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#95 Saturday 6 Jan 1945 - noon Hello, darling - I walked confidently up to the post office today (and so, I imagine, did a number of other men, since it's been three days) but still no more airmail. Very often, in censoring letters - whether officers’ or men's - you come across something like this comment: “This is just a skimpy letter today [or, I didn't write yesterday and the day before] - somehow it's hard to write when you don't get any mail from home…” It isn't hard for me to write, Sweetie, but it's easier and more fun just after getting a letter from you. Well, perhaps I will get caught up on your back letters before some more pile up! #102 Glad you liked the cigarette case and the beach bag - you chose the one I figured you would. Feel sort of better about the safe deposit box and your engagement ring myself (that's a shame about Betty's $20 - must make you feel rather queer about Val, no?) Darling, I’d love to get you a ring for your right and I think I can trust myself to chose it, but it will be some months, probably, before I have either occasion or money for it. Just in case, tho, tell me which finger and if possible send me a piece of cardboard with the size cut out (better still, find out the ring size by trying on a measuring ring at some jewelers. They run 5, 5 ½, 6, 6 ½, etc) Speaking of Wendy's pictures, I overlooked the new highchair and her eating out of the divided bowl when the last ones arrived. Guess I just had eyes for her expression. It's a cute picture, and she certainly is growing up. #103 I think I share your feeling about discovering the first flowers of spring - there are lots of lovely hibiscus and other flowers around [pg 2] here; they blossom daily, and I do seem to have come to take them almost for granted. I miss the season a little. I haven't exhausted the interests of Hawaii's climate and verdure or of this one, though, and would be far from doing so if we could be together in either place. Your wish (that they don't transfer me from the Marianas) may not come true altogether, but it seems as though it may be granted in part in the form of a delay. There's no way of knowing, but I wouldn't be surprised if I was kept here another four or five months. As I wrote you this morning, it seems as tho the men coming fresh out of Princeton (via Fort Ord) will get in the new operations while we stay put. It is the policy here not to release me until replacements are sent out for them - even though we could easily get along on less. Even if replacements do come, Reif and all the Boulder men will be released before I am. However, as I say, there's no way of knowing definitely. By now I am sure I could handle Reif's job and would welcome the responsibility. With recent routine work accomplished, there's not a great deal for me to do except brush up on my Japanese. Was much interested in your comment about Dr. Underwood. What little speculation I've heard assumed that we might just bypass Korea; I haven't thought about it carefully enough to have an opinion as to the feasibility of doing so. I am much interested in such questions, though, and am glad to get any articles or gossip in that connection. [pg 3] As soon as I get back the $15 I invested in an order for $1 dictionaries from the Univ. of Hawaii bookstore (they’re all sold in advance) I shall place a subscription to the IPR quarterly and other of its publications, having them sent to you to browse in and forward. If the postage mounts too much you can send things at regular book rates tho I do like to get the lightweight ones by airmail. I suppose it is not to early to say that most of us more or less expect to end up in Japan sooner or later. I also expect to get my 30-day leave before that time. I am not considering volunteering for anything that will keep us separated, not even in the interest of a future career; this is just a likelihood in the line of regular wartime duty. It should be interesting, and I want to be as well prepared for it by reading as possible. “Commentators predict March that move (Korea)” We miss that sort of thing out here - relay any that you think is significant. Darling, you've been so very sweet about sending me things. It must take about half your time! Charlie just came in. “What do you think Charlie? Will we end up in Japan?” “You and I? I dunno. I sure as hell hope not. It depends on the timetable. We may get home in 18 months and then just get sidetracked…” he went on to say what many of us feel, that although this is [pg 4] relatively interesting duty and there are small opportunities for doing good. All that we might do may turn to dust and ashes, simply because the U.S. has not settled foreign policy and particularly no post-war Pacific policy other than a few statements about the sovereignty of Korea, Formosa, etc. “All I want to do is cultivate my own garden,” says Charlie. I’d like to develop that theme about our lack of a policy, and its implications for a Military Govt. [?] like this one here, in some other letter. Like Charlie I find myself sufficiently disillusioned about possibilities of doing permanent good to get frustrated or excited about it, and one that much more disposed just to get back to cultivating my garden (or ours) Nevertheless it is deadly to sit out here without keeping informed. And I'm beginning to think sensibly of the idea of college teaching in Oriental (Japanese) language and history. It would not be feasible unless I made the most of my time now, out here. What do you think of it? I think I shall write Berkeley tonight and see what courses they have to offer. No, you do so and send the information to me airmail, would you? Address the Registrar, Univ. of [is it Calif? I forget] and ask for their bulletin describing degree requirements in Oriental Language and History esp. Japanese; also teaching fellowships. Just explain that your husband, a graduate of Boulder ,now in MG on -, has asked for the information. I'll write it if you’d rather, Sweetie. Past time to get back to work. Gee, it's nice to be able to hide away in a tent where no gooks can fire questions at me! Back to the office now. I love you Warren
