Dad’s WWII Letters To Mom™

I’ve been thinking of my Dad’s situation in late Summer of ‘42. Here he was, less than a year after the slaughter on Pearl Harbor, away from home, with world events spiraling out of control — death and devastation occurring on a scale previously unknown to mankind — and he is concerned about being homesick, and wanting to be able to spend a few days with his precious “Anna Mae”.

Duke wrote 25 letters plus sent a handful of postcards to her in September of 1942. That’s going to take us 5 postings to get through here. In some of this selection, he tells her that he wishes the war was over already. What he doesn’t know is that there are almost 3 years of terrible conflict to go before his wish will come true, and that before it’s over, my Mom’s oldest brother, Paul, will be killed by a sniper in Okinawa. From both my father’s and mother’s families, many served — only this one maternal brother was lost to the war — although I am most certain that they all left their innocence of youth over there . . . on hostile, foreign soil.

The letters, continued. (db)

[Postmark: September 1, 1942]

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[Norfolk, VA]

August 31, 1942

Hello My Darling,

Just received Two wonderful letters today. I am sorry I missed writing yesterday. I went to town to see B.H. Alexander, he wasn’t home so I took in a movie & messed around. Believe it or not I went to church yesterday. I was invited out for dinner but I didn’t go, I wanted to see B.H. & then he wasn’t home. I missed a good chicken dinner. Don’t worry, it was some lady about 45 & her mother who asked me to dinner. Everyone came around & shook my hand, I felt so silly. You see, there was only three sailors at church & the preacher talked about it.

I forgot to tell you I saw Geld Peden the other day, he was in one of the battalions that left here a day or so ago. He was as surprised as I was, this was one day while I was working in the inoculation hut. I gave him his shots & we chatted a while. I meant to go see him but I never did. I just couldn’t seem to find time. I also saw a boy that I worked with down at Norman, that was just last Saturday.

You asked me about the town of Norfolk. Well, it’s terrible, the town is too small for the population, you have to stand in line to buy anything & everything is sky high! There are no buildings over three stories high.

Maybe after you try to read this letter you will wish I would type more of them.

I am more than pleased with your answer to my question, (about marriage.) I wish this war was over, don’t you?

Well, I don’t know anything else to say, so I guess I’ll close till tomorrow.

I haven’t had a sick day since I have been here, not even a cold. I guess this regular hours are good, long nights are good for me. Sure has been cool here for the past two weeks.

all my Love,
Duke.
p.s. Good luck at your new job.

[Postmark: September 2, 1942]

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[Norfolk, VA]

Sept. 1, 1942

Hello Darling,

Well, what do you know, I got 2 letters & three cards today, boy did I feel good.

I don’t have anything in particular to say but I’ll answer your questions. Everyone takes exercise every morning before breakfast except the medical department. We sleep till 6:30. We all in the medical department eat at the same mess hall. Each battalion has its own mess hall, cooks & all & they move with the battalion where ever they go. They have battalions at Camp Bradford same as here, mess halls & all, so when I go down there, I eat in their mess halls.

I haven’t been swimming in ages, don’t know when I’ll get to again. Bill is still over at Portsmouth.

I haven’t even as much as talked to a girl in so long, I wouldn’t even know how to act. I go to town about once a week & eat a steak dinner, then go to the show, that’s all.

You see, I don’t have time to do much, work every day from 8-5, then eat & write a letter to you & usually wash some & there isn’t much time left for anything else & every other night I work til 9 o’clock.

With Love,
“Duke”

[Postmark: September 3, 1942]

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[Norfolk, VA]

Sept 2, 1942

Hello Darling,

Well, just as you said, I didn’t get a letter today. By the way, I just heard today that I, or we (the whole camp), area going to be moved to a new camp in Yorktown, VA. It is about 40 miles from here. I don’t know what way, but it will be two months before we go.

Nothing happened today, just the same old stuff. Oh, yes, Bob, my friend here, got a 5 day leave, he leaves tomorrow & I’ll take over his job till he gets back. I’d have to have at least 10 days before I’d consider leaving.

I am thinking of having my picture made next week-end, at least I am thinking of it.

With all my
Love
“Duke”

[Postmark: September 4, 1942]

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[Norfolk, VA]

Sept 3, 1942

Hello Darling,

Well, here it is Sept 3 and I haven’t received a letter yet. It seems ages. I should get one tomorrow, I hope.

Boy, it sure it hot here. I am just dripping wet with sweat. It has only been hot for the last couple of days.

Hasn’t anything happened today, just the same, only things. Didn’t work much today, just shot one company of men, about 300, but boy will we have to work tomorrowMonday, have to shoot 2 battalions, about 2200 men.

Well, how do you like your new job by now, fine I am sure.

I am happy for you.

Got a card from Mother today, she is in Ind. having a swell time.

All My Love
Duke

[Postmark: September 5, 1942]

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[Norfolk, VA]

Sept 4, 1942

My Darling,

Boy was I surprised & pleased today. Guess what, I got three letters & all from you. It sure takes a long time for a letter to reach here from there. I just heard that if N.O.B. is left off the address it will get here a day sooner, let’s try what say.

Boy, it’s just as hot tonight as last night, sweat is just dripping off me, notice how wet the paper is. [I can still see the sweat stains on the stationary - Okie] I can’t help it. Wish I had a table to write on & maybe you could read it.

I am glad that you found a nice apartment & I am sure everything will be alright, & you don’t wish I was there anymore than I want to be there.

I am just waiting for the day
When ______________________________

We had wieners and sour Kraut for supper tonight & boy I can still taste them. They were good, but I don’t care much for them.

Oh yes, you asked me who B.H. is. He is Del Alexander’s brother, the one who used to deliver ice at Oilton, remember? B.H. & I were pals in high school. He went with Margaret Haley, too. He is married now & it has been about 9 or 10 years, & the first thing he asked me was what ever happened to Margaret. Figure that one out. [Dad, things never change! - Okie]

U.S.N.C.T.C. N.O.B. — means.
United States Naval Construction Training Center, Naval Operations Base.

I don’t know anything else except
I Love You.

“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, Norfolk, Navy

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