Tag Archives: Dr. Marvin H. Porterfield

Keep the home fires burning (Roscoe)

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Letter transcription:

Nov. [Dec.] 11, 1942

Dear Mother,

Esquire magazine cover - 1940s

Esquire magazine cover – 1940s

Up to now there is no mail but we still have the P.M. delivery as this is now early afternoon chow. I’m writing this just prior to a slight nap I think. Have to be like the natives – take a nap in the heat of the day. I was just reading in Esquire magazine where all great men seemed to become greater with the coming of snow – Washington at Valley Forge, Lincoln in the last winter of the war and I can’t see where one would get much “pazaz” in this kind of weather. That wasn’t all I read in Esquire. Really is a good magazine for tired worn out sailors. There was another article but I can’t seem to remember it – guess it wasn’t really worth while coming from the Esquire as it did.

It’s really fun to look at some of our magazines – Some 1927 etc. The adv. are funny. Especially women’s hats and automobiles. There is some similarity between those and our today’s models.

[page 2] and too they generally tell what is being advertised. Don’t know what got me on to this line. Just the heat I suppose.

I wrote Ruth M. last nite in answer to her greeting and letter combined. I think I answered her last letter but couldn’t think of a thing I had written but I remember addressing an envelope. It would be real funny if they got an empty envelope. It’s almost time for some new mail from you because now it has been 7 days since getting late mail. And still no packages. It will probably be that way until after Christmas.

Two weeks from today is Christmas and I hope you have the money and things by then. You told me the boys had their bonds before the money I sent had a chance to get there but I suppose they will have other things in mind and if they are saving stamps they will no doubt buy a few out of the ten. V-mail must be slow going in the direction. I haven’t written much but it

[page 3] seems ages in going. I sent each of the brothers and sister a V-mail greeting but haven’t had a chance to hear from them as yet. Guess I told you that before.

Dr. Huth (Dentist) as taken some pictures and we are trying to get some printing paper to have so that we can print them ourselves. We can use the Xray solutions. We don’t have a printing frame fixed up yet because of lack of glass. I suppose we could get some in town but that would cost us, and glass is something you don’t need in tents or huts, so we can’t even break a window to get a piece.

Our beer is now extinct except for some isolated cases – like the one I have hidden under my bunk. There was quite a bit here but it didn’t last long. There are still some cokes left but I don’t care for warm coke. Just about as some have warm water. Occ – we get a glass of cold water but as a rule it’s warm. Even in the showers it isn’t cold. Seems the water mains are so near the surface and the sun so warm it warms the water. And why

[page 4] put the pipes deep in the ground because it never freezes.

Last nite just about Sun down Dr. Porterfield and I walked up over a little hill and off in a distance we could see a heavy blanket of clouds. We were looking down on it – out of this cloud comes a mountain top. Was real pretty but I can’t describe it.

I suppose I’d better take this opportunity to wish you a very Merry Christmas because the mail may be a little slow even this may not get there. I’ll miss being there you’ll know but I’m thankful I can still write you and you me. So keep the chin up and the home fires burning as I know you can do.

Lots of love and best wishes
Daddy

P.S. no mail today – Some got old mail but I already have that.

Camera 616

Please send me a roll of films 2 ½ x 4 ¼ The camera 616 – 8 exposures. Those will fit Dr. Huth’s camera and maybe I can get some good pictures for you. Thanks.

©2013 copyright owned and written by Deborah Sweeney

Post originally found at: https://genealogylady.net/2013/08/22/keep-the-home-…burning-roscoe/

The demise of Cub Thirteen (Roscoe)

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While going through Roscoe’s military papers, I found the above orders. I dutifully filed them away until I got to the point in the letters when they occurred. I kept thinking Roscoe was going to move soon but whenever I browsed ahead in the letters, there did not seem to be any mention of a move. So I kept waiting to see what was going to happen and, of course, it was right there in the December 10th letter. Roscoe didn’t go anywhere but Cub 13….

Letter transcription:

Nov. [Dec] 10, 1942

Dear Mother,

Writing Just after noon day chow and just after hanging out my laundry so you know I have those harsh red hands of a wash woman. If the things get dry will have to do the ironing later but it is a little cloudy and in the next 5 min. it may be raining but so far today not even a sprinkle. All morning it has been hot without much breeze and we are just getting to the middle of the hot weather.

We had a double feature last night at the show. The first one was something about some Rides Again and the second was “The Letter” – Both were fair. The first was a shooting show while the second was an English show and not too good. I suppose there will be at least one tonite. It rained some during the show last night but not enough to stop the show.

So far today no mail but we always

[page 2] have the afternoon delivery to look forward to. Dr. Porterfield got a package from home this morning but that was about all that came in for any one of us. It was mailed sometime in October so it looks as if mine should be coming along pretty soon. He got writing material, a non breakable mirror, a knife and other things, but the mail is so heavy now I suppose all will be slow even the regular mail and air mail. Up to now the latest mail I have was Nov. 24 and that came 6 days ago.

Well, it begins to looks more than every as if we will be stationed here more or less permanent. That is the three of us along with 2 dental officers. The remains of the now defunct Cub 13. It’s a long story and shouldn’t be gone into in much detail at this time, but it seems our once proud and hauty group of Medical men have been scattered “hither & yon.” And

[page 3] as I stated before there are worse places so we will just have to be satisfied and hope for an early end to activities.

Since I started this letter I’ve been to town and back and I believe the foliage on the trees gets more beautiful each time I see them. Saw some vines growing over an arch way with two kinds of blossoms both very deep in color but different shades of red.

You never did send Jim’s address. You said he wrote asking about the boys Christmas presents etc. but never did say anything about where he is and I’ve asked for his address but you didn’t send it – probably it has been sent in some of your missing letters.

Well, I’ll try to write better tomorrow as this has been cut up pretty much

Love Daddy

P.S. got a letter from Ruth M. – That is a Christmas greeting card and letter combined Dated Nov. 27

©013 copyright owned and written by Deborah Sweeney

Post originally found at: https://genealogylady.net/2013/08/20/the-demise-of-…hirteen-roscoe/

Well the lecture is now over (Roscoe)

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Letter transcription:

Dec. 6, 1942

Dear Mother,

Sun. P.M. and rainy – It hasn’t been a solid day of rain but fine and clear one minute and rain the next. The ground dries very rapidly but not fast enough for these showers. I’m wearing my brown oxfords inside of four buckles today and will continue – Taking the overshoes off at the door. Our deck needs swabbing but it’s no use for the time being. We’ll just scrape it off and shovel it out.

I wrote the folks already today just thought I’d get it off hand in case too much business came about. Which is not too likely. This is shortly after noonday chow, and it was a good had creamed turkey – peas – asparagus mashed potatoes, choc. Pie and soup really I think it was better than Thanksgiving day. Got another carton of cigarettes one cake of soap and ½ doz penny boxes of matches. That all

[page 2] goes in our regular monthly mess bill. All the tobacco I’ve bought was some when we first arrived the rest has been supplied.

As I told you yesterday I wrote Joe R. and I think it will go directly to him rather than all the way back to the States. I wonder if Mrs. R. knows where he is or did you get to tell her yet?

Let’s go back to that birthday money of yours – If you don’t feel like spending it now at least get it out of the bank account because we might want to buy something for the home or office when I get back and you are supposed to have that and please don’t buy a piano and put a big monthly payment business on the financial end of the family. There are other things more important than an expensive piano. I don’t object to a small model but also a small price. Hold on to the do re-me now because it’s going to be hard to get

[page 3] when this thing is over. Well the lecture is now over. Do as you think best for all concerned.

If you take David to Dr. C for the shots you had better offer to pay him for his material used or just offer to pay him – he might get tired of the whole business. I’d suggest you give him the diphtheria vaccine you have in the ice box but it’s been too long since it was used so you had better throw it out. He might not use that kind anyway.

Just stopped for a time to have a bottle of beer and a session – In the discussion the subject of washing machines came up. And I think I sold another Bendix. Hope ours is still working. The way that topic came up – we were discussing an electrician here. He reminds me very much of all those I’ve ever known – puts in one device and talks long enough to wire a house in between times. He is always talking about inventing something but it’s too much trouble

[page 4] to fix it up. I was comparing him to Bun S. and that’s the way the whole thing came about.

There has been no mail yet today but it isn’t time as yet. I’ll save space in order to let you know if any comes. I’m beginning to believe the Christmas packages were just a myth or did you send something. I guess those things will be along in time to come.

Fred is writing a letter now and Dr. Porterfield is sleeping. Just a typical Sunday P.M. in the summer time with the weather a little rainy.

Well I’ll drop you a little more later on in the evening but just in case I forgot So Solong

Love Daddy

P.S. got your letters of Oct. 28 and Nov. 14. Also one from Mom one from Sykes and one from Allgoods. I know what the bank balance is now for sure so you won’t need to repeat it unless it goes way up or down but take yours out as I’ve said. Get some interest

©2013 copyright owned and written by Deborah Sweeney

Post originally found at: https://genealogylady.net/2013/08/12/well-the-lectu…ow-over-roscoe/

Keeping the chin up (Roscoe)

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In today’s letter, we FINALLY learn Dr. Fred’s last name and we learn the name of the “boss”. In case you haven’t noticed, Jake has been censoring his own letters lately. Perhaps some of the news from this letter will explain why.

Letter transcription:

Dec 5, 1942

Dear Mother,

A day of rain and all that goes with it – mud wet etc – but it isn’t so bad living in a hut, only we have two leaks in our roof – but luckily they don’t come over my bunk. We still have to get in the mud to go to chow and to the P.O. but we can do them both at the same time.

I counted the letters both V-mail and others and to date I have received 77 from you. All others I destroy so don’t know how many I’ve gotten all together. I’ve just about decided to write to Dr. Joe and Reinhart. I put those letters away and had to search for them so I found them today. To get the address.

Your attitude on the keeping the chin up is admirable because that after all is the best way. You don’t see many families around home in

[page 2] circumstances as similar to ours but I see and am around many men in exactly the same state of affairs as myself, and we are no better than they and all have a part to play and a duty to do. For example one of my roommates has two children – the oldest just a little older than John and the youngest about Mark’s age. Then Fred has one son 19 months old and Dr. Porterfield our boss has three children – Two boys and a girl – His two boys are both in the service – And he doesn’t know where one is – the other is in Calif. at present or was at the last writing. Dr. (Fred) Williams and Dr. Porterfield both were asking me about my family last night and they both talked as if they were asking their wives to write you. I thought I would not suggest you write them first. I did for Dr. Walsh but you haven’t said if you heard from her or not. They suggested their wives write to you so maybe you’ll be hearing from

[page 3] them, but that is getting away from my original story. I know a first class hospital corpsman who has a child about 3 years old and plenty of others in the same boat and then we also run into men who haven’t been home for 20-26 months – So our lot isn’t any worse than others and I’m glad you are taking it as you say and as I know you can. I’m not cheerful and happy about the whole things but I’m trying to do the same thing you are.

I’m almost afraid to say this but it now looks as if there will be only 3 of us remain here – Williams, Porterfield and myself. Porterfield is boss being a Lt. Comdr – while Fred is a (jg) like myself. We aren’t entirely sure but the latest gossip is to that affect and we should know in a few days. Of course we don’t know for how long but for the present at least and possibly indefinitely. That is, as

[page 4] far as the Navy is able to be definite. That last isn’t very clear, but it looks as if it will be sometime. There are other places much worse that this so we won’t complain.

No mail today but we have hopes for tomorrow. That is what keeps us going and after all that is what keeps the whole world going.

The dentist is scraping a fellow’s tooth and it isn’t a pleasant sound. He has sinus trouble so I get him down in his chair and work on him then he works on me – That way we are both careful not to be too rough.

The show was very good last night – funny as well as a fair plot. The ground is too wet tonite so won’t see another until Mon. as there is none on Sun. night. The shows are fine but it sure breaks in on the letter writing period.

Well, I think you and I have looked at this whole business in a sensible manner and and I hope we can continue to do the same –

With Lots of Love

Daddy

©2013 copyright owned and written by Deborah Sweeney

Post originally found at: https://genealogylady.net/2013/08/10/keeping-the-chin-up-roscoe/