Go Happy. Go HoJo.

April 23, 1954

"At Sea"

Howard Johnson’s restaurant and ice cream shoppe postcard – circa 1950’s

Hi Sweetheart,

What's cooking on the old homestead?

"Boy," this damn Yankee weather is about to get me down after those hot days in Cuba. We haven't been to Norfolk yet. We went to Rhode Island to drop off the air group and are on our way to Norfolk now. Wish you were going to be on the dock to meet me.

I got your Easter card today. It is very nice. Thank you, honey.

I'm trying to hurry along to finish this before the ballgame starts. After that, I doubt I will be able to write much. 

You will have to excuse me. I've been fighting Civil War again and neglected you for the moment. One thing for sure, when conversation lags mention the war and it immediately picks up.

Sounds like you people almost ate the Howard Johnson place out of chow. Wish I could have been there to help you. 

In the last hour I've written three lines. We have been talking baseball. 

These guys like to shoot the "bull" almost as well as I do.

So, John [Parker] has another Nash. I knew he wouldn't be without a big car for long. Sounds like it has everything on it but a clothesline. Does it make a bed? 

Tell Ruby [Turley Parker] I do remember when she showed me around the [Detroit] News.  I enjoyed it very much.

[Editor's note: Ruby Parker was one of the few women who worked for a newspaper setting type in the 50s. The profession was predominately male at the time and Ruby was widely considered to be excellent at her job.]

Honey, do you think you could get me a job singing with the "Glee Club?" I could really do with a deal like that? And if you and I were on TV together, they would probably sign us to a movie contract.

Baby, if you kiss me once for each year, it will take quite a while. I'm getting pretty old. 'Tis a nice thought, at that. [Jim's 24th birthday was March 31.]

Gal, it's been two hours since I wrote a line. I've been talking over our part of the war with a guy who was on another ship in Korea. He was talking about a bomb hit they got on their flight deck. I remember seeing it go off. We were operating with them in task force 68 at the time. I guess it killed several guys and hurt some more. This guy I was talking with was a crash crewman on the ship. He said they had a "hell" of a fire.

We were at sea all day Easter Sunday. We were on our way to Mayport, Florida. The captain wished us all a happy Easter, then tried to get the ship docked that afternoon so we could go ashore, but they wouldn't let us in the harbor.  

"Oh, yeah," did I tell you the air department got an excellent on the training cruise and the "V-1" division got an outstanding on most of the operations. 

The air department officer was really proud of V-1. He was slapping all of us on the back. They he bought ice cream and cookies for us. 

I had better sign this off before it becomes a book.

Answer soon.

All my love,

Jim 

Greetings From The Canoe Club

April 19, 1954

Mayport, Fla.

Sailors Fishing (date unknown) 

Hi Sweet Thing,

Look at me, honey, just finished eating supper and I feel fine. We had the first fresh milk I've drunk since we left the States six weeks ago. I must have gained give pounds. "Oh, yes," we had strawberry shortcake, also.

Some of the guys are fishing just outside the hatch. I was out there awhile, but didn't catch anything. Since I came in, they have caught five catfish. One will go about 2 pounds. The others are just little guys.

Honey, this Florida is the prettiest harbor I've ever pulled in. The climate is just right. It is about 65 degrees now. Everything is ideal for a vacation. I sure would like to come down here for a couple of weeks when I get out of this canoe club. 

I got a letter from JoAn [Parker Oxford] today. She heard that you were coming to Cuba while the ship was down there. HA I can't figure what starts those rumors.

I wonder if John [Parker] and Ruby [Turley Parker] are coming down here on vacation this year. I don't wonder at them liking it so well. No more of it than I've seen. I like it as well as any place I've seen. And that takes in a lot of country because I've really been around, haven't I? HA 

I'm just sitting here thinking, eight months and I'll be out (if they don't extend). That's all I do anymore. That and play volleyball.

I'm out of ink, so I'll sign off for now. 

Answer soon.

All my love, 

Jim 

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Off The Coast of Mayport

April 18, 1954

Easter Sunday

Naval Station Mapyport, ca. 1950

Hi Sweet Heart,

Happy Easter, honey. I wish I were there to help you show off your new Easter outfit. I suppose everybody was at church today. On Easter, everyone who never goes to church any other day always shows up. I didn't go. I haven't had a chance to buy a new suit. HA 

We are only 50 miles off Mayport Florida now and the captain tried to get permission to dock this morning so we could go ashore today, but they didn't have any tugs to tie the ship up. 

I think the skipper was pretty "shook up" about it. He's the best captain we've had and he gets transferred in June.

I heard tonight we have two carriers off Indochina in a stand-by status. I don't think they have launched any strikes yet.

I'll be glad when we get to Norfolk. I think the schedule has been changed and we have two weeks in there to rest and recuperate.

Honey, I haven't said much, but I better sign off and get this in the mail.

Answer soon.

I love you,

Jim

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The Life of a Horse Trader

April 17, 1954

"High Seas"

Florida Keys

Hi Darling,

How's my baby tonight? I feel pretty good. A little tired maybe, but we played volleyball from 3:30 this afternoon 'til 7:30.

The training cruise is over and we are on our way state-side. Wish you were going to be in Norfolk when the tub docks. One look at you is all I need to make me feel perfect.

We passed the final exams with a pretty good mark. We got an excellent, nobody got any better and a lot of people got worse. So, I suppose we are battle worthy. HA  We should be after two years in the Pacific. The air officer was very pleased. He bought ice cream and cookies for the whole damn bunch in this department.

Did I tell you I'm a trader now? I must be. I bought a watch last night for $25.00 and sold it tonight for $35.00. Guess I would make a pretty good horse trader. I think that's what I'll do when I get out. How would you like to be on a farm and feed the horses while I'm away on a buying trip?

It seems to be getting cooler. We must be getting close to Florida. In fact, I think we passed some of the Keys today. 

I've been thinking, honey, if this mess in Indochina gets any worse, they might be sending some carriers in there and, if they do, I will be extended for a year anyway. If I do get extended, I'll put in for a carrier that is going there if this doesn't go. I'll feel more like I'm going some good if I'm with the Indochina fleet.

You may be an old maid before we get around to getting married if we wait 'til I get out and if you are still willing, we could get married this summer if they do decide to keep me. At least it's something to think about while we are waiting to find out what they are going to do with me. 

I was going to tell you about Haiti tonight, but I've written more than usual already and my arm is getting tired.

So, I'll close for now.

Answer soon.

I love you, Doll,

Jim

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Telling Sea Stories to the Boats

April 15, 1954

"Pay Day"

Postcard from Haiti, ca. 1954

Hi Honey,

What's new with you? Nothing new here except we got paid, which is a change. Did I tell you about Haiti? If I didn't, remind me of it some time, it's quite a place.

Doll, it seems every time I write I have to hurry. This time is no different. Mail closes tomorrow morning, as we leave here tomorrow afternoon. Tomorrow is the last day of this "cruise" down here, but we have a rough day in front of us. I'm tired tonight. We brought aboard some "dud" airplanes today. I was on the barge rigging slings on them all day. I hope they don't expect too much from me tomorrow.

Have you been listening to ball games since the season started? I heard part of the Tiger/Cleveland game today, but I don't know who won.

Look!! sweet thing, you don't have to worry about me taking care of myself. I'm doing pretty good at that. The closer my discharge date gets, the more afraid of these airplanes I get. From now on, I'm gonna act like a short-timer. All I'm going to do is drink coffee and tell sea stories to the boats.

You mentioned the letters I wrote you from overseas. Honey, some day I would like to read a couple of them to see how "gung ho" I was, but I was really "hot to trot," especially in '51 and '52. HA 

Gal, you must have the M.B.T. [Michigan Bell Telephone] snowed, but congratulations. I'm glad they like you.

I'm gonna close now, have a cup of coffee and go to bed.

Say "hi" to everyone for me and answer soon.

I love you,

Jim

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Marking Time In The USS Yacht Club

Vintage paper milk cartons. ProCon Historical Timeline, ca.1950

April 8, 1954

Guantanamo, Cuba

Hi Sweetheart,

How goes it with the sweetest gal I know? Boy, "let me tell you," it's so hot here that the women use ice for cooking fuel to keep from burning the food. And there's no sign of it getting any cooler. I can't picture it being cold in Detroit. Every time I think of home I think it should be hot there, too.

I sure am disgusted with this place. The war games are getting worse or maybe it's that I'm getting more tired of them. 

I think we leave here the 17th of this month. It can't come too soon to suit me.

Honey, if I don't hurry this up it won't get to the post office in time to leave the ship tonight. Then it will be Monday before it leaves.  We are going to Haiti for the weekend and it's a hole. Not even as good as Cuba. Those travel agencies that "ballyhoo" that place are a bunch of frauds. Anybody who can stand the smell must have sinus trouble. I have it, but not that bad.

"Boy," I have never heard of so damn many people getting married and having babies. It's almost a shame. HA  Ask Pinnegar if he is going to start increasing the population right away.

"Yes," I've drunk from those "new fangled" milk cartons. I think they are pretty sharp, too. 

Oh, yes, honey I got the birthday card. It was real nice. Thanks very much for sending it. I think you are wonderful, darling. I love you. I know I seldom tell you except at the end of a letter which doesn't mean an awful lot, but I do, dear. And when I don't say I love you, it's because I'm careless like most men. I guess we take too much for granted and I still intend to marry you when I get out of this yacht club. If you still want me.

Honey, I can think of lots more but I gotta get this letter in the mail.

Answer soon.

I love you,

Jim

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War Games

USS Valley Forge, center, during exercises in the Atlantic, ca. 1959

March 30, 1954

Guantanamo, Cuba

Hi Honey, 

It's me again. How is the gal I love doing these days? Guess what!! It's still hot. In fact, it's very hot. And there is no indication of the weather getting any cooler. I have a real good sun tan on my face and arms, but I'm afraid I'll burn if I take my shirt off to sun the back.

We are having one "helluva" time down here. We left the States with twenty-eight planes. Now we have twenty-four left and only half of them will fly, if that many. Last night was an exciting evening. It started out with smooth water, clear skies and all that sort of stuff. We started launching at seven o'clock. The fourth plane to take off went into the water. We finally fished the guys out and then everything went O.K. 'til they started landing. That's when the fun began. The second plane hit the fence and our hot suit man was injured pulling the pilot out. Then one of the "best" flyers hit the fence and did a complete flip, landing on his back. One of the worst pile-ups I've ever seen. The plane was demolished, but the pilot wasn't hurt very bad. I finally got to bed about midnight. "Boy," one more night like that and I'll turn in my fireman boots.

If I can get them, I'll send you a couple of pictures of the crash. They should be worth looking at. Being shot at night will give them a more gruesome look. HA 

I'll sure be glad when this training cruise is over. I would prefer a combat cruise anytime. These people over here are teaching by the book, too, which the guys (like me) who made the Korean runs can't get used to. Before they always told us to respond as the situation demanded, but here there is a rule for all occasions. And a lot of the rules, I've never even heard of. "Oh, well," I suppose I can put up with it for two more weeks.

I guess that's enough of my gripes. Let's talk about something else. Are you still working for M.B.T. [Michigan Bell Telephone]? I haven't heard you mention them in so long I was beginning to wonder. 

Have you seen my sister and brother lately? Say "hi" for me when you do.

Honey, I gotta sign off now. I'm on watch and I'm not supposed to be writing.

Answer soon.

All my love, 

Jim

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The Pride of the Atlantic Fleet

March 28, 1954

Guantanamo, Cuba

USS Valley Forge, ca 1950

Hi Sweet Thing,

It's only the pride of the Atlantic fleet, so don't get excited. I should have written sooner but by now you have an idea of how busy we are. Maybe when this training cruise is over I can write more often.

I was glad to hear that Bob D_____ is out of it now. I know how glad I'll be to get out and it must go double for "brown baggers" (that's slang for married men). Just think, he didn't go in until after I did and is out already. Guess that goes to show us would-be-heroes don't make out.

And Pinnegar is getting married. I will be damned, but if the girl is the one I met, she is a nice kid. Tell him if he can get married, I'm gonna quit worrying. I know I still have a chance. HA Don't forget to tell him.

"Yes," very definitely I remember Oscar's. He served the best hamburgers in San Diego, but I didn't think  Bob T_____ would.

"No," I've never been to a Jewish wedding. In fact, I've only been to a couple of weddings in my life. I don't care to attend them. Weddings and funerals are the same to me. HA 

"No, doll," there isn't much chance for me to get home on a weekend and you are right about the wagging tongues. I wouldn't want you to be the brunt of that sort of gossip. And as for a place to stay, you would have to get a hotel room. I would like to see you, honey, but it won't be too long before I get out. Then we can be together all we like.

I can't think of anything else to write, so I'll sing off for this time. Answer real soon.

I love you,

Jim

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Symphony of Life

March 18, 1854

Guantanamo Cuba

Cover of a Dale Evans comic book, ca. 1954

Hi Honey,

I'll answer your letter I got today while I have time. We have been pretty busy the last week and it shows no signs of letting up.

I wish you had some of this hot weather in Detroit that we have here. "Boy," it's still miserable, but not as bad as it was.

I'm just sitting here thinking how silly this training we are doing here is. We play war all the time. We are doing in "make believe" here what we did in Japan and Korea (the real thing) and here they make us do it the hard way. Discipline for the sake of discipline, I suppose. "Oh, well," only four more weeks. I can stand it that long, especially if there is a chance of seeing you when it's over.

You asked how long we talked. It was ten minutes. Seemed like only 2 or 3 to me. 

So, Ginny S____made the grade, eh!! Good for Ginny. Looks like everyone is gonna be married pretty soon.

I've heard of the movie "Symphony of Life," but I've never seen it. I hear from reports it's pretty good. 

[Editor's note: There have been a couple of films entitled "Symphony of Life" and released prior to the date of this letter, but my money is on the one produced by Dale Evans, wife of singing cowboy Roy Rogers. Norma was a big fan.]

Those two Banks boys you read about in the clipping are the same ones I know. Kendall is the one I pulled liberty with all the time. He was discharged last Friday. Charles is still here, He gets out just after I do. What is the name of your hometown? I'll see if they know where it is. They are from Whitesburg. They are brothers, in case the clipping didn't say.

"No," I haven't been sightseeing yet. I haven't had the time.

I gotta sign off now, doll. First "hop" goes out at 7:30 tomorrow, that means we get up at 5:30.

Answer soon.

I love you,

Jim

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Perfect For Honeymooning

March 14, 1954

Guantanamo, Cuba

Pirates of the Spanish Main – 1888 (Trading Cards) – Sir Henry Morgan

Hi Honey,

Honey, you should be where the apple of your eye is now. We are anchored in the bay off Cuba and it is nice right now. Earlier it was too hot (close to ninety) but now it's cooled off and really is swell.

There isn't much on the beach here but beauty. Ship board sailors can't go into town. They have a base here, but there is nothing on it but a beer hall and riding stables. I don't feel like riding a horse and in this weather, if I drank 4 cans of beer, I couldn't hit the ground if I feel out of a tree.

I played volley ball for a couple of hours this afternoon. I've been doing it every day to stay in shape. HA  I don't know what I'm staying in shape for, but maybe I'll need it some time. It doesn't take much exercise in this weather to lose weight. 

Hey gal, come to think of it, I haven't heard from you lately. How about writing once in a while.

I've just come to the conclusion that I'm not gonna like this place. We are going to operate just during the day and come in at night. I don't like that. I had rather stay out all the week and come in on weekends.

What are you doing this week? "Boy," if it's as nice there as it is here, you just can't stay home. "Boy," this is the kind of weather they write about. I do wish you & I were on vacation in a place like this. It's perfect for honeymooning. 

The guys on the air station here have a good life. They work from seven in the morning 'til noon and are off for the rest of the day. And their uniform is shorts without shirts. If I thought there was any chance of getting it, I would put in for shore duty here.

Have the amusement parks opened yet? "No," I don't suppose they have. It's a little early yet for them.

I see a boat out there that looks like a plane in the water. 

"Boy," what I wouldn't give for a boat. This is a perfect day for "cruising down the river." The water is green and real calm. I guess this must be the Caribbean Sea. I don't think there is anyplace in the Atlantic that the water is this smooth. On the way down here, we passed the Bahama Islands.  One of them (San Salvador) is the first place Christopher Columbus hit when he found this place. I think it's in the West Indies. Also, Sir Henry Morgan, the English pirate, used to be top dog in this part, if you are interested in history.

Sweetheart, I hope I'm not boring you with this stuff, but I feel like writing and I can't think of anything else to say.

I heard a joke I'll pass along. This girl had just got a job with a candy company passing out free sample boxes. On her way home the second day, she met a casual friend. The friend said, "Oh, Agnes, I hear you are getting married next month." Aggie said, "Yes." The friend asked, "And what are you doing in the meantime?" The sweet you thing replied, "Oh, nothing much. Just passing out free samples." 

Well, darling, I better sign off and get this in the mail. 

Answer soon.

I love you a lot,

Jim

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Somewhere Near Cuba

March 11, 1954

Somewhere near Cuba

Gitmo, circa 1954

Hi Sweet thing,

How's the world treating the one I love?

I should have answered your letter sooner, but we have been at sea all the time so you wouldn't have gotten it any sooner. And we have been working pretty hard with this new air group.

Today is the first day we didn't fly. I played volleyball all afternoon and I'm pooped out. 

We had a nice fire yesterday. One [plane] piled up and caught fire but no one was hurt and the day before a plane hit the drink just off the ship but the "copter" fished out all three of the crew, so I guess we have been pretty lucky after all.

Honey, the weather sure is nice here, especially at night, real cool, just right for sleeping. Wish you were here to help me enjoy it. Maybe someday if we get a vacation, we could come down here for a couple of days. But not to where we are going, our port will be Guantanamo Bay, which is no good. But they say Havana is a nice town. I don't know for sure about Havana. There's always a good chance of getting killed in a revolt in that place. And I can think of better ways to die. 

[Editor's note: Fidel Castro's Cuban Revolution began in July, 1953, only eight months before Jim wrote this letter and Castro's success was not a forgone conclusion by any means.]

Gosh, doll, we were discussing my going to Europe. I don't know if we will go or not. When I find out, I'll let you know. Either way, I would like to see you before we shove off again. And if you can come out here (and I know you can), please do. You will only be able to stay for a couple or three days, but that would be better than not seeing you at all.

Well, gal, I gotta sign off for this time. Answer real soon. 

Your loving seaman,

Jim

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The View From Providence

[Editor's note: Jim's envelope for this letter has the stamp turned upside down.]

March 1, 1954

Providence, R.I.

View aft across the flight deck of the U.S. Navy anti-submarine carrier USS Valley Forge
(CVS-45), during exercise "Tarmac" in 1954. 

Hello Sweetheart,

Nothing new here. What's new with you?

I hope your thumb is O.K. by now, but you have got to learn to keep it out of strange places. HA  Seriously, I hope it isn't mashed up very bad.

I was over in town today. It's like all the other seaport towns and I I don't care too much for what I've seen. Although it is better than Norfolk, Va., but what isn't.

Honey, each month I get two copies of "Daily Meditations For Busy People" from the church. One is addressed to "Jim Parker" and the other to "James Parker." The only thing I can figure is that two different people must be sending them and neither knows what the other is doing. So, how about you squaring them away on the subject, O.K.? I would appreciate it.

So, Polly and Jack when to Tennessee, eh? I didn't know anything about it. Also, I'm very glad to hear Danny doesn't have rheumatic fever, but just what has the kid got?

We get underway tomorrow for Norfolk, but we have 28 planes aboard, so we will have something to do besides "dilly dally" around. Then, we go to Cuba. I'll be glad when that run is over. (Cuba, I mean.)

Doll, I may as well sign off. I can't think of anything else to write. Say hello to everybody for me and answer soon.

All my love, 

Jim

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Ye Olde Happy Valley

February 19, 1954

Portsmouth, Va.

Jim's next stop on Happy Valley

Hi Doll,

How's the world treating you?

I'm O.K. except for a little homesickness as usual, but I'll get over that.

I thought yesterday I was gonna be transferred, but I guess not. They were supposed to let me know today and I didn't hear any more about it, so it looks like I'll pull another cruise on "ye olde Happy Valley." 

I'll be glad when my hitch is up and I can get off this tub. Do you realize I have 34 months aboard here and it looks like by the time I get out, it will be 44.

We leave here Tuesday for Quonset Point, Rhode Island to pick up an air group. I don't think there will be more than 30 or 40 planes. I hope not, the fewer planes, the less work.

"Yes," honey, if we could see each other we could work this thing out but I won't be able to get home until I get out, which won't be too much longer. I would like so much to hold you in my arms again and kiss your lips, then whisper how much I love you. But that's not possible. We are so far apart. The worst was when I was home. Not seeing you while I was on leave just didn't seem right, and still doesn't, for that matter.

Angel, I gotta sign off now and get ready to hit the sack. Taps will go pretty shortly.

Answer soon.

I love you, sweetheart, 

Jim

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Five Months Later

[Editor's note: After months of consistently placing the stamp for each letter upside down, signaling "I love you," the stamp on the envelope for this letter is right side up.  In all of the previous letters, Jim's handwriting has been consistently difficult to decipher. However, in this letter it is clear with well defined margins and precise lines on unruled stationery.]

February 14, 1954

Norfolk, Va.

Jim's family photographed by Norma in Patton Park, Detroit, September, '53
while Jim was home on leave. Front row, from left John Wyly Parker, Bertha
Sterling Parker, Larry Ray Parker. Second row from left: John Moses Parker,
Walter Wayne Parker, Polly Ann Parker Sparks, James Connie Parker, JoAnn Parker Oxford

Hi Norma,

This may come as a surprise to you, then maybe it won't be a surprise at all. I don't know how to say what I want to. It's like you said, if we could only see each other for just a little while, but that's pretty near impossible, I guess.

It wouldn't have been last week. I was home for 4 days but I didn't have the time or money to come to Detroit. I thought of calling and asking you if you could come down here for the weekend but I decided against it. I guess I was a little too ashamed to do a thing like that.

You were right, "honey," I guess we still love each other. At least I can speak for myself. I can't apologize for the last letter I wrote*. I wouldn't know how. I'll just say I'm sorry if it hurt you, but I doubt if it hurt you as much as it has me. 

Norma, if you think I deserve an answer, please write right away. If you don't, I have no one to blame but myself.

All my love,

Jim

*Norma may not have saved the letter that Jim refers to as "the last." The last letter in the collection is #136 and is hardly controversial. 

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