Wrist watch Archives - Moss Letters

10 January 1945

[The second of two letters written to his parents, just hours apart]

Dear Folks:

I just wrote you a letter only a few hours ago but after writing it I thought it wasn’t a very good one and I know you want to know all I can tell you. It’s a little after suppertime now and I feel pretty decent. I think by tomorrow I will feel almost up to par again, and I hope I never get another attack like that again. I’m so glad you liked the watch and I hope it was just what you wanted – Dad wrote me about it so I knew you were getting it. I can imagine Dad hardly being able to wait until Christmas. I’m darned glad to hear Phil is going to the Merchant Marines. I know he seems very young to you to be put into the world, but even though he will run into a lot of hard talking rough minded men, it won’t hurt him if he doesn’t want it to. I’m sure he will be better off there than in the Army. On a boat he always knows where he’s going to sleep, gets good food, and can always keep clean, while here you’re often moving, sleeping in the dirt and eating boxed rations. I’m glad all over, that he will (should be ‘went’?) where he did. I know you’re hearing all the news about what’s going on in the Philippines and where and what I’m doing but I can’t tell you much about that. Perhaps at some later date they will let us put out more information. About a week ago I sent you forty dollars and it will come in the form of a treasury check, probably you have received it by this time. I will probably send more next month. Also this morning I had three letters from Dad including one V-mail and one from Nancy, and to me they mean everything – other letters don’t spell much. Also there was three letters from Mom and all of them were recent. I understand our mail is routed direct from Frisco avoiding the stop at Hawaii. The mail situation has been pretty good although nothing but first class has arrived in many months. I haven’t received a Reader’s Digest in five months or a Free Press since last August, and aside from the two packages, no other boxes have arrived. But we’re expecting an avalanche one of these days. There must be tons of it somewhere.

I have thought of a couple of things that would come in handy now. One is either a rubberized bag to hold toilet articles or else a small zipper packet to hold the same thing. I think a flat folding one would be the best, pretty compact but one that will hold the standard size articles. And a good sturdy one that water and banging around won’t hurt too much, and put about three combs in it. And the other is a waterproof cigarette holder, to keep cigarettes dry and unsmashed, and a cigarette lighter with plenty of flints, I know they are hard to get and probably you can’t find them.

I think this is all I have in mind now, and twilight is starting to take over, so can’t write much longer anyhow, so goodnight once again.

Love,

12 September 1944

Dear Folks:

The mail boat came through today and I rated five – not a bad take. Mom’s two letters were full of quite a bit of interesting stuff and I thought they deserved an early answer so here I go. Also got the pictures of Stevie – boy he looks like a real jewel and you don’t know how much I would like to see him. I had wished that Katie would have been in one of them but maybe I can get one of her later. It’s no wonder you are so proud of Stevie and I’ll (bet) he’s created the biggest stir in the household since our last baby – I mean yours. Well guess I’ll take out your letters and use them to get some ideas. First I’ll write about Dick. I first heard he had been injured when a fellow from our outfit came from Saipan and said he saw Dick there. I didn’t know how bad he was hurt so immediately made arrangements to get over (there). When I saw him he looked good and was having life easy on a cot with sheets – white ones too. He told me what had happened and made me promise I would write nothing about it to you. He was afraid you would become unduly worried and no matter how much we would try to say it was only light injury, you would still be very upset. So I said okeh although I thought we should tell you. He was hurt while rounding up groups of snipers still holding out in the limestone caves on the northern end of the island. His group suffered heavily and he was lucky to get out. He was caught and forced to hug the ground for two hours while they got him out. Of course there’s a lot more to it, but someday he’ll be able to tell you – if he will. You wondered where he got hit. He had pieces in his feet, his legs and two in his back, and also well er—he got a piece that missed his private parts by a fraction of an inch. He laughed about that, and joked about what might have happened. You can imagine. And oh yes, they have American nurses – quite a few of them. The day I visited Dick it was rainy and muddy and they were running around in slacks and GI shoes, more like doughboys than women. They were the first white women I’d seen since leaving Oahu. Also at the hospital they have Chamorro girls working. They are very shy and modest, but soon pick up some common GI slang.

I sent the souvenirs home about the 6^th or 7^th of August but I think I told you about that. I insured them, so if the box don’t break up you’ll probably get them alright.

I don’t hardly know what to say about the Christmas deal, but you know since I’ve been here what I’ve missed quite a bit is fruit juices. So put in a couple cans of tomato juice, some orange juice, and something like that. Also any other canned treats that you think I might like – maybe chicken, olives. Right now I’d give a fortune for some of that stuff. And I would like to have you buy Dick a watch like mine with my compliments – I’m afraid his would break up with what he has to do, and one like I have would be just the thing. I would also like to have a birthstone ring, and a couple of watch straps – they go fast in this damp climate. And rather oddly maybe some pictures of home from the outside and some inside ones too if you can get them. I always wonder how the different rooms must look now. A cigarette lighter that will work in the wind with some flints would be a good thing. I know they are hard to get but perhaps you might run across one. A couple of good card decks. And here’s one—some licorice. This must sound like the flimsical whims that come over pregnant women but I would be glad to get any one of them. And also stick in a law book. Gram got my last one from a publishing company in Minnesota – I wish I could give you the exact name but I can’t think of it. I want one on Torts. You know I sure miss the books I left behind but they would be badly beat up if I had brought them along. I get so impatient for the war to get over so that I can get in a position where I can study it for good. I’m going to get Dick by the ears and if nothing unforeseen comes along we’re both going back to the University and take advantage of the tuition and expenses deal. The two of us would be eligible for $118 a month and we could get along famously on that. That would be considerably better than my first year I spent there although it was a year I wouldn’t have missed. I think Dick would be glad to do it.

I wished you and Dad would have stayed in Denver and had a good time and I’ll bet the telegram changed your plans. When I get back we’ll go away for about a month into the mountains and be the damndest laziest people you ever saw. It’s always been one of my wants to take you two someplace where there wouldn’t be anyone to bother you.

Well Mom I think I’ve answered all the questions I can. You know I guess I’m a screwball but I miss my fiddle and when I hear some good music on the radio wish I could pick it up and piddle around with it. But I can never listen to any good classical music because everyone else wants swing. The office has been humming despite our field conditions, and it would certainly be a relief to be able to get away for a while.

One thing I did overlook. Word flashed around partially rumor and partially fact that the army was developing a point system whereby the ones with the most points would be released first – after the defeat of Germany. It works on the plan of service, overseas service, dependents, and medals with so many points for each. Lately it has become as socially important to know how many points you have as it is to wear shoes. It is the high ranking subject around here, as it must be in all outfits but I can’t see myself being released until it is over.

I started to finish once and maybe I will this time. Jack showed me a clipping of the letters in the Free Press and I didn’t think they were so long. Jack sent you some pictures of us that are pretty good and I’m fortunate to be near him.

I guess this is the final act but I won’t say goodnight or goodbye this time, just lots of love and a toast to a quick end of this mess.

Love,

31 August 1944

Dear Folks:

Oh what a day rain, rain, rain. And when it rains it is a scramble to see that everything is dry and will stay that way. A few days ago my roommate and I built ourselves a home from the remnants of a Jap barn and covered the top with tin, shelter halves and ponchos. We thought we had it pretty well waterproofed but the acid test today proved differently, and before I knew it, the center of my bed looked like the old swimming hole. Later I put out my blankets to dry and then forgot to bring them in when it starting raining again. But, a few tent poles and some redecorating, patched the place up pretty well. Just after supper when it started to rain so hard, I stripped off and showered in the rain water.

Last night was a little different and for the first time in quite a while played a little bridge. We bid five twice, made it both times and was doubled once. We had a hot streak. Players are pretty hard to find and lately we haven’t found time to play much. Besides this diversion we have two volleyball courts laid out and occasionally get out to play a game, but I seem to be getting worse instead of better. A few days ago we went off daylight savings time and now it gets dark so early that we don’t have much time after supper.

I suppose everyone at home is very optimistic especially since the fall of Paris and the surrender of Bulgaria and Rumania. It certainly does look bright in Europe and probably it won’t last another ten months. Our group colonel told us yesterday he thought the war here would last probably until late 1945. If it ends that soon it’ll be sooner than I expect but I hope I’m wrong. Tokyo continues to broadcast especially for the GI’s on Saipan and calls us ‘orphans’ and ‘boneheads’. Also they have ‘Moby Dick’ who drawls along and gets sarcastic cracks in often. Tokyo like Germany is withdrawing according to plans, etc. etc.

Our mail has been delayed for some reason and haven’t heard from you in over two weeks and so I haven’t any of your mail to comment on. But someday it will catch up with me and I’ll have reading to last a week. But it isn’t so good getting along without it.

Well the boys are paging me for a pinochle game and there isn’t a lot of time. I think I’ll stop and come back again soon. The watch is running perfectly and just the thing I wanted. Well so long for tonight.

Love,

26 July 1944

Dear Folks:

Just a few lines today before I get cleaned up a little and wonder how I’ll spend the rest of the evening. Today was a hot one and sultry too, and you sweat just sitting around, however now I’m in pretty good shape and not wearing down to a shadow as you were afraid of. As a matter of fact, I’m wondering how I will endure the cold weather of Nebraska. I was remarking last night how swell it would be to see some snow or walk through a snowdrift, or look at the stars on a frosty night. Did my washing today, a job I don’t like but its clean clothes for a while. We have our hole fixed up and it isn’t bad at all. Pretty noisy sleeping some nights though. My work is considerably streamlined from what it was in Oahu and there isn’t quite so much paper work to attend to although in my estimation there still (is) far too much.

I see some of the fellows have an ox hooked to an ancient cart and are driving the old beast around howling miscellaneous stuff. It’s surprising how the GI’s can improvise no matter where they go.

In a little while it will be mail time and I hope I rate one or two. The mail system is pretty good, better than I expected however nothing but first class is coming so of course the watch has not arrived yet. (I was writing with a Jap pen and the darn thing gets balky once in a while.)

Dick is still okeh but I won’t be seeing him for awhile.

Not very much this time but I knew you want to know how things are all the time.

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,

6 July 1944

Dear Folks:

A few minutes before dark and time to answer several of your recent letters. Received one from Nancy and yesterday one from you about the watch. This letter is little more than to tell you I am alright – quite safe and things are getting better all the time. Since my first visit with Dick haven’t seen him since but am expecting to have my visit with him soon. He’s quite a guy – I think more of him every day. Wish I could tell you about his experiences as he told them to me. Our mail is arriving in good order, better than back on the islands, and is the most sought after commodity. It means a great deal.

Follow the news closely and I’ll write as often as possible and hope I’ll soon tell you all that is going on.

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,