Till I Waltz Again With You

January 23, 1953

"At Sea"

Cover sleeve for Teresa Brewer's hit single, ca 1952

Hi Honey,

We are on our way to port now for a few day's rest and it didn't come any too soon for me. I was beginning to get tired.

They made me work today, helping clean our spaces, but about all I did was rearrange the dust.

We clean up one day and the next day it's just as bad as before we started.

Of course you are forgiven for not writing. I know how it is.

I started this letter yesterday but didn't quite finish it. We are in port now. That is, we are anchored out in the stream and since I don't like to ride the liberty boat, I'm not going ashore until we pull into the dock, which should be no more than a day or two at most.

I was just kidding my buddy. He's reading a story on the "sex life of the American woman." 

I asked him what he was learning. He said not anything, except a husband had to stay home every night to keep them happy. HA  ("Them" meaning the wife.)

When these sailors are at sea, they read up on sex. And when they hit port, they try to put it into practice. HA 

I've concluded that a sailor is the most unemployable person there is. A sailor sees a lot of a few things, but a "swab" sees a little of a lot of things and therefore becomes a "jack of all trades and a master of none." HA 

Look, "Baby Doll," when I start lying to you it will be a cold day in "hell," so don't worry about that any.

"Yes," I finally got a letter from mom and everything was O.K.

I think we are still going to Hong Kong. The reason we are going there, I suppose, is since it is a British owned colony with "Red" Chinese all around it, we can scare them a little if we send a few carriers in there to let them get a look at our sea power.

China doesn't appeal to me at all. It will be nice to see it, but I hope we don't stay more than a couple of weeks as scheduled.

Thank you, honey, for thinking of me at Christmas. I guess you are the only one who did and I meant I would like to be in Detroit with you.

Thanks for mentioning Teresa Brewer's name. I had been trying to think who the girl was who recorded "Rhode Island Redhead" and "I Don't Care." It was her. I liked both of those.

No, I haven't heard "Till I Waltz Again With You."

A "level bolt" is just a place to attach a hoist or platform for working on the plane.

No, I don't get it ready for the pilot. I work with a fire fighting unit. We fight crash fires and clear wreckage. We have all been to fire fighting school and they sent me on to a phone talker's school. When we have a crash, I go out with my phone and tell the commander the extent of the damage, how long it will take to repair it and any other things I think he should know.

Woman, if you don't send me some of those pictures, I'll slap you on you on your "stem shuts" for sure. No fooling, honey, I want some of those. I want to see how you look as a little "fly girl."

I don't know just what you mean by "in action," but we were bombing gooks for three weeks already, if that's what you meant. The only action for us is dodging "prop" blades and runaway airplanes.

Okay, kid, it's a date to celebrate when I get home and as far as that wedding, I'm all for them, too. In fact, anything you say is O.K. with me.

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

Answer soon.

I love you,

Jim

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Still At Sea

December 15, 1952

"Still at sea"

The USS Valley Forge's  missions in the 50s took them into
areas of the Pacific Theater that had been critical
10 years prior during WWII

Hi Norma,

It's me again. We are still on our way to Japan. It will take us ten days to get there when we could make it in seven or less, but I guess the "old man" is in no hurry.

He is no good for anything, so I suppose we couldn't expect anything good from him. When they gave us a captain this time, they must have scraped the bottom of the barrel. And the executive officer (second on command) is not better. If anything, he's worse. So that, among other things, points to a not so pleasant cruise.

I suppose to you this is boring, but it's all I can think to write about. 

The weather is still hot. I think we are about half way between Pearl Harbor and Midway Island. It will start getting cold after we pass Midway.

I'll be glad to get to Japan. I don't mind being at sea when there's something to do, but now there is no work to be done. All we have to do is kill time.

Glad to hear your father is able to go back to work. I know what it's like to be sick for weeks at a time and I don't like it.

[Editor's note: In September, Norma's father had a successful colostomy and was one of the first people to survive the surgery, which was considered revolutionary at the time. It's also remarkable that Clyde went back to work less than three months later and may be attributable to his strong work ethic. It was something Norma inherited from him. As for Jim illness that kept him out of commission for weeks, the only incident I know of is a back injury while playing high school football, which created ongoing problems that he would need to address for the rest of his life, but wasn't serious enough to for a military deferment.]

I got a Christmas card from Tom L___'s class [at Gilead Baptist Church]. Did your mother have anything to do with that? Tell her it was appreciated. Also, the rest of the class.

With the church a ship's gray now, when I come home I'll be flying model planes off the pulpit. HA 

I know Kirk and his girlfriend were supposed to get married, but I didn't know when. He is another one who should be looking around the country instead of increasing the population.

And as for going to a seminary, that's fine, but I think he would make a better minister if he went out and looked at the world first. Of course, that's just my opinion and doesn't mean much.

I don't know if you can write a letter at five in the morning. At that time, my mind is a total blank.

I heard something about Doris S______'s "young-un." I don't know what it is (what sex, I mean.)

Well, little doll, I've got to sign off. So "over and out."

Answer soon.

Love,

Jim

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The Land of Cherry Blossoms

[Editor's Note: This letter is chronologically out of sequence, but it was wrapped in Norma's package of letters after the one dated December 17, which leads me to think that she arranged them in the order in which they were received. The letters hint at the notorious US mail delivery problem that plagued all the branches of service for decades (centuries?).]

December 4

Thursday

Hi Norma,

ITO, Yuhan (1882-1951). Castle and Cherry Blossoms.
Original woodblock print, Japan, c.1930.

Long time no hear from you. Also, long time since you heard from me.

Here is my excuse. We left San Diego the 20th of November and just got to Pearl Harbor yesterday. We were qualifying pilots on the way over and one had a miserable time of it. We've had more crack-ups than we've had in a long time. In one day, we demolished three planes.

The gear that stops the plane when he landed on deck tore up. We repaired it at sea, but the catapults tore up so we had to pull into port to fix them. That's why we are here now.

I suppose we will be here about one more week, then we go on to Japan. 

I hear we are spending Christmas in the Land of Cherry Blossoms. I hope so. I've pulled too many holidays at sea to suit me.

No, Dot H_____ and I do not write to each other and your guess about whether she and Cy are going together is as good as mine. Probably better, you are home, you can see what's going on. And as for EXCUSE PLEASE [Jim scribbled out a spelling mistake] congratulating me, you won't have to as far as she is concerned.

So, you can stop all rumors to that effect. In fact, I would consider it a favor if you did.

No, thanks, I wasn't interested in Dot D_____ that way. I was just wondering if she ever hooked a husband.

I hope you don't have to have your glasses changed. I suppose that is a lot of bother.

Neither Pearl Harbor nor Honolulu have changed much. Still just like they were last year and I don't like them any better. It seems the people here hate "Valley Forge" sailors worse than any other ship. Every time any of us go ashore, someone starts trouble with us. Oh, well, it's a tough life but someone has to live it.

Well, honey, I better sign off now.

Answer soon.

Love,

Jim

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A Lost Calf In A Whirlwind

July 18, 1952

San Diego, Calif.

Bette Ford, an American, had a successful career as a
matador in Mexico during the mid1950s

Hi Norma,

What's cooking, chicken?

Whatta ya know, all my life I've loved baseball and always wanted to meet people concerned with the game and never had a chance, and you who a few months ago didn't know right field from "left out" go into the offices of one of the largest baseball companies in the world and see all the big wigs. Guess I was borned a few years too soon.

[Editor's note: For a woman with a modest demeanor, Norma had remarkable connections. When I was in college, I followed the Detroit Tigers and had a crush on one of the players, Steve Kemp. One Christmas morning, I opened a present "From Santa," to find a pair of ratty, old cleats tied together by the laces. Norma was snapping away on her instamatic and beaming like a madwoman.  "What? Why?" I sputtered as I held the shoes in the air. "They're Steve Kemp's! Merry Christmas!" As it happened, Norma worked with the father of the Tiger's batboy who was told about my crush and fished Kemp's cleats out of the garbage as a souvenir. An autographed baseball was also in the box. One of my favorite Christmas presents ever.]

"Yes," I've heard of Johnny McHale but he was too far before my time. I don't know much about him. 

Last Sunday I went down to Mexico. It was pretty nice down there, but I can't understand a word of Spanish. When I left Japan, with what little "Gook" I know and motions I make, I could get along pretty good as far as language was concerned. But in Mexico, I'm just a "lost calf in a whirlwind." 

Next Sunday, I think I will go back and see the bull fights. 

I heard "Shepherd of My Heart." I really like it but I haven't heard "Full Time Job" as yet. 

Sometimes I wish we were back in Japan again. I kind of like it over there compared to sitting around here in San Diego. I sure do hate this place. 

You said Doris's being pregnant was becoming to her. That's the first time I ever heard that. It is probably true. It's just that I never thought about it that way. And if I remember right, Doris would be beautiful in any condition. 

We had another example of why men shouldn't be married in the service "come home to roost" today. One of the guys who went home the first day in port came back and told us his wife had been living with another guy. He didn't seem to give a "damn," but I think he was "acting," because he must have loved her. He was one of the few married men in our division who didn't go out with women in Japan. He sent all of him money home and stay aboard the ship most of the time.

I knew his wife. I met her in Seattle last summer. She seemed like a pretty nice gal. "Boy," it will be a cold day in "hell" when I marry while I'm in this outfit. 

And I guess the worst of it is, they have two kids. 

Well, honey, I've run out of stationery, so I'm forced to quit.

Answer soon.

Love, 

Jim

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"Just A Little Lovin' (Will Go A Long Way)"

April 2, 1952

Lost at sea

Sheet music cover, "Just A Little Lovin'," ca. 1948

Hello Norma, 

How's the sweetest, most lovable girl I know? 

Well, guess what, we're on our way into port again and believe me I'm ready. We've been out for thirty days this time and that's too much for me. And none of that "wild side of life" for me this time in. I'm gonna rest. I'm tired of them "Gooks" anyway.

Still nothing new over here, always the same old routine.

Before I forget, I want to thank you for those clippings you sent. I like to keep up with baseball and hockey and even if the news is a few days old it's better than nothing.

I haven't written you for almost a week now, but I'll write more often while we're in port. 

I got caught in a jet blast yesterday, that's the exhaust of a jet plane and it is powerful, believe me. It almost blew my clothes off me. HA

So now you're comparing me with that guy in the Fibber McGee and Molly show, "eh." I used to listen to them when I was a kid back on the farm in Tennessee, but I haven't heard them in a long time. No, I don't mind my new nickname. You can call me anything as long as you don't call me too late for chow. HA

I "sorta" envy you getting to sleep all day. I think when I come home I won't do anything but sleep. But I know when I come home I'll sleep less than I do now.

I started this last night but I didn't get to finish it. We had an easy day today. When we're on our way to Yokosuka, Japan, we don't do anything at all. This morning I worked for maybe thirty minutes and this afternoon I didn't do "nuttin". 

And the weather is lots warmer down here. We're off the coast of the Japanese home islands. It is a lot farther south than the operating zone we just left. 

If you look on a map, you will see Yokohoma Japan is only 35 miles from Yokosuka. Yokosuka maybe not be on the map, it's pretty small. Between Japan and Korea, you will see the Sea of Japan, that's where we're operating, north of the 38th parallel. 

[Editor's note: Jim was fascinated by geography. Growing up we had a hefty atlas kept at the ready for dinner discussions of current events and one of Jim's favorite Christmas presents from Norma was a globe. He kept it next to his favorite chair in the living room for easy and frequent perusal.]

I think Eddy Arnold is the best "hillbilly singer there is. I also like Hank Snow. 

[Editor's note: As long as I can remember, people have remarked on the physical resemblance between Jim and Eddy Arnold, but I never saw it. I asked him once if he thought he looked like Eddy Arnold. He just grinned and said, "Nope."]

Well, kid, I've got to sign off. I'll try to write again tomorrow.

Answer soon.

Love, 

Jim

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The Human Stars And Stripes

February 6, 1952

Wednesday night

A U.S. Navy Grumman F9F-2 Panther from fighter squadron VF-52 Knightriders prepares for launch from the aircraft carrier USS Valley Forge(CV-45) off Korea on 19 July 1950. 

Hello Norma,

When you call me the "sweetest sailor" you know, that makes you the sweetest gal I know. And it sort of makes me feel homesick too.

Why were you surprised to hear from me? Don't I write often enough? I write every chance I get.

You know, Norm, I looked at the water where your letter went in and it looked so cold I just couldn't go over side. If it was summer, I would have.

The 2nd, 3rd & 4th of this month were the worst days I've ever endured yet. I thought it got cold in Detroit but the weather there is like Florida compared to this. The wind is terrific, up to 70 knots sometimes. [Editor's note: approximately 80 mph.] A few times I thought it would blow me off the flight deck.

A carrier from the States came over to relieve the carrier that has been operating with us. I'll bet those guys are glad to be going home. I think I'll "hitch" a ride with them. HA 

We got to knock off early tonight (at 5:00) because the weather over Korea is too bad for flying and probably by tomorrow our flight deck will be covered with snow. And I'll be up there at 5:00 shoveling it. "Oh" this exciting life of a Sailor. HA 

"Oh heck" (that's milder than "hell") I stopped long enough to get a drink (of water) and forgot where I left off.

While we were in port last time, my buddy from North Carolina and I went over some Japs house (he knew the people from last year) and they really treated us good and were glad to see him. They said that he was "veddy good boy." They gave us beer and something to eat. I don't know what it was. It wasn't very good, but I ate it to be sociable. 

Guess when you're in Rome, you're supposed to do like the Romans.

I don't know if I should come out to your house when I come [home] or not, if your smile knocks guys over, but I'll risk it if you'll let me, O.K.?

You should have seen me yesterday morning. I was working on the wheel of a plane when the one in front of me started turning his engine up.   I got caught in the "slip stream" and I grabbed hold of the wheel I was working on. The blast from the one forward had me waving like a flag in a big wind. Now the guys call me the human stars and stripes. HA  I almost beat my insides out before I could get out of the way.

No, you've never seen me smoke. I didn't before I came in the Navy, didn't drink either. HA 

[Editor's note: I'm pretty sure that's a fib. When I was a kid, elementary age, I was on the anti-smoking bandwagon and nagged my father relentlessly about his habit. In one sincere conversation, I stopped telling him why he should quit and asked him why he started.  He explained that he took his first drag on a cigarette when he was 11 years old and something inside him when "pow!" He described his head feeling different, lighter; he got a buzz. He wasn't hooked immediately, but the feeling was so pleasurable, he knew he would repeat it as often as he could.  I quoted the recent Surgeon General's Report on the effects of smoking and implied that the 1960s must be more enlightened than the '40s.  Jim said, "It doesn't take a genius to know that lighting up something and sucking on the other end is a bad idea."]

Well, I've got to close now. Almost time to go to bed.

Answer soon.

Your pal,

Jim

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Rings For Everyone

USS Valley Forge

Oct. 12, 1951

USS Valley Forge artwork from Jim's stationery, ca. 1951

Hello Norma,

How's the only girl I have?

This leaves me in the best of physical conditions.   I'm not going to mention mental conditions.  You might have other ideas on that.

Where were you all the time I was home, huh?  Don't you ever go anywhere, anymore?  I only saw you one time and I couldn't stop to chat then.

I sure had a swell time while I was home, but I sure wish I had had more time so I could have seen everyone and gone more places.

I got a letter from my buddy who is on the East Coast in the Navy.  He said he was getting married pretty soon, which reminds me, every girl I saw, almost, shoved a ring in my face.  Are you wearing one yet?

I think I'll get myself one.  I feel out of sorts without it.  HA! 

These guys are standing around joking the kid who is writing beside me, so don't be surprised at what I put in this.

We are "shoving off" for Pearl Harbor Monday morning.  I don't know how long we will be there, for probably 6 weeks, then we will go on to Japan.  

I wish we would go directly to Japan.  I don't think I'm going to like Pearl Harbor.

As soon as I got back, my two buddies started planning a farewell trip to Mexico.  I don't know if I will go or not.  I probably will.  I like wine, women and song too much to stay away.

They had a good-bye dance for the ship's crew in San Diego Wednesday night, but I didn't go.  If I had, the guys would have had to bring me home in a sponge and at those dances, there are always lots more boys than girls.

Well, Norma, I've got to sign off now.

Answer soon.

Your pal, 

Jim

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