Hagushi Bay
Okinawa
Sept. 23 1945
Dear Folks,
Arrived in Okinawa yesterday, and we were all dissappointed in not finding any mail awaiting us. I guess it's around somewhere and will eventually catch up to us. We don't expect to be here more than a few days, according to the best reliable scuttlebutt, we are going to Shanghai, and that seems as good a guess as any. If so, we should see some interesting sights.
Is film any more plentiful than it was? The reason I ask is that wartime regulations regarding cameras have been relaxed somewhat, so if you can get film, I'd like my camera, as I would like very much to take some pictures in Shanghai or wherever else we may go.
That weather around here is not as unbearably hot as it was further south, and for that we are thankful. We still have plenty of rain tho, and it seldom fails to pour during the movie. By the way, we can show movies at sea now and can also leave doors & hatches open at night. The latter makes a big difference in the temperature of the living spaces below.
We have quite a few fellows aboard with 44 points or more and they are impatiently waiting to get off. I figure I should be eligible for discharge by spring or early summer at the latest. I hope I'm not being over-optimistic. George and i are making plans (by mail) to start college next Sept. We haven't decided where, but, as George puts it, it will have to be a school that is co-educational and with reasonable opportunity to enjoy same.
I guess the kids are happily back in school. Another year or so should see Ralph graduating.
That's about all for now, so I am hoping to hear from you soon.
All my love,
Paul
Wednesday, September 24, 1975
Monday, September 22, 1975
Samar Log September, 1945
At Okinawa on 22 September, she reported for duty to ComSerDiv 101 and then proceeded to China. On the 30th, she arrived in the Yangtze; and, on 1 October she moored in the Whangpoo (Hwang Pu) at Shanghai. Within hours of her arrival, Within hours of her arrival, she had six vessels alongside under repair.
Friday, September 12, 1975
Postmarked September 12, 1945
Saipain
September 10, 1945
Dear Folks,
We are now at Saipan in the Marianas Is, the scene of some of the bloodiest fighting of this war. I've been ashore a couple of times and have observed some wrecked Jap pillboxes and guns etc. there are still a few Japs hiding out in the jungles in the hills, even though its been over a year since we took this island. There are several sunken Jap ships in the harbor.
Yesterday, I was fortunate enough to be able to attend Rosh Hashonnah Services on the beach. The services were conducted by a Marine Corp chaplain. there were about 25 men present including men from all branches of the service.
I had a rather embarrassing moment the day before yesterday when we pulled into port. A launch was lowered to take the skipper ashore and I was the engineer. It was a beautiful bright sunny day. We shoved off smartly and I settled back to relax and enjoy the ride to the beach. We hadn't been running five minutes when you guessed it, without warning the engine conked out. All efforts to start it were futile and to further complicate matters, I found that someone had removed the tool kit from the boat. Fortunately, the skipper was in a good humor. Later, we found that the fuel lines were full of water which confirmed my original diagnosis of the trouble, and, after working the water out, she ran as good as new.
That's about all for now. I hope to hear form you soon.
With all my Love,
Paul
September 10, 1945
Dear Folks,
We are now at Saipan in the Marianas Is, the scene of some of the bloodiest fighting of this war. I've been ashore a couple of times and have observed some wrecked Jap pillboxes and guns etc. there are still a few Japs hiding out in the jungles in the hills, even though its been over a year since we took this island. There are several sunken Jap ships in the harbor.
Yesterday, I was fortunate enough to be able to attend Rosh Hashonnah Services on the beach. The services were conducted by a Marine Corp chaplain. there were about 25 men present including men from all branches of the service.
I had a rather embarrassing moment the day before yesterday when we pulled into port. A launch was lowered to take the skipper ashore and I was the engineer. It was a beautiful bright sunny day. We shoved off smartly and I settled back to relax and enjoy the ride to the beach. We hadn't been running five minutes when you guessed it, without warning the engine conked out. All efforts to start it were futile and to further complicate matters, I found that someone had removed the tool kit from the boat. Fortunately, the skipper was in a good humor. Later, we found that the fuel lines were full of water which confirmed my original diagnosis of the trouble, and, after working the water out, she ran as good as new.
That's about all for now. I hope to hear form you soon.
With all my Love,
Paul
Friday, September 5, 1975
Postmarked September 5, 1945
Sept. 4, 1945
Dear Folks,
Just got word that all censorship regulations and restrictions on personal letters had been removed. So now it can be told.
We are now one day out of Eniwetock, Marshall Islands en route to Saipan in the Marianas. We will arrive Friday, Sept. 7.
I guess might as well trace back to the beginning. We left Norfolk the 21st of July and arrived at Coca Sola, Panama, the 28th. We went thru the canal the next day, and headed for Pearl Harbor. We arrived there Aug. 17, two days after Japan surrendered. I went ashore in Honolulu a couple of times while we were there and we pulled out Aug. 21 for Eniwetock. We arrived there Sept. 1, and left the next day. I guess that brings things pretty well up to date.
I got a couple of letters from you at Eniwetock and was glad to hear from you. Too bad I didn't get a chance to see Henry. I guess he should be getting his discharge before long.
We've been having swell weather all the way and it's sure a lot different than the lst time I was in this area. I guess we'll be having movies at sea before long.
While I was home, Dad made a suggestion of sending a couple of miniature shot bottles in a package. I don't know whether he was serious or not but I think it would be worth trying, if you wrapped them carefully enough. since this ship does not carry torpedoes, we don't have any 197 proof alcohol which was the main source of stimulation aboard the "Witter," so see what you can do.
That's avout all for now. I write you when we reach Saipan and tell you about it.
With all my love,
Paul
Dear Folks,
Just got word that all censorship regulations and restrictions on personal letters had been removed. So now it can be told.
We are now one day out of Eniwetock, Marshall Islands en route to Saipan in the Marianas. We will arrive Friday, Sept. 7.
I guess might as well trace back to the beginning. We left Norfolk the 21st of July and arrived at Coca Sola, Panama, the 28th. We went thru the canal the next day, and headed for Pearl Harbor. We arrived there Aug. 17, two days after Japan surrendered. I went ashore in Honolulu a couple of times while we were there and we pulled out Aug. 21 for Eniwetock. We arrived there Sept. 1, and left the next day. I guess that brings things pretty well up to date.
I got a couple of letters from you at Eniwetock and was glad to hear from you. Too bad I didn't get a chance to see Henry. I guess he should be getting his discharge before long.
We've been having swell weather all the way and it's sure a lot different than the lst time I was in this area. I guess we'll be having movies at sea before long.
While I was home, Dad made a suggestion of sending a couple of miniature shot bottles in a package. I don't know whether he was serious or not but I think it would be worth trying, if you wrapped them carefully enough. since this ship does not carry torpedoes, we don't have any 197 proof alcohol which was the main source of stimulation aboard the "Witter," so see what you can do.
That's avout all for now. I write you when we reach Saipan and tell you about it.
With all my love,
Paul
Tuesday, September 2, 1975
Postmarked September 2, 1945
Somewhere in the Pacifac
Dear Folks,
I guess you're wondering why you haven't heard from me more often. Well, there are no mail buoys at sea (although it's fun to tell a boot to look for one). As usual, there is not much to say, we are all patiently (?) waiting to see what develops. the weather has been fine and I'm getting a pretty good tan.
I suppose the kids are "eagerly" looking forward to resuming school in a couple of weeks. Ralph should be graduating in another year or so if I remember write.
As you know, we have a fountain aboard and it is well patronized. Aboard the "Witter" ice cream was an almost unheard of luxury, so I really appreciate being able to get it.
There isn't anything I really need, but if you could manage it, I could use a pair of moccasains (size 10C) for lounging around. Also a couple of miniatures if possible.
That's about all for now. By the way, had you heard anything about Bob Marshall lately? It was a year ago March when I last saw him and I cretainly would like to hear from him.
All my love,
Paul
Dear Folks,
I guess you're wondering why you haven't heard from me more often. Well, there are no mail buoys at sea (although it's fun to tell a boot to look for one). As usual, there is not much to say, we are all patiently (?) waiting to see what develops. the weather has been fine and I'm getting a pretty good tan.
I suppose the kids are "eagerly" looking forward to resuming school in a couple of weeks. Ralph should be graduating in another year or so if I remember write.
As you know, we have a fountain aboard and it is well patronized. Aboard the "Witter" ice cream was an almost unheard of luxury, so I really appreciate being able to get it.
There isn't anything I really need, but if you could manage it, I could use a pair of moccasains (size 10C) for lounging around. Also a couple of miniatures if possible.
That's about all for now. By the way, had you heard anything about Bob Marshall lately? It was a year ago March when I last saw him and I cretainly would like to hear from him.
All my love,
Paul
