Friday, 9/17/43

Dear Jane,

I want a carton of Pall Malls and a lot of Lofts for Christmas. The former is not on sale in the Navy Canteen and, as regards the latter, somebody else gobbled up my last box.

O.K. to deposit checks, but how do you endorse ‘im?

Since only 1/12^th of the fathers will be needed before the end of the war according to Gen’l Hershey and Nogle’s number is a high one – how will our struggling printer be drafted.

There’s quite a few “old men” here. One of my fellow workers (“shipmates”) is 40, another 47. Both were hooked before the draft limit was lowered to exclude candidates over 38. Since you enlist in the Navy and cannot be drafted into it they cannot apply for a discharge like the “old men” of the army can.

Memo to Nogle: Trust that last bottle of 3 Feathers is still “intact,” and will remain so “for the duration.”

Our move to Ensenada has been temporarily cancelled.

Only place I’ve discovered where you can get an American sandwich and coffee is at the U.S.O. In fact the best you can do on a liberty night is to head for a show or take a walk to Santaro and then finish up with a magazine or two and then eats at the U.S.O. The big difference from the boats is that you can’t change your pace or place. Too hot for beer drinking and many a spot with atmosphere. Philly was never like this. But if I stay here over a prolonged period, will probably miss the damn place, after leaving it. Quickly fall into a fixed orbit. It was more than slightly trying on the nerves to leave the Washington setup. Something about it – can’t figure out exactly what. Hardly it’s quickly fading friendships.

Chas.