Dental Archives - Moss Letters

27 July 1945

Dear Folks:

Not much on tap for tonight so maybe I better write a few letters. Just finished a letter to Dick and I’m going to see if he can make arrangements to visit me for a few days. We are in a permanent area and have a pretty decent setup now.

Had a late issue Free Press today – very recent and a letter from Phil and Nancy yesterday. Phil is turning out different than I thought he would. Wished I would get back in time to see him.

Very little to write about. There is nothing new on getting back. It is just a matter of waiting.

Went to teeth inspection today and it looks like I may have some work done [soon]. The doc pulled a tooth last October and I think it’s getting bad under the filling.

Well I’m out of news so I guess I’m bound to close.

Love,

30 October 1944

Dear Folks:

Kind of a lazy Sunday morning with not very much to do, so a good time to write you a letter while I won’t have to rush. Church services are in the afternoon. For a while this morning watched some volleyball games and then walked up to the baseball diamond, but it was pretty hot so I came back. While many things aren’t so convenient for us it helps a lot to get some time off and to be able to relax occasionally.

Since I started this I was interrupted and now it is about eight o’clock in the evening. I received three letters just before the show and just now could read them. This was the first mail in four days and I was beginning to think something had gone wrong again. Two of the letters were from you and one from Washington, so I had a boost in my morale. You once remarked Mom how I could write so much, well you are practically the only ones I write to, and many nights it’s a relief to write rather than trying to kill time and thinking about home so much, so I start writing, and when I’m doing it, it seems like I get a little closer to you somehow.

For the first time in several years I played baseball. The battery organized a third team and today I played third base. I guess I did alright although my hands are a little sore from catching the ball. In the battalion we have two leagues, the American (and) the National set up, so there are a lot of games. I’m on the first three graders volleyball team too, but not so hot at that racket. But there aren’t many of us so I have to play.

Of course the news from the Philippines on the water and on land is drawing our attention as it must be yours. I listen to every news broadcast I can, and we can get them from all sides, Australia, Japan, Germany and London. Two nights ago I ran onto a particularly interesting shortwave broadcast while dialing around. Correspondents for UP, INS and AP were transmitting their messages to ‘Frisco from Leyte and the procedure of getting the news to their agencies was interesting. Of course the Japs are claiming victories on a larger scale than ours, and claim Task Force 58 was annihilated off Formosa. The line of rot they propagate is really something to hear. In connection with the war I happened to get a hold of some interesting stuff on (the) Saipan operation and thought you might like to read it. Some of the commentators seem to think the Naval victory may shorten the war a few months and I’m not inclined to disagree. I hope the Philippines don’t bog down into another New Guinea affair and drag on for many months. Those yellow b___’s can live like gophers and it’ll take a lot to dig them out. They use ‘em to haul garbage from camp and when I see them go by on the truck I wonder what they’re thinking about. They are still bringing them out of the hills. About a month ago three of them were seen in a cane field next to one of the batteries and after killing two of them the other gave up. One of them was almost out in two bullets.

Just a few minutes ago I opened a can of beer and even had peanuts to go with it. The PX got a pretty good supply in and after waiting in line for 45 minutes finally was able to buy a few things.

Yesterday went to the dentist and had a small filling taken care of. My gum had swollen a little but wasn’t too sore so I thought I better see what was up. Luckily it wasn’t bad and he didn’t have to drill around too much. My teeth are in good shape now, and contrary to my civilian habits I brush them regularly.

Well I think I’ve run out for this time. Another Sunday gone by and another week on the way. Time seems to be flying for me to and I hope the next year goes as fast as the last one, for then I will be eligible for rotation. And pray that when we get our next furlough quota I will walk up and draw the little slip with the magic words on it. I worry more about you folks than I do about myself and I hope you don’t upset yourselves too much. Well there’s the curtain on another act so, so long –

Love,

31 January 1944

Dear Folks:

Your letters lately have been so newsy and interesting that I have felt obligated to answer them immediately, so before my supper gets well settled maybe I can catch up (on) one more letter. Recently I had a change of station and during such times the censor cuts the letters up quite a little—so much that I couldn’t get the initiative to write. But now that we are settled I can write with maybe a little more interest. Dick called me up last night to find out when I was off so we could meet each other and it looks like next Saturday will be the day. We certainly are lucky enough to be able to see and talk to each other so often. And while we’re out, we’ll pool our talents (?) and try to find the shells, and some that you will like no end. And then payday is very soon now so we’ll feel pretty much in the mood to shop. Also today received the Free Press, and three yesterday so I’ve been busy with mail. It only takes a few minutes to read the darn things but they are certainly welcome. I also read about putting the pictures in the paper. Sounds like a pretty good idea and the paper will be more interesting. As I said yesterday was a big day for mail – received a law book from the friend in Washington. One I have been wanting and written by Lawrence Vold who is a professor at the University of Nebraska. I heard Miller and the other boys talk about him and I know him by sight.

Now that I am on Oahu and will have the opportunity to go to a dentist, I hope soon to get the bridge. And I did receive the money order, and in good time too. While I’m on the subject of Oahu maybe I can get together a few more items about the place. (The censor cut out the rest of the page.)

…you pick out every nationality and every combination too it seems. But with so many servicemen the streets are packed and every store and stand does a gold rush business. There are many places I hope to see including some museums, buildings and other natural beauty spots. I wish you could go with me down Kalakua Avenue that runs along Waikiki and watch the boys ride the surfboards, and forget the howling cold winds you are probably now having. Each afternoon the office crew plays a little volleyball and we’re all getting pretty brown from it. Our office is a Japanese tea house in a garden set in a little valley. The walls are set with sliding panels so that the sides can be opened up completely or completely closed. There are no hinges or windows in the place. I understand the building was imported from Japan.

I wrote a couple of days ago to the Colson’s and Carroll’s so you can breathe easier now. I’m glad I’ve got it done too. I’ve read about the treatment that Gramp is receiving in a Reader’s Digest of a few months ago I believe. Your sentiments about the ultimate value of these new discoveries in view of wars is indeed to be doubted. Tonight a USO troupe from the mainland with Allen Jenkins is here. The ones from the mainland or the ‘old country’ are darned good but the local productions are pretty old. Well it looks like I’m stalled for now so here’s the end of this. Had a letter from Patsy yesterday too – I sent them a picture and they liked it quite a lot.

Love,

6 December 1943

Dear Folks:

I want to see ‘Yank at Eton’ at the show but first better answer yours and Nancy’s letters. I know from the tone of your letter that you are becoming very concerned, especially about Dick but I believe that if you could see him now as I have, you would feel that he would take good care of himself. I can understand your references to Dick’s pictures. They do work hard and undergo strenuous training but it’s all for their own good. I know that the Army is broadening him and making him aware of things he didn’t realize before. Next Sunday I hope to fly over and spend five days with him. This time we will get the pictures you wanted last time. Guess, I didn’t mention Thanksgiving in my letters. We had everything and plenty to eat. After dinner most of us took it pretty easy and don’t think I didn’t spend minutes thinking about home. I don’t think I thanked you enough for the box you sent. The chain was the perfect thing—as a matter of fact I had lost my GI one a few days before so yours came at the right time. When the rush is over I will send you some things. Tomorrow my pictures will be done and will send them right away. I think they are pretty good too. The pictures of Dan and Carol are extremely good and I couldn’t help but think how fast and how much they have grown. Yesterday, Sunday, spent a full day and saw a good show. Went to the local football game that compares to the game on Thanksgiving at home. Before the regular game, was a duel between two barefooted teams, and then a kicking exhibition barefooted. They can kick a ball sixty to seventy-five yards. Dan should see them. Then a small airplane landed on the football field and presented the captains of the teams with the ball for the game. Anyway, I had a good time and lots of fun looking at the people and watching the cheering sections. Haven’t written to B. Emick yet but guess I ought to. Well, believe this is about enough for this time. Had my eyes examined today for a new pair of glasses—reading so much evenings puts a strain on them but they are not bad at all. Plan to have a bridge put in for the tooth I lost and the dentist, a civilian, says it will be about $30.00 so might have to ask for some more money. Well let’s make this goodnight and don’t you worry.

Love,

7 April 1943

Dearest Folks:

I just returned from pass and before I do anything else I’m going to write you tonight. During the afternoon I had a bit of vigorous exercise with several sets of tennis that left me with two blisters on each foot and consequently I’m limping around like an octogenarian. But it was well worth the while even if I feel pretty tired tonight.

Yesterday I had a tooth pulled and my gum has been aching since but not too bad. The tooth pulled was the broken one. They won’t replace it. The only work I need done now is a filling.

I bought the bond during a drive on Army Day although it took quite a bit from my wallet. I want to buy all I can.

Most of the pictures are taken during the sight seeing trip two weeks ago that I wrote you about. You can put them away for me. Most of the scenes suffer from their real beauty because of the color and distance and especially the hills that are cut with deep valleys and painted in deep purple hues.

A few minutes ago I submitted Katie’s picture in a “Sweetheart of APO 961” contest that is going on, and I wouldn’t be surprised if it brought back some bacon.

The envelope is pretty full now so I’ll let this suffice for tonight.

Love,

2 November 1942

Dear Folks:

After reviewing two of your letters guess it is high time I took up my pen again. I think my mail is arriving okay—for many of yours have been received and hardly a mail call goes by without my getting at least one but then I never get enough to suit me. Gram is behind I believe. Perhaps if I scan over your letters, I can find something to write about. The news about Eilad Horshman is news—it was time she flew the coop though—or perhaps the coop never was much of a cage. Haven’t received the Free Press yet but they’ll get here. My tooth is yet unfixed although I had a dental appointment but it fell through. Believe they intend to pull it.

And the subscription is just the ticket—we subscribe to it but it isn’t always available and I like to read it through. I’ve answered the rest of the questions.

Tonight in the dayroom the radio is crashing on every table—there’s a game of pinochle going on, two or three books being read and plenty of letters being written and the smoke is like a blanket of clouds.

About this time every nite I turn over a leaf or two on an old memory album and look at each picture slowly and catch a glimpse of the privileges that made them possible. Guess I’ll stop with that.

Goodnite and a bomber load of love,

30 September 1942

Dear folks:

Perhaps I’ll have time to write you a few lines while I’m not doing very much. Had another letter from you today—have had quite a few since I’ve been here. Today is payday and the World Series starts—have been listening to a little of it. Nothing much to write about—pretty hot—haven’t been out of camp on a pass for a couple of weeks. Got your box okay. Been feeling pretty optimistic the last few days over the war situation—feel like it will be over in another eight or nine months. I really do. I have been writing you almost every other day so you should have some of my mail by now. The next time I get in town I’m going to buy some Xmas presents—lots of things Nancy and Dan could go for. I’m feeling darned good and think the Army is going to fix my broken tooth. Will write tomorrow.

Love,

17 August 1942

Dear Folks:

It’s getting pretty late and my vision has been reduced to almost zero from doing a lot of paperwork today but not enough so that I can’t still pound you out a letter. Just wrote about three tonight. I’m official mail orderly now and I am treated like a coddled child by doting parents. I am the only one who can handle it. Starting to get a little strict about it.

Well I went thru all the physical examinations okay so I guess I’m ready for anything. I was glad to hear the doctor say my teeth were sound. He prodded and hit around but said all fillings were okay. Have extra glasses ordered and today was requisitioned for much new equipment. Man they throw out anything if there is even a little defect in it.

Guess maybe I better fish out your letter and see what you said so we can get together on who wants to (do) what about what. I’d like to have been there to round out your happiness and made it a complete circle but the army holds the compass now. Daily or almost I have been writing in a little book about small things I think will hold the greatest enjoyment when Tojo goes down with the Sun. It’s an account of how I feel, thimble sized scribblings on peculiar or outstanding fellows in the outfit, what I think about, and what I look forward to and in general a complete account of the battery and what I think of it. It would be most revealing if anyone should read it. I want to keep it up and perhaps later group it into a more logical and chronological account. If we see action I should have plenty of opportunity for lengthy episodes.

In my letter to Dick I tried to impress upon him the privilege of going to college and I hope he won’t let me down. I know he has the stuff, odd as he may seem and I’m banking on him. I would have liked to have sat in on the bull session of Glen & Kate’s and exercised my belly a little on the reminiscin’ too. About the crests, or buttons, they are or were the official insignia of the battalion. Lately these were abolished for a newer design. The three items in the corner signify a war but I can’t think of them now. Of course the inscription at the bottom is self explanatory. I had three but gave one to the girls in Fort Lewis. We wear one on our cap and two on our blouse—but of course now all identifying marks have been taken away so thought I might as well send them to you. What do I do when I get a hole in my sock? Turn them in for a new pair, but they are good socks. Out of the original issue of six pairs last year, only one has been turned in for new ones. Guess that takes care of the letter.

Last Sunday got a pass so went to Frisco and Oakland but had little fun out of it. Unless you have someone to see on the outside, passes aren’t of much worth. Barrage balloons look like a circus man’s balloon bouquet over ‘Frisco.

There are certainly a lot of visitors that come to see the boys. Sunday cars were lined up like a county fair and people milling around waiting for their guy to come. They have a loudspeaker system that facilitates locating visitors for the soldiers. About a mile away is a little burg ‘bout the size of Mitchell and made up mostly of waps and Spaniards who work in the mills around (there). A few days we signed a slip saying we understood fully the consequences of desertion and AWOL; guess they can’t take any chances now.

I hope you keep up your moral and don’t worry about mine. I’m alright but I do a little worrying about you and know some of the anxiety you must feel but I got the best Uncle in the world taking care of me. Everybody else in the barracks is sleeping and I suspect that I better follow or this typewriter might wake them up. It’s funny the turn of events that take place in a man’s life. I always thought that wars were something that made reading in a history chapter and something apart from actuality, but here I am getting a bonus for working in a human slaughterhouse, with a lot overtime and no danger of being fired. Guess I shouldn’t write this way to you but the whole futility of it all starts me thinking. I could write all night upon it but that’s no good—not now. I don’t want you to worry because one good thing from this mess I will make the Buckingham Palace look like an Arkansas outhouse beside my home and folks. Memories are something man lives by and now and the six biggest all begin with an M.

Guess I’ve said enough tonight—what color do you like in Japanese kimonos?

Love,

15 August 1942

Dear Folks:

I know you must be anxious to hear from me and now is a good time to get it done. I just had some ice cream from the canteen then shaved and showered so I feel pretty good now ready to be quiet for the rest of the evening.

Thursday we left Fort Lewis and the next day arrived at an embarkation camp near Pittsburgh and about 30 miles from Frisco. It is a brand new place and the barracks swell, but they are painted dark OD and don’t look very impressing. Incidentally our CO said this morning that during our trip someone had burned 300 feet of thistle in the mountains and we were re-routed—shows the need for secrecy I guess. Since we have been here we have had two physical inspections on eyes, teeth, heart, etc. By the way the dentist said my teeth were sound but that the army could make no allowance for the broken tooth. This all seems to indicate that we will be moving soon—understand that two of our batteries are leaving immediately then we will follow. Again I’ve rejected hope for furloughs, tough as it is.

The kitchen here serves cafeteria style and requires 60 kp’s. The canteen is practically in our backyard–that comes in handy in off hours. This morning we had to sign slips to the effect that we understood that any AWOL, even for a short time, constituted desertion and we are liable for execution or loss of citizenship and a dishonorable discharge. Guess it has to be that way though.

Passes are tough to get and I have little hope of getting out to see Frisco.

Everything seems pretty much the same at least as much as possible. I can’t seem to find much to write about even though you probably think I should fill a book. Suppose the sleeping bag has reached you by now.

All I can think of is a little time off with all of you and loafing around home and when I think of all the time in the past when we could have been granted them, it sort of irks me that before we left Lewis all organizations not subject to overseas duty were authorized to grant 15 day furloughs.

Probably I’ll write again tomorrow being Sunday with little to do, so maybe I can write a little more.

Love,

PS I have been promoted to Private First Class so put PFC in front of my name. Also don’t forget to use APO 1288.