May 23, 1944 7:00 a.m.
Dear Dot and Diana,
Another nice and hot day coming up. The sun is shining nice and bright this morning.
Well Dot, yesterday was your birthday, I did think of you and hope you did something to have a little fun. I would like to have got you something nice but money is kind of scarce and I couldn’t buy anything down here if I wanted to not even an anniversary card. Even last night I tried again all over town. We had liberty last night and I took two of my white jumpers in to have them fitted to me, they were too large around the waist and too long.
I went down to the U.S. O and had a lunch and cold drinks then took the eight o’clock bus back to camp. It was still early so I went to the movies at the camp theatre. I forgot the name of the picture, but it wasn’t so hot.
10:00 a.m. Now
Yesterday morning we had abandoned ship, that quarter of a mile swim I was telling you about, well, I made it O.K. didn’t get tired at all, guess I am in a little better shape than I was before I came in the Navy. This morning I have been on work detail cleaning the officers head and shower first got through so I have the rest of the morning to myself. We have to muster three times a day morning, noon, and night.
No, Dot I didn’t know that guy in the clipping you sent me, but it sure is too bad. My nose is still red and keeps on peeling. I have been putting salve on it but it don’t seem to help much. That damn sun is sure hot down in this part of the country.
I still have a few pimples on my back but I have a pretty good tan so they don’t show very much. I can’t think of more to write so will close and do a little washing,
Love and kisses,
Hi Diana,
So you think you will win that writing contest at school? Gee, I sure hope you do. I think your writing is pretty good and daddy will be proud of you, but don’t feel bad if you don’t, cause I lost a writing contest at school once myself. Ha.
Well, Dana, daddy misses you and mama an awful lot.
Hope I can see you soon,
All my love, xxxx
xxxx
Daddy, xxxx
X