DIY History | Transcribe | World War II Diaries and Letters | Joseph E. Evans letters, 1935-1954 | 1942-10-21 Joseph Evans to John Evans Page 2

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Joseph E. Evans letters, 1935-1954

1942-10-21 Joseph Evans to John Evans Page 2

or not I told you that about a month ago I was offered a job in the Navy Department, Bureau of Naval Personnel, at a $600 salary increase and with the understanding that I would be commissioned as soon as my draft number came up. After about a week of conflict and indecision I decided against it. Yesterday I was given to understand that I had another good chance for an ensignship, this time to work in the Bureau of Shore Establishments of the Navy. Perhaps I am crazy, but I just can't see it, for me. It is too easy to fight the war from a desk in Washington, in an officer's uniform. But it is not only that; I feel that it would simply mean the continuation of what I have come to regard as a fairly meaningless phase of my life. I mean, it is and would be a very social life, on the surface very pleasant, but not very satisfying - in actuality, completely divorced from the things which matter to me. I feel, therefore, that I should do the thing thoroughly - either stay out of the whole mess altogether (which is impossible), or else go into the Army and for the time being consign myself completely to a militaristic life.

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or not I told you that about a month ago I was offered a job in the Navy Department, Bureau of Naval Personnel, at a $600 salary increase and with the understanding that I would be commissioned as soon as my draft number came up. After about a week of conflict and indecision I decided against it. Yesterday I was given to understand that I had another good chance for an ensignship, this time to work in the Bureau of Shore Establishments of the Navy. Perhaps I am crazy, but I just can't see it, for me. It is too easy to fight the war from a desk in Washington, in an officer's uniform. But it is not only that; I feel that it would simply mean the continuation of what I have come to regard as a fairly meaningless phase of my life. I mean, it is and would be a very social life, on the surface very pleasant, but not very satisfying - in actuality, completely divorced from the things which matter to me. I feel, therefore, that I should do the thing thoroughly - either stay out of the whole mess altogether (which is impossible), or else go into the Army and for the time being consign myself completely to a militaristic life.