The "Polly" he refers to in the letter is my Mother.

I don't know very much about his experiences in the war. We weren't a very close family and he died sometime around 1996.

My Grandmother, and most of the Family who were alive then are also gone so I'll never know much more than I do now.

What I do know from the return address on this envelope is that like my Grandfather, he was also in the Army Air Corps. He was a part of the 504th bombardment group, 398th squadron and was stationed on the Island of Tinian during the late part of the war.

His best friend (and future brother-in-law) Norman A. Cady (my grandfather) was stationed on Siapan, which is the next island from Tinian and only 5 miles away.

Neither one of them knew it at the time, but they were over 7,000 miles from their homes in Kansas City, Missouri, yet stationed so close to each other.

After the war, he became a successful State Farm Insurance Agent and was well liked by everyone who came into contact with him.

He raised a large family and I'll never forget when we'd visit, how he made sure to make my sister and I feel welcome.

I've transcribed the letter below:

Dear June,
I've received your letter of Nov. 18th a couple of days ago, but have negleted answering.
While we are aboard ship, we can only write 1 letter a day so naturally I write Dottie and tell her to tell everyone hello.

We got to go to shore the other day and had a nice swim and 3 cans of beer.

So Polly is a dancer. She should be able to do about anything with those double joints of hers.

Mom said in her letter that family was same place in Pacific.

It looks like B.M. is on his way to France or India.
I mean he's leaving from the East coast.

you will probably be at home when this arives.(I mean at the folk's) as Dottie said you were to spend Xmas there.

I would have liked to have went and seen Grandma and Uncle Lester before we left but we didn't have time.

How is Kit and George now days?
Tell them hello for me.

I bet Polly will really be grown up by the time we get home again.
Has her hair grown out as long as it was?

Mann, Hatcher, and I sleep on deck at night so as to keep cool and it seems like we just get to sleep and it rains or something happens.
I haven't laid down and slept for 8 hours since I've been on this tub.

I've had K.P. once and will have it every week from now on.

It's pretty nice here on the ship.
We have a band and movies and also recordings.
Nearly everything but wine and women! ha ha.
I'll bet Dottie wouldn't appreciate that tho.

How is things coming along at Pratt & Whitney now days??

Well I am running out of things to say so I'll close.

I'll write as often as possible.

Loads of Love,
Kenny.

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