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#348 Sunday 21 October 9:40 am Dearest Sweetie, I'm just waking up to the fact that lately I haven't been supporting you in the manner to which you've become justifiably accustomed - as if skipping one day isn't bad enough, here for the second time (I think) I've gone and skipped two. Last night we had a farewell party for Captain Dodds, who is leaving this unit to become Mil. Govt. Liaison Officer for all the Marianas and is being replaced as C.O. here by Commander Kenney. The recently enlarged Officers’ Club was decorated with vines and flowers (the job having been done by civilians attached to the agriculture office) and we had a 7-piece orchestra. All but one or two officers had dates, two-thirds of them blind (and I do mean blind!) Mine was fat, young and ignorant, her only merit was a passable ability [pg 2] to dance. I made the most of the evening by dancing with as many different ones as possible - four or five others - and drinking enough to have a mild hangover today (that would be 6 to 8 drinks; I lost track of how many but not of how I was holding up). The “bourbon” which I thought I was drinking turned out to be [Schenleys?], which practically guarantees a hangover regardless of the amount drunk. Darling, I sure need to get home. Although I’d never become a social nuisance no matter how much I drunk, I invariably get to feeling amorous after about 4-6 drinks, and I just don't have the will not to drink that much at a party out here. I think I would if I had an interesting enough companion, but girls who are interesting for reasons other than merely that they are females are few and far [pg 3] between out here. Don't get me wrong in supposing that drinking makes me feel amorous without regard to the company - I couldn't feel that way about a girl like the date I had no matter how much I drank. But I just get nicely primed, and then there's nothing to do about it! I suppose I'll keep on going to parties or having occasional dates as long as I'm here; it's too dull not to be with the group. But whenever I dance with anybody it makes me realize how much I miss you. Time for a shower now. I'm going to church this morning because Chaplain Yearick of the 50th Cbs is the guest minister. He had me to dinner, followed by a poor USO show and a whimsical movie - a long program from which I got back rather late - the night before [pg 4] last. Incidentally, I learned that Keith Spurrier (who is going to try to phone you from San Francisco, as well as Muz when he gets to Memphis) had a lucky break in getting good accommodations on a ship without having to wait more than a few days after he was detached. He should arrive not long after this letter does. (I think I sent you a picture of Yearick saying benediction a the ceremony opening Tinian harbor) Noon Darling, your letters are so sweet - I feel like a heel for not having been a better correspondent lately. #430 (written last Sunday) It was pleasant to hear of George Clark's visit. He's a curious duck - gossipy, a [pg 5] little womanish, and a little affected - but he seemed a goodhearted sort, and at any rate I'm grateful to him for whatever diversion he provided you with. Glad you had him to supper. I can't initiate any action on replacement. I can only do the reverse: i.e., request continuation of active duty, and of course I won't do that. If I thought you’d be at all interested in coming out here to live for a year (but considering that you and Wendy couldn't come till perhaps May) I’d be almost willing to wait, for it would be a unique experience, and with quarters and facilities growing more comfortable everyday, it could be a delightful year for us. The climate is healthy - I've had just one cold as compared with my usual 3 or 4. But I know you wouldn't consider [pg 6] waiting that long; I don't want to either and have therefore not given it a second thought. There are some here now who anticipate being here long enough to bring their families out; and just to give you a idea as to how civilized we’re getting meanwhile, Comdr. Kenney has sent home for his whites. Again and again, Wendy sounds so utterly delightful - can hardly wait to see you both. #429 No, Sweetie, I don't know of any reason why you should be missing letters from 29 Sept.-4 Oct. Nice to hear about the $18.75 gift from Josh to Wendy, and to hear his impression of us and ours. Your speaking of F's ordering a Christmas box for me reminds me that I haven't given a thought this [pg 7] year to anybody's Christmas but yours - do you think you can manage the family, Sweetie? If there's anything you’d especially like me to contribute write soon and I can send it airmail. Yes, I do hope the Christmas box you've just mailed will have to follow me home. But because of my language exemption there's no way of knowing yet whether I can get by on points - or even so, when a relief will come so that I can be released from here. There's a time limit, of course, on holding men who are eligible for discharge, but of course technically I'm still not eligible. Can't say that I fancy Deirdre and/or Dede Johnston. I think we can do better than that. Your bringing the matter up provoked a smile - [pg 8] Glad to hear about Columbia's beating Yale - we get not only reports but direct broadcasts or playbacks out here, but I hadn't happened to hear about it before. The blue yarn for Wendy's mittens is very pretty. #428 Thank you for the money order, Sweetie - I'll be relieve when we've returned the whole amount. It is a nuisance to borrow money, isn't it? Like the material for the new napkins and placemats. By the way, I hope we'll be able to set a Tinian party table for 8 with some of the things I've sent and am sending. You might get out the mats and coasters sometime and lacquer [pg 9] them just brushing on a thin coat of clear lacquer to make them washable. Barry has done so to his; it helps to pressure them as well, of course, and makes them somewhat - more attractive. Just make sure that the mats are thoroly dry, and that the lacquer itself is a type that will dry completely without being sticky. You can also dip those beads I've sent in the can, shake them out and that's all there is to it - make sure they too dry thoroly. I want to spend part of the afternoon now finishing Wendy's present, which I didn't have a chance to work on during the week. Maybe I'll write you another letter tonight to help make up for the skips. It's never a question of lacking things to say. I love you, darling, deeply Warren
