GDW_09_08_1945_1_

Sept 8, 1945
at Sea

Dear Mother:

Tonight is a night I have waited
for, for along time. All during the war
you would never show a light top
side at night while at sea. Tonight
after sunset we will be allowed to
smoke top side and porthole will
not be closed. It should be a wonder-
ful sight for all of us who have
lived in darkness after sunset for
so long.

In my last letter I promised to
tell where we went and what we did
since we left the States. I thought
at first I could spread it over a
couple letters but as I don't go in
for long winded explanations and
flowery adjectives I think I'll cover
it all tonight. Then too it won't
keep you wondering until the
next lettter arrives.

We went from San Francisco to
San Diego first. Trained and drill on
the way. Stayed there a few days
but did not get ashore. Then left
for Pearl Harbor. Did a bit of