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24 June 1944
U.S.S. Prairie
Dearest Family,
Well, today is an anniversary for me. 10 months in the Navy and 10 weeks out of the states. I can hardly believe that it's June 24th. That only a year ago (such a short one it seems) I was starting work at Don Strangs and making final preparations for my entrance into the Navy. I was fairly certain I wanted the Navy but when I learned of the difference in furloughs I admit the army almost won. Thank the Lord I stuck to the Navy. It's not super, not even half super, but it's clean and is a lot better than a shell torn, bullet riddled, rat run battlefield.
I was deeply touched at the news of Uncle Gus's death. It's funny how little I did know him. Honestly I doubt if I've ever seen him or Auntie Gertrude a couple dozen times, but yet how close he was. I only saw him once or twice a year and then there are years in which we never visited.
Scotty Kemp received Mary's answer and from the looks of things I guess I'll have to dig her up another 6 foot 6" guy. Kemp's okay but - being a Democrat, and with some of his screwy ideas he'll
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have to reform before Mary will take him. I'm working on the reform system now.
You know, the longer I stay in radio the more I like it. I could qualify for my rate now, but I got disgusted when I found that I had to go to Seaman 1/c before I could get my rate, and haven't made any effort for it lately. It seems so silly that after six months in radio school I'm required to learn deck hand stuff before going into the field I trained for. But then there's the right way and the Navy way.
I got Tony Rondinelli's address, thank you. And was surprised to hear he got duty on the ship I left the states on. I haven't heard from my other Chicago buddies, but will in the near future. A couple of them are on ships that we tender and once in a while we can visit.
I play in the ships band every day now at noon and every other morning for Quarters and Colors. My ability has slipped to a shameful degree but I manage to get along. Eight years of lessons - ten of playing and I end up not being as good as I was in the eighth grade. How strange it seems
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that formerly whenever I played people would stop and listen and other trumpet players would ask me questions on how I could tongue so fast and how my tone was so sweet. Now it's all I can do to hold my own. Mr. Jewel used to love my tone and he worked with me so hard to develop it - all for what —
It's good to know that Mary had a hand on the planes like that that bombed Tokyo or rather Japan. But still we hear of strikes out here. When these guys go to battle stations they like to be confident that our own planes are ready to meet the enemy and that the guns and ammunition are in good order. It's kind of sickening trying to down an enemy plane without any bullets - and though running out of ammunition seems kind of remote - with the fighting the fleets doing now, a day lost on the production line could sink a good many ships.
Those guys who landed on Saipan had to be pretty confident not only in themselves but on the support which they would get because they knew the size of bite they were taking. The support that they counted on all began in the U.S.A. in some airplane factory, shipyard, or powder manufacturing plant. The war is far from over - the Navy is the largest in the World
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Amen
as is the army - the air force the best. The supply lines long. God only knows that the successful conclusion of this war rests entirely with the people at home. A soldier is no good without a rifle without bullets - a Sailor is no good without a ship - a pilot without a plane. So you can see that the swell job that is already being done still can be improved upon. Rest if a fellow went on strike out here he'd be dead pretty quick. The people at home can be proud of their work only when a man who has seen action can earnestly pat them on the back, smile and say "well done".
Well, this is reverend Yenne speaking - I'd better sign off now —
Lots of Love
Bud
Harlan Shirey Yenne Jr. S⅔(RM)