced of it yet. I don't blame you though, because of all the things you have probably heard about me & probably a lot of it was true.

By the way, I have moved to a new camp & have changed my job. I don't know how long it will last but I an now assistant to the Lt. Commander. This is really an important job & I hope I can keep it. I take care of all his files & type his letters or orders, not personal letters. It is a snap job, but there is a lot of responsibility attached to it. He is a doctor & a fine one at that. I am more or less his secretary. “Can you imagine.”

I haven’t changed my address, I am still under the branch of Camp Allen, but the name of the place where I work is Camp Bradford. I think I told you about it before. It is about 5 or 6 miles from Camp Allen. I still sleep at Camp Allen & I ride down there on the bus every day & the doctor brings me back.

I work from 8 o’clock till 4 o’clock. I haven’t definitely got this job yet but I went to see about it today, will tell you next time I write how it is working out.

This doctor I am to work for is the big shot, in other words he is second in charge in this district, he only takes orders from the Captain. At least I can get all the inside dope. I go plenty of it today.

I just finished washing my clothes. Then I went to the canteen (a store where you can buy any thing from cigars to magazines) & bought some ice cream (1 pint) & ate it, boy was it good. I also bought some cigars and a pic magazine.

Well, it is time for the lights to go out, 9:30, so I had better sign off.

All my Love
Duke

[Postmark: August 21, 1942]

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[Camp Allen — Norfolk, VA]

August 20, 1942
9 o’clock

Hello Darling,

Say, you don’t do so bad at writing yourself. If you just keep them coming, I’ll keep sending a return even faster.

I just came in from a stage show they had here on the base. It was the well known barn dance. I have heard a lot about it & now I have seen it. It was pretty good. (FREE)

I imagine the last letter I sent you about my job now was pretty complicate, if you don’t understand, just say so & I’ll explain it again. I almost don’t understand it my self. I hope you can read these letters. I don’t have a desk here to write on.

I do work behind a desk & I have a typewriter just like any other secretary.

You asked about the liberty. Well, I only took care of the Medical Department. They are divided into 4 sections, No 1,2,3,4. One night Section 1 & 3 will have liberty & the next night 2 & 4 will have liberty. You see, that way half of the medical department is here every night. (Understand? I don’t.)

When you are due liberty you are put on the liberty list & given your liberty card. If you don’t have this card you can’t get out the gate, or get back in.

When you leave the camp you have to be dressed as the pictures show Bill & I are dressed, hat, black shoes, white shirt & black neckerchief, in the winter we ware blue suits.

Write as often as you can.

All My Love
Duke

[Postmark: August 23, 1942]

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[Camp Allen — Norfolk, VA]

Camp Allen
Aug 21, 1942

Hello Darling,

Well, I just bought some new stationary as you can see. I don’t like it though, It was in such a neat package it had me fooled so I bought it. You see, I write so many letters now days that I keep running out of stationary. It is now about 3:30. I am sitting at the Lt. Commander’s desk writing this letter & smoking a cigar. You see, another PhM2/e is using my desk & typewriter. I don’t think I’ll be here long, the job is too easy. I’ll probably be back at Camp Allen in a day or two. The boy who has been in charge of the inoculation hut is due a leave & there is no one else who knows how to run it. I may be here another week. I don’t know just when he gets his leave.

Aug 22, 1942
5 o’clock

Well, I will now try to finish this letter. Just as I got to the ward leave yesterday a fellow got two fingers cut off, so I had to fix up his papers so he could go to the hospital at Portsmouth & I never did get back to this letter. Then I forgot it this morning so I had to write the other typed letter on Navy paper. I don’t know anything else so I’ll close.

Love Duke

P.S. Ask me anything you would like to know & I’ll try to tell you.

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, Camp Allen, Corpus Christi, Navy, SeeBees

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