Letter 1 Letter 2 Letter 3 Letter 4 Letter 5 Letter 6 Letter 7 Letter 8 Letter 9 Letter 10 Letter 11 Letter 12 Letter 13 Letter 14 Letter 15 Letter 16 Letter 17 Letter 18 Letter 19 Letter 20 Letter 21 Letter 22 Letter 23 Letter 24 Letter 25 Letter 26 Letter 27 Letter 28 Letter 29 Letter 30I received the camera today, it is really swell. Honestly, I couldn't ask for a better one and you can believe me when I say that I am more than happy over receiving it. I had to look at it six times before I could actually believe that it was mine. Right away I had to try it out and I shot a roll of black and white film up. And the filter kit, Holy moley what a surprise that was! I had planned on getting a yellow and red filter but this doubly fills the bill. Gosh, with this equipment I should certainly get some excellent results. Using a miniature camera calls for extra skill and accuracy however. I will have some practicing to do but after all, everyone has to start out as an amateur. Thanks again for the terrific camera, you know how much I appreciate it and how long I have wanted one.
I bought a lock for my trunk today and in it I have placed my camera and other valuables. I don't want to take any chances on losing anything and that sturdy Yale lock is good insurance.I received a letter from Norma today, short but sweet. Did she get the song sheet music, or whatever they call it, that I mailed to her? I will get you some Luckies tomorrow but I am running a little short on currency this month so if you really don't mind I would surely appreciate a little reimbursement. I'll try and mail you two cartons and I will definitely send you the 19 packages that I have bought up, two packs at a time, and that I now have in a cigar box in my trunk. The shortage has hit here but we have an Army commissary in the railroad area where soldiers can purchase weeds by the cartons. I am going over there tomorrow and see what they have. If they have Camels I will get Pop a carton. I will get him a carton of them next week anyhow. Camels are seemingly harder to get than Luckies. In our Post Exchange they have a limit of two packages to every customer but at that rate I can get enough to fill the bill, I think.
Chris Tisserat, the fellow that owns OUR car here, has asked me if it is at all possible that you could get him a 35MM camera. I told him that I did not think it at all possible as they are so very scarce but I promised to ask you to look out for one for him. He is the fellow in my crew that is 36 years old and he has his life savings in his Nebraska bank. Therefore I hardly think that you could go wrong on buying one from someone and depending on him to take it. I know they are hard to get and I don't expect that you will be able to find another; as I said, I merely promised Chris that I would ask you to look out for one and nothing else. He is a very fine fellow.Ed is down in Havana, Cuba now so he hasn't seen my new camera as yet. I have no doubts that he will be as eager about it as I am, he too likes to take pictures. I was going to, and I almost did, go down to Cuba but the Flight Surgeon frowned upon the idea because of my ankle injury.
I had a medical class today, marking about my ninety-sixth hour logged in classes on that subject, and after the class the Instructor Major asked me if I had had a medical background in college. I told him that I hadn't of course and he said, and I quote, "you seem to have a rather keen knowledge of our subject, that's why I asked." I guess you know, I was flabbergasted to say the least. I had merely used the medical terminology when asking my questions instead of the simple names applied generally by most people. A habit that I acquired in my association with my old chum Ed Thorpe, you know these Bostonians and their intestinal fortitude when it comes to putting a point over. (This old typewriter is shot.) Anyway I was more than flattered at being told, for once in my life, that I was a good student. (And don't be surprised if my rank is changed sometime in the next two months - maybe?)
Well, I have written enough for tonight I guess. I had better close for now and get some sleep. I received a letter from Jack today and he told me about Donny getting two stars for his ribbon and he also added the question, "What good will it do him after the War?"....Did you ever stop to think how the War would go if everyone took that attitude? I know there may be a thousand reasons why we shouldn't be fighting this war but I think that I can say, without being a flag waver, that once American blood had flown due to enemy treachery (we have no doubt that Pearl Harbor was anything but treacherous, have we? Except that it was downright dirty and the worst breach of human trust ever perpetrated.) - Once that American blood had been shed every American, white, black, blue, purple, and otherwise took on the obligation of revenge. I don't like to preach a sermon on why we should fight but I just want you and anyone else to know that I don't appreciate the fact that a friend of mine could have that attitude when he knows that all or most of his best friends are fighting and dying for something that is as much his as it is theirs. It would be great for the axis if we all felt as Jack seemingly does by his actions and speech. Of our class at Wilson I will mention a few names of fellows that will have gained nothing by fighting as Jacob considers it: Mel Patton (played night ball with us), Joe Hienen (Lambda Nu), Merrill Brown ('43) and Gene Burns (you remember him?).....All of these guys are dead or missing in action. They got the Purple Heart - but what good will it do them after the war? Should we call all the other fellows like Donny home and stop all this bloodshed? - Or should we get over there and help Donny out and win this damn war so that those that have died shall not have died in vain?Boy I don't usually carry on like this unless I am BITTER and right now I am sour as heck.
The only thing that will make me feel bad about going over the pond is the effect that it will have on you at home. Otherwise I can say that I am eager as heck and no one will say that I missed the War - not if I can help it.
I don't know why I shoot off so much - Goodnight and thanks again for the really swell camera and accessories.
With all my love, Always,
JuniorP.S. Excuse the use of "damn" up there. It was necessary as a descriptive adjective so I held my breath and typed it out. Okay?
_________________________________________________________________
*
Sunday NiteDear Mom,
Just returned from another mission a couple of hours ago. Flew over Tokyo and bombed some Navel installations to the North of it. Had a good look at the volcanic Mount Fujiyama on the way back to the target, it was quite a sight. The mission wasn't rough at all and we met little, if any, opposition. Myself, I didn't see any flak at all but they say there was some below us. I'm sure tired now tho, it's a long haul to Toyko.
It's later now and I just got back from the show. Charlie Ruggles in some picture about twin babies. There was so much crying and squealing I feel like a nervous wreck. It was a crazy picture. Arthur "Dagwood" Lake was an expectant father in it too, that alone could drive a person crazy.
I sure hope I get some mail in the morning. We got back late this aft and couldn't check today's mail. I'm due for a bonanza of mail: Sure overdo on the use of one word, don't I? My vocabulary is extremely limited when I'm as tired and sleepy as I am at this moment.Incidentally, the war situation is looking very good now. Don't you agree?
Saw Ed for a minute or two right after we landed. He was on the mission too and bombed after us. Things went about the same for them too.
I planted some carrots and radishes in my garden the other day. I transported some fertile red soil to the front of our hut and made a small plot. This Guam soil is all red and underneath is white coral. I think the soil is good for planting tho.
Well, I'm going to secure now and get some sleep. I'm actually so tired I'm dopey. Maybe I'll get a letter from you tomorrow and I'll drop you another line or two then. Goodnight now, write soon.
Love to All,
Junior
DEAR NORMA AND JOHNNY,
HOW'SA BRATS THESE DAYS? NORM I RECEIVED YOUR LETTER THE OTHER DAY AND THIS IS THE FIRST CHANCE I'VE HAD TO ANSWER IT. SO, IF YOU'LL FORGIVE YER POOR OLE BRUDDER HE'LL GET UP ON HIS KNEES AND CONTINUE THIS EPISTLE. THANK YOUSE OLD DEAH, I KNEW YOU WOULD UNDERSTAND. YOU SAY YOU LIKE TO HEAR ABOUT MY BOMBING MISSIONS HUH? OKAY GANG, YOU DON'T HAVE TO TWISTMAYARM. OUR LAST MISSION
WAS TO A SEAPLANE BASE JUST NORTH OF TOKYO. TO BE EVEN MORE EXACT IT IS THE __________ NAVEL BASE. HA HA, GUESS WE FOOLED THE CENSOR THAT TIME. (I COULDN'T SPELL IT ANYHOW. ANYHOW WE PASSED BY TOKYO ON OUR WAY TO THE TARGET AND I GOT A GOOD LOOK AT THE FAMOUS MOUNT FUJIYAMA VOLCANO. IT SHORE GIVES YUH A FUNNY FEELIN' TO PASS OVER THAT COUNTRY AND KNOW THAT THE JAPANEZERS ARE DOWN THERE LOOKIN' UP AT YUH. WELL WE FLEW ON AND DROPPED OUR EGGS ON THE SEAPLANE BASE AND TURNED OUR NOSE HOMEWARD. THERE WERE A FEW BURSTS OF FLAK BUT NOT NEARLY CLOSE ENOUGH TO WORRY ABOUT. THAT'S ABOUT ALL THEY TRIED TO STOP US WITH, GUESS WE CAUGHT EM IN BED. THE ONES WE DIDN'T WAKE UP, WE BLEW UP.BUT GOLLY GUYS, LEAVE US NOT SPEND THE WHOLE PAGE TALKIN' SHOP. Y'KNOW, MA SENT ME THOSE PICTURES OF YOU TO URCHINS (AWRIGHT, SO IT'S SPELLED T-W-O..G'WAN) AND SCOUT'S HONOR, THEY WERE NOTHIN' BUT TERRIFIC. JOHNNY LOOKS HOT IN THAT GAB SUIT AND I REALLY CHECKED THOSE SADDLES. AND NORMA LOOKS, WELL, KINDA, I SHOULD SAY FAIRLY CUTE. I GUESS GIRLS BORN IN HOLLYWOOD ARE JES NAT'RALLY DAT WAY, HUH?
HEY KATIE BELL, THAT'S SWELL HAVIN' GARY TAKE YOU TO THE 9-A DANCE, WHY TELL THE LAD TO WEAR MY COVERT SUIT TO THE BIG AFFAIR; HE'D HAVE A TERRIFIC KNEE-LENGTH ZOOT SUIT, WOULDN'T HE? YUK YUK YUK.......WHERE IS THE DANCE GONNA BE? THE BARN OR THE HILL? THE BARN IS OKAY BUT I'LL TAKE THE CLUB ON THE HILL MYSELF. BY THE BY, AM I INVITED?
I'LL SURE BE GLAD IF DAD HAS THE DESERT DEAL ALL FIXED UP BY THE TIME I GET HOME. WOULD BE NICE TO HAVE A RUNWAY OUT THERE FOR A PLANE, WOULDN'T IT? I CAN'T SEE HAVING THE POOL OUT THERE THO, I'D RATHER HAVE A POOL AT HOME - BEACH OR NO BEACH.
WELL NOW YOU TWO SPUDS TAKE IT KINDA SLOW AND EASY LIKE AND DON'T TAKE ANY WOODEN HALF DOLLARS. (KNEW YOU WOULDN'T SETTLE FOR NICKELS) AND HOW 'BOUT KEEPIN' THIS SAD SAD MAN POSTED ON THE LOCAL CHIT CHAT VIA ANOTHER LETTER OR TWO, HUH?
WELL AGAIN, I GOTTA GO AND WHEN YA GOTTA GO, ETC ETC..... I'LL SEE YOU'ROUND LIKE A DONUT..................
YO EVAH LOVIN'
JUNIOR*
Thought I'd write you a fast letter and mail it when I go over to the mess hall to eat. I received your packages yesterday, it's swell to sleep between sheets again. The kodachromes came out swell, I think, can you give me another set? Ed wants some of them y'know. I am fairly well pleased with the results, tho some of the prints were fairly dark don't you think? This print you sent me of Justine was perfect, the color was amazing.
Thanks for sending that print to Owaha. That's Howard Ainsworth, a mechanic on our ground crew. He keeps the plane in condition. - Sometime I'll send you a picture of O'Neill. You'll probably find one among those negatives that I sent home. Tell me, did you or did you not get those from the lady in Oklahoma?
We bombed the town of Shizuoha in Japan early yesterday morning. It was a night fire raid and nothing short of terrific. It was really a sight, smoke billowed up to at least 15,000 feet or higher. I don't see how the Japs can stand such raids, the whole city was ablaze. Nothing exciting happened to us, just another mission under our belt.
What's the deal on DeLeCruz? A South American you say? What's she doing in the States? And what country is she from? Full of questions, aren't I?
I enjoyed the newspaper a lot; did you know Vince Real's picture was on the Sports Page? Read the want-ads too, Pop ought to huy a light airplane while they are cheap. - Cars are sure high now, ugh? I'm aiming for a Buick but it seems like a longshot.
Well, will have to close now and go eat. Will write more tomorrow. Write again soon yourself, I like mail now 'n then.
Love to All -
Junior
P.S. NOTE: NEW ADDRESS -
SAM E. TATE JR S/SAT #2210
330TH BOMB GROUP (VH)
457TH BOMB SQUADRON
APO 334 C/0 PM SAN FRANSISCO,
CALIFORNIA
(Still in the same place tho)
*Have time for a note only. I am fine, spent last night at Iwo Jima uneventful. Received two letters from you today, thanks!! Need some sheets too. "Requesting please" - you asked how many missions he have now - seven on Japan, two on Rota. Not sure how many we pull before going back home but I am sure that we will be okay thru all of them. They aren't bad and we are taking them in our stride now. Try not to worry too much.
If you could have seen Nagoya on fire the other night you could realize how much these missions mean.
We slept all night in the airplane at Iwo last night. Didn't get much sleep either and hence, I am very tired tonight. Have to rise early manana, so will close now.
Hello to Norma (thankx for the letter)
Hello to Pop (good golfin')
Hi to Johnny (wanna see that suit)Love to All,
Junior*
Been fairly busy the past couple of days and I just haven't had time to write hardly at all. You probably read about the two recent night fire raids on Tokyo and wondered if I was on them. Well, I was and I'm okay. We lost a few planes this time, as you noticed I'll bet, so I thought I'd best put you at ease about us. Tokyo was a rough target; we got hit with flak quite a bit this last trip but came home with three engines and a lot of holes. It was fun tho, in a gruesome way of course, and frankly, I wasn't scared much.
We were caught in the spotlights several times but O'Neill managed to dive out of them. Tokyo was a mass of fire below us; it was terrific. We could still see the fire on the horizon after we were over a hundred miles out to sea, on our way home. The first raid wasn't hard on us at all, we weren't even hit. But this one this morning, tho it seemed a lot easier, was rough on our ship.
Don't let them tell you the superfort can't take it??
We were on those Nagoya raids too. And we bombed in Kyushu in aid to the boys on Okinawa a few weeks back. So you see, we've managed to busy ourselves quite a bit.
Ha, I hardly think I'll be home for my birthday. May get home for XMAS, or possibly for Thanksgiving. Y'never know. Maybe the War will end sooner than that.
Tell Inez that salty means about the same accustomed, that is, for one to be salty to a thing is the same as one being accustomed to it. Sailors, after being at sea a while, get salty to the sea. Hence, an old sailor = an old salt!!
I hope that Leroy gets a discharge, he has a rough time of it. Why don't they take Oliver? Seems unfair in a way, doesn't it? I hope, too, that Mr. Erickson comes thru okay. He's old now tho; hope may not help. Gosh I'd like to see him again.
I'm glad you're mailing me the paper. We don't have any newspapers here and an occasional Sunday paper would be swell. And one of the lessons in my latest correspondence course calls for the use of a Sunday news section.
Well mom, David says that he wants me to get up at six in the morning to go down to the navel base with him. So I guess I'll secure now. See you around...
Love always,
JuniorP.S. Good idea Inez has; keeping those B-24 raid clippings.
_________________________________________________________________
*Thought I'd drop you a line or two before I go to bed. Not much to write about tho. I went down to the Navel Base with David. We picked up a pontoon from a salvaged seaplane and plan to make a boat out of it. Mom, I want something and I wish you would try awful hard to find one for me and one for Thomson. That is a face mask for swimming. We fish with flippers and spears here and at first those masks were available. Now, however, we can't get them. You may find some at Sears or at the Plunge or the Pike. I'll draw a picture of one so that you can recognize it. We want two of them.
Please try to find some. Okay?
Glad you got the money orders okay, will send some more this month. About another hundred. Save it, glad you put it away.
I'm listening to Radio Tokyo now and we really hit Tokyo on these last two fire raids. Scorched the capital city to the earth. It wasn't too rough but the flak was fairly heavy.
They are begging to turn the lights out and it's almost eleven so I'll cut this a little short now. I'm sleepy as heck.
Take it easy and try not to worry too much about me. We have a job to do and we are doing it as best we can. I'm glad to be in on the show and I'm not worried.
Well, will close now. Write soon. See you around.
With Love, always,
Junior
Howdy!? Received a letter from you yesterday after that biggest mission over Japan. Boy did we blast 'em! We hit some oil installations in southern Honshu. The censor will probably cut that out, it's in the newspapers tho. It wasn't a bad mission at all tho, lots of flak - but we're salty to that now. I sat next to O'Neill, snapping pictures with an aerial camera.
I'm enclosing some money orders, two to be exact, and be sure and let me know you received them. Stash the cash. If you ever need it for anything, don't hesitate to use it. It's okay by me y'know.
Well, I hope the property you bought was a good deal. Sounds good. If you put a swimming pool out there with a cabin, you'll have something!!
Received the picture of Norma, it's swell-nellie. I liked those kodachrome prints too; I'll send some slides home for printing if I can't have it done in Hawaii. I'll send a slide of June home anyhow, would like a print of that!!
My last set of kodachromes hasn't come back from Eastman as yet. I'll send them home when I get them.
Can use the two rolls you sent me, but not right away. They may lift the ban and we may go somewhere for a rest.
Well, gotta secure now.
Love, Junior
Sorry I haven't written for a couple of days but I won't wait that long to write again if I can help it. As usual, we've been fairly busy around here. We bombed a big city on Honshu, the main island of Japan, twice this week. Yesterday morning we hit there before daybreak and started a nice big fire. It was really a sight.
Ed and I went down to the Naval base this morning, just looking the island over and picking up some stationary. I shaved off my beard just about an hour ago, it was really coming along fine and so long it was beginning to curl. Well, three quarters of an inch anyhow.
I haven't had any mail in a week. I did get a letter from Hugh Staples this morning tho. I expect a letter from you this afternoon, or at least by tomorrow morning.
David and I went to the beach late yesterday evening and had a lot of fun. I look my flippers along and dove down with a spear after some fish. I didn't get any but it was sure fun chasing them.
Maybe in a month or so we'll get our next trip to Hawaii and I'll get my fill of swimming. Some of the fellows that are already there for rest say it's swell.
I haven't seen anyone that I know from Long Beach since I've been here at this base. I thought that I would because lots of fellows pass thru this way, but I was wrong. Staples says that he may look me up but when he thinks I'm on Saipaw. I looked for him when I was on Iwo Jima and couldn't find him.
My wallet was taken with fifteen bucks in it but I still have ten left. That's more than enough to last me the rest of the month too. I spend about a dollar a week, seldom any more than that.
Well, will secure now. Gotta get some shut-eye.
Love,
Junior
Howdy!! Not much new from this side of the world. Just been lappin' up lots of sun in this tropical paradise in the beautiful, azure, blue Pacific. Sipping Lagoona juice under the coconut tree. (Workin' for the Chamber of Commerce too.) Hey!! I lost my fountain pen. Gotta have another, but quick! Find me a Parker if possible and send it "Airmail." It takes months otherwise. Remember now - pen - Parker - Junior - Airmail - roger? (Thick point if possible.)
Everyone here is fine. All growin' mustaches but me and I can't or I would. I've got a fair goatee on my chin tho, kinda King George style. Nothin' but in.
By the way, my dear, while you are puttin' in the stables, golf range, swimmin' pool, and what hev-u on the Palm Springs ground - squeeze in a tennis court and a ¾ mile runway, for light airplanes, for me. Might as well go all out!! Holey Moley Maw, what all you do you'all except to put in five acres? A small house and a swimmin' pool would be well enough. After all, why over-do? Only jokin' - do anything you Tates - but be happy!!! Hokay?
Glad Johnny liked the bike. Boy he sure needed one! Bet his eyes popped out that day. Well Mam, gotta scram. See you 'round like a donut. Write yer kid once in a while, willya? Thankx. B.C.N.U.
Love Always,
JuniorBack to top
_________________________________________________________________
Thanks for the swell letter. It was good to hear from you. I was also glad to hear that you can write now - that's good. - Glad to hear MY dog is okay, keep good care of her for me while I am gone, will you? - How's the old horn tootin' coming along - still in the groove, I hope? - It may seem hard at first but stay with it. By the time the War is over you will have a good start - then I will have you take some really good lessons after I get some cash.
So you like the new cook, eh? That's swell. Can she cook good? - I wouldn't mind being home for Thanksgiving. Are you going to have a "gobbler" or a "clucker" or maybe a "quacker." - Probably have salami and be glad to get it, huh? Don't worry - Mom will find a turkey somewhere - like she does everything else.
Theora's telephone no. is 258 - 18 - CALL HER.
Love - Junior -
_________________________________________________________________
*Well, I am certainly freezing to death here in Kansas! It's snowing here now and the mercury is sitting at about ten above. They say it gets colder in December too, guess I just better give up the thought of keeping warm in this state.
I heard that you and John have been sick lately, how about that? Hope you are feeling better now anyway!
I am writing with one of those "dip" pens and I have to dip it every five words or so, boy do I hate it.
Why don't you start a collection of popular records and really keep them in one piece? Someday you will be glad you had them. I would like to have some of the old records, "Tuxedo Junction," "In the Mood," "Blues on Parade," and such - that were popular when I was sixteen.
How's your school coming along? When will you get to Woodrow Wilson? I guess you know, if you make anything lower than "A" or "B" in high school I am gonna paddle your little canoe.
By Gosh, it certainly feels funny to think I have a sister almost in high school. I was always kinda "alone", you know what I mean. You and John are fortunate to be close to the same age and in time you will find it really advantageous to have had a deal like that. You and John should stick close together and look to each other for help and guidance in all things. If you really try to get along you will find brothers and sisters can be best of the best of friends. Of course everyone argues once in a while!!
Those high school years will be three of the most enjoyable years of your life if you try to make them so. Almost everyone has an advantage in that they know what's right, but not everyone takes advantage of that knowledge by "doing." It's like knowing the recipe for the best biscuits in the world and never baking any. I know you will always do the right thing tho, and I know you will find plenty of examples of the wrong thing by observing some of the "low-brows" in school. Sometimes you may think they are having more fun than you but their fun is like sitting a tack in someone's chair - somebody gets hurt.
Well, enough chatter for tonight hon, I gotta secure now and go eat.
Love 'n Kisses,
Junior
I haven't heard from you in an age, I suppose that you are busy with Pop gone tho. I shot that roll of Ansco color down in Cuba and I certainly hope my exposures were right. I had some good shots and if they come out, they should be terrific no less. I am going to mail the film tomorrow and I hope the crew pictures I took are good, I will want one for each member and they will pay for them. That we can settle later; I want to see the prints first. Gosh oh gosh, I hope my exposures were close enough. Color is different from black 'n white so I could only guess at the lens' settings.
You mentioned in one letter that you and Mrs. Thomson had perpetrated yourselves to planning a trip this way. Now why come here? I was just home, so was David, and coming here would be a long, dirty train ride. I know you'll say "it would be worth it," but actually it wouldn't be. The train connections to here are terrible and the schedules far from dependable. Mrs. Thomson only has David, but you have Norma and Johnny and you can do without seeing me. If I can possibly get home again, you know that I will. But if I can't, I have every confidence in the world that my mother will make the best of it. Tho I realize how Mrs. Thomson feels about David, and you too probably feel the same about me, I can't say that I admire the way she is starting out in this matter. She's "cracking" early; why we haven't even started overseas yet! But you'n me mom, we can take it, can't we? We don't have to put on a show, we never did! You trust me to be careful and rest assured that I'll keep that trust. I'll be all right, just believe that and nothing can happen. And always remember Norma and Johnny - and Pop.
Now let's drop the subject, okay? This kind of talk doesn't go for us, when we lose our jokes and arguments we won't be nearly as happy as we have always been. So let's not. No matter what, our family is closer than nine outta ten others I could find. No matter what, we always got by swell.
But Mom, if you decide that you just gotta see me well I'll tell you what. Don't come to Kansas. Wait till we get to San Francisco. We may be there from two to three weeks before we go overseas. I'll phone you sometime next month and we can decide more then. That would be a much better way, don't you agree.We saw pictures of the base that we will be in overseas and honestly, it's really swell. We are right on the beach and far from the Japs so you can be sure I will get a good suntan. Captain Dessell says that some of us will be back in six months and probably all of us will be back within a year.
Well Mom, enough for tonight. I guess Pop is in Memphis tonight. Lonesome? Ha, betcha are!!! Don't let it throw you. Write soon -
With Love Always,
Junior________________________________________________________________
6/12/45
Dear Mom,
I didn't do much today, just sat around the hut and talked about this 'n that. I made a table lamp, pretty good job if I do say so myself. Flew my last mission day before yesterday. Bombed a scaplane base near the Tokyo area. Wasn't bad at all and I had a swell look at Mount Fujiyama.I went swimming the other day and got a little darker suntan. I don't get to the beach as often as I would like to because I don't go before a mission and I'm too tired to go after one. If I go to the beach on an afternoon before a mission I just get "plumb tuckered out."
My garden is coming along fine, the radishes are coming up already. Of course, carrots and watermelon take a little longer. - I wrote Ruthie a letter today in answer to one that I received from her the other day. She teaches dancing at Lillian Newman's School on Pine Avenue. She wrote me a swell letter.
I don't know the doctor you mentioned in your last letter but if I'm ever near the hospital I'll look him up. Guam is a good sized island tho.
What was the results on the things you received from Enid, Oklahoma? It was strictly a confidential matter you understand. And you may look for more of the same soon I think.
No mail came in today so I was an unhappy boy. I did receive a letter from you yesterday and also one from Norma. I thought the color positives were terrific, no lie. Say, what's Justice's last name, by the by? A fairly nice looking girl. Do I know her? Norma gets cuter by the day I think. And that John is still a dealer, he looks really decked out in that suit.
Tell Pop thanks for okaying the collage deal and not to worry, I'll be back to take him up on it. And once I get home again you won't need rope to keep me there.
As far as being in the Army goes, I'd just as soon be overseas in it as in the States in Khaki. I hate being stationed in the States in a lot of ways. This life over here is not too bad and it gets exciting once in a while too. I may be crazy, but I like it so far. I may get island happy someday, who knows, but right now I'm darn well satisfied right here on Guam.
Well, I'll secure now and get some sleep. Guess tomorrow's a big day again. Write soon.
Love to All -
Junior
(EXTROVERT)Back to top
_________________________________________________________________
It's Thursday morning here and I've just finished breakfast. It's about the third time that I've been up for breakfast since I've been overseas. Just wasn't sleepy this morning for some reason. I thought I'd drop you a few lines even tho there isn't much to write about. Yesterday I sat around and drank Cokes, we have them here now, and read a little but not much. Last night we had an all colored band on the stage and the show they put on was terrific. All music, but really good.I started a letter to you last night but it was a flop so I tore it up and went to bed. There isn't much to write about around here. When we don't fly we don't do anything. I haven't been up since Sunday's raid. Hence I haven't done anything, officially, since then. Ho hum, whatta life, huh?
I didn't get any mail yesterday so I should be lucky today. That Sunday Press-Telegram should arrive shortly. Have you received the kodachromes, I'm sweatin' those things out?
David is working on a part of one of his guns now. He's the chief gunmen on the crew y'know? It's quite a rough job too.
The gunners seem to have a lot of work to do, both before and after a mission. I do all my work on the mission and rest all other times. One rough deal, I can't sleep anytime in the air whereas most of the other fellows can grab a nap now and then. So far I've been fortunate, my equipment has worked wonderfully and there's been no trouble at all. That's the way I like it!Most of the other fellows are asleep, except David and Hangaw who is reading a magazine in bed, and it won't be long before they pile out of bed hungry because they didn't go to breakfast. Than they'll come to me and get some dried apricots that they know I have in my cabinet. Those apricots sure come in handy when you're hungry.
Well, I guess I'll close now and go up to the shack and see what's cookin' today. Another big day is starting on Guam soon. See you next time -
Love to All -
JuniorBack to top
___________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________Thought I would get a line or two off tonight before I go to bed. I'm sleepy as heck tho. Not much has happened since I got back from Cuba, I received the packages tho. Thanks a million for everything. We had quite a time with that quiz game that Gary sent too. And Norma and John seemed to know that I can always use a shirt. It was a good one too, Desmond's I noticed. The watch band was fine, it worked okay and I have it on my watch now. Guess I received about everything I needed, and those towels. Boy did I need them!
I believe I wrote you about the bad luck that I had in Cuba when someone stole my wallet? I am straight now, have enough to last till payday, but I sure hated losing all that money just the same.
Havana was nice; nice to visit. It is a dirty town tho. I took a roll of film down there but I haven't developed it as yet. Hope to heck I have some good shots! I should have, but who knows?
Ed went on furlough today. I go next time I guess.
Well, gotta cut short now. Will do better next time.
Love 'n Kisses,
JuniorBack to top
_________________________________________________________________RECIEVED YOUR LETTER TODAY AND THE ANSCO COLOR FILM. THEY ARE REALLY SWELL, THANX! ED SAID TO TELL YOU THAT THEY ARE REALLY SWELL, HE WAS QUITE IMPRESSED. I DON'T KNOW IF THEY MARVEL AT THE COLOR OR AT HOW PRETTY MY MOM IS?? WELL, AS USUAL THEY ASK IF YOU ARE MY SISTER!! OF COURSE THE ONE OF NORMA IS SWELL TOO, SHE IS CUTE AS HECK Y'KNOW. THE PICTURE WAS, AS YOU SAID, SLIGHTLY OVEREXPOSED. BUT I DIDN'T NOTICE IT SO MUCH AND I PROBABLY WOULDN'T HAVE NOTICED IT AT ALL HAD YOU FORGOTTEN TO MENTION IT. HER HAIR HAD A GRAYISH EFFECT BUT I THOUGHT IT WAS MARVELOUS TO SAY THE LEAST. THANKX AGAIN.
SAY, IF YOU WANT TO COME BACK HERE AND VISIT ME I THINK I HAVE A GOOD PLAN THAT WOULD SAVE US BOTH THE MONEY. YOU COULD COME BACK IN THE CAR. YOU GO TO THE RATION BOARD AND DRAW STAMPS TO BRING THE CAR TO ME THEN DRIVE BACK. YOU ARRANGE IT TO COME BACK JUST BEFORE I GET MY FURLOUGH, SEE. THEN, AS YOU KNOW, I CAN DRAW GAS COUPONS AT THE BASE TO BRING THE CAR BACK HOME. THE ARMY WILL FURNISH GAS FOR ME TO TRACK BY PRIVATE OWNED CONVEYANCE (POC). THEN WE CAN VISIT HER AND I WILL GO BACK HOME WITH YOU. BOY WHAT A MONEY SAVER THAT WOULD BE FOR ME. BUT OF COURSE THEN I DIDN'T FIGURE THAT IF I AM GETTING TO COME HOME AT THAT TIME. I SUPPOSE THE ONLY ADVANTAGE TO "MY PLAN" WOULD BE THAT IT WOULD SAVE ME TRAIN TICKETS AND YOU WOULD GET A TRIP. (PROBABLY A ROUGH ONE IN THAT CHEVY AT THAT!!) WELL, IT HAS SOME MERIT BUT I GUESS I SHOULD HAVE DONE A LITTLE THINKING BEFORE I WROTE IT. TWO POINTS FOR ½ BRAIN? WELL, I'M IN TOWN AND I BETTER CLOSE NOW.
LOVE, JUNIORBack to top
_________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________Got time for a line or so, tomorrow I go to town so I won't be able to write so I thought that I would get a line or so off today. Not much new has happened here, just the same old thing - school. Next week we have an extra class added on the present schedule. - As tho it wasn't tight enough as it is. But the new class is just for a week, thank gosh.
We are having a thunder storm here today, now it is beginning to rain. The hangar caught on fire the other day and it almost burnt down.
This alternating with two pair of pants is rough. I hope that you find some more for me.
I hope that they kick thru with a delay enroute for us. It will be swell if they do, I want to see Long Beach and the old gang again.
Well - 'tis short but I gotta go now. See you next time, I will drop "youse" a line Monday.
Love 'n Kisses,
JuniorBack to top
_________________________________________________________________Ho hum, thing's are dull around here today. Tonight I am going to a dance I think. Ed and I are in town now. If I have time tomorrow I plan to use up some of that paper you sent to me. I don't make too many 8x10 enlargements tho, I generally cut the sheets into halves.
Say, while I am on the subject of photography, I gotta big deal that I want you to help me on. First I want you to take the photo that I had taken in college at Logan, Utah (with the short hair crop, you remember?) and send it to Winstead's and have a negative made from it. Okay? Do it soon. Then send me the negative as the second and final effort of your contribution to my place.
My big deal is to see if I can make flawless 8x10 enlargements like Harklaum. I am going to get some Opal paper and a bit of mat paper. And as an added experiment I am going to have a try at toning the prints with sepia touce. I can tackle this as soon as I get the negative so don't forget.
After I get good at this, all I will have to perfect is my camera technique. Oh I know, you can never get perfect at this game. However with practice you can get reasonably close.
Roosevelt is on the radio.
Hey mom, what do you mean I was mad when I got those Mailihauis pictures C.O.D? I sent for those from Alanogoo and gave her definite instructions not to deliver them to you. I promised you that I would pay for you a new picture (bad English) and that is precisely what I did. I had forgotten, at the time of their arrival in New Mexico, all about them and that is the reason why I was full of wonderment about the content of the package. As you know, I was looking for my foot locker any time then and I was wondering if you had shipped it to me C.O.D.
I worked on my album this aft and put in a couple more pages. Soon it will be full. I am looking for filler pages however, they expect to have some of those size pages in at the dime store in the near future. My cover is shot too but it can be replaced. I don't want a new one yet, I can beat this one around for a while.
Roosevelt is saying goodnight with a spirit of faith; spirit of good hope.
Ed is down at the bowling alley now, drinking beer as usual. I never saw anyone that liked beer as much as he. He is very conservative in all ways but he has one weakness: brew!! I'll still take my 12 ounce Pepsi Cola, plenty for a nickel too. And sweet, beer is too bitter. I'm the guy that puts six spoonfuls of sugar in my coffee and considers it sour. The Champion Beer Guzzlers of Massachusetts (Ed again) came in just now, they ran out of beer down there he said.
Well, goodnight for now. I am going to secure while I can still write. My hand is bad tonight.
With Love, Always
Jr.________________________________________________________________
Excuse the pencil, I forgot my pen so this will have to do. As you have no doubt already concluded, I am in the Service Club. The big blue print on the letterhead is unmistakable evidence of that fact. Well, they need some publicity. I was going to town tonight but I figured it would be better to stay on the base as I was off to a late start and the bus situation between here and town is very poor to say the least. I broke a date with a girl that is out at the college, she almost fainted when I told her that I was too tired to come to town. Fellows don't usually break dates with these college girls I guess. But she still likes me, she consented to make it tomorrow. Breaking the date maybe was smooth, eh? Well, it always works out my way, guess they feel sorry for me.
I hate this paper with the letterheads on every page so I just turn them over. A simple solution to a simple problem. I know, I'm crazy!!
I'm glad that Jack got in the medics, oh - I said that in yesterdays letter didn't I? Anyway, here it is again. If you can work it thru the channels, tell Jack hello for me. The only address I ever got was on the XMAS card last December and the address was that of his wife. (And daughter?) I didn't get such a good impression of them when I was over at his place on Falcon. But, maybe I'm no judge.
I am set, financially, for this month but next month I may run a little short about the fifteenth because I am getting just partial pay. I make $99.00 a month now so I won't be having too much trouble with the money situation after this. Moving up here got the records all messed up. Partial pay next month will mean $140.00 at the end of December. Kinda messed up, huh? That's the breaks. Well Maw, I'd better secure about now and go over and get some sleep. I am next door in Ed's hut and I'd better go home. This is what these huts look like, we have to live in them for about two more weeks.
Back to top
_________________________________________________________________
Dear Mom and Pop -
Well right now I am awaiting a call to Long Beach. It takes hours to come thru. Didn't you get my last letter? This will probably be my last one sent from here (I hope) as we are to be next to ship out. I am fine as far as health goes and tho I have no voice, I still feel fine. The doc told me not to use my voice much and it will come back as I am well with a temperature of 98.6 which I average, you know.Say hello to Norma and the Squirt for me.
Fellows write that college is really swell. You eat fine and get sheets and all. I hope we don't go any further East. We study classes in Trig., Physics, English, ETC. I will have to buckle down. I hope I can make the grade (I know I will, tho) and will (self confidence, you know) write John Mangold and discuss terms of "ye olde diploma and stuff."
Did you get the role of film I sent (620). I mailed it in a rather crude wrapping, but'twas all I had at hand. I hope the pictures came out, I had a "lunky" handling the shutter. Be sure to send me an ample supply of prints, (fans you know) if they are alright. I wrote Granddaddy last week, I wonder if he received my letter? Did Erickson get my "corresponding scratches" I sent his way?
There isn't much cooking around here except in the daytime and that's the old grind, and what a grind it is. Isn't it too bad about Leslie Howard being killed, I was really shocked. He was really great, don't you think? I am going up to see my 16MM pictures you sent tomorrow night. I can't hardly wait. Tomorrow is a busy day here. We dress up and parade for Colonel Lewis. He gets out the band and we really raise quite a show.
Betty Jean writes often, of course never often enough, and so does Theora. You should see the piles of letters I have gotten in three weeks. Yessir, by guz, it is really stunning. I surely enjoy receiving the Press-Telegram. That was a brilliant idea on my part, I figure.
Say hello to Inez and "Clinny Mac" for me. Tell Nez that this "dog tag" chain is ideal. Do you see Jack and Donny around much? They write often, but when is Jack entering the service? Say hello to everyone on the block, tell Joe he can send me a "liverwurst sandwich," with everything, even dill pickles, immediately. When you see old John Redner (Sr.), speak to him for me also.
Well I guess I had better conclude my "jabber session" for now - write soon and I miss you all, very much.
As Ever, Love
Junior
_________________________________________________________________
I talked to you on the phone last night and received a letter from you today so it seems that we have established contact again. Let's be on the beam from now on, okay? I am over in the radio room at the base and I have about four hours to sit here and do absolutely nothing but twiddle my thumbs so I will take advantage of the free time and try to get a line off for you.
I really like it here now. There is a college in town and we have a good time acting like collegians (SP). It's just like the old days for me, I get dates after sorority meetings, etc. I even play tennis with a couple of the fairer students on Sunday afternoon. The other night I met a couple of the elite teachers at the institution of higher learning and we prattled proverbs and dabbled in the tete-tete for an hour or so. And Ed and I kept right up with the old gals. Then came the invitations to the meetings, etc. I am going on a personally conducted tour of the campus escorted by a ranking individual of the faculty. Quite a nice set up we have here and it should be a nice deal. I'll keep Ed on the ball too, he is well mannered tho and with the exception of a few time acquired Boston colloquies (SP again I guess) he gets along fine.
One of my friends here has his car now so have wheels once in a while anyway. I had a date in town tonight and he insisted that I take the car, so as not to disappoint him I complied after a moments hopeless hesitation. And did I have a nice time. I went into a filling station and gave the lady grease monkey the old hard luck story about the soldier in relation to the present gasoline situation. The reaction was normal on her part and without further adieu I backed the Studebaker up to the pump and let it take on five gallons of that heavenly fuel. Then we drove around to the numerous little towns surrounding the base just to get the lay of the joint. Then we hit a drive in and took the coeds back to 'Wesley Hall' dorm so that they could get in under that 10:30 curfew enforced by their seemingly infamous Dean of girls.
But enough of the life around here, as you have no doubt decided I like it here.
We should get a furlough while we are here too. It was been practically confirmed that we will be putting our 'John Henry's' on leaves of some sort sometime in the near future but as yet no rumors have been buzzing around about the dates of such activity taking place. Moreover, seeing is believing and seeing only that with old S.E. Jr.
I have one heck of a cold as of last night. We had a hut arrangement for living quarters when we first got here because they didn't have room for us. The huts were nice but we had our woes at night because the darn things didn't have any stoves in them. Then last night we slept in a new room affair with a big fire in the middle of it. The heat must have given me a cold.
I took an Alka Seltzer and then an hour later a Bromo in town tonight and backed them up with a Vick's menthol inhaler so I should be in the pink tomorrow. Excuse my typing, I must be getting sleepy.
I am sleepy come to think of it, I guess that it's time to say goodnight.Write soon, Love always,
Junior
THIS IS MY ADDRESS.............
________________________________
CPL. SAM E. TATE JR. 2210
330 TH. BOMB GR. (VH)
457 TH. SQUADRON (VH)
WALKER ARMY AIR FORCE (USE W.A.A.F.)
VICTORIA, KANSAS
_________________________________
........USE IT, OFTEN TOO.....OK?Back to top
_________________________________________________________________I only have time for a line or two tonight. I'm fairly busy lately. I'm enclosing two money orders and I guess you'll let me know you received them, if and when you do.
I received a letter from you today and the one Connie wrote to you. I know I should've wrote to those people but you can imagine just how it is here. In the daytime it's too hot and sticky to write and at night I'm busy writing to you and June, etc. I intend to write Norma soon tho, and Granddaddy too.
I mailed the kodachromes today, finally, and I sent them air mail so they shouldn't take long getting to you. I hope they don't, I mean. Glad you moved down another store, expanding rapidly - aren't we?
I didn't do much today. Slept till almost noon. In fact, I just about did nothing all day. Made out these Money Orders and ate twice. It was hot in the sun so I stayed indoors and laid on my bed.
I told you that I lost my wallet, guess I forgot to tell you that I found it again. It was in my B-4 bag, right where I left it too.
Glad you managed to get my packages off. Didn't know there was so much trouble attached to it. I am requesting another package now; "request package please." Will that do it?
Try to get me Leroy's service address, will you? Would like to drop him a line and hear how the lad takes the Army life. (This Air Corps isn't Army.)
Well, will close now.Goodnight,
Love always,Junior
Back to top
_________________________________________________________________
I haven't heard from you in an age, I suppose that you are busy with Pop gone tho. I shot that roll of Ansco color down in Cuba and I certainly hope my exposures were right. I had some good shots and if they come out, they should be terrific no less. I am going to mail the film tomorrow and I hope the crew pictures I took are good, I will want one for each member and they will pay for them. That we can settle later; I want to see the prints first. Gosh oh gosh, I hope my exposures were close enough. Color is different from black 'n white so I could only guess at the lens' settings.You mentioned in one letter that you and Mrs. Thomson had perpetrated yourselves to planning a trip this way. Now why come here? I was just home, so was David, and coming here would be a long, dirty train ride. I know you'll say "it would be worth it," but actually it wouldn't be. The train connections to here are terrible and the schedules far from dependable. Mrs. Thomson only has David, but you have Norma and Johnny and you can do without seeing me. If I can possibly get home again, you know that I will. But if I can't, I have every confidence in the world that my mother will make the best of it. Tho I realize how Mrs. Thomson feels about David, and you too probably feel the same about me, I can't say that I admire the way she is starting out in this matter. She's "cracking" early; why we haven't even started overseas yet! But you'n me mom, we can take it, can't we? We don't have to put on a show, we never did! You trust me to be careful and rest assured that I'll keep that trust. I'll be all right, just believe that and nothing can happen. And always remember Norma and Johnny - and Pop.
Now let's drop the subject, okay? This kind of talk doesn't go for us, when we lose our jokes and arguments we won't be nearly as happy as we have always been. So let's not. No matter what, our family is closer than nine outta ten others I could find. No matter what, we always got by swell.
But Mom, if you decide that you just gotta see me well I'll tell you what. Don't come to Kansas. Wait till we got to San Francisco. We may be there from two to three weeks before we go overseas. I'll phone you sometime next month and we can decide more then. That would be a much better way, don't you agree.
We saw pictures of the base that we will be in overseas and honestly, it's really swell. We are right on the beach and far from the Japs so you can be sure I will get a good suntan. Captain Dessell says that some of us will be back in six months and probably all of us will be back within a year.
Well Mom, enough for tonight. I guess Pop is in Memphis tonight. Lonesome? Ha, betcha are!!! Don't let it throw you. Write soon -
With Love Always,
Junior_________________________________________________________________
I didn't do much today, painted a little this morning. Slopped paint on about everything in fact. The place is kinda homey-like now with my desk, cabinet, foot-locker, and my pictures up on the wall behind my desk and it's just like my bedroom used to be. Have an air mattress and today we got regular stuffed mattresses. David though of putting the air mattress under the regular mattress and it really is a deal. Just like a Beauty-Rest, honest. We spent the day just making the hut more comfy.
I still haven't found any wrapping paper to use to send my kodachromes home. Guess I'll start putting three in each letter and if I find any paper in the near future I'll send the remainder of them home. They were all taken in the U.S., of course, but I had the base censor okay them anyway.
All the airplanes here had to put the name of a city on the side, well, you know what I mean - all the planes are to be named after a city too, I should have said. Ours is "City of Louisville." All the West Coast cities had been taken and that was about the center of the area in which most of the boys live. After we complete our missions, we go to that city and the local Chamber of Commerce gives us an expense-free good time for about five days. I've never been to Louisville, can't say yet how I'll like it.
Remember me mentioning Homer in New Mexico? Well, his ship is "City of Long Beach." They beat us to it, darn it!!
(letter seems to end here - cannot find further pages) ed.Back to top
_________________________________________________________________Thought I'd try to scribble out a line or two before going to dinner. We got up at eight this morning for a lecture; it lasted about an hour and a half. I've just been sitting around since then. O'Neil was over, eating coconuts 'cause he didn't go to breakfast. I didn't either but I never do and it doesn't bother me.
Tell Norma that I was glad to get her letter and I think S.F.O. is a darned good club. No, she isn't too young to have boyfriends, something would be wrong if she didn't have them.
We were on both of those Hagoya raids last week that you read about. It wasn't bad at all.
I liked that Ausco color envelope that you sent me, it looks great. I haven't, as yet, mailed my kodachromes home. I think I will have time this afternoon tho.
If I think about it, I'll mail some negatives that I took in the States. I have to take them over to the censor tho and I won't have time today.
David got ahold of some paint and we fixed up our desks and shelves that we built. Looks much better now.
All the fellows are fine. Frimney (the engineer) sleeps
(this letter ends - or seems to end - mid sentence, because the other page is lost) ed.
Back to top
_________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________Received another letter from you today, good to hear from you. I am glad that you are writing more often now and I hope you keep it up. Any kind of fountain pen will do me if you can't find a Parker. I surely wish that I had my old one back.
I'm glad that Norma got my last letter, hope she follows my advice. I received a letter from Redner the other night - answered it right away so now I'm up to date on my correspondence. The mail was meager last week and I didn't get very much at all. Time here goes by fast, we stay busy a good part of the time.
I found a couple Long Beach Press-Telegrams this morning and I sure enjoyed reading them. They were about a month old tho. If you think about it, roll up a Sunday Press every once in a while and mail it to me any way that will get it here reasonably fast. I don't want to subscribe to the paper understand, that just clutters up the mail and they take months getting here. Just shoot me a few Sunday papers once in a while.
The Post Exchange here has progressed rapidly in the last month and they have a little bit more stock. We get two candy bars at a time now too. I had my first Coke at Iwo Jima when I was there, boyohboy, was it good. I guess they will get them here someday, then I'll be happy.
David and I went down to the beach today and hunted coconuts. We got a couple barracks bags full too. We met a native down there and watched him spear fish, something we tried our hand at when we were on another island one time. The native fishes in the same spot all the time so we are gonna go down sometime and learn the tricks of the game.
I'll bet VET day was a big one in Long Beach, wasn't it? Sure was a happy day anyhow - I'm sure glad the War is half over anyhow. I won't try to guess at how soon the whole business will wind up but I do hope it's soon. Never can tell, s'funny war.
I'll send my kodachromes home as soon as I get around to it. I want prints of a few of them too. Boy did I have good luck this time. I used my color filter and it really helped. Magnifico!!
Well, I'll close now and get some sleep. Got a full evening again. No rest for the weary y'know? Write a lot........Goodbye for now.
Love n' Kisses,
JuniorS/SGT SAM E. TATE Jr. 2210
330th. BOMB GROUP (VH) 457th. SQ.
APO 246 (UNIT 2) C/O POSTMASTER,
SAN FRANSISCO, CALIFORNIA****************
Back to top
_________________________________________________________________Received your letter today and the package of kodachromes. I am glad to have the film, even if I can't use it right away. And your letters I always look forward to. I'm behind on writing to most everyone but I hope to catch up soon. We are kept on the go quite a lot here and are usually very busy with one thing or another. I am especially glad that you and Mrs. Thomson are phoning each other regularly too - I am lucky to have a crew member from the same town. Yes, we have started our missions and I thought I told you about it quite a while back. Mrs. Thomson doesn't have to tell you all about it and what we are doing. I just don't write much about missions because I don't think they are the thing to tell much about. That is to say, what I can tell you about is all in the newspapers and old news. The censor would probably whack out anything else I said that wasn't S.O.P. But from now on I'll let you in on it after we pull a mission, okay? And by this time we have pulled quite a few considering the length of time that we have been here and are quite "salty."
Enough chit chat about this and that, on to the lighter things of life. What comes up first under that heading? Money! Yep, I've finally managed to save some cash. I sent home two hundred dollars the other day and I want you to put it away for me. Be sure and receipt for that dough - I mean be sure and let me know that you received it.
I haven't heard from June in four days, I got kinda mad at her a week or so ago and she got mad right back. And, well, you know how it goes. Probably be all straightened out in a short time.
I got my kodachrome slides from Eastman Today, it certainly took a long time for them to catch me. They are really swell and I got seventeen out of eighteen of them real good. I'll send them home so that you can make prints and send them back to me. I have one picture of Finney that is particularly good and he really wants a print of it. Two of me are kinda good too. Do what you can, huh?
Thorpe came over a while ago and after attending a four hour lecture we sat and fanned the breeze. Think it's a good idea to have something on that land out in Palm Springs and Ed said for you to be sure and have that tennis court because that's his game. He might visit us sometime y'know?
Well, I'll close now and go over and eat something. Been busy with all kinds of things today but I think I'll get a rest tomorrow. Won't even get up for breakfast. I hope to hear from you again soon - and oh yes, for the benefit of the post office, I am hereby requesting some sheets. Please send me some sheets. That does it, doesn't it?
Will secure now,
WITH LOVE ALWAYS,
JuniorBack to top
_________________________________________________________________*
Sorry I haven't written for a couple of days but I won't wait that long to write again if I can help it. As usual, we've been fairly busy around here. We bombed a big city on Honshu, the main island of Japan, twice this week. Yesterday morning we hit there before daybreak and started a nice big fire. It was really a sight.
Ed and I went down to the Naval base this morning, just looking the island over and picking up some stationary. I shaved off my beard just about an hour ago, it was really coming along fine and so long it was beginning to curl. Well, three quarters of an inch anyhow.
I haven't had any mail in a week. I did get a letter from Hugh Staples this morning tho. I expect a letter from you this afternoon, or at least by tomorrow morning.
David and I went to the beach late yesterday evening and had a lot of fun. I look my flippers along and dove down with a spear after some fish. I didn't get any but it was sure fun chasing them.
Maybe in a month or so we'll get our next trip to Hawaii and I'll get my fill of swimming. Some of the fellows that are already there for rest say it's swell.
I haven't seen anyone that I know from Long Beach since I've been here at this base. I thought that I would because lots of fellows pass thru this way, but I was wrong. Staples says that he may look me up but when he thinks I'm on Saipaw. I looked for him when I was on Iwo Jima and couldn't find him.
My wallet was taken with fifteen bucks in it but I still have ten left. That's more than enough to last me the rest of the month too. I spend about a dollar a week, seldom any more than that.
Well, will secure now. Gotta get some shut-eye.
Love,
Junior
________________________________________________________________
Howdy, howdy, howdy! How're ya? Today is Monday and Spring is here (for the fourth time in a month). No kidding, tho, if there was just a little salt in the air I would think that I was in Long Beach. I received your letter yesterday. Too bad Lottie quit, kinda makes the work pile up doesn't it? Do you really think that Sterling will come West? What will he do in the lab? Are you planning to expand or do you just need help as it is?
I took some snap shots, no luck, I have enclosed a couple and I will send the nagats later. I have one that is swell but I haven't got a print of it yet. - I would like some more rolls of film too. - And there is a friend of mine here that has his own cartridges and wants to know if you can sell him the film in the bulk? How 'bout it? I told him that I didn't know.
Keep after Johnny and make him go to his lessons because after he gets good on the trumpet he will like to go. If he gets fairly good I'll get him a new trumpet (someday when I have a little capital).
Well, I have to sign off here, I'll write again manana - so 'till then -
Love n' Kisses
Junior