In The Sweet By and By

USS Valley Forge

June 20, 1951

Motorola print ad, ca. 1951

Hi Norma,

I got your letter today and was real glad to hear from you.

I think I need one of those guides you have, then maybe I could write straight.

I know what you mean by being lonesome some times, but don't let it get you down, "kid."  There are better days coming "by and by."  At least if there aren't, I'm in a heck of a shape.  I would hate to stay in the Navy all of my life. [Editor's note: There are many versions of "In the Sweet By and By" available on YouTube from Johnny Cash, Dolly Parton and Willie Nelson, to name a few.  This version by the Hee Haw Gospel Quartet is at the tempo that Jim used when he sang it around the house and at church, he took on the baritone part with gusto.]

I just came off fire-watch but "nuttin'" exciting happened while I was on.  I had a short one this time, only 4 hours.  Usually I stand 8.  

It is a swell day out here.  I mean it was a swell day, the day is over now.  It's about a quarter past nine.

And I was thinking what I would be doing if I was home.  As soon as I finished work I would drive out to some pool or lake and go for a swim.  But I guess those things will have to wait.  I wish they would start a good war or win this little one quick.  This "dilly dallying" around doesn't appeal to me.  And if you keep up on the news, I don't have to tell you that it looks like they are about to start one in Iran.

There is going to be a dance for all the crew of the Valley Forge in Bremerton, Washington Friday night.  I can't dance but I'm going anyway.  Maybe I can make them believe I can.

I find it hard to believe, but I've been in the Navy 6 months.  If the next three and one half years go by as quick as this, it won't be too bad.

So you got yourself a new portable.  I wish is was there to listen to it.

Hey, how come you're so disgusted with the opposite sex (meaning males)?  You shouldn't be.  Men are what makes the world go "round," at least that's what we say in here.  Of course, some people might think differently.

If Betty K___ married who I think she did, he was a boy from my home town.  I used to go to school with him.

It looks like everyone is getting "hitched," but don't envy anyone who is.  Just feel sorry for them.  

I used to think I wanted to get married but since I came in the Navy, I wouldn't marry the Queen of Sheba.  I've just started to live.  I wasted too much of my life on girls who didn't care anyway.  I get a kick out of you "thinking" I was never serious.  Lots of people think I was just joking when I really wasn't.

I bought my first car three years ago today.  I was just thinking what a nice "old wreck" it was.  But I sure did have some wonderful times in it.

I still haven't forgotten those pictures.  I'll send you some soon.

Well, kid, by the time I take a shower and shave, it will be time for "taps," so I'll close for now.

Answer soon.

Your pal,

Jim

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Apache Drums

USS Valley Forge

June 19, 1951

Apache Drums Theatrical Release Poster, 1951* 

Hi Norma,

How's the girl?

I'm sorry I haven't written sooner, but I've been out of town.

A buddy from Chicago and I hitchhiked to Tacoma this weekend and then hitched back to Seattle and finally back to the ship.  We got back at midnight Sunday, but I didn't have any stationery and couldn't get any until today.  And if I'm forgiven, I'll not let it happen again.

We sure had a swell time on our trip and the best part of it was that the transportation didn't cost us anything.  We stayed Friday night in Tacoma and almost got to Mt. Rainier but not quite.  I think Mt. Rainier is the highest mountain in North America.  

Tacoma isn't a very good liberty town, it's too quiet.  We came back to Seattle and met some people.  They invited us out to their home and, boy, was it nice.  The house was built on one of the many bays that go to make Puget Sound.  We drove through hills for a little ways, then we came down onto a wide, grassy beach.  Their house was so cool and always had a little breeze blowing.  The swimming was real swell.   They invited me to come back any time I could and I think I will take them up on it.

Enough of that.  What have you been doing to keep busy?  About all I do is kill time.  I'll be glad when we pull out of here and really go to work.  It gets too dull just doing nothing.  I sure was glad to get those letters from you.  You were the only person I heard from all weekend.  In fact, you're the only one of the old bunch who writes me very often.  

I'm going to a movie tomorrow night to see "Apache Drums."  Has it come to Detroit yet?  

I would like hear those records you have.  They sound pretty good.

I guess I had better close for now.  I can't think of anything else to write about.  I'll write again the first chance I get.

Answer soon.

Your pal,

Jim

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*The poster art copyright is believed to belong to the distributor of the film, Universal Pictures, the publisher of the film or the graphic artist.  The image may be found at http://www.amazon.com/Apache-Drums-Poster-Movie-27x40/dp/B000OL61MG.  The copy is of sufficient resolution for commentary and identification but lower resolution than the original poster. Copies made from it will be of inferior quality, unsuitable as counterfeit artwork, pirate versions or for uses that would compete with the commercial purpose of the original artwork.

More Musings On The Banks Of Puget Sound

USS Valley Forge

June 10, 1951

Boats in Puget Sound, ca. 1970, General Subjects Photograph Collection, 1845-2005, Washington State Archives, Digital Archives,http://www.digitalarchives.wa.gov, June 16, 2015. 

Hi ya Norma,

Today I'm sitting in a gun-tub on the port side of the ship.  The scenery over here is more beautiful than on the starboard side.  In case you wondered, the port side is the left side and starboard is the right.

On this side of Puget Sound the hills aren't so high and there are more trees.  And there are fewer houses.  

I had a good sleep last night.  I went to bed at midnight and got up at 10:30 this morning, but I had it coming.  I had been on watch for 24 hours, but of course, I had a chance to sleep a little while on watch.  

Well, what have you been doing? Still chasing around with Pat and that other girl (I forgot her name)?

Of course, I meant besides chasing boys.  That comes first in any girl's life.

In case you haven't noticed, my pen isn't writing so "pretty good."  So, you can't blame it all on me.

"Boy," is it ever quiet out here.  No sound except water pouring out of the escape valves on the this side of the ship.  

You never did tell me who told you about Dot and me, did you?

Not that it matters, but I'll tell you something that I told you already, I think.  I asked Dot to wait for me while I was home and about two months ago I wrote her to forget I ever asked her to wait, which she probably had already.  And she didn't answer.  I didn't want her to stop writing, but I guess she has.  But I suppose that doesn't matter, either.  

I finally got a letter from Riva G________, it sure was about time.

Well, "kid," I better sign off for this time.  I'll write you again first chance I get.  

Answer soon.

Your buddy, 

Jim

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Summer In The City

USS Valley Forge

June 6, 1951

A beach on Belle Isle, one of Norma's favorite places, circa 1950s. Image credit: Detroit Historical Society

Hi Norma,

I got your letter yesterday and was real glad to hear from you.

I'll send you some pictures when I get some made.  We made some about a week ago, but they turned out bad.

And your letters certainly don't bore me.  I love to get letters from you and I always answer back, don't I?

They are trying to make us work now.  Instead of 4 hour watches, we have to stand 8 hour watches now.  I was on last night from 4:30 to 12:30 and I'm a little tired this morning.  Tonight, I'm going out with a guy I met from Florida.  We are going to some club that he belongs to, then we are going to church to hear some evangelist.  

Well, what have you been doing lately?  Going out with men, I guess.  Or going out to the lake on weekends and working during the week.  I sure would like to go to the beach some time and get a good sun tan.  

If this letter sounds "goofy," don't pay any attention to it.  There is a lot of good-natured kidding and "cursing" going on.

Well, kid, I better sign off now.  Next time, I'll go up on the flight deck where there is peace and quiet.  

Answer soon.

Your Rear Admiral,

Jim

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Standing Watch In A Spud Locker

USS Valley Forge

June 2, 1951

Scan of Jim's stationery, circa 1951

Hi Norma,

Got your letter today.  I was real glad to hear from you.

This leaves me O.K.  Hoping you're the same.

Well, another weekend rolls around but I can't go any place this time.  I've got duty.  Guess I can catch up on sleep and shoe shining.  HA.

The captain held an inspection today, but I didn't have to stand it.  I was on watch down in the spud locker (potato bin, to you).*

You asked me what my duties were.  Well, to be honest, I don't know.  Right now I'm pulling fire watch and there is nothing to it.

But when we get out to sea, I'll be working on the flight deck helping to land planes and to catapult them.  

Norma, I started this note about one hour ago but we started fighting the Civil War over again and I had to knock off to fire a few shots.  And it ain't over yet.

You asked me why Phyllis and I broke up.  Well, I guess you will have to ask her because she did it all.  I'm glad she did now, but then wasn't so glad.  "Ah, well," forget about her and talk about more pleasant subjects.

But now I've run out of subjects to talk about.

I'm not sitting out in a gun-tub now, so I've got nothing to inspire me.  And taps have been sounded already, so lights out pretty soon.  So for the time, I'll sign off.

Answer soon.

Your admiral,

Jim

*Editor's note: One story Jim told on himself was that when he was a kid, he wasn't too good with following directions.  Early on at Boot Camp, he took a multiple choice intelligence test with others who recently entered the service.  Because he wasn't paying attention to the sergeant explaining the test and didn't read the directions, Jim used the space for the "Sample" question at the top of the answer sheet to enter his answer to the first question. The test took hours.  When the sergeant announced time was up, Jim circled his answer to the last test question and noticed that he had an extra space at the bottom of his answer sheet. That's when he realized throughout the entire test, each answer was off by one. Jim pleaded with the sergeant, told him what he had done and asked to take the test over.  That didn't happen.  

While the results of the intelligence test weren't routinely distributed to the men, Jim was mortified to learn from one of his officers that he had the second lowest score on the intelligence test.  Depending on which family member was telling the story, it was either the second lowest score in the history of the test, or it was the second lowest score of all men serving in the Navy at that time.  Regardless, the test score followed him everywhere for the entire time that he was in the service.  When reporting for each new assignment, each new officer would greet him with, "Parker, huh?," glance down at their clipboard, grimace, and shake their head.  Then he would be given an assignment that the officer believed could cause the least possible damage to the crew, the ship and himself, such as watch duty in a potato bin.  

I always wondered if Jim got the second lowest score, who got the lowest?

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The Pride Of Omaha Street

USS Valley Forge

May 27, 1951

Miss Norma Cornett

1____ Omaha Street

Detroit (25) Mich.

Norma (right) with her cousin, Eula, on Omaha Street, circa 1950.

Hi Norma,

How's the pride of Omaha Street?  

It is a cold, gloomy day in Washington.  I meant to go out but my pea coat is dirty so I guess I'll stay aboard.

I sure would like to be home with you people today.  I bet I could really have fun in Detroit now.  I feel just in the mood for it.  

It looks like we may be leaving this place sooner than I expected.  Tomorrow we are moving out of dry-dock to a pier.  I don't know what the difference is either, but there is still lots of work to do on this tub.  

I didn't do much on my weekend off.  I went fishing but didn't catch anything.  Then, I went gal-chasing, didn't catch anything there, either.  Guess I use the wrong kind of bait.  I was listening to the ball game, but it was rained out.  That's all there is to the weather out here, "rain." 

You kids must be out on a wiener roast this afternoon.  If you're not, you should be.  I bet the weather is nice in Detroit.

I would like to go out with the bunch again.  Sundays like this bring back fond memories.  Sometimes I wish I had stayed eighteen years old, the age I was when I came to Detroit.  "Gee," did we have fun then.  Now, I'm old and have to go win a war.  HA!  "Oh, well, it couldn't happen to a nicer guy." 

Don't answer that. 

Well, kid, I've got to knock off now.  I can't think of anything else to ruminate about.  Answer real soon.

Your admiral,

Jim

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On Love, On The Banks of Puget Sound

USS Valley Forge

May 26, (I think) 1951

Puget Sound and Mount Rainier, 1940-1960, Charles R. Laidlaw, State Library Photograph Collection, 1851-1990, Washington State Archives, Digital Archives,http://www.digitalarchives.wa.gov, June 4, 2015. 

Hello Norma,

How's the kid?  Fine, I hope and this leaves me splendid.  (I don't know what the word means, either.)

I'm glad you think my [hand]writing has improved.  I really appreciate you saying that.  It is almost the best compliment you could have paid me.  

I'm sitting out in a gun-tub on the star-board side of the ship writing this.  There are six small caliber anti-aircraft guns mounted in this tub.  They are vicious looking things, but also they look protecting.  Out in front of me is the aircraft carrier, "Bunker Hill."  Right now it is in moth balls, but not for long I don't think.  

And above Puget Sound I can see beautiful, wooded hills rising in the distance.  I could go on, but you must be bored by now and besides I've almost given up on the idea of being a writer. HA.  All joking aside, this is pretty country and I'll tell you about it when I get home.

You mentioned your girl friend's husband being in Korea.  You can tell her that you know a guy who will be there pretty soon.  We will probably shove off the last of July.  

And you want to know if I'm in love with Dot H______.  I don't know myself for sure.  And for "gosh sake" keep what I say under your hat.  The girl I referred to in another letter as being the only one I ever cared about was Phyllis M______.  I know you remember her.  I still had memories of her when I came in the navy.  I said I didn't ever love her, but I did.  I might as well admit it.  But not anymore.   I saw her when I was home and we talked for a while and all the love I ever had for that woman is gone.  To put it bluntly, "I wouldn't give her hay if she was a cow in a concrete pasture." 

But getting back to the subject.  There is no one I respect more than Dorothy.  I would like to see her the happiest woman in the world and that's more than I could give her.  Dot deserves a better man than I can hope be and anything she asked of me, I would do my best to do for her.  But now is no time for me to worry about things like that. 

I've got four years to put in this outfit, then maybe I'll have time for gold bands and the like.  

I still would like to know who told you.  I don't think it was Willie G___ or Norma or Charlene R______.  I think it was Dorothy herself.  

If I'm wrong, please correct me.  

I've been out with lots of girls in my life and cared nothing for any of them but Phyllis and Dot.  

And now Phyllis is out and it's hard to explain how I feel about her.  I guess you would call it love turned to hate, and it's not a very nice feeling either.  

Ah, well, enough of that stuff.  I've got to sign off anyway.

So, until next time, answer soon.

Your admiral,

Jim

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