Payday

March 30, 1953

"Payday" HA

U.S. Soldiers near "Old Baldy," west of
Chorwon, South Korea, March 1953

Hi Honey,

The upper right had corner says payday. I can't figure what good it does. We don't have any place to spend it.

I think we leave here the 14th of April and go to Japan. The rest of our cruise shouldn't be too rough.

But it would be if there was very much more of it. Yesterday morning we got up at 3:30, 5:00 this morning, and 1;30 tomorrow. A lot of that would get me down fast.

You remember I told you I didn't know anything about fighting a fire in a jet air craft? "Props" are the only ones I've been checked out on. Yesterday, we had a fire in a jet while starting it.

It was throwing flames about 8 feet behind it. I didn't know if I should run, try to put it out, or what. So, I kept giving the pilot the signal to "turn her up."

And that way, we blew the fire out. I was expecting the thing to blow up any time. They told me later that I did right, since that is the only way to put out the fire without ruining the engine.

All it did was add more "silver" to  my graying hair. HA 

We have a plane going to the beach tomorrow. I'm gonna try to get this letter on it, if I can. I don't know the pilot, but maybe I can find someone who does.

I suppose you have been reading about "Old Baldy" hill in Korea. I was talking with a pilot who was over it today. He says the place is tore  all to "hell." He was over giving the "Doggies" some close air support. 

Sweet thing, I've got to sign off and hit the "basket." 

Answer soon.

All my love, 

Jim

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My Lonely Heart Is Running Wild

March 28, 1953

"at sea"

Carl Smith's single, "My Lonely Heart Is Running Wild"
was on Billboard's Country Charts in Jan-Feb, 1953

Hi Angel,

Yeah, it's me again. The guy who likes to write but can never think of anything to say.

It has been boring here all day. We haven't done anything but sleep, but I hear we have to get up at 4 in the morning. I sure dread going back to work. HA 

"Honey," I wouldn't be a bit afraid to kiss you whether you have a cold or not.

I hope we make fools out of ourselves when we go dancing. That's the best way to have fun. Just let yourself go. HA 

That song, "My Lonely Heart Is Running Wild," I've never heard it. But it must be pretty good. 

Honey, you're a sweet girl for writing every day. I wait for your letters every mail call and don't feel right unless I get two or three from you, but if it is too much trouble, I'll understand. I would like to write you every day too, but some days I don't have the time.

"Darling," I've got to stop now and go to bed 'cause "four bells" comes pretty early. 

Answer soon.

Love, 

Jim

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From Hong Kong To The Line

March 27, 1953

Hong Kong

Jim's stationery for this letter

Hi "Honey Doll,"

What's cooking with the sweetest gal I know?

We left Hong "Klong" yesterday for the line. We should be there the 29th or 30th. 

We sure had a good time there. It was the best liberty port I've been in for a long time. I don't know how it would be to be stationed there. Probably get "old" pretty quick.

Did you hear the one about "Ferdinand the Bull?" 

It seems Ferdinand was turned loose in a pasture next to a herd of cows.

Seeing them, he jumped the fence, then a surprised look crossed his face. He lowered his head and commenced munching grass. A young "heifer" walked over and said shyly, "Aren't you Ferdinand the Bull?" 

"No," he said. "I'm just Ferdinand now. I didn't see the top strand on that barbwire fence."

I thought it was pretty good. Whatta you think?

Well, I just got the "dope." We start flying again the day after tomorrow. Our vacation is over. HA 

But at least this time it shouldn't be so "damn" cold.

The way I hear it, we only have 25 or 30 more actual flying days to go. The rest of our time will be spent in port.

"Sweet thing," I sure would like to be with you tonight and tell you things I'm thinking. I can't put it on paper. 

We've known each other for a long time now and have been writing more than two years. Well, let's put it this way, You said if my plans don't include you when I come home, you would take your vacation another time. Darling, my plans definitely do include you. In fact, you just about are my plans. Of course, that is if it's alright with you. I'm very much looking forward to you taking your leave the same time I do. I love you, Norma, and hope that soon I can tell you that with you in my arms.

Honey, I've got to sign off and get in my sack before they turn the lights out.

All my love, 

Jim

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Touring Hong Kong

March 23, 1953

Hong Kong

Tai Fu Tai Mansion, built in 1865

Hi Angel,

What's cooking, state-side?

Honey, I got your package today and I don't know how to thank you. It was so "damn" nice. Darling, it was too much. You really must have put a lot of time and work into it. Most of it is gone now. These guys really loved it. You know how it is, when one gets a package, everyone gets one.

Josh said to tell you the cake and candy were the best he ever ate. And that goes for me, too. It really was wonderful, Norma. I thank you with all my heart.

I'm glad to hear you got back from Maryland O.K. I was a little worried with all that snow on the ground.

A British ship sent her boxing team over tonight to fight our team and the Valley Forge fighters won every bout, four by knock outs.

Boy, this town is really something to see. I wish you could see it with me. We could really have fun together. Everything goes here.

The mountains rise directly up from the sea, so as soon as we are ashore, we climb uphill and don't stop 'til we start back. We went way back up one mountain where there was a big house built like a castle. In fact, it may have been a castle.

The guide said it belonged to a Chinese who had fifteen wives, seventy-five children and five on the way. HA  I wonder if I'm that much of a man. I would like to try it sometime. HA 

And I saw Xavier Cugat, a bandleader, you know who I mean. He and some good looking American gal were shopping in one of the stores I was in. She called him "Cugie dear." I suppose he was buying her a wardrobe. HA  And one of the girls in his troupe is a cousin of one of the guys in my division.

So, he is over tonight, talking over old times and getting drunk with her. HA 

I wish I had lots of cash and a place to store the stuff. I would buy 3 or 4 suits.

So, you had a "Pink Lady," eh? It's a pretty good drink, I guess I like all of them. A "Singapore Sling" is good, too. Oh, I forgot. I had one yesterday. It didn't like "Gin & Tonic." It was "lousy." 

I saw that bomb go off on the "Oriskany." It caused a pretty big fire.

Well, "sweet thing," I've got to sign off and hit the sack.

Answer soon.

I love you,

Jim

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Angel Face

March 20, 1953

Hong Kong

Hong Kong Skyline, Photo by DAVID ILIFF. License: CC-BY-SA 3.0

Hi Baby,

How's my sweet little bundle of curves?

I went over on the beach today. It isn't like Japan, the buildings are better and newer, also better kept. The people seem a little better off than the Japanese, but they are a little more obnoxious.

I saw the same blonde-haired girls there (probably British) and, "boy," did they look wonderful. Wish one of them could have been you.

I got your pajamas today, they aren't what you want, but they're all I could find.

I hope you aren't too disappointed in them. I'll mail then when we get back to Japan.

[Editor's note: Norma kept the pajamas in her closet until the day she died. And now her daughter has them.]

March 21, 1953

I was detained. I went to chow last night, then got involved in a card game and couldn't get back.

It is raining here today and kind of chilly, too.

I just saw an excursion boat go by loaded with people. Atop the stack were the letters, H.Y.T. I'm pretty sure it means "Hong Kong Youth Transit," a communist-backed group. It doesn't seem possible that only a few miles from here is "Red" China. They say it is no trouble to pass the guards going in, but they won't let you out. HA 

They are the same people we are fighting in Korea and there is nothing between them and us except a few British soldiers.

You asked how we could get in a trip to N.Y. on my leave. It won't be easy, but I think we could.

I'll have to go down South to see Mom and Dad and my little brother and sister, but I probably won't stay long.

We'll talk about it when I get home.

From the harbor at night, Hong Kong is the most beautiful city I've ever seen.

It's hard to describe it. All those lights look like a big 4th of July celebration. And it's a very clean town outwardly.

Well, "Angel Face," I've got to sign off now.

So answer soon.

I love you,

Jim

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Two Paper Clips Redux

[Editor's Note: Norma had a system where she paper clipped the envelopes that held letters of special significance, mainly when she noted a "first" of some kind, but occasionally she put paperclips on envelopes that contained romantic thoughts. The envelope that held this letter is the second that had two paperclips.] 

March 19, 1953

Hong Kong

USS New Jersey arriving in Hong Kong, August 1953

Hi Honey Doll,

Well, kid, we finally hit Hong Kong today. The exotic orient, the gateway to crime and corruption in the Far East, as the magazines put it. It is an unusual city, at least what I've seen of it from a distance. It's all built on a hill, or shoaled hills, or mountains, they are pretty high. And it is modern looking, but the people (the Chinese) who came out in junks to beg for food and dive for the coins we tossed in the water didn't look very modern at all. 

My buddy and I were talking about it a little while ago. He said we could never describe it to folks back home. They wouldn't believe it anyway.

And I suppose he's right. I wouldn't have believed it either if I hadn't seen it.

A city with so "damn" many nice looking buildings and seemingly prosperous with so many people living in poverty. It just isn't right. These "damned" politicians are telling them about the brighter day tomorrow when they know "damn" well they are lying in their teeth.

I know we have the same thing in the States, but it isn't so bad. Americans can't be led very easy. But when a guy's hungry, he'll believe anything.

[Editor's note: This is Jim's political philosophy in a nutshell, a hybrid of traditional American reluctance to trust the establishment and a belief that the role of government is to provide a structure respects the dignity of its citizens and their basic needs.]

Thanks, honey, for listening. Every so often I get all wound up and have to let go.

But you're a good "taker" and I love you for it.

And another thing about this place, next to Lisbon, Portugal, it has the highest VD rate in the world, so Mrs. Parker's little boy is going to be a good kid in this town. 

[Editor's notes: As Mrs. Parker's granddaughter, I'm hoping he was a good kid in other towns, as well. 

[And, who knew Lisbon was a sex pit in the 50s?]

We got some good rumors going these days. The best one is that the ship is going to the East Coast when we get back to the States. This is pretty straight "dope," so don't tell anyone about it. It's supposed to be confidential. Anyway, we are supposed to arrive in Norfolk, Virginia about the first of August. Then we have to make a run down to Cuba or Bermuda for a month or so. That means I don't know when I'll get leave. Some time after August, anyway.

So, save one week of that vacation for me. I'm looking forward to it, O.K.?

I think we will have a mail call tomorrow and if I'm lucky I'll have a letter from you. 

Honey, I wish you were here with me, or better still, I were there with you. 

I can think of so much I want to tell you but I can't put my thoughts on paper. Guess that's why I'm the world's worst letter writer. 

You know, angel. I think you've kept me out of trouble this time over here.

Sounds silly, I know, but last year in Japan I got very drunk one night and got into a jam. I had to go up before the "old man" and he restricted me 72 days. And this time when I start getting a little drunk, I start thinking of you and quit drinking before I get too drunk. 

The one I pulled Christmas was the last time, except for a few social ones with the boys. I guess I'm holding back 'til you and I can celebrate together.

Well, sweet thing, I had better stop before this becomes a novel. 

Answer soon.

I love you, darling,

Jim

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She Must Think She Has Me Hooked

March 16, 1953

at sea, some more

Movie poster for "Elopement," ca. 1951

Hi Beautiful,

Honey, I just love you to pieces. You've written every day for the last 18 or 20 days. (I've forgotten which.) I love it, darling, keep it up.

And it's been three days since I've had a chance to write you. I'll try to answer all of them, but if I fail to answer a question you asked, have patience. I'll get it next time.

I wish I could get some more stationery. I'm getting tired of this, but it's all we have aboard the ship and we haven't been into port in 39 days. We are on our way to Hong Kong now, should be there about the 19th or 20th. I sure will be glad to get a rest. I wish I could get away from airplanes for about 20 years. In fact, I wish I never had to see another one. 

I don't think I'll go ashore as much in Hong Kong. I'll stay aboard and relax.

And day before yesterday, we lost another pilot. It just isn't worth it. 

I was just rereading some of your letters and wishing I could keep all of them but I don't have any place to put them. My locker is just barely large enough for my clothes and shaving gear. 

Look, little angel, if you will save your vacation or at least part of it 'til I come home, we will do anything you want to. If you want to go to N.Y., we'll go, or any place else. I should have 25 days at least and possibly 30, but I still don't know when I will get it. 

I've never heard the song "That's Me Without You" by Webb Pierce, but I'll bet it is pretty.

If I were home and Carl Smith was singing "Are You Teasing Me" and you didn't tickle my leg, I would spank your "stem shunt."

I went to the movie tonight but got to thinking of you and left to write you a letter. The movie was "Elopement" with Clifton Webb. 

My buddy Lash got a letter from his girl friend. She has bought her wedding dress. He said, and I quote, "She must think she has me hooked! HA. HA." And she pretty well has, too.

Well, sweet thing, I have to close and write my mother. 

Answer soon.

I love you,

Jim

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Rocking And Rolling Tonight

March 10, 1953

at sea

Ann Sothern and Don Porter in a still
from their sitcom, "Private Secretary,"ca. 1953

Hi "angel,"

I'm back again and this is the first time I've had a chance to write in 3 days.

We have some guys who write letters while they are supposed to be working, but I can't do that. If anyone else is working, I can't sit and let them do my share while I read or play cards or, in lots of cases, write letters home.

We have been "weathered in" most of today. About all we have flown is anti-submarine patrol. 

I don't think my job change is either a promotion or a demotion. I'm still with the same outfit, drawing the same pay. 

I'm pretty tired tonight. We got up at three this morning. It's about nine now. We worked 18 or 19 hours today.

It sure is dark out tonight and the sea is rough. Just a little while ago they passed the word "prepare for rough weather." So, I guess this tub will do a lot of rocking and rolling tonight.

You know, honey, I wish we were together tonight. I would hold you real close and whisper in your cute little ear and tell you how I love you.

Hey, one of the boys just told me a joke. The secretary said to her boss, "Sir, I have found a new position." The boss said, "Good. Pull down the shades."

He told me another one but it's too long to write, also, too "shady."

Well, honey, I've got to sign off and mail this before the mail closes.

Answer soon.

All my love, 

Jim

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22 Months And 8 Days To Go

March 3, 1953

Crash of a U.S. Navy F4U-4 Corsair from fighter squadron VF-124,
Carrier Air Group 12 (CVG-12) on the aircraft carrier
USS Oriskany (CVA-34) on 6 March 1953.

Hi Honey Doll, 

I'm back again. I wrote last night but I got three letters from you today and had better answer them while I have time because I have a feeling I won't have much time for anything the next few days. We are supposed to fly 125 sorties tomorrow and for a carrier, that's a lot.

I haven't done anything today, that is, since early this morning. I worked from 4 AM 'til 7 AM, then went back to bed, but for the next three days we will probably be flying 18 or 20 hours each day, so "Uncle Sam" will get even with me for sleeping all day.

If the present kind of weather keeps up, we can't fly tomorrow. I just looked outside and it is snowing like "hell." 

I hope your cold is better now, and as for my catching it by kissing you, I don't think there is any danger. If I can go through this type of weather without getting a cold, I'm sure I can kiss a sweet little girl without getting anything.

Happy birthday, darling, I hope you have many more and that I can spend some of them with you. 

[Editor's note: Norma's birthday was February 20.]

You must be drinking that wine like water. I could sure use a shot of it, O.K?

Speaking of dancing, I think I should warn you that I have to be pretty "tight" before I will get on the floor and most of the time I make a fool of myself, but still I like to try.

(Delayed)

March 6, 1953

Hi Kid,

I'm sorry I started this three days ago. I think before I expected the next three days to be rough, well, that's the understatement of the year. The only time we had was to eat and catch a couple of hours sleep once in a while. I repeat, I will be glad when this cruise is over.

A bomb went off on our partner carrier today, but no one was killed. A couple of guys got hurt a little, I think. It sure did cause a "hell" of a fire and tore the flight deck up pretty bad, so I hear.

[Editor's note: Jim seems to be describing an incident that occurred on the USS Oriskany on 6 March 1953. If that's the case, two crew members were killed and 13 others were injured.]

So, Johnny B______ is back in town, "eh?" I would like to see him. If I had gone into the army with him, I would be out now, instead of having twenty-two months and eight days to do.

By the way, the next time you see him, say "hello" for me.

Well, angel, I've got to close, or rather, "sign off."

Over and out.

Answer soon.

Love,

Jim

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Baby-san

March 2, 1953

at sea

Postcard featuring The Statler, ca. 1950

Hi Norma,

How's the world treating ya?

Today has been easy for us. We haven't flown a plane off the deck. Bad weather. But no snow, "thank goodness."

That Southern fried chicken at the Statler sounds pretty good. Also the drinks. I sure would like to go to a party like that. It's been a long time since I've been to anything.

I wish I could think of something to write. Last year, everything was new and usually I had something to talk about. But now, it's the same old stuff. 

Also, the pilots this time aren't "hot to go" like last year, so we don't have as many shot down. Also, they are better pilots. That may be the trouble. They are too "damn" good. We haven't had to fight a fire at all this cruise. 

I'm kinda sleepy. We got up this morning at three thirty and I just found out that I have to get up at four tomorrow morning. "Damn," we just can't win for losing.

If that brighter day don't get here pretty soon, I'm gonna quit looking. HA 

A little while ago the Captain got on the public address system and told us we were doing a fine job and that he was proud of us and all that sort of stuff. He said we should get into the States sometime in June, but no one know for sure yet.

Sure the offer to loan my coat still goes, but I had much rather keep you warm with my "Armstrong" heater, O.K? 

You mentioned Doris S______ which reminds me, George S______ should be home this month. 

A lot of the guys should be getting out right away. My two Tennessee buddies should be out soon. You don't know them, they are a couple of guys I grew up with. 

One of them got hit in Korea last year. The other is in Germany. Also, Bob D_____ should just about have his time in.

Excuse the change in [ink] color, but it's the best I can do.

No, I didn't say I wore a 13 sock. I wear 11 1/2. You're thinking of someone else, you know. HA  And the only colors I can wear are white or black.

I read "All The Ships At Sea." It is a good book. It's humorous all the way through. Tell that Lieut. Commander to come on back in. This Navy could use some good officers. 

Well, "baby-san," it's time I was signing off and hitting the hay. 

Answer soon.

All my love,

Jim 

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