Books Archives - Moss Letters

23 July 1945

Dear Folks:

This won’t be much of a letter but in order to kill a little time before [the] show probably I ought to write you. It’s been hot as hell today and the sweat has been rolling off me, but I feel better after a shower.

We had our first beer ration – four bottles. It’s warm but it’s still good.

Received two Free Presses today – one of them dated this month. It seems like every issue I read about this guy Seich being on a furlough. Has he even been overseas? Another is Clifford Teiser – what a racket he must have. But when I get home I expect it to be permanent.

I don’t [know] when I’ll see Dick again. We are a long ways apart now, but I hope I can have him down for a few days soon. Don’t know where Duane is.

Dug out my law books today and glanced over them a little. I have quite a little time to study now.

In Gladys Davis’ letter yesterday she said she was in Minatare Armistice Day and tried to get hold of you but could find no one [home]. I wished you could have seen her.

Well I told you this letter wouldn’t be much and so it is. But at least it’s some word [from me].

Love,

2 July 1945

Dear Folks:

I haven’t been writing all I should lately but it seems like when I have the time I don’t feel like it and vice versa. The weather has been steaming hot and it kind of knocks the sap out of you. Two days from the 4^th [of July] and I suppose it will be hot as hell. The nights are cool and with a slight breeze from the ocean. The stars come out bright and close every night. The days are long and it’s about eight o’clock before it gets dark.

Two days ago Dick called me up about eleven thirty in the morning and even though I was busy, managed to get off for the afternoon. All we could do was find a shady place and talk but that was enough. We talked about everything as usual and swapped mail. He is looking good but was covered with dust from the long ride he made to get to me. Soon we will be [in] a permanent area and then I [am] going to try and have him spend a few days with me. He is not having it too tough and before long he will be taking it easy. I think we have much to be thankful for as we both came through alright. I feel almost certain this will be my last combat and that is a great load off my mind. Sometimes you think maybe something will happen the next time. The artillery fire we got a couple of times was making me pretty nervous, but it’s kind of humorous to think about afterwards – some of the incidents that took place. Dick and I both remarked about how our knees got to shaking a couple of times and even if you grab hold of them they still shake, even after the danger has past.

Your mail reaches me in as good a time as mine gets to you so you see how good the service is. And almost everyday I get one from someone. I received one of the first class Free Presses, and the most recent I’ve yet gotten but the packages and other magazines must still be on the way.

I have been allowed to tell you I’m in the XXIV Corps and I will wear that patch when I get back. It is a white circle with two blue hearts. My stateside uniform will look colored up with the Asiatic Pacific Ribbon with two stars, the Philippine Liberation with one star, good conduct, and American defense ribbons. I will have six overseas bars and one three-year bar. I will look like a veteran. But I hope it won’t be too long til its Mr. Moss and current scuttlebutt says it will. I think that regardless of what others say. My old eyes got misty as hell last night when I went over to the radio and heard some music that I used to play in the symphony at [the University of] Nebraska. What I want to do when I get back is just be a complete independent loafer for a few weeks and sleep every morning til ten, and then get up and eat strawberries and cream on breakfast food and tear into some fresh eggs and milk, then stick around the house and look at Dad and you and get re-acquainted. Another thing I’m looking forward to is new clothes, it will seem funny not to have everything the same. I will get $300 at discharge and I suppose it will take about all of that for a new outfit.

You probably haven’t been receiving any bonds. The last one should have been for February but before long you will get four at one time. They are only sent when we get paid and I haven’t been paid for four months. About the only good aspect of this place is that you can save money. To control inflation we can draw only ten bucks a month and the rest must go home. So I will probably have something over a hundred to send. I hope I will apply my savings in a wise manner when I get back and I would appreciate postwar ideas from both of you. Dick and I talked over my orchard deal and he is for it so I told him I would investigate when I got back and find out first hand its possibilities. I would like to go in [to] the deal where Dick could farm as he wants to and me be the partner but an inactive one. I think the Army has made me want something solid and be my own boss. I have had enough orders directed at me. Some officers think they are right solely because of their rank regardless of what an enlisted man may think and sometimes I feel like it’s a slave and master set up. But that’s not true of all of them but a few can make it bad.

Haven’t seen Duane for a long time. I wonder what he thinks now. He was pretty cocksure and had certain ideas of how to win this war. He thinks he’s going to be home soon but how in the world he figures it, I don’t know. I suppose Marge is getting fatter every day. Wished I had a heart interest myself. These married guys really say it’s great.

I hope I can read my law books again soon when we get settled down. I’ve hauled them around in a box since Oahu. On Leyte I gave one to a Philippine school and they were really glad to get it. Also I expect to get some books on advertising. I signed up for an Army Institute course about three weeks ago. If I get out this year I think I’ll get back in school, sometimes I think by golly I’ll get an education and a good one if I don’t have anything else. I may be a little older but there will probably be plenty like me. But I don’t know just how I will feel when I get ….

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wonder when his discharge was coming.

I started to quit once before and I better do it this time. So adios for another time.

Love,

24 February 1945

Dear Folks:

Had a lot of mail today so the least I can do is to sit down a while and answer a few of them. Had two letters from Dad, one from Mom, one from Pat and one from Washington. A very good day for mail. And all in good time.

Went to the show for a while but didn’t stay long – couldn’t sit still long enough. Been busy all day – a big inspection tomorrow that seems like a lot of baloney to me, but there’s nothing to be done about it.

I’ve been thinking a lot about you the last few days and last night had a glorious dream of being home. Read a few Star-Heralds tonight and in the service column noticed there is always men returning and with much less overseas time than mine. I sneered when I saw an article that said so and so receives his first furlough in over two years. What a laugh. I’ve had damn near four [years] and never been home. Of course someday our chance will come but it seems impossible to enjoy once again some civilian relaxation. Guess I should have signed up for the Navy.

Listened to the news a while tonight and hear the Marines have a scrap on their hands at Iwo Jima. But they’ll finish them off. The Japs are crazy and in [a] tight spot, go nuts and beserk. They are madmen. The news from Europe is good and Germany will crack any time, but it is taking plenty of casualties to do it.

Been reading my law books lately and the more I do, the stronger is the desire to seriously study it. But lately I have had only intermittent opportunities to read and then not for as long as I would like. If I never use it at least it is a goal to acquire an LLB.

You have never mentioned the money I sent home. I’m getting just the slight bit uneasy. $40 was sent the 6^th of January and $50 around the 1^st of February. It is a new system so perhaps that accounts for the delay.

Your letters today were certainly welcome and read and re-read many times. I guess our whole relationship the past 3 ½ years has been dependent on letters. Perhaps they are wonderful things.

It’s getting late and as it usually does, it’s beginning to rain. I think I’ve seen more rain since being overseas than in all my ‘old country’ days. Well this is it for tonight.

Love,

10 July 1944

Dear Folks:

Oddly enough right now I’m sunning my feet after a refreshing shower. Sounds like I’m relaxing at a winter resort or something doesn’t it, but that is far from the case – you should see the place. Feel better today knowing Dick is alright and will have it easy for awhile – but I guess I told you about that yesterday. Had a letter from you today and you asked about my books. I stored them on Oahu believing I wouldn’t be gone too long and will use them upon my return. They are in a safe place. The watch or the seeds have not come yet but I’m sure they will come no matter where I go.

There are many things to say but no way of saying them. We get the latest news and GI press from ‘Frisco and always listen especially to the news as reported about our own area. And then I hear the enemy version also. Very interesting and often amusing. Well so much for this time. Mention the letters you receive so I’ll know you are getting them all.

Love,

27 June 1944

Dear Folks:

This letter is in answer to several of yours that I received today and which were the most welcome sight I ever saw. In my last letter to you I said I was at sea going into combat and that Dick was also at sea. Well time has gone by and here I am. The details I can give you are necessarily very limited but I know you must feel anxious and perhaps some word will make you feel better – I think it will make you feel much better as you read what happened to me today. Under the circumstances you can well imagine how much your letters meant. I knew you must know something was up when you never heard from me, and that I wasn’t writing for no reason at all. I wish I could tell you all what you would like to know, but perhaps soon that will be possible. Wandering around the area today somebody grabbed me and said my brother was here. I ran over and there he was, grinning broadly and looking good. He had a little time off from ten thirty until twelve thirty when he had to meet the truck. He took a bath and cleaned up and had a good dinner then we sat around for a lengthy bull session. When we went to meet his truck he didn’t have to go back until two-fifteen so we came back and chewed the fat some more. In the meantime a slug of mail came in and I had several so we both read them. We made a lot of comments on them. Among them was a letter from Betty Sue Myers, still the same cagey Betty, undecided but engaged. I wrote her at the suggestion of Jack C when we were visiting on Oahu. When we were young and wholesome our old gang made a resolution to have a reunion at the Brown Palace (which I had forgotten) and she was anxious that we all remembered it. I think she (and Jack too) will still someday slip the noose on each other. I’ve read your letters about sixteen times already and will probably read them as many more times before tonight. I hope you can find a suitable watch – I didn’t ask for my own as it isn’t waterproof and it would take a bad time where I go. I would like you also to take my funds and buy one for Dick. As for myself I’m fine, getting good rations, and tolerating a few personal inconveniences. Also had a letter from Gramp today – Dick got a kick out of it. I thought the Chaplain’s idea for Mother’s Day was a pretty good one too. On the furlough plan. In the Central Pacific area the period is two years and the percentage allowed is very small, so small that it looks like a long time for one to come around. Probably the accident that Ike was in, he was drunk and horsing around. By the way I had an invitation from St. Andrews to a dance and house party. Also had a notice from Reader’s Digest today something about a half price subscription after the war – guess I better mail it in. I look forward to them.

By the way better quit a few of your letters V-mail for awhile – I think they will get here faster and surer. Well I think this is all I have this time. I will write you. Don’t worry if you can help it and I’m sure everything will be alright.

Love,

21 March 1944

Dearest Mother:

I feel very cheap and low because I overlooked something very important so I guess the least I can do is to write you a more or less personal letter – or something like that. I forgot your birthday. Dick reminded me of it yesterday and then today your letter came with the remark in it. So we decided to make up for it but that will come later. I guess that was always one of my weaknesses–forgetting things. And knowing how you like to be remembered makes me feel especially neglectful.

As I mentioned, Dick and I got together yesterday and spent the day in Honolulu, among other things seeing a show at the Waikiki, ‘Old Acquaintance’ with Bette Davis. I went for it in a big way. In my estimation all of her shows seem to have a little more on the ball than most. I hope you will get to see it if you haven’t already. Later we went to Kapahulu and then came back to town to finish up. We talked a lot about our civilian days in the old country and brought up a lot of things that seemed good to recall. And we laughed about a lot of things and how at the time we thought we were putting something over on the folks. And of course we discussed all the womenfolk we used to know as every soldier uses this as his big topic. Dick has learned to appreciate many things that he used to regard as trifling and especially a greater regard for the efforts that you both have made. He was in a buoyant mood and looked heavier and better than ever. And of course he wants to get home pretty bad.

I read the item about ‘doc’ Blome and I would certainly like to see him. Sounds like he’s been in some hot water. I think he was about the best friend I had in Lincoln and I’m going to affect a meeting if it’s possible. The Red Cross in Honolulu can usually find about anyone. I knew his wife pretty well too – I mean in a social sort of way, whew!

I can’t get over you guys shivering in the cold, when the weather is so ideal here. The Honolulu papers usually manage to sneak in a little quip about the cold weather in the states and being over here for a while, I don’t wonder but what they are right. Of course this is the cooler part of the year and the beach at Waikiki doesn’t have a whole lot of swimmers. The waves looked pretty high yesterday, good for surfing – but you have to know how and I don’t.

I’m glad you heard the program from the Jungle Center. If you could have the opportunity to see the place in action you would learn plenty. One thing about learning to fight the Japs is to use any means at all. There is no sportsmanship about the affair – you just kill him no matter how, which I think is not so practiced in Europe.

The time seems to go very fast for me – it seems that it’s time to hit the hay before I get anything done. I’m preparing an outline of a book I received from Washington, and I’ve found the effort educational as well as interesting. Trying to make arrangements at the university hardly seems worth the effort when everything is so uncertain, although if I could ever feel any permanency in things, I would undertake it. Dick and I were talking yesterday of how you must have the house fixed up and how happy we are for both of you.

Well I guess this is about all, better get a little work done tonight and end up with a shave before the lights go out. Our radio bogged down this weekend while we’re attempting to inveigle, beg, borrow or swipe a tube, it’s pretty hard to get along without (one). We looked all over for the shells but there just aren’t any that would do at all – seems funny too when the shops offer about anything for sale to get the money. Our next trip out we will get something very nice and try to cover up for our thoughtlessness on your birthday. You know this letter goes for Dad too. Being your celebration I thought it would be a little more appropriate to address it to you.

Love,

16 March 1944

Dear Folks:

The mail dammed up for a while and today the dam broke and a deluge of letters came – at least it seems that five is a deluge. I had been wondering what (was) the matter but knew that it wasn’t your fault. Two came from you and one from Dad. Your letters are the only ones I pay any real attention to and the ones I look for the most. Also had a letter from Helen Barton Hartnett in Lincoln. She has a brother in the Air Force here and I saw him last December. Guess I better dig out the letters and see what I can put together. I’m glad you heard the Army Hour Program and about the Jungle Center here. You guessed pretty good. I wish I could tell you more about it. Although I didn’t hear the program I hope they did it justice, for it is certainly something. It must seem like old home week around there with Gram and Gramp back with you. I certainly hope they will find all they expect to in the farm, and that Gram doesn’t become to sick to enjoy it.

I read in the Free Press about the hot basketball team and Phil being high point man, and now your letters tell me that the team is going to Lincoln. It reminds me of the fall when I was at the university and saw the boys lose out by one point for the championship. I hope they come through and this time bring the bacon home.

You sound like you are really keeping busy with the Red Cross and getting the house cleaned up. But even with this I imagine you don’t have all the work you used to have riding herd on the five of us. What a busy bunch of years those must have been for you.

Yes, meeting anyone from the North Platte Valley would seem good. Anyone from Nebraska is a rarity here and even if they live four hundred miles away you can usually find something in common to talk about.

Dick called last night and it looks like we may be able to spend the weekend together although very little is certain. Monday he came in for a short visit and had supper with me. I know you are anxious to know something about him but I couldn’t intimate whether he may leave or not, and if I could say anything it would at most be only as the rumors have it. The prospect of seeing India appeals to me for having seen Hawaii, I want to get a look at more places of the world. It seems funny to us here how so many troops are still stationed in the states and especially outfits as what Berg must be in. And reading in the Free Press about fellows back on furlough brings a good howl.

When I first read about Swindell getting mixed up with the FBI over the draft deferments I had to laugh good and hard, but then thought I would like to choke everyone like him. Perhaps when I was drafted I should have offered to slip him a hundred bucks or so and maybe I would still be around. Perhaps the trial will bring out some even more surprising facts. How did they happen to catch up with him – did someone squawk after paying him?

Right now I’m deep in an outline of one of the law books I received and every evening I finish a page or two. It’s a big job but self-satisfying knowing our time is not being entirely wasted. Give Grandma a good kiss for me and my best hopes that she will get better quick. She has always been so kind to me that I kick myself for remembering the times I’ve been unkind towards her. I know it must be an effort for her to write and I do appreciate it. And the same goes for Gramp too. Well, quess this is ‘pau’ until the next time. As you never sit down at the table without remembering something or me so I never go to bed without thinking of you and wondering just how I would act the first minute I could walk in the door, and say hello to you both.

Love,

28 February 1944

Dear Folks:

I have just returned from pass. Have my shirt off and a beat up typewriter in front of me ready to start writing again. Well it has been eight days since my last letter and again you are probably wondering if I have been island hopping in the Pacific or whether something else has happened. The last week it was pretty impossible to write for I was taking some special training – and if I wasn’t too tired I didn’t have the time. I wished I could tell you all that happened and describe that week to you. Well as I said before I just came back from another day off in town so I’ll tell you what I did. I took some stuff in to the cleaners, then took in the eleven o’clock morning show at the Waikiki theater. The show was ‘Destroyer’ – not too good. Coming out of the show about one (o’clock) we decided we would eat a real Chinese dinner – a strictly first class one. So accordingly we found the most reputable place in town and ordered a four-buck affair. You remember that best selling book you told me about – the one about the Chinese family in New York? And how the author described a Chink meal as the best (in) the world? Well I didn’t think it was so exceptional but at least it was very different. If I can remember correctly we had chop suey, sweet and sour spareribs, shrimp, cold pork, rice, chicken morsels and perhaps a couple more dishes. I always wanted to eat a meal like that for the experience but I don’t think I’ll make a habit of it. Well the biggest part of the afternoon was ahead of us so we thought a look at the Iolani Palace might be worth the time and walk. Just recently they have begun to restore the throne room where King Kamehamaha and the queen ruled and that was the object of our sightseeing tour today. After the December 7 blitz such valuables as the crowns, chandeliers, rugs, drapes, and furniture were taken to the hills for safekeeping and just now they are being returned and restored as they formerly were. The job was about completed when we walked through. The building has all the artistry that is common to such places but the detail woodwork on the walls and the big chandeliers and fine furniture were especially interesting. But being a ‘dogface’ for quite a while and being somewhat isolated in our former station a look at such sights was somewhat of a treat. Well perhaps this is what you would call the second phase of our day off.

And as I did last pass day, I again went to the law library and browsed around. And then I thought perhaps this place might do me some real good so I spoke to the librarian and found that books could not be taken out but she gave me some good advice about making arrangements at the University (of Hawaii) to take night courses and promised she would find the necessary texts. But by now it was too late to go out there so that will be on the docket the next time. Well after looking around the Library of Hawaii we called it a day. This latter library is the largest one I’ve seen and I think it would compare to many of the best in the states.

On one of your recent letters you forgot to put an APO number on it and it was delayed a couple of days so they put a nice red stamp on it advising me to tell my correspondents my correct address. I know you just overlooked it. The package came the day I returned from the training. It was a very nice box and it is so heartwarming to get one. The ‘Russian’ peanuts are what I especially go for.

Yesterday, Sunday I was taking a snooze in the afternoon and someone grabbed me by the big toe. It was Dick who happened to stop by to find out when we could get together again. He told me he received his box too and was pretty pickled. He was in very good humor and looking rugged and healthy. I certainly hope as you do that we will have some time together but again as you say that is pretty improbable. We couldn’t get together today but hope we can soon. Although we don’t go out on pass so often he calls me up on the phone and occasionally finds time to stop in for a chat.

The affair with Wylma has been dormant for a long time since about a year ago I think or longer. Although I haven’t written her since that time I always think about her once in a while and wonder if she is okeh after all. Suppose she must be pretty tired waiting anyway and perhaps already has someone else. I figured this would go on for a long time, the war I mean, and romances don’t click under such circumstances.

Had a letter from Aunt Edna yesterday, a pretty long one, thanking me for the picture and writing about everything in general. Will probably answer it in due time.

Well I see the folks are once again back with you. I hope they find all the enjoyment in the world in their new place and that the weather doesn’t effect them too much.

I read in the papers today about the war situation and one person predicted an end in ’47. A prospect like that certainly bogs a fellow down and causes him to worry about the future. Sometimes you think what the hell, you’re losing a lot of your best time, you’ll have to start all over again when it’s over, and where will you be in say a year from now. I know you shouldn’t feel like that and always try to make the best of any situation but it’s pretty discouraging. If somebody hasn’t got the brains and the know how to stop all this crazy business then we better quit calling this a civilization. It doesn’t seem to me that people are getting smarter or more educated just better versed in how (to) beat out the other fellow and grab all you can.

Well I’ve written an unusually long letter for me and the news is about at an end so I think I’ll throw in the towel. You are certainly swell to write so often and they mean more than anything else. I know it must keep you pretty busy and you probably have all you can do anyway. So until next time –

Love,

17 February 1944

Dear Folks:

I think I can stay within my schedule and still get a letter written to you – anyway I’ll try it. I try to break the evenings up into some sort of a schedule in order to insure getting done the things I want to. So far it’s worked pretty good and sometimes I have to overlook a bridge game and that isn’t always easy to do. Well yesterday I went on pass and once again saw something that I hadn’t seen before. On the way back from Waikiki we stopped at the municipal buildings and had a look at the local government offices. Felt like a civilian. In one of them was the courtrooms, law offices and the usual embellishments and that interested me so we looked around. Even walked into the Supreme Court chambers. Something awesome and quiet about the empty rooms that made you feel good that there were still public courts still in this country where an accused can get a hearing. Well after this we nosed around like a pair of hillbilly sightseers and finally stumbled into the law library. Boy what a layout and what a world of legal knowledge and education. Wish I could use the books. The place was empty so we took our time and pulled out volumes here and there. Found some on Nebraska and then Minatare didn’t seem so far away. Across the avenue was the Iolani Palace where King Kamehameha used to live so we went over there. But the place was locked up so couldn’t see much. Looked pretty good from the outside though.

For a couple of hours in the afternoon slept in the sun on the beach. Except on Sundays, the beach (is) very crowded but there are always a few fellows surf riding out about two hundred (yards) off shore. But that’s about all the beach is good for because the bottom is covered with coral formations and rocks. The water is pretty shallow and that is what causes the waves to roll in without breaking up. When I used to see pictures of them at home I wondered how they kept from drowning but you can wade out for probably three hundred yards without getting in water over your head.

Regardless of all the ration talk and shortages it still is pretty easy to get a good dinner and not outrageous either. We ate on a terrace overlooking the water and I had a sirloin steak with all the good trimmings. This about ended up for the day so after an evening show we headed back. This was the first time I’d really been out after blackout and to see so many lights shining again was a treat. After living in a blacked out country for quite a spell the auto and store and street lights was a sight for sore eyes.

Well my time is running short – that schedule you know – so I better begin tapering off. Dick was supposed to go with me yesterday but he couldn’t get off so probably he will come around Sunday.

Love,

31 January 1944

Dear Folks:

Your letters lately have been so newsy and interesting that I have felt obligated to answer them immediately, so before my supper gets well settled maybe I can catch up (on) one more letter. Recently I had a change of station and during such times the censor cuts the letters up quite a little—so much that I couldn’t get the initiative to write. But now that we are settled I can write with maybe a little more interest. Dick called me up last night to find out when I was off so we could meet each other and it looks like next Saturday will be the day. We certainly are lucky enough to be able to see and talk to each other so often. And while we’re out, we’ll pool our talents (?) and try to find the shells, and some that you will like no end. And then payday is very soon now so we’ll feel pretty much in the mood to shop. Also today received the Free Press, and three yesterday so I’ve been busy with mail. It only takes a few minutes to read the darn things but they are certainly welcome. I also read about putting the pictures in the paper. Sounds like a pretty good idea and the paper will be more interesting. As I said yesterday was a big day for mail – received a law book from the friend in Washington. One I have been wanting and written by Lawrence Vold who is a professor at the University of Nebraska. I heard Miller and the other boys talk about him and I know him by sight.

Now that I am on Oahu and will have the opportunity to go to a dentist, I hope soon to get the bridge. And I did receive the money order, and in good time too. While I’m on the subject of Oahu maybe I can get together a few more items about the place. (The censor cut out the rest of the page.)

…you pick out every nationality and every combination too it seems. But with so many servicemen the streets are packed and every store and stand does a gold rush business. There are many places I hope to see including some museums, buildings and other natural beauty spots. I wish you could go with me down Kalakua Avenue that runs along Waikiki and watch the boys ride the surfboards, and forget the howling cold winds you are probably now having. Each afternoon the office crew plays a little volleyball and we’re all getting pretty brown from it. Our office is a Japanese tea house in a garden set in a little valley. The walls are set with sliding panels so that the sides can be opened up completely or completely closed. There are no hinges or windows in the place. I understand the building was imported from Japan.

I wrote a couple of days ago to the Colson’s and Carroll’s so you can breathe easier now. I’m glad I’ve got it done too. I’ve read about the treatment that Gramp is receiving in a Reader’s Digest of a few months ago I believe. Your sentiments about the ultimate value of these new discoveries in view of wars is indeed to be doubted. Tonight a USO troupe from the mainland with Allen Jenkins is here. The ones from the mainland or the ‘old country’ are darned good but the local productions are pretty old. Well it looks like I’m stalled for now so here’s the end of this. Had a letter from Patsy yesterday too – I sent them a picture and they liked it quite a lot.

Love,