Moving Cows To Get A Seat

October 22, 1952

San Diego, Calif.

Atchison Topeka &Santa Fe trademark in the late 19th century

Hi Norma,

Your letter was postmarked in New Albany, Indiana, so I suppose you're enjoying another excursion. Wish I was there so we could do a little chasing around together. 

[Editor's note: Norma's love of travel didn't end when she married Jim. One of his nicknames for her was "Go Parker."]

The was you describe those buses you rode reminds me of the trains on the Santa Fe route. 

I had to move a cow to get a seat.

There were 250 big shots who came aboard today and we had to show them around. They are a lot of trouble and can ask some of the damnedest questions. 

I made out tonight. I got the 8 to 12 flight deck watch. I don't have much to do, but I had still rather sleep. 

Of course, honey, I would like you to snuggle up to me and if I had been on the bus, I wouldn't have let you get cold. I'm too much of a gentleman to let that happen to a lady. I would have given you my coat. HA  

It seems I've seen this "Club Rialto" going from Detroit to Tennessee. 

That floor show sounds like it was pretty good. I could go for something like that now. 

"Yes," I know what "zombies" are and I know that it can knock you on your "stem-shut." I drank a few of them. I bet you were "hot to go" after them. I've seen how they affected women before. Whiskey works on me the same way, but beer is just the opposite. When I drink beer I'm not much of a guy to be out with.

But with a few mixed drinks under my belt, I can make any woman happy.

Well, baby, I've got to sign off.

Answer soon.

Love, 

Jim

Click on this link to read the next letter. 

Lost At Sea

March 23, 1952

Lost at sea

"Mutiny on the Bounty" (1935), starring Charles Laughton and Clark Cable

Hi Norma,

This is your seasick man again. Well, I'm not exactly seasick, but I'm not far from it.

We're in the worst storm I've ever seen. This tub is pitching all over the sea. We were working all morning tying down the planes to keep them form rolling overside.

We've been out for 23 days this time and I'm getting ready to go back in port again. I don't know just how the captain feels about it, but usually anything that "old man" can do to make life miserable for his men, he'll do it. Did you ever read "Mutiny On The Bounty?" The Bounty was a ship that had a captain who was so bad that the crew mutinied and we're beginning to compare our captain to with him. In other words, our "old man" stinks.

So, my Red Wings done clinched the National Hockey League pennant, "eh?" I was sure they would win, but I didn't think they would do it so soon. 

I really made out on mail today. I got five letters. I even got one from my mother and sister.

So, you always wanted to go to a nightclub, "eh?" Well, they are O.K., but you soon tire of them, at least I do. I guess I wasn't meant to be a playboy HA.

Some people can wake up with those headaches every morning, but not me. When I get out of the Navy, I'll stop drinking. Maybe even before. 

Well, Norm, I've got to sign off, almost sack time. 

Answer soon.

Love, 

Jim

Click on this link to read the next letter. 

A Man Without A Woman Is Like A Ship Without A Sail

Feb. 26, 1952

Yokosuka, Japan

"Yokosuka 1951 B," photo used courtesy of Edward P. McNally. 

Hi Norma,

How's the sweetest little girl I know? 

This leaves me O.K. enough. I'm tired. I went on the beach last night. Went to a night club called the "Palace Cabaret." It was almost like state-side, only the girls looked different.

There were two orchestras that played American music all the time. 

They also had a floor show. It was pretty good, but nothing to write home about. There was a little boy (about 6 or 7 years old) who did a tap dance routine. He was the best of the bunch.

And today I've got a headache. Some day I'm gonna quit that "stuff." It's fun while you're drinking but it's bad the next day.

"Boy," I could go for some of that ham and trimmings. It's been a long time since I ate a real good meal.

So you are going to New York, "eh?" That's one place I hope to go while I'm in the Navy, but it looks like I'll never go any place but the Orient. And I'm getting pretty tired of these dirty, rotten places.

I've been listening to hillbilly records and some popular [music] this afternoon. We have some pretty good ones and when I stay aboard ship, that's about all there is to do.

So, you heard I was going steady with Mary L______, "eh?" Well, who could have thought of that. Don't congratulate me, because I'm not engaged to anyone, but don't blame Dot H______. Maybe someone told her I was. I don't think she would have made that up, someone must have told her. Maybe Mary L_____ did, I don't know. But as far as me going steady with someone, I'm not.

I'm too young to think of those things. HA And besides, who would go steady with me, anyway?

I hope Pat & Dot F_______ are better by now. It must have been a nasty accident.

By the way, are Dot H_______ and Janell P_____ the same as the Associated Press around there? They must go miles out of their way to dig up headlines.

I liked the Valentine real well. Sorry I couldn't send you one, but there just aren't any over here.

I miss you more than the Valentine says you miss me. I wish I were home now. I would take the trip to New York with you, that is, if I were invited.

In New York, we could have some fun. You probably know the town (you've been there enough) and know the good places to go. And what I don't know, I can learn fast.

So Nort L___ is getting out, "eh?" It is about time. He was one of those unlucky guys who got extended when the war started.

So, Charlene & Norma R_____ are getting married. Tell me, Norma, why is everybody getting married? Are they tired of living or something? HA All kidding aside, I can't see why they want to do things like that.

No, I didn't exactly go crazy when I saw the Japanese gals. Some of them look pretty good, but most of them would stop an eight day clock. And I think if I ever do get married, I would prefer a hillbilly.

The surprise was that liberty started at 12:00 noon instead of 4:00 in the afternoon while we're in port. I think we're the first ship to get that.

So, a man without a woman is like a ship without a sail, "eh?" It seems I've heard something like that before. I don't know about me having a motor HA. That was pretty good.

Well, Norma, I've got to sign off for this time. This is the longest letter I've written in a long time.

Answer soon.

Your Admiral,

Jim

Click on this link to read the next letter.