I didn't think I would ever long for mail so much

October 13, 1970 - Renee and Harriet made a special
dinner for our parents on their 25th anniversary

Oct. 13, 1945

My Darling Wife,

I've been thinking all morning about this day--our anniversary. There have been lots of things going over in my mind: how happy and lucky I am to have a sweet wife like you, of how dearly I love you, and of all the cute little things you used to say which always tickled (and pleased) me so much. Honestly sweetheart, I am always thinking and reminiscing over and over of all those sweet little things you used to say until I think I have almost completely memorized, along with the mental picture, of the time and place of everything you ever said. That's because I long so much to hear your voice again.

The thing I have been thinking about mostly is how I would love to take you in my arms the way I used to and just hold you there while you looked up at me and talked to me just the way you used to do. Remember when I used to come home at night and just sit on the sofa with you lying in my arms and talking to me while we listened to the radio? Do you remember that and do you know how completely happy I was my darling? When I can be with my love again and have her all to myself in our little home, I hardly see how I could desire for anything more.

Renee & Harriet's "menu" items for their
imaginary restaurant.

I thought and remembered yesterday of one year ago too. Yesterday was Friday and since we were married on Friday, yesterday was an anniversary too. I keep wondering what you will be thinking and doing on our anniversary. Tomorrow will actually be our anniversary to you as we out here are a day ahead of you.

That I wish I were there with you this day, my sweetheart, goes without saying, but I can't help repeating it as it is the uppermost thought in my mind and the foremost longing of my heart. I love you so much. I honestly feel I can't go on much longer without you and pray constantly for the Lord to give me strength to endure until I can be with you again. I never want to leave you, my sweetheart, again. I am sure nothing could ever persuade me away from you willingly, and I pray nothing will ever be able to take me away from you and the joy which is so abundant when we are together.

We left Yokohama yesterday and are scheduled to arrive in Okinawa Monday. I'm surely looking forward to arriving there so I can have some mail from you sweetheart. It seems so long since I heard from you and consequently my spirits are getting rather low. Darling, I do hope so much that you have a nice day on our anniversary and that at least you get some mail from me and I hope you can spend the day with pleasant memories and fond hopes.

My dear sweet Gene, I truly love you with all my heart and soul and express my thanks daily to our Father in Heaven that I found you and at the time I did. God bless you my darling. Eternally Yours, Perry

PS. Let me know when you receive the little package. I wanted it to arrive for our anniversary, but I'm afraid it may be a little late. Love from Yours.

Oct. 17, 1945

My Sweetheart Gene,

We've been here at Okinawa for three days now. I've been waiting to write you because each day I've been expecting mail, but so far no luck. We haven't received a bit. I've heard all kinds of rumors, but I'm still waiting and hoping each day.

Gene often found surprise flowers like these left
by the delivery person on the porch one Valentine's Day.

This island here was pretty hard hit by the typhoon. Perhaps you've read or heard about it. It beached quite a lot of the ships in the harbor besides destroying a lot of buildings on the island. I'm glad we weren't here. We are only taking about 500 Marines aboard this time so this trip won't be nearly so crowded as usual. I am at least thankful for that.

What are you doing now my darling? Whatever it is you are doing, I wish I could walk in on you and surprise you. I don't think I will want to do anything but hold you in my arms for a long while after I get back. Will you mind, huh? Did my sweetheart have a good anniversary? Please tell me all you did and what you were thinking. I thought of you all the while. Of course, I think of you all the time anyway, but this time very, very much in particular. Darling, I do love you so very much and feel that my power of expression is so inadequate. I only want you to know, my sweetheart, that when I say, "I love you," it comes from the bottom of my heart and I hope you will take those words with all the seriousness they are intended to express.

I'm afraid this letter is hardly up to par because I can't seem to cover the disappointment of not having received any mail yet. I promise a very good letter just as soon as I get some of your sweet letters again. I haven't yet received any mail from you in reply to my first uncensored letters so it makes me especially anxious to hear from you. Goodnight and God bless you my love, Your, Perry

Oct. 20, 1945

Gene My Darling,

I can hardly write anymore. We did get some mail today, but it hasn't been sorted yet and I've hardly been so anxious about anything since I was a little kid waiting for Santa. I'll finish this letter after I've read my mail. I know I will feel much better then.

We did get just a little mail yesterday. I had one letter from you dated Oct. 1st, but it was so very short and there were so many missing in between it that it just didn't seem right. It did seem wonderful just to have another letter from you, my love. I didn't think I would ever long for mail so much as I have for those sweet letters of yours.

(Later Sunday morning) Darling, I thought I would wait and see if I didn't have some mail from you before finishing this letter last night. I did get one very lovely letter from you. It was dated Oct. 8th. You had just received the little picture I sent you. When you told me all about you going to the play and about getting tickets to the opera, it made me wish so much I could be there to take my sweet wife myself.

Hope and June will be interested to know you are going to see "Carmen." They were in that opera when their college put it on. I liked very much the idea of us learning some of those pretty songs of Victor Herbart's. Why don't you buy some and then when we go back to Utah, we can have June play them for us and we can learn them. Don't you think that would be lots of fun?

I think we are getting underway this afternoon and I don't know if there will be any more mail leave the ship or not. I didn't think we would be leaving until tomorrow. I surely haven't been very good about writing to you since I have been here, have I? The reason is though that I have been waiting each day for some mail from you. We have had quite poor mail service here because the last typhoon here completely destroyed the post office and scattered mail all over and they are still trying to get things squared away.

I surely hope none of my mail was lost. I guess the next mail you receive from me will be from China. I surely hope we get over there and back again in a hurry and then pick up troops and head for the States. All I can think of is how I want to return to my sweet little wife and have all those things we both long for so much.

Did you know the Navy has reduced the critical score for points? Under the present system, I should have enough points in February. They are going to be reduced to 38 on January 1st and I will have 37 1/4 on Jan. 15th. If I get out in February, that will be much sooner than I expected. Of course my "little ten point sweetheart" helps things out quite a lot. As long as I can spend those last few months back in the States so I can see you fairly often I won't mind waiting those last few months so much though.

I have just been thinking, one of the separation centers is at Terminal Island, San Pedro. If they should send me there to wait for my discharge, it would be just like old times, wouldn't it? Only this time we could probably get us a little apartment somewhere. Wouldn't that be nice? Well, here I am dreaming again, but that is all I can think about.

Darling, I do hope you can keep your health. Aren't you feeling so good? If so, why do you need to take vitamin pills? Must close now, my sweetheart. Take care of yourself for me. Do you weigh any more or are you still the same? Love Always, Perry

October 22, 1945 (Monday)

Dearest Husband Perry,

I received four more precious letters from you Saturday evening darling and the little package with the mother of pearl and the sweet perfume. It all thrilled me so and I am so proud of my little gifts Perry. You know, darling, it might seem strange but I think I won't forget this first anniversary of ours--it was a very pleasant day. I was alone that afternoon, but I was quite happy.

I cleaned my little room up and sang the whole time because I felt like singing. Oh, I have so much to be thankful for and best of all a very dear, sweet loving husband. My heart is full when I think of all these things. I received the money order for $50.00 too Perry. I'll take it to the bank soon as I can. Yes, Perry, I put all of my allotment checks in the bank each month as I get them. I live quite easily on what I earn working at the War-chest. I make over $30.00 a week now, but of course after the deductions are taken out it only leaves me about $28.00 at the most. My expenses are quite high tho so I'm not able to save anything of that.

Oh, my husband, I am praying all the time about your speedy return, so as I read your letter about the possible chance of your coming home by the end of next month, I feel that surely it just must be so. You will be coming back by that time. I love you so very much, Perry, and long for you so.

I wanted to come straight home Saturday afternoon from work and sit down and write you and also acknowledge the anniversary cards we received. I didn't have a chance tho. Mother met me and I went shopping with her. She doesn't get downtown very often and really needed some things. I helped her find a pair of shoes. Then I insisted that she get herself a new winter coat. We finally found one at the May Co. It's black with fur trim and looks so cute on her. I'm so glad she got it.

Yesterday was Conference Sunday here and such a wonderful day. The Adams Ward chorus sang last night, and we were good too (ahem!) Oh Perry, it's such a thrill to be up there in front of all those people singing your very best. I enjoy it so much. I wish I could remember all the speakers names to tell you. One was President Richards and another from Salt Lake named Bundy. I don't know if I'm spelling his name right or not. Anyway, he is Kent Johnson's wife's brother. I surely did like him. I talked to him a minute or two. He said he knew some Manwarings in Salt Lake. Any relations? Perry, do you know who he is?

Mother came over for awhile this evening. She brought me a letter from Pierce. He wrote a separate letter to all of the family. He is such a dear little brother. I must write him soon. He is quite busy he says working in the supply section there but gets his evenings off so goes into El Paso to church and mutual and chorus practice every week. He seems to like the people there very much tho he does miss us.

Emily is expecting Dick around the first of next month. He should be discharged about that time too. I must close now sweetheart. God bless you and keep you and bring you home real soon. I love you Perry. Your devoted wife, Gene

It has been so long since I heard from you

October 8, 1945

My Darling Wife,

Last night we left Hokkaido and are now on our way to Okinawa--at least that is our present orders. We pulled up to the dock the morning of the 6th to unload. That was really some "invasion." The first day we were there they granted liberty to 1/4 the crew of all ships, so I went on liberty in Japan the afternoon of the 6th. There was certainly no question but what the town was well occupied for the first two days. The Navy completely took over. Every sailor who could (including me of course) took full advantage of the chance to go ashore, look around and hunt for souvenirs. It was surely rather interesting and also amusing.

This seems to be kind of a poor man's country, or at least the city of Otaru is. It was quite dirty and shabby and stunk literally. All the stores seemed to have been out of stock for a long time and what they had left was soon bought out or looted by the Navy. There really wasn't much one could buy. I bought some pictures, newspapers and a few little trinkets not worth much.

Perry never did get all his Japanese money spent.

I was looking for a silk kimono or a pretty fan or something like that but couldn't find any. One thing, our money surely went a long way on what you could buy. I got 15 yen for one dollar and it seemed I just kept throwing it away and couldn't spend half of it. At least I have plenty of Jap money for souvenirs.

The first thing I noticed there was how practically everyone had some kind of a uniform on. Even the littlest kids had odds and ends of some kind of uniform on. All the women seemed to wear the same kind of black baggy--I guess you would call them slacks, or the Jap version of them. All the Japs seemed very docile and would hardly even look at you and always moved out of your way. Not even the little kids showed much expression although they would usually stare at us and sometimes laugh, which seemed so different from the "Hi Joe," or "cigarette Joe?" which we always used to get in the Philippines.

I felt rather confused at the irony of it all. After fighting the Japs for four years and used to all kinds of fanatical treachery, there we were mixing with them. They even had their own police and traffic cops (hundreds of them) all carrying their swords and yet looked as though they didn't have an ounce of resistance left in them. I surely wish I could have had that kind of a liberty when we were at Yokohama.

The fairly official rumor seems to have it now that we pick up troops at Okinawa and go to China. Anyway, it is on the northern coast of China. I'm beginning to become rather anxious about our chances of getting home for Christmas. Right now I can hardly wait until we get to Okinawa so I can get some mail from my darling. It seems so long since I've heard from you and even then we would hardly stop in one place long enough but to get a few letters. I must have lots of letters coming from you I hope.

It's been quite cool all the while we have been up here and sometimes much too cold to suit me. It seems the temperature is never just right anywhere out here. Must close for now, my darling. I do hope and pray you are all right. It has been so long since I heard from you. I love you, my sweetheart. Always, Perry

Oct. 11, 1945
Tokyo Bay, Japan

My Darling Wife,

Here we are back in Tokyo Bay. We pulled in here last night to get out of a pretty big typhoon that was coming from Okinawa. From all reports it must have hit Okinawa pretty hard and we are told it demolished the postoffice there. I surely hope they saved the mail because that's where our mail was waiting. We will stay here until the storm passes.

My darling, I keep thinking how close it is to our anniversary. At this time last year we were all busy planning and getting ready for the wedding. Sweetheart, we are gong to have every one of our other anniversaries together anyway. I surely do love you with all my heart and soul, my darling, and am surely not sorry we got married when we did even though we did spend such a short portion of our first year together. But even in that short time I have come to know you so much better and love you so much more than I ever could have otherwise. It has made me so very happy, even though we have had to endure this separation, to know that I have someone as sweet and lovely as you waiting for me.

With all my heart and soul I love you and shall always love you my dear sweet wife. Forever Yours, Perry

Oct. 12, 1945 (Friday)

My dearest Perry,

It's been almost a week since I've heard from you. I miss your letters so much, but I try to wait patiently. I know it will be a little while before you can write again or at least until the mail will leave your ship again. I keep thinking where you might be each day and know that by this time you are in Japan again. What is it like Perry? Have you been able to see more of it? I have heard that Japan is a very beautiful place. But, of course, most of all I would like to know when you are coming home. It's all I can think of anymore, darling. I know I must be patient, but the waiting seems so long. I love you, dearest Perry. I love you so.

Emily and I went to a movie tonight. It was a love story, very beautiful, called "Love Letters." Joseph Cotton and Jennifer Jones were the stars. Perry, do you think I look like her? I'm being told that wherever I go. Some woman at the office is calling me "Jennifer" now. Isn't it funny? But Emily said tonight she thought I was much prettier than Miss Jones--hmm!

Well Perry, Tomorrow is our first anniversary. Oh how strange to be spending it like all these other days and without you, my lover. But I know we will have all of the rest of them together--oh Perry, surely we will have all the other days together. I received our first anniversary card today from an old girlfriend of mine from Cumberland, Maryland. It was such a nice surprise. I must write her.

(Sunday evening) This is all the further I got Friday evening. It got kind of late so I had to "pop" into bed. Yesterday was really a day of work for me. After my half day of work at the office, I came home and cleaned my little room. I washed the windows, scrubbed the floor and woodwork and really got it all nice and cleaned. Golly, I was so tired when I finished that I just laid down on my bed and fell asleep. I went over to Mother's house for dinner. She gave me a pretty little anniversary card for us and in it was a lovely handkerchief for me made in England. Wasn't that sweet?

Then today after Sunday School she had a lovely dinner fixed especially for me. It was so good, roast chicken with dressing and everything else. Oh Perry, everyone is so good to me it seems and I am blessed with so much. Maybe I should be very happy and content, but I never shall be completely until you are here with me again.

The bishop is home again from Salt Lake and gave us a short report on the conference tonight at Sacrament service. It was so very interesting. Must go to bed now. Good night my lover. God bless you and keep you safe. Your loving wife, Gene

I think of you and long for you every moment

Oct. 3, 1945

My Darling Gene,

Seems like it's either too hot or too cold. The transition from such hot weather to such cold in the last two days has almost been too much for me to adjust to. Today it got quite rough again accompanied by a cold wind and dense fog. We couldn't even see any of the ships with us. Guess we'll come out all right though and some day I'll be able to enjoy some decent weather again.

Gene, I saw an officer, a former lawyer, who takes care of all the legal matters aboard ship, about giving you power of attorney. He said we don't have any of the necessary forms on board and some banks are quite strict on that. If you would go to your bank and request a form or blank for power of attorney which that bank uses and send it to me, I could fill it out and have it notarized and return it to you.

However, I believe that it would be just as easy to send me the check in a registered letter and I could sign it myself and return it. That would probably be the better unless you expect to have to sign my name again in the near future because I expect to be coming back fairly soon. Then if I had to leave again, I could give you power of attorney before I left.

Another alternative, if you don't need the money and if the check will still be good for a few months yet, would be to merely keep the check until I come back. I'll leave it up to you to decide which of those three alternatives would be the best under the conditions. I'll be able to let you know later how the possibilities for a sooner return to the States are shaping up. Nobody knows yet but our communications officer told us he thought (only his personal opinion) there was a pretty good chance of us returning to the States possibly by the last of November. That seems to be about the general opinion so I'll pass it on to you so you know as much as I do and can plan accordingly.

Gee whiz, it's so cold. All I want to do is go to bed and wrap up in my blankets. (Surely wish I had someone to cozy up with!!) Surely does seem strange to see everyone getting out their blankets and fur-lined coats again. I feel much better in this cold weather than the heat though. It seemed like last night was the first really good sleep I've had since Frisco. I really feel refreshed and rested when I sleep where it's cool.

Perry & Gene with youngest daughters, Renee & Harriet

Darling, I'm sending you a little package, airmail. I was hoping it would arrive for our anniversary, but now they tell us they doubt if there will be any mail service up there for several days because we are going to be the first ships there. So it may be late in arriving. Anyway, I hope you will know I have been thinking of you and will be especially so on that day. I was also going to try and do something else special for you but if there's no mail service I won't be able to. I'm sorry I didn't do it before.

Sweetheart, I hope so much that you will have a pleasant anniversary day and that you will at least get a letter from me or something. We are surely going to have to make up for some of the things we have missed during our first year. I love you so very much my darling wife that about all I want is to have you by my side forever.

Must close for now my love. I'll be thinking of you always--every moment. Yours, Perry

Oct. 4, 1945

Hello My Darling,

This morning we passed through the strait between Honshu and Hokkaido. You could see both islands on either side. It was and is yet very cold and windy. Guess we'll arrive at Oturo (our destination) early in the morning.

I got paid this afternoon so I immediately made out a money order to you for $50 which I am enclosing in this letter. I too hope we are able to make that one thousand dollars. Have you been putting all of your allotment checks in the bank? Or do you make enough from your work to pay your living expenses? Also Gene, you haven't mentioned receiving any more war bonds. I think you should have received three or four in all by now. How many do you have? Mother and Dad have two also which were sent to them before I was married.

Also I'll receive $300 mustering out pay ($100 for first 3 months after I am discharged) so we should be able to save our thousand by that time, don't you think? Surely do wish we had a little home we could put it all into. Of course I'm determined we are gong to have a good honeymoon after I get out and that will take some of it. Well, so much for financial matters.

I'm surely hoping something will happen so we'll get some mail while we are up here. Or else I hope we get unloaded and get out of here in a hurry. Otherwise, I'm afraid I'll be sorta' low in spirits by the time we get back to where we can receive mail again.

I often wonder what I would have done all this time out here if I hadn't had the memory of you and your letters to keep my soul alive. Honestly my darling, you are so dear to me in so many ways. How could I keep from loving you.

Will close for now my sweetheart. I think of you and long for you every moment. God grant that we might be together again and forever soon. Your loving husband, Perry

Oct. 5, 1945 (Friday)

Dear Sweet Husband Perry,

I received two very wonderful letters from you this evening--the 16th and 24th of Sept. Your letter of the 16th was the best. And darling, the little picture is so precious to me. You are the only one I see in it. Oh, I love you Perry, I love you so much.

(Sunday) Darling, I started this to you Friday night but it was rather late and I was so tired. I'll tell you what I did. Thursday evening after work I went over to the Biltmore Theater and bought two tickets to the play "The Red Mill" with victor Herbert's music. I had heard that it was good so wanted to take mother. I luckily got two pretty good seats for Friday night, 1st row in the balcony. It played for two weeks and Saturday night was the last performance. Oh, Perry, it was so good. The costumes and the music were so pretty. We really enjoyed it very much.

Perry, I wish you and I could learn a few of those songs and sing them together sometimes. They are so pretty in duets. It would be such fun don't you think? I read about the operas coming next month. I think there will be about 10 or 12 in all. I asked mother and dad if they wanted to see a good one. So they picked out "Carmen" and I bought the tickets. Rise Stevens is the star. It's played on the night of November 10th, Saturday. Lily Pons is in several this season too, "Rigoletto" and "Lucia Di Lammermoor." Wish I could see her too, but I think one opera a year will be enough for me. Wish you could be here to see it with me Perry.

Last evening I went with mother to the patriarch's. She received her blessing. Oh, Perry, it was such a wonderful blessing! He let me sit in the room with them. His wife took it all down in shorthand. We sat and talked with them awhile afterwards. They are such lovely people. They have two little girls and a baby boy. I got home rather late so went right to bed.

I did a little shopping yesterday afternoon after work and then went home. It was cloudy all morning and rained some, but when I got in the car to go home, it just poured down. It seemed so good to see rain again. Today was a beautiful day. After Sunday school, the superintendent came up to me and asked if I would take the job of writing an article each month for the Adams Ward news on some subject pertaining to the Sunday School. He said he would give me more detail next week. I was quite surprised, but of course I said yes. It almost frightens me and I feel I shall need some help. He said he was sure I could do it and picked me cause I know everyone there and am familiar with the activities of the classes. (Oh, my!) I hope I can.

Perry, I bought some vitamin capsules last week to help build me up and give me more strength and energy. I'll take them for 90 days. They should help me. Oh darling, how sweet of you to remember me with such sweet gifts. The mother-of-pearl sounds lovely and, darling, the perfume is a very expensive kind. I shall love it. Yes, I have several bottles of perfume, but I like perfume so much that I think I shall like having a little collection.

Yes, Perry, I remember Keith Case. That surely is too bad. I hope you are able to see your other cousin too. You must have a lot of cousins, Perry, and quite a few in the service. I'm glad there are so many Mormon fellows aboard and a Mormon chaplain. It must be wonderful to be able to hold meetings on the ship. The patriarch was the speaker at Adams Ward tonight. He talked on the coming of the millennium and the gathering of the saints in Missouri and the building of the temple and the coming of Christ. It really makes one think that all of this is surely not far away but may happen very soon.

Oh, my husband, how I long to know when you are coming back to me. I need you so. I love you dearest Perry. I must go to bed now. Sweet dreams sweetheart. Your loving wife, Gene

Perry. I want a place of my own

Sept. 30, 1945

My Dearest Perry,

During the past week several trying things happened that upset me quite a lot. But I received your letters of the 11th, 15th and 20th and, oh my husband, they were such wonderful letters. In fact, I think three of the best ones I've ever received from you. Darling, you'll never know what those letters did for me. Perry, I shall never throw them away. Your letters mean so much to me. I'll keep all of them always. I love you so and am so very proud of you.

The money orders came in one of the letters and I shall take care of them right away. I'm so glad your letters don't have to be censored anympore. It's so wonderful to know where you are and what you are doing. I do wish you would be getting out of the Navy before next spring. That sounds so far away. Perry, could they station you here in the states somewhere till spring? How can I live alone till then? I need you so, dear Perry.

1965 family vacation to the mid-west

Oh, my darling, you know I long for all those things you spoke of just as you do, my darling Perry. You brought tears to my eyes when I read of those little things you want most to do for your dearest. I long for the same things. You said you thought it sounded kind of silly and hoped I would destroy your letter. Oh no Perry, I shall never destroy it. I thought it one of the most beautiful things I have ever read. I pray that the time is very near when we can truly make those times come true.

Viola and I had a little misunderstanding last week. Then she lost her temper and said some pretty mean things to me and then said she wished I would move. It upset me terribly and I cried. Lewis came to my rescue however and told me Viola just wasn't feeling good because she has no job and was mad at her boyfriend. I was really going to move, but he asked me not to and said I could have the spare room if I wanted it. The next evening I went over to Mother's and since she and Emily have their differences, she was feeling bad too and it seemed as tho they even started picking on me. I left there right away, but when I got home I just couldn't hold back the tears.

Viola heard me crying and came in the room and put her arms around me saying that she was sorry for everything. Then Mother came over and we had a long talk, so things got sorta patched up again. Guess I'll stay with the Sorensens till you come back, but then I want to move. Perry, I want a place of my own. I want you to take me to Utah to live.

How grand that your sister has such a wonderful position. Brother Benson is such a wonderful man. Yes, I knew him in Washington. Must close now, Perry. All my love. Your wife, Gene

Sept. 30, 1945

My Darling Sweetheart,

I haven't written to you since we left, but really darling, to be truthful, I haven't felt very well. No, don't worry, it was only seasickness. You see we ran into a typhoon and I'll have to admit that whenever the water gets very rough, I begin to get woozy. I barely managed to stand my watches and I spent the rest of the time in my bunk. I'll bet you are laughing at me, you little rascal. I guess they just can't make a sailor out of me.

We are supposed to arrive at Hokkaido on the 5th. We will go through the strait between Honshu and Hokkaido into the Japan Sea to Oturo which is on the east coast of Hokkaido. That's about all I know. We will be the first ships to arrive there with occupation troops.

Gene, just before we left, I received three copies of the Improvement Era so you see it is catching up with me at last. I've been reading them and enjoying them. I liked particularly what J. Reuben Clark said in one of his speeches. I'm quoting it to you. "All the deductions of modern psychology, and it's kindred mental sciences, are paraded for the guidance of the wives, the mothers, the sweethearts, in meeting, winning and holding the boys back from the war. But I would not exchange the unerring, inspired instinct of a good woman, fired with mother love, or wife love, or the love of a loyal, chaste sweetheart for all that man have ever written."

Perry with his newly-planted rose garden
Claremont, California

When I read that of course I thought of my own sweet little wife and honestly darling, I couldn't keep the tears from my eyes because I knew how true that was. I have known that ever since I have been out here, but it touched me to read it from one of the church authorities, and I liked the way it was put, don't you, sweetheart?

Darling, I only wish I were able to express how much I love you and how I want only to be with you. Goodbye for now, my darling. I'll write you again tomorrow if I possibly can. Forever yours, Perry

October 1, 1945 (Monday evening)

Dearest Husband Perry,

I do hope you are receiving more of my mail by this time. Sometimes I guess I don't write very often, but my darling I think of you constantly and long for you so. It's only when I don't hear from you that I find it rather difficult to write. I'm still reading those sweet and wonderful letters I received from you last week.

Dearest Perry, how many trips will you have to make to Japan before there are enough troops there? I don't see why they can't let you come home now. I think you deserve your 30-day leave and should get it right away.

Guess I should tell you the good news. Daddy baptized Nellie Card last Saturday and confirmed her yesterday morning. Now she is one of us. Isn't that wonderful? We had our fast Sunday yesterday because next Sunday is Conference in Salt Lake. It was such a hot day yesterday--also today--temperature reached 100 degrees today.

Perry, Mother is going to receive her patriarchal blessing next Saturday evening. I'm going with her. I'm so glad she has finally decided she should have it. She and Daddy have been putting it off for so long. Dad still doesn't think it's very urgent that he should have one.

I'm still working at the "Victory Chest" Perry and expect it will last till sometime in November. I'm still only a temporary employee as most are, but I have a chance of being put on the regular payroll. Hurry home, darling, and take me away from this tiresome office work. All I want to be is a good little housewife and mother and be with my husband forever. I love you, Perry. I love you dearest husband.

The time has been changed and everything comes later now. It seems so strange. It's almost dark now before I arrive home from work. Tomorrow night is mutual night. Guess I'll go over and see what it's like this year. It's just starting, you know. I washed my hair tonight and also some of my clothes. Am rather tired now. Must go to bed. Sweet dreams Sweetheart. I love you Perry. Always, Gene

Oct. 1, 1945

My Darling Gene,

I'm wondering when you will get me letters and when I will hear from you again. you see, we are going to be the first ships to arrive at Hokkaido and I'm afraid there isn't likely to be any mail service for a while. I love you so much that I want and need a letter from you every day. The hope that I will actually be with you again before too long keeps me going though.

Yesterday evening when we held our church services the Chaplain asked me to speak. I was sorta' flabbergasted and so out of practice so I didn't do so very well. Guess I need a little, quite a little, practice and also a lot of study. You and I can study together when I come back, can't we?

My darling, it is just 13 more days until our anniversary. I keep wondering and hoping you will at least get a good letter from me. It's pretty hard to time them because I don't always know how long it will take, especially when we are moving around so much. Oh, my sweetheart, I wish I could do something for you, but I feel so helpless. How I wish I could be with you so we could really have a nice time. It will really have to be something very, very big or important to keep me away from you on another anniversary. Goodnight for now my love. I love you dearly, Perry

The darkest hour is just before the dawn

1965, Claremont, CA, Perry graduates
with a Master's in Education

Sept. 19, 1945

My Darling,

I started to write you yesterday but was unable to finish. The thought that we wouldn't be getting any mail here again was too much for me and made me rather blue, so I gave it up. I am back at Cebu again. We surely didn't stop at Leyte long this time. We are up here to pick up troops to take up to Japan again.

The last time I was here, we didn't get any mail at all so the prospects of coming here again weren't very bright, but today we were happily surprised to receive mail. I got two letters from you posted the 6th and 8th. Darling, you are so sweet and in one you were sorta' blue. My sweetheart, I know how you feel and it pleased me so much to read in your other letter about your special prayer and the comfort and solace that came to you. My sweetheart, it makes me so happy to know I have such a sweet, sincere, and virtuous wife. I too have thought many times when things seemed pretty dark, "the darkest hour is just before the dawn."

Gene my darling, I know that I have been blessed and protected because of your prayers. I know they have not gone unheard. It says in the Bible that, "the prayers of a righteous man availeth much." That is why I am so thankful for you, my darling, because I know you are so clean and pure. I'm not trying to be philosophical, but darling, I guess I'm just pouring my heart out to you. I can do it much easier now that there is no censorship. I love you very, very much my sweetheart.

I am so glad we were married before I left because, honestly Gene, you have been such an inspiration to me and so much closer to me than you would have been otherwise. I don't know what I would ever have done without you, sweetheart. Even though we have been thousands of miles apart most of our first year, yet your spirit and sweet influence has been with me and I have not failed to feel it no matter where I was.

How I too wish that we could be together on our first anniversary. Right now that doesn't seem very probable, but God will hear our prayers and in His wisdom and mercy will bring us together soon. I am very sure of that. Possibly we might be able to be together for Christmas--who knows.

I just received a letter from Hazel and she says June is going to be Ezra T. Benson's secretary. Isn't he the one you knew in Washington DC? She is quite happy about it.

We are alongside the dock, have already started bringing cargo aboard, and are preparing to bring troops aboard. That means we are going to be crowded again. Already the tables have been put up high again so I am writing this standing up. We always eat standing up when we have troops aboard. Must leave you for now. Good night my love, Perry

Sept. 20, 1945 (Thursday)

My dearest husband Perry,

The letters I have been waiting for so very long finally came yesterday. Oh, Perry, darling, it was so wonderful to hear from you and to know exactly where you are and where you have been. I read those letters over and over. It's so good not to have them censored anymore.

Gene was always Perry's biggest fan!

Sweetheart, I started this at work today but got busy as usual and couldn't finish. I think of you constantly darling. Even tho I do have lots of work to do, my mind wanders off to you and I sometimes forget completely what I am doing. Everything is so secondary to you, dearest Perry. All I want in this whole wide world is you, my husband, and I won't ever be truly happy till you are by my side.

I keep watching the papers for anything that might mean you can come home sooner. The headlines tonight were about points being lowered for the Army. Everyone says then if that happens, naturally the  Navy points will come down too. Then I heard something in the news on the radio tonight about the government doing away with the point system altogether. Then, darling, I read about the Navy having a lot of the ships in Japan return to the US leaving yesterday. Oh, Perry, could your ship be in that group that is coming home? If it isn't, I hope and pray yours will follow very soon.

Perry, I love you so and I'm so very proud of you. I read parts of your letter to the folks, the part where you told me about your trip after leaving San Francisco and your experiences in the Philippines before leaving for Japan. It was all so interesting, Perry, but also quite frightening and I am so thankful that this awful war is finally over and you are coming back to me. My heart is very full as I thank our Heavenly Father.

Perry, I was thinking of moving to Mrs. Ballard's boarding house, but if you are coming back very soon, perhaps I should just stay here. It's such an awful job to move, and I have so many things. I guess it would be best if you left your civilian clothes home, darling. I have so much to take care of here, it's hard to find space for everything.

Oh, yes, Perry, we must go to Utah as soon as we can. I want to be sealed in the temple to you right away. I've been wanting to go thru the temple for such a long time. And, darling, I want to meet your folks. I can hardly wait to meet them. Can't we leave for Utah as soon as you get here if you get a leave, Perry? I'm getting so excited about it all. Oh, my sweetheart, write as soon as you can and tell me what I should do and when you will be here. Must go to bed now. God bless you and keep you safe. Your devoted wife, Gene

PS. Emily is expecting Dick by next month.

Sept. 24, 1945
Cebu, Philippines

My Sweetheart Gene,

It was two days ago that I received two of your very sweet letters. You seemed kinda' blue because you hadn't been hearing from me and so I wanted to answer them right back, but really my sweetheart, I've either been too busy or too tired.

I guess I never will be able to understand the Army and Navy. The war is over and yet we are still making practice launchings and that keeps us busy (and disgusted.) We still have troops aboard and are just waiting here for I don't know what.

I received a letter from June and she is surely thrilled about her new job. Did I tell you, she is going to be Ezra T. Benson's secretary? I think you knew him back at Washington DC, didn't you? The mail service here surely isn't very regular, but at least we do get mail once in a while which is surely a lot better than when we were here before.

If I can get over on the beach before we leave here, I am going to get you some mother-of-pearl. The natives have quite a lot of it over there and some I've seen looks quite nice. Do you think you would like that? You could have some pretty earrings or something made out of it.

Sweetheart, I'm so sorry you haven't been getting any mail. Guess that was at the time when I was moving around so much right after the Jap's surrendered. I wasn't writing much then either--I didn't have time. It should have improved by now though.

Sweetheart, I do love to write to you even if it is only to tell you how much I love you. I'm sure if you never tire of that, I surely never will. And I do love you, my darling, more than I can ever begin to tell you. I can only think of when I can be with you again and I get rather impatient, but I'm doing my best to control myself. Goodbye for now, my sweet little wife. I love you with all my heart. Always Yours, Perry

Sept. 24, 1945
Cebu, Philippines

My Darling Gene,

This will be the second letter I have written you today, but I feel so much better now than I did this morning that I am going to write you again. Also, the rumor (unofficial) is that we are getting underway tomorrow so this may be the last letter I will be able to send you for awhile.

I received two more letters from you tonight. Sweetheart, it seems that you should have been getting more of my mail. You always mention about not having any letter from me. Surely I have written oftener than that. Makes me wonder if it is being held up some place.

Gene, we have quite a few LDS fellows aboard among our troops and a Mormon chaplain. He is Chaplain Berret from SLC. We held services tonight and it surely did seem good. They said they held services last night, but I was on watch and for some reason I missed the announcement.

I went ashore this afternoon and looked around Cebu city and it surely is riddled from bombings, etc. I also got some mother-of-pearl for you. I've been thinking of something I could get you for our anniversary, but there isn't much out here one can buy so I guess you'll have to wait until I come back and then I can make up double. I also bought some perfume from our ship's store. It's called "Intermezzo." Is that good? (It smells good.) You will surely have plenty of perfume, won't you?

I got word from Mother that Keith Case, my cousin, has been listed as missing. You remember him, don't you? Chaplain Berret also knows another cousin of mine. He is in the division we are transporting. The chaplain is going to find out what ship he is on and I may be able to see him.

Your letters were dated the 12th and 13th. It seems you should have received some of my uncensored letters by now. Gene, we have an officer on board who used to be a lawyer. I know him quite well so I will see about this business of giving you the power of attorney so you can sign my name. I promise I'll find out and let you know in my next letter. Yes, every little bit like that will help our bank roll. I sent you $100 in money orders about two weeks ago. (Also tithing) I surely hope you receive it ok. Let me know if you do.

Sweetheart, I don't have time to wrap my little gifts now, but I'll wrap them so they will leave in the first mail when we arrive in Japan. Always Yours, Perry

Sept. 24, 1945 (Monday)

Sweetheart Perry,

Your letter of Sept. 9th which I received Friday was so interesting that I'm still reading it. Oh, darling, I liked the typewritten account of the story of your ship. It was just wonderful and I shall keep it with your letters. It sort of ties them all together, and I know everywhere my darling has been now. Golly, you sure have traveled a long way and I think you really deserve a long leave soon. Perry, tell me as soon as you know when you are coming home. I want to know just as soon as you do.

My dearest husband, I love you so and I want you so. You know there are times when I yearn for you more than at other times. And today I know that if we were alone together, I would love you more perfectly and give you more love than I ever have or thought I ever could since the beginning of our love. Oh, Perry, is it wrong to feel this way? I can't help it. Darling you have told me to tell you everything. Sometimes it is very difficult to express all of my feelings. Well anyway, you must know that all I want is you dear husband. And I pray so constantly for your safe return to me that I'm sure it must happen in the very near future.

Guess I'll just sit tight where I am at the Sorensen's till you come back. And my job will last till sometime in November unless they then put me on their regular payroll, which they haven't done yet. Perry, do you think you might be here by November or December? Golly, I wish you knew.

Mother and I and Nellie Card went to a radio broadcast last evening--missing church. But I have never seen a broadcast and was given three tickets at work. It was a symphony orchestra and very good. We all enjoyed it. Nellie will be baptized Saturday evening of this week at Wilshire Ward. Daddy is going to baptize her. Isn't that wonderful? Must stop here. Write often darling. I love you, Gene

We left Yokohama last night

Sept. 11, 1945

My Darling Wife,

There was a while there when I wasn't writing you very often, wasn't there? That was because we were so busy and so crowded with troops, so I'll try and make up for it now because when we get troops again, it may be harder to write you as often.

We left Yokohama last night and are now on our way to Okinawa. The story is that we are going to pick up prisoners of war there and take them to Manila. I'm sure I don't know why we would take war prisoners to Manila, but the rumor seems to be fairly official. Guess we'll soon find out. There isn't any more "blackout" out at sea now. Last night all the ships in the convoy had their navigation lights on and we even had movies topside while underway. I'm beginning to believe the war really is over.

Gene & Perry on a family vacation to Northern California

I guess you've read by now about the Navy giving 1/4 a point a month for overseas duty. That still doesn't help me very much, but it does put me a little closer to the goal. That will be taking quite a few more off this ship. I still think I will be getting out next spring some time. Darling, that is all I can think about all the while I am awake and dream about at night the time when I can be back with you forever. I sometimes think I will be perfectly content then--just to be with you. I sometimes wonder if you really think and long for those things as much as I do. I love you so very much, my darling. How I wish I could hold you in my arms right now like I used to. Only the next time I take you in my arms I want it to be forever--never to have to leave you again. God grant that it might be that way.

Well, Sweetheart, I'm enclosing two money orders. I'm sending you $100 to save for when I came home and also sending my tithing for the last three months. (July, August, Sept.) $6.56 per month--total $19.68. There is only one advantage that I know of in being out to sea and that is you are able to save money. And that's only because there's nothing to buy, or worth buying. I don't believe there is a sailor who would give a nickel from his pay account for the whole darn Pacific.

Well, my darling, I'm going to try and catch up on some other letters I've been neglecting. I'm surely hoping I have some mail from you at Okinawa. I love you Gene. Always, Perry

Sept. 13, 1945

My Sweetheart Gene,

Last night our orders were changed so instead of pulling in to Okinawa this morning as scheduled, we are on our way to Leyte. The message said that the prisoners of war we were supposed to pick up had been given air transportation. I'll have to admit I am rather blue tonight for a letter from you. If we had gone to Okinawa as planned, we would have had mail by now. You see, except for those two letters I received once while we were underway, I haven't had any mail for three weeks.

I don't know what we will do at Leyte, but it is my own personal hunch that we will make another trip to Japan with troops. I would like to believe we would pick up troops and go back to the states, but things don't seem to be pointing that way yet.

Sweetheart, we have been married just eleven months today. I was once hoping I would be back by our first anniversary, but I'm afraid that is very improbable now. I'm still hoping I will be back by christmas. I don't dare do more then hope though. My darling, we have been together such a very short time since we have been married. I'm surely going to make up for all this lost time when I get out of the Navy. I mean I want to take you a lot of places and do lots of things, but most of all I think I'll want to just be with you all the while and never let you out of my sight. Do you think you can stand to have me around that much?

Shall I tell you what I think about most? They are just little simple things, but they express my heart's desire and a world of happiness. For one thing, I would like to be able just to walk to church with you by my side like we used to do. I often remember how pleasant it was going to church back at Adams and the days were so beautiful. What a very simple want that is, and yet I remember that as some of my most pleasant experiences.

As it turned out, for big meals anyway, Perry ended
up doing a lot more of the meal than just "licking the spoon"

Then too, I think how I would like to take you to a nice formal dance like the one we went to at Wilshire after we were married. I often think of how you would look in that white formal I am going to buy you. Then I think most of all how heavenly it would be to have our little home and just stay home and relax and have you there to talk and joke with. And I think how much fun it would be like at Christmas time to help you make candy and cookies. I would really love that and I could really help like "scraping the pan," "licking the spoon" and "tasting" and all of those very necessary things.

And then at such a time, I think it would be the most beautiful sound in the world to hear a little baby crying from the other room. My heart would fairly melt to watch you go "mother" it. Gene, I know this sounds kinda' silly (and I hope you'll destroy this letter after you've read it) but I know you'll understand. Whether this is silly or not, those are the things my heart longs for. I know I can be happy with those very simplest and commonest of things as long as I have you.

Darling, do you ever daydream of things like that? I love you so very much, my Gene, and can think only of the day when I can be with you forever. Always Yours, Perry

Sept. 16, 1945

My Darling Gene,

We arrived here in Leyte this morning. Was I ever glad to get some mail. I have three letters from you dated Aug. 28, 29 and 30th. Darling, they were such very sweet letters that it made the tears come to my eyes just to read them. I love you so very much, my sweetheart, and am so thankful for you.

I liked so much to read about the things we will have to do when I get out of the Navy. It makes it seem so close and so much more of a reality instead of just a dream. Yes, Gene, I really think I will be out of the Navy by next spring some time, but I'm still hoping I'll get to come back and get a leave yet this year.

Apparently you didn't understand the Navy point system so here it is if you still don't know:

• 1/2 point for each year of age computed to the nearest birthday.
• 1/2 point for each month of active service.
• 10 points for dependency.
• Then just recently they gave an additional 1/4 point for each month of overseas duty.

You need 44 points to get out. I have 34--ten more to go. I expect they will lower the point system in a few months--I hope!!

Yes, darling, I have the wedding ring with me, but I don't wear it. I keep it in my locker because I don't want it to get scratched up or tarnished. Things really do tarnish fast in this salt air. The watch you gave me is getting quite tarnished--almost looks like corrosion. I'll have it all cleaned up though when I come back.

I received a very cute picture of Hope's little boy. She said I could have it as a gift until I had a picture of a little guy of my own, and then I could only have it for a trade. Then she said, "Do you get it?" Sweetheart, those were certainly very good pictures you sent me. You look so very pretty and sweet (just like you are.) Emily's baby surely is cute. I've already showed the pictures around and told them that was my wife and little boy. Of course nobody believed me--I don't think!! I mean about the baby.

The rumor seems to have it that our next trip, after we pick up troops, will be the northern island of Japan, Hokkaido. It sounds very plausible, but of course I don't know.

(Next day) Sweetheart, I stopped this letter last night to go see the movie. It was "A Song to Remember." I wanted to see it because you had told me about it. Then after the movie, I received two more letters from you. They were dated Sept. 1st and 2nd. In one letter you said you had been dreaming about me lately and dreamed I was there beside you. My darling, how I wish that were true. I pray constantly that it will not be too long before I can really be with you.

My Gene, it makes me feel bad that you have to be moving around so much. I surely wish I could be with you so that the next time you moved, it could be into our home as a housewife. I'm sending you a picture that was taken at Okinawa. One of the fellows smuggled a camera aboard. Those are three other signalmen with me. I'll stop now, my sweet, and hope I get another letter today. I love you, Perry

Sept. 17, 1945 (Monday)

My dearest Perry,

It seems like years, my darling, since I was last with you and so very long since I've heard from you. I look for a letter every day, but there has been none since those I received of the 27th and 30th of August--so long ago. I think of you constantly all thru the days no matter where I go or what I'm dong. I long to know where you are and what you are doing and when you will be home.

Yesterday was Sunday, but I didn't go to church as I had planned to. I was unexpectedly, at the last minute, invited to go with Clarrie and Jerry and their girlfriends and Viola and her date on a picnic trip up to the mountains somewhere northeast of here to spend the day. Clarrie's girl changed her mind at the last minute and decided not to go for some reason, so then there was room for me in the car. Lewis went too. Perry, it was such a beautiful trip. The mountains were so high and breathtaking. When we got to the top of this particular place, we parked the car and went by foot from there down into a lovely canyon.

In 1965, Perry took Gene & family on a summer-long camping
trip back to Illinois to visit some of her extended family

Oh Perry, how I wish you could have been there with me. I enjoyed it so much. It was the first canyon I have ever seen and been in. How wonderful it would be to spend a honeymoon there. I saw some pretty little cottages nestled down there in the pines, almost hid. At the very bottom of the trail, there is a mountain stream, so crystal clear and cool and so good to drink. We walked along the stream till we came to the end of the canyon where there is a waterfall which extends way up to the edge of the canyon. Oh, how beautiful it was. We all sat down near the falls and had our picnic lunch. It was so cool and nice there, so quiet and peaceful except for the sound of the water.

I'm home again, darling. I got quite busy at the office today so didn't get to finish this. I like to type letters to you tho. Do you like typed letters, Perry? I must finish telling you about my lovely day yesterday. We left at about 8:00 am. The kids woke me up and asked me if I'd like to go with them. So of course I did. We came back up the trail out of the canyon as the sun was going down. It was so pretty. Then up on the hill above the road where we parked the car, we found a table and benches and a place to roast hotdogs. So we ate again! We had hotdogs and marshmallows, and golly they tasted so good.

Finally we all piled back in the car and headed for home. I was so dusty and tired. I took a bath and went straight to bed when I got here. But Viola just got dressed up again and went out with her boyfriend again. I sure was stiff this morning when I got up. I could hardly move. Guess my muscles will be sore for awhile.

Oh, my sweetheart, I found such a wonderful letter waiting for me when I got home this evening. It seems so good to know where you are and thanks for the stick of gum, darling. I'm chewing half of it now. It surely took a long time for this letter to get here--golly 14 days! I hope I can soon have some letters of this month from you. I can just never get enough mail from you, dearest husband. When will you be coming back to me, Perry? Can't you tell me that too?

I think I've almost forgotten what it's like to be loved--it's been so long. But I do dream about those sweet times we had, my husband, and I haven't forgotten. My longing for you grows. I want to feel your arms about me again holding me so close to you. Oh, my Perry, do you understand?

[The rest of this letter is missing.]

This will be the first uncensored letter I have written

Sept. 2, 1945

My Darling Gene,

It's been so long since I received any mail from you, but I was happily surprised today when I received two letters from you. It was the first mail we had received for about two weeks and the first we have ever received while we were underway. The surprise and all made it rather exciting. This is the only mail we will receive for several days and there won't be any leaving the ship for a while either, but your letters made me feel so good I felt like writing. And also, this is the eve of one of our important anniversaries. I'm sure you remember, don't you? The peace was also signed today, so this is quite an eventful day.

There has surely been a lot happen since one year ago, hasn't there? Remember, I wrote you in a letter telling about how much can happen in a year. Sometimes the daily routine of things and some of the momentary sorrows offer to make it rather uneventful, but when the total score is added for a full year, starting from any time, I have never failed to recognize how well it has treated me and how richly I have been blessed. Would you like to speculate into the future a year from now?? I looks pretty good to me.

How I wish I could be there with you on this anniversary to shower you with my rather overflowing affection, but the time we lose now will be more than made up later. Possibly now when I come back, I will get a leave with enough time to do some of the things we have been wanting to do. Anyway, that is what my hopes and prayers are.

Your letters were posted the 17th and 19th. The 17th was written right after V-J day and you told me all about the big time you had, and it really did sound big! Made me rather envious that I couldn't have been there with you. I think I might have been back there with you by now if the war hadn't ended so abruptly, but it would only have been a very short stay again. I think it is much better this way.

Yes darling, I think it would be a good idea to get a temporary job so you can have something to keep you occupied, but you might have to quit it at a moment's notice in the not to far distant future so plan accordingly. To be sure you are set right about when I will be discharged, I'll only say not to expect it right away, but the Navy seems to be planning to discharge very rapidly from all the news I hear especially if they continue the draft. I really think I might be out by next spring, which sounds very good to me because that will be much sooner than I formerly expected.

In the meanwhile, I am just hoping, praying and planning. All I can think of is when I can return to you, my sweetheart. I love you so very much. Your loving husband, Perry

Sept. 5, 1945

Gene My Darling,

This will be the first uncensored letter I have written. It was just made official today so I'm taking advantage of it. I'm sending it along with the one I wrote the other day but hadn't mailed. I'm glad now I didn't. It surely is going to be wonderful to write you all I want to, where I am at, when I expect to come back and talk to you the way I want to.

By the time you get this letter,  we'll be in Japan, probably Tokyo Bay. That is where we are heading for now anyway and are scheduled to arrive there Saturday the 8th. We left Cebu where we loaded troops on the 1st. Sweetheart I guess you were rather disappointed that I didn't come back like I kept saying. I suppose you thought I was giving you some "bum dope" but I wasn't. We were on our way back and were at Guam when the Japs surrendered, so you see that changed things. But I'm surely not sorry it turned out this way because I think now when I come back I will get a good leave. That is only my personal opinion, nothing official. I can let you know now from time to time the way things look and when I expect to come back.

When we left San Francisco before, we had a big load of sailors for fleet replacement. That surely wasn't a very good trip because we were so crowded and it was so hot. Then we spent three weeks (for what reason I will never know) at Eniwetok, a tiny atoll in the Marshalls. That was the most barren, uninviting place I have ever seen. That's when I wrote some rather discouraging letters I guess when the water situation became so bad, etc.

Well, then we finally made it to Okinawa (after a few days stop at Ulithi, a small anchorage in the Carolines) and things were anything but pleasant there. It was supposed to be "secured" but the Japs were still making plenty of suicide attacks which kept us at general quarters about half of every night. Luckily nothing came very close to us, but there were plenty of ships hit, mostly destroyers out on the "picket line." While we were there, we were made a receiving ship and had to wait until different units of the fleet had called for all those sailors and at the same time bringing more aboard.

Before we could finally get out of there a typhoon came up, and they were afraid it was going to get so rough it would beach all the ships in the harbor. So all the ships present went out to sea together, sailing back and forth to try and ride out the typhoon. To make matters worse, I had to get seasick! (No remarks!!) After that was all over, we were really heading for home, but of course the end of the war changed things.

That pretty well summarizes my adventures since I left you. You have always been wishing I could tell you all the places I have been and where I am at, so here it is at last. Maybe I'll have more interesting things to tell you when I get to Japan. Of course, we won't be able to go ashore so I'll have to satisfy myself with one of my usual "long glass" liberties. I'm hoping we will pull up to a dock instead of anchoring out, which is usually our luck.

I'm not much interested in things out here though. All I want to do is return to you, my sweetheart, and be with you forever. I only want to be with you in our little home and have our children and those things which we long for so much. I always want to be able, after every day, to return to you and your love. I truly love you with all my heart my darling wife.

Perry in his "civvies" after discharge from the Navy
December, 1945

The Navy has just announced that we can wear civilian clothes when we are off duty--liberty or leave ashore. I still have a good dark dress suit at home. Would you like for me to have my folks send it to you so you could see what I look like in "civvies" when I come back? Would you have room? Maybe we could go some place special and you could see what it seemed like to be the wife of a gentleman instead of just a sailor's wife.

Of course if I got a leave, the first place we would want to go is back to Utah and through the temple and you could meet the folks. I can hardly wait. I can see this is going to be a pretty big letter. I must stop and go to bed. I love you, Gene, my darling. Yours, Perry

Sept. 9, 1945

My Darling Wife,

It's been difficult finding time to write you. Here we are anchored in Tokyo Bay, Yokohama. We pulled in here early yesterday morning and it was so cold and foggy it reminded me of when we pulled into 'Frisco harbor last time. This is really a large and modern harbor. It seems so strange to be here and have everything so peaceful. From the way things seem, you would hardly know there had been a war on. Of course a close observation through the glass shows that all the factories, etc. have had a pretty thorough going over with bombs and strafing. There are still a lot of large and modern buildings though.

This morning we pulled up to the dock and unloaded our troops and cargo. It surely didn't take us long because here we are, anchored back out in the bay this evening. Incidentally, the famous Mt. Fuji is visible from here, but so far it has been either too cloudy or foggy to get a very good look at it.

There is surely an array of ships in here including a few British, which must appear very impressive to the Japs who have been told our fleet was destroyed. What few Japs I have seen so far appear to be very docile about the whole thing. We even had a Jap pilot to take us alongside the dock this morning.

I surely hope we head back for the USA before long, but if I'm going to have to spend so much time out here, I'd sooner spend it here than any other place I have been in the Pacific. At least it is cool here, which ought to help us to get rid of an epidemic of "heat rash" that has been afflicting  the crew. Luckily for me, I have been out in the open enough that I haven't had it very bad as yet.

We haven't had any mail here as yet, but I'm surely hoping it starts coming in soon. I wrote you before that it was ok for us to wear civilian clothes while on liberty--well they cancelled it a couple of days later, so looks like I might have to postpone some of my ideas for awhile.

Sweetheart, it surely does seem good to write to you and know somebody else won't be reading it. I know my letters will certainly improve. What I'm looking for now is some letters from you to provide me with some spiritual food and really give me something to write about. I love you so very much, my darling, and can think only of the time when I can be with you and have those things we long for or as you said, "those things which come by love." Always Yours, Perry

Sept. 14, 1945 (Friday)

My Sweetheart Husband,

The lady I work under here at the office just received an interesting letter from a friend who is in Tokyo Bay in the Navy. She said he goes under water and cuts free all the mines so our ships can get thru the harbor in Tokyo. He told her about seeing the ship General MacArthur was on when the Peace Documents were signed. It all sounds so interesting to me. I'm so in hopes I'll be getting some uncensored mail from you, darling--real soon. I wish I knew what you were doing right now.

I had lunch in the drugstore across the street from here and when I started to leave, the cashier saw a dollar bill on the floor on my side of the counter. She told me to pick it up. No one seemed to see it and it had been stepped on by I don't know how many people. Then she said, "Let's split it." So we did, and I have fifty cents to the good now. Wasn't that an interesting little episode?

Manwaring family, Claremont, CA, 1968

The temperature has been up in the 80 and 90's for the past 2 weeks. I'm hoping it will cool off soon. What is it like where you are, darling? Is it warm or cool? I have been reading everything I can in the newspapers about the activities in the Pacific--especially Japan. General MacArthur speaks as tho the occupation of Japan will not last over a year and that by next year the men will all be coming home. All of the news sounds very good. Anyway, I know it can't be much longer till you will be coming home and we will really be able to have a little home somewhere.

Perry, I'm going to be the happiest most content little wife in this whole world then. Oh how lucky I am to have so much and to have such a wonderful husband. Come home soon, Perry. I need you so. God bless you and keep you safe always. I love you so much Perry. Always your own, Gene