Category Archives: 1943

CRC 1943-4-23 to OLC

Envelope: 3 ½ by 6 1/2, plain

Return address: Ens CR Cummins

Flot 30

Ft Pierce, Pla.

Address: Mr. D L Cummins, 6109 Greenwood Ave, Chicago, 37, Illinois

Stamp: handwritten “Free”

Postmark: U. S. NAVY APR 24 1230 PM 1944, wavy lines

Reverse: handwritten in brown in, in another hand: 3660 3058 49th  General Hosp.

A.P.O. ℅ [I think] Postmaster San Francisco  Cal.

Stationery: 6 by 9 ½,  Navy Shield (eagle above, anchors at side), below shield :UNITED STATES NAVY

23 April

2230

Little Laydie,

How are all the Chicago women these days? How do they manage to exist since my marriage? Did my suitcase arrive? Will send a box soon, with a few articles of “decoration” for your room. How is that bed these days?—wouldn’t mind being there. Believe me, I am just as anxious to be back in the manor as you are anxious to have me there.

We turned over our boats this morning, so will be merely biding time with inner suspense until we know our next move. We have been very busy, with attendant lack of sleep—the worst day was: after working all day, we had a practice invasion at night with a 2200 H-hour, then an all-night shuttle service—taking supplies to beach—finally coming in at 0745—then mustered at 0800 for a full day’s work.

Weary Robert is going to retire. Joan called last night—was worried because I had not written. Sleep tight, my loved ones,

Bob

CRC 1943-8-2 to family

Stationery: plain typing paper

8/2/43

U.S.N.R. Midshipmen’s School

Furnald Hall, Billet 306C
New York City 27, New York

Dear ones,

Arrived in New York last night in Harlem in the midst of the race riot. It was quite a spectacle—and it would seem that Chicago was due soon. Perhaps they hushed the story, but the riot here was fairly serious.

I was one of the first ones to report this morning (stayed at a hotel here, as the navy was not prepared to billet me) and thereby was fortunate enough to get the best company commander & probably the best company. There are three of us in the room—they have a double-decker & I a cot. We had no choice of roommates or beds. I have two excellent shipmates (“ [under ‘roommates’])—quiet and friendly and studious.

We are not in the “gob” uniforms, but have the regular officers’ khaki, with no insignia. Today we received our supplies and were drilled for awhile—but the major portion of the day has been calm and I shall have to wait for tomorrow to be fatigued.

I had an excellent weekend. Joan looked lovely in her uniform—and they all did. they are doing a wonderful job, and deserve much credit for their work. We had dinner in Amherst Sunday. The country is beautiful.

I am tired, children, and realize that my statements would only bore you.

Take good care of yourselves, and please take a vacation, and a good one, away from Chicago.

Your son and brother (if the waif is home),

Bob

CRC 1943-9-6 to family

Stationery: plain

 

9/6/43

6:30 PM

Dear chillin,

Everything is proceeding well. I missed all the “trees” the first week—which means that we are at least passing everything. Other than these trees, we never have any information as to the caliber of work we are doing.

Saturday I met Al Green at Floyd Bennett airport, but it was too cloudy to go up in the air. I had dinner with Punky, Alan, and Punky’s sister, and we played bridge after dinner. Then I arrived here, after more experience with the intricate subway system, about 11:30. Punky is expecting a baby in a week or so.

Sunday afternoon I saw a double feature and wandered around for a while. Sunday evening we are all required to attend church. So 2000 of us march to and from the Riverside Presbyterian Church. The service is good, but we do waste so much time coming and going. This church is a beautiful structure. It is impressive, tho, to watch the midshipman march—in their navy blue suits and white caps.

I have a watch tonight—am a sentry (no “c”), so I lose two hours sleep and must miss classes & some studying.

Hope you are well & happy and, mother, that the weather is as ward there as it is here—for your benefit.

Love & kisses, Bobbie

CRC 1943-11-9 to OLC

Stationery: 7 ¼ by 10, Medallion marked with “U.S. Naval Reserve Midshipman’s School” in black or dark blue, with “New York, N.Y.” beneath.

 

9 Nov 1943

1800

My charming little schwester,

Truly I am still alive and still in love with the sage of Chickasha. My extensive correspondence is no indication of affection. But it could be said that you were no angel in this respect—just commenting, not chastising.

No, I do not write via typewriter, as I feel that long hand is much more personal, even tho’ illegible. Of course, the fact that there is no typewriter to be utilized, and the fact that it would take me hours to type a page, and the fact that the yeoman is not exceptionally fond of writing letters other than business letters, are merely minor reasons.

The picture of Joan in the News was a good one, but the others were not exactly superb—as may be adjudged by the fact that the only one I received, from dear fiancee’ was the News’ one—the others coming from 6109.

Punky had Patricia, a lovely child—now about six weeks old. I held her in my arms for ten minutes before she began to cry.

Be careful of that southern slang and those submarine dreams.

All here is per usual. Only fourteen more days—whee! Exams are over next Thursday—the 17th and then we have a few days to collect our wits—which we would rather be collecting in Chicago. My work is not spectacular, I have avoided the trees, and I have collected my share of those things called demerits. The life is healthy & mentally vigorous—and certainly by education, especially with med school completed, will have been a varied one. I have had no hint as to where I shall be sent, or as to transference to V-12. In the navy you do not predict, customarily not hope. Whatever the assignment is, it will be for the best, except perhaps for my marital status.

Ed Nelson stopped in for a few minutes yesterday. He graduated for Abbot Hall, & is going to Wash. D.C. for 9 weeks training in bomb disposal. Bob Walker is here—I manage to see him about every third mess—as we eat in the same hall. George Waynon (from H.P.H.S.) arrived in the same class & asked to have his best wishes sent west. Bud O’Donnell’s folks convince him that the merchant marine was not the best thing for him—after one trip to London on a Liberty ship.

Our platoon & company (the fightin’ 5th) has carried away all the championships.

My uniforms are almost completed still prefer the old civies.

Will close & write to Chicago and Lake Forest.

Lots of luck to Louise and David. Hope something turns up that we may arrive in Chicago together one of these days.

Your loving brother,

Bob

CRC 1943-12-6 to family

Stationery: regular typing paper

 

12/6/43

1830

Dearest ones,

Arrived safely and on time in Little Creek, after a pleasant, but fairly slow, journey. We will probably not have much to do this first week or so—but we are in fairly deep ignorance at present concerning what the future holds.

The food seems to be good and the company cordial. Informality compared to USNRMS. We will be living in huts with 16 men in a hut—plenty of room, but no million-dollar establishments. The huts are about 40 feet long and 15 feet wide with a coal-burning stove in the middle for warmth. It is not cool enough here for a topcoat, so quite welcome—wouldn’t you like to be here, mother.

My address for a short while will be simply Amphibious Training Base (A.T.B.) Little Creek, Virginia.

Rumors (scuttlebutt) says we are here for two months, then a leave, then to Florida for a while, then back here, and then to sail across the oceans blue.

I shall write again an soon as I know more.

Love and kisses,

Bob