Nov. 12, 1944

Kay Darling:

We had another mail call and I got 2 letters from you.

We are on our way again. Not much of an escort just 2 tin cans.

We don’t know where we are going yet.  So will let the days pass ’till something else happens.

Nov. 24, 1944

Dearest Kay:
Well, here I am having my third Thanksgiving Dinner, while in the service. We had a swell dinner with all the trimmings. I helped fix the dinner so it had to be good. I never heard anyone say that he did not like the dinner or didn’t get enough.

Slept most of the afternoon. I guess we will arrive at the Philippines tomorrow or the next day.

Admiral Halsey (center, top) eats Thanksgiving dinner with the crew of the USS New Jersey (BB-62) November 30, 1944.

Dec. 25, 1944

My Darling:

Went on liberty at Manus and played ball, also got beat 7 – 2. Sure had a lot of fun. Came back to the ship in the evening and saw a good happy hour and a movie.
Gee Honey, I miss you so much. I love you so very much dear.

Jan. 28, 1945

My Darling:

We are still at Lingayen Gulf, and have all our ammunition loaded and fuel aboard and are waiting for stores.

Nothing has happened except we have Air Defense every morning and night. We haven’t seen any planes though. I wonder where they are at. It kinda worries me

Jan 30, 1945

Hello Darling:

Well, we are going to load stores tonight, all night, and do a little shelling in the morning.

We still haven’t received any mail, it has been a month and six days since I have heard from you.

Yes, I still love you Kay.

Feb. 4, 1945

My Darling:

We never done any bombarding but did and have been loading stores for 5 days.

And still no mail.

This place is really dead. I don’t know how long we stay here.

USS West Virginia Band Performs

I wish we would get out of here.