Billy's letters begin on April 2nd and, having finally received a photograph from Mary and been mightily impressed with what he saw , he was pleased to be the envy of the base and bursting with pride. After three months of correspondence, Billy was ready to declare his hand.
#7 (April 2nd 1953) He reports how Mary's photographs has been meet by others, saying 'All compliment me on having a girl like you writing to me. In fact a few want your address. I tell them all "Nothing doing". Looking forward to his future after the Navy, he states 'Guess I'll buy me a farm and settle down. I'm just a farmer at heart.' Unable to contain his feelings, however, he boldly admits 'I know that this will sound silly as heck, but I think of you as my sweetheart; in fact I've fallen for you' but pessimistically adds 'If only you could feel something for me.'
#7 (April 2nd 1953) He reports how Mary's photographs has been meet by others, saying 'All compliment me on having a girl like you writing to me. In fact a few want your address. I tell them all "Nothing doing". Looking forward to his future after the Navy, he states 'Guess I'll buy me a farm and settle down. I'm just a farmer at heart.' Unable to contain his feelings, however, he boldly admits 'I know that this will sound silly as heck, but I think of you as my sweetheart; in fact I've fallen for you' but pessimistically adds 'If only you could feel something for me.'
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Mary does not seem to have reciprocated Billy's declaration of having fallen for her and, after receiving an Easter card from her but having not sent her one, Billy seems to be on the back foot. There is no such bold declaration this time ... abruptly ending his epistle to fold and store his laundry and patch up the torn pieces (of Billy's heart too?)
#8 (April 8th 1953) He uses wrestling terminology for a bad guy at the outset, saying 'I feel like a very big heel.' Changing the subject swiftly, he declares 'I saw a good movie this week. John Wayne in "Trouble Along the Way". It is a very good movie, I think.' Looking forward to the future, as usual, he says 'Sometimes this month grades for advancement in rating should be back. Just hope that I make Second Class this time. To one it means 25c more a month.'
#8 (April 8th 1953) He uses wrestling terminology for a bad guy at the outset, saying 'I feel like a very big heel.' Changing the subject swiftly, he declares 'I saw a good movie this week. John Wayne in "Trouble Along the Way". It is a very good movie, I think.' Looking forward to the future, as usual, he says 'Sometimes this month grades for advancement in rating should be back. Just hope that I make Second Class this time. To one it means 25c more a month.'
Here is the trailer and the movie poster for John Wayne's "Trouble Along the Way" (1953) that Billy referenced in his letter:
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Billy's next letter is focused on the daily trials and tribulations of life in the Dry Dock at Pennsylvania. Still very much in love with his sweetheart, Billy discusses his desire to secure a posting nearer to Texas so that he can be nearer to Mary ... but his pessimism pushes through as ever.
#9 (April 13th 1953) He complains that 'Our ship is in the Dry Dock now and we have to walk about 3/4 of a mile back and forth to the Mess Hall.' Keen to be in a more accessible area so that they could meet up regularly, he explains 'I have been trying to get Shore Duty at Orange or New Orleans' but adds 'One handicap is I don't have enough time to do. It takes at least 2 years more to do before one can get Shore Duty.' He outlines his work thus far and doubts the quality of it, saying 'Our time here in the Yard is nearing its ending point. And there are plenty of hard work and long hours ahead in the next few weeks. On May 9th we lite the plant off to see if their are any leaks. I dread it because I know there will be plenty of them.'
#9 (April 13th 1953) He complains that 'Our ship is in the Dry Dock now and we have to walk about 3/4 of a mile back and forth to the Mess Hall.' Keen to be in a more accessible area so that they could meet up regularly, he explains 'I have been trying to get Shore Duty at Orange or New Orleans' but adds 'One handicap is I don't have enough time to do. It takes at least 2 years more to do before one can get Shore Duty.' He outlines his work thus far and doubts the quality of it, saying 'Our time here in the Yard is nearing its ending point. And there are plenty of hard work and long hours ahead in the next few weeks. On May 9th we lite the plant off to see if their are any leaks. I dread it because I know there will be plenty of them.'
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Billy's next letter is still focused on the important things in life; his leisure time, his work, his family and, of course, Mary.
#10 (April 16th + 18th 1953) He begins by informing Mary of his radio program choices 'I have been listening to WCKY in Ohio. It has been hillbilly music so far. I like any kind of music just so long as it isn't opera.' Discussing his recent change of work place, he says 'Today we moved out of the Dry Dock. A little closer to the barracks. In this place it helps on the shoe leather.' Reporting on Enoch Ray Cook's leave from the Air Force, he states 'I had a letter from home this week telling that my kid brother has gotten back O.K. from Korea.' Ending on a much more romantic note than in his last letter, he declares 'Counting the days and weeks until I can be home and meet you and your folks.'
#10 (April 16th + 18th 1953) He begins by informing Mary of his radio program choices 'I have been listening to WCKY in Ohio. It has been hillbilly music so far. I like any kind of music just so long as it isn't opera.' Discussing his recent change of work place, he says 'Today we moved out of the Dry Dock. A little closer to the barracks. In this place it helps on the shoe leather.' Reporting on Enoch Ray Cook's leave from the Air Force, he states 'I had a letter from home this week telling that my kid brother has gotten back O.K. from Korea.' Ending on a much more romantic note than in his last letter, he declares 'Counting the days and weeks until I can be home and meet you and your folks.'
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Here is a radio clip from WCKY, Ohio and a photo of Nelson King (1914-1974) & Marty Roberts (1918-2009), the two top DJs of the 1950s on WCKY, that Billy referenced in his letter:
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Billy's next letter sees him return to the familiar grumbling about hard work, especially upon the day of rest, but he does manage to enjoy himself at the Cinema and on the Sports Field.
#11 (April 26th 1953) He begins by complaining 'I do not like working on Sundays. I just don't believe in it.' Nevertheless, he is cheered at the prospect of a visit to the Cinema before and after, saying 'We have a good movie tonight. "Thunder on the Hill" ... It was pretty good. Pretty deep.' His mood was also lifted by success at sports and he adds 'Last Monday we played two Softball games. We won one and lost one.' Again ending on a romantic note, he announces 'I count the days until we can meet.'
#11 (April 26th 1953) He begins by complaining 'I do not like working on Sundays. I just don't believe in it.' Nevertheless, he is cheered at the prospect of a visit to the Cinema before and after, saying 'We have a good movie tonight. "Thunder on the Hill" ... It was pretty good. Pretty deep.' His mood was also lifted by success at sports and he adds 'Last Monday we played two Softball games. We won one and lost one.' Again ending on a romantic note, he announces 'I count the days until we can meet.'
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Here is the trailer and the movie poster for Claudette Colbert's "Thunder on the Hill" (1951) that Billy referenced in his letter:
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