Sunday Night, February 15, 1942
At Sea, Somewhere in the
I wish we were together so that we could talk. I need someone to share this horrible day with. I do hate to burden you with my troubles but the death of Charlie Applewhite has upset me deeply. You have always been the only person that I could turn to when I was troubled, and now you are not here. But writing helps me think and maybe I can find some solace in this exercise.
I feel very guilty for being upset over this, I knew this kind of tragedy would happen, and it is likely to only become more frequent. What have I lost I ask myself? Even though I liked Charlie a good deal, I had only known him for a week, and when we landed, for all I know we could have been split up and I would never have seen him again. But his family was expecting to see him again and now they never will. They have lost a son and a brother, and what have I lost? Yet I feel sad and overwhelmed. I am truly ashamed of myself. I have pity for my small loss, when I should think of the greater loss of his family.
They don’t waste time these Navy guys, this afternoon they had a quick funeral for Charlie, and sent his body to the bottom of the ocean. It was nicely done and almost everyone not on duty turned out. Our Corporal asked me to gather Charlie’s personal effects, as we share a locker. There was little of note there to send back to his family except for a photo of Charlie, face beaming with pleasure, standing with his family, in full uniform. Charlie is the only one that looks happy, I guess he is standing with his parents and two brother and two sisters. The date on the back is December 1941, this must have been taken when Charlie was just out of Basic Training.
It affected me badly holding that photograph and thinking of Charlie’s family never seeing him again. I would like to write them a letter and tell them of how Charlie was so well liked, but I think it would be an intrusion upon their grief. And I think I only want to write them to make myself feel better, and I am disappointed in myself for being so selfish.
I wish you where here to help me with this, you always know the right course is such matters. But again I am thinking only of myself and I know that is wrong.
How are doing? Tell me what you do to stay busy; I’m sure your momma makes sure you stay that way. How is your father? Tell him I asked about him. Have you heard word of my family? I have not received a letter from them since before I left
I hope that we will arrive at our destination soon, I am growing weary of insides of this great steel monster. I hope to receive mail soon, and I will send all that I have written as soon as I can. I miss your dearly.
Love
Jack
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