Billy's letters in May begin on the 2nd and he is deeper into despondency at the Dry Dock in Pennsylvania. As a sailor, Billy longs for the sea.
#12 (May 2nd 1953) He explains the advantages of being on the Ocean rather than at anchor, saying 'I'll be glad to get back to Sea. Seems to me time goes by faster. It gets old sometimes when one is out for 40 to 50 days. In Korea last year we went into Port once for 3 days out 8 and a 1/2 weeks. That is when Sea Duty gets on one's nerves.' He responds to Mary's news about a cousin being captured in Korea as a Prisoner-of-War, asking 'Has your cousin gotten released from the Reds in the swap that is taking place now?', going on to declare 'I sure will be glad when this mess is over. Maybe the World can know peace for a long time? The children now know nothing but war.' He hints at their future together, surreptitiously stating 'I hope and pray if I'm ever blessed with children they will never have to go through the turmoil of war and its after effect.' Emphasizing his music tastes, as usual, he says 'We have the radio on now. My favorite songs are being "Till I Waltz again with You" and "Your Cheating Heart"; in fact any Joni James sings I like.' Stepping up his sign off from the usual 'Always' he ends this time with 'Love to you.'
#12 (May 2nd 1953) He explains the advantages of being on the Ocean rather than at anchor, saying 'I'll be glad to get back to Sea. Seems to me time goes by faster. It gets old sometimes when one is out for 40 to 50 days. In Korea last year we went into Port once for 3 days out 8 and a 1/2 weeks. That is when Sea Duty gets on one's nerves.' He responds to Mary's news about a cousin being captured in Korea as a Prisoner-of-War, asking 'Has your cousin gotten released from the Reds in the swap that is taking place now?', going on to declare 'I sure will be glad when this mess is over. Maybe the World can know peace for a long time? The children now know nothing but war.' He hints at their future together, surreptitiously stating 'I hope and pray if I'm ever blessed with children they will never have to go through the turmoil of war and its after effect.' Emphasizing his music tastes, as usual, he says 'We have the radio on now. My favorite songs are being "Till I Waltz again with You" and "Your Cheating Heart"; in fact any Joni James sings I like.' Stepping up his sign off from the usual 'Always' he ends this time with 'Love to you.'
Here are the songs (Teresa Brewer's "Till I Waltz again with You" & Joni James's "Your Cheatin' Heart") that Billy referenced in his letter:
|
|
|
Billy's next letter sees him firmly focused on their arrangements for August, when the pair will finally meet face-to-face, that involves a beach visit ... perchance to see his Sweetheart in her swimsuit? Billy also breaks the news that his promotion plans have not worked out as well as he would have liked.
#13 (May 6th 1953) He seems keen to organize an itinerary, saying 'August isn't too far off. So lets kind of get together through letters as to what we may do.' He makes suggestions as to how they may spend their time together, explaining 'I have in mind to buy me a new Chevy or Ford. Probably have to get it financed, etc. and pay for it while on the next cruise. We can go to the beach some weekend and swim in the surf.' He ends admitting defeat in his promotion attempt, saying 'I failed my test for Second Class. Really doesn't bother me; all it hurts is my Pocket Book. Rates in the Navy nowadays doesn't mean a thing except more responsibility and a few more dollars on Pay Day. I'll sure be glad to get out.'
#13 (May 6th 1953) He seems keen to organize an itinerary, saying 'August isn't too far off. So lets kind of get together through letters as to what we may do.' He makes suggestions as to how they may spend their time together, explaining 'I have in mind to buy me a new Chevy or Ford. Probably have to get it financed, etc. and pay for it while on the next cruise. We can go to the beach some weekend and swim in the surf.' He ends admitting defeat in his promotion attempt, saying 'I failed my test for Second Class. Really doesn't bother me; all it hurts is my Pocket Book. Rates in the Navy nowadays doesn't mean a thing except more responsibility and a few more dollars on Pay Day. I'll sure be glad to get out.'
Billy's next letter remains focused on arrangements for August and emphasizes the pair's complete compatibility, despite never having met.
#14 (May 12th 1953) He gives details about his upcoming movements, saying 'If things goes like they are supposed to we'll be in Cuba this time next month. We are scheduled to be there from the 12th of June to July 27th.' Proving himself to be a proud and loving son he states 'I called home Sunday evening and wished Mother a Happy Mother's Day.' He responds to Mary's suggestions on how their August together could be spent, saying 'I believe we like the same thing. I enjoy picnics, Weiner Root and just about the same thing you do.' He ends even more romantically than usual, declaring 'I count the days from one letter to another. Love to you.'
#14 (May 12th 1953) He gives details about his upcoming movements, saying 'If things goes like they are supposed to we'll be in Cuba this time next month. We are scheduled to be there from the 12th of June to July 27th.' Proving himself to be a proud and loving son he states 'I called home Sunday evening and wished Mother a Happy Mother's Day.' He responds to Mary's suggestions on how their August together could be spent, saying 'I believe we like the same thing. I enjoy picnics, Weiner Root and just about the same thing you do.' He ends even more romantically than usual, declaring 'I count the days from one letter to another. Love to you.'
Billy's next letter is written in excitement after getting three letters from Mary. Curious to communicate beyond correspondence, too, Billy seeks a more intimate opportunity to hear his Sweetheart's voice.
#15 (May 21st 1953) He begins by saying 'I received three letters this week. Sweetheart, it really helps me through to get a letter a day from you. It gives me something to look forward to and hope for.' He ends by asking 'Honey, do you have a phone where you live now? If so I'll call you some time in July after we get back from Cuba.' This is the first occasion he alters his standard sign off of 'Love to you' to the much more direct 'Love You'.
#15 (May 21st 1953) He begins by saying 'I received three letters this week. Sweetheart, it really helps me through to get a letter a day from you. It gives me something to look forward to and hope for.' He ends by asking 'Honey, do you have a phone where you live now? If so I'll call you some time in July after we get back from Cuba.' This is the first occasion he alters his standard sign off of 'Love to you' to the much more direct 'Love You'.
Billy's next letter finds him in a really romantic and perfectly poetic frame of mind as he picked up his pen ... perhaps returning to the Sea made Billy miss Mary even more?
#16 (May 25th 1953) He begins by apologizing 'I am sorry not to write more often and tell you how I have grown to adore you by your sweet letters and looking at your picture. I hope someday some way I can prove it to you that I mean everything I write.' He explains the effects of Mary's epistles upon him, saying 'To me your letters are like an Oasis in the Desert; man, after a hard day of work, I open my locker door and there is your picture, just like a "Ray of Sunshine' after a long winter snow.' He expresses doubt whether Mary truly loves him, however, saying 'Sweetheart, I just hope in your heart there is a very small spot for me and I get a chance to try to make it grow.' He ends on an upbeat note, saying 'I'm glad to be getting under way again. Since August last year we have done very little steaming. It will take all of us a few days to get used to steaming again.'
#16 (May 25th 1953) He begins by apologizing 'I am sorry not to write more often and tell you how I have grown to adore you by your sweet letters and looking at your picture. I hope someday some way I can prove it to you that I mean everything I write.' He explains the effects of Mary's epistles upon him, saying 'To me your letters are like an Oasis in the Desert; man, after a hard day of work, I open my locker door and there is your picture, just like a "Ray of Sunshine' after a long winter snow.' He expresses doubt whether Mary truly loves him, however, saying 'Sweetheart, I just hope in your heart there is a very small spot for me and I get a chance to try to make it grow.' He ends on an upbeat note, saying 'I'm glad to be getting under way again. Since August last year we have done very little steaming. It will take all of us a few days to get used to steaming again.'
Billy's next letter is full of mixed emotions, as some of his shipmates are finally returning to civvy street and Billy now seems certain that he loves Mary quite completely.
#17 (May 29th 1953) He reports on recent movements, explaining 'We left Philadelphia Wednesday and arrived here (Norfolk) Thursday morning. Yesterday and today we loaded ammunition. I mean to tell you we are a floating arsenal. I didn't know a destroyer did carry so much Ammo. Guess Monday we will load stores and fuel oil. We go out Tuesday for a week of operations, close by.' He mentions the departure of his colleagues, saying 'Our crew is beginning to break up. Some of the guys are getting discharged and all are trying to get off this ship.' He demonstrates a desire to be nearer Mary in Houston, too, adding 'I'm trying to get duty at Orange, Texas.' Besotted with his Sweetheart, he asks 'Do you believe it possible for a person to learn to love another even though they have never met? Have you ever heard this song "A Girl named Mary and a Boy named Bill"? Lots of guys whistle and here it whenever they come around here.'
#17 (May 29th 1953) He reports on recent movements, explaining 'We left Philadelphia Wednesday and arrived here (Norfolk) Thursday morning. Yesterday and today we loaded ammunition. I mean to tell you we are a floating arsenal. I didn't know a destroyer did carry so much Ammo. Guess Monday we will load stores and fuel oil. We go out Tuesday for a week of operations, close by.' He mentions the departure of his colleagues, saying 'Our crew is beginning to break up. Some of the guys are getting discharged and all are trying to get off this ship.' He demonstrates a desire to be nearer Mary in Houston, too, adding 'I'm trying to get duty at Orange, Texas.' Besotted with his Sweetheart, he asks 'Do you believe it possible for a person to learn to love another even though they have never met? Have you ever heard this song "A Girl named Mary and a Boy named Bill"? Lots of guys whistle and here it whenever they come around here.'
Here is the song (Dean Martin's "A Girl named Mary and a Boy named Bill") that Billy referenced in his letter:
|
Here are some postcards and photographs of Norfolk Naval Base in the 1950s, where Billy had travelled to from Philadelphia, PA.
|
|
Billy's last letter of the months sees him buoyant after envious asides from his shipmates, jealous of the attention Billy is receiving from a beauty like Mary, and busy at the Cinema and finalizing August's itinerary.
#18 (May 31st 1953) He begins by saying 'I look forward each mail call hoping that a letter from you is there. Most of the guys kid me, saying they can tell when there is a letter for me from you.' He describes a Cinema visits, saying 'Today me and a buddy went Ashore and saw a good movie. Doris Day & Gordon McRae "By the light of the Silvery Moon". I guess you may have seen it. We really enjoyed the show' and he is looking forward to 'Tomorrow night we are going to see a 3-D "Tart Ti" I haven't seen a 3-D yet; from what I hear they are pretty good.' He ends by suggesting 'My sister has a charcoal grill outdoor type. Maybe you and I can have some barbecue steaks some time?' and declaring 'Love You.'
#18 (May 31st 1953) He begins by saying 'I look forward each mail call hoping that a letter from you is there. Most of the guys kid me, saying they can tell when there is a letter for me from you.' He describes a Cinema visits, saying 'Today me and a buddy went Ashore and saw a good movie. Doris Day & Gordon McRae "By the light of the Silvery Moon". I guess you may have seen it. We really enjoyed the show' and he is looking forward to 'Tomorrow night we are going to see a 3-D "Tart Ti" I haven't seen a 3-D yet; from what I hear they are pretty good.' He ends by suggesting 'My sister has a charcoal grill outdoor type. Maybe you and I can have some barbecue steaks some time?' and declaring 'Love You.'
|
Here is the trailer and the movie poster for Doris Day & George McRae's "By the Light of the Silvery Moon" (1953) and the movie poster and entire film of George Montgomery's "Fort Ti" (1953) that Billy referenced in his letter:
|
|
|
|