Cover: plain

From: Lt(jg) CR Cummins

USS LST 661

FPO San Fran. Cal.

To: The Cummins Mansion

6109 Greenwood Ave.

Chicago, 37 Illinois

Postmark: U.S. NAVY 7 DEC 1945

Stamp: 6¢ red airmail

note-sized paper

6 Dec

2200

Guten Abend,

Meet the new commanding officer! Thus it has been for several days now—and the ship is still afloat. The captain left two days ago for transportation to the states and discharge. Tom is exec.

From now on I should have a life of semi-ease—that which comes with “responsibility.” The captain’s quarters are sumptuous indeed—living room, bedroom, head and shower—enormous desk, a couch, breakfast table—what a life!

I had begun to worry about my mental state—with all those transfers—I had nearly a hundred while I was exec. Everywhere I would turn there was something else to do. The hectic period is all past now—but ahead is the organization of close to a new crew.

My other item of new is that we’ll be shoving off soon—tomorrow or the next day—of all places: to the Palau Islands to repatriate the Japs that we shot up about a year. I believe we’ll take them to Yokahama (another place was mentioned, but I forget its name—never heard of it before).

This is the news up to the minute brought to you by your favorite announcer.

I plan to be at Palau in time to have more mail to you by Christmas. If this shouldn’t be the case you do know were I would like to be—and an, except bodily.

Yesterday I had letters from you and Louise. My little sister has probably abandoned hope for me—concerning letter-writing only, of course—maybe I am a hopeless case.

My admission into medical school was the best news I have had in many a day. The future is shaping up wonderfully well—with school and the apartment settled. It’s going to be marvelous to have our own home and lives after so much indefiniteness for so long. The buying of the apartment did take a large chunk of our bank account—but that is what we have been working and saving for. It is by far the soundest investment I could think of.

After getting back I plan to relax for a month or two—after this—before school—I am lacking plans, except for much study—but I’ll have to have some source of income.

The name of that other place that we might take the Japs is Uraga.

Ta, ta—be seeing you—

Love and kisses,

Bob