October 13, 1945

Air Mail From Dip

At Anchor

Oct. 13, 1945

Dear Mom & Dad –

Expected to be on shore long ago but here we still are out on the water. We’re in Wakayama Bay at the moment (can you locate it in the almanac?) – it’s about 200 mi. south along the shore of Honshu from Nagoya. We are waiting ‘till the mine fields are completely cleared at Nagoya before we pull out of here & land there. Don’t know just how much longer it will take.

In the meantime life is getting a little boring aboard this little vessel. The food still hold out & is pretty good, but it’s the lack of diversion & activity that we miss. The Navy men get shore leave, but the Army men don’t. It makes sense of course, because our whole Div. is here & we’d overrun the place & no doubt get into trouble.

The Navy officers that have been ashore tell us big stories after each trip. In short – the Japs are very friendly – the kids are fast learning “hello” “cigarette?” & “thank you” – the girls are very cute & exotic – some speak perfect English. In this little town there isn’t too much damage done so there are some automobiles running around & a streetcar. Buildings & factories (not war indust.) are in pretty fair condition.

Nip fisherman have paddled out to us in their little put-puts & offered flags for sale or for cigarettes or clothes. I still can’t get used to their looks & find myself wanting to yell – “Fire Mission.” Guess I’d better get over that impulse – it always leads to bloodshed.

We’ve listened to the World Series each day – we get a rebroadcast one day late. I see that the food old Golden Gophers are on the way to the top again, 61-7 pretty swell. I surely would like to get home in time to see a game.

Isn’t it disgusting – I’ve got points galore & here I am out in the middle of the sea where they can’t possibly catch up with me. We’d better land & get set up soon or I’ll never get home. Yesterday morn the temperature went down to 53° - ain’t that somethin’! This cooler weather feels just wonderful to me after so many years in the tropics. Feel great now & ought to gain some weight if the cool weather keeps up. At least maybe I’ll get acclimatized afor I get home.

Hope you’re all OK – I’ll see you soon.

Love, Dorance