The Pearl Harbor Collection contains personal narratives, photographs, diaries, correspondence, and governmental papers that relate to men, women, children and ships present at Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941.
Transcription of Item: "Aug. 19, 1936
[illegible] Pedro + [illegible]
Dear Dad:
Say, old boy, haven't you been forgetting about this son of yours lately. It has been a long time since you have written. Now don't tell me you have broken you had or something. That is to old.
Well, it won't be long now. We get in Saturday 23. It is great to go places but it is also great to get back. I enjoyed the trip but plenty willing to come back. The U. S. A. is the best after all.
We have been having a few battles lately. Something like a bunch of kids playing war. The only difference is, they used horses + sticks + we use battle ships + blanks. It is a little fun though. You can always fall down + play dead. That way you know the part by heart.
Listen, pal, it seems as though I will really see the world now. The new commandr[sic] of the battle that made this statement "All battle ships just as well leave their anchors in the navy yard as we are going to be underway most of the time." That isn't all we are underway most of our time now. As a mess cook I'm a flop. In the first place I don't like to wash dishes. Anyway dishes
[pg 2]for 20 men is to much for one man to wash. I have a hell of a time keeping this stuff clean. Oh! well I only have another month to do this, I guess I get paid enough extra to make up for the pain.
Pop, you should see me get into action. I have had fights since I got aboard this pigeion[sic] ship. Fairly lucky. Only got whiped[sic] once. If he doesn't change his attitude I'll get another chrack[sic] at him. I don't believe he could do it again. I came aboard with two friends Fits + Hendrix, + have whiped[sic] them both. The other guys were just punks who thought they owned the ship. Guess one of them did own a little more than I.
Maybe the little fight in Spain will bring the fleet to the east coast. There is some talk that we will go to Florida, just in case we were needed. Don't really expect any action but there is a chance. Uncle Sam has [illegible] judgement to keep his boys at home now.
You should get a shot of this gas, dad. We get it every day or so. It reallymakes the tears roll down your cheek. Don't ever get caught in a tight place where there is gas without a gas mask. Some of the [illegible] did + believe me they won't be guilty again.
Last Tuesday they pumped all of the fuel oil
[pg 3]to one side to make the ship lean. When they got enough to put the ship on a 16° lisp[sic] the officer of the deck told them to pump it back. They misunderstood the order + pumped as much again to the same side. This put the ship at a 33° lisp[sic]. If you don't think we had the [illegible]. I set they[sic] tables 5 times before I realized the plates wouldn't stay on the table. You couldn't walk nor even stand straight. Put a dish pan of water on the table + before I could get the dish rag it was on the floor. I was never so disgusted in all my life.
Well, pop, there isn't anything left to say. A sailors life is about the same every day. After you get it once it[sic] have it all.
Tell Grandmother + Granddaddy hello for me. Tell Grandma if she is there now.
Guess Johnny is still taking care of them.
Your son"
Place Name coordinates. (May be approximate.)
Place Name coordinates. (May be approximate.)
