Nov. 25, 1943
Dear Folks,
Well, today was Thanksgiving Day and we had turkey dinner with all the trimmings. I had three helpings of turkey and I was so stuffed I could hardly walk.
I got your letter and as for meeting you, I think Richmond, Va. would be the best place, as it takes too long to get to Washington or Baltimore. I will be free the week-end of Dec 11-12 or 2 weeks from now. Richmond is only about 80 miles from here, so I could probably be there by early Saturday evening and wouldn't have to leave until early Monday morning. The next liberty, I'll find out the bus schedule and then we can make definite arrangements. I'll try to put a call thru Sunday and I'll tell you more about it then.
I guess thats about all, so I'll close with,
Love to all,
Paul
Monday, November 26, 1973
Saturday, November 24, 1973
Postmarked November 24, 1943
Nov 22, 1943
Dear Folks,
Well, I got the iron today and I was pretty surprised that you were able to get one. When I asked of it it was more wishful thing than anything else. I just finished pressing my blues with it, and I'm sure that it will see plenty of service.
I wish Dad could have been with me coming back on the ferry from Newport News the other nite, as there were about 6 or 8 British sailors aboard. They were all pretty pie-eyed and they were singing some British Navy Ballads. It was just like the Cockneys you see in the movies, and I know Dad would have gotten a kick out of it. {Note: Dad grew up in London's East End and served in the British Navy just before WWI.]
I got a letter from George today. He will be graduating in another 2 weeks. He says that he will be glad to get to sea, even tho he has had it pretty soft up there.
That's about all, so I will close with,
Love to all,
Paul
Dear Folks,
Well, I got the iron today and I was pretty surprised that you were able to get one. When I asked of it it was more wishful thing than anything else. I just finished pressing my blues with it, and I'm sure that it will see plenty of service.
I wish Dad could have been with me coming back on the ferry from Newport News the other nite, as there were about 6 or 8 British sailors aboard. They were all pretty pie-eyed and they were singing some British Navy Ballads. It was just like the Cockneys you see in the movies, and I know Dad would have gotten a kick out of it. {Note: Dad grew up in London's East End and served in the British Navy just before WWI.]
I got a letter from George today. He will be graduating in another 2 weeks. He says that he will be glad to get to sea, even tho he has had it pretty soft up there.
That's about all, so I will close with,
Love to all,
Paul
Friday, November 23, 1973
Postmarked November 23, 1943
Nov. 22, 1943
Dear Folks,
Well, we started training yesterday and spent the whole day in class study the boilers of a DE [Destroyer-Escort]. We also had swimming tests last nite and also abandon ship drill.
It was funny getting up at 6 after sleeping till 8 for so long but I like it better that way because I sleep better from 9:30 to 6:00 than from 12:00 to 8:00. We don't have to wait in line for chow as the mess hall is right across the street from the barracks so we just watch out the window until the line gets short enough so we don't have to wait long.
The boilers we have on our ship are of an entirely new type, never having been used before. They use superheated steam having a pressure of 425 lbs. per sq. in. and a temperature of 740 degrees F. We don't fool around with theory as we don't have the time. Yesterday we learned what to do in case of various accidents, such as when a tube bursts or the water level in the boiler gets too low.
We are falling out, so I will have to close now.
Love to all,
Paul
Dear Folks,
Well, we started training yesterday and spent the whole day in class study the boilers of a DE [Destroyer-Escort]. We also had swimming tests last nite and also abandon ship drill.
It was funny getting up at 6 after sleeping till 8 for so long but I like it better that way because I sleep better from 9:30 to 6:00 than from 12:00 to 8:00. We don't have to wait in line for chow as the mess hall is right across the street from the barracks so we just watch out the window until the line gets short enough so we don't have to wait long.
The boilers we have on our ship are of an entirely new type, never having been used before. They use superheated steam having a pressure of 425 lbs. per sq. in. and a temperature of 740 degrees F. We don't fool around with theory as we don't have the time. Yesterday we learned what to do in case of various accidents, such as when a tube bursts or the water level in the boiler gets too low.
We are falling out, so I will have to close now.
Love to all,
Paul
Saturday, November 17, 1973
Postmarked November 17, 1943
Nov. 16, 1943
Dear Folks,
Not much new since I last wrote, I'm still waiting to be assigned to a crew. I am going to find out about train connections to Washington, Baltimore, etc to see if I could meet you there some week-end.
I'd like you to send me my leather jacket, as I could use it for working around the base to keep from messing up my peacoat.
Nothing more to write about, so i will close with,
Love to all,
Paul
Dear Folks,
Not much new since I last wrote, I'm still waiting to be assigned to a crew. I am going to find out about train connections to Washington, Baltimore, etc to see if I could meet you there some week-end.
I'd like you to send me my leather jacket, as I could use it for working around the base to keep from messing up my peacoat.
Nothing more to write about, so i will close with,
Love to all,
Paul
Tuesday, November 13, 1973
Postmarked November 13, 1943 - later
Nov. 13, 1943
Dear Folks,
We had our classification interviews this morning and I was classed as a qualified Machinist Mate striker. Its a matter of time now until we are assigned to a crew and start training.
Last nite I stayed on the base but tonite another fellow and I are going to Newport News across the bay. I have a guard duty Sunday so I have to be back by 1130 Sunday A.M.
I tried to call last nite but it was the same story again. It takes 1 to 2 hours to put a call thru. I'll try Sunday, maybe then the lines to Washington won't be so crowded and I might be able to get thru.
In some ways I like this base better than Great Lakes. The chow is better and they don't bother you with inspections so much. We had nicer barracks at Great Lakes, tho. The ones here were built during the last war that's about all, so I'll close with
Love to all,
Paul
Dear Folks,
We had our classification interviews this morning and I was classed as a qualified Machinist Mate striker. Its a matter of time now until we are assigned to a crew and start training.
Last nite I stayed on the base but tonite another fellow and I are going to Newport News across the bay. I have a guard duty Sunday so I have to be back by 1130 Sunday A.M.
I tried to call last nite but it was the same story again. It takes 1 to 2 hours to put a call thru. I'll try Sunday, maybe then the lines to Washington won't be so crowded and I might be able to get thru.
In some ways I like this base better than Great Lakes. The chow is better and they don't bother you with inspections so much. We had nicer barracks at Great Lakes, tho. The ones here were built during the last war that's about all, so I'll close with
Love to all,
Paul
Postmarked November 13, 1943
Nov. 12, 1943
Dear Folks,
Well, I went into Norfolk last nite and frankly, I wasn't very much impressed by it. The town is so full of sailors that they even outnumber the civilians. As for all that so-called Southern Hospitality, its a lot of bull. The only hospitality as sailor gets in this town, is being charged twice as muh for everything. I'm just beginning to appreciate Chicao & Milwaukee I'm staying on the base tonite as I am pretty tired and want to catch up on sleep. Tomorrow I may take the ferry across the bay to Newport News to see if it is any better there.
As far as coming home, I' afraid there is not much chance. Even with our out of bounds pass we can only go 250 miles. The train connections to N.Y. are very bad, even if I could get permission to travel.
Next weekend, if we can get an out of bounds pass, I may go to Washington.
That's about all, I will try to call up tonite. I tried last nite but couldn't get thru.
Love to all,
Paul
Dear Folks,
Well, I went into Norfolk last nite and frankly, I wasn't very much impressed by it. The town is so full of sailors that they even outnumber the civilians. As for all that so-called Southern Hospitality, its a lot of bull. The only hospitality as sailor gets in this town, is being charged twice as muh for everything. I'm just beginning to appreciate Chicao & Milwaukee I'm staying on the base tonite as I am pretty tired and want to catch up on sleep. Tomorrow I may take the ferry across the bay to Newport News to see if it is any better there.
As far as coming home, I' afraid there is not much chance. Even with our out of bounds pass we can only go 250 miles. The train connections to N.Y. are very bad, even if I could get permission to travel.
Next weekend, if we can get an out of bounds pass, I may go to Washington.
That's about all, I will try to call up tonite. I tried last nite but couldn't get thru.
Love to all,
Paul
Sunday, November 11, 1973
Postmarked November 11, 1943
Nov. 11, 1943
Dear Folks,
We arrived at the Station last nite and since then we've been pretty busy getting straightened out. My adress is,
Paul H. Kleinman F2c
Unit X 62-2
Naval Operating Base
Norfolk, Va.
I can't tell you much about this base because I don't know myself. Nobody has given us any definite information. From what I hear tho, we get liberty every day from 4:30 P.M. to 7:30 A.M. and our week ends from Saturday 4:30 P.M. to 7:30 A.M. Monday morning except when we have guard duty, how often that is I don't know. From what I've heard, tho there isn't much to do on a liberty and there are no good liberty towns around here like Chicago and Milwaukee. They sell beer right on the base, so most fellows stay aboard most of the time. If I get liberty tonite I'll be going into Norfolk to see what its like.
Love to all,
Paul
Dear Folks,
We arrived at the Station last nite and since then we've been pretty busy getting straightened out. My adress is,
Paul H. Kleinman F2c
Unit X 62-2
Naval Operating Base
Norfolk, Va.
I can't tell you much about this base because I don't know myself. Nobody has given us any definite information. From what I hear tho, we get liberty every day from 4:30 P.M. to 7:30 A.M. and our week ends from Saturday 4:30 P.M. to 7:30 A.M. Monday morning except when we have guard duty, how often that is I don't know. From what I've heard, tho there isn't much to do on a liberty and there are no good liberty towns around here like Chicago and Milwaukee. They sell beer right on the base, so most fellows stay aboard most of the time. If I get liberty tonite I'll be going into Norfolk to see what its like.
Love to all,
Paul
Saturday, November 10, 1973
Postmarked Nov. 10, 1943 - later (postcard)
Nov. 10, 1943
700 P.M.
Dear Folks
Am writing from R.R. station in Norfolk, where we just got off the train and are waiting to go to the base. Enjoyed the trip very much and will call as so as I get to the base
Love to all,
Paul
700 P.M.
Dear Folks
Am writing from R.R. station in Norfolk, where we just got off the train and are waiting to go to the base. Enjoyed the trip very much and will call as so as I get to the base
Love to all,
Paul
Postmarked November 10, 1943 (postcard)
Nov. 10, 1943
0930
Dear Folks,
We just crossed the Virginia-West Virginia state line We had about an hour lay over in Cincinnati last nite. I've really been seeing real hill-billy country, The scenery is interesting and I'm enjoying the tirip very much.
Love to all,
Paul
0930
Dear Folks,
We just crossed the Virginia-West Virginia state line We had about an hour lay over in Cincinnati last nite. I've really been seeing real hill-billy country, The scenery is interesting and I'm enjoying the tirip very much.
Love to all,
Paul
Friday, November 9, 1973
Postmarked November 9, 1943 (postcard)
Nov. 9, 1943
1630
Dear Folks,
Just a short note to let you know I'm on my way. We left Great Lakes about 1000 and just pulled out of Elwood, Ind. We arrive at Norfolk at about 5:00 P.M. tomorrow.
Love to all,
Paul
1630
Dear Folks,
Just a short note to let you know I'm on my way. We left Great Lakes about 1000 and just pulled out of Elwood, Ind. We arrive at Norfolk at about 5:00 P.M. tomorrow.
Love to all,
Paul
Thursday, November 8, 1973
Postmarked November 8, 1943
Nov. 8, 1943
Well this is it, I'm leaving for Norfolk, Va. I'll be there for about 6 to 8 weeks of training for Destroyer-Escort duty, The DE's are smaller than destroyers, about 600 to 700 tons and carry about a hundred men. Norfolk is about five or six hours from New York, so I'll be able to get home on a week-end liberty, so it not so bad. As least Norfolk will be a little warmer than Great Lakes. I might be getting a leave when my six weeks are up, but there is nothing sure about that. Well that's about all, except don't write until you get my new adress, and I'll call up as soon as I get to Norfolk, which will probably be Wednesday nite.
Love to all,
Paul
Well this is it, I'm leaving for Norfolk, Va. I'll be there for about 6 to 8 weeks of training for Destroyer-Escort duty, The DE's are smaller than destroyers, about 600 to 700 tons and carry about a hundred men. Norfolk is about five or six hours from New York, so I'll be able to get home on a week-end liberty, so it not so bad. As least Norfolk will be a little warmer than Great Lakes. I might be getting a leave when my six weeks are up, but there is nothing sure about that. Well that's about all, except don't write until you get my new adress, and I'll call up as soon as I get to Norfolk, which will probably be Wednesday nite.
Love to all,
Paul
Tuesday, November 6, 1973
Postmarked November 6, 1943
Nov. 4, 1943
Dear Folks,
Well, I'm still here in Transfer Unit and it looks as tho I won't be shipped this week. I guess I'll be going up to Milwaukee this week-end, I haven't been up there for over a month. I got Dorothy's letter and I sure got a kick out of it. I certainly was surprised to hear about Miriam's forthcoming marriage. Nothing to write about, so I will close with
Love to all,
Paul
Dear Folks,
Well, I'm still here in Transfer Unit and it looks as tho I won't be shipped this week. I guess I'll be going up to Milwaukee this week-end, I haven't been up there for over a month. I got Dorothy's letter and I sure got a kick out of it. I certainly was surprised to hear about Miriam's forthcoming marriage. Nothing to write about, so I will close with
Love to all,
Paul
Saturday, November 3, 1973
Postmarked November 3, 1943
Nov. 3, 1943
Dear Folks,
Well, I am still waiting around in Transfer Unit, and it is getting pretty boring. I've been getting all my gear cleaned up and packed in order so that I will be ready to shove off whenever I am called.
As you know, I was in Chicago this weekend and had a pretty good time. Chicago is O.K., but I like Milwaukee better, and if 'm still here, I'll be going there this weekend.
The weather here is really beginning to get cold. We have put our white hats away till spring, we wear the blue hats now. I'm glad that I'll be shoving off soon for the winters here must really be pretty rugged.
So Miriam is getting married?!! I sure was surprised to hear that. I'll have to write her about it.
That's about all, so I will close with,
Love to all,
Paul
Dear Folks,
Well, I am still waiting around in Transfer Unit, and it is getting pretty boring. I've been getting all my gear cleaned up and packed in order so that I will be ready to shove off whenever I am called.
As you know, I was in Chicago this weekend and had a pretty good time. Chicago is O.K., but I like Milwaukee better, and if 'm still here, I'll be going there this weekend.
The weather here is really beginning to get cold. We have put our white hats away till spring, we wear the blue hats now. I'm glad that I'll be shoving off soon for the winters here must really be pretty rugged.
So Miriam is getting married?!! I sure was surprised to hear that. I'll have to write her about it.
That's about all, so I will close with,
Love to all,
Paul
