Sunday, September 29, 1974
Witter Log September 29 - October 6, 1944
Between 29 September and 6 October, Witter made a roundabout voyage from Milne Bay via Treasuries and back to New Guinea at Humboldt Bay. At Humboldt Bay, she reported for duty to TU 77.7.1 for the Leyte operation.
Friday, September 27, 1974
Postmarked September 27, 1944
No. 21
Sept. 24, 1944
Dear Folks,
Haven't heard from you since my last letter but I thought I would write anyway.
We recently picked up four flyers who had been forced down at sea. I can't give any details about how or where, but the man who spotted them is getting a case of beer as a reward. I personally got more satisfaction out of rescuing them than if we would have sunk a half a dozen subs, because those boys are really doing a job in this war and you can't give them too much credit. Don't tell Hank I said this, as far as he's concerned the air corps is nothing but a bunch of overrated glamour boys and a pain in the neck to the Navy who have to take time out from fighting this war to rescue those glamour boys every time they get forced down at sea.
In your letters you asked if I wanted or needed anything. If you could get a hold of a large-scale map of the South Pacifac it would help me know where I'm at. Please send it first-class mail or else it will probably be months catching up with me
Love to all,
Paul
Sept. 24, 1944
Dear Folks,
Haven't heard from you since my last letter but I thought I would write anyway.
We recently picked up four flyers who had been forced down at sea. I can't give any details about how or where, but the man who spotted them is getting a case of beer as a reward. I personally got more satisfaction out of rescuing them than if we would have sunk a half a dozen subs, because those boys are really doing a job in this war and you can't give them too much credit. Don't tell Hank I said this, as far as he's concerned the air corps is nothing but a bunch of overrated glamour boys and a pain in the neck to the Navy who have to take time out from fighting this war to rescue those glamour boys every time they get forced down at sea.
In your letters you asked if I wanted or needed anything. If you could get a hold of a large-scale map of the South Pacifac it would help me know where I'm at. Please send it first-class mail or else it will probably be months catching up with me
Love to all,
Paul
Thursday, September 26, 1974
Witter Log September 26-27, 1944
On the 26th [September], she paused near Porlock and Cape Nelson to help SS Richard H. Dana, aground on Curtis Reef. While her boats assisted in the transfer of Army troops from the merchantman to Stratford (AP-41), Witter patrolled to seaward to protect against possible enemy submarine attack.
On the 27th, she resumed her voyage and arrived in Milne Bay that same day.
On the 27th, she resumed her voyage and arrived in Milne Bay that same day.
Sunday, September 22, 1974
Postmarked September 24, 1944
No. 21
Sept. 22, 1944
Dear Folks,
Heard from you and Ralph today and at long last received a package. It was pretty battered but the contents were not in bad shape, although the cookies were pretty well pulverized.
Glad to hear that Dad and ralph have been having such goo fishing. I can appreciate Ralph's disappointment at losing that weakfish when his hook gave way, but that's the way it goes.
I guess things are pretty lively now that Dotty is back. It must have been a quiet summer.
That's all for now, so I will close with
Love to all,
Paul
Sept. 22, 1944
Dear Folks,
Heard from you and Ralph today and at long last received a package. It was pretty battered but the contents were not in bad shape, although the cookies were pretty well pulverized.
Glad to hear that Dad and ralph have been having such goo fishing. I can appreciate Ralph's disappointment at losing that weakfish when his hook gave way, but that's the way it goes.
I guess things are pretty lively now that Dotty is back. It must have been a quiet summer.
That's all for now, so I will close with
Love to all,
Paul
Witter Log September 22-24, 1944
After returning the rescued aircrewmen to Emirau on the 22d [of September], she returned to sea that same day on her way back to Manus. From there, she continued her voyage toward Milne Bay on 24 September.
Tuesday, September 17, 1974
Postmarked September 17, 1944
No. 20
Sept. 16, 1944
Dear Folks,
Got you letter of Aug. 30, and am glad to hear that everything is O.K. By now you should have received the $120 I sent you by money order. If you don't within a reasonable length of time, et me know as I can put in a claim. Sorry to hear about Dad's hay fever, I guess this is about the worst time of year for him. I'm glad Ralph and Dotty have been lucky.
We saw a U.S.O. show on the beach last nite. There weren't any big name artists, but it was a pretty good show just the same.
Today I broke out my blues and aired them out for a while. They were in pretty good shape, not showing any signs of getting mildewed or moldy as some fellows had trouble with. It will probably be a long time before I ever wear them again, but still it pays to take care of them.
that's about all, so I will close with
Love to all,
Paul
Sept. 16, 1944
Dear Folks,
Got you letter of Aug. 30, and am glad to hear that everything is O.K. By now you should have received the $120 I sent you by money order. If you don't within a reasonable length of time, et me know as I can put in a claim. Sorry to hear about Dad's hay fever, I guess this is about the worst time of year for him. I'm glad Ralph and Dotty have been lucky.
We saw a U.S.O. show on the beach last nite. There weren't any big name artists, but it was a pretty good show just the same.
Today I broke out my blues and aired them out for a while. They were in pretty good shape, not showing any signs of getting mildewed or moldy as some fellows had trouble with. It will probably be a long time before I ever wear them again, but still it pays to take care of them.
that's about all, so I will close with
Love to all,
Paul
Wednesday, September 11, 1974
Postmarked September 11, 1944
No. 19
Sept. 10, 1944
Dear Folks,
Haven't heard from you since I last wrote but I am writing anyway.
I mailed home my "Neptunus Rex" certificate which I received for crossing the line, so let me know when you get it and what you think of it.
We had a little jam session last nite with an army band from the beach coming aboard to provide the music. They were pretty good. As usual, they were rained out in the middle of the show, but what we did see was 4.0
That's about all, so I will close now.
Love to all,
Paul
Sept. 10, 1944
Dear Folks,
Haven't heard from you since I last wrote but I am writing anyway.
I mailed home my "Neptunus Rex" certificate which I received for crossing the line, so let me know when you get it and what you think of it.
We had a little jam session last nite with an army band from the beach coming aboard to provide the music. They were pretty good. As usual, they were rained out in the middle of the show, but what we did see was 4.0
That's about all, so I will close now.
Love to all,
Paul
Sunday, September 8, 1974
Postmarked September 8, 1944
No. 18
Sept. 7, 1944
Dear Folks,
Got Mom's letter of Aug. 22 and Ralph's of Aug. 24. So George has seen some interesting sights in Africa. We will have quite a time when we meet again, swapping yarns and seeing who can sling the most bull.
In my last letter, Sept. 3, I sent two money orders, $100 and $20, total $120. Let me know as soon as you get them or if you don't get them within a reasonable time.
Ralph seems pretty serious about writing stories; best of luck to him.
You seemed surprised that one of my letters was returned while all the others got thru. They don't delet portions of letters. If any part of a letter is censored, the letter is returned to the sender with a note as to why it was rejected.
that's all for now.
Love to all
Paul
Sept. 7, 1944
Dear Folks,
Got Mom's letter of Aug. 22 and Ralph's of Aug. 24. So George has seen some interesting sights in Africa. We will have quite a time when we meet again, swapping yarns and seeing who can sling the most bull.
In my last letter, Sept. 3, I sent two money orders, $100 and $20, total $120. Let me know as soon as you get them or if you don't get them within a reasonable time.
Ralph seems pretty serious about writing stories; best of luck to him.
You seemed surprised that one of my letters was returned while all the others got thru. They don't delet portions of letters. If any part of a letter is censored, the letter is returned to the sender with a note as to why it was rejected.
that's all for now.
Love to all
Paul
Wednesday, September 4, 1974
Postmarked September 4, 1944
No. 17
Sept. 3, 1944
Dear Folks,
Got paid again and am enclosing a money order for $120. Let me know when you get it.
I've heard from Ralph and Dotty several times. I get a kick out of her letters. She is learning to write pretty good.
The have been plenty of good sized fish swimming around, but we can't get them to bite on anything. It's maddening to see them swimming all around your bait and not touching it. Have you done any fishing? I guess snappers & wekas are running pretty strong.
it looks as tho the "supermen" are on their way out, but fast! I'll bet they are going wild of the news in N.Y., not that it makes us unhappy. that's about all.
Love to all,
Paul
Sept. 3, 1944
Dear Folks,
Got paid again and am enclosing a money order for $120. Let me know when you get it.
I've heard from Ralph and Dotty several times. I get a kick out of her letters. She is learning to write pretty good.
The have been plenty of good sized fish swimming around, but we can't get them to bite on anything. It's maddening to see them swimming all around your bait and not touching it. Have you done any fishing? I guess snappers & wekas are running pretty strong.
it looks as tho the "supermen" are on their way out, but fast! I'll bet they are going wild of the news in N.Y., not that it makes us unhappy. that's about all.
Love to all,
Paul
