Kiss, Cuddle Up, Then Kiss Some More

September 28, 1952

San Diego, Calif.

Dancer in Nightclub, Tijuna, Mexico, ca. 1962,
photographed by Robert Doisneau

Hi Norma,

How's my elbow-bending baby? I'm O.K. We just got in from a week of very hectic training operations. We were qualifying some "green" jet pilots and, believe me, those guys are dangerous.

They were piling them up one after the other all week. Another week like this and I'll be beating my head against the wall. 

Speaking of cool weather, it has gotten quite a bit cooler here. I never thought I would see anything but heat in San Diego. 

"Gal," let me tell you, I was "looped" that night my buddy got discharged. "I ain't never been so drunk."

I like to drink some, but it will be a long time before I get that "high" again.

You would like Tijuana. You know something about Monroe Street in Chicago, I guess. Well, T-town is like that all over, all night spots.

Their burlesque shows aren't very artistic, but they don't leave much to imagination. They get old after awhile and the girls you find there are the same way. Well, to be truthful about it, I like a little more peaceful atmosphere. I'm a little tired of dodging beer bottles. 

But it's the only place to go around here except "Dogo" and there you've got to have quite a bit of money to have any fun. And no sailor is very well "heeled." 

That wedding sounds like it was a pretty gay affair. I would have liked to have gone to that with you. We cold have gotten "silly" together. If I'm right, you will be twenty-one the next time I'm home, so we'll work things out. 

[Editor's note: In 1952, the age of majority in Michigan was 21.  I'll leave the rest to your imagination.]

That "Singapore Sling" sounds like a pretty potent drink. I think I could use one right now. 

Tell me, Norm, how do you get in those places under age? Out here, they check everybody (girls, especially) when they enter the door. And they used to check me most of the time I was in Detroit. 

You had better be careful with that Ford or you might get hurt and we wouldn't want that to happen. 

The card you sent was real nice, honey, and it expresses my feelings right now. I would like to be there with you. We would kiss, cuddle up, then kiss some more. 

Well, gal, I've got to sign off. So, over and out.

Answer soon.

Love, 

Jim

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Don't Wait Up, Mama

September 16, 1952

San Diego, Calif.

Michigan Central Station, in Detroit,
where Jim would have caught a train heading West

Hi Norma,

How's the kid?

I intended to write sooner, but as soon as I got back, we went out to sea for a week and as soon as we came back in, I transferred me to an atomic defense school. It only lasts one week, so I'll be back on the ship next Saturday.

It is real interesting. I would like to attend it for a couple of months. 

The next time I come home, I'll tell you all about the atom bomb. HA 

I was really tired from the train ride back, but I've almost recuperated now. And almost recuperated from those "heatings" you gave me, too.

Did your father come through his operation, O.K? I hope so.

[Editor's note: Norma's father, Clyde Cornett, had been diagnosed with colon cancer and underwent a successful colostomy, something that was rare when he had the surgery in 1952.] 

Last Thursday, we had a plane "pile up" and a real bad fire. One guy in my division was burned pretty bad getting the pilot out. They say he will be in the hospital from six to eight months. The pilot wasn't hurt very bad, just second degree burns on his face, but our boy had third degree burns from the waist down. The flesh was burned away and hanging loose from him body.

One of my buddies gets discharged tomorrow and we are going out to celebrate. So, "don't wait up, mama. I may be kinda late coming home." HA

Last Sunday, I went to my buddy's house for dinner. Afterwards, we wanted to go to Tijuana to see the bullfights, but his "old lady" wouldn't let us, so we wound up taking her bowling. 

That's married life for you. Not for me, I'm too young and inexperienced. 

Well, I've got to close. 

Answer soon.

Love, 

Jim

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