Dear Folks,
Not much I can write, except that I am feeling O.K. and hope everyone at home is the same. Right now I'm doing a little fishing over the side, but so far I haven't had to much luck, but I'll keep trying. I've been enjoying life pretty much and hope things keep going smoothly.
Chow has been pretty good and I still haven't gotten seasick yet and I don't think I will. Not much to write, so give my love to Mom, Dad, Ralph, Dotty, Vickie, and Helen. It's tooo ba that I could see Helen one night, but that's how it is.
Love to all,
Paul
Monday, March 25, 1974
Friday, March 8, 1974
Witter Log March 8 - April 3, 1944
On 8 March, she stood out of San Francisco and steamed, via Pearl Harbor, to the Gilbert Islands, arriving in Majuro lagoon on the 22d. She departed Majuro on 26 March and—after side visits to Makin, Tarawa, and Abemama in the Gilberts—she arrived in Espiritu Santo on 3 April.
Monday, March 4, 1974
Postmarked March 4, 1944
March 4, 1944
Dear Folks,
Got your package and Anonettes both yesterday. Please thank her for me, and thanks for the candy and books, I haven't found anyone who plays chess yet but there must be some one aboard ship who does.
We are back in dry dock again. The diver couldn't get the cable free from the propellor, so they bought us over here to take it off. We will probably be refloated some time tonite.
Its still pouring rain as it did nearly all nite. The California sunshine must be gone for the duration unless it was all a myth in the first place. I don't know where we'll be getting underway, but it will probably be Monday or Tuesday. The trip will probably take about 6 days. We'll be wearing whites again when we get there, and they wear them all year round there. I guess I'll put my blues away in mothballs, because I probably won't be needing them where we're going.
Love to all,
Paul
Dear Folks,
Got your package and Anonettes both yesterday. Please thank her for me, and thanks for the candy and books, I haven't found anyone who plays chess yet but there must be some one aboard ship who does.
We are back in dry dock again. The diver couldn't get the cable free from the propellor, so they bought us over here to take it off. We will probably be refloated some time tonite.
Its still pouring rain as it did nearly all nite. The California sunshine must be gone for the duration unless it was all a myth in the first place. I don't know where we'll be getting underway, but it will probably be Monday or Tuesday. The trip will probably take about 6 days. We'll be wearing whites again when we get there, and they wear them all year round there. I guess I'll put my blues away in mothballs, because I probably won't be needing them where we're going.
Love to all,
Paul
Sunday, March 3, 1974
Postmarked March 3, 1944
March 3, 1944
Dear Folks,
I guess your surprised to here from me, but we had a little accident which will probably delay us a couple of days. Pulling out of Alameda Air base, where we took in torpedoes, the deck force fouled up our starboard propeller with a 1 1/2" steel mooring cable. We had to be towed by tug to Treasure Island, and we are now waiting for a diver with an underwater cutting torch to cut the cable free.
I celebrated my birthday Wednesday, The boys in the fireroom sang happy birthday and it was very touching. It is really pouring today and cold as H___, typcial Cal. weather. There isn't much to write about, so I will close with,
Love to all,
Paul
Dear Folks,
I guess your surprised to here from me, but we had a little accident which will probably delay us a couple of days. Pulling out of Alameda Air base, where we took in torpedoes, the deck force fouled up our starboard propeller with a 1 1/2" steel mooring cable. We had to be towed by tug to Treasure Island, and we are now waiting for a diver with an underwater cutting torch to cut the cable free.
I celebrated my birthday Wednesday, The boys in the fireroom sang happy birthday and it was very touching. It is really pouring today and cold as H___, typcial Cal. weather. There isn't much to write about, so I will close with,
Love to all,
Paul
Saturday, March 2, 1974
Postmarked March 2, 1944
March 1, 1944
Dear Folks,
Well, here I am, a mature man of 18. Thanks a lot for the money you sent but it was hardly necessary and the 25 you wired me was all the birthday gift I could want. I got a birthday gift from the Navy, too. The rating list was posted today and I am now Fireman 1c and will probably go up for my crow within a few weeks.
Outside of that there isn't much to write. We are leaving drydock tomorrow then a day or two loading store, fuel and ammunition and we will be off. It was swell to talk to you the nite before last and as I said it will probably be the last call for a whill. You probably have my record by now I hope you like it.
Love to all,
Paul
Dear Folks,
Well, here I am, a mature man of 18. Thanks a lot for the money you sent but it was hardly necessary and the 25 you wired me was all the birthday gift I could want. I got a birthday gift from the Navy, too. The rating list was posted today and I am now Fireman 1c and will probably go up for my crow within a few weeks.
Outside of that there isn't much to write. We are leaving drydock tomorrow then a day or two loading store, fuel and ammunition and we will be off. It was swell to talk to you the nite before last and as I said it will probably be the last call for a whill. You probably have my record by now I hope you like it.
Love to all,
Paul
