May 14, 1946

San Diego, Calif.

Dear Mom and Pop:

I just received your letter this afternoon and made sure I would answer it right away.

Well I made seaman 1/C the other day and that means 66 dollars a mo. now. I made an average of 83.6. This week I’m working down in the Personnel Office handling Service Records. It’s pretty hairy. I won’t be there long, because we’ll probably ship out about the middle of next week. I think I told you before that 39 of us were going up to Treasure Island in San Francisco Bay and from there probably catch a ship.

I’m sorry that I had to ask for some money when things were so bad but when my 5 1/C pay starts I’ll be sending home some more. A good thing in a way I’m shipping overseas because that will be a better chance at some money.

I had a letter from Don Hartman yesterday and the way it sounds he’s got a pretty good deal in the army. He’s supposed to be a secretary to the Commanding General of his division. He’s got a better deal than I got, but to tell you the truth I don’t think its going to last. I can’t kick though, being in the Navy. Things are pretty tough on the young fellows outside. The time is going pretty fast though. It’ll be a year I’m in the Navy. It just seems like it was last week I came home on “boat leave”. I hope the next 2 ½ years go as fast. I’m going to try hard to get 3^rd class in four mo. With this raise they’re talking about I’ll really be able to send some money home. Well Mom I guess I’ll close this letter now. Don’t worry, and take care of yourself and Pop too. Don’t let anything upset you.

All my love,

Alfred