Pay Archives - Page 2 of 4

8 August 1944

Dear folks:

I have that comforting feeling that goes with a full stomach – we’ve just finished supper, and it wasn’t so bad considering the inexperienced chefs that prepared it. Our menu was especially made unusual by some fresh cucumbers that we gathered from a patch across the road. Along with these we had cocoa, corn beef, cold peas, and those biscuits that the Army insists have to be hard and tasteless. Tomorrow our kitchen will be inaugurated and it will be a relief to get some hot cooking. But perhaps what makes me feel so good this evening is that I have news from your front. Three of your letters and one from [illegible] so damn welcome and so eagerly read. I must have been doing more writing [illegible] if you received six from me in one week. But then you are about [illegible] with the exception of the Washington friend who writes me [illegible]. Yesterday had a letter from Betty S. Myers who it seems, intends [illegible]. And again there isn’t a lot to do in the evenings before dark and [illegible] uses up some time. I hope you have received my extra long one [illegible] time ago – I consumed the better fraction of an afternoon putting it [illegible] will answer a lot of questions you might have wanted answered. And for [illegible] sort of fun to describe to you all that I can and let you know all [illegible] I would give about a thousand dollars for a movie camera right now to [illegible] this, but cameras are on the ‘verboten’ list.

[illegible] dig out your letter and see what I can comment on. Well the first thing, [illegible] this operation will change Dick or myself noticeably – at least not me. [illegible) has seen enough sights of the worst nature but he’s just as jolly and matter of fact as ever. When he saw me during the middle of the operation he said he sure hated to go back in there, but knowing him probably he felt more than I thought. I think I [illegible] Garapan so I’ll skip that. Our ‘office’ is a lot different than the station- [illegible] we had on Oahu. We have a square [illegible] supported by four poles with nothing on the sides. To keep out the rain we nailed up sheets of tin taken from a blown up Jap barn but whenever it rains (and it does often), we usually run around putting up ponchos and shelter halves to keep from getting wet. The office work is pretty much streamlined but still there is much paper work to do. I am a lucky guy and have a cot that is nothing less than luxurious. Among other things the guys use to sleep on is stretchers, salvaged Jap beds, Jap mats, homemade beds and whatever you have. Our camp looks like a hobo jungle. And you asked about a PX. No we don’t have one but necessaries are issued gratis. I don’t think I’ve spent [illegible] three months [illegible] a nice paycheck I’ll have. We’re the guys that make the paychecks [illegible]. I hope you are getting my new [illegible].

[illegible] guys are [illegible] a jeep listening to sweet music from Frisco and some [illegible]. [illegible] guys the news at six o’clock at dictation [illegible]. [illegible] produced dissemination to other troops. Most of the [illegible] and news. An announcement this afternoon [illegible] and we heard a quoted portion of the new Premier’s speech [illegible]. In the evenings we sometimes get China and listen to music from night [illegible] broadcasts from Manila with the usual line.

[illegible] to knock off about here and walk down sunset boulevard to the Roxy.

Love,

28 July 1944

Dear Folks:

I haven’t received any mail for a couple of days but I guess that’s no excuse for not writing. Very little news the past few days – at least what I can write about. Haven’t seen Dick recently nor Jack Conklin either, but I believe we’ll have another little reunion again soon. Living together on a little island like this maybe you would imagine it wouldn’t be so hard to see each other – but it isn’t as easy as it seems. When I do get out it’s by the hitchhike method and it’s pretty good too. Lots of vehicles running around. On the northern end of the island they are still bringing a few snipers out and even now it’s not very safe to go nosing around, probably they will be (there) for sometime to come. Dick had a little celebration a few days ago he was telling me about. They slaughtered a calf and all enjoyed some good steaks. A few head of livestock are grazing around our area, but they look pretty scrubby and thin. This morning I put some heavy grease on my souvenirs, wrapped them up and now I’m wondering how I can send them to you. But I’ll get them back someway. When Dick finds anything he gives it to me because I can keep it a little better than he can. Saw a good show last night ‘Waikiki Wedding’ with Bing Crosby – drew a lot of comments having been in Hawaii for quite a while. The folks at home sure are deceived if they believe all they see. And again tonight we are having a show. Sounds like I’m having a vacation in the Marianas doesn’t it? I wished it was.

Are you getting my new allotment alright – I was wondering about it. Of course we haven’t been paid since we left Oahu so we’ll all be rich when we get back. I’ll bet this is a wild crew when they get back. They’d go really hog wild if they hit the states. That’s about all we think about – when and what we will do when that time comes.

Well it’s getting pretty dusk and we don’t enjoy the luxury of electric lights so I’m going to have to taper off. I’m really very well, getting lots to eat and today I even acquired that rare item called a cot. I should sleep like a tired baby. Things are getting a little safer and now we don’t stick so close to a foxhole as we used to – although I suppose we should. I guess I shouldn’t write tonight because I hardly know what time it is where you are. We try to figure it out. We are a day earlier than you being across the International Date Line, plus the hours difference from that line. Oh well maybe you can figure it up some day. I think it’s something like thirty-two hours. Well regardless of what it figures up to I’m still going to write goodnight. Dad’s mention of beer in his letter brings visions of greatest ecstasy, and even the thought of an ice cream cone throw me into delicious raptures. Well adios from an X Jap stomping ground.

Love,

28 April 1944

Dear Folks:

Two of your letters came today, both good news so at least I better knock you out a V-mail at least. Today was a series of incidents and tonight is the kind of night it is nice to take it easy and lay around and reminisce. That was a bad mess that Shirley got into and I feel sorry for her too, although maybe there is two sides. Duane was always rushing women and generally cutting up and perhaps Shirley had some of his characteristics. With all the babies being born back there I feel like I’m losing out. Margie and June K seemed like fabulous girls when I left. And by the way Jack C did get a furlough but haven’t seen him. I certainly enjoy your letters Dad and sometimes Dick gets his copy before I do so I read his or perhaps mine arrives first. Hope Dick and I can see the All Star baseball game Sunday. By the way I have increased my allotment to $85.00 so effective the 1^st of May so be sure you get it. Perhaps it will be June when you get the increase. Tonight on the radio the Commanding General announced a furlough plan with those who have two years service overseas. Although I mustn’t allow myself to become over-optimistic at least there is a little something to look forward to. Well enough for tonight.

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,

26 January 1944

Dear Folks:

I started out to do something else tonight but after receiving your letter it made me feel so good that I had to answer immediately. A four page one too, pretty good, and full of interest. I know my letters get pretty dull sometimes but I hope that occasionally you find something of interest. I understand full well what our letters mean to you. Well I’ll dig up the letter and make a little commentary on it to make this one (letter) a little longer. Last night our GI foursome got together and I turned out the goat. After having a five bid served up tight I fumbled and went down two. But we won in the end.

I’m glad you liked the book and I believe you probably feel much as I do about the islands. And about the sharks. Yes, there (are) plenty in the waters around and we are always cautioned to swim in designated areas and stay close to shore. Only a few months ago a soldier disappeared and sometime later a shark was caught with his remains inside. I saw the shark. In ‘Born in Paradise’ you will probably remember how Von Tempski would swim the cattle to the boat and how they were often attacked by the sharks. I often think if you were here how we could see the place much as we did in ‘Frisco, and I know you would enjoy it immensely. I’m very glad you made the request for the shells and I’ll get you the best sets the Waikiki district has to offer. I’m sure I can find something that you will like and I’ll get a big kick of really shopping for something.

Although I wouldn’t exert myself excessively it would be good to see Conklin. He must be back on rest or something. It’s hard to imagine him a soljer but guess that’s the case with many of us. The $140 I get a month really is okeh and as soon as I get the (dental) bridge I hope to increase my allotment again. You should receive $60 a month beginning February 1. I’m always anxious to know that the right amount is getting home for I know that many of them become very mixed up. Working in the Personnel office and being the personnel Sgt Major, I work with many such tangled cases. I guess you know the dependency allotments are compulsory for married men. It is surprising the number of wives who leave their men and that creates trouble for us and for them. But in many cases the situation is applicable to both members.

I remember seeing Dan Gettman at the dance you mentioned and he always plies me with question of folks he knows around Minatare. He is a typical Russian as we know them –rather dull, bold and unaware of his own ignorance. But he is a pretty good kid, always tries hard but can’t make the grade.

I can imagine Duane and Margy as you mentioned. Is Marge any fatter or unshaped? I hope my fixture is a little better proportioned.

I know how you must feel when my letters slow up and I always try to keep up with them. There are many things I would like to tell you and you probably wonder why I haven’t but that’s ‘verboten’. Dick’s future, from what I can gather, is still centered around agricultural interests. I have never heard him mention Miss Sagle but he misses the times he had at home. I never felt the urge to go to school so much as I have now and I always know the fact that time is so short for me to study. Sometimes my plans and dreams occupy a lot of my time and again, I get a little discouraged at the outlook, but never stop believing that all will turn out okeh.

Willis Nichols’ marriage was certainly a big surprise to me but I don’t think he ever quite lived up to the standards of the rest of the Nichols. He’s pretty lucky to stay home.

Probably many times in my growth you thought I was a hopeless case and I know I did little to deserve your attention but now, and everyday a little more, I picture more clearly your patience showing, working and planning you did to ensure my livelihood and wellbeing. Somethings are impossible to see until they are taken away and no longer there to be taken for granted. Now I remember little things you told me at the time I thought you were nagging and old fashioned and couldn’t see the reason for them but now they all fit in the picture much differently. I couldn’t see how fortunate I was.

Well guess this (is) ‘pau’ for this communique but I will find the shells and the best too and make another special request again soon too. I will have as good a time buying them as you will receiving them.

Goodnite to 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,

16 April 1943

Dearest Folks:

I’m in a pretty good state of being tonight and now that my promotion has come thru will get busy writing you. Today was also pass day so that was a celebration of a sort. The raise will bring my pay to about ninety-three or (ninety) four dollars and it should be possible to save a great part of it. It looks like I am getting a good break and I hope this promotion will just be the start.

On my way to town this morning I was picked up by Miss VanTempksi whom I wrote you about previously. I felt a little honored and very lucky and during the few miles that she took me, she talked intelligently and interestingly of the war. When I did get to town it was noon so ate a frugal dinner and then after talking to a few fellows from my old battery, am back to camp early. Tonight, after cleaning up for inspection, I played a little bridge and playing two bits a rubber, broke even. I guess this will have to suffice to tonight but I’ll write tomorrow.

Love,

17 March 1943

Dearest Folks:

While I’m loafing before I go to bed, I (might) just as well apply my time to a better use, and make up for some letters I never wrote. I just listened to Harry James and had intended to get into another bridge game that is rapidly developing into a mania, but which was dispensed with tonight because of the absence of one of the foursome. I cut the clipping from the GI sheet that is published weekly. Of course I don’t write for it any more since I was transferred to this battery. The usual stake is two bits a rubber, and my fortune has been diminished by a buck already.

I believe I told you before that I had raised my allotment to thirty-five dollars effective March 1. However, it will probably be July 1 before the additional amounts will reach you. (This is surely a poor job of typing, but this is a poor machine and not the one I regularly use.)

As is usual at about this stage of my letter I am stuck for anything more to write. I know my letters are getting to be very brief and irritatingly drab but I do the same thing everyday and see the same sights. Maybe I could tell you about the visit I had with some Hawaiian people about two weeks ago. Their home is not far from camp and sits atop a small hill at the back of a two acre lawn, and surrounded on both sides by carnations, hibiscus, nasturtiums, ferns and a dozen more varieties that in my estimation are much prettier than orchids or carnations. We were invited in with a volume of welcoming words and immediately Eddie was telling us of the history and development of the islands. Eddie is strictly a Hawaiian gaucho or Paniolo and was taken into the family many years ago when he was getting to be the island incorrigible. His adopter made him his chauffeur while he campaigned around the island and went to Honolulu to the Senate. In this way he developed his flare for politics and when the old man died, succeeded in getting himself elected as a District supervisor. Now together with the old man’s widow he attends to his estate and manages her affairs. From what Eddie told us a campaigning in the old days of the Hawaiians was more of a vacation and one prolonged fiesta than a job of backslapping and high sounding promises. Every where they went the people prepared a ‘’luau’ of poi, squid, oranges, pork, wild turkey, showered them with leis and put on a big hula. Then they would sit up all night and in Hawaiian unravel stories of the past so full of pageantry and tradition. And Eddie said they would never return without a much loved fishing trip in the outriggers. All this he tells in an amusing and pidgin sort of English. All that he talked about I could never remember but one subject was the hog hunts that are full of sport and plenty of danger. Sometimes horses are used but more often they are tracked on foot. His many individual experiences are full of color and I could easily have listened to him all night.

Later, as I noticed and remarked about the furniture, he began to go into detail on the home. All the furnishings are hand carved of native Koa, a very hardwood with a beautiful grain and that will resist termites and retain a high polish almost indefinitely. What caught my eye was a model of a Hawaiian rigger that could easily bring up imaginations of long voyages of singing natives and golden moons. Anyway, we stayed as long as we dared while he kept going on about famous people who visited there, and his trip to the mountains and his first voyage to San Francisco on a cattle boat that produced some very comical episodes of his greenness in a big city. Finally we had an ice cold drink of passion fruit, and believe it or not, peanut butter cookies exactly the way you used to make them. I hope you will read the book I referred you to. I’m sure you will like it.

It is really getting on into the hours and I don’t want to keep anybody awake on my account. I will write you tomorrow night and tell you more of my visit in another letter.

Love,

Untitled Article by Emmett Cahill Taken from a Weekly GI Newspaper

Fred Lusiak has the answer to the barbed wire barricades which were placed before the entrance to the area recently. According to “Lucy” they were placed there by 1^st Sgt. Gerry Staerker to keep out the shoeshine boys.

Last week’s item relative to Sgt. Fred Puntoriero managing two dates at one time was challenged by the sergeant. We make corrections herewith. In our opinion it wasn’t two dates, it was three of them. He only managed to get by with the first two. The third one caught up with him. Sgt. Harker Chapman also resented being involved. So we hereby release him from any commitments on the part of the press.

At present Chappie is having trouble of his own, what with having told good many girls on the Mainland the same thing. His incoming letters, tinted with perfume, are written on asbestos paper. “I’ve got enough foreign entanglements without you complicating matters,” grumbled the sergeant.

Wanted. One Philadelphia lawyer to untangle them.

Tommy Lynch is carrying out his own obstacle course. In full field regalia Tommy was found in a slit trench, clawing and scraping at the sides, and in not too happy a frame of mind. We understand clearly how the men are found in the slit trenches at night, but when it happens in a cold, calculating light of day, well. In quite another mood Tommy also received a ride home from town last week, but details are not for publication according to Tommy Archer, Lynch’s press agent.

SOCIAL NOTES: Sgt. Gil Fruehaf returned from a three day business trip to town laden with photographic supplies and a resolve to return that city to the Indians.

Sgt. (we mean Master Sergeant) Nick Zona is the proud papa of two pigeons. Doves and daddy are doing well. The Big Bridge Four-Corporal Moss, Blount, Linsey, and Funk announce that they will gladly give, or take, bridge lessons every evening from twilight til taps. Call at Billet Nine for further details. We also suggest you bring your own cards, rifle and helmet.

6 March 1943

Dearest Folks:

I really am ashamed of myself for not writing sooner and oftener but it seems that something comes along every night to put off until tomorrow. And secondly, it is so hard to write a letter that I give up in disgust. Whether I write or not you know that I am always thinking of you. Artie Shaw who plays regularly in Honolulu at a service inn, was here today but as I expected it was impossible for me to see him, and I would have given two days wages. Tomorrow being Sunday I hope I can make it to the dance at the USO. I have increased my allotment, that is the cash allotment, to thirty-five dollars, or twenty dollars more than what it was, that was effective March 1, but it may be awhile before it begins to arrive. I hope the bonds have been coming regularly, and I understand that the government is putting into effect a new plan whereby so much of the delay and error will be eliminated. Until now it was impossible to get a pass for longer than about eight hours but lately longer leaves have been authorized, and I hope that soon I can take a three day pass to Honolulu by plane, or at least sleep in a full-sized bed for one night. In my new job I do office work, and occasionally use my shorthand although it’s hardly as good as it was when I was in the bank. A few days ago I used it in a court session, and I must have looked like a stockbroker during a slump, but I got most of it down and what is more important, transcribed. I hope you have received the things I sent by now. I really hope that you like the bridge covers, although regardless you would write in the affirmative. I received a letter, the two page one, from you yesterday and I was glad to hear that you went to Denver for a few days, but sorry, in a way, to hear that Tom was rejected. I hope and I really mean it, that Katie is very happy, that Tom is truly a right guy. I suppose that it is impossible to send the Free Press any longer considering the new mailing restrictions, so your letters should be twice as long. I hope you will forgive me for my carelessness, because I know the anxiety that you must feel. So long for a while.

Love,

18 February 1943

Dear Dad:

I received your typewritten V-mail today and to attest to my vow of early reply, here I come. Your letter was very interesting and I took a long time reading it. Your free style manner of detail and continuity add a punch of zest and life. Anyway I like ‘em bushels and you should write more often. In case you haven’t guessed, to write a lengthy and appealing letter over here is quite a task and often I quit in disgust. I hope you liked what I sent a while back but I think you will go more for what I sent yesterday. As a result I am on a precariously balanced budget for the rest of the month, but that is nothing new. And I had a great deal of satisfaction in sending them. I’m drawing seventy-nine bucks every thirty days now so I plan to increase my allotment to about thirty-five dollars. By the way I’m a corporal now. That’s where the extra dough is coming from. I hope the bonds have started to come regularly now. Tonight, or the forepart of it, was very unusual. For the first time in the Army I got into a bridge game and by a real stroke of luck came out on top. It was contract so I did more guessing than anything else. My partner and I worked together like a pistol and a wheel. Today two Free Presses came but I couldn’t figure out the handwriting on the wrapper. The Reader’s Digest also came. Since the latest postal regulations, mail has been slower and not so frequent but on the whole it is pretty good. Perhaps you wouldn’t think it would get very chilly here but I’m using an overcoat and raincoat along with three blankets. If I had a mattress it would seem much warmer though. In my estimation a bed is man’s best friend and when I get home I’m going to stretch in all four directions at one time. The war news seems to be changing color every day and I’m earnestly reviving hopes of a homecoming in early 1944. This is the end of the communiqué tonight. In a way I hate to stop but I couldn’t think of anything anyway. I’ll buy you a banana leaf hat for your garden this summer.

Love,