The Pearl Harbor Collection contains personal narratives, photographs, diaries, correspondence, and governmental papers that relate to men, women, children and ships present at Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941.
Transcription of Item: "Oct. 28 1937.
[Map of US Naval Training Station Great Lakes, Illinois identifying locations]
North Chicago, Barracks, Main Gate, Quarantine Camp, Mess Hall, Armory, The Rest of Camp, Main Camp
I'll send a picture or postcard of this.
Dear Sis + Walt:
I have not fallen in yet, but I got my foot in it last nite[sic]. (Sat.) I'll relate- On this side of the fence or main camp, we have seaman guard on top of our own personal co. guard. Our personal guard is a continuous watch, or guard, over our sleeping room, belongings, clothes, dryers, "can", and messengers, + so forth, around our barracks- at which the co. clerk assign's us, in turn at 4 hrs to a watch. the seaman guard covers the entire camp: the airport, breakwater, munitions, and many other things. Each co. takes its turn at this- one co. from noon one day till noon the next day- then another co. takes it over. The last time we took it over I was on mess duty and missed it- but yesterday it was our turn again and I and another fellow stood watch over the hangers[sic] at the airport. There are 3 shifts to each 12 hrs and I was on the first shift. It's our only chance to tell the officers around here what to do but at that it's no fun. The 1st shift is on from 12:00PM to 4:00PM to 12:00AM to 4:00AM at the airport there are two hangers[sic]- each one is 450 ft long + we walk around in the form of a figure 8. One man at a time. Yesterday afternoon it wasn't so bad- just like going on a 4 hr. hike- but last nite[sic] when when[sic] the 1st shift went on again at midnite[sic]- it was raining like hell + it kept getting colder util everything was covered with ice-- including us- then the rain changed into a "nor'wester" a damn cold blizzard, and then we had to wade through snow drifts- and when 4o'clock came- we were glad to get relieved. On guard- we can't smoke, talk or anything. But now the sun is trying to shine again and "all's well" so that's enough for that. Turn this sheet over + I'll tell you something else- maybe.
[pg 2] You asked me what I wanted for Xmas- well- here it is-- a photograph album- and keep it or let mom keep it. When I find a camara[sic] that suits me + fits in my ditty bag I'm going to send home pictures to be filed away in it- see- then I have my autobiography in pictures--- part of it if they don't kick me out of here. Which reminds me- I doubt it as to whether or not I'll make a trade school- the exams for it are pretty tough and they only take about ten men out of each co. and there are a lot of guys here that are pretty well educated- so I'll probably make a close eleventh or something. If I don't make it- it won't make any dif. to me anyway because it only takes about a year longer to get the same rating as those that go to a trade school. I think I'll be ahead by not going anyway.
I had a look at the proofs of those pictures I had taken and my facial expressions are absolutely rotten- they stink. I ordered some tho[sic]. [illegible] I'm also sending home a picture of our co. and when it was taken I ripped the crotch of my pants when I kneeled for it and so my expression in that picture is very sour to[sic]. The man said I could get my pictures about Wed. I'll send them all the first chance I get after that. There isn't much more to say now. Alice is writing to me pretty often + I ans. once in a while- sometimes. You couldn't make a soda fountain girl out of her either- I don't think. The next time you write- have Walt put in a few words to[sic. Drive Slow- [illegible] shipping my car now--
Love
Bud"
Place Name coordinates. (May be approximate.)
Place Name coordinates. (May be approximate.)
