Fighting The War On The Way To Hilo Island

USS Valley Forge

Oct. 31, 1951

Rainbow Falls, Hilo Island, Hawaii

Hi Norma,

How are things in Detroit?

I tried to answer your  letter sooner but I've been real busy for the last two weeks, dodging propellers, jet blasts and shrapnel.  We're not killing time now like we were in the States, out here it's work.

We've lost two pilots since we've been here and a couple of guys on the flight deck got hit yesterday. 

You asked me if I were engaged.  The answer is no, who would I get engaged to over here, all I ever see are gooks and not very many of them.

You're darn right I'm a Chevy man, but if you buy a Ford, I'll let you drive me around anyway, if you want to.

I sure would like to know what was in the first letter you wrote me.  It must have been pretty good, or bad, if your mom wouldn't let you mail it.

We'll be pulling into port tomorrow, a place called Hilo Island.  I don't think it's much of a place, but at least it's land.

My division is having a party next Sunday.  The guys will probably have to bring me back in a sponge.  In fact, it's been so long since we've been out that most of us will have to be carried in.

Well, kid, I've got to sign off now.

Answer real soon. 

Your pal,

Jim

Click on this link to read the next letter.

Bringing Pilots On Board

USS Valley Forge

August 8, 1951

Hi ya kid,

How's tricks? 

This leaves me fine, except I'm a little dizzy but I don't know what causes it.  

Guess I'm seasick.

We just pulled into the Alameda (Calif.) Air Base for a two day stop.  We took on 9 airplanes and are they snappy looking jobs.  Makes me wish I had gone to school and become a pilot.  I'll bet I'd look good in a flying uniform with all the gold braid and medals.

So, Maureen M_____ is chasing men.  Well, I guess she will be.  She has a disease.  I think it's called Male Fever.  She even had a crush on me and she is almost old enough to be my mother.  Has she been married or not?  I've heard that she has, then someone told me she hasn't.

"Yeah," I know what company can do to the household routine.  We used to have relatives almost every week when I lived at home.  They come either invited or otherwise.

Day after tomorrow we should be in San Diego, then we will pick up the rest of our air group and bring pilots aboard.  Each pilot must make ten landings on the ship before he can qualify for a carrier flyer.  That will take about 4 days, then we can start getting ready to go back into the battle zone.

I hear George S______ gave Doris R______ an engagement ring.  I'm glad.  I think they are both hard to beat.

I also hear Chuck and Hannah are about to become engaged.  Guess everyone will be married before I get out of the Navy, then I won't have anyone to go chasing women with.

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

Answer real soon.

Your mate, 

Jim

Click on this link to read the next letter.