Smitty ~ Letter IV/ and POW/MIA day

Just two days out of San Francisco, CA, the dismal conditions aboard Smitty’s troop ship, heading southwest, took a turn for the worse.  The cool weather became stifling hot and humid.  The fresh meat and vegetables ran out and Spam sandwich became the lunch cuisine of record.

The troops learned that dehydrated potatoes, cooked to the consistency of pebbles; powered eggs, unrecognizable except for the color; and hot dogs of no discernible pedigree were to be the standard ‘menu’.  Nobody asked for seconds!

Shut-eye?

 

Letter IV                                                                                                      Still at sea in a quandary

Dear Mom, 

Well, here I am again as promised.  Yesterday we had a little something different to sea besides the sea.  Notice that I’m getting so that I can only spell  the sea when I mean to write see.  Early in the morning we had the pleasure of seeing another ship and must say it sure made one feel good.  Why it should though I can’t say unless it is the thought that someone else is having it just as tough.  Guess there is some truth in the saying, “Misery loves company.”  We also had the pleasure of watching some islands in the far off distance.  I won’t try to describe them to you, as that would be too much to expect to pass. (Censorship blacked out the next paragraph) 

You will kindly take notice that I used the words “pleasant” and “pleasure,” if I keep that up you might get the idea this is getting to be that kind of voyage.  Some amusing things do happen though, such as the boys sleeping out on the deck getting caught in the rain or some clumsy ox slipping and sliding his way along the boat.  By the way, I forgot to tell you that we get the regular news everyday in a printed form resembling a newspaper.  Also music by record sounds tinny, but anything out here is good.

You can readily see I haven’t much ambition for writing today, which reminds me   Smitty was blacked out by censors.  Matter of fact, the way I feel right now, I don’t care much whether I do or not. 

Well, that is all for today’s report on nothing, so with all my love, I am your ever obedient son,

  Everett

Click on images to enlarge.

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POW/MIA Day recalled – 

To visit my past POW/MIA posts, please click HERE and then HERE – Thank you for honoring these troops.

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Military Humor – 

“Well landlubbers, a funny thing happened the first few days aboard our troops ship….”

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Farewell Salutes –

Richard Adams – Lakewood, NJ; US Army Air Corps, WWII, PTO

Aubrey Brady – Booker, TX; US Army Air Corps, WWII, PTO/Korea, 5th Air Force Cmdr., Lt.Col. (Ret.)

Louis Ciavarro – W.Palm Beach, FL; US Navy

Kenneth Eade – Hanna, CA; US Army Air Corps, WWII

Marlin Fife – Logan, UT; US Army, WWII, ETO, communications

Thomas McGuire – Sebring, FL; US Army Air Corps, WWII, PTO, Major, pilot, Medal of Honor, KIA

Clarence Mellbye – Salem, OR; US Army Air Corps, WWII, PTO, 11th Airborne Division

Jeremiah O’Keefe – Ocean Springs, MS; USMC, WWII, PTO, “Death Rattlers” pilot

Thomas Schaeffer – Rochester, NY; US Air Force, Iran, Colonel (ret.), pilot, POW

Donald Wilson – Lincoln, RI; US Navy, Korea

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