December 4, 1940
U.S. N.T.S.
Newport, RI
Company 79
Dear Mom and Dad:
I have been going from 5:30 am to 9:30 pm. Monday we had a blood test and today we were vaccinated and had shots for Typhoid we will have 3 shots, 1 every seven days in detention. After 3 weeks of detention we have a leave Saturday afternoon and Sunday afternoon within Newport. You can come down any Sunday you want, you can bring any amount of visitors you want. I will be out in six weeks so that means I will be home after New Year’s about Jan. 14th. I’ve seen Bob and we had a good talk together. We move to “D” Barracks Saturday, that’s were Bob is staying. We wash clothes every night and drill in the day with 9 pound rifles.
P.S. Try to get down some Sunday
December 8, 1940
U.S.N.T.S.
Newport, R.I.
Company 79
Dear Mom and Dad:
Getting along swell. We moved from “C” Barracks over to “D” Barracks Saturday morning, these are all new Barracks with modern bunks and other devices. We move from here in 2 weeks over to “B” Barracks for 2 more weeks there. If you can get somebody to come down on a Sunday it is alright we can have visitors any time even week days. When I go home if you can have Slim or Stella come and pick me up it would be cheaper because the rates have gone up and I won’t have much money and if you haven’t enough money you can’t go home and they make you buy a round trip ticket unless they know you are being picked up.
We had chicken for dinner and I met Bob at the lunch counter and I am meeting him at 3 o’clock this afternoon. We had a fire drill at 3:30 a.m. this morning and went back to bed again and got back up at 5:30. We can do anything we want Saturday and Sunday afternoons. I will get out Saturday January 10th to go home. Please send some money. I have been broke for a week and I have no cigarettes and I won’t get paid for 2 more weeks. We have a radio in our Barracks and ping pong tables, pool tables, bowling allies. Every day we wear leggings, belts and bayonets. The weather is swell down here no snow no rain. I got Class A in swimming.
Love “Bill”
December 12, 1940
U.S.N.T.S.
Newport, R.I.
Company 79
Dear Mom and Dad:
Received the money and stamps and thanks a lot. We got our shots yesterday and most of us were sick today. They make your head ache and your arm is stiff for 3 days. I just got back from a three mile hike. I have got 12 handkerchiefs. For Christmas I could use a shaving kit, a wrist watch, a fountain pen, cigarettes, and a small wallet that will fit in my pocket. We have one week more in detention and then we get liberty on Sat and Sun. We drill 6 hours a day and we have a lecture every day. We are going to eat chow now, will write soon.
Lots of Love “Bill”
P.S. I took out life insurance the other day for $3,000.
December 19, 1940
U.S.N.T.S.
Newport, R.I.
Company 79
Dear Mom and Dad:
Getting along good the weather is very good. We got our Dress uniform fitted and our dress hats fitted today so we might be out in 5 weeks. You can send any kind of fruits cookies and candy you want. I need the whole shaving kit. Bob has to come back the 23rd of December. Yesterday we took a test for a trade school but I didn’t make it, I didn’t pass in math. I got 82 in General Classifications, 86 in Mechanical Aptitude, 35 in Math, 80 in English, 96 in Spelling. It does not make any difference where you go to a trade school or not.
I recovered from the last shot good and tomorrow we go out of detention and Saturday we go ashore. Write and let me know when you are coming down. Bring a camera and some film when you come down. We got our guard post today, I am the Officer-of-the-Days Messenger and I am inside all the time so I struck it lucky. They are taking in Recruits around 400 a week. Well I have to go eat chow now, give my regards to all.
Love “Bill”
