Dearest Mother, Daddy, Toots, and Rhody and Brother Neil.
Today is really beautiful—the sun is really bright and the ocean breeze is really fine. You see, we are just a few yards from the water’s edge—so we hear the breakers all night. I surely am getting used to the ocean. I remember when I was scared stiff of those 15 foot breakers but now they seem like buddies to me—they should, we are in ‘em all the time.
I didn’t do very much this week-end. I didn’t even go to church—I don’t know why I didn’t but I slept in. We go to church every Friday here anyway. Boy, I surely wish you could spend a whole summer here at Coronado. It is the most beautiful place I have ever seen. There are palm trees all over, lilies growing wild and it is surrounded by the ocean.
I just hope Don’s ship come in here before I leave. CVE’s come in all the time and maybe his will be along.
The war in Deutschland is nearly over. But that doesn’t mean very much to us here. We still have the war to win in the Pacific. But, I guess it will be over much sooner now that we can concentrate on the Jap more than ever.
This amphibious work is really something. It is the most scientific of all the fighting units as you can see why it would have to be. Taking a whole army from ship to shore is quite a job and requires a lot of work besides months of planning and preparation.
Well, I hope you are all very well. I’m not sure how much longer I will be here. But it won’t be too long. Write and tell me when and if you are coming to San Diego. It would be best if you could come so that you would have a whole week-end—and the first week-end in each month is the best.
Hope you are all well-------
Love Willie
Friday, May 14, 2010
4-13-1945 (date difficult to read)
Dearest Mother, Daddy, Toots, & Rhoda; (& Mr. Neil)
I was glad to receive another letter, as usual from you today after a day landing thru the biggest surf we have had to land thru. It was really great sport trying to handle those boats in the ocean today. My face is as read as Elias Castle’s from the sun & wind & salt spray. However, I use some good face oil & it helps a lot—I hardly ever get a gad burn when I use it. In fact, I am getting quite tan!
Today while we were in the bay I had the disappointment of my life. You see, CVE 81 is here in repair base and while we were cruising along we noticed another CVE coming in from seaward. Well, I naturally strained my eyes for her and number & finally picked out an eight for her first. The second was quite blurred. Well, I thought that with #81 already in #80 was sure to come. (just hoping) Finally I figured out her number and it was #82—not #80. That shows you how probable it is that Don might tie up here. They come in everyday. I keep check with the CVE base and intelligence repairs, though, so I can tell when, if; he does anchor here. Maybe, I am too optimistic, but nevertheless, I like to be.
That was a very nice article in the paper about Don’s and my promotion. It was an especially good picture of Don.
I just came from a show here with LaMont & his very cute wife. He is a nice fellow and she is a bit conceited but O.K.
My room-mates are all down town so I am just kill time her until I “hit the Sack” .
I also saw Gordie again tonight He was going to pitch a baseball game for the L.D.S. team tonight—he is a very good athlete.
I am going to try to make L.A. this week-end. I surely hope I can get up there and take in Wilshire ward and all once again. Gordie goes up every week-end & attends Wilshire.
Well, I hope you are all very well and that Mr. Neil is O.K. Everything is fine with me and the war looks good!
Best of Love,
Bill
I was glad to receive another letter, as usual from you today after a day landing thru the biggest surf we have had to land thru. It was really great sport trying to handle those boats in the ocean today. My face is as read as Elias Castle’s from the sun & wind & salt spray. However, I use some good face oil & it helps a lot—I hardly ever get a gad burn when I use it. In fact, I am getting quite tan!
Today while we were in the bay I had the disappointment of my life. You see, CVE 81 is here in repair base and while we were cruising along we noticed another CVE coming in from seaward. Well, I naturally strained my eyes for her and number & finally picked out an eight for her first. The second was quite blurred. Well, I thought that with #81 already in #80 was sure to come. (just hoping) Finally I figured out her number and it was #82—not #80. That shows you how probable it is that Don might tie up here. They come in everyday. I keep check with the CVE base and intelligence repairs, though, so I can tell when, if; he does anchor here. Maybe, I am too optimistic, but nevertheless, I like to be.
That was a very nice article in the paper about Don’s and my promotion. It was an especially good picture of Don.
I just came from a show here with LaMont & his very cute wife. He is a nice fellow and she is a bit conceited but O.K.
My room-mates are all down town so I am just kill time her until I “hit the Sack” .
I also saw Gordie again tonight He was going to pitch a baseball game for the L.D.S. team tonight—he is a very good athlete.
I am going to try to make L.A. this week-end. I surely hope I can get up there and take in Wilshire ward and all once again. Gordie goes up every week-end & attends Wilshire.
Well, I hope you are all very well and that Mr. Neil is O.K. Everything is fine with me and the war looks good!
Best of Love,
Bill
4-12-1945
Dear Mother, Dad, Shirlee, & R.—Mr. Neil also
Well, tonight we are all very gloomy because of the President’s death. It surely came to us all as a shock—it seems that no one had even considered the possibility of such a thing. However, his plans were all known by his cabinet and if they do their part we will still have his plan worked out. No one can say that he wasn’t a great man because he was one of the greatest.
The war news, However looks very good and it seems like Europe is almost finished—next will be a full scale job on The Japs and I really believe they will scare out sooner than the Heinies.
Today we had instruction in beach markers, ship to shore movement etc. This is really complicated work but it is very necessary and interesting.
No, Mother, I am not sure how long it will be until we shove off. It won’t be less than a month & it can be 3 months from now.—most of them have been 3 months. La Mont is shipping over about the same time as I so we might go as far as Pearl together. He is a very nice guy but a little different than Joe & George.
I haven’t heard from Shirlee Herzog since I have been here. I wrote once & will try again. If the result is fruitless or even slow I will try another (girl not better) as you know I am not very interested in anything except you guys, the church, & the Navy. But, someday I guess I will find some Female Fuze, but until then I will feel content with my Landing Craft.
One Ensign, as I have probably said, is in charge of a whole wave of boats (9 or 10) and it is a real responsibility but it is much easier to handle than I thought.
I received 2 letters from you today. Glad you heard from Joe—will send his letter back soon.
Hope you are all as well as I—
Love Bill
P.S. Even though Don is in Pearl he may not be able to let you know as that stuff is TOP SECRET—I will try and find out.
Well, tonight we are all very gloomy because of the President’s death. It surely came to us all as a shock—it seems that no one had even considered the possibility of such a thing. However, his plans were all known by his cabinet and if they do their part we will still have his plan worked out. No one can say that he wasn’t a great man because he was one of the greatest.
The war news, However looks very good and it seems like Europe is almost finished—next will be a full scale job on The Japs and I really believe they will scare out sooner than the Heinies.
Today we had instruction in beach markers, ship to shore movement etc. This is really complicated work but it is very necessary and interesting.
No, Mother, I am not sure how long it will be until we shove off. It won’t be less than a month & it can be 3 months from now.—most of them have been 3 months. La Mont is shipping over about the same time as I so we might go as far as Pearl together. He is a very nice guy but a little different than Joe & George.
I haven’t heard from Shirlee Herzog since I have been here. I wrote once & will try again. If the result is fruitless or even slow I will try another (girl not better) as you know I am not very interested in anything except you guys, the church, & the Navy. But, someday I guess I will find some Female Fuze, but until then I will feel content with my Landing Craft.
One Ensign, as I have probably said, is in charge of a whole wave of boats (9 or 10) and it is a real responsibility but it is much easier to handle than I thought.
I received 2 letters from you today. Glad you heard from Joe—will send his letter back soon.
Hope you are all as well as I—
Love Bill
P.S. Even though Don is in Pearl he may not be able to let you know as that stuff is TOP SECRET—I will try and find out.
4-5-1945
Dear Mother, Dad, Shirl, & Rhoda; (& Brother Neil)
Well, perhaps I had better tell you of a very funny-yet good-experience I had last Sunday.
Well, I thought I would take in a little church so Sunday evening I looked for a church-I inquired around and finally a taxi driver told me he knew where the L.D.S. church was---so, I went there. Well, I went in and they were having a little fire-side discussion before the actual services. I sat down & started to listen to what they were saying They started talking about some delicate subject like the plurality of Gods or something like that & there seemed to be some who agreed with the speaker & some who didn’t. They began arguing back & forth & doing everything but calling each other liars. It really got heated—so hot that one person & her husband & two kids shoved off before the tide went out. Boy, I thought “what the heck is this church coming to”. And then I began to wonder if this was really a Mormon Church—I didn’t see how it could be, and yet they were talking about Joseph Smith the Book of Mormon, Pearl of Great Price, & Doctrine and Covenants. Well, I stuck out the session & then prepared to get out while the getting was good.
But, before I left a few people wanted to meet me---When they found I was from Salt Lake they asked me if there was a very large branch of the Reorganized L.D.S. Church back there. When I heard that I knew it was a mistake & I had ended up in the Reorganized Church.
So, that explained everything.
But, really, I have never seen such a lack of spirit in a place in my life. It was really terrible.
Well, this next Sunday I will find the right one and see if I can’t have a better time.
I am well & enjoying this place a lot. Thanks for mailing my uniforms. Gordie says to tell you hello.
I hope you are all well.
Bill
P.S. I expect to see Don’s carrier in this base soon, because they all come here at one time or another. There are 6 in now.
Well, perhaps I had better tell you of a very funny-yet good-experience I had last Sunday.
Well, I thought I would take in a little church so Sunday evening I looked for a church-I inquired around and finally a taxi driver told me he knew where the L.D.S. church was---so, I went there. Well, I went in and they were having a little fire-side discussion before the actual services. I sat down & started to listen to what they were saying They started talking about some delicate subject like the plurality of Gods or something like that & there seemed to be some who agreed with the speaker & some who didn’t. They began arguing back & forth & doing everything but calling each other liars. It really got heated—so hot that one person & her husband & two kids shoved off before the tide went out. Boy, I thought “what the heck is this church coming to”. And then I began to wonder if this was really a Mormon Church—I didn’t see how it could be, and yet they were talking about Joseph Smith the Book of Mormon, Pearl of Great Price, & Doctrine and Covenants. Well, I stuck out the session & then prepared to get out while the getting was good.
But, before I left a few people wanted to meet me---When they found I was from Salt Lake they asked me if there was a very large branch of the Reorganized L.D.S. Church back there. When I heard that I knew it was a mistake & I had ended up in the Reorganized Church.
So, that explained everything.
But, really, I have never seen such a lack of spirit in a place in my life. It was really terrible.
Well, this next Sunday I will find the right one and see if I can’t have a better time.
I am well & enjoying this place a lot. Thanks for mailing my uniforms. Gordie says to tell you hello.
I hope you are all well.
Bill
P.S. I expect to see Don’s carrier in this base soon, because they all come here at one time or another. There are 6 in now.
4-1-1945
APRIL
FOOL
Dearest Mother, Daddy, Shirlee and Rhoda;
Today being Sunday, Easter, “My Birthday”, and April First I fell “purty“! good! Thank you very much for the nice card—it came yesterday.
So far all we have done to celebrate my birthday is loaf—which is fine, as you all know. We slept thru breakfast and just got back from a wonderful chicken dinner.
Since I haven’t written you for a few days I will tell you what we have been doing—well, Thursday we were out on the water all day practicing landings in LCVP’s (Landing craft vehicle & personnel) They are only 36 feet long & carry 40 troops. The crew is 4 enlisted men & one ensign commands 9 boats so you see there is a lot to do. However, they are easy to catch on to, but it takes much practice for landing right. I did “purty” good & had a lot of fun.
Friday I went to L.D.S. services here on the base. There were only 10 of us there—LaMont Richards and I were the only officers besides the chaplain who is also L.D.S. It is really nice when you can do things like that. LaMont is the President & I guess they will make me his counselor. Gordie Tregeagle is also a regular attender but he wasn’t there for some reason Friday.
Boy, you can’t imagine how interesting it is on this station. There is so much doing that it keeps you busy watching it all.
We also have regular classes here in Leadership, lines & tackle, seamanship, & the regular line of stuff so you see my education keeps building up.
I received a letter from Don yesterday in which he said he was well & wished me a happy birthday. He said he was still in port and enjoying it.
You are probably interested in the type of duty we get out of here—well it will probably be aboard an AKA as officer in charge of boats. It is a very good job and very interesting.
From here we go to another such base in Pearl Harbor & we don’t know how long we will be there. It is all a very good deal & I am really pleased with the whole set-up
Well, I was surely sorry to hear that toots was feeling sick again—Tell here to get well quick so she can come to San Diego. I will write & let you know when it would be best to come if you still feel you want to—the transportation is bad but I guess you can make it. Write & tell me if you are still interest in coming to crowded Diego—would surely like you to come.
Well, thank you all for being so good to such a bad boy for the last 20 years and thanks ever so much for being my Mother, Father, & Sister, and I appreciate all you have done for me—I just hope I can live up to your expectations and maybe even make a success of myself in the future—But, seriously, I hope you all realize how much Don & I think of you & Love you ---
Best of Love,
Bill
P.S. Germany will fold up in a few weeks & It looks like Japan will too. At least all of the big officers her thing so.
Bill
B.O.Q.—A.T.B Coronada
San Diego 55 Calif
FOOL
Dearest Mother, Daddy, Shirlee and Rhoda;
Today being Sunday, Easter, “My Birthday”, and April First I fell “purty“! good! Thank you very much for the nice card—it came yesterday.
So far all we have done to celebrate my birthday is loaf—which is fine, as you all know. We slept thru breakfast and just got back from a wonderful chicken dinner.
Since I haven’t written you for a few days I will tell you what we have been doing—well, Thursday we were out on the water all day practicing landings in LCVP’s (Landing craft vehicle & personnel) They are only 36 feet long & carry 40 troops. The crew is 4 enlisted men & one ensign commands 9 boats so you see there is a lot to do. However, they are easy to catch on to, but it takes much practice for landing right. I did “purty” good & had a lot of fun.
Friday I went to L.D.S. services here on the base. There were only 10 of us there—LaMont Richards and I were the only officers besides the chaplain who is also L.D.S. It is really nice when you can do things like that. LaMont is the President & I guess they will make me his counselor. Gordie Tregeagle is also a regular attender but he wasn’t there for some reason Friday.
Boy, you can’t imagine how interesting it is on this station. There is so much doing that it keeps you busy watching it all.
We also have regular classes here in Leadership, lines & tackle, seamanship, & the regular line of stuff so you see my education keeps building up.
I received a letter from Don yesterday in which he said he was well & wished me a happy birthday. He said he was still in port and enjoying it.
You are probably interested in the type of duty we get out of here—well it will probably be aboard an AKA as officer in charge of boats. It is a very good job and very interesting.
From here we go to another such base in Pearl Harbor & we don’t know how long we will be there. It is all a very good deal & I am really pleased with the whole set-up
Well, I was surely sorry to hear that toots was feeling sick again—Tell here to get well quick so she can come to San Diego. I will write & let you know when it would be best to come if you still feel you want to—the transportation is bad but I guess you can make it. Write & tell me if you are still interest in coming to crowded Diego—would surely like you to come.
Well, thank you all for being so good to such a bad boy for the last 20 years and thanks ever so much for being my Mother, Father, & Sister, and I appreciate all you have done for me—I just hope I can live up to your expectations and maybe even make a success of myself in the future—But, seriously, I hope you all realize how much Don & I think of you & Love you ---
Best of Love,
Bill
P.S. Germany will fold up in a few weeks & It looks like Japan will too. At least all of the big officers her thing so.
Bill
B.O.Q.—A.T.B Coronada
San Diego 55 Calif
Thursday, May 13, 2010
3-24-1945
B.O.Q.—A.T.B Coronada
San Diego 55 Calif
Dearest Mother, Dad, Toot, & Rhoda:
Well this is our second day and I can say that so far this is an OK. life. The food is marvelous—and we eat off of the plates etc. just like civilized people.
I went to see Gordie & rie geigle but he wasn’t in at the time—I’ll try again today. It looks like we will be here about 3 months so that is longer than we expected. The training won’t be very difficult but it will be interesting. We have every type of ship here you want and it really is fascination to watch them.
I still can’t get over the wonderful time I had home last week—no kidding, it was wonderful. I just wish everyone could have as good a leave.
This is a very beautiful spot and the weather is fine. A lot of sun shine and cool winds.
We have another chance to go into the air corps if we want but none of us seem to very “hot” on the idea. All of my room-mates are es-V5ers so the air Corps. is well represented here. One of my friends even has his wings but he was grounded for hedge-hopping.
I was disappointed in San Diego as a city—it is quite lousy and dirty. But if you want to come down some-time I’m sure you would enjoy it. I’ll look into the housing situation and let you know.
I hope all is well with you.
Everything is O.K. here---------
Love to you all ------
Bill
San Diego 55 Calif
Dearest Mother, Dad, Toot, & Rhoda:
Well this is our second day and I can say that so far this is an OK. life. The food is marvelous—and we eat off of the plates etc. just like civilized people.
I went to see Gordie & rie geigle but he wasn’t in at the time—I’ll try again today. It looks like we will be here about 3 months so that is longer than we expected. The training won’t be very difficult but it will be interesting. We have every type of ship here you want and it really is fascination to watch them.
I still can’t get over the wonderful time I had home last week—no kidding, it was wonderful. I just wish everyone could have as good a leave.
This is a very beautiful spot and the weather is fine. A lot of sun shine and cool winds.
We have another chance to go into the air corps if we want but none of us seem to very “hot” on the idea. All of my room-mates are es-V5ers so the air Corps. is well represented here. One of my friends even has his wings but he was grounded for hedge-hopping.
I was disappointed in San Diego as a city—it is quite lousy and dirty. But if you want to come down some-time I’m sure you would enjoy it. I’ll look into the housing situation and let you know.
I hope all is well with you.
Everything is O.K. here---------
Love to you all ------
Bill
Friday, May 7, 2010
11-8-1944
(Ansbury Park, N.J.)
Dearest Mother, Dad, Shirlee, & Rhoda;
I hope you will excuse it if I haven’t written for a day or so, but I have really been on a “fouled up” schedule. I have a watch that is 4 hours on duty and eight hours off—in the eight hours off we have to sleep, eat, clean up, and everything else. It isn’t a hard watch or anything but just clumsy. I stand from 4 P.M to 8 P.M. and from 4 A.M. until 8 A.M. My watch is on he boardwalk along the beach. It is really beautiful to watch the ocean at night and in the morning. It really gets cold out there, too, but you should see the clothing they issue us. It is heavy canvas cover-alls and coats lines with an inch of wool & cotton with a fur collar. We also have heavy mittens, 7 hats with ear pieces that buckle under the chin. When you get all of that on you really are warm.
I don’t know as yet when we will ship out but I guess it will be a while yet. We have no idea where we will go but it will be East of Chicago, because there are no schools west of there.
I received another letter from Shirlee H. and she told me all about the U.of U. etc.
I also rec’d another letter from Don. He said he was getting along O.K. and that all is very interesting where he is and I imagine it is. I surely would like to be with him.
Well, I had better answer Don’s letter and a few others so best of Love and I hope you are O.K.
(This East Coast is Lousy)
Lots of Love
Bill
How is the election going—I hope it is for Roosevelt. (I think, However it will be close
Bill
I forgot to mention that laundry I sent home. Send it to the laundry, Mother, don’t do it yourself because it is too much work. Please keep it “all” at home because I won’t need it. I will also send some more “clean” gear so you can shove it all in that sea-bag and just leave it.
Well, lots of Love again
Bill
Dearest Mother, Dad, Shirlee, & Rhoda;
I hope you will excuse it if I haven’t written for a day or so, but I have really been on a “fouled up” schedule. I have a watch that is 4 hours on duty and eight hours off—in the eight hours off we have to sleep, eat, clean up, and everything else. It isn’t a hard watch or anything but just clumsy. I stand from 4 P.M to 8 P.M. and from 4 A.M. until 8 A.M. My watch is on he boardwalk along the beach. It is really beautiful to watch the ocean at night and in the morning. It really gets cold out there, too, but you should see the clothing they issue us. It is heavy canvas cover-alls and coats lines with an inch of wool & cotton with a fur collar. We also have heavy mittens, 7 hats with ear pieces that buckle under the chin. When you get all of that on you really are warm.
I don’t know as yet when we will ship out but I guess it will be a while yet. We have no idea where we will go but it will be East of Chicago, because there are no schools west of there.
I received another letter from Shirlee H. and she told me all about the U.of U. etc.
I also rec’d another letter from Don. He said he was getting along O.K. and that all is very interesting where he is and I imagine it is. I surely would like to be with him.
Well, I had better answer Don’s letter and a few others so best of Love and I hope you are O.K.
(This East Coast is Lousy)
Lots of Love
Bill
How is the election going—I hope it is for Roosevelt. (I think, However it will be close
Bill
I forgot to mention that laundry I sent home. Send it to the laundry, Mother, don’t do it yourself because it is too much work. Please keep it “all” at home because I won’t need it. I will also send some more “clean” gear so you can shove it all in that sea-bag and just leave it.
Well, lots of Love again
Bill
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