Dad’s WWII Letters To Mom™

Every time I slip one of these precious pieces of yellowed paper out of its well-traveled envelope, originally opened via a carefully, clean cut on the right hand side, I wonder how many times each item has been handled. At least three times for sure, when Dad wrote it, when Mom first read it and when she read it again just over three years ago. But how many times in the Summer of 1942 did she read each one over and over again — trying to stay close to him as he was moved ever farther away from her? Another question never to be answered, now that she’s gone, too.

As I have said before, I know virtually nothing about this time in my father’s life, and am experiencing revelations at every point along the way. Case in point, I never knew him to take a drink - not a beer, a glass of wine or any strong spirits. But in this series of letters we learn that he had a taste for that which my mother didn’t approve. And we see his struggle as he tries to balance the loneliness he feels, along with the hard realities of his Navy duties against her wishes that he not partake of alcohol. I doubt that we have read the last of this struggle.

Also, we see an almost desperate attempt at self-delusion as he tries to reassure her that he won’t be seeing duty outside the U.S. Boy was he wrong on that one! So without further ado, my father’s letters, continued. (db)

[Postmark: July 06, 1942]

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

July 5, 1942

Darling Anna Mae,

I just received your letter yesterday. I am glad you didn’t neglect me as everyone else does. You said I wouldn’t get drunk July 4 (yesterday) & sure enough I didn’t, as a matter of fact I didn’t even take one little drink. I did go to town after my blue suit that I left to be fixed the other day but it wasn’t finished yet, so I will have to go back again next week.

There were liquor stores on every corner & I didn’t even have a desire to drink any, (believe it or not.) They even have some wine & you know how I like wine, but I’ll tell you why I quit. In the first place I love you & you don’t like for me to drink. Second, I have seen some awful things around here caused by drinking. I don’t know what you heard about sailors but what ever it was it was probably true. But I know one sailor it doesn’t & won’t apply to. I am going to try & let the Navy make a man of me instead of tearing me down.

You said something about rain the other day in your letter. Kid, you haven’t even seen rain until you see it rain down here. It started raining here day before yesterday & is still raining like H_ _ _. It was just pouring down last night while Bill & I were in town. We only stayed about an hour. Bill says he has quit drinking too.

You asked me about the women here. Yes there are 15 or so nurses here but you needn’t worry about them, they have an officer rating & we are not allowed to even talk to them except to take orders. (Navy regulations) If this best friend you have is an officer you can’t mix with him unless you get away from the base where no one can see you.

Oh! Yes, there is another thing I would like to tell you. It isn’t very important but I will tell you I am being shipped to Portsmouth, Va. next Sun. I have just been here a month & they are sending me away. I just got to liking it here.

We had a big stage show here yesterday. I have never seen better. I am sending you a bill of the advertising.

I hope you have seen mother & asked you why she wrote me that little dinky card and not a letter. Tell her I am disappointed.

Another special patient just died. I don’t know why but all my patients are dying. It has got to where it doesn’t bother me to handle a dead man. Don’t get me wrong about the deaths, they were old men & it couldn’t be helped.

There is supposed to be 50 boys here today from San Diego. Maybe Ophard (Dad’s brother) will be in the bunch. I haven’t as yet heard from him.

I’ll bet you thought I wasn’t going to say anything more about going away. Well I don’t know how long I’ll be in Portsmouth & don’t know where I’ll go from there. Bill and I are in the same bunch, there is only 11 of us all good boys & Ph. M. 2C. (pharmacists mate, 2nd class) It is the H.A.2C. that cause all the trouble. H.A. is supposed to be Hospital Appropriator but I think it means Horses A _ _. I don’t know what else to say so I’ll sign off.

All My love,
“Duke”

P.S. If you don’t get your next letter in the mail by Thurs. night I won’t get it.

[Postmark: July 20, 1942]

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[U.S. Naval Station - Portsmouth, VA]

Portsmouth, Va.
July 19, 1942

Dearest Anna Mae,

I had a wonderful trip. We stopped in Houston Texas then in New Orleans La. Next in Atlanta Geo. then the next stop was Portsmouth. We didn’t stay anywhere over an hour. I bought some cards and wrote them, then didn’t get a chance to mail them so I think I’ll just mail them from here. This isn’t an air school, it is only a Hospital Corp. training school but I don’t go, it is for H.A.2/e only. I don’t know why they sent me here. I have nothing to do. They have too many now. We have a lot of British sailors here. They sure have funny looking uniforms.

I went to Virginia Beach swimming today. Sure was fine, lots of girls & I’ll swear that I didn’t look at any of them much, but really I didn’t talk to any of them. I haven’t had a date since I left Oklahoma (I love you). I bought you a present while I was there, you may get it before you get this letter.

All My Love
Duke

p.s. Menu for scrap Book

[Postmark: July 22, 1942]

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[U.S. Naval Station - Portsmouth, VA]

July 21, 1942

My Darling.

I thought I would finish the letter I sent to you yesterday. I think I told you I had a wonderful trip. Sure saw some beautiful country. We were on the train 3 nights, 2 days and a half. I haven’t been assigned to duty yet. Sure is hot here even hotter than Corpus Christi. There doesn’t seem to be any breeze & it is awfully dry. I like it pretty well here but not as much as Texas. The chow is fair, at least I haven’t lost any weight. I have no complaints to make except it is so terribly far to where you are. I’d say 1400 miles.

I broke my promise. I drank a little on the train coming up here, but I didn’t get drunk. It was such a long trip & nothing to do.

We get up every morning at 4:45, muster at 5 o’clock & take exercises till 6 o’clock, then we clean the quarters till I have breakfast, then the ones who are assigned to duty go to work. I am on what they call the available list. I just help out where ever I am needed. So far, I haven’t been needed. There are too many here.

We are on the edge of the Chesapeake Bay harbor & I have seen all kinds of ships come & go. Battleships, Destroyers, sub chasers, tug boats, Freighters & etc. We sure have some old salts here since some of them have been in the Navy for 30 to 40 years. They are hard as nails & have tattoos all over them.

Those menus I sent you are from some of the places we ate. They sure were swanky joints.

While we were in New Orleans something funny happened. We were walking down the street looking for the Roosevelt Hotel & a big fat (250 lbs) woman come out of a store just in front of us, she was drunk on something. She was cursing someone as she left the store. When she turned around & saw us she began to sing & shout “God bless the Navy, We Fight” & etc. & threw out her arms & started running towards our chief. When he saw here he ducked and ran down the street & her right behind him. Boy, that was a funny sight.

I will now finish this letter. The Master at Arms just called all available men to muster at the administration building so we did & what do you think? I am now a part of the Fire Department. Not more than 5 minutes ago I had to throw this letter down & run.

The Captain said that this group, of which I am one of, will be the permanent Fire Department for this hospital. If he doesn’t change his mind I’ll be here for the rest of the War.

All My Love
Duke

[Postmark: July 26, 1942]

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[U.S. Naval Station - Portsmouth, VA]

July 25, 42

Hello Darling,

Just a line to let you know I am moving again. I just got my orders today. I am not moving far, just over to Norfolk, that is just across the river. Will write when I get moved.

I haven’t heard from any one since I got here & I have written to everyone.

I am writing this with a U.S.O. pen Just like a P.O. pen.

I love you
Duke

[Postmark: July 30, 1942]

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[U.S. Naval Base, Seabees - Norfolk, VA]

July 29, 1942

Hello Darling,

Well here I am in a new camp. It isn’t as nice as Corpus Christi. That is the bunks aren’t as good because down there we had regular hospital beds. These are O.K. & the chow is fine & plenty of it. This is a construction training center and not a hospital. I am working in what is called Sick Bay. My job at the present is to give the new recruits their vaccination & typhoid shots.

We run from 1000 to 1500 through here every day. There are 5 of us who line up & shoot them just as fast as they come through. We are always through by noon then we just mess around the rest of the day till 5 o’clock. We usually have a few stragglers who drop in for shots. We had about 10 today.

There are only 2 first class Ph.M. (pharmacists mates) here & about 5 2/C Ph. M. so you see they are quite a scarcity of them. Most everyone are recruits & they think I am an old salt because I know a little about the Navy.

Say, I had some pictures taken in Corpus & had them developed over at Portsmouth & I left before they were finished so Bill is going to send them to you. I haven’t even seen them so write & tell me if they are any good.

I don’t believe it but they say I’ll be stuck here for a long time. That’s what they have told me at every station. This is where they get them ready to go to sea, but not me, I am in what is called ships company.

Please excuse this writing, I am writing on my knee & a piece of card board. We just moved into some different barracks today & haven’t a table set up yet.

I probably won’t go to town here if I can find a lock for my locker, because we have a show, pool hall, bowling alley & everything right here on the compound. This recreation hall is brand new. It isn’t completely finished yet, but they have started having shows. I haven’t taken time to go as yet, moving and everything, but I probably will in a day or so.

Say, you ask about my mail. If I should happen to get a letter, send it to me unless it looks like a business letter, then send it to Ted Sturgeon, Box 6, Ames Okla.

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

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