Postmarked January 26, 1946

Shanghai, China
Jan. 25, 1946

Dear Folks,

Got Ralph's letter and got a big kick out of it. I see his penmanship has not improved any. The idea of him going to college with me came as a surprise at first, but then I got to realizing that it's been three years since I graduated and a lot of water has gone over the dam since then. However, when I get to thinking about it, it may not be such a bad idea. He may even be able to help me with my homework. I intend to work toward an M.E. degree, but I haven't quite decided just what branch of engineering to specialize in. I've picked up a pretty fair practical knowledge of Deisel engines, so maybe I will try something in that line. however, I have time to decide, as the courses are probably the same the first year or so.

I am enclosing some more snapshots, so you see I am getting to be quite a camera fiend.

I got a letter from George and his plans seems closely parralell to mine, so perhaps the three of us will end up in school together. If so it will serve to bring back the good old clamming days in Lindenhurst. After spending three years in the Navy, however, and making all kinds of wild liberties in both U.S. and Foreign ports (especially the last few months hear in Shanghai) we may not prove a very good influence on a growing adolescent youth. It may not be so easy to settle down to the humdrum routine of an institute of higher learning after all the hell-raising we've been doing, but I guess there will be lots of others facing the same change.

As for when this change will commence, that is the $64 question. As I wrote in previous letters, I will have accumulated sufficient points (33) for discharge on Feb. 23. However, as I also wrote, there is a very likely possibility that I will be held for 90 days on the "military necessity" clause. So we'll just have to keep our fingers crossed and see what develops.

With all my love,

Paul

Postmarked January 20, 1946

Shanghai, China
Jan. 20, 1946

Dear Folks,

Got you letter of Jan 5 and am glad you liked the pictures. I am enclosing some more. I can't send the negatives as yet because the pictures have proved quite popular, and just about everybody who appears in any of them wants prints, so you see they are being well used.

I also got a letter from George, and he seems to be getting a pretty good break all around. It is practically certain that I will be held for 90 days, so you needn't be expecting me till May or June.

The weather is always a good topic for conversation. It's been very changable, mild one day and bitter cold the next. This is supposed to be the rainy season but there hasn't been any to speak of, knock on wood. I have going ashore regularly and managing to have a pretty good time, but Shanghai is beginning to pall on me. It's as good a liberty post as you'll find anywhere in the Pacifac, except perhaps Australia, but I get restless staying in one place to long, and I'd kind of like to get moving again.

That is very unlikely, tho, as we seem to have found a permanent berth here. But, as long as I can go on making liberty, I can't complain too much. As I've said in many previous letters, I can think of lots worse places to be stuck.

All my love,

Paul

Postmarked January 12, 1946

Shanghai, China
Jan. 12, 1945 [1946]

Dear Folks,

Got your package with the films yesterday, and I was certainly glad to get them, as stateside film is almost worth its weight in gold. These should last me for some time. I am enclosing some more snaps, so you can see, I am getting good use from the camera. These pictures were taken in front of Marco's Brass Rail, a bar which has become the unofficial headquarters and meeting place ashore for the Samar crew. It's located right near the landing and is always the place where we have the "first today" when coming ashore, and turn "bottoms up" before going back to the ship.

As for my chances of getting out, they don't look too good. The point score has been reduced except for certain critical ratings, and mine is one of them. The only replacements we are getting are seamen and firemen, and none of these will go up for a rate for fear of being held when their time comes for release. We jus have to hope that the Chinese will get their internal troubles settled so that the fleet can all go back.

I got a gift subscription notice from the "reader's Digest" today and I will appreciate getting it every month. That's all, so thanks again for the film and the subscription.

With all my love,

Paul

Postmarked January 8, 1946

Shanghai, China
Jan. 7, 1945

Dear Folks,

Got your letter of Dec. 21, and I gather that you folkshave been having a spell of cold weather. It was pretty cold for a while here, but the past few days have been fairly mild. They say it seldom, if ever, snows here, but it does get plenty cold.

I've taken some more pictures and m enclosing a few prints. Film is getting to be an expensive item at $1.50 a roll (when I can find it), so if you could send me a roll by air mail, say once a week, I would appreciate it very much. I am very much please with the camera. Some fellows have paid as high as $30 and $40 for cameras over here and they don't take any better pictures than mine. I can get $20 for it any time I want.

I'm still having a good time over here. I guess I can call myself an old China hand now, having been here over 3 month. The "Samar" incidentally, is now the oldest ship in the river.

That's about all there is to write, so I hope you like the pictures and I hope to here from you again soon.

With all my Love,

Paul

Postmarked December 30, 1945

Shanghai, China
Dec. 29, 1945

Dear Folks,

Got your letter of Dec. 8 and was sorry to hear about Ralph and Dotty being sick, but I'm glad they're O.K.

Christmas has come and gone and there was not lack of spirit even tho we are on the other side of the world. We had the traditional turkey dinner with all the trimmings as you can see by the enclosed menu. In that respect we fared better than the arny over here who had to be content with chicken.

We are now looking forward to a wild and woolly celebration on New Year's Eve, in which the liquor will flow like the proverbial water. I'm glad I don't have shore patrol that nite.

It is really bitter cold here, and coal is so scarce that none of the bars or nite-clubs have any heat. The only way to keep warm is internally.

I took some more pictures yesterday and will send you some prints as soon as they are developed. by the way, is Ralph still interested in Stamps? If so I might be able to get some Chinese issues for his collection.

I'm glad to here that everyone is getting home, and wish I say the same, but you no doubt know all about the current situation here in China and until conditions become normal wee we probably have to stand by here.

With all my love,

Paul

Postmarked December 24, 1945

Shanghai, China
Dec. 23, 1945

Dear Folks,

Got your X'mas package which you mailed in Oct. and I don't have to tell you the the delicacies will be appreciated. I also received packages from the Franks and the Smiths.

Had shore patrol again the other nite and it was plenty cold. We were assigned to a jeep and you now how little protection from the wether they give. However, we made a few stops during the night in various bars and nite clubs, and had a drink here & there and that helped fortify us.

I shot the roll of film you sent me and am enclosing a few prints. I managed to pick up a couple of rolls of Kodak film. They cost me $1.50 a roll but that is less than what some guys are paying. It's simply a case of supply & demand.

The points are coming down to 35 the 15 of Jan. and 34 the 1st of February. At that rate they should continue to come down to 33 the 15 of Feb. and 32 the 1st of March. On the latter date (Mar. 1) I will have 33 1/2 points and thus should be eligible, unless they decide I am essential, in which case I may be stuck for another 90 days. However, there is no use crossing bridges until we come to them and a lot can happen between then and now.

I haven't had any letters from you for some time but I am hoping to hear from you soon

With all my love,

Paul

Postmarked December 14, 1945

Shanghai, China,
Dec. 12, 1945

Dear Folks,

Got your letter of Nov. 30 yesterday, so I guess the mail service is speeding up. I also got your package with the camera and I lost no time in making use of it. I hope you can get some ore film, as there is very little available here and the prices are fantastic ($2.50) to $3.00 a roll.) for Kodak or Agfa film If you can get any, wrap one or two rolls and send them by air mail as they will get here much faster that way.

It's getting colder here eery day, and we may see some snow yet this X'mas. I'm still going ashore regularly. You've probably read about Shanghai liberty in the newspapers and know what a wild time the boys are having over here.

Don't worry about the stories you read about ships being fired on. There have bee a couple of incidents, but they happened further up the river where the communists are in control.

Glad to here about George getting home for X'mas. Wish I could say the same, but we'll celebrate here as best we can.

That's about all I can think of, so I close

With all my love,

Paul