Wishing For Some Ice And Snow

July 23, 1953

"At Sea"

USS Valley Forge in the Panama Canal, ca. 1951-53

Hello Darling,

I have an apology to make to the West Coast. I thought it was the hottest place in the world, but it isn't. We are someplace below Mexico now and it is so hot we can hardly breathe. I'll be glad when this trip is over.

Some joker just came up and predicted hot weather in a couple of days. HA 

Maybe Nova Scotia will be cooler. I hope so.

I talked to my Division Officer about starting leave on the tenth of September. He doesn't know of any reason why I couldn't, so I guess that's when it will be.

We have a tough operating schedule on the cruise to Nova Scotia, but I don't mind. Time passes faster that way.

Honey, it's too hot to write. I'm now wishing for some of that ice and snow we had in Korea last winter.

Just think, I'll probably never go back to that place again. Not that I want to, but I kind of miss Japan. It seems funny leaving San Diego and going some other place.

July 26, 1953

Hi Sweetheart,

I started this three days ago, but didn't finish it, as you can see.

It's still hot out here but not quite as bad as before. We should hit Panama tomorrow, but we won't start through the canal until Thursday. We stay in Panama until Saturday the 31st of July, then go on to Norfolk. Day after tomorrow, we become East Coast sailors.

Hey, honey, tell me something to write. I'm stuck already.

I could tell you I love you, but you know that. So, I'll tell you anyway, I love you, darling.

Boy, it's gonna be good to get home. This waiting for a leave to begin is the toughest part of the Navy, but it's only a little more than a month now.

I think the Cruise to Nova Scotia will go pretty fast. We will be flying a lot. And if we have to be at sea, I had rather be flying than "dilly dallying" around like we are doing now.

Well, Doll, I may as well sign off for now. 

Answer soon.

I love you,

Jim

P.S. Notice change in address. [APO in New York City instead of San Diego]

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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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Jumping Jacks

July 25, 1952

San Diego, Calif.

Movie poster for "Jumping Jacks," ca. 1952

Hi Norma,

What's new with the working girl?

Let me start by saying, "It's hot." I'm beginning to believe it never cools off here. I have duty today, otherwise I would be at the beach swimming. Either that, or at the race track. I like horse racing, too.

The trouble is, the horses I pick always break a leg and come in last. HA

I'm going to Mexico again tomorrow to watch the bull fights. 

I've been wanting to see "The Pride of St. Louis," but it's either been here and gone or it hasn't gotten here yet.

There is a good one here with Martin and Lewis called "Jumping Jacks." It's about the paratroops. It's a comedy, that's why I like it.

This is a borrowed pen. That's one reason that I make so many [spelling and grammar] mistakes. "Well," I've got to blame it on something. 

Norm, I don't remember just what those questions were about my leave, but I'll do the best I can.

My leave starts the middle of August. I don't know the exact date and probably won't until a few days before I leave the ship. I get twenty days.

I got a letter from Dorothy S____ about a month ago, but I can't answer it. She seems to think I'm a good kid. I don't know how to answer.

She mentioned how most sailors drank a lot and did all sorts of things they shouldn't. It read as if to say, "You wouldn't do anything like that, or would you!!" 

In one way it makes me feel like a hypocrite and another way it makes me mad. Every time I think of it, I want to go get "tight."

Well, kid, I've talked enough of my troubles.  Answer soon.

Love, 

Jim 

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A Lost Calf In A Whirlwind

July 18, 1952

San Diego, Calif.

Bette Ford, an American, had a successful career as a
matador in Mexico during the mid1950s

Hi Norma,

What's cooking, chicken?

Whatta ya know, all my life I've loved baseball and always wanted to meet people concerned with the game and never had a chance, and you who a few months ago didn't know right field from "left out" go into the offices of one of the largest baseball companies in the world and see all the big wigs. Guess I was borned a few years too soon.

[Editor's note: For a woman with a modest demeanor, Norma had remarkable connections. When I was in college, I followed the Detroit Tigers and had a crush on one of the players, Steve Kemp. One Christmas morning, I opened a present "From Santa," to find a pair of ratty, old cleats tied together by the laces. Norma was snapping away on her instamatic and beaming like a madwoman.  "What? Why?" I sputtered as I held the shoes in the air. "They're Steve Kemp's! Merry Christmas!" As it happened, Norma worked with the father of the Tiger's batboy who was told about my crush and fished Kemp's cleats out of the garbage as a souvenir. An autographed baseball was also in the box. One of my favorite Christmas presents ever.]

"Yes," I've heard of Johnny McHale but he was too far before my time. I don't know much about him. 

Last Sunday I went down to Mexico. It was pretty nice down there, but I can't understand a word of Spanish. When I left Japan, with what little "Gook" I know and motions I make, I could get along pretty good as far as language was concerned. But in Mexico, I'm just a "lost calf in a whirlwind." 

Next Sunday, I think I will go back and see the bull fights. 

I heard "Shepherd of My Heart." I really like it but I haven't heard "Full Time Job" as yet. 

Sometimes I wish we were back in Japan again. I kind of like it over there compared to sitting around here in San Diego. I sure do hate this place. 

You said Doris's being pregnant was becoming to her. That's the first time I ever heard that. It is probably true. It's just that I never thought about it that way. And if I remember right, Doris would be beautiful in any condition. 

We had another example of why men shouldn't be married in the service "come home to roost" today. One of the guys who went home the first day in port came back and told us his wife had been living with another guy. He didn't seem to give a "damn," but I think he was "acting," because he must have loved her. He was one of the few married men in our division who didn't go out with women in Japan. He sent all of him money home and stay aboard the ship most of the time.

I knew his wife. I met her in Seattle last summer. She seemed like a pretty nice gal. "Boy," it will be a cold day in "hell" when I marry while I'm in this outfit. 

And I guess the worst of it is, they have two kids. 

Well, honey, I've run out of stationery, so I'm forced to quit.

Answer soon.

Love, 

Jim

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Rings For Everyone

USS Valley Forge

Oct. 12, 1951

USS Valley Forge artwork from Jim's stationery, ca. 1951

Hello Norma,

How's the only girl I have?

This leaves me in the best of physical conditions.   I'm not going to mention mental conditions.  You might have other ideas on that.

Where were you all the time I was home, huh?  Don't you ever go anywhere, anymore?  I only saw you one time and I couldn't stop to chat then.

I sure had a swell time while I was home, but I sure wish I had had more time so I could have seen everyone and gone more places.

I got a letter from my buddy who is on the East Coast in the Navy.  He said he was getting married pretty soon, which reminds me, every girl I saw, almost, shoved a ring in my face.  Are you wearing one yet?

I think I'll get myself one.  I feel out of sorts without it.  HA! 

These guys are standing around joking the kid who is writing beside me, so don't be surprised at what I put in this.

We are "shoving off" for Pearl Harbor Monday morning.  I don't know how long we will be there, for probably 6 weeks, then we will go on to Japan.  

I wish we would go directly to Japan.  I don't think I'm going to like Pearl Harbor.

As soon as I got back, my two buddies started planning a farewell trip to Mexico.  I don't know if I will go or not.  I probably will.  I like wine, women and song too much to stay away.

They had a good-bye dance for the ship's crew in San Diego Wednesday night, but I didn't go.  If I had, the guys would have had to bring me home in a sponge and at those dances, there are always lots more boys than girls.

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

Answer soon.

Your pal, 

Jim

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Oh, Jim...

USS Valley Forge

July 12, 1951

[Editor's Note: the envelope was postmarked August 15, 1951.]

U.S. Navy Bureau of Supplies and Accounts poster, 1944

Hello Norma,

I better write you today because next week I may not get a chance.  You'll have to excuse me a few minutes.  I got to go eat chow.

Well, kid, I stayed longer than I meant to.  I stayed a few minutes and three days.  I don't have any excuses to offer.  All I can say is I won't do it again.

"Boy," I'm a sore hillbilly.  I've been working out for football, but I think I'll quit.  It's been too long since I played.  That game is for young men.  

It sure is hot out here in the daytime, but at night it cools off some.

I'm going down into Mexico next weekend.  I want to see what Mexican girls look like.

The next time you see Dot H_____, tell her she can write me any month she wants to.

I hear Hannah B____ has gotten herself engaged.  I guess when I left it gave the other guys a chance, the way everyone is getting engaged since January.  I guess you would be engaged by now, but you've already been once, and it's your turn to stand by and watch all of the first timers.  

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

Answer soon.

Your pal,

Jim

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