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

January 20, 1945

Dear Skip,

                Not much time before classes but I’ll start this anyhow.  Well Hon just one more day-gosh but I feel like a prisoner getting set loose after a term.  But I’ll tell you what I have in mind.  The Nave has advanced schools for my type of work and when I get a chance I’m going to apply for it.  Most of them are Fleet appointments though-men from the fleet.

            This week I’ve been working on a “corsair” f4u-Navy fighter and it’s a beautiful machine.  Maybe I never told you of my big thrill at the first of the week.  I got to “turn up” a plane. My first plane was a “Hellcat” fighter that has shot down three Japs and has absorbed plenty of lead itself.  Boy it sure wasn’t like starting our old car.  There’s about 2 dozen things you have to take care of.  Lots of levers and switches, etc-both hands full. After everything’s taken care of, you pour the power to it and she coughs and sputters and then roars and you think you’re going to take off. Maybe you’ve seen it done in shows-boy some fun!

                If you don’t mind sweet I’ll skip all over now-just answer and comment.  Yes, we did see those alligators and they’re better than the pictures.  If you remember Hon I said we took a lot of snaps.  The film Herb’s camera uses is quite plentiful and when we had them developed the total came to three dollars.  The end of the story is that they were some of the best snapshots I’ve seen and we lost them and have never been able to find them.  And don’t think that don’t make my blood boil.

                Your letter today said you’d like to have me take you to the places I’ve been. That’s quite a day dream Land lubber and I kind of like it but the thing that’s wrong with it is that all I want is to come home.  We’ll agree that I’ve been around a bit since I left you and I’ve found that where I come from is better. It’s just like the guy who went on an expedition for diamonds and while he was gone, somebody dug some up in his own back yard.  The same is true about traveling the country to see things when the most beautiful scenery etc. is right near you.  So believe me matey, don’t envy the sights I’m finding.

                It was quite a queer happening a bit ago Hon.  I went from chow to the early show cause I wanted to see this show “Sign of the Cross.”  It was a striking show and you summarized it well.  I got out of the show and found the letter on my sack-in which you told of seeing the same show.  I think we were both well benefitted by it.

                You were wondering if Herb was thinking the same as me when we were overlooking a romantic bay and moon in St. Augustine.  Hardly Hon-cause Hansen hasn’t got a home town female.  That subject has been a topic of much discussion here though.  You see, every other weekend or liberty, Herb has got a new heartthrob and between that and his brother going down with a submarine, his grades haven’t been too good.  He’s even had to have special night classes and that goes bad.  Well the point is he says it sure must be mighty fine to have a girl home to write to you and think about.  I said yes and it saves a lot of wear and tear on the nerves too.  Knowing all’s well home and you don’t have to bother with any girls anywhere you go.  There’s a lot more to it that you and I understand but that can’t be explained.  I’ll have to secure this for now Hon.  In case you haven’t already quit writing, I think you better not write anymore until I give you the word. All my love.  
Pablo

January 15, 1945 Monday

Dear Home Town Female, (or shall we limit it to sweetheart),

                I guess you’ve been wondering when your boy would write again. Last week we finished up in pretty fair shape.  We had the much dreaded test-the one covering the whole school period. It took most of the afternoon but wasn’t as bad as I thought it would be.  In the afternoon of Saturday we had Captain's inspection.  The band played and most of it took place in a shower-which everyone expected to turn into a flood or a good rain anyway.

                Then-the test wasn’t enough and neither was captain’s inspection as they pitched in guard duty.  Mine came early Sunday morning.  When I got off I finished up a big wash which was necessary and then put on my dress blues and went to church. After church I caught a bus to Cecil Field.  I finally found Jim out on the landing field where the afternoon flight was getting off.  The only excitement was when a Scout Bomber messed his tail up a bit on a landing.  Jim’s working long hours but it sure is good to see him.  It seems like every so often a guys got to foul up somehow.  Jim got his the other night when they secured the crash truck too early.  They have to work until 11 p.m. for two nights for that.

                I got back to the Base about 10:30 and that about brings things up to date.  Except that I got by last week without getting set back or anything-all the men on our plane did.  If I can just hang on for this 20^th week-just five more days until next Saturday.  I’ll be very happy. Then my dear, let’s just hope we have some decent drafts to pick from.  Maybe I didn’t tell you that the class ahead of us had drafts for 21 different places all over the United States and one draft for the Solomon Islands. Almost everyone was satisfied.  One thing of it is-that I’m keeping my fingers crossed that when I choose my draft and get there, I find more Mess duty.  See Hon, as long as you’re in the Navy you never get away from the scullery or watches, and usually the men who get it are new ones who come on a station.

                Here’s the dollar Hon and we won’t hear anything more like this.  It’s sweet of you to think of things like that, but if you want film it will have to be like this. A very good argument is that I buy for the one I’m indebted to.  I have another yellow box when I can find time to mail it. I have more to say but must fall out for school.  So toodle-oo Darling as ever.  Pablo

January 12, 1945 Friday

My Darling Skipper,

                The thing I have on my mind most tonight is you-the reason is your letter of today. It’s the kind of letter you can’t answer but just be thankful for the things you said and say-thank you.

                I’ll bet you and the kids have quite the time there at your new home and I’d like to surprise you some night or else just silently watch the “goings on.”  So, you’re stepping into short suits now. I’ll bet that’d wake me up and make me take notice. Hon, it’s no wonder to think deeply sometimes almost like you could feel my thoughts too.  Anyway, science says it’s possible and sometimes I’ve dropped so deep into those thoughts that they might have been with you.

                Now Skip, there’s something I’ll try to handle.  I was going to let it be, but mother in her last letter said a few things that made me think I just as well have things straight.  She said I was seeing these girls too much.  It would interfere with studies, etc… Well you can’t get things too straight in letters and you can’t argue in them either. The point is we’re restricted all week and that makes it impossible for females to interfere.  It may not interest you but on the other hand you may want to know that relations between me and the girls are a bit strained now.  Mostly because they thought after mutual I should take them to the show at the auditorium or something such as that.  Well the story was always the same with me-I had an awful lot of studies back at the barracks and letter writing etc… Well they figured I was making excuses.  Sometimes I was. But the good point of it is that I can afford to.  In other words, I’d have things as I wanted them.  If they wanted them that way ok, if not that was ok too.  The result is that for three weeks now we have only spoken to each other when necessary.  You know how that “cuts me to the quick.”  They take great delight in making sarcastic remarks but when I just smile with intense lack of interest they don’t like that so well which is to my liking.

                I think that’s the best way for me to have things cause in the first place I get more enjoyment out of thinking of you instead of being with them. In the second place, graduation is here almost with plenty of work mixed in.

                One thing I’m glad of is that I can have a clear conscience (or however you spell it) cause I haven’t so much as put my arm around her.  Naturally you have wondered about the situation here.  But as you say, you have no way of knowing just how things are.  All you have is my word that nothing-or no feelings exist between me or anyone here that would jeopardize the relation between you and I.

                I leave you with those thoughts darling, cause it’s almost time to get back to the plane.  Jessup made a not as you noticed while I was lost in my thoughts.

A few eternities of love.  

Pablo

January 10, 1945 Tuesday

Dear Harriet,

                It’s a field day tonight but I’ll try to get off a note.  We finally got up to the week we’ve been waiting.  Two weeks of school left, providing I can make the grade.  Everybody has the same hopes,-well founded too cause they set guys back in the class ahead of us.  This Saturday comes the great test we’ve been dreading-the one to cover all our school work. Near 100 questions that will probably make the hair raise on our neck.  As I was saying though, this is what we’ve been waiting for.  We’re working out on the “line.” I got assigned to the Generator Circuit on a Flying Boat-the PBY Catalina.  I really enjoy it, especially when you’re working on a craft that has a history.  This particular one put in over 700 combat hours in the South Pacific and has been on 25 bombing missions.  The name is kind of original too- “Amoozin But Confoozin” meaning of course “amusing but confusing.”

                Say that is quite a schedule you have.  It looks good to me and I hope I hope it’s good duty for you.  Those ought to be interesting subjects. I and the boys got a smile out of that tap dancing-I don’t let anyone read the letters but that’s getting around some.  First, Besting and Bass in Band and then tap dancing? What next? If it’s music lessons-here’s to you.  You’ll fare ok hon.

                Oh yes-why do you want to cut your hair this summer? What do you think you’ll be doing next summer? Maybe going back to Grants. the other person. I knew a girl back home who had more than I deserve-ever but just the same, all I would desire in a female.  Now she’s in a different life which will inevitably better her if that was possible. Naturally it is impossible for the good to come without some bad.  All the same I am as sure as anything I was ever sure of in my life that her basic qualities and traits will not change. So—I’m thinking this girl means so much to me that I’m willing to do all in my power to adapt myself to her.  I’ll go a long ways farther than half way to make being together nothing less than Utopia.  One catch is that the outlook on my coming home is pretty dismal.

                I know that after graduation I won’t get a leave cause it’s just impossible.  They give you your orders and they read where you have to report to the next Base and just enough time to get there.  Well last night (Wed) we had a good mutual meeting and I’ll close now. All my love.

January 6, 1945

Dearest,

With one of those pens I’ll write to you a few lines.  I still haven’t got a lot of time but lately that’s only natural. I haven’t any of your letters here so I’ll just ramble.

                We just finished our 18^th week-2 more to go and then we’ll see what fate is in store for me.  As you may have already guessed we’re pretty hot stuff-(in a joking way). We’re pretty well done on one of the Navy’s toughest schools and already the boys are getting itchy feet.  A good deal of the talk is centered around our “orders”-where we’ll ship to from here.  Some want North Eastern states-around New York-others, around Key West, Pensacola, Corpus Christy-others along the West Coast, Seattle, Diego, L.A., Frisco, etc… Most of them hoping to get near their wife and family.  Ogden ought to be a coastal town so I could have such hopes.

                Yep-class 10 is fast becoming men of the world.  (No joke). When we graduate it won’t take long before the Boys will be scattered all over from Shanghi to London, including all else between.  Our pet dread being the Aleutians Islands.  There’s only one catch to it-the coming two weeks is when the thinning out process comes in.  It won’t be easy but we’ll just have to stay on the boat and I think we’ll be ok. You can tell there’s a strain on though cause everybody’s irritable and there’s always arguments, almost fights, etc…

                Your picture calms me lots though hon. I’ll let this do for now my dear.  May God be with you.  My thoughts and love are.  Pablo

January 4, 1945 Thursday

Dear Harriet,

This will probably be written in pieces and another one of those jumpsy letters but I’ll start.  Thanks a great deal for sending those clippings and play program.  I would have sent them back sooner but I wanted to read them again.  The play and play program touched something inside me-especially the part under the heading of “staff.” The clippings were quite exceptional and I enjoyed them.

                Yes, Chris is at Weber. Maybe you have it all straight by now-if not, about the only thing I can say is that Chris wasn’t much satisfied with the U and it was costing too much.  Besides, he could get the business courses he wanted at Weber so he’s putting in time there.

                Between you and I-I’m a thinking Chris wishes he were here-especially since Jim and I have been able to get back together for a few hours.  It would make things a lot more complete if he were here. He’s told me he’d like that.

                This military life isn’t as exciting or romantic as a person may think but all in all Jim and I both have and are receiving training that can not be bought for any amount anywhere else.  Cause as I said before, the Government has spent millions of dollars for the equipment we use.  Chris probably could have made a school somewhere of some kind and got a hold of some good training.

                A while ago I got your letter of the 25^th telling of your Christmas.  It was surely written so I could understand and feel and even picture your Christmas.  I’m sure you family enjoyed your presence that your Christmas was to your liking.

                Course it’s long past by the time you read this but it’s still history and in letters I guess that’s what we’ll have to consider and put up with.  We’re both getting old enough that there probably won’t be many more Christmases spent home.  Kids have a habit of getting big and having children of their own-spending Christmas in their own home and with their own family and just visiting with their parents.

                It’s well too that you were able to see Fils-those times are fewer now that you’re a school girl again.

                It makes me feel good to know that you think of me some and miss me a bit as you mentioned.  Like most of the lads here, no matter how much they hear it, they still hunger for the next time.  It’s been so long since I’ve been with you that truthfully I don’t miss you any more.  I don’t know how to explain it. “Missing” has turned into more of a thinking, a constant wishing I could see you.  Maybe it amounts to the same thing as missing you.  Sometimes at night when it’s dark and silent, I drift so far away in my thoughts and longing for you that I’d like to squeeze water out of my pillow.  Just as anger can become “riled up” in a person so can the opposite feeling.  And boy sometimes I get so “riled up” that my heart beats like I’ve been running.

                It was certainly grand of you to visit my people when you were home.  My folks mentioned it a couple of times and I know they like to have you.

                Harriet when you write Lila, I’d sure like it if you’d give her the word for me-I hope she fares well and all. You’ll tell me how everything goes. Gosh since I evacuated tings have happened.  I won’t know the place anymore.

                Oh yes you mentioned what you call a boner-about sending my folks the Christmas card.  You should tell me about it-just how many times have I done that.  More than one my dear. Well let’s call it a night.  I really ought to write my grandparents- I don’t get to only every month or so.

                Hoping you find school easy and enjoyable.  Maybe it was kind of hard to get in the Harness again.  For you too-now, as the clipping says-for you now and forever may the day break and the shadows flee away. Pablo

January 1, 1945 Monday

Dearest,

Today I received a most lovely letter telling about your Christmas.  I know you did enjoy yourself-received much joy and the best part is that you deserve every minute of pleasure you ever receive and more after that.

                I hope all this coming week to hear how you enjoy your vacation home.  It makes me feel lots better and more able to keep on the boat here when I know you are happy and content this New Years so here’s to us and I’m a hoping another one won’t pass before we’re together.

                Saturday as usual brought exams-too many.  The whole class was irritable and tired cause we had security watch Friday night.  I guess I got three hours of sleep all night so we had a couple of strikes on us before tests started.

                Saturday night I sure didn’t feel like liberty but Hansen and I had planned on traveling to *St. Augustine so we set out. We caught a ride with a nice new Buick so that helped cause it is quite a ways. We got there near 12 o’clock so we didn’t feel like traipsing around and just got a sack died-almost.  It was an elegant room overlooking the Bay and there was a beautiful moon glittering on the waves.  I didn’t tell Herb but I was a thinking that I’d give years off of my life if it was you with me in place of him.

                Sunday morning I didn’t hit the deck till near noon (making up for security watches and long classes in school). Hansen wasn’t awake yet so I just strolled the waterfront.  It was a fine day-you know-the kind when the sun almost hurts your eyes.  There were some sailors preparing their tub to shove off, so I chewed the rag with them awhile and then watched them raise the draw bridge and weigh anchor.  When I got back to the room, Hansen was ready for chow.  It was rather funny.  The waitress gave us a dinner menu and we were having trouble finding something till we got it straightened even if it was 1:00.  I wanted a waffle and some bacon and milk. It sure hit the spot.  Then we found a place where we could get some film.  I was able to get one for you after some controversy but we could get a couple for Herbs camera. I mailed yours today and hope the pictures we took will turn out.

                We rented a bicycle all day and had a most enjoyable time extremely interesting visiting the places you see in the pictures. I can’t begin to tell you of all these places-I’ll just let it go at the point that it is the oldest town in America and is chuck full of relics, monuments, etc. etc… The Fort was most interesting with the most Dungeon, etc.  Then the alligator Farm and Fountain of Youth and Indian Burial ground.

                We rode the bus back to Jax and on the way to the base we got off at Riverside. The Presbyterian Church was holding a special candlelight-midnight service so I started the New Year right.  In church-in prayer for my loved ones.  Last year the “New Year” found you and I in a kiss.  I’ll never forget.  This year it was quite different.  The candlelight was the only light and there was a deep silence even the organ music was of a silent nature.  It filled my heart with thanks to our God and a petition for my sweetheart and family at home that they may be blessed, guided, and many other things that I won’t write of.

                The reason I was out so late was because I was granted special liberty-6 minutes into ’45 I was away from my prayers and thoughts and on my way back to the base.  Today started a new unit in school-the last and most interesting maybe-I’ll tell you of it later.

                I hope you do like the present; not as much as I thought.  I’m afraid I have already made a lot of use of those things and will probably wear them out too soon at this rate. I think St. Nick did stow quite a bit of lovely things at your home and I know you will enjoy them too.

                I’m having a terrible time with my time problem and correspondence but be patient.  Write-and please give your family my regards.  I’ll sure have to written them soon but, if I only had a couple more hours a day (no use wishing that thought cause it’s probably be spent in school).  About now I’ll leave you in words but not in thoughts.  Mizpa Darling, Pablo.