September 7–9, 1942
Posted Sunday, March 19th, 2006 at 2:03 pm
This intro is going to be short and sweet, just like the five letters that are being presented.
Dad’s getting ever more lonely and frustrated, even to the point of fantasizing about just walking away from base to go and see his honey, but he won’t do that. The lure of the bottle is still calling his name — will the love for his Anna Mae be strong enough for him to honor his promise to not drink? Will he ever get the pictures made that he promised her? Will he ever get to do anything in the Navy except stick guys in the hind end with a needle and type memos for his C.O? Stay tuned . . .
[Postmark: September 7, 1942]
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[Norfolk, VA]
Sept 5, 1942
Hello My Darling,
I am glad you like the new job, I was sure you would & that every thing would be O.K.
I got a letter from J.L. today, he says everything is O.K. down there except he don’t get enough sleep. Well, that’s all we get up here. “Sleep”.
I went over to see Bill today but he had gone some place so I just came back home. There isn’t anything else to do except go to the show & I have seen so many shows I can’t get interested anymore. B.H. has to work when I am off & I work when he is off. I never have got to talk to him. I called him today just before he left for work. He is going to quit his job & join the Navy again.
These guys here sure talk funny, they are from the northeastern states. I can hardly understand them. [Sure Dad, and I imagine they felt the same way about you! - Okie]
I have nothing new to tell you — I miss you Terribly —
With Love
“Duke”
P.S. I forgot to send a card last time so I am sending two this time.
[Postmark: September 7, 1942]
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[Norfolk, VA]
Sept 7, 1942
My Darling,
Well, another Sunday has passed & I didn’t even leave camp. Say, you aren’t the only one who expects a letter every day & I didn’t get one today.
I am glad you like the bracelet. It isn’t much, but it carries the meaning of an expensive a present as money can buy.
I haven’t written mother yet. I guess I had better. It seems I only take time to write to you. I worry more about you than any thing else. I know everything is alright, but I keep wondering what you are doing & thinking every minute of the day.
Nothing new today so will close.
Love
“Duke”
[Postmark: September 8, 1942]
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[Norfolk, VA]
Sept 7, 1942
Darling,
Well, another day has passed & I haven’t received a letter today. You have spoiled me, I now expect a letter every day & I haven’t gotten one for two days. Boy am I blue, if I had liberty tonight I might go down town and buy a pint. I haven’t drank a drop since I arrived here in Virginia & it is dirt cheap. Aren’t you proud of me. & it’s not because I don’t have the money, because I do. It is for you darling, & myself.
I think I’ll go down to Virginia Beach two weeks from yesterday. A couple of the boys here have never been down & I’d like to go down there again, so we are planning on it. Anything can happen though & we may not get to go. It sure is a swell beach, that is where I bought the candy animals, remember?
There is on thing you don’t have to worry about & that is girls. I couldn’t even get a date if I tried. There are so many sailors here even the worst type of girls can be choicie (Mispelled). (Boy am I ignorate)
But I Love You
Duke(WRITE SOON)
[Postmark: September 9, 1942]
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[Norfolk, VA]
Sept 8, 1942
Darling Anna Mae,
Well this certainly is nice, two lovely letters & both from you. You know, I guess I bragged too soon about not being sick. I have been in bed all day today. I have what the Navy calls Cat. Fever, or a bad cold. It is another one of those sinus attacts like I have always had. Do you have any idea how many times I have come home from school well & go back sick with a bad cold? You don’t have any idea how I enjoyed getting those colds.
If you were here now I would give you my cold.
I start tomorrow taking Cod Liver Oil, & an Iodine Comp. “Doctors Orders.” He says I have a deficiency of iodine & as long as I have this deficiency I will be subject to colds.
Maybe that is what the trouble has been all the time, if so, maybe I can cure it. I’ll try anything. Enough about me —
What are your impressions of your new job by now, & how was every thing at home? YOu will probably answer these questions before you get this. I ran out of ink & had to borrow some.
No, I probably won’t be lucky enough to go aboard ship. A yeoman in the Navy is a stneogpher (misspelled), by the way, I am back in the inoculation hut again & I saw that Irwin boy you told me about. he is in the 27th Battalion. I gave him his Tetanus (Lock Jaw) shot today. I was surprised to see him.
“All My Love”
Duke
[Postmark: September 9, 1942]
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[Norfolk, VA]
Sept 9, 1942
Hello Darling,
Well darling, another day has passed & I feel much better. I worked today & enjoyed it, nothing new happened today, they are still talking about moving this camp, so don’t be surprised when you get a letter from me with a new return address. They keep changing their mind, so it may be this month or next month, I don’t know.
I didn’t get around to having my picture made for you last week, but I’ll get it as soon as possible. I know you are getting tired of hearing me say that & I am sorry, but I just can’t seem to get around to it. I’ll try, honest I will.
Say, Bob was complimented by you asking for a picture of him & he says you shall have one. I see you still don’t know B.H. Well, anyway, he is a swell guy.
Darling, I miss you more each day. If it keeps on as it is going, I don’t know how I am going to keep from just walking off. Maybe I’ll get a leave before too long. I hope.
Boy is it hot. I am just burning up. I’ll be glad when it gets a little cooler.
Well, goodbye till tomorrow.
With All My Love.
“Duke”P.S. I am out of picture cards.
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, Norfolk, Navy