Cover: red and blue ribbons at edge
From: Lt(jg) CR Cummins
USS LST 661
FPO San Fran Cal
To: The Cummins
6109 Greenwood Ave.
Chicago, 49, Illinois
Stamp: 6¢ Airmail
Postmark: U.S. NAVY, center 23 NOV 1945
Censor: no censor mark
21 Nov
2230
Hello, chillun,
Happy Thanksgiving!
Though we cannot all be home there is much to be thankful for—we are all well and safe, the war has ended, it will not be long before everyone is home. On board we will make the most of what we have—I have scheduled a late reveille, we have a huge Thanksgiving Day turkey dinner, a basketball game (Gunnery vs. All-Stars) and a double-feature movie for the evening.
I am now executive office and navigator—plus gunnery officer and any number of other things. I attend to all the routine, paper work, reports, personnel, what have you—the captain just signs the papers. Consequently I have been well occupied in learning the job. One good feature is that I no longer stand watches—and oh! what a relief that is. too, I’m happy to be doing something different.
The ship will be our here “indefinitely.” Our repairs were completed two days ago, now we are lying at anchor awaiting developments (as so many ships are doing these days). The foremost story is that a number of LST’s will be used to repatriate Japs. Why the Japs couldn’t simply take over the LST’s I don’t know.
They seem to be sending back the new LST’s for overhaul. When they return to the Pacific the old ones will go to the states for decommissioning. You can imagine how it feels to see ships that have been our here all of six or even months headed home.
Early in November I sent in a request for rehabilitation leave. Today the first endorsement came, recommending approval. It next goes to Com Serv Force, finally Bureau of Personnel. The first endorsement (by the amphibians boss) is the most important. The rest is probably just a matter of time [carat] (much time). This leave at best wouldn’t get home much before I am eligible for discharge (Feb 1st).
With or without rehabilitation leave I have a better than even chance of being with Joan on our second anniversary. [Feb. 5]
Yes, pop, I don’t see either how we can avoid another war. The whole world seems completely torn up now. I think we should keep our armed forces strong as the best way of assuring peace—even more important than this, supply funds to continue the research that has been going on. Perhaps the terror of what the next war will be will be effective in attaining peace.
Speaking our your war, dad—recently we have seen two pictures concerning it—the Fighting 69th” and the story of Rickenbacker.
According to reports you’re having cold weather. I’ll have to be careful in Feb, or I’ll freeze, catch pneumonia, etc. I have almost forgotten what a cold winter is, having slept for so many months with no protection but my skin.
The typhoon season has ended—we probably won’t return to a typhoon are.
You are wise to wait to sell the six-apartment building, for real estate should rise for some time. 6109—well, that’s a tough decision to make. I hate to see it ever leave our hands. We have lived so much and so well there in our wonderful home. But I know that day must come—and it’s much better to lose a little money on the original investment that to have you continue to handle it as you have been. You have always done too much there—and your brats haven’t helped too much—but brats learn slowly.
Joan has an apartment for us and I am highly enthusiastic about the investment. I have applied for the Sept. call and N.U.
See you soon,
Love, Bob