Dreams of Decent Food, Clean Places, and Other Things

July 28, 1953

Panama

USS Valley Forge going through the Panama Canal, ca. 1953

Hi Angel,

Well, we finally made Panama. We got here at 2 o'clock yesterday afternoon. We are still on the Pacific side. Tomorrow we go through the canal into the Atlantic side.

I was over in Panama City last night. It's just like all the other ports, except a little hotter.

They have a lot of Oriental merchandise for sale here, the same stuff we bought in Japan, but the prices are a lot higher.

Honey, that's a pretty good idea, taking the first and last week of my leave for your vacation, if you can get it that way. Some companies don't like to split vacations.

It sure will be nice to get home again. I think a leave will set me up for the rest of my time, unless I can get a few days at Christmas, I probably won't take any more leave.

Now, I guess you will know better than to put a blanket over a light bulb in our house. You might burn the "damn place down." HA 

We will be gone from Norfolk from about the 17th of August to the 6th of September, at least. Most of the time we will be qualifying air groups. We will only be in Nova Scotia about 3 or 4 days.

Yes, Darling, that apartment with you to come home to every night sounds good, but it won't be easy for me to get shore duty. In fact, to get it, I would have to extend for a year in the outfit and I don't want to do that. Four years in here is enough.

I would like to get married now and start raising our baseball team.

I dream of coming home to a sweet little wife like you having a place to sit down and someone to make love to and talk with. 

Also, some decent food and a clean well kept place. But those things aren't easy. I know as much as we love each other we could make it work, but I would like to make is as easy for you as possible, and in here, I can't.

The first thing I'll say to you the first morning you wake me up will probably be, "Go 'way woman and let me sleep another week." 

I never used to sleep so much, but since I've been a sailor, all I do is sleep when we are not operating.

I think we talked about 6 or 7 minutes when I called. I will call you again when we get to Norfolk. 

That dream you had sounds nice. Dreaming is something I seldom do. Guess I sleep too soundly.

Doll, we will talk more of getting married when I get home.

Norm, I gotta sign off.

Answer real soon.

I love you, angel,

Jim

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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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Even Tijuana Is Dead Boring

July 3, 1953

San Diego

Postcard for Tijuana, unknown date

Hi Sweet Thing,

What's cooking at home? You have probably guessed by now that I'm no mood to write. I just can't seem to do anything today.

A couple of us went to Tijuana last night but things were dead there. We were back aboard by midnight. 

We have been working on the ship taking platforms and overhangs off the side of it to be able to get her through the locks of the Panama Canal. 

I heard today that it (the ship) is going into dry dock for a complete re-conversion. If so, it won't be out for two years. I suppose all of us will go to other carriers.

So, Pinnegar is out and driving a new car already, eh? By the time I get home, all of the guys will be out.  Oh, yes, tell Pinnegar "hello." 

Darling, the picture is wonderful. I'm so really proud of it. But, I hadn't forgotten what you look like. I know you'll be the same cute little doll you were when I saw you last. 

Yes, baby!! If you were on the beach, they couldn't keep me aboard. In fact, I might quit playing ball to be with you more. And, honey, for me that would be a sacrifice. HA 

Look, gal, don't have that hair cut too short or I'll get you a wig. And I'm not fooling.

Well, I may as well shut up.

So, answer soon.

All my love,

Jim 

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