Letter V : “Yep! Still at Sea”

cards aboard a troop ship

 

Dear Letter V                                                                             Yep!  Still at sea

 

Mom,  I was seriously thinking of tearing this letter up, as I couldn’t for the life of me locate an airmail stamp aboard ship.  I kept at it though until finally fortune smiled down on me and success was mine.  I have been pretty lucky so far at my card playing activities and should it hold out until we reach some civilized port, why I’ll be ahead and you will be pleasantly surprised when you receive my check for like amount.  We can cable home money from abroad so might just as well take your advice — surprised? — and send it home for that day when we shall all return.

We have a large map of the world hanging up on the wall, which supplies us with as much amusement trying to figure out just where we are.  According to figures, dates, times and patience, we should be hitting a port sometime real soon.  In fact there is a rumor being whispered about that we will hit one tomorrow.  Now this rumor comes from good authority seeing that it came from a fellow whose first sergeant is a second cousin to the uncle of the father of the first mate whose brother is third cook on this boat.  Now, can’t you see why we are so glumly overjoyed?  All kidding aside though, we should be nearing one soon.

Playing cribbage aboard ship

We saw a movie last night down in the mess hall.  It was quite an old picture, but luckily for me, I hadn’t seen it before, so therefore I spent my most enjoyable hour so far on this trip.  The officers on this trip haven’t been having it quite as tough as us, but rough enough.  In order to pass away their time they have taken up the game of badminton with a zeal and I must say have really kept at it until now this regiment can boast it has not only badminton players, but experts as well.  By the way, I have also learned how to play the old card game of Cribbage.  Ever hear tell of it before?  Well mom, that is all for today, so once again I’ll sign off, but before I do, give my regards to all and I’ll write again soon. 

Love and kisses, Everett

CLICK ON IMAGES TO ENLARGE.

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Military Humor –

An awkward moment in After Steering.

The Navy’s new terrorist ‘catch & release’ program!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Farewell Salutes – 

Manuel Albuquerque – brn: DOM REP; US Army, MSgt. (ret 21 y.), EOD specialist

Charles F. Blair – Howard County, MD; US Army, Vietnam, helicopter pilot

Dwight “Cee-Born” Curry – East Meadow, NY; US Army, Gulf War

Frank L. Duncan – Toledo, OH; US Army Air Corps/Air Force, WWII, Korea & Vietnam, aircraft rescue & Firefighter, (Ret. 21 y.)

Melvin J. Goldberg – Tom’s River, NJ; US Navy, Medical unit, doctor

Alfred Hammon – Plainfield, NJ; US Merchant Marine, WWII / US Navy, Annapolis Class ’47, Korea, LT.

Timothy Johns – Wayne County, MI; US Army, dental clinic

Richard H. Johnson – Manlius, NY; US Air Force, Vietnam, pilot, DFC & Bronze Star, Lt.Col. (Ret.)

Lyle J. Madison – Silverdale, WA; US Army, Vietnam

Jerry O’Rear Jr. – Anaheim, CA; US Navy, Afghanistan, corpsman

Jerry S. Schafer – Port Townsend, WA; US Navy, Vietnam

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uh, My week went well… Yours?

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About GP

Everett Smith served with the Headquarters Company, 187th Regiment, 11th A/B Division during WWII. This site is in tribute to my father, "Smitty." GP is a member of the 11th Airborne Association. Member # 4511 and extremely proud of that fact!

Posted on September 2, 2024, in First-hand Accounts, Letters home, SMITTY, Uncategorized, WWII and tagged , , , , , , , , , , . Bookmark the permalink. 121 Comments.

  1. Your father was good at writing and let us peep into his not so pleasant journey via his dry sense of humour

    Liked by 1 person

  2. Another prime bit of snark from Smitty: “Now this rumor comes from good authority seeing that it came from a fellow whose first sergeant is a second cousin to the uncle of the father of the first mate whose brother is third cook on this boat.”

    Liked by 2 people

  3. That map would have made the trip interesting especially when they finally figured out where they were. Your Dad had a very positive attitude in always talking about sending things for when he got home again.

    Liked by 2 people

  4. Ah, what a respectful letter. Shame, I wonder how long it took until his mother received it.

    I will look up Cribbage. Thank you:)

    Liked by 2 people

  5. Ha. I’m feeling about like the cross-eyed pirate cat.

    I enjoyed this letter and the pictures a lot, GP. Cards can be a spectator sport when there’s nowhere to go and not much else to do. Hugs.

    Liked by 2 people

  6. I like Smitty’s explanation of the rumour and how it was passed around. Just typical of rumours! Plenty of good humour at this point, maybe there’s some hope for landing for them – at last!

    Liked by 2 people

  7. Getting a letter with humor must have been wonderful for any mom!

    Liked by 1 person

  8. This was moving and humorous as well. I must say, I’m enjoying perusing your blog! The photographs are also very special.

    Like

  9. Cribbage? Badminton? If Smitty was at sea for much longer after that, he might have started knitting!

    Liked by 1 person

  10. I get claustrophobia just looking at that card playing photo!

    Liked by 1 person

  11. I can only imagine how special it was for his mom to receive this letter.. So sweet and touching with great humor❣️

    Liked by 1 person

  12. https://usnhistory.navylive.dodlive.mil/Recent/Article-View/Article/3826900/in-memoriam-rear-admiral-kenneth-william-pete-pettigrew-usnr/

    “had been an interment service for Pete at the Miramar National Cemetary in the morning. For that event there was a four-Navy-aircraft flyover. The four pilots were the CNO, who had flown out from D.C. for the pass, the Navy’s Air Boss (CNAF/CNAP), the current C.O. and a past C.O. of the Top Gun school.”

    He was also a docent on the USS Midway. I think he was technical advisor for both Top Gun movies and his call signal, Viper, was used by one of the fliers in that movie.

    Liked by 1 person

  13. https://usnhistory.navylive.dodlive.mil/Recent/Article-View/Article/3826900/in-memoriam-rear-admiral-kenneth-william-pete-pettigrew-usnr/

    “had been an interment service for Pete at the Miramar National Cemetary in the morning. For that event there was a four-Navy-aircraft flyover. The four pilots were the CNO, who had flown out from D.C. for the pass, the Navy’s Air Boss (CNAF/CNAP), the current C.O. and a past C.O. of the Top Gun school.”

    He was also a Docent on the Midway as well as being an advisor on both Top Gun movies.

    Liked by 1 person

  14. Thanks for your like of my article on Eschatology; you are very kind.

    Liked by 1 person

  15. Another delightful letter. Thanks, GP.

    Liked by 3 people

  16. I never thought of them playing badminton onboard… I’m betting my father never strayed from poker games.

    Liked by 1 person

  17. I love the sense of humor your dad shows, G. I would have liked to have known him. –Curt

    Liked by 1 person

  18. Perhaps all those men (who survived) would have enjoyed having this photo… for a time.

    Liked by 1 person

  19. Evil times; 7:07am – Got this from Kim Komandos e-mail:

    Zip it: If your phone rings and someone says, “Can you hear me?” or “Is this [your name]?” hang up. Scammers record your “Yes” to create voice authorizations for bank account access. Bonus points if you report shady numbers to the Better Business Bureau’s Scam Tracker.

    Liked by 1 person

  20. It’s fun to read these letters. You can almost feel his comfort level, even though he’s probably not comfortable. In any case, I’m sure his letters were a comfort to his mother.

    Liked by 1 person

  21. The letter is fun to read. It provides so many interesting details about leisure-time activities on the ship.

    Like

    • It is good they had something to pass the time. Sitting around thinking about home or where you’re headed might not be conducive to a healthy voyage.

      Like

  22. These letters make very interesting reading.

    Liked by 3 people

  23. That cartoon about ‘ below the water line’ reminded me of a friend of mine who joined the Navy during Vietnam War days . He thought he’d joint the Navy and see the world . The officer asked what his talents were and he mentioned working on car engines . For the rest of his service he was below decks in the engine room .

    Also , that photo of the soldiers crowded aboard kind of tells the whole story about their crossing .

    Liked by 3 people

  24. Everett’s humor continues to shine through. I chuckled at his mention of “this rumor comes from good authority,” as all rumors do 😀

    Liked by 1 person

  25. Your father wrote in an honest, descriptive, conversational manner. In other words, he was a very fine writer.

    Liked by 2 people

  26. Smitty’s letters are a pleasure to read. You are fortunate to have these first-hand accounts and photos from your dad’s service in WWII.

    Liked by 2 people

  27. “We can cable home money from abroad so might just as well take your advice — surprised? — and send it home for that day when we shall all return.”

    I loved this humorous sentence especially the word, “surprised.” You can tell that Smitty and his mom had a wonderful connection. In every letter, there is a theme of hope, of coming home – truly profound and memorable.

    Liked by 1 person

  28. Those world maps have shifted quite a bit over the decades. I see paolsoren has beat me to commenting on how information was gathered in the Army. Your father had a way with words and could have been a writer.

    Liked by 1 person

  29. My dad learned cribbage in the Navy as well. He loved the game.

    Liked by 1 person

  30. Glad he enjoyed movie night. I wonder what the film was?

    Liked by 4 people

  31. Love the origin of the ‘rumour’. Most rumours I ever heard had similar provenance! 😊

    Best wishes, Pete.

    Liked by 1 person

  32. A lesson on how to beat boredom (no digital fallback either).

    Liked by 1 person

  33. Such a dry sense of humour and very British.

    Glad to hear your week went well. Mine went a little like this…

    After 6 weeks of volunteering, caught a bus from Lviv (Ukraine) to Krakow (Poland) with a holdup at the border of 8 hours, the trip took 12-plus hours. If you were to drive the stretch and not stop at the border it takes around 4 hours.

    Two nights in Krakow, then a 3am start for the 4am train journey from Krakow to Frankfurt via Berlin (2 trains). This journey took 11 hours. Resting in Frankfurt for 4 nights before taking a late flight back to Australia on the 4th and arrive in Sydney early in the morning on the 6th.

    A very long week! 😉

    Liked by 1 person

  34. Enjoyed his description of information by scuttlebutt!

    Like

  35. I love that Smitty never lost his sense of humor. Mom must have loved getting these letters.

    Liked by 1 person

  36. Fascinating letter from your dad, GP, with all the information he can share. I’ve heard of Cribbage, but have never played it. Playing badminton on a ship while being transported to battle must have been good for the men.

    Liked by 2 people

  37. I like the detailed information network

    Liked by 1 person

  38. The rumor mill is a classic. What a great sense of humor. Thanks, Smitty & GP for the great post.

    Liked by 2 people

  39. love this letter! have to do something to pass the time –

    Liked by 3 people

  40. Happy Labor Day, GP. Great ‘toons. Is that you in the shorts back in the day? Gotta love Smitty’s sense of humor.

    Like

  41. glumly overjoyed” ha

    Liked by 1 person

  42. learned to play cribbage back in 62 @ Bethesda Naval Hosp. From retired Sgt Major while there for a football injury. He had some stories. Love the blogs. L. Fiddler 62-68 USMC Army Guard – 73-76. Aka the Rooster

    Liked by 3 people

  43. Stamps in a military environment on a ship? Really? I always thought that only Germans were the masters of such correctness to the end. 😉 Best wishes, Michael

    Liked by 1 person

  44. ” a fellow whose first sergeant is a second cousin to the uncle of the father of the first mate whose brother is third cook on this boat.” Sounds a lot like the way you find out important things in the Australian Army.

    Liked by 5 people

  45. I’m trying to envision officers playing badminton on a crowded ship. Smitty’s letter was especially humorous this time.

    Liked by 3 people

  46. Thank you, James.

    Like

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