DIY History | Transcribe | World War II Diaries and Letters | Evelyn Birkby World War II scrapbook, 1942-1944

Transcribe
Translate

Evelyn Birkby World War II scrapbook, 1942-1944

April 23, 1943, p.1

Passed by US Army Examiner (censor's stamp)
Miss Evelyn Corrie
202 Independent Ave. 
Waterloo, Iowa. U.S.A.
Sgt. Richard K. Hayashi
 APO #3859. Postmaster. 
San Francisco, Calif. 
April, 23, 1943
My dear Evelyn: I am somewhere in the South West Pacific Islands. Yes, I am actually writing from overseas to you.. It does feel funny but remember I told you I was going overseas but don't know when. The weather is pretty nice out here. How is it out your way, Evelyn? 
Well, we left San Francisco with adventure in our heart. As soon as we left the Golden Gate we encountered rough weather which accounted for most of us getting seasick. I was sick for only half a day. Some of the boys still get sick when the weather gets kind of rough. Calm sea and clear weather was predominant thoroughout the cruise. We did have couple of rain and storm. Storms blow over in one hour out here. From the first day of the cruise I was assigned as mess clerk to the mess officer besides taking charge of the library for the Chaplain. We had services every day on the ship. They had Protestant, Jewish, Catholic and other sects service on the deck. The Chaplain was of Lutheran church. He comes from Iowa strange to say. 
We were initiated when we crossed the Equator. They called us lowly "Pollywogs" before we crossed the Equator, but now we are known as "Shellbacks". Lots of fun took place when the initiation was going on. 
Throughout the trip we had boxing matches, movies, services, reading, and many other things to occupy our minds. So it wasn't so bad going across. 
When I was in California, I visited my hometown, Stockton. I saw some or rather my school teacher by the name of Miss Humbargar. Remember her. Well, she entertained me while I was in Stockton. The town has changed some but not too much. The gaiety that once prevailed is gone in Stockton. All I saw was women bus drivers, street car conductors and etc. The females has taken over many of the jobs. 
San Francisco was a nice town to visit also but my pass was so hort so that I didn't get enough time to visit all the places. The few places I did get to visit brought back memories of the days I use to live there. 
Running out of news so-------. 
Simply as before 
Dick.
V-Mail

Saving...

Passed by US Army Examiner (censor's stamp) Miss Evelyn Corrie 202 Independent Ave. Waterloo, Iowa. U.S.A. Sgt. Richard K. Hayashi APO #3859. Postmaster. San Francisco, Calif. April, 23, 1943 My dear Evelyn: I am somewhere in the South West Pacific Islands. Yes, I am actually writing from overseas to you.. It does feel funny but remember I told you I was going overseas but don't know when. The weather is pretty nice out here. How is it out your way, Evelyn? Well, we left San Francisco with adventure in our heart. As soon as we left the Golden Gate we encountered rough weather which accounted for most of us getting seasick. I was sick for only half a day. Some of the boys still get sick when the weather gets kind of rough. Calm sea and clear weather was predominant thoroughout the cruise. We did have couple of rain and storm. Storms blow over in one hour out here. From the first day of the cruise I was assigned as mess clerk to the mess officer besides taking charge of the library for the Chaplain. We had services every day on the ship. They had Protestant, Jewish, Catholic and other sects service on the deck. The Chaplain was of Lutheran church. He comes from Iowa strange to say. We were initiated when we crossed the Equator. They called us lowly "Pollywogs" before we crossed the Equator, but now we are known as "Shellbacks". Lots of fun took place when the initiation was going on. Throughout the trip we had boxing matches, movies, services, reading, and many other things to occupy our minds. So it wasn't so bad going across. When I was in California, I visited my hometown, Stockton. I saw some or rather my school teacher by the name of Miss Humbargar. Remember her. Well, she entertained me while I was in Stockton. The town has changed some but not too much. The gaiety that once prevailed is gone in Stockton. All I saw was women bus drivers, street car conductors and etc. The females has taken over many of the jobs. San Francisco was a nice town to visit also but my pass was so hort so that I didn't get enough time to visit all the places. The few places I did get to visit brought back memories of the days I use to live there. Running out of news so-------. Simply as before Dick. V-Mail