Tag Archives: California

Done for the Day (Roscoe)

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October 18, 1945 envelope

Letter transcription:

October 18, 1945, p. 1

Oct., 18, 1945

Dear Mother,

I’m practically all done for the day except just now waiting for evening chow.

I’m very certain now that there will be nothing done to have our papers started before Nov. 1 because the Capt. took a 15 day leave beginning as of the 17^th and didn’t sign our papers before leaving but the yeoman assured me that he would sign them as quickly soon as he came back and he also thought the Capt. would be back a few days early. Anyway since this 53 is not in affect until Nov. 1 we can hardly squawk too much but after that – anyway that subject need not be kicked around for a few days.

Now to get on with your problems. It seems to me it might be wise to get Monroe to put an auger

October 18, 1945, p. 2

[page 2] in the stoker, but I suppose it would take a few days to get that and the auger and the oil burner would probably come at the same time. Someone told me about som cutting those and welding them. Maybe I dreamed that, however, we didn’t put forth much effort to get coal so maybe there won’t be any coal even if you did get the furnace fixed. I think possibly if you had a good fire in the eve and then turn the thermostat down so that the house would have to cool a bit before it kicked on – Say so that the furnace ran only a small bit during the night it might work.

The office work seems to be progressing pretty well. This It will possibly be ready before I am.

Maybe Chet could put in the oil tank at the house and use that burner which he thought he

October 18, 1945, p. 3

[page 3] could use for the office temporarily. It might cost a little extra for instillation, etc., but it would keep the house a little warmer. It does los seem of as if there should be one oil burner someplace we could use.

The $113 doesn’t seem like such a terrible price but that does not include the back room. I hope if Mary K. does clean out the back room none of my X-ray sink developer or that sink back there gets on the trash heap. I wish also that she wouldn’t be in a hurry about the new toilet because I might have a different idea of where it belongs, but if that room it is in is cleaned up that wouldn’t be so bad. Seems as if I have lots of ideas but not very firm on

October 18, 1945, p. 4

[page 4] any of them.

We are to receive approximately 2,000 patients over the weekend so that means lots of extra work. I had said that I wouldn’t take another draft but maybe I could be persuaded especially with time not being used as I’d like for it to be used. The last one was such a rat race that I swore I’d take no more but with all that group coming in it might be different. What do you think?

Well, it is almost chow time so I’d better stop and take care of the inner man –
Lots of Love
Daddy

©2016 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2016/07/10/done-for-the-day-roscoe/

Senior O.D. (Roscoe)

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October 17, 1945, p. 1

Letter transcription:

17 Oct. 45

Dear Mother,

Just about to finish the Senior O.D. watch and it has been a little crammed up, but now at 2030 things had slowed down but I’ve got my fingers crossed. You see since I made Lt. Cdr. I have the Senior O.D. instead of the Junior and it is a little more responsibility but not bad.

Your letter which you thought I’d get Monday night which I was to call or wire you about came today – so proceed as you are – I know you can tell more about how things are working out so go ahead and use your own judgment, only have things fixed pretty nice, even though it does cost a little more. It doesn’t seem as if the oil burner would take up much space where you had it in the diagram.

We still haven’t heard anything about the

October 17, 1945, p. 2

[page 2] discharges but of course they are not effective until Nov. 1 but there surely is going to be plenty of stuff raised between now and then and much more after that.

I don’t know what happened to the mail again that it is so slow, but maybe it will pick up in a day or two. Hope so.

The weather has been terrible all day today – a heavy mist – more than a fog but hardly enough to cause one to wear a rain coat.

You remember the (jg) I used to write about – Well, he took a plane to Pearl Harbor – got a ship and came back to San Francisco. He came out for a short visit – He is Tokyo bound today. He used to write to a girlfriend every day in Canada but she wrote him that she couldn’t wait – so his affair must have been rather one-sided. He didn’t seem to be too much disturbed.

Well, I do hope I can get some good word to you in a few days –
Love Daddy

©2016 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2016/07/08/senior-o-d-roscoe/

Treasure Island (Roscoe)

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October 16, 1945 envelope

October 16, 1945, p. 1

Letter transcription:

Oct. 16, 1945

Dear Mother,

I am now totally converted. I mean almost into a full Lt. Cdr. Total cost $7.80; one fifty for the collar device – only I think I’ll sell one for $0.75 and $2.30 for the gray shoulder boards and $4.00 for the gold, and installation, on the sleeve of the blue. So if I make the sale it will be $7.05, but I don’t feel that you are too interested in that. I’m not either but I can’t give you any further information on the discharge.

I haven’t received any letters from you since Sat. I’m hoping for a few tomorrow. I’m just wondering if Schuster has taken on the job, etc.

I took my blue shirt down to have the gold changed this p.m. and tomorrow morn they decide to have a picture taken. I don’t know just what I’ll do as yet – I have the duty also so maybe I can get out of the picture on those grounds.

Stanich came past and took me downtown. He took me first to Treasure Island

October 16, 1945, p. 2

[page 2] but I couldn’t do any good there so we stopped in one of the downtown stores. The one where I bought my cap before going out in ’42.

I tried to get some shirts this p.m. but no white and possibly some gray tomorrow but I can’t get there then. That place is on the other side of San Francisco and my means of transportation are not good. When you go to Treasure Island you just cross half of the bay bridge. Then turn off to the right and cut back over the top of the bridge. It is a nice island and has the big sign for the Fleet – “Hi mate, etc.” We passed right in front of that sign. I doubt if any of the sailors on the ships saw it since it was so foggy.

Well, I’m going to mail this so it will go out early in the a.m. I missed the p.m. mail because of going to town and some new patients came in also –

Lots of Love
Daddy

©2016 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2016/07/06/treasure-island-roscoe/

Lt. Cdr. (Roscoe)

1 Reply

October 15, 1945 envelope

Letter transcription:

October 15, 1945, p. 1

15 Oct. 45

Dear Mother,

I think now that my mail can be addressed as Lt. Cdr. Because I had the examination this a.m. As near as I can figure it will cost me about 6-8 dollars to convert so that isn’t so bad. Of course it all depends on how soon I’ll get those discharge papers. I still don’t know if the 1^st of Nov. means out of the 12^th district by then or out of the 9^th. No one seems to know and somehow can’t find out. I guess we will just have to wait. There is a Cdr. Here from Kokomo, Ind., and he has been griping no little but it seems to do no good. At least we do have a more or less of a limit, I suppose, the middle of Nov. as I stated before will just about catch it.

October 15, 1945, p. 2

[page 2] This being the 15^th was payday so I withdrew some money and left the remainder. I’ll just bring it along to Great Lakes on the pay account and collect it as I’m discharged – if it is too long I’ll withdraw it and send it along but I don’t believe you will need it unless the oil burner is installed or some carpentering is done. There was no mail yesterday nor today so I don’t know what progress you have made and but I’m not expecting too much since you have had only a few days.

As I said this is the 15^th and it sure seems as if the end of the month is ages away. I guess it won’t be any longer than any

October 15, 194,5 p. 3

[page 3] other month but just seems that way.

Stanich is coming past for me tomorrow and we are going out to a ship’s service to see if I can get some shirts and also to take my blues to have the sleeve gold changed.

I find it a little hard to write since all that I’m thinking about is the office repair and the discharge date and all that has been gone into so often it now becomes trite – or does it?? Anyway we got the storm windows up before I knew what the reductions in points would be. That might be classed as a “frame up.” That is

October 15, 1945, p. 4

[page 4] right frame up – frames on the storm windows – a pun. Get it? It stinks.

Well, it is time I got this off to the P.O. so
Lots of Love,
Daddy

©2016 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2016/07/04/lt-cdr-roscoe/

To the Show or Not to the Show (Roscoe)

1 Reply

October 14, 1945 envelope

Letter transcription:

October 14, 1945, p. 1

Oct. 14

Dear Mother,

Sunday eve and I haven’t decided whether to go to the show or just stay home. The show is “River Gang.” Doesn’t sound very good.

After I finished your letter last night, the Staniches called me and I went out to their place for chow and then we came back to the show here. They came up to our lounge and sat a spell. Just he & her – Jeff stayed at one of the neighbors.

I’ve been thinking over the heating problem, etc., and as yet can’t seem to make much of a decision. Maybe if I had some figures it would be different. It really shouldn’t cost much to have that heat piped over and I guess we could make the change over at a later date. All the radiators and the heating unit itself will have to be removed for the carpentering so maybe it won’t be a problem until I get home.

I have to get my physical exam tomorrow for my promotion and then have to buy a new set of shoulder boards for my gray. Those shouldn’t cost so much but I’ll have to get some gold put on this one suit of blues.

October 14, 1945, p. 2

[page 2] I think the whole thing for the blues will cost $4.00. I’m also going to try to find out a little more definite about the Nov. 1 date for the discharge. Yes, I haven’t forgotten that that is your birthday, but I’m practically certain I won’t be home by that date.

I think we discussed this before but just in case – I don’t believe I’d have a thing done to the back room on the other side until I get home. Those rooms we have there if finished properly will be sufficient for the time being, but again don’t fuss and stew, because it won’t take long when I get there and a couple of weeks won’t make much difference in years.

Tomorrow is pay day but I’m not certain how much I’ll draw since I should have some draft money coming. I’ll draw it before I come home however.

Well, I didn’t go to the show, played a game or two of Acey Ducy after starting this letter.

Lots of Love,
Daddy

©2016 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2016/07/03/to-the-show-or-not-to-the-show-roscoe/

Possibly Home by Mid November (Roscoe)

1 Reply

October 13, 1945 envelope

Letter transcription:

October 13, 1945, p. 1

Oct. 13, 1945

Dear Mother,

Just sent out the telegram and also collected six letters – including the one you wrote Thurs. eve.

I just don’t know hardly what to say about the heat in the office. I guess if Nick thinks his furnace is big enough to take care of all the rooms with the extra in the back of Mildred’s he just as well go ahead but on the other hand if we could get an oil burner for the present system I’d just as soon do it that way. It would be just as automatic and no bother. You might check to see if Sears could put an oil burner in it, but with all and everything we will have to have another radiator or some heating element in the back room. If you can’t decide what to do just wait on the heat until I get home.

The discharges are not effective until after Nov. 1. That is that when

October 13, 194,5 p. 2

[page 2] our applications are supposed to go in to the district here. Then we will be sent to our own home district. I made mine our this p.m. In other words we are not clear yet whether we can’t send them to the 12^th Naval District until Nov. 1, or if we can send them in now and they work on them after Nov. 1 and we be ready to leave Nov. 1. The Yeoman is going to find out this p.m. I think I’m the 4^th one here to make application. The others were here on the ground floor when the word came thru.

Don’t worry or fret too much about getting things fixed up. I mean the heating, etc. It might take a couple of weeks after I get there but that won’t be too much time lost considering the 3 years and some.

I’m going to try to get this in the Sun. a.m. mail so you will get it early.

Again don’t worry or fret. If Vincent can do the carpenter work – swell – we’ll get some heat somehow. I’d like to have a pretty definite figure as to the amount per mo. and the cost across the alley before we give Nick the word. That’s all for now,

Love Daddy

P.S. If anyone asks you when I’m coming home I think it would be safe to say possibly about the middle of Nov.

©2016 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2016/07/01/possibly-home-by-mid-november-roscoe/

Leaving Here (Roscoe)

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October 4, 1945, p. 1

Letter transcription:

Oct. 4, 1945

Dear Mother,

Here is the latest on the draft. I’ll leave here about 3:00 p.m. on Fri. as we did the last time and I suppose we will get in to Chicago or rather Great Lakes at about the same time.

They have made or at least we think they have made reservations for me to come back on Thurs. the 11^th so that will give me a little more time than I had before. Maybe that will help you to formulate your plans. I’ll probably send you a wire from some place along the line and I won’t write to you again tomorrow.

This whole draft deal sounds like a pretty good deal so maybe

October 4, 1945, p. 2

[page 2] we can work this rather often. In other words – why don’t we do this more often?

There are a number of things that have to be done around here getting all the gear, etc., together so I’ll be rather busy besides Jack Howell and Stanich want to have dinner out this eve but I’ll tell them we have to get home early.

Well, give the word to the O.D. at the Lakes and I’ll be seeing you.
Love Daddy

Next Draft Leaving Friday (Roscoe)

1 Reply

October 3, 1945 envelope

Letter transcription:

October 3, 1945, p. 1

10-3-45

Dear Mother,

Just got off the O.D. duty and have the news about the draft. I’ll leave here on Fri., Oct. 5, at about 3 p.m. The date is certain but the time is not definite as yet. If everything is about the same as before I should be there as I have it figured Monday about noon. Now again the problem of what you are going to do and what I’m going to do – well since air travel is the way it is they are going to try to get me transportation back from here so that will set the time. I’ll either wire or call you later. If I can get it all on a wire I won’t call – you should get this letter either Fri. or Sat. and that will give you some time to think. If you do meet me you will know where – and if you don’t you can call the O.D. and leave a message.

If you think it would be easier for you just to come to Chi. Let me know, but on second thought how? I think I’ll know

October 3, 1945, p. 2

[page 2] a little ahead of time here how long I will be able to stay so possibly will let you know by wire or phone.

Two days in a row now without any mail. It possibly is the no Sunday take up of mail in Kentland that accounts for the delay.

It is now 10:30 and we are beginning to get the World Series on the radio on the ward. I don’t suppose you are interested enough to listen. In fact I’m writing this in preference to listening but I want it to be sure and get off on today’s mail.

You had better bring some money. I missed pay day when I was home last time and this time I had just drawn my money for the drafts and didn’t take any on the 1^st so I have it on the books but see to miss the regular pays.

Well, I hope before this time next week I will have been with you for several hours. I’ll write again tomorrow –

Lots of Love,
Daddy

Officer of the Day (Roscoe)

1 Reply

October 2, 1945 envelope

Letter transcription:

October 2, 1945, p. 1

2 Oct. 45

Dear Mother,

This is my day for the duty. So far it has been assigned to me six times and of the 6 I’ve only had to take it 2 times. Drafts came up or something so unless something comes up in the next 45 min. I’ll have to go on.

Yesterday a slip came out for us to fill out as to length of service, age, dependencies, overseas, etc., and number of points. So maybe something will come of it. Things like that are always encouraging. It is my firm belief that I will be out of this before Christmas. That seems a distance away but I do think it is true. Maybe I’m psychic.

There is no new news on a draft. In fact right now the patients are low so I doubt if there is enough for a draft. I’m afraid you may have had something wrong. You sorta expected the draft to come on a weekend. That was just a happen so the last time. It was really nice that it happened that way but I’m afraid that won’t work that way again. I still keep remembering the wonderful few days we had together and how I would enjoy another just like it. Memories like that are really something to live over and over again but new experiences are better

October 2, 1945, p. 2

[page 2] so maybe anticipating the next meeting will have some little corner which will make time pass a little faster and easier.

Cmd. Howell, Stanich and I were going out to have a dinner together tonight but due to the fact that I caught the duty we had to put it off. The last time it was put off because I caught the draft home and then Geo. W. was in on it. I suppose by the next time Stanich will be gone. It seems we have a hard time getting together. I see or talk with them on the phone but we can’t seem to get together.

There is an opera again Friday night and we are trying to get tickets. The last fellow who was going with me last time has been detached but there is another here who wants to go.

Seems from your letter that the old Wm. Jewell is closing. I’m glad in a way we got out because that would have changed the boys school program, etc.

Well Dearie it is about my O.D. time so lots of Love
Daddy

Purses and Cokes (Roscoe)

4 Replies

October 1, 1945 envelope

Letter transcription:

October 1, 1945, p. 1

1 Oct. 45

Dear Mother,

Monday a.m. and things going along the same as usual. Yesterday p.m. I intended to listen to the football game here but it wasn’t on the radio, so I read another E. Stanley Gardner book – very educational. I also finished another office plan and if I didn’t leave it at the room I’ll include it in this letter. I have it so I’ll send it along.

No news on the point system nor on the draft so far today. We haven’t gotten too many patients in so the draft to Chi. May not be as soon as I expected. I guess I shouldn’t write so much about that but after all it is one of the major things in life right now.

I looked the purses over and I’m afraid to make my own selection at that price. I also priced and looked them over at Klamath Falls and the price was the same there and the selection about the same.

Just stopped to get a cold coke. There is a big machine right outside our door but it is empty most of the time. It is filled three

October 1, 1945, p. 2

[page 2] times each day but still it is practically always empty. It holds about 10 cases and I don’t think the coke ever gets cold only the extra supply in the top which is put in at the time of filling.

I’ve just finished writing a letter to the folks – It had been some time since I had written. Mom said if they had known when I was coming before they would have come up but it is too uncertain about how much time I’ll have off. It would be alright for them to come but if I didn’t get much time then you would be in Chi. Also. The priorities going off on air travel may make a difference in our time off. They may get them directly from here and if they do it may mean only a few hours off but that remains to be discussed later.

Look this last plan over and see what you think. After I had it finished I saw some things I didn’t like but that will be true of any.

Well, Dear I’ll sure like to see and be with you – We hope it won’t be too long.
Love Daddy

P.S. 3 letters just came.