Letter transcription:

Aug. 24, 1945
USN Receiving Hospital
San Francisco (12)
Calif.

Dear Mother,

So far there has been no mail but I guess it isn’t hardly time as yet – this has really been one long week and tomorrow is just Sat.

My trip to Corona, Calif., with the draft is all off. There was is a Dr. here whose wife is going to be there at that time and he asked me if I would let him have the draft and I could see no reason why, so we had it fixed so he could go. Later he told me he had six children so I’m not so sure it was such a good idea. He is an eye man also  he is going to teach me some eye refraction so I felt it was OK to trade. However, if a chance comes for one to Great Lakes I won’t be so anxious to give up. There is one going next week but the

[page 2] Dr. taking it has been waiting for months. He lives in Wisconsin so I can’t feel too badly.

Last night – my first on O.D. wasn’t good – Had an epileptic who went on leave and threw fits and a drunk arrested. Between the two I was up a greater part of the night.

I don’t know if I told you or not but Kenney has his orders again which look much like overseas orders but he hasn’t returned as yet.

This “du-hinkey” I was telling you about on points yesterday may or may not have any bearing. Some few have more points than I, but not many. One Dr. has 57½ but there is nothing he can do, at least nothing has been done but maybe that thing was a beginning. We hope.

I have the entire PM off but this was inspection day and since I’d never been here for inspection I stayed until it was over at 2:30.

I went with a Dr. to Hunter’s Point this AM

[page 3] to the commissary to buy groceries. He wanted someone to go along for the ride. It isn’t nearly as nice as the one at Great Lakes but the meat counter was loaded with all kinds. There was stacks of sides of bacon. While there I looked down in front of the counter and there lay 5 red tickets – H1 thru M1. I think they are all good. I’m sending them to you. Maybe you don’t need them. I’m sure I don’t.

Last night at 10 PM we went over to the Gally for the usual snack before bed time. The cook had taken out the tenderloin – That part next to the t-bone – He fried each of us a fine thick slab for a sandwich and because he didn’t have any lettuce or tomato he fried an egg to go over the steak. It was all very good but that slab of onion I had on mine didn’t taste so good later when I had to get up for those

[page 4] patients.

I feel like I’m an old man around here because there has been 8 or 10 Drs. come in since I did. A large percentage are brand new (jg)s – their first duty in the Navy – Some seem to be rather sky and other are pretty bold – they all learn as time goes along.

I thought when I was planning on going to Corona I’d have to buy a new chin strap for my cap but now I can wait for the one you are sending.

Our rooms aren’t too comfortable at present but not bad for the price we pay – (nothing). There is only one chair, two beds, two metal stands, and two standing clothes lockers. No desk so I’m writing on my lap.

The wind had been really blowing today but it is fairly warm but Oh! Tonight. I have two wool blankets and I’m still not too warm, but by leaving the heater on until bed time the room doesn’t get too cold.

Well, Dear I’m about run down and I think I’ll lie down and try a nap –
Lots of Love
Daddy

©2016 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
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