Dad’s WWII Letters To Mom™

The day after Christmas, 2002, Mom, who was in cardiac critical care at Northwestern Hospital in Tulsa, shocked us all by refusing any further treatment for her congestive heart failure. It’s 5 am, and the nurse comes in to the CICU waiting room, where about 20 of us are sleeping, and tells me that Mom has had a bad run of V-tack and has refused to take a potassium supplement that could help keep this from happening again.

I’m not going to go through the entire chronology of that day, but suffice it to say, Mom made it clear to all of us that she was ready to go and be with her beloved “Duke” in Heaven, so she would not allow any further treatment or extraordinary measures to be taken on her behalf. This we understood, and I helped her as she worked out her DNR, do not resuscitate, document that would allow her to die the next time something happened with her heart, an event which was certain to come soon.

What my sister and I would not allow was for her to starve to death. We made it very plain to our mother that God could take her whenever he wanted, but if she refused, at the very least, intravenous nutrition, we would have a psych consult come in and have her declared incompetent and do it anyway, so she did agree to allow this minimal step to be taken to prolong her existence. Starving her to death was not conceivable. I so do hope that my Father approved of our decision about that, even though it meant that he had to wait another 10 days to be with her once again. He’s got her for eternity now, we just selfishly wanted a few more days of her being here.

And now once again, my father’s WWII letters to her, continued. (db)

[Postmark: August 23, 1942]

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[Camp Allen — Norfolk, VA]

August 22, 1942

Hell-o My Darling,

I am sorry I missed writing you One day and I will try and not let it happen again. I am now sitting at my desk ###, which won’t be mine very long. I am being moved next Monday. I think I told you that I am to return to my old and first job here , In the Inoculation Hut,.

No wonder I am loosing my job, just look at the mess I am making of this letter, I hope that is not the reason I would hate to think I couldn’t handle any job they have here for PhM2c. The is really the easiest money I have ever made in my life.

I am really happy to hear about your new Job. It isn’t surprising to me but you can bet your life it is pleasing. So write and tell me all about it when you get time, I mean as soon as possible. What I would like to know is what you told them when they asked if you planned on being married any time soon. You told me what you said when they asked if you had a steady boy friend, but there you quit.

You know something? It’s hard to tell just how much you need a person until they are gone. I knew I would miss you something terrible but I didn’t now it would be like this, I can’t seem to get you off my mind, I think about it night and day. I guess that is the reason I am writing you so often, I have never done so much writing before.

So much for my troubles. The real thing in mind now is this new job of yours, I know you will make it OK, so I am not worrying about that, the thing is, what will you do in your spare time. Say, are the WHITEHEADs still living there in Tulsa? It is Tulsa that you are going to, isn’t it? Well, if they do, it won’t be so bad and you can go home on weekends. Well, at least there are other people living there that you know, and by the way, don’t let some of those smart girls over there talk you into any thing foolish. They will you know, if they can. They use the old story about maybe he won’t come back, and look at the time you have wasted. I know, they have one here too, only it is maybe you won’t get back, and look at the fun you have missed. You understand what I mean, don’t you? I am sure you do, maybe you have already had such problems.

WELL LISTEN! I AM COM-BACK AND WHAT’S MORE, IN BETTER SHAPE THAT I LEFT.
-MING
I must ha ##### been excited when I wrote the line above I didn’t complete the word comming.

I haven’t heard from J.T. and I have written him, I didn’t know his address so I just took it from the clipping you sent to me. As a matter of fact I haven’t heard from any one for a long time, not since I have been in N.C.T.C. and I have written to most all of them, but no responce (misspelled).

I have never been aboard a ship, I am a dry land sailor. It looks as though I will go all through this war and never set foot on a ship. I would at least like to look one over. Wouldn’t that be something to tell our children, “That their Paw was a sailor and had never been on a ship.”

Boy, do I rave? Maybe I am only dreaming, but it is fun.

Well, I have another hour to spend here and nothing to do but answer the phone if it rings. The Doctor has already gone home, but I am supposed to stay and keep the office open just in case somebody wants to know something. Yes, I carry a key to the office, I am his secretary. But I don’t sit on his knee. [Thanks, Dad! Glad to hear it! (db)]

Boy, I sure am fast, the hour is up and look what I have accomplished. Practically nothing. Well, I did answer about a dozen phone calls and answered a few questions from several Officers who dropped in to see the Doctor.

So long till tomorrow
WITH ALL MY LOVE.
“DUKE”

[Handwritten]
P.S. I just got back to Camp Allen & on the way I saw an airplane that had just crashed. I don’t think anyone was hurt seriously but the plane was sure smashed.

[Postmark: August 25, 1942]

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[Camp Allen — Norfolk, VA]

Aug 24, 1942

My Darling,

Well, what do you know, two letters today & I got one from Ted yesterday. I must be coming up in this old world.

Say, it sure must take a long time for a letter to reach Oklahoma from here because I answered most all of these questions you have asked here, two or three letters ago. I went to town yesterday & saw “The In??ders”, it was a swell show. If you haven’t seen it, don’t miss it. & guess what? While I was standing in front of the show waiting to get in, guess who I saw? B.H Alexander. Remember, I told you he lived up here. Well, I have been looking for him ever since I have been here, but couldn’t find him so I just gave up, & there I stood & he walked by. He didn’t know me but I hollered at him, & was he surprised, his eyes popped out a foot, well, maybe not quite that far, but he was surprised. He is working in a ship yard & was just starting to work. I am going down & visit with him soon. I think I’ll take him & his wife out to dinner just for old times sake. I haven’t met his wife. If you were only here we would have a real nice party. Oh. Boy.

I am still secretary to the Lt. Commander, was driving his big Buick around today. I think he likes me. I can’t imagine why.

It doesn’t matter about anyone else, just so you are still on my side, that’s what keeps things going smooth.

Bill was O.K. two weeks ago. I haven’t seen him since then, he is Master at Arms at the corpsman quarters, her is supposed to see that the boys keep them clean. I guess we are just lucky.

I won’t get PhM1/e until I have been here in the Navy 4 months.

Well, I have just about told all I know. All the luck in the world to you on your new job. Answer soon.

Love
Duke

[Postmark: August 27, 1942]

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[Camp Allen — Norfolk, VA]

August 26,

Hello Darling,

I can’t understand why you haven’t heard from me in three days. I only missed one day writing to you & I probably won’t miss another day. Today we got the afternoon off, so I have been reading. I just now got your letter so I decided to answer. I don’t have anything to say except I Love you, & always will.

I got a letter from Ted & he is taking the money I am sending & is going to try & make more money for me. I sent it in a payment on what I owe him & Ophard [Dad's Brother] & they both refuse to accept any of it. Boy! There is nothing so swell as true friends, just as you said. I guess we are just lucky. I hope nothing ever happens to separate us. I wouldn’t know how to act without you. You seem to be a part of my life. I am glad to hear from Grandmother. I hadn’t heard from her since I left.

Tell her Hello for me if you see her before you leave for Tulsa. Tell everyone hello.

I Love You.
Duke.

P.S. This may be short, but it has a long meaning. I would give anything to see you.

[Postmark: August 29, 1942]

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[Norfolk, VA]

August 28, 1942

Hell-o Darling,

I received another nice letter to-day, sure was glad to hear from you. Hasn’t anything exciting happened around here lately just work and sleep. I sure get tired of the same old thing every day, but I guess it could be worse.

I received a card from Mother to-day, she says they are going to Indiana. I don’t know who all are going, but I bet it would sure be fun. It is going to be a Casada family reunion, boy what a mess. I hope Grandmother gets to go.

I wish I could have been able to attend your nice birthday party, that chicken sure sounds good, but most of all, I would like to see you. I won’t lie about it, I forgot all about your birthday. I guess I would make an average husband, most of them forget such things.

I had no idea about the things you told me about what you thought when I was going with Margaret Haley, but what gets me most is how I hadn’t found you long before I did. The first thing I remember about you is when you started working at Burnie’s. I said then that I couldn’t figure out how I had missed you, and I still say it. I remember as if it was yesterday, the night I finally got up enough nerve to ask if I could take you home, you seemed so distant that it seemed useless, and besides that, J.T. told me it was useless because you was a man hater. You weren’t though, you was just scared, almost as scared as I was that you wouldn’t go with me.

Well, just as I thought, I have another job now. I am now in the record office, that is where they keep the health records for all the men who are here. I work at the survey desk. When a man is surveyed, he is discharged from service because he is physically unfit for service. I have to see that everything is in order for the survey to go through. They are determined to make a yeoman out of me. They gave no reason for the last mover, but of course, they don’t have to give a reason. They just tell you and you do it.

I think I’ll go over and see Bill next week-end. I hope he is still over there. My best friend here is now pressing his suit, I just finished pressing mine. Bob is this boy’s name, he sure is a swell guy, he is from Ohio, nice looking too.

With 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

[tags]World War II letters, WWII, Dad’s WWII Letters, Camp Allen, Norfolk, Navy, SeeBees[/tags]

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

[tags]World War II letters, WWII, Dad’s WWII Letters, Camp Allen, Corpus Christi, Navy, SeeBees[/tags]