April 12, 1945 Thursday

Dear Harriet,

                Yesterday I got another of those Blue letters, but blue only in color.  Very cheerful otherwise.  It seemed that there was a lot more writing on that sheet than usual and I enjoy every word.  You said you weren’t lecturing me and I know you weren’t, but all the same, I had to smile.  First because I don’t deserve the worry if I may call it that.  But I do appreciate your thoughts for my welfare. Second, because I know that you’re quite sure I can handle things for the best and don’t really get in trouble.  I can’t get out of the same if not bettered.  I’m quite sure I’ll fare well on your cooking.  Never fear, it won’t b too long before I’ll be trying it as you mentioned-one of these years. 

Now for a few words on another subject.  You said you weren’t lecturing about me giving the Division Officer the word.  But I’m saying, this is going to be a short lecture-and not just to be different, because you need it, unless you’re teasing me. 

Susan Russell may be quite a girl but confound it, don’t get the idea that I’d never be satisfied with “a small Home town girl.”  In the first place, I’ve been around some and have never seen a girl you couldn’t give the stiffest competition and I don’t say that to make you feel good.  Like my mums said, “It’s better to be a big shot in a little town than a little shot in a big town.”  Take it for what it’s worth and don’t be too quick to forget it. My mother said the same thing-me not being satisfied with things back home.

About Navy College, it’s a blank-the Division Officer you know.  Say, I haven’t heard anything about M. Bowes-DeMille and Kaltenborn and the FBI.  Can you verify or give me anything else on that noise.  We’re lucky to have election lights out here-let along the news, though we do hear headlines like the Russian Jap noise.

                You’re certainly underway with activities-music and social and school.  You deserve it and more and it’ll be forthcoming.  All the luck I can muster or help I can ever offer.  Write soon and ask questions about anything. I’ll see you after while.  Day dreaming and nothing else.  All my love.

Pablo

p.s. Those cards have seen a bit of territory. They have been on my person almost all the time I’ve been gone.  I guess you know what those punch holes mean? Memories?

(Harriet Johns-invitation to all Weber county Ward, Stake, and Inter-Stake Budget Parties for the 1943-1944 Social Season; Weber High Student Body Card 1943-1944 for Paul and Harriet)

March 19, 1945 Monday

Dear Harriet,

                You’re probably wondering if I got fouled up or something.  Nope, I’m still on the turf but I’ve been on the beach quite a bit lately so I wasn’t where I could get the word to you.  Friday night the Bankers of St. Louis gave a big shin dig over at the DeSoto Hotel so I went over at that and while I was there, some Joe gave me a piece of paper that I could go down and get anything I wanted to eat.  It was in a big swanky chow hall on the Bottom Deck of the hotel and boy what chow.  I had some things with a French name on it.  What it really amounted to was an omelet of about four eggs with shrimp sauce all over and a couple of dishes of vegetables and a few other dishes of this and that. I’m stuffed.

                When the affair was secured, I ran across a fellow electrician-an instructor out here and he was so drunk he couldn’t even stand up without capsizing.  He is about as old as my father and sure was disgusting, although a bit comical.  I figured he’d get fouled up some way if I didn’t take care of him and get a captains mast or something so I helped him navigate back to the Base and didn’t get in until night onto 0200.

                Saturday I rated the weekend as Susan Russel, whom you’ve heard about, and I sailed over to the “arena” and went skating.  I had more fun than for a long time and only got scuttled once.  Sunday a Mormon soldier from Logan and I hiked around together.  We shot some pool and ping pong at the U.S.O. after church and then saw “The Keys of the Kingdom” and “A Soldier Came to Dinner.”  Both very good.  It seems to me you saw the first. It was a religious picture of the hardships of a Christian missionary in China-very inspirational.

                When I came back to the Base, I had a 3 page letter that sure made me feel good.  It was well worded and I enjoyed it more than usual.  I guess I read it for an hour.  The call I made Station to Station and only took near a half an hour to get through.  I really haven’t much time.  I’ve got to get some sleep-a 12-4 watch tonight so if this is a bit disconnected, don’t mind too much.

                That certainly was a good deal for Donna’s boyfriend to ship back to the States and it made me so glad to hear in a later letter that Howard is back.  I know what that will mean for he and Zelma alike.  Now he can get acquainted with his young-un.  Say, you’ve sure had clear sailing lately.  The Gold and Green Ball and getting the Radio and then that lengthy vacation serves you right for being my good girl.  Can you imagine us weathering it out together.

                I’m sure sorry I got fouled up on the birthday hon.  I guess though it’s a man’s well exercised right-to forget dates.  I’ve started already.  I just as well tell you that what I’m making for your birth commemoration will not get there on time.  I haven’t even got it finished, let alone mailed.  I hope you’ll understand.  It’s taken quite a little time to shape things up and I’m sorry it won’t make the 27^th.  Yah you a better man than me my unhappy even was the 2^nd of the 6^th month.  2 from 6 leaves 4-the day we’ll always remember as our merging.  Thanks for giving me the word on the home love angle.  I heard a rendition of “My Task” Skip, quite a song.  That was funny, us seeing that show “I’ll Be Seeing You” almost the same time.  Well sweet dreams, my thoughts Darling.

Paul

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