Dad’s WWII Letters To Mom™

My Dad is starting to get his romantic legs, finally! I never saw him express himself the way he does in these letters, and as the days, weeks & months pile up, his lonliness and his longing for his Anna Mae gets ever stronger. He’s even learned how to “turn a phrase”, “It is the first time I have had lipstick on my face since the last time I kissed you. I even put a little spot of it on my shoulder so I would feel like I had really been kissed.” Wow — Way to go, Dad!

He also seems to be getting her ready for his first at-sea deployment, hinting that it is now less than 6 months away. I haven’t read ahead so I don’t know when he first had to go overseas, but there is a war on, and he’s not there just to learn how to iron his blues and “drill”. At least I know how this strory ends . . . when they were living it, they didn’t know if they would ever get to see each other again.

My father’s letters, continued . . . (db)

[Postmark: September 25, 1942]

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[Norfolk, VA]

Sept. 24, 1942

Hello Darling,

Yes, I know, I missed writing to you last night, but if you know what I was doing I don’t think you would care a bit. It sure is hard to get pictures made here in Norfolk, too much business.

First you make an appointment, then you go have them made, wait a week, & go look at the proofs, then pick one & wait two weeks to get the pictures. [& I get impatient with the speed of my digital camera’s memory chip! - Okie]

I also saw a show “Panama Hattie” plenty good, don’t miss it. Red Skelton & Ann Southern.

I looked at some radios while down town. I think I’ll buy one, one of those combination battery & electric sets.

I don’t mind not hearing from anyone else as long as you write me. It doesn’t matter what you say so long as you write.

I haven’t heard from anyone except you in ages, so I don’t know anything that you didn’t tell me about any of our friends.

It is hotter than H _ _ _ here today. I have been sweating all day. It cools off at night but is hot all day.

Aren’t you ashamed of yourself to tell everyone you was coming home, then not go? I wish I could go home, just any weekend. I wouldn’t miss because of a little rain.

I would sure like to see the ice follies. I have never seen them, they say it is quite a show.

We were in Bradford all day today, shot about 2,500 men.

We had drill this afternoon for about 30 minutes. We have a new chief & he thinks we (the medical dept.) should drill, so we drill.

All my Love
Duke

[Postmark: September 26, 1942]

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[Norfolk, VA]

Sept. 25, 1942

Hello Darling,

Thanks a million for the kiss. It is the first time I have had lipstick on my face since the last time I kissed you. I even put a little spot of it on my shoulder so I would feel like I had really been kissed. You are a darling & I don’t see how I ever got along without you as long as I did. come to think of it, I hadn’t been getting along very well until I met you.

I’ll take my kisses first hand direct if I have any choice, but this is much better than no kiss at all, so I accept it with all my heart and affection.

I got a letter card from my Aunt Zona today, she says everything is fine up there. She also said you wrote to her, I am glad you did, she likes you a lot, which isn’t hard for me to understand, who could help but like you? Look at me, I am goofy about you.

Aunt Zona wants me to come up & see her, but I don’t guess I will, my Uncle won’t let me.

I don’t think I’ll have to go to sea for about 6 mo., most of the boys have about 6 mo. land service before going to sea. I don’t see why I should be any exception.

Guess what? I changed jobs again today. Just like I thought I would. I am now in the record office again. It is easy, but I like the shot hut better.

I am sending you a picture of Bob. He had this taken while he was home on leave, while I am setting here in the shot hut writing, Bob is pressing his blue suit & boy did he ever burn a hole about the size of the iron in the leg. I can’t tell you what he said but you can imagine. It was his best pair of blues & he was getting them ready so he could wear them on liberty tomorrow & Sunday. They cost about $10.00 & they can’t be fixed. Is he ever mad. I don’t blame him, guess I’ll have to teach him how to iron.

I bought some more material for your scrap book, now you can tell what kind of plane is flying over when you see one.

I have fire watch tonight from 2 o’clock till 4:00. boy will I be sleepy tomorrow. I wish you were here to keep me company. It gets lonesome when you have to stay up alone. I don’t know who I am suppose to awake to relieve me so I guess I had better find out where he sleeps before the lights go out.

Good night Darling. XXX_________X (Boy was that one good.)

All my Love
“Duke”

[Postmark: September 28, 1942]

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[Norfolk, VA]

Sept. 26, 1942

My Darling,

I didn’t get a letter today but I guess I’ll get two tomorrow “I hope”.

Well, my new job isn’t so bad. I am taking care of the officers’ records. I check them in when they report for duty, then check them out when they are moved to another station. There is a lot of red tape to moving them. I know it won’t be interesting, so I’ll skip it. Also, I handle the records of Ships Company men. That is what I am in.

Belive it or not, it is Saturday night & I have liberty, but I am staying home. I just finished washing clothes. Started to go to the show here on the station but I have already seen it, so I guess I’ll just go to bed & get some sleep. I am tired from being on fire watch last night & working all day today.

I am sorry I don’t know what to say, I can’t answer your letter because I didn’t get one.

I think I’ll go over to Portsmouth tomorrow & see Bill. He is on duty so we can’t go to the beach or anywhere, but I’ll go over & chat with him anyway. Bob has gone to town to see his girl friend, & don’t think he will be back till Monday morning. Wish my girl friend lived here. Don’t you?

I have told you a million times how much I love you but I’ll tell you again, you are the one & only & I love you more than anything else. Have faith till this war is over & I’ll prove it.

With Love
Your Sailor Boy
“Duke”

[Postmark: September 29, 1942]

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[Norfolk, VA]

Sept. 28, 1942

My Darling Anna Mae,

Yes, I know I missed writing you yesterday & got two big wonderful letters today. I went over to see Bill yesterday. We went down to the ship yards & saw some of the Big Ships! They sure are big, almost unbelievable until you see them.

This is the yard where B.H. Alexander works, but I didn’t see him. It sure is a large ship yard & I don’t have any idea how many ships they have. This is where they repair ships that have been in combat at sea. Some of them had holes in them which were being repaired. They have ships from all countries there. The U.S.A. Ships are the cleanest & best looking. We stayed there about three hours & didn’t even get started at getting around to all the ships.

So much for the ships.

I know just how you feel & I feel like crying myself sometimes, but I can’s see that it would do any good so I just grin & bear it.

I am as sure of your love now as I am of life itself & you can depend on me. I hope someday our dreams will come true.

I haven’t heard from anyone lately. I guess it is mostly because I haven’t written to anyone except you.

I would like to send you a picture of myself washing clothes, but it is against the regulations to have a Kodak on the compound. The compound is like the camps except it has a high fence around it & a guard at the gate.

I am sorry to hear you aren’t feeling well, take care of yourself & have a good time while you are home.

I LOVE YOU. XXXXX

All my love
Duke.

[Postmark: September 30, 1942]

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[Norfolk, VA]

Sept. 29, 1942

My Darling,

Well, how are you this cold weather? I hope your cold is getting better. It turned cold here last Saturday night & has been colder than H _ _ _ ever since. I guess I won’t get to finish my sun tan. We have started wearing our blue uniforms. It was made (the uniform of the day) today. You see, in the Navy they tell you what you can & can’t wear & when you can wear it, so until you are told to wear blues you can’t, unless you sneak out. That is what I did when I had my picture made for you. I will be able to get that picture about Oct. 7. They are so busy & I thought you wouldn’t mind waiting a few more days. I love you for being so patient with me. [Dad, I think you used it all up before I came around! - Okie]

Looks to me like Ophard would at least let me know when he is going to do such an important thing as marry. I wonder if they will send me an announcement.

You don’t suppose it worries him so much or is so excited that he forgot his own brother? Boy, it must be quite a sensation, suppose?

I think that is a good suggestion, about sending you a message by spelling out the place at the beginning of each paragraph. if I can send a letter at all I’ll do just that.

We are moving to Yorktown about October 15th, it isn’t official yet, but that is what they say or is scuttlebutt.

I like my new job in the record office now. I am getting a room to myself, or you might call it an office. It has a desk, typewriter & a filing cabinet.

Maybe I’ll get enough experience sitting at a desk with my feet upon it, that some day I’ll be a big business man.

I know you had a swell time at home & I am glad you get to go home. I only with I could have enjoyed it with you.

Well, I have just about run out of news.

Don’t ever forget that I Love You.

Goodnight, & be good.

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, Camp Allen, Norfolk, Navy

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