Description
272 Navy #3247 (Mil. Govt) FPO, San Francisco Thursday 12 July 1945 8:25 am My dearest darling, Didn't mind yesterday on the payline - first time in 3 months - so very much; it's a lot less drill than the weekly hour and a half of censoring letters, a task which I've just completed. John Reifsnider and I are on it together now every Thursday - we shared it a long time ago, and then for about 3 months Charlie Frankel, Hank Mook and I had it. Yesterday Tinian M.G. was commissioned as a unit (in the same sense that a ship is commissioned), a step which means that we are no longer attached for purposes of administrative control to the islands Main Navy base. In general the move symbolizes a certain independence and also guarantees that this will remain permanently an all-Navy setup. Before long, I think Tinian will have a Navy Island Command, as Saipan does now. Probably [pg 2] Okinawa will also in time. Two of the Officers from CASA arrived here yesterday - Lieut. Peck and Comdr Hilberg. We have been amused that the seven who will be here will not be allowed to compromise our administrative responsibility, regardless of their rank: they are here to observe and to be used by us (a relationship which should satisfy both sides). Lieut. Peck, I think, is to be put to work writing a history of this operation. That may sound like an interesting and important job to you, as it once would have to me, but it's regarded by men in the field as of decidedly secondary importance - the kind of thing you assign to a man for whom you haven't anything better to do, providing, of course, that he has a certain amount of [?] talent. After the payline - which was over [pg 3] early - last night, I went to see most of “A Tree Grows in Brooklyn” I liked it moderately well but was not greatly impressed. You saw it, didn't you, two or three months ago? I can't remember now what you said of it. I am beginning to miss a good long letter from you - perhaps it's time I wrote one myself. Do you know, I am beginning to understand how the tropics can alter one's way of life: I find it hard to settle down to letter-writing, any other than very light reading, etc. whenever I get out of the habit for a few days. And staying in the habit requires resolution. (I forget for the moment that I work several nights a week. That's really the decisive factor, and I'll be so glad when I can throw off that bearable but annoying burden) I love you darling, and want you very much W.
