https://content.mymcpl.org/files/original/a1789092c6402f85da3d361e45aa0a0a.pdf
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Guy Lee Tinder, Jr. correspondence
Feb [February] 16, 1952
11:50 AM
Dear “Wife”
Guess I will start that long letter you wanted. Seeing as how you wanted me to write some
every day. I am already almost 4 days behind. I expect the phone call I made will cost $4 or 5 only I
wanted to hear your voice again so to me it was worth it, as I was much lonely for you. Sorry if I
embarrassed you when I asked if anything had happened. I kinda wanted to know even if it wouldn’t
make and [sic] difference of course I don’t want you to be but I would of bet a lot that you were.
Instead of making me feel better I was more lonely after talking to you wish I were with you right now as
it would be 8 oclock back home no telling what I would do so I will just let you guess. Angel there isn’t
much to write about except the trip so will start from the beginning. Left Kilmer at 9 Am Tue [Tuesday]
had a box lunch on the train going to New York from there we got on some kind of a flat barge then we
sholved [shoved] off to the ship. It is quite a buggy believe me USNS General Maurice Rose 609ft long
76 ft [feet] 5in beam, weighs 15, 970 tons we have ave [average] 20 knots. It has cabin cap [capacity] of
461 troop cap [capacity] 1411 people. The troop bunks are 14 high quite a set up that they have
arranged. Our destination is Bremerhaven total distance from New York 3621 miles so far we have
came 1810 just exactly half way. [page 2] We started in the ship at 2:30 PM Tue [Tuesday] at 2:30 today
(Sat [Saturday]) it will be 4 days so I guess we have around 5 left to go. It was easy to get on the ship as
it was docked we just walked right on with now I had of brought the guitar only it is to late to think
about it. It isn’t to bad on the boat only there is hardly any place to sit down and you have to take off
your boots to lay on your bunks which are only 18 in apart 4 high. So you can see it is hardly what you
would call comfortable. They have movies, a libariary [library], PX [Post Exchange] for past time, also
some musical instruments. Wed [Wednesday] they were going to organize a popular band and a hillbilly
band so I went up. Played the guitar for a couple of evenings only not enough guys showed up so
yesterday I didn’t go. It would have been fun if we could of got one started thou [sic]. It is the same old
story on the boat every morn [morning] we have to clean up then go up on deck and stand for 2 ½ or 3
hrs [hours] while they have inspection I really hate it. The rest of the day isn’t to awful bad because
time seems to pass pretty quick. They have quiet [quite] a few good looking women up in the cabins,
most of them are married so I suppose they are going over to meet their husbands. As for me I would
like to be going home to see my wife, I don’t guess you would know her thou [sic] she’s really a
wonderful gal I think anyone one who could put with me [page 3] has to be pretty good. I love you lover
[sic] you love you just in case that you might of forgot. I guess you are still sleeping that is if you didn’t
step out on me last night it is 7:30 here but only 2:30 at home. I have been up, made my sack, washed,
and eat already. Now I can get ready to go up on deck all morning. I wouldn’t of minded this trip if only
we didn’t have to go up there and stand around half the day. Last night (Sun [Sunday]) they took all our
U.S. currency to exchange it for Script. We had to give them everything but pennies they only gave us a
receipt till we dock that is okay because there is no place to spend your money now that they have
closed the P.X [Post Exchange]. I was going to write a lot of letters going over but so far I haven’t even
wrote very much to you yet. I am going to try and write the folks sometime in the near future. I figure 2
days from now we will be mighty close. That will be Wed [Wednesday]. If only I am lucky and get a fair
deal over here maybe time will pass pretty quick. Probally [sic] I will not be over here much over a year
the trip back is the one I will like regardless what we have to do on the boat. I have been lucky so far I
have only pulled 1-15 minute baggage [page 4] detail so I have no kick coming as far as working is
concerned. Speaking of working I guess you are still slaving. If what I know is true you will have to quit
your present job then maybe you will learn how to COOK which will be a very valuable assett [asset]
[Notes added by transcriber]
Guy Lee Tinder, Jr. correspondence
once I get home for good. We cannot live with our folks forever you know. At the present (not knowing
your cooking what little of it that I have ate) it could be improved I think.
(Tue [Tuesday] Feb [February] 19 1952 11:15 here 5:15 at home)
While I am writing you right now you are probally [sic] sleeping like a log, (lucky you) I have been up for
about 5 hrs [hours] just had finished my bunk when a Sargent came up and told me I was going on K.P.
[kitchen patrol] today. Boy did I hate that. I had to help clean up the tables, scrub the floor, wash the
walls and clean the map room then they let us off but said that they would probally [sic] call us back.
Nice thought huh. Well we land sometime tomorrow only first we are going to take a medical exam this
eve [evening], clean this place spotlessly then get off Thurs [Thursday] morn [morning] sometime. Looks
like I am going to spend at least 2 more days on this tub. The last 2 or 3 [page 5] days the ocean has
been pretty calm it hasn’t been very bad all the way over. I suppose I was lucky as I have never had any
trouble with being sea sick. A lot of the fellas have had quite a time of it thou [sic], I guess “Momma”
has been feeling okay? You know I haven’t minded it like I thought I would only it could be a million
times better if I were there. I told one of the boys I thought we or rather you were expecting he really
gets a charge out of calling me Pappa. He was also worried but his wife came through just a day before
he left so he hasn’t got to much room to talk.
Wed [Wednesday] Eve [evening], 9 PM
2 PM at home
Hello Angel
I used to say another day another dollar. (Spent that is) Now I say another day closer to being
home and out of the Army. Was up on deck a few minutes ago getting embarkation orders saw the
lights of Bremerhaven told a fella beside me that I had seen all of Europe I wanted to and was ready to
turn around to go right back. We dock before long only I don’t get off till 3:45 tomorrow eve [evening]
bet we have to set [page 6] on deck all day just like I did today. It was plenty chilly to the doggone wind
really goes through you. After we get off the boat we have to ride a train clear across Germany I will
really be glad when I finally get settled. I can truthfully say this boat ride wasn’t to bad. The chow was
as good as I have had in the Army if we could of had fresh milk for breakfast I would have been well
satisfied. I could write a lot of pages telling you how much I miss you but I think I will just say I love you
much miss you plenty everyday suppose I will have to get used to it thou [sic]. I have practally
[practically] wore out the pictures of you already especially the one in the tree it is my favorite. I took 4
or 5 pictures of some boats and this tub the first one I have taken since I left home. Well Baby good
night till tomorrow
Jr
Feb [February] 22, 52 4PM
Dear Darling
After a allnight [sic] train ride (4 to 9:30) from Bremerhaven I have finally ended up at
Zweibrucken. I will be here 5 or 6 days processing before I am sent to my unit. It may be France, [page
7] England or some other place including Germany. I will also have a different address but as of yet I do
not know what it is. About the first thing the[y] did here was have mail call I was really happy when I got
4 letters including the valentine (which made me mad at you). I haven’t heard from home yet I look for
something tomorrow thou [sic]. Darling I am glad to hear you are not stomping that machine. Sorry
that you have been feeling so bad. I would give anything if only I were with you as you say it would be a
whole lot better. Naturally I wish you were not going to be a momma while I am away. (Bad enough if I
were there just look at all I am missing out on) I suppose we should of thought of that sooner. I don’t
care how much money you save you just start going to the Doc whenever you think need to. It is a lot
nicer place here than I expected I have spent all day getting my clothes ready for laundry, orientated,
partial pay, ration card and now finishing this letter to you as I want to get it in the mail. I had to rewrite
[Notes added by transcriber]
Guy Lee Tinder, Jr. correspondence
this page because [page 8] I got it mixed up with the folks. I wrote to you on 1 side them on the other
boy am I keyed off. I think I will explore this place tonight the PX [Post Exchange], snack bar, beer hall 14
percent then tomorrow night I may go to Zweibrucken. You need not worry about me not being true to
you as I have no intention of being untrue. I love you very much and am beginning to love you more and
more all the time. I think of you constantly. I believe I shall close for now. Tell all the Folks a big hello
for me. I will write again soon as I get to my unit.
All my love
Jr Tinder
P.S. Will be glad when they get that old wreck of mine sold, hope it brings just a little more than 1575 I
will be satisfied with what they get thou [sic]. What did they do advertise?
[Notes added by transcriber]