I have a personal grudge against Dewey

In this letter Alex describes tying the ship to a tanker to get water – and much needed diversions. He also talks of the election and playing chess.

Alex to Sylvia

Nov 4 1944

Darling,

Again we had a little diversion on our ship. Sometimes I’ve told you that we were getting short of water, so the other day we went to get it.

Early in the morning we pulled our anchor up and went over to a tanker which carries a supply of water and after a lot of maneuvering we got tied to it and began to pump the so much needed water. Well, now my darling, at least you are sure that we won’t die of thirst.

 It was an exciting day, because after so many days without any contact with anyone else besides our own

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Shipmates we finally wer able to talk to the seamen aboard the other ship. As soon as we tied up to their sides we boarded their ship like a bunch of Indians and asked about everything. They were luckier than we are as they receive mail ?? early every week, of course they have been here at least a month. But we also found out that other ships too get mail, so our hopes are high. If we stay in our spot long enough they might give us our mail too.

They were an interesting lot. Some of them were doing wood carving other weaving some pretty mats for tables and painting xmas

3 – cards, of which I bought some and will send you. They are quite pretty. In the afternoon we left them and went back again to our solitary confinement. But it gives us something to talk about. Did I ever tell you about our chess games? Well, I thought Teddy the other gunner’s mate and he is absolutely a maniac about it, and quite good too, he beats me now quite often. We have also the baker who plays chess and he is some case. Very impetuous?? and the only way he ever can win is if we make sufficient amount of blunders. Wen I play him, he puts me in such an excited mood that I can’t help myself

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But make mistakes. And besides when towards the end of the game, as usually he is beaten he never gives one credit but with motions and insinuations he makes you feel that he does you a favor in letting one win. So Teddy and I find it delightful to lick his pants of him. Teddy is a real gentleman and I enjoy playing him but the other guy its actually war.

There is a beautiful moon for the last few nights and I do a lot of thinking in standing my watch. You can’t imagine how many times I’ve thought my homecoming. And I try to imagine how we would welcome each other, perhaps in the

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Playground, or in the home, or perhaps you would be gossiping with the neighbors. This really is one of the most pleasant thoughts I have, to come home to you.

We hear very little from home, somehow I always miss the broadcast that speaks of home. I imagine that there must be quite a campaign going on, and the last I’ve heard that Roosevelt has a 55% vote cast in the straw vote. I hope he wins. I have a personal grudge against Dewey. He saw to it that we don’t get our ballots. At least I didn’t, I guess they must have seen that I have been registered Democrat. Of course, they won’t have us voting. I made my appointments

6 – but they sent me another card asking for my precinct number etc., how in the Dickens would I know after my normal life has been so disrupted and I find myself changing home address three times within a year. Well, I beafed(?) enough.

Darling, Did I ever tell you that I am in love with you/ If not let it be known to the whole big world that I am. And I am of the firm opinion that I have the loveliest most beautiful, intelligent and the best woman int eh world for my wife.

And hoping you think of me the same I close this letter kissing both of you a million times, Alex.