Mattie Scott Archives - Moss Letters

11 May 1945

Dear Folks:

What sounded like good news came over the radio this morning, and while I’m putting in time this afternoon, perhaps I can tell you about (it). The War Department announced it had defined the point system for discharge with 85 points necessary to be eligible. Of course everyone has figured them up and mine stands at 91. Although we hear a lot about rotation and discharge it hasn’t made much effect but now I’m hoping that I will at least make it back on rotation or discharge, one or the two. If they are going to discharge 1 1/3 million as they say, it looks like I would have a chance. Anyway the morale has taken quite a boost around here since the announcement of these two plans. Now I’ve got to preserve myself until one of them affects me.

Had a letter from Phil a couple of days ago – he sure is doing the writing. He’ll get along alright once he finds out what the score it. Heard from my friend in Washington today and she is getting married the 5^th of June. Said she had a big party in the club where us used to go once in a while.

No more packages have come in but fourth class seems to drift in everyday so the rest of mine will probably show up one of these days.

I wished I had something to write about. There seems to be just nothing at all. Last night was pretty quiet. I’m feeling very good – I think it is this cool weather. Well I’m forced to quit here but perhaps the next communiqué will be longer.

Love,

28 February 1945

Dear Folks:

I’m afraid this week won’t be much of a letter but I’m fiddling around so just as well write. Just listened to the news and it’s very good. Sounds like a big break through in Europe, am still sticking with the first of May.

A guy in my barracks has been talking to me about buying some citrus fruit land in the Rio Grande in Texas after the war. He’s been giving me all the dope and talking it up pretty strong. He’s been quoting figures, costs, help, machinery, and so forth and for all I know about it, it sounds good. His dad is a Kansas wheat farmer and he has an orchard down there. We’ve had a lot of fun talking about it and if he keeps (it) up I may get interested. He figures on 20 acres at $150 an acre, and after three years or more, an estimated gross income of $3,000.00. He’s got it all figured out. It sounds good but of course a lot may happen before the war is over. We figured on a government loan and the expert advice help of his old man. It’s (a) great pastime to plan it.

The rain is coming down in a furious driving gale and sometimes I’m afraid the tent will give way. If it should, we’re sunk.

Am going to the hospital tomorrow for the results of my urinalysis. Have felt pretty good today except for right now which began after supper.

Had a nice letter from my Washington reporter. She has certainly set a record in letter writing. She sent a Valentine card and is always enclosing a small book that she thinks I would like. When I was in Fort Lewis, she would bake me cookies and take me to Seattle and Tacoma. She thinks a lot of me. Better write her tonight.

A short epistle tonight but a letter regardless. So until the next one.

Love,

18 September 1943

Dear Folks:

If I don’t write soon you will think I have evaporated or something. The fact is, I am the same as ever except I forget to write as often as I should. But while I have failed to write, the situation has been good the other way. Yesterday a book from Gram came and that added a good deal of morale to my life. She had to send to Minnesota for it, but she got it. With the ones I have now I don’t worry about something to do in the evenings. If I should move or leave I will leave them with a civilian friend who can mail them to me. I suppose you have wondered what has happened to the razor I said I sent. Well after I had it wrapped ready to go there was the matter of rewrapping it after the censor was through with it. In the interim I started using it again so I still have it.

I haven’t been to a show in a couple of weeks so I think I will take the night off and see one, even if it is the corniest horse opera ever produced. The shows have been pretty fair lately but once in a while they throw in an old number and I mean old. In a short time ‘Macbeth’ on the stage will be on the island and I hope I will be lucky enough to see it. Tomorrow is another Sunday and I hope to go to town for services.

Two Free Presses came yesterday and they added the usual bright spot to the week. It’s really interesting to follow the hometown from a long viewpoint, and see where the fellows scatter out to. Geo Butler seems to be getting his share of the fighting from what he wrote. All those guys coming home on furlough kind of hit the soft spot, but I shouldn’t complain considering what some of them are putting up with.

I started this letter last night and now Sunday morning I’m still trying to finish it. What halted me last night was a bridge game, which for once was a winner. I’ve been wondering every day if I’m an uncle yet. I suppose I am by now. I’ve been waiting for a telegram or something.

This is pretty much of a flop for a letter but I guess it will fill in the gap until I can get a better one off. I’m always looking forward to the day when we can all get together again and forget all this mess that we’re in.

Love,

11 September 1943

Dear Folks:

Received your letter today and realized I hadn’t written you for sometime. The time to me has been flying and when I look back at the time I have spent here it doesn’t seem possible. I’m beginning to feel like a native. The past week has been a good one and much less monotonous than many. Swimming is now an often occurrence for the battery and I try to go whenever we have a detail. I’m many shades darker than I have been before and if I keep up at this pace, I’ll pass for an Hawaiian. This afternoon instead of swimming at the beach we went to the pool and once I dove off the high board and instead of cutting the water like (a) knife, hit it like a board, and now my legs still feel a little hot. On some days the sun is very hot and it is possible to burn in a few minutes, quite a bit different than the sun at home, and dangerous if caution is not used.

The two books have now both arrived and I’m right in the middle of one of them. Maybe you think they are dry and dull but they are full of interest to me. I have two more coming, one from Gram and one from Washington (guess I just as well take (them) up their offers). Maybe I should tell you a little more about the Washington friend, I guess I never have. I met her at the Service Club in Ft. Lewis on a Saturday night, and we got to talking and joking and finally developed this meeting into quite a friendship. She is pretty prominent there and is State President of the American Legion Auxiliary I believe as well as in other affairs.

Last Sunday I went to church in town and enjoyed the services very much, I hope I can go tomorrow.

I hate to send you a letter as poor as this but I hope you will overlook it and know a better one will be coming. You know sometimes you feel like writing and again at other times it’s quite a task. Well this night is one of the latter kind.

Lots of love,

1 September 1943

Dear Folks:

Although I just wrote you last night I guess another letter won’t be wrong after I laid off for a while. After recall we usually manage a volleyball game with teams from the other offices, then follow it up with a shower before supper. Now that I have showered and ate, I feel pretty good and ready to relax or get in a bridge game tonight. With the abundance of avocadoes on the nearby trees we usually have one for dinner and supper, although I can’t remember ever eating one in the states. Well the school kids are starting school again and everyday the little Japs etc trapaise by on the road on the long walk home. They look about the same anywhere I guess. I saw a class of small children at the Catholic parochial school and what a variety of brands. From the whitest to the blackest and shades in between.

Tomorrow is my day off and while I’m in town I think I’ll have the photographer work on me. Perhaps I can make the pictures suffice for Christmas presents. My friend in Washington is sending me a book—she always writes regularly and I consider her a very close friend.

I hope my allotments are arriving regularly and in the right amounts. Being so far away from the War Department offices we have many cases of incorrect and delayed allotments and I wouldn’t want to have them get messed up. Handling these things, together with other personnel work is the job that I am in, and I think it is one of the most desirable jobs in the regiment.

My Reader’s Digest came yesterday but it immediately starts the rounds in the billet and so far I’ve just read the jokes and shorts.

And of course the first of the month is that day that we are rewarded for efforts, payday, so I suppose the dice and cards will see plenty of action tonight although our billet seldom gets away from the bridge games long enough to try their luck.

I guess I’m like everyone else in enjoying the Free Press and especially the comments about the servicemen. Now perhaps I can keep track of those monkeys that made high school and after, the clutter of mischief and fun that those years were. I think I’d rather see Bill Emick more than any other one fellow. I wonder when you were digging around among the stuff I left you, came across my old model planes. You know I get a hankering to get out a bottle of glue and wood and start on another one. I guess the gas model is pretty well beat up, but I wouldn’t be surprised if I someday patched it up again, even if my glasses are an inch thick.

I heard a broadcast of Winston Churchill’s speech from Canada last night and also the Pope’s today. It seems pretty certain that the culmination of the war is in the home stretch, and our turn to swing the final punch, but too much optimism is not good.

The mountains look beautiful in their purple robes as the sun goes down, and the ocean is deep blue and quiet, so I’ll get in this mood too and take it easy for the rest of the night. I guess this (is) goodnight and the end of another column.

Love,

10 August 1943

Dear Folks:

Two of your letters came today so I better show my appreciation and get together a little letter. Dad’s letter with the pictures came, and the ones of the girls didn’t ring familiar until I looked close for a few seconds to really recognize any of them but Nancy. They all look so grown up and like ladies that the pictures were hard to associate with the girls as I saw them last. When I had the visit with Dick he said there was a rumor that Kathryn Aulick was about to marry, and I thought he was kidding for awhile. I guess they do it though.

Last night I saw a good show with Fred Astaire, the first I had seen for a couple of weeks. Most of the movies are relatively recent but many of them are old-timers—for instance last week ‘King Kong’ was showing. There is a different show every night, and they offer something to look forward to. Once a week a USO troupes of some kind, from the island, puts on a show, and between long stretches perhaps one from the mainland. More mainland shows have been promised, and I hope so for they never fail to produce a real treat for the fellows. It’s something of a novelty to see a white chorus girl as they usually dress. The ones from the states are pretty breezy and rare but in no sense, in my opinion, could they be called ribald or dirty, just enough on the rare side to make all the ‘dogfaces’ happy.

I read the clippings over carefully regarding the ‘Eagle Café’ incident, and I find it hard to get on either side of the fence when it comes to justifying the action. Of course in times like this about everyone looses his rationality to some extent. But it seems that even as much as you try to believe that there (are) some loyal ones, a suspicion always hangs around the back of your mind. Probably the guy was so drunk he lost his balance and wouldn’t have done it if he was sober.

Sometime ago we had a newcomer to our billet, a young fellow about like Dick, from New Jersey who hadn’t been in the army very long. For the last few days he has been feeling pretty homesick, and for two days wouldn’t say or do anything, just keep to himself and looked at some pictures he had. Most of us adopted a motherly attitude and tried to get him back in spirits again. And it looks like we succeeded, for awhile anyway. But I couldn’t help feel sorry for him and know how he must have felt. But in contrast with the youthful ones, there are also the older ones, many married and some (with) two or three children, and I don’t see how they take it, at least I don’t think I could. I don’t know whether you’re interested in this stuff but you might just be curious sometimes.

My correspondent in Washington is very faithful and for over a year now she has been writing regularly regardless of how long it takes me to reply. She always has nothing but compliments for me, and her letters offer much encouragement.

As to the item of Christmas (in August) I haven’t very much to request although there are a few small things that I could use. One of them is a cheap pocket watch, if such things are still available in the states. They are impossible to buy here although the expensive ones are plentiful. And while I was nosing around the library last week I ran across a book that interested me, but I’ll reserve that until later. I’m still hanging on until the law books get here. I wish more than anything, that I was out of the army so that I could devote a lot of time to it. Although there is plenty of bitching among the fellows, which is common I guess with every doughboy, I find this a good opportunity to study and also to store away a few shekels, which I didn’t do at home. I should have well over a thousand dollars in another year if I don’t get busted, but the chances of promotion are better than going down. My job now is Personnel Sergeant with seven clerks under me, all good guys who make the office a good one. I guess I started this paragraph with reference to Christmas but I seem to have sidetracked myself. With the exception of the book and the watch there isn’t much else I need. Perhaps I’ll think of something in the meantime.

Back to the pictures I couldn’t help but notice how Nancy is shaping out and looking like a young lady. The change in Nancy and Phil is very noticeable, and I even feel that I’m getting old. I can imagine the experience you had in Dan’s automobile and more so what you looked like breezing along with no top.

Well this is pretty long and not much in it and then I must have something to put on the next one, so I’ll call this ‘pau’ as everyone here says for ‘finished’.

Love,

23 March 1943

Dearest Folks:

I have settled my conscience by writing my overdue letters so now I can turn to you and give you a resume. I had a long letter from a gal in Washington, one of these prefabricated jobs that was pretty amusing. She is a faithful correspondent. Night before last I saw the show “In This Our Life’ which I thought was for duper and teaching than the story itself. I suppose you are beginning to plan the garden already and to undertake spring cleaning. I believe Dad’s next best pursuit is gardening. Although the first day comes in without much adieu here, I did remember the day. It was a very hot one. Next month I hope to have my pictures taken before I get out of camera range. You probably have the things by now. I wish I could be there to see Phil in his trunks. I hope they fit.

I’ve come to the end of the rope tonight which is little more than a note. Nancy’s lesson on the off-tune, yellow stained piano keys would be like a symphony from Raikmaninoff. You’ll never know how much I miss home.

Love,

12 January 1943

Dear Folks:

It’s high time I got around to writing you again. Been several days now. Time seems to slip by faster than I can keep up with it. Was on pass today and saw a couple of things in a store that I thought you might like so they are on the way. I mailed them from a store so let me know if you get them. Quite a while back I sent Dan a knife among some things for you. Did you get it? You never said but I suppose you have.

Here I am at the end of the first paragraph and I’m stymied already. Had a letter from Katie today and it was full of pep and life. Said she mailed me a picture of her and Tom but I haven’t gotten it yet but it takes quite a while I guess. The gal in Washington is very faithful in writing. Had a picture from her yesterday. I sure miss the midnight turkey we used to have. Sunday afternoon took in the civilian dance and had some fun and arranged for some in the future. Just a few minutes ago came back from the show. Having movies every night helps a lot. I was going to put in another request for something but I see that packages from the mainland have been curtailed except on request from an officer. Lately I’ve been reading some law books and have read all in the library in town and can’t get anymore that I want. That’s why there has been fewer letters. I get to reading and forget to write. Saw “This Above All” last night but didn’t go for the film version as much as the book. The ending especially seemed to dampen its dramatic punch.

I hate to nip this off in this stage but I can’t do very much about it. It’s hard as heck to write a letter. I’m really feeling fine and getting a lot of good grub and developing a stenographer’s spread working in the office. Tomorrow night means the weekly battery get together in the rec hall. They are quite a bit of fun and everyone that comes seems to have a good time. I’ve almost forgotten what winter is like although it gets pretty cool in the evenings and early morning. I’ll stick myself with a pin where it will do the most good and write more often.

I want to get back to all of you as soon as possible and when I do I won’t take anything for granted as I did before.

Love,

4 January 1943

Dear Folks:

I guess a typewriter isn’t the approved method of writing a letter but I know you won’t mind so here goes. After I get through writing everyone else, I end up the evening writing you and making a composite of everything I put in the others. It’s amusing to watch the guys writing a letter. It’s really a job and most of the time is spent trying to think of something to write about, one sentence or so then a fifteen minute brain scratching. Today was a red letter day for mail—eight was the combined total and among them was a card from the Conklins and a card and a letter from Gracie and Louie. She didn’t intimate that they were nearing the rocks—perhaps everything has been smoothed over. Had a letter from Katie and she told me about the pajama and nightgown swiping. Said she’d never forget those first two nights.

On the first had a free day and spent most of it at a USO dance that was well stocked with she-males for a change. They last from one to five in the afternoon and usually the music is furnished by an army swing band. There are a lot of jitterbuggers and an oiled seaman or two are the life of the party. I guess this guy with the oversized arrow makes a living spearing fish. I saw them doing it one day but isn’t as glamorous as pictured and they don’t run around that raw. (Must be referring to the native spear fishing on the stationery).

I feel pretty good tonight. First there was a nice batch of mail and then I read about Halsey’s forecast of the war. For some reason I really feel that I’ll be out in another year and that really isn’t so long. I’m even looking forward to staying up all night next New Year’s. But right now it’s really hard to imagine wearing civilian clothes again and doing things on your own time schedule. When that day does come I think we’ll all go nuts for a while.

Had a letter and a picture from the gal in Washington but that was purely platonic and she was more of a conversationalist than a romanticist. But she was really swell and I don’t think I’ll ever forget her. She was a cook in the nurse’s mess hall and I miss the midnight meals we used to have.

I’m still reading some law books and have digested three so far but I don’t know how much I have gotten from them. At least it won’t do me any harm and it’s a worthwhile pastime in the evenings when I’m not writing to you. If I go back to school that’s what I’m going to study.

This is it tonight, what there is of it. Should have a letter from you tomorrow.

Goodnight and I’ll see you in the next letter.

Love,

6 August 1942

Dear Folks:

I’ve been pounding this machine like a cub journalist at a Democratic convention but now that things are quiet possibly I can use it for my own ends.

Well contrary to my expectations we are still here in Fort Lewis, but sitting on pins waiting for the day to leave. I didn’t think we would be here this long but we are and possibly we may be here for another week, but it surely won’t be long before we leave for ‘Frisco. By the way we have been advised to give our new address, so here it is, but it isn’t to be used until we change our station and I’ll let you know when we do:

Pvt. H G Moss 37086474
Btry. C 222 FA Bn.
APO 1288 % Postmaster
San Francisco, California

Got your telegram with the money and I really do appreciate it because I know what it means to you. Also got your airmail letter today. I hope you will feel free to use the money that I have allotted if you need it very bad. Someday soon now you should also be getting the bonds. As soon as we are overseas we are given a 20% increase in pay so I will have enough cash to get along on. Also if anything should happen to me the government makes a gratuity payment of six months wages which would amount to about three hundred sixty dollars. Things are still humming around here like an aircraft plane getting ready to leave and schedules have been made out for training on the boat so it can’t be far off. Yesterday I mailed my sleeping bag home and also rolled up in it is my sweatshirt, OD sweater and civilian shoes. Better give the bag to Dan for his long gone birthday—it would come in handy to use on all night camping trips and the like. It needs cleaning and there are a couple of small holes in it on the inside that can be easily mended.

Suppose you both had a little blue spell after the telephone call and I wasn’t any different. I guess the telephone is the next best thing to a furlough but I still didn’t say what I wanted to and like I wanted to. Mom you acted very bravely and you held the tears to a minimum.

The girl (Mattie) I have been going with on and off on the Post gave me a nice diary and a small book to use for memories and that sort of thing. She’s a swell gal but nothing to arouse my more tender instincts. She hated to see me leave though.

There isn’t much else to write about. I’m going to do a little laundry tonight so that all of it will always be clean then take a shower and hit the hay. About the glasses you mentioned—the government furnishes one pair of GI’s free of cost so that with my own I will have two pair. Also I am issued a pair of gas mask glasses. Got a letter from Katie yesterday and I answered it right away. Should also write a letter to Grandma although she hasn’t answered my last one. Took more shots today. They are getting to be like a cup of coffee for breakfast. You may not hear from me for sometime after we leave Fort Lewis, because I understand all of our mail is held up until after we arrive at our destination so don’t think it is my neglect. Also we are supposed to leave a couple of postcards in Frisco that will be mailed you when the convoy arrives.

I’m going to hate to go because it will mean such a long way from home and for as long as I’ve been away it will seem all the farther, but then we’ll just have to do what you said and hope for a quick end to it all.

Well goodbye for another letter. Minatare would look like Shangri-la in springtime right now even if maybe it is just a whistle stop. Don’t worry about me, that’s what the government is doing, and I’ll yet be making you pick up my scattered clothes.

Love,