Bill Emick Archives - Moss Letters

3 September 1945

Dear Folks:

Had a letter from Mom today telling me about your Denver visit. Quite a bit different than when we went as a whole family and had the car loaded down with everything. I sure hope you had a good time. I know Dan Gettman had been sent to the hospital and was later evacuated but I didn’t know he was at Fitzsimmons. He got deaf from the guns. I wished you could have met him – he would have told you a lot about Okinawa and how I was. He used to take a leg off me, but I usually liked to listen.

I’ll bet the corn and watermelon are ripe at home. A National Geographic magazine found its way into our tent and it had an article about Nebraska with pictures of Scottsbluff and the Valley. It really got my interest.

It looks like I will be on my way [home] very soon although I can’t say for sure just when. These last days seem very long. How I would like to fly back, but I suppose it will be by boat.

I suppose Phil is on the high seas somewhere and I can imagine Carol is anxious but she shouldn’t be worried. One of the guys in my tent had a wedding anniversary a few days ago. Married six years and been home only two years to celebrate them. We drank a beer to commemorate it. Glad to hear Nancy was going to Denver. Yes, I can hear all the giggling that must have went on.

Bill E. told me in a letter of his [illegible] when he was overseas that someday he was going to marry Helen Wood – so I guess he will. Starting from scratch I think I better snatch a young co-ed at Lincoln.

And don’t bother with any Christmas boxes. I hope to eat apples on Halloween night with you or see the sugar mills begin their fall run.

When I get back I don’t want to see many people, just stick around the house and be a lazy bum. But I probably won’t for long. You don’t know the wonderful change it will be.

Of course the Japanese radio sounds much different than it did before. Begging the people to be fixing and build for a greater Japan. I could go to Japan if I wanted to but I just couldn’t do anything to keep me away from home any longer.

My last couple of letters probably sounded like I was a little peeved but it’s because everyday seems so long until I get started back. Don’t forget if you don’t hear from me for a week don’t write any longer. Also advise Reader’s Digest of my old and civilian address.

Love,

7 February 1945

Dear Folks:

Better drop you a line before going to bed. I know I haven’t written for several days but have been pretty busy. I’ll get back in the swing again. Just came from a show. About half way thru a brisk shower began but that didn’t affect the patrons much.

No Christmas mail nor second class mail has yet arrived and of course I feel like you do about it, however I understand the post office finally has us located and it is on the way, so I’ll give them a little more time before really getting sore.

Am feeling fine and we have good living conditions now. A swim, a show and a beer about make up the entertainment end of things. I can hardly realize I’ve been gone almost four years and I hope something will surely break. Furlough quotas are out so I can just wait.

Had a little letter from B. Emick yesterday – he’s a swell guy and I think a lot of him. We had some real [good] times together.

I really haven’t anything to write [about] and the lights will be out shortly so I better figure on quitting. Perhaps I can do better next time. Sent you $50 yesterday. I can’t think of anything fitting and proper so I’ll just knock off.

Love,

20 November 1944

Dear Folks:

I’ve let up on my writing this week for no good reason, so I better resolve to do something about it tonight. I’ll pull up a bottle of beer and maybe I can think a little better. Dan Gettman came in just a few minutes ago, bringing with him an armful of Star Heralds that I was anxious to read. I glanced over them briefly but will read them more carefully tomorrow. The latest one is dated September 8 so the news isn’t very current although it’s all interesting. Yesterday four old Free Presses caught up with (the mail) and I’ve still got them stuck under my pillow to read over a few times more before they find their way into the wastebasket. Well getting papers means also that some packages, the first in several months, came, and I received one from you marked Box 1 on the cards. The popcorn was the first I’ve seen since leaving Oahu, and tonight we plan to pop it after the show, if we can mooch a little butter from the kitchen. We have a small one burner stove that we cook on when the kitchen isn’t operating, and I think the pot will be large enough to do the job. And for supper tonight I enjoyed the olives. You know how I love ‘em, and of course I almost made a meal of them. The mess sergeant just came by and said I could get the butter so we’re set. On the humorous side, the can of Vienna sausages has made me the brunt of several jokes. You see Vienna sausages are about as common on the menu as Spam, and served as often. And knowing the jokes connected with Spam you can see what they’ve been saying to me. But then you couldn’t know about that. But that’s alright you know I can still use them. Quite a sizable shipment of boxes came in so everyone is enjoying eats of some kind or another.

Had a letter from Bill E and one from Glen last week and both of them seemed to like the high life they saw in Paris. At least those guys over there are around people that are about like us and not so foreign to them as the Japs. I see a Jap plane is to be displayed at the County Fair-I wished you would have seen all the ones I did, wrecked ones, that is.

Saw the show “Bathing Beauty” last night and if you saw it too you know the howling that must have gone on. I’d like to see more like it-no army or war in it. Two nights ago a military band came over for a concert, but they were a pretty sick crew in my estimation.

I don’t know what I’m going to write about now, not much exciting has happened. Washed out some clothes and other ‘unmentionables’ as the women say, and then after supper went up to hear the news. From the Philippine station, I heard mention of Arthur Veysey, who used to report for the Star Herald now with the AP, I believe. I can imagine how tonight the guys down there are having it and I hope it is ended before long. Noticed in the Star Herald that Shirley Heldt is married, she had weak knees over J. Conklin for a time. Haven’t played much bridge lately, but would like to get going again. Our cards are getting pretty do-eared, but as long as we don’t lose one we’ll be alright. Pinochle seems to be the big game around here but I’m not interested in it very much. You should get two bonds sometime in November for September and October-they have a new deal on now-sent only when we get paid so if they don‘t come for a month you will know I didn’t get paid. Think I’ll get a couple of GI bonds too. Haven’t heard from Dick for some time-I’ll have to get on him and make him write a little. Would certainly like to see him again. About a week ago we started giving classes in shorthand to the clerks, but I don’t think the effort will be successful. It takes too long and requires too much practice. Don’t use mine much anymore but dabble around once in a while. Was reading in the Star Herald about the university courses-sounds good and how I’d like to be in some of it. I’ll bet I wouldn’t do any fooling around this time and I‘d get down to brass tacks. I didn’t loaf while I was there but I’d get more done the next time. The last few days have been corkers-rained all the time-got everything damp and put mud all over. Aired out a few things today so they won’t mold.

I guess this is the last act-can’t dig up anything more so guess I’ll have to quit. Think I’ve put on a pound or two lately and feel fine. Keep the home fires burning and in church every Sunday when they pray, you add ‘and I hope he gets a furlough’. Thank you so much for the box, and I hope the next ones won’t be far off.

Love,

14 September 1944

Dearest Folks:

No show tonight and I have about (an) hour to spend before hitting the hay so I should be able to get a few letters finished. Received my last one from you a few days ago, but haven’t had much time to do any writing since then. Today was Sunday and I had expected to put in some leisure time watching a ball game or playing volleyball, but neither materialized. Have been going strong all day and it looks like we will keep up the pace for a while. The paper war is still going strong. Well for all they ride it and cast humorous aspersions at it, I still think it is pretty important and at some time in the future perhaps a good many arguments will be settled over them. We have not been paid in five months and preparing a payroll covering that length of time is quite a long and arduous job. Well I think that (is) enough shop talk. Now to my very limited personal life.

Yesterday went to Saipan on a ‘duck’ which is a two and a half ton amphibious truck. Pretty convenient machines – you just drive till you hit the water and then start the propeller going and there you have a boat. But they don’t move very fast and it was about a two hour trip. After taking care of a small amount of official business at the Finance Office, hitchhiked up Jack’s way and had dinner and then spent part of the afternoon with him. It was his day off so we took off our clothes, sat, sweated and talked, and there was a lot of talking done too. This time we discussed Jack’s love life and dwelt on the probable paths that Emick and Chambers and I will take, also. And then we got around to what our postwar plans were. Jack seems undecided between going to a photo school in Los Angeles or back to the University. And I’m undecided about taking a world tour (haven’t I had enough already?) and just taking it easy or going back to school. I hope you put the pressure on to go back, and Dick too. Probably that’s what I’ll do, although if I were to go back now I think I would feel a little funny somehow. It’s rather unexplainable but the circumstances seem a little different now. We were also a little irritated about the reports of civilian laxity back home and their little regard for the war, but I think it’s all pretty human and natural. But it seems to be a growing topic of discussion.

I haven’t seen Dick for quite some time now you know and I suspect he’s no longer around. I wrote to him about three weeks ago and haven’t got a reply yet. Even though he’s been gone only a short time I sure long to see him again. He’s such a good guy and I hate to see him run into any more trouble the same as you do. About his letter with the ‘beefing’ in – I don’t think he’s much different than many others. He used to talk to me about the subject and in many ways he is right. I’m surprised that the War Department would write about his injury since it was so light. And it would have to ruin your Denver vacation. That scrap he got into was certainly a rough one, and when I think about it I wished some people back home could have had a glimpse of the sordid scenes of Saipan when things were the hottest. I was just interrupted by the air raid sirens, and things were blacked out in a hurry but nothing showed up and now I can see again. The Nips haven’t given any trouble in the air since the battle ended. I heard the news yesterday about the Task Force strike near Manila. Sounds good and the noose is tightening quickly now. Another interruption, and this time a good one, a fellow just brought me a letter from Mom, a good long one and full of good stuff to write about. Whenever you hear any little gossip about somebody I knew or any clippings, be sure and give me the lowdown. Your first paragraph was about Dick and I believe I explained that pretty well a few days ago. I don’t know anything about the trouble or whether Dick received his box – I haven’t seen him in quite a while. Yeah, I am having a ‘spitting’ good time with all the seeds – the problem though is too keep the ants away. The major has been very good to me and loaned me his jeep to take Jack around the island last week. I’ll explain the circumstances some day. And I often wonder about why some people get the breaks as you say and seemingly don’t deserve them, but that often seems the case, and it doesn’t do any good to think about it. So the Carroll’s took off – that’s spotlight news. By the way Jack and I really get warmed up on how Duane is helping win the war. It’s hard to imagine him in the army with as many furloughs and leaves he has had. And probably Mrs. Carroll is anxious to expound on his experiences and army career. And Mildred Fry – that’s hot stuff too – we talked about her too, but it wasn’t all good.

It made me good to know that you remembered just how long I have been in – and last night I was saying this will be the 4^th Christmas away from all of you. The wonderful feeling of being free again I believe is beyond your imagination, and sometimes it seems hard to tell myself that it’s bound to be over someday. Well I’m going to taper off for tonight and I’ll be looking for some more mail from you tomorrow.

Love,

10 March 1944

Dear Folks:

This is Saturday night, inspections are over, everything cleaned up and now we are spending a quiet evening. A few minutes ago finished a hotly contested bridge game but our side finally came out 30 better and fifty cents richer. Saturday nights usually mean a bridge game while the Hit Parade is going on. We hold the sessions in my room in the back of the billet and just made for such things. News is again slipping off to the leaner side at least as to what I feel I could write about. The office seems to keep up a pretty fast pace. Last week we undertook to do a GI remodeling job and now it looks pretty professional. Keeping account of the records of so many dogfaces runs into quite a lengthy job.

Dick called up last night and we had a drawn out conversation. We made arrangements to spend a weekend together and you can never tell when this may be the last one for along time so better take advantage of it. He seems always in good spirits and looks fine. But regardless of what he thought before, he misses home just as much as I do.

The mosquitoes are about as bad here as they are in Minatare. The billets are screened and we use nets at night but quite a few still bite while sitting around. You know that the day mosquito caused an epidemic of dengue fever for a while and parts of Honolulu were quarantined, and it may break out again if some precautions aren’t used. They say infected mosquitoes probably camp up on airplanes from the South Pacific and brought it here.

Received two pairs of GI glasses so have three now and fitted to the latest eye vision. These GI’s don’t look too good but they are certainly durable and can take a beating. I think my vision has gotten a little worse since I’ve been in but only a very little.

Had a letter from B. Emick a few days ago. I think he’s in another romantic tangle with that WREN in London. Wherever he goes I guess he always makes out with the womenfolk. Competition is terrific over here and I never get close enough to smell the powder on one. Well this isn’t what you could call a good letter but at least it will keep you informed and (a) little less anxious and I guess that’s a big part of it so goodnight for a little while.

Love,

18 January 1944

Dear Folks:

I know I certainly owe you a letter but circumstances have been such lately that it has been very hard to find time (to write). I hope I will be able to catch up some. And now that I have started this letter darned if I can think of much to write about. Soon I can write more freely and tell you what these circumstances were that kept me so busy. Notice the change of address—stick a 1^st BN after Hq. Btry. Talked to Dick on the phone last night and hope to see him next Sunday if nothing happens to our plans. It seems I’m always as anxious to meet him as if I hadn’t seen him in a long time. The office has been growing bigger and presently we moved into new quarters that are ‘luxurious’ compared to our former building. The place is a former prayer room so I understand, in a Japanese house. Doors and walls are sliding affairs and there are innumerable small rooms and hallways. The former kneeling row I guess it is, is used as a long desk to seat five clerks, kind of intriguing to walk around the place. I wish you were able to see the place. Well I’ll tell you more about it later.

Haven’t heard from you in quite a while but suppose the mail will catch up soon. Had a letter from B. Emick a few days ago and he rattled on and on about England and how he likes it. Can’t get up the initiative to answer though. Sounds like he’s found a wife there. I wouldn’t be surprised. Also got a Christmas card from the former Mary Bohm—what a surprise! Have been trying to stick to my books as much as possible but lately haven’t had the time. I’m looking into the possibilities and opportunity I may now have to do something more definite along that line. I’ll explain later. Well for this time this is all but I’ll write very soon again and try to be more explicit.

Love,

28 December 1943

Dear Folks:

I have a few minutes to go before bedtime so (will) write you a short note although I don’t know what I’m going to put in the letter. The Christmas spirit has died down pretty much and now it’s the old grind again and a little hard to get back in the swing. A Free Press came tonite and I read the letter from Arden Conklin in the Aleutians. From what I’ve heard I can imagine it’s not too pleasant. Also received your letter with Halsey’s address and I suppose I’ll drop him a line sometime. Also wrote B. Emick but haven’t had a reply yet. Never feel like writing to the fellows for some reason. Hope you have heard from Dick by now. I would sure like to be near him more often but I’m sure he is getting along fine. We had a great time together. In the morning we had our picture taken. We had to go in quite a few places and wait quite awhile and then they did such a hurry job that the picture wasn’t too good but maybe the final will be better than I think. Well the fellows around me are getting ready for bed and this is going to be a great night to sleep and I’ve got to make my bed yet. Not too much to this but I’ll write more letter.

Love,

6 December 1943

Dear Folks:

I want to see ‘Yank at Eton’ at the show but first better answer yours and Nancy’s letters. I know from the tone of your letter that you are becoming very concerned, especially about Dick but I believe that if you could see him now as I have, you would feel that he would take good care of himself. I can understand your references to Dick’s pictures. They do work hard and undergo strenuous training but it’s all for their own good. I know that the Army is broadening him and making him aware of things he didn’t realize before. Next Sunday I hope to fly over and spend five days with him. This time we will get the pictures you wanted last time. Guess, I didn’t mention Thanksgiving in my letters. We had everything and plenty to eat. After dinner most of us took it pretty easy and don’t think I didn’t spend minutes thinking about home. I don’t think I thanked you enough for the box you sent. The chain was the perfect thing—as a matter of fact I had lost my GI one a few days before so yours came at the right time. When the rush is over I will send you some things. Tomorrow my pictures will be done and will send them right away. I think they are pretty good too. The pictures of Dan and Carol are extremely good and I couldn’t help but think how fast and how much they have grown. Yesterday, Sunday, spent a full day and saw a good show. Went to the local football game that compares to the game on Thanksgiving at home. Before the regular game, was a duel between two barefooted teams, and then a kicking exhibition barefooted. They can kick a ball sixty to seventy-five yards. Dan should see them. Then a small airplane landed on the football field and presented the captains of the teams with the ball for the game. Anyway, I had a good time and lots of fun looking at the people and watching the cheering sections. Haven’t written to B. Emick yet but guess I ought to. Well, believe this is about enough for this time. Had my eyes examined today for a new pair of glasses—reading so much evenings puts a strain on them but they are not bad at all. Plan to have a bridge put in for the tooth I lost and the dentist, a civilian, says it will be about $30.00 so might have to ask for some more money. Well let’s make this goodnight and don’t you worry.

Love,

5 November 1943

Dearest Folks:

I have plenty to do tonight, tomorrow is inspection, shining shoes, clean the rifle etc. but better take time out to drop you a line or two. I’m in good spirits today and once more got a boost in my morale. The cause for this good feeling is that I got a promotion today to staff sergeant and a corresponding increase in pay which makes it a hundred fifteen per (month) now, so guess I better increase my allotment a little. Of course it’s good to get the new rank and will mean a few more privileges. I hope that now I can cut the mustard and get the other stripe that my job calls for.

I’m wondering how Gramp is coming along and how the operation turned out. Gram wrote me a short letter and from the tone of it she sounds like she’s about whipped. I can’t imagine anything happening to gramp and it would be especially sorrowing at a time like this. I’d like to see him so bad and try to cheer him up a little.

Among the other things that I do in my job I occasionally go out to investigate court martial charges and tomorrow morning early means another such assignment. Remember the days I used to walk over to Mrs. Dick’s and sweat over some shorthand? Well it seems to be of some good now although I mostly use a combination of longhand and the other that makes a script that nobody but myself could read. Running somewhat into what I am studying I like the job although sometimes I swear I can never write down all they say but somehow things seem to work out. Last week we investigated a case that involved a Japanese storekeeper and he talked like a whirlwind and had the usual accent and I thought several times I was hopelessly lost. But it’s always interesting and breaks up the monotony of the routine. The fact that I know a little shorthand is the reason for my transfer to this battery some time ago so it seems that the few bucks I put out didn’t go to naught. If Mrs. Dick could see my notebook she’d probably tear her hair out though.

I just remembered your writing about Dan Gettman and the Star-Heralds he gives me. He is the one boy that I know from Nebraska and I used to be in the same outfit with him. I knew him well and Danny and I would often talk about things in common that we knew about the valley. Since I was transferred I don’t see him very often and occasionally I talk to him in town or whenever I get down to his battery. He is the usual Russian stock like is in the valley but he’s a pretty good little guy. A couple of weeks ago he sent me a stack that was as big around as my waist.

And another little item about the bank deposit box. I had forgotten completely about it and as I don’t need the use of it any longer you can dispose of it as you want to.

Katie sent me one of the announcements—the little one with the automobile motif—it was pretty cute and all the guys in the billet thought it was clever although they didn’t get the drift right at first.

Well I’m coming to the last act I believe, so here comes the curtain. I intend to write to B. Emick but somehow I don’t get around to it. Also had a letter from Mrs. Lewellen yesterday so there’s another to answer. Jack is lucky being in the Navy and getting a chance to get home. Well goodnite for another time and one less toward the end of the way.

Love,

1 September 1943

Dear Folks:

Although I just wrote you last night I guess another letter won’t be wrong after I laid off for a while. After recall we usually manage a volleyball game with teams from the other offices, then follow it up with a shower before supper. Now that I have showered and ate, I feel pretty good and ready to relax or get in a bridge game tonight. With the abundance of avocadoes on the nearby trees we usually have one for dinner and supper, although I can’t remember ever eating one in the states. Well the school kids are starting school again and everyday the little Japs etc trapaise by on the road on the long walk home. They look about the same anywhere I guess. I saw a class of small children at the Catholic parochial school and what a variety of brands. From the whitest to the blackest and shades in between.

Tomorrow is my day off and while I’m in town I think I’ll have the photographer work on me. Perhaps I can make the pictures suffice for Christmas presents. My friend in Washington is sending me a book—she always writes regularly and I consider her a very close friend.

I hope my allotments are arriving regularly and in the right amounts. Being so far away from the War Department offices we have many cases of incorrect and delayed allotments and I wouldn’t want to have them get messed up. Handling these things, together with other personnel work is the job that I am in, and I think it is one of the most desirable jobs in the regiment.

My Reader’s Digest came yesterday but it immediately starts the rounds in the billet and so far I’ve just read the jokes and shorts.

And of course the first of the month is that day that we are rewarded for efforts, payday, so I suppose the dice and cards will see plenty of action tonight although our billet seldom gets away from the bridge games long enough to try their luck.

I guess I’m like everyone else in enjoying the Free Press and especially the comments about the servicemen. Now perhaps I can keep track of those monkeys that made high school and after, the clutter of mischief and fun that those years were. I think I’d rather see Bill Emick more than any other one fellow. I wonder when you were digging around among the stuff I left you, came across my old model planes. You know I get a hankering to get out a bottle of glue and wood and start on another one. I guess the gas model is pretty well beat up, but I wouldn’t be surprised if I someday patched it up again, even if my glasses are an inch thick.

I heard a broadcast of Winston Churchill’s speech from Canada last night and also the Pope’s today. It seems pretty certain that the culmination of the war is in the home stretch, and our turn to swing the final punch, but too much optimism is not good.

The mountains look beautiful in their purple robes as the sun goes down, and the ocean is deep blue and quiet, so I’ll get in this mood too and take it easy for the rest of the night. I guess this (is) goodnight and the end of another column.

Love,