Hello From Boot Camp

James C. Parker, S.R.
Co. 208
Great Lakes, Ill

January 21, 1951

Scan of Jim's envelope

Hello Norma,

How's the kid? As for me, I couldn't be better and know less.  

Well, we are really having rough weather here.  It snows and rains all the time.  You should see me march, "boy" that really is something.  And my clothes, oh "man oh man," nothing fits me but one shirt.  When I snap to attention my pants are still at ease.  The chow here is plenty good but you have to stand in line for 50 minutes sometimes.  The guys are telling jokes so don't be surprised at what I put in this letter.  Some of them are kind of smutty.  

I don't know what to write except to ask how your boyfriend is getting along and if you are still going to get married when he gets out of the Air Force.  Well, I had better sign off for now because I have some more letters to write.  

Answer soon or sooner.

Bye for now, 

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 Pressures of Boot Camp

11 March 1951

Great Lakes, Ill.

USNTC logo from Jim's stationary, circa 1951

Hello Norma,

Now don't get mad at me because I'm absentminded.  I wrote to you last week and forgot to put a stamp on the letter.  "Guess I've done blown my cooker." "Oh, nice." I'll put two stamps on this one to make sure.  [Editor's note: He did put two 3 cent stamps on the envelope of this letter.]

I guess you've been having fun chasing boys since you broke up with that Air Force joker.  We call them bus drivers because of the uniform.  I don't blame you for not marrying one of them guys.  You can always find a sailor and they are much better.  

Guess what!! I'm coming home about the first of April. That is when boot camp is over.  "Boy," will it be nice to get home again.  

I just heard on the radio that the first shipload of Korean War dead were on the way back to the U.S. I suppose they are grooming us to take their place.  

Do you go out with the kids from church very often? I sure would like to get a chance to go out with them and maybe it won't be long before I get the chance.  

Last Saturday, we had to jump off a 13 foot platform into water with a life jacket.  I was a little scared, but some of the boys had to be pushed off.  

Well, Norma, "old kid," I've got to go on watch pretty soon and have to shave first, so I'll sign off for this time.  Answer real soon.

Your pal, 

Jim

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Bored In Boot Camp

Feb. 17, 1951

Great Lakes, Ill.

 Main Entrance to the United States Naval Training Center at Great Lakes circa 1948

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Hello Norma,

How's the girl?  Good, I hope.  This leaves me fine.  

Well, this is Saturday afternoon and I get the afternoon off, but I can't go down south for a rest.  HA  I haven't got time. I have not been off this base since I got here.

I don't know if I'm convinced or not but I know what you mean by inquisitive, nosy people and have seen lots of them.  In fact, I am one myself.  HA. 

I guess the roads are pretty bad, at least they are around here.

We had our naval interview yesterday.  I'm going to sea and strike for cook.  In the navy we call it Commissary.

They tell me Joan M______ will be here around the 26th of the month.  I think I can get to see her.  I don't know why she joined the Waves.  Why didn't she join the Campfire Girls?  

I think we graduate the 19th of March.  I sure will be glad to get away from this place.   It will be at least two more weeks before we get a liberty.   I might get a leave when boot camp is over but it is doubtful.  It will probably be a long time before I come home.  The next time I see you I might have a little French girl on my arm. HA 

We got our blue clothes back from the tailor yesterday.  My pants are about six inches too big, when I'm at attention my pants are still at ease.  I know that's old, but it's still pretty good.  

One of the boys got a Dear John letter like the one you probably sent your ex and it was the nuttiest letter I ever read.  We all read it and really got a laugh out of it. The next time you want to break up with a serviceman don't do it by mail or everybody will laugh at you.  HA.  That is if you are as crazy as this gal was but I don't think you are.

Well, I've got to sign off for now.  I've got to write some more letters.  Answer like you did the last time. HA.

Your buddy, Jim

P.S. The S.R. means Seaman Recruit.

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Norma Breaks Off Her Engagement

Scan of Jim's envelope

February 10, 1951

Great Lakes, Ill.

Hi Norma,

How's the girl? Good I bet, having lots of fun down south basking in the sun and all that sort of rot.  This pen doesn't write worth a a hoot, does it?  I'm going to trade it in on a newer model.  

So you never felt better in your life since you broke your engagement.  "Uh huh."  Sounds that way, As soon as it happens, you have to quit your job and go away for a rest.  Sounds fishy to me.  HA! Of course, I've been wrong before. By the way, if you get to Tennessee tell my mom and dad "hello." HA! 

Well, we're still on the same old routine, same old no-good food too.  Outside of the food, everything here is pretty good.   Some of the kids in Detroit have promised to send me some cookies.  I will be glad when they get here.  I'm hungry for some decent cooking.  We had chicken last Friday.  It was so raw, I've seen chicken hurt worse than the one we ate and still get well.  HA! 

Three of the boys here have got "Dear John" letters already.  Two of them didn't seem to mind, but the other one is "sorta" heartbroken.  That's what they get for having a steady girl.  I'm glad I'm not bothered with that kind of trouble.  Women can be a nuisance at times like that.  

We went to personal inspection this morning and I passed out while standing at attention.   I don't know what was wrong.  Guess it was too hot in the drill hall.

Well I better knock off.  It is almost bed time.  So for now, good nite.  

Your pal, 

Jim

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