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

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You Bundle Of Beauty

Feb. 23, 1952

Sat. night

Poster for the film, "Flame of Araby," ca. 1951

Hi Norma, you bundle of beauty,

I received your letter yesterday. It was the first one in about ten days. 

I was beginning to wonder why you didn't write, but I found out when I read your letter. I don't know why you haven't heard from me in 3 weeks because I've been writing at least every 4th day. You will probably get them all at the same time.

It takes about two weeks for an air mail letter to get here and three weeks for a regular letter.  And sometimes, like a couple of weeks ago, we go 8 or 10 days without having mail-call.  Then some letters I get are mailed a month before I get them. 

Yes, I've heard of Joan Caulfield. In fact, a picture that she is in is playing, or rather soon will be playing, at the base theatre here in Yokosuka. I saw it advertised tonight, but I've forgotten the name of it.

I saw the "Flame of Araby" tonight. It had Maureen O'Hara and Jeff Chandler. Pretty good, too.  

I don't know how you [can stand] that spaghetti (if I didn't spell that right don't blame me, I copied yours). That is one food I can't stand. When we have it on ship, I don't go to chow.

In fact, we haven't had a good meal on this tub in months.

So, you think you're a pretty good driver, "eh?" Well, wait until I come home and I'll give you some pointers. That is, if I can still drive myself. It's been so long since I drove a car, I may have forgotten.

I heard that Eddie C____ got hurt at the roller skating party. Do you know anything about it? Maybe he was trying to make time with some girl and one time too many.

You must be a pretty good skater. I wish I cold skate. I can stand up O.K. but I have to run into the wall or something to stay up.

Well, in case you haven't guessed already, we're back in port again and it is really nice. Mostly to rest. When we're at sea, operating there just isn't any rest for us.

We got in at noon yesterday. Some of the guys went over and came back all fouled up, so drunk they couldn't walk. Some of them were beat up and passed out. One had gotten into a fight and the other guy thought he was a steak and carved on him a little with a knife.

The Doctor put 13 stitches in one wound on his back. I guess I can't criticize them because I "get tight" sometimes myself, but I never get in trouble and I always get back under my own "steam."

No, Norma, I don't think you need my prayers. I don't think they would help anyone right now, but I hope for you the best of luck. 

"Oh oh," the baby of the division just came in from Yokohama a little drunk. He told me all about the "Club St. Louis" up there. It must be a pretty good place. This guy (the baby we call him) joined the Navy at 16. He is 17 now and looks more like 14. HA

I'm glad Doris finally got George. She chased him until he caught her, I guess, but I don't know why he got married knowing that he will be going overseas as soon as his leave is up. I can't "see" that. He doesn't know how long he will be gone or where he is going, but I have a pretty good idea that we won't be too far apart. Just a few miles of water. 

No, that isn't the life for me. When I get married I want to live with my wife. And when I'm in a place like this, I like to be single so I can go out with these girls without a guilty conscience. 

Oh, well, I guess it's O.K. if they love each other enough. 

Well, Norm, I guess I've "yapped" enough, so I'll sign off now.

Answer soon.

Your sea-going mate, 

Jim


[Editor's note: On the back of the envelope, Norma listed the following, which was The Billboard Music Popularity List for March 8, 1952:

7. Shrimp Boats
6. Please Mr. Sun
5. Tell Me Why
4. Cloud [The Little White Cloud That Cried]
3. Any Time
2. Slow Poke
1. Cry]

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Checking Up On The Production Line

Feb. 16, 1952

Saturday night

1951-52 Detroit Red Wings "Production Line," from left, Gordie Howe,  Sid Abel, Ted Lindsay

Hi Norma,

"Yeah," it's me again.  I've really been catching up on my writing this since bad weather started. "Oh," I love this lousy weather. It has been snowing for 5 days now. Not very hard, but there is lots of fog. Too much for a plane to get off the deck. I wouldn't care if it lasted the rest of the winter.

We've been playing records all morning. We have "How High the Moon," by Les Paul and "I Can't Help It" by Hank Williams, and quite a few others. But our turntable isn't very good, it's one of those crank jobs.

One of the officers this me this morning we would begin the States by the 14th of June. I think I'll wait until the last of August to take leave so I can get 30 days and weather won't be so hot.

Bad news just came. We have to work this afternoon, cleaning up the ship, but all our cleaning places are outside, so we won't do much.  We just won't get to sleep any, "darn it."

Do you ever go to hockey games? I used to like them a lot, but I never hear anything about it over here. I was wondering how the "Red Wings" (Detroit) are making out.  [Editor's note: They won the Stanley Cup that season, so I'd say they did pretty well.]

"Hey," is Dorothy D_____ still around? I haven't heard of her since I came in [to the Navy]. She used to be the most "hot" to get married of any girl I've ever seen. I just wondered if she ever made it. I don't think she liked me very much, I used to "kid" her a lot about trying to get "hitched" so much. HA 

Well, Norm, I can't think of anything to say. If we don't fly tomorrow, I'll write again.

Answer soon.

Your pal,

Jim

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Thinking Of You On Valentine's Day

February 14, 1952

Thursday night

Whitman's Sampler print ad, ca. 1952, featuring Elizabeth Taylor

Hi ya Norma,

How's the cutest little girl in all Detroit? I didn't get a letter from you last mail-call day, but I was wondering what you are doing tonight and decided to write you.

"Boy," we've been lucky the last three days. Day before yesterday, the weather was real bad over the target area and we didn't launch a plane. Yesterday, we refueled and couldn't fly and today we launched one strike this morning, then the "ceiling moved in" (weather got bad) and we didn't fly at all this afternoon. We landed the morning strike in a snowstorm and one of them cracked-up, but it wasn't very bad, thank goodness.

Did I tell you about one of our heroes who sat on a burning gasoline tank to put it out? The guy can't sit down yet. He said, "Sitting on a burning gas tank was alright at first, but it will get you in the 'end'." 

Do you ever hear any "Hank Williams" records (he is a hillbilly singer)? [Editor's note: this link goes to Hank's "Hey, Good Lookin'," a song Jim used to sing around the house.] I used to like him when I was home. Well, anyway, I read in a newspaper (from the States) that his wife had divorced him and had sued for almost a half million "bucks." I didn't know hill billy singers made that kind of money. When I get out I think I'll get a guitar and start singing. I'll be able to retire when I'm thirty.

Tomorrow is my anniversary again. I've been in the Navy 13 months. In one way it doesn't seem very long and in another way, it seems like years.

I've got 35 months more to do and I hope I don't have to do much more of it over here.

I wish I could think of something to write about, but out here it's the same old routine all the time. Nothing ever happens very exciting. Those crack-ups used to be, but now they are nothing but all in the day's work. In fact, they are a nuisance.

There is a guy sitting right below me playing a steel guitar. He is pretty good with it.

We're going back to Yokosuka in about a week, but this time I don't think I'll go ashore very much. Those "gook" towns all smell alike and I don't like the stink.

Well, Norm, I got to sign off now.

Answer soon.

Your pal,

Jim (Gym)

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The "L" Word

February 9, 1952

Saturday night

Vought F4U-4 Corsair fighters of U.S. Navy fighter squadrons VF-114 Executioners (V-4XX) on the aircraft carrier USS Philippine Sea (CV-47) during the Korean War in 1951/52.

Hi Norma,

I just got your letter this morning and since this is the only chance I'll have to answer it anytime soon, I had better do it now.

I guess you haven't heard from me in more than a week because I haven't written. I've been too busy. If I have more days like the last, I will make plans for burning my I.D. card. "Boy," they have been miserable. Cold weather has been the least of our troubles. We've had crack-ups, lost planes in the drink, and had them shot down. It is getting to be too much. We've been on the flight deck from 16 to 20 hours each day for the last 4. To give you some idea of how we've been catching "hell," we've even had 3 helicopters shot down. But I suppose I can't kick. I'm still O.K. Just plenty lucky, I guess.

I sure will be glad when we go back into port. I can really use a rest.

"Yes," I like that song "I Can't Help It." Also, I haven't heard it since we left the States. The first time I heard it was in Vancouver, Canada last summer.

No; we haven't had any more storms "thank goodness." I think a storm would just about finish us all off.

I didn't tell you about the worst crack-up, did I? It was a real dilly.

A "Corsair" (light fighter-bomber) was taking off when his engine cut out. He tried to "ditch" it in the water, but it landed on a 5 inch gun mount on the side of the side. The plane had one 1000 pound bomb and 4 smaller ones and the gun was loaded. Then, the whole damn works caught fire. I didn't think of those bombs until everything was over. If I had, I might still be running, but we were lucky again. None of them went off. The pilot jumped over side and the helicopter picked him up. He was burned some, but not too bad. "Oh, well" that's enough of our grief.

That place where you work must have trouble keeping girls, but there is one thing for sure with all you girls there, they wouldn't have trouble keeping me.

Yes, I used to be a member of good standing at Gilead, but now I don't know. They may have disowned me. Yes, I got a package from the Y.P. [Young People's] Dept.

Sure, it's O.K. with me to put my name on the Grace Class if your mother wants to. I would feel honored.

Well, Norm, I better sign off now.

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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