[Editor’s note: Herman Frericks was Roscoe’s commanding officer during his time stationed in the Russell Islands. Frericks was not a doctor. He served in both WWI and WII. He was a native of Cleveland, Ohio. When this letter was written, Commander Frericks had been stationed on Saipan Island, Marianas Islands for only a few weeks.]

October 18, 1944 envelope

Letter transcription:

October 18, 1944, p. 1

Oct. – 18-44

Dear Doc: –

What a surprise when I got your letter, the last thing you said when you left the ARD-5 is that you would drop me a line from your new station. I’m not going to wait that long. You no doubt know that I was home on a thirty day leave but right back out again. I am executive officer of this base and it is a big job, plenty of work. I do have a nice place to live, I have a nice house for myself, living room, bedroom, complete bath even a flush toilet and a nice small galley and a stewart’s mate to look after it and cook my meals, I eat right here and am going well, I had cutting meat for supper and real eggs for breakfast.

My leave at home was wonderful

October 18, 1944, p. 2

[page 2] and I rather had hoped for some state side duty, but here I am. I did all the things I wanted to while home and sure enjoyed every minute and look forward to my next leave. Old Vince was here but is on his way, sure wish I had a crowd of officers here like I had at Navy 60, the gang here is terrible, at least about 90% of them. Just a word more about my house, I have a swell desk, radio, desk lamp, a really nice place to live, so I didn’t do bad for only being here about a month and a half.

Best of luck to you Doc and I sure hope we can get together again sometime, my regards to your family and I hope you are all well and happy

Sincerely,
Matie Frericks

©2016 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2016/03/16/commander-h-frericks/