March 12, 1945

My Dear,
       The only thing mentionable other than a fine, enjoyable letter is that I hit the beach for awhile.  I was with a civilian near my age, in first year college but is going into the Navy soon. A swell kid-with a wreck of his own to run around in just as we used to.  He’s a bit on the innocent and delicate side if you catch me.  Or else that it’s just that I’ve seen a lot since I’ve “been in” and he just seems naïve.  Just as you said awhile ago that “you’ve learned an awful lot since you turned 18.”
        Yep, there’s an awful lot of things you can’t explain or write about.  At this rate it won’t be long before I can quote the old line-“I’ve seen everything now.”  But the Navy will change this kid.  He won’t be as innocent or delicate after awhile.  In some ways it’s good and some bad.  It uses where you find one, the other is lurking close at hand.

We saw “Since You Went Away”-3 times for me but I liked it.  You remember it with Claudette Colbert and Shirley Temple, Bob Walker, etc…
     Say but that winter carnival did sound good.  I could just see you and the gang mauling around in the snow.  Say it was well that you could talk to your folks the other night.  That would most surely make you happier.  I guess you know I’m a hoping I can get through to you tomorrow.  Maybe I’ve changed since I went away but I hope you don’t judge me by my conversation on the phone.  I won’t say much more-or I’ll tell you-I won’t secure this now.  I’ll wait and see if I stir anything up to talk about for another half a page.  For now-
       Say Hon, you remember a bit ago when you wrote me the words of the song, “My Task” I believe-not sure.  Anyway, I heard a very pretty duet sang on it the other night in church and liked it much.
     I’ll add just a bit more by saying I just got back from the auditorium.  You’ve heard of that radio program where they give away money and candy bars called “Dr. I.Q.”  It was quite a program for a change.  I’ll wish you pleasant dreams if they were only true. Also some love,
Paul

        

My Task Lyrics Tennessee Ernie Ford                         

To love someone more dearly ev'ry day
To help a wand'ring child to find his way

To ponder o'er a noble tho't and pray
And smile when evening falls
And smile when evening falls
This is my task
To follow truth as blind me long for light
To do my best from dawn of day till night
To keep my heart fit for His holy sight
And answer when He calls
And answer when He calls
This is my task
And then my Savior by and by to meet
When faith hath made her task on earth complete
And lay my homage at the Master's feet
Within the jasper walls
Within the jasper walls
This crowns my task

March 12, 1945

My Dear,

       The only thing mentionable other than a fine, enjoyable letter is that I hit the beach for awhile.  I was with a civilian near my age, in first year college but is going into the Navy soon. A swell kid-with a wreck of his own to run around in just as we used to.  He’s a bit on the innocent and delicate side if you catch me.  Or else that it’s just that I’ve seen a lot since I’ve “been in” and he just seems naïve.  Just as you said awhile ago that “you’ve learned an awful lot since you turned 18.”

        Yep, there’s an awful lot of things you can’t explain or write about.  At this rate it won’t be long before I can quote the old line-“I’ve seen everything now.”  But the Navy will change this kid.  He won’t be as innocent or delicate after awhile.  In some ways it’s good and some bad.  It uses where you find one, the other is lurking close at hand.

We saw “Since You Went Away”-3 times for me but I liked it.  You remember it with Claudette Colbert and Shirley Temple, Bob Walker, etc…

     Say but that winter carnival did sound good.  I could just see you and the gang mauling around in the snow.  Say it was well that you could talk to your folks the other night.  That would most surely make you happier.  I guess you know I’m a hoping I can get through to you tomorrow.  Maybe I’ve changed since I went away but I hope you don’t judge me by my conversation on the phone.  I won’t say much more-or I’ll tell you-I won’t secure this now.  I’ll wait and see if I stir anything up to talk about for another half a page.  For now-

       Say Hon, you remember a bit ago when you wrote me the words of the song, “My Task” I believe-not sure.  Anyway, I heard a very pretty duet sang on it the other night in church and liked it much.

     I’ll add just a bit more by saying I just got back from the auditorium.  You’ve heard of that radio program where they give away money and candy bars called “Dr. I.Q.”  It was quite a program for a change.  I’ll wish you pleasant dreams if they were only true. Also some love,

Paul

        

My Task Lyrics Tennessee Ernie Ford                         

To love someone more dearly ev'ry day

To help a wand'ring child to find his way

To ponder o'er a noble tho't and pray

And smile when evening falls

And smile when evening falls

This is my task

To follow truth as blind me long for light

To do my best from dawn of day till night

To keep my heart fit for His holy sight

And answer when He calls

And answer when He calls

This is my task

And then my Savior by and by to meet

When faith hath made her task on earth complete

And lay my homage at the Master's feet

Within the jasper walls

Within the jasper walls

This crowns my task

March 11, 1945 Sunday

Dear One,

                A little while ago I talked to you on the phone and didn’t have much to say.  Right now I’m on guard duty and also writing a letter with not much to say either. Probably at times like long distance phone calls it isn’t so much what you say anyway-more what you feel.  By the way you talked, your feeling wasn’t natural which is natural.  I guess it’s one of those feelings you can’t explain maybe something like the feeling you get before you get on the speaking platform in front of a big mob, or when you get something you want bad and don’t know how to act or what to say.  Those feelings and quite a few more all mixed in.

                It’s sure funny-it’s a fine spring weather we’re having outside.  When it’s snow and ice I have a nice watch out in it, and when a day comes along that it would be nice to be out, the Hyer boy has to sit at a desk and play executive. I’ll close for awhile.

Paul

March 9, 1945 Friday

Well Katy ma Darlin,

                Same noise, snafu and all that.  Right now it’s from 0400 this morning until 0800.  This old noise of getting out of a warm sack in the middle of the night has got to come to a screeching halt.  Haven’t been doing much lately.  Started reading a book-saw the show a long time ago and thought it would be good.  It’s named a “King’s Plow.” You may have heard of it. It was a best seller once.  I see why now.  Quite the book.

                You know I don’t know why I started a book when there’s as much else to do-letters, wash, etc… and I always did like to read.  Just got back from chow.  Tasted pretty fair this morning-eggs, bacon, grapefruit, biscuit, all-bran, milk, etc… This Base is really ok for  milk.  I get a small bottle every morning and usually two and that’s something.

                I hope all’s well and ship shape at your quarters.  That school’s being squared away ok.  A little excitement and romance a stirring.  A scrawny letter but nothing’s stirring.  I’m going to hit the beach tonight.  May have something tomorrow.

Toodle-oo Darling,

Pablo

March 8, 1945 Thursday

Dear One,

                In that last communication, I’m awful sorry I never explained a question which I imagine has bothered you some.  Why didn’t’ that Dutchman call, especially when he said he would? Well, I haven’t any excuse or alibi but I do have a reason.  It seems that Sunday fell on the 4^th of the month-the 5^th being payday.  From that we might conclude that on the 4^th this humble lad was financially embarrassed and also I was ashore at church and there being a great distance between church and the Base.  By the time I docked back, the telephone exchange was secured, even if I did borrow some mazooma to speak with you.  I hope you won’t let your temper dwell too long on my blundering plans and arrangements.  But this coming Sunday I will have the needed finances and also I’ll be confined to the Base so I have a very hopeful outlook as to my being able to make good on my promise.

                Maybe you’d be interested to know that my duties have been changed for approximately 2 weeks.  See my dear, we can’t take care of our work and barracks too so all hands take their turn at “compartment cleaning.”  We just spend the day making the barracks look ship shape.  It’s a detail that’s very popular though-you might even call is a pension.  We turn to at 8 and work until 10 (in the shop we’d work until 12) then we have sack time until 1 (in the shop we’d have to be back at 12:30 about), then we work until 3 and we are secured for the day (otherwise working until 5).  Then we only get a watch every 4^th night (otherwise almost every other night).  We can hit the beach 3 nights out of four and that makes the married men happy and I’ll be able to go to mutual again tonight if things blow right.

                But it sounds like you don’t get so much sack time what with that assembly-practices, meeting, programs and such-and like the M-men and Gleaner Dance you mentioned today, I hope you tell me more about it in the next letter.  I imagine those few hours do mean a lot that you’re able to have the kids over and play a few records and shoot the breeze and such things.  You find some enjoyment in as leading the singing as over to Sunday School lately.

                You mentioned Washington’s birthday and I thought yours is the 24^th of the month right? I was also thinking that Sunday was the 4^th another day of meaning and gosh but I would have liked to have called you. I’ll close now my darling with an awful lot of love for you.

Paul

March 7, 1945 Wednesday

Darling Cap’n,

                Snafu and all that noise.  The only thing commemorable I did lately was going to mutual last night to a civilian meeting-mutual for nigh onto a year now.  Yep Chris took lots with the Army about a month ago.  He’s in Texas getting the rugged staff Prod and I got in boots.  I used to think Lois was taking Chris for a ride too but it appears to be that it matured and Chris gave me the outline of their understanding-very similar to ours.  It surprised me especially after the Graves vs. Peble deal which we studied in the making and breaking. 

                I hope you’ll keep writing some of those things that are hard to say and sometimes don’t understand.  Just do as you have been in writing as much as you understand.  In your phrases and knowing you, I feel many of those things and we’ll agree then, that we really are missing the time of our life being separated.  Maybe I won’t die for my country but I am giving part of my life because you-now are my life and it’s logical to say that the time I spend away from you is not much different from time taken out of my life.  For now my thoughts and love.

Paul

March 6, 1945 Tuesday

Dear Skip,

                I honestly wish I weren’t writing this letter.  The song, “Three o-clock in the Morning” isn’t so funny, enjoyable or anything else anymore.  I’m as usual-on watch-and it’s just before three.  I cam on at 2400 and I’ll be on until 0400.  Matters could be worse, of course I could be out in the weather at the north gate sentry post or the prefabricated huts.  The weather is moisture in frequent and bountiful quantities. As it is I’m in the Master at Arms shack in a chair, doing a bit of office work but confound it It’s the principle of the thing.  Getting a lad out of the sack in the middle of the night to sit around for 4 hours! Besides, I had a big wash tonight and you know how I love that. But I reckon as how it’s just counterbalancing the past weekend I had.

                Maybe I said that Friday night I played a bit of basketball with the staff men.  Saturday night I had one fine enjoyable time, in fact, the best for quite some time. I was over to a fireside chat.  The mutual takes that here and we shot the breeze awhile and played different games and even danced some.  I’m wondering if I’ll ever get on to the idea of scrubbing my feet around the deck again.  The females are quite patient though which helps.  Then we had some tasty chow-ice cream, cake and the likes.

                Sunday I made it in good time to church and really digested mentally a fine Sunday School and testimonial.  The smallness of the Branch and the scattered location of the members by no means hampers their activities here.  They really do commendable work.  After church I latched onto 4 Army boys and we had some fine noon chow-french fried shrimp.  Do you like shrimp? Then we latched onto some bicycles and had one time all afternoon.  (Today my stern is the worse off).  We played tag and rode around in the zoo and in the paths through the park-one of the best and largest I’ve seen.

                After while the tag game got a bit rugged-the Army bent a pedal and almost a car and put a little skin on the deck so we gave it up in preference to the more conservative sport of eating a couple of pints of ice cream and riding the trolley to the U.S.O. A bit of pool and then to evening meeting then back to the noise I was griping about in the first of this word.  Same as usual though.

Paul

February 28, 1945 Wednesday

My Harriet,

                I may not get far but I’ll try starting.  It’s getting near taps. Me and some of the staff men played a bit of basketball tonight.  I really most thoroughly enjoyed the airmail letter today.  You must have felt generous.  It made my blood boil in a way though.  What I mean is that the reason I never phoned over

Sunday is because I never got the word that it was ok.  Now I find out it would have been.  I stood around Sunday and wondered and figured etc etc for a long time, finally I said well I’ll call anyway so I even had my Dungaree jacket on and started for the door but one of the boys said I wouldn’t call if I were you.  It cost too much to take a chance on so I figured well maybe he’s right-haste makes waste.  But I will call this Sunday unless something goes wrong.  I’m going ashore to church if possible but I’ll try to be back to call.  I figure on making it through the telephone exchange on the Base here.  I sure am sorry though my dear to make you sit around in a suspense that never profited.  You said around 7:00 p.m. your time or earlier.  I’m sorry, but it will probably be later if anything. I still have two chocolates left as you know I’m quite conservative with candy.

                Oh yes I’m a thinking those be pretty fair grades you’re getting.  That was a fine sounding shin dig you had over there.  If you were with a sailor though it was you not he who was jilted.  I don’t understand though, love why you ever think of this moth eaten swab jockey at times like that.  Seriously Harriet, it’s one of my pet dreads that of you getting a misconception of me.  This is something I’ve found quite true-when a person leaves another that means something to them, that person builds them up more than they really are.  I’m afraid you may be forgetting my bad traits and weak parts and making of me a person that fits your own ideals and wishes.  I hope not, but I saw it happen with a girl named Anna and a boy who went away as a missionary.  But as you say-when I get on that phone I might seem pretty stupid but after all, we’ll deal in principles and say it’s not the words but the feeling and thoughts.

                I got a letter from Lila-a very fine one. I think she has a wonderful attitude and I only hope her child will be ok.  She’s had too much grief now and as you know may even have more in store.  But we know God will be with her.  Well stay on the boat young-un.  Luck, love and more,

Pablo

February 24, 1945 Saturday

Dear One,

                I imagine you’re getting accustomed to me starting off by saying it’ll be short, but if you aren’t, you better get that way because that’s the way it always seems.  I enjoyed your letter and the Mother’s Prayer.  It is a mindful thought.  It’s good to know too that you’re not being put on a shelf while you’re so young.  I’m saying in other words, I feel better knowing you can get out once in awhile, like this coming dance (past now)-formal and all.  With the Navy maybe you know by now you have to watch these sailors (no joke).  What I don’t understand is why you even thought of hesitating.

                Hon, I don’t feel so good about saying it-maybe I already have, but I guess I’ve been out of circulation so long is the reason but it seems that such things as this last topic of “7^th Heaven” are so far from me that I don’t think of them so much anymore.  I think of such things in the past, but the future is hazy.  There are things that remind me of though like last night.  I guess it’s the first time since I’ve been in the Navy, but Sue Russel and I went to a dance.  I’ve danced a minute or so at the U.S.O. now and again.  But, you can’t even count that.  Her girlfriend’s man had a car so we went to “Tune Town” one of the outstanding dance spots of this city.  Les Brown was there with his outfit and everything clicked off so nice that I had to pinch me to see if the Hyer lad was really there.  This Sue Russel is a High School girl and it’s surprising how much younger they seem to me now.  Full of life-always talking-more life than she knows what to do with.  I’m wondering if I’ve changed more than I thought or just High School here is young.  Standing by the bandstand listening to his work sure reminded me of similar times in Ogden.

                I’ve wondered about Clair and Luella myself and I’ve never had the word from Jim on how home and Nola was-same or otherwise.  You know, I haven’t even talked to Prod since the Jax campaign.  But I’m waiting anxiously for his address.

                Yep everybody’s getting spliced back home.  As you say-who’s next? As for you being an old maid, there’ll be plenty of hands willing to latch on to such a female as the likes of you and never forget it.

For now same as ever,

Paul

February 22, 1945 Thursday

I got another most intriguing letter tonight and I’m not going to hit the beach and my wash is fairly well along so here’s how.  I was just thinking how it seemed a little strange that our feeling (mutual) has grown even in letters-as it probably would have done had I never left you.  One particular example is that awhile back it was-love, Harriet.  Then after awhile it came to be –all my love Harriet.  It’s things like that that make me happier Hon, but that I don’t mention when answering a letter.  Speaking of letters, I still have a very slight dread when it comes to writing them. If I would just get and not give. It sounds like you have similar troubles though.

                I’m sincerely glad you got away from it all for awhile the other night and went to the dance with that ex-swab jockey. My dear I am one who’s glad that you are in 7^th heaven now and again even if you are skeptical about admitting it.  You deserve it if anyone does.

                I’d like to go a bit farther Skip and say that in my life there have been many things that were a bit troublesome or tainted and probably always will be.  But Harriet Johns is on of the very few things that came into my life which was near perfect in the sense that she never worried me, bothered me-never caused me trouble, etc…  Many times I’m sorry to say I am a bit selfish and jealous.  Not one or the other but a queer mixture of both (you are one of the few people I’ll ever admit it to).  But----believe me, in your case, I have never had that feeling.  When you speak of other boys, I don’t feel that way, though some boys would. You don’t hesitate to take every opportunity and I think you know I’m not just saying that.  In the case of the show, I don’t blame Blanch for not holding your hand.  If I were there I wouldn’t be holding your hand.

                About mother Johns birthday, I blame you for not telling me sooner.  I’d like to have written her about then.  I must say though she seems much younger than her years.  I think perhaps her family has kept her that way.  She’s accomplished already more than some women accomplish in a lifetime.  I wouldn’t mind if you told her that sometime.  To me, she certainly is one of those people with a grand spirit near them who always make you feel good when you are by them.

                I’ll close for tonight mi-lady. I have more to say about your letter to Clem but there is yet plenty of time. Write soon-no letter tomorrow-will explain.

Love ‘n Kisses.

Pablo

February 21, 1945 Wednesday

Dear Skip,

                I haven’t got a letter for two or three days but I’m not really complaining because I’ve no squawks coming. It’s been awhile since I wrote.  I don’t understand you not getting word from Saturday until Thursday though-unless the mail got fouled up.

                I enjoyed reading about that dreaming you did.  Those, I imagine are quite on the pleasant side.  They’re quite a ways from reality though because it’s quite improbably for that dream to come true.

                You asked me what you’d do now days if you couldn’t dream.  If you mean daydream, that would be bad but if it’s at night, you’d just sleep. Sorry to say-that’s what I’ve been doing lately.  It seems like I hardly dream anymore.  When I hit the sack I just die until that bugle in the morning and they turn the lights on.

                I’m glad you can find a bit of relaxation in those concerts Skip.  But don’t fool yourself you’ll be bettered by it.  Say, that’s a bad deal to have the accidents in the gang.  I bet you make a fine nursemaid and here’s one swab-jockey you can repair if necessary.  I don’t envy your lad going to the Army though he’s got a heap-a-doings in store for him.  Say Skip, awhile back when you were taking pictures, some of your kids boyfriends were around.  Did any of their pictures turn out? If they did, send me over what? You already know that I forgot to send those pictures in my last letter.  It doesn’t bother much though because there’s only a couple.  There were more but they were of Jim and only one print so I’ll send them over to him.  I haven’t heard from Jim since we shipped here from Jax.  But, I’ve got about 3 letters from Bob.  Lately he’s in Amarillo, Texan taking exams, etc… He doesn’t know yet whether he’ll be a gunner, Cadet, or ground crew.  I hope for his sake he doesn’t draw gunner.  He’s pretty keen on Lois-do you know? The way he talks anyway.  I didn’t realize it had gone so far.  But, I’m in favor of it.  Lois is a swell girl.

                Last night I went to a basketball game at Brentwood High with Sue Russell-a girl from the branch here.  I believe I sad that two Army lads and I were over to her place Sunday after church.  If you don’t mind my saying so-she’s quite a girl.  Built like Lorela Sorenson but has the vitality and looks of Lucille Douglas.  The game sure took me back to the days of yore.  Well my dear-as you see-as ever.

Paul

February 19, 1945 Monday

Dear Skip,

                The weekend is over and it’s back to the Navy.  As you know, I get a “weekend” every other week-starting 5 p.m. Saturday until 8 a.m. Monday morning.  Saturday it was pretty bad weather.  We’ve had the heaviest snow in 7 years according to reports anyway.  But I wanted to get away from it all for awhile so I made my want to town via about 3 thumb rides, a street car, and a bus because as I said close to 20 minutes it is to town.

                I got those pictures that Jim and I took just before we left Jax.  Tell me if you recognize me. If so, in that one picture, it’s an insult.  Then I went over to the Y and got a sack for the night before they were all gone.  By that time the night was pretty well done so I just spent the rest of the time over at the U.S.O. and danced and looked at some magazines.

                Sunday morning I hit the deck about 9:00 but sure didn’t feel like it.  This place is so big you have to ride on a bus for 45 minutes to get anywhere.  We had two very good meetings.  See they hold Priesthood meeting after Sunday School instead of before, because people have to come such a long ways, etc…

                The last word from you was a card and you sure did get a lot of feeling and meaning in a little space.  As for the card Hon, you’re right.  The third time for those age old words.  But you know they’re near my lips almost constantly. Thanks many times Harriet for that candy.  It was very thoughtful of you.  Oh yes, the boys thought so too.  I bet you got that at the Blue Bird.  I’ve been over there-the one on the campus and the one downtown.  Well Young-un, how’s classes and school in general? Same story-you like school but dislike classes?  What have you been doing lately for relaxation, recreation and fun in general? Is the gang still living together peacefully?  Well I’ll write after while my dear-Guard Duty you know.  So till I’m asleep.

Pablo

February 16, 1945 Friday

Dear Skipper,

                It seems as though I’m always sore bid for writing paper.  I guess I’ll have to get on the boat and stock up.  I did pretty well today.  I got two letters.  The mail must have been fouled up because I never got a letter for 3 or 4 days, then today came a letter and the clipping and the awful cute Valentine.  I sure enjoyed that and it made my morale surge.  I am glad to know the funeral fared well but it isn’t good for Lila to take it bad but I guess it can’t be otherwise.

                Hon they don’t call it K.P. duty in the Navy.  It’s Skullery Duty, but thanks to the luck we haven’t seen any and I’m quite certain we won’t.   Well there’s not much to say.  I’ve been working on the engines of those planes in from the Islands.  AS I said, they’re sure beat up and I got a hold of one that has been on fire and the wiring was pretty badly cooked.  I’m still griping too because it seems like I have Guard Duty every other night and 12 to 4 watches at that.

                The only excitement lately was when a Fortress almost crashed into the Hangar today.  See, it’s been snowing bad almost 6 inches and still going strong and he couldn’t find the runway so he had to give it up.  Then a B-29 tried to find the runway but couldn’t make it.  I don’t know where they went; the B-29 Super Fortress was low on gas.  It was the first one I’ve seen and Young-un, it’s nothing less than immense like a train.

                Some of the boys are out on a drunk and they said they were going to give me a nuisance call and wake me up when they came in which will probably be about 3 or 4 in the morning, but they always sleep through chow on a morning like that but about now I’m going to go out and get a bucket of snow and a bit of water and put it on the decks under my sack and see that they get up but quick-about an hour sooner than necessary.  They say he who laughs last laughs loudest!

                Thanks for sending the clipping and program.  I’m sending them back as you wished.  Hon, thanks again for the Valentine.  I did think that was very thoughtful of you and it meant a lot to me.  Tell me Skip, will next Sunday be all right for me to call you, say about 7 o’clock your time.  If you write back that it’s ok, I’ll phone station to station so I’ll save from four bits to a buck and that means you should stick close to where they can find you when necessary.  If that arrangement isn’t ok, give the word because I’ll be aboard all day and night and can latch on to a phone almost any time.  For now as ever.

Pablo

February 15, 1945 Thursday

Dear Harriet,

                Things are as fouled up as they normally are.  Tuesday night I was able to go to mutual for the first time since I’ve been in the Navy.  That is to a civilian mutual. That sure seemed good and I figure I can go every other Tuesday when I’m off.  As you know, I only get off the Base every other weekend.

                I was on Port liberty but I got to thinking that on port liberty I won’t get out at the right time.  Anything that happens are on the nights I can’t get out.  I wouldn’t be off on the Sunday of the first of the month-testimonial meeting and the Saturday they have a fireside chat I wouldn’t be off.  Besides the guys who I could go out with from here are on  liberty.  The guys on Port are just a bunch of wild sailors.

                Well the outcome of all this thinking is that I saw the training office and talked to my Division Officer and got change to Starbid liberty so that makes me happier and means I’ll get to go to church again this Sunday.  Where as I wouldn’t be able to otherwise.  That’s about the only word from here except that I had another Guard Duty and two Big Washes since I last wrote.

                You know, working on planes like I do now that I’m out of school, I find that I get dirty and greasy a lot quicker than when I was in classes. I sure don’t like washing clothes with a scrub brush but I guess a good change always brings a bit of bad with it.  Well so much for that.

                It really isn’t what is on my mind, what I’ve been talking about.  I’ve spent a great deal of time lately thinking about Lila’s misfortune.  No matter how much I think of the situation I always come to the conclusion that it is sad and for those left here on Earth it makes things look quite dismal.  I guess it is awful hard for us mortals to realize that “death is last and greatest gift God can give to men on this earth.”  Probably you’ve already written me as to how Lila took it.  She is alright isn’t she? As you said, it is a Godsend that they were married in the temple.  Well Skip, I’ll close now hoping to hear from you soon and sending all my love.

Pablo

p.s.Darling I can think of no other way to talk to Lila so you will please get this to her.

February 12, 1945 Monday

Dear Harriet,

                This is the day after the weekend before.  I’ve either lost or misplaced my pen so this pencil is next best.  I haven’t gotten a letter for two or three days so one ought to come this afternoon. But I’ll start this now and answer the letter after while.  That is, if I can.  I won’t have much time tonight because I have a watch to stand over at the huts from 1700 till 2000.

                Saturday night they had a large Valentine Party at the Big U.S.O. so I and Gene (one of the boys who was on the same draft as me) went over there for awhile and had a few refreshments and I made a Valentine-as you already know.  All the stores were closed and I didn’t know where to get one so one of the ladies raked up some stuff and some gear to make one.  That’s a new twist and I’m no judge as to how it came out but it was fun.  Then I tried to dance a bit (rusty) because the music was good. They had a large orchestra there.  Then I threw a few darts and watched the floor show.

                They had some small children, even younger than Lou Ella, put on a kind of Cupid skit.  One small lad dressed as a marine and one as a soldier and one as a sailor.  The lucky kid was dressed like a soldier and came down the way with his blonde bride and he kissed her and there was a musical background all the while. You know the cute way small children have when they do things like that.  Then Gene had to get back to the Base so we parted company.  (Between you and I, he was AWOL.  He used Holly’s Liberty card which is a Court Martial offence, but it was my idea and he never got caught). 

I didn’t have to work Sunday so I rented a sack down to the YMCA and stayed in town for the night.  I was a midnight show before I hit the sack. I got up near 8 a.m. Sunday and started out to find the church.  I rode two or three street cars for quite a while (what a big city!) but finally found it.

You know how long it’s been since I went to church Hon? Almost a month and it’s surely surprising how a lads spirit can become starved for religions services like those we know.  Gosh it did seem good to participate once again in LDS services.  I really absorbed the Sunday School and Priesthood meetings.  The people are the same as Mormons everywhere-cordial, extremely friendly, and they make one feel really at home.  After church I teamed up with 6 soldiers from Scott Field.  6 fine guys near my age.  It did seem strange though.  I can’t hardly get accustomed to it ever since I’ve been in the Navy, I’ve been in towns swamped with sailors but here they’re a rarity.  I was the only sailor at church with quite a few army lads and I guess people did think it strange to see 6 jolly soldiers and a sailor walking down the street.  We did feel good because it was a beautiful day.  All the snow has melted and it was almost warm enough to be without coats. Really a bright day.  We had just polished off a chicken dinner and strawberry shortcake for dessert.  Hmmm.  

We then went to the zoo.  It’s one of the best zoos I’ve seen the site of.  It is where the St. Louis World’s Fair was. There’s the zoo and an enormous park, etc… Then we went to the building where all of Col. Lindbergh’s trophies are.  A whole building of them received as you know for his flight across the Atlantic. I didn’t know till then that Lambert Field here is where he took off from in “The Spirit of St. Louis” in preparation for his flight.  One of the soldiers took a few snaps of us with his camera.  If possible, you’ll hear more of it.  Then we made it back to night meeting which was also most enjoyable and I know I’m going to be pleased with the church part of my stay here. I almost forgot that they asked me to fill in and help with a double quartet-the 6 soldiers, an army captain and myself.  We practiced awhile after Sunday school and sang the sailors hymn at night.

In the first part of this letter I said I’ll probably get a letter today-I received it just a bit ago and now I don’t feel like writing.  I wish you never would have had to write such a letter.  At such a time I wouldn’t blame you if you hadn’t written me at such a time Harriet.  I know it must have been hard.  I know also that I can’t feel as you did because you were so close to Lila, but my feelings are deep and as you say-a person can’t write about such things-you have done very well though.  I can’t yet believe or hardly realize what you have told me. I am deeply sorry.  You’ll tell Lila that and though, I don’t know how right now, I will get word to Lila myself. We’ll leave anything more-unwritten for now Darling mostly because of lack of words. 

Yours sincerely dear. 

Pablo

February 6, 1945 Tuesday

My Darling,

                There isn’t much doing as usual.  Oh, but I did enjoy that letter today. I sopped those words up like a dry swab does gasoline.  It makes me feel good to know you still see things the same.  You know how it is.  When a little kid is walking in the pitch dark, he’ll keep looking to see if you’re still there to reassure himself that he’s still safe and as long as he knows you’re near him he’ll go anywhere.  I feel kinda the same-that is I see and hear every day-cases where men-married and with families are running with other women-the wrong kind.  OR getting reports from home that their wife is running with men-behind his back.  I’m sorry to say that men who came from Jax with me and who I pal with all the time are such men-3 or 4 of them.  Numberless times they asked me why I don’t come with them and carry on as they do.  Sometimes it’s hard to make them see because I can’t tell them or make them understand many things that our church stands for.  But one thing that always makes them see my point is you.  I tell them, “There’s a girl waiting home for me.  She has faith in my steadfastness in the things I try to make you guys see. I think she’s near perfect and I’m trying to live just as I want her to live” and I tell them many more things just like that and end up with reprimanding them for living as they do while they’re away from their wives.  I can see it cuts them and I mean it too.  They don’t look you in the eye either.

                So you see hon., every now and again-as I said it makes me feel good to know that my actions are not in vain.  That lock of hair that was right nice of you to send.  It was even curled with a red ribbon on too.  And you know what? It even smelled good and when I sniffed it by darn if it didn’t tickly my nose just like it use to.  Gosh but that brought back memories-dear memories of when I used to be close to you and your hair would tickle my cheek.

                You were wondering about my work here.  Well Hon it’s kind of a school-that is, we’re assigned different work on planes and we work under supervision.  It’s not really school, it’s just like name A.B.A.T.U. It’s an “advanced base air training unit.”  Maybe I’m sure enough of what the deal is to tell you now.  If you could read between the lines of that clipping from our orders-you may see that this is just a stopping off place until we see the show.  That is, they polish off our training here and then we go to an advanced base.  The advanced means on the front sea when there is a place taken over like the Philippines were, they fix an air strip and we go in to take care of the planes.  That’s why we’re quite reasonably sure of not going to sea.  Ours will be an advanced land base now for gosh sakes, don’t even give it another thought because it don’t mean I won’t see you for a long time or anything like that.

                I know what you mean Hon when you say it seems like I’m talking to you in letters because when I read yours, I can even see the look on your face when you say those things and can hear the different tones of your voice and see the twinkle in those blue eyes when I smile at something you take too serious.  I know you’re standing by me darling in the things I do, even when they’re fouled up and all wet and I even lose faith in myself.

                You know when I was a lot younger and mom and I used to talk of great men, she used to always remark that in back of almost every great man was a woman to push him on and make him so.  Well, I didn’t like that.  The thought of a mere woman, a lovely female inspiring great deeds? But now I see it.  I know from experience I wouldn’t have done a lot of things if I didn’t know you’d be irked if you saw me trying to get away with something less. I’ve read that letter over and over.  Even Holly-one of the boys-said “alright, alright if you wear it out now you can’t read it after while.” I’m a thinking I’ll have to put that with the other three and make it a big four deal. 

                Darling, I’ve come so near blowing a fuse from wanting to see you that I thought, why don’t I call her up. I don’t know why I never thought of it sooner. To tell you the truth, it wasn’t even me that thought of it.  But, is there any chance youngster?

                Well, I’ve talked for too long and besides, I did a big wash and crimeany I figure when I got out I could take it easy, but I guess the Navy just isn’t built that way so for now, always and even forever, here’s all the love my weary soul can muster you darling.  Pablo

February 4, 1945 Sunday

Well my dear times are getting drab around here already.  Last night the Port side had the watch and naturally I drew a watch out in no man’s land.  The duty if four hours here and mine was from 12 until 4 in the morning.  The thermometer must have been near zero. I guess you know the weather here is about like that in Utah-snow and ice.  It helped some though because they issued us those fur lined pants and fur lined jackets.  I guess we looked like Arctic explorers or something, maybe Eskimos.  But boy that was better than freezing even with all that fur lined gear.  About three in the morning the cold started to seep in.  When I was relieved at 4 a.m. I was really eager to hit the sack and I got a couple of hours of sleep before they blew reveille for the day’s work.  As I said before, we have to put in a regular day every other Sunday.  I would much rather have gone to church and am kind of anxious to see what the church is like here.  Now the deal is that I have another 4 hour watch in the morning-from 4 till 8-two days in a row are enough to peeve anybody. 

                Now the big thing today is that I finally got some mail.  Boy that raises my morale 100% or more.  It was a letter you wrote 12 days ago.  It went to Jax and followed me from there.  Kinda old but refreshing to me when I haven’t read some for over a week.  Now you can send those snaps unless you already have.  It sounds like things are sailing along under an even keel with you and the kids there and also that the lessons stack up like always.  Give the kids the word for me will you, unless you already have.  Keep me posted on the progress of this “Lover Come Back to You” number.  

               Well this is it hon.  Eat, sleep, work on planes and stand guard duty-exciting isn’t it? I’ll try to find something more interesting to write about after while. Meanwhile a kiss and a prayer are yours.  Throw in my love too until I’m asleep.  Toodle-oo

February 2, 1945 Friday St. Louis

Dear One,

                For awhile I guess you can’t expect very long letters.  Not until I get adjusted and stir up a little excitement for myself.  After this place I’m still working on the “Ventura” putting in a system that will pump gas from one tank to another because they have to stay in the air for quite awhile.  Other than that, I’m just cursing these sea bags and thinking of the usual subject-guess.  I don’t remember telling you that on the train coming over here I had a dream that I came home.  We went to the show but never watched it.  But there was an episode of two kisses and that’s all I remembered.  I’ve been here almost a week now-I ought to get a letter soon.

                I went ashore last night and went to the USO and got the address of the church here.  Maybe in a week I can go.  Then I danced a couple of times and shoved off to a show.  I saw the show, “Song to Remember” about the life of a Polish Pianist-I forgot his name but he’s famous and it was an elegant picture. But I don’t like to go alone.

                I’ll let this do for now hon. but I’ll write again tonight and send it regular mail and it ought to reach you a day or so after this.  After while you tell me how long it takes for mail to reach you from here.  

Pleasant dreams.  

Pablo

p.s. The paper may give you an idea of how things are run around here.

(Training department information for incoming trainees)

January 31, 1945 Wednesday

Dearest Skip,

                I don’t know exactly what to say that you’d be interested in. I don’t know either-exactly what the score is around here.  This is a small base and very much different than Jax.  Of course I haven’t been here long but so far I like it quite well.  We straggle to chow and straggle to work-just so we’re there by 8:00 a.m. for muster.  Ship service is pretty fair and the auditorium.  The barracks are fine-brand new but we have to live out of those confounded sea bags because they haven’t moved in any lockers yet.  The chow hall is just across the street and the chow is good too.

                Reveille is at 6 a.m. but if you want to forget breakfast and stay in the sack while you don’t have the Master at Arms putting you on report or hollering at you over the P.A. system.  And the town-oh what a town. BIG! The best liberty there is-I’ll tell you more about that when I go ashore. 

                I don’t know where the church is here but I have an idea how I can find out.  I will only be able to go every two weeks.  The other week I’ll be working.  It looks like there’s going to be plenty of that work to do.  You’d think there was a war on.  There’s some noise about that.  There is going to be a night shift put on.  I’ve been working lately on PV-1 a bi-engine plane.

                Well my dear, all that I’ve written so far is not really what is on my mind.  You see my darling, when I left Jax, I expected very strangely that I would get a leave when I got here.  Of course you remember that I didn’t say anything about it.  I was so sure I’d get one that I was going to write and surprise you and the folks.  When I was given the papers you read, it felt like there wasn’t very much more to live for.  Of course I feel better about it now but the bottom sure fell out of things then.  Seriously Hon, I could almost have cried like a kid.  So, I just layed on my sack and thought of you and home.  I didn’t even feel like writing.

                You remember those 3 extremely good letters that I have always kept? They made me feel a lot better too.  I read them over and over some more and when I could see you, you were smiling-same as always.  Now I’m just waiting patiently until some mail comes.  It’s like you said, “Those words are food.”  And Skip, I’m almost starved to death.

                Well Hon, mizpaw and play “always” after you read this-just so you know how my thoughts run about now.  And all my love too. Paul

p.s. Oh yes-I made my first snowball and slipped on some ice the first time and boy is it cold-worse than Utah if my memory doesn’t fail me.

January 26, 1945 Friday

Dear One,

                There’s not much doing just having a little “sack time.” It’s raining so they haven’t sent any working party’s out.  Last night Herb and I went ashore on liberty-the last time we’ll be in Jax.  I guess but I don’t harbor any regrets to speak of.

                I had a slab of leather put on my shoes and we had a banana split and saw a show, “Meet Me in St. Louis” (you ought to do that little thing) with Judy Garland.  You’d like it a lot more than I.  It was more of a girl’s picture.  We got back about 12 and that’s that.

                We got the work on our draft-a bit more anyway.  We’re supposed to leave for St. Louis on Saturday-tomorrow.  Then I found out some more about what our work will be like and our future.  I won’t go into that though because I want to see how true it is before I say anything.

                We get our special pay this morning so that’s a good sing that we’re going to move, besides we’ve been put on restriction.  No one is allowed off the Base so that means too that we’ll ship Saturday.

                About the familiar ensign, I’m glad you confide or discuss such things with me.  That’s one thing that never troubles me because I know you can take care of yourself.  That’s one of the traits I’ve admired you for and entrusted you with.  Those of virtue, chastity, or the right type of standards.  We’ll agree that a person’s thoughts and usually their actions can be foreseen by their talk or in other words a smutty tongue betrays a smutty heart.  I’m confident you’ll keep sailing on the right course.  Just watch these sailors and soldiers and steer clear of those cocky loose living officers.

                Sometime I’ll see that show, “The Very Thought of You,” but it was a bad deal to have lost the game with the U.  You be sure to send those snaps after awhile.  If I don’t forget, I’ll enclose the pictures Herb and I took at St. Augustine.  It was one of the luckiest breaks I’ve had for quite awhile.  Remember I told you we lost them-three buck’s worth of snaps and negatives.  They were lost for near a month and finally someone turned them in at the U.S.O. just the other night.  They’re not as good as the others I sent.

                Boy I’m glad for you that things are on the sunny side there.  Music going well-that is quite the change of a life, of circulation.  I’ve been able to get out on a weekend but most of the time it’s been palling with Herb or Lou or Jim or just by myself.  So you can see it’s you who is going to have to be tolerant and understanding if and when I ever get home.  So you see cap’n when we’re together and I appear strange, just shake me and I’ll be all right.    

                Well young-un, there’s not much more to say now except that laying around here waiting for our orders I have a lot of free time and just lay on my sack (like most of the boys) and put  a pillow over my face to keep the light out of my eyes and I can see you much plainer that way too.  The clipping is what some of the boys have been singing here.  All my love, Harriet.  Paul

January 24, 1945 Wednesday

Dear Skip,

                There’s quite a lot to say but I don’t know where to start.  I’d rather answer some of those welcome and intriguing letters you write but I imagine you’re wondering what the score is here fist so I just as well start from last Saturday.  After I wrote you at the U.S.O., I went to the picture “Princess and the Pirate” Bob Hope and Technicolor. I got a kick out of it but would have much rather have giggled with you instead of alone.  But then that’s only natural so I won’t elaborate on that.

                After the show I hitched a bus for Cecil Field-that’s quite a trip so I was waking Prud up at about 2:30 a.m. to tell him I was around and was going to find a sack on his Base for the night.  When I woke up at about noon the next day and that sure felt good to think-no classes.  Well naturally that hour of the day Him was out on the crash truck so I just helped myself to some dungarees and a shirt because dress blues aren’t so good to mess around planes with.  Then I finally found Jim and we had a bit of chow.  After chow they wanted the crash truck over at Brannon Field so we cruised over there to stand by while the pilots practiced carrier deck landings.  No excitement-a few crude landings but no excitement.  We secured about 4:30 and I started for my base.  I got back in time for the last show.  It was one I’ve been waiting for for a long time.

                Skip, if it comes there you’ve got to see it.  It can show you more what our life is with airplanes than I could explain in a few dozen letters.  It is “The Fighting Lady”-the story of a carrier and all the battles she has been in.  It’s in Technicolor (or how ever you spell it) narrated by Lt. Robert Taylor and is the best war picture I’ve ever seen.  Not much story or plot but it just shows life with many planes. It may not have been released for the public yet but when it comes around see it-What?

                Well Monday we spent part of the time on a work detail and part putting our sea bag in shape.  Then the think we’ve been waiting for-the Drafts came in.  They were posted and then the talking, scheming, and planning began.  I won’t explain to you just what a situation like that is like. Men from almost every state in the Union-married and otherwise-which of course would make a difference as to where a person would want to go.  Most of the guys were thinking, “I wonder if that draft will still be open when it’s my turn to choose.” Some of the boys could have gone to a base right in their home town but just because they were too far down on the list they had to choose a place a thousand miles away-such is life.  But it’s all in the game.

                It would be a lot easier for me to talk to you in a letter like this if you could just understand the situation.  My explanations must seem pretty clumsy.

                I don’t mean to brag but out of 93 men, I made about 25^th choice or there abouts.  It took 20 weeks to work for that but it was satisfaction just the same, especially knowing that the rest of the men were quite a bit older than I. My choices were:

1-Advance Air Base Training at Quonset Point Rhode Island

2-Two drafts for Banana River Florida for work on flying boats

3-Draft for our Ferrying Command at San Pedro, California working between there and New Foundland, South America, and Europe probably.

4-Advnace Base Air Training Unit St. Louis, Missouri

5-Duty at Wildwood, New Jersey just a small ride from the big city New York

6-Two drafts for Norfolk, Virginia.  One for Assembly and Repair shop and the other for “carrier air supply unit”

7-One for the Philadelphia Navy Yard

8-Another for “carrier air supply unit” at Quonset Point Rhode Island-duty in South America and one of the best navy bases there is

9-Then two drafts for Main Side of this station here at Jax.

Then there was a messed up fouled up affair for the West Coast.  They didn’t say where.  If you said West Coast it could be anywhere from the Canadian border to the Mexican border. So I just walked around and listened to the different guy’s opinions and different discussions and got the map out and looked and studied, etc... at the different places.  There sure are a lot of things to take into consideration.  As you can see, they don’t give you much to go on.  You can’t tell very well what kind of a deal it is. Then after a thorough map study, we begin to wonder what we do want.  Do I want to get closer to home-even if it is 1,400 miles away? Do I want to see the show get some life that will quicken your heart beat-or maybe stop it? Probably you know that so long in this life and action it gets in your blood.  WE talk and hear stories and see picture shows until it couldn’t be otherwise.

What would Skip and the folks want me to do? How long will I be in that place if I choose it-before I ship out? What would be my chances for a leave? What kind of work will I be doing there? What kind of planes do they use? And the point that was never over looked-what kind of Liberty town is it? How do people there like sailors? Is it like it is here where they’re thick as flies and treated like dogs? IT went on and on like that, long into the night.

Feeling the other men out and trying to see if his choice would interfere with yours and if it did, try to talk him out of it.  Finally I hit the sack for some sleep but sleep didn’t come so easy.  I thought lots about you and the drafts and asked our Creator to guide my mind and decisions.  In the morning, I knew what I wanted.  There was no way of telling if it was the right choice.  But, I knew I wanted it anyway. 

We lined up according to our class standing and one at a time we filed into the Commanders office to make our choice.  When a man came out, everybody was anxious to see where they guy chose and alter his plans accordingly.  I come to find out that there were a lot of men who wanted the same draft as me.  It was getting near my turn and I was wondering if I wasn’t going to have to change my choice but things came fine.  My draft is a 10 man draft and I made it as the 8^th man.  Just 2 more men and I wouldn’t have gotten it.

I hope it’s in accordance with your thinking, because the place I’ll spend the next several months at is St. Louis, Missouri.  Now maybe you want to know what the deal is.   If I can tell you, it’s the scuttlebutt (rumors) about it.  It’s an A.B.A.T.U. which means that it’s an Advanced Base Air Training Unit.  Some say the Navy has taken over the Municipal Airport and that’s our new Base.  Some say it’s advanced schooling.  Some say it’s a mobile or traveling repair unit that goes to different places to work. That’s what we know about it.  The only thing we can do now is wait for our orders.  Our draft is here but no sailing orders.  We ought to ship out before the end of the week.

Now, last night I went ashore to meet Jim.  I figured it would be the last time for a long time and I had a couple of rolls of film I wanted to spend with him.  He was detained at the Base though so he was late getting there and it was too dark to take pictures.  I’m going to meet him tonight through and we’ll try to get some pictures again.  What I’ve been leading up to is that Jim is shipping out too-maybe the same time as me-probably before the end of the week.  And can you imagine he’s going to Memphis-just 200 miles from St. Louis and maybe after awhile I can see him some more.  You’ll have to get the word from his folks to see what his deal is.  Excuse me-you can’t do that.  I’ll tell you after awhile when we get things straight.

Well, it’s morning now and I’ll try to finish this up.  Last night I went ashore and met Jim and we finished off a roll of film.  It was quite late in the evening so they may not be too good.  Then I left Jim in town for awhile and I came back to the Base and went over the main side to the usual church meeting.  I felt quite different than usual through because it was the last time I’ll see some of the people there.  I’ve met some elegant lads and that’s the only regret I have about leaving here.  They always have the guys that are shipping out say a few words and it was my turn last night.  Then I went ashore again and met Jim at the USO and sat around and shot the breeze for the rest of the night.

                Can you imagine the boys and me sleeping until 8:00 every morning? This is the life since we graduated! We haven’t been doing anything lately except have liberty from 5p.m. until 12 a.m. and during the day we go out on an occasional work party and do odd jobs such as gather laundry bags from different barracks and haul stuff around in trucks, etc… Then it seems like I’ve always got something to iron or some buttons to sew on or some dungarees to patch.  Whenever a call comes in for work they take volunteers you know-“You, you, and you come with me.  You’re volunteers.”  Of course you know the Hyer lad.  It doesn’t take him long to get help and find a knack to dodging the afore said.  My sack is right by the fire escape and when they start taking volunteers for a work party-I disappear.  I’ll write soon my love.  For now and as ever.  
Pablo