Don't Never Say Nothing 'Bout Re-enlisting

April 25, 1952

Lost at sea

Clem Powell, another Valley Forge sailor who didn't like what he heard

Hi Norma,

I got two letters from you today and I had better answer them while I have time.

I sure was glad to get them. I don't know what any of us would do over here if it wasn't for mail. Go nuts, I guess.

We knocked off at 11:30 last night. I slept until noon today and do I feel better.

Two of our pilots went out yesterday and radioed back that they were having trouble with their planes and had to land on a base in Korea, but I'm pretty sure there was nothing wrong with their planes, all they wanted to do was to get drunk. All either one of them likes to do is fly and drink.

They are both with an aerial circus on the outside. They were reserves who have been recalled. 

No, I'm not in port. We left port the 11th of this month.

That telephone strike can get serious if it lasts long enough. And I read in our own newspaper (The Valley Forge Press) that Truman had taken over the steel mills to keep them from striking.  I don't like the idea very much, but still they shouldn't strike. We need steel too much. I don't think any of those guys work 18 (and more) hours per day like we do. And I think they all make more than $100 per month (that's what I make), so if they don't like what they have, tell them to come over here. We'll trade places with them any time. Strikes are O.K. in peace time, but in times of war, they are no good.

No, I don't like night ball games as well as day games. The brand of ball isn't as good. The players are handicapped by lack of light.

You said that it rained on Easter Sunday. Well, that's nothing unusual. It always does. All the little girls get their new hats wet.

I was justing checking over one of your letters I got a few weeks ago where you said something about me re-enlisting. Don't never say nothing like that again. It scares me. I'll be in here long enough as it is, and from the way the world situations look, I'll be in the rest of my life, anyway.

Well, honey, I better sign off and hit my "basket."

Answer soon.

Love, 

Jim

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One Kiss Per Lesson

April 21, 1952

Lost at sea

Scan of Jim's stationery for this letter

Hi Norma,

It looks like I started writing at the wrong time. The "sea apes" (men in the gunnery department) just started firing their 5 inch guns. Practice, of course, at least I hope. And they really jar this tub.

Norm, this letter will probably be pretty short. I'm so tired I can hardly sit up. In the last 4 days we've had about 16 hours of sleep and its about to catch up with me.

This captain of ours must be trying to win the war by himself. And the help of his crew, of course. I wish we had another "old man," one with a little more sense. 

We lost another pilot yesterday. A lieutenant named "Les" Workman. His plane was shot up pretty bad and went down in Wonsan Harbor. He bailed out, but his "chute" didn't open. So, that was all "she" wrote, he was a good guy, too. 

I've been reading a little bit about the telephone strike, but I don't know much about it. 

[Editor's note: after graduating from high school, Norma worked as a stenographer for "The Phone Company," as ATT was known at the time.]

So, Charlene and Norma R_____ are getting married, "eh?" Well, if they don't know any better, I guess it's alright. Personally, I can't see why anyone would want to get married nowadays. 

It really is spring over here now. I'm down to one pair of pants. HA  Before long, I should be down to none. "Oops," shouldn't have said that. HA  

I don't know if my six easy lessons [for learning how to park a car] include homework or not. It depends on the pupil. Of course, pretty often we get to park and talk over your mistakes, if any. My fee is one kiss per lesson, but if you want to throw in a few "tips," that's alright, too.

Just hang on to those Patti Page and Doris Day records 'til I get home and I'll drive you "nuts" playing them so much. 

I want a wallet-size photo of you. If it's any bigger, I've got no place to keep it.

No, I wouldn't say that I'm bashful. Let's just say I'm a little shy around women. 

"Well," kid, I've got to sign off for now.

Answer soon.

Love, 

Jim

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