Everett Schafer's Letters
Letter #16
The Marine Corps Is One Year Older
To “Mom + Pop + Family”
15 November 1944
November 15 1944
Base Camp
Dear Mom + Pop + family
I received your letter today and was very glad to get one. I haven’t had any mail in over a week, but can’t expect any if I don’t write for weeks at a time. I’ll have to admit letter writing is my main weakness.
I have been away from camp off + on for over a week. Last week I had a five day pass and was away for that time, and three days previous to that we were in the field, and tomorrow we are going out for three more.
During my leave, I tried to locate Delwin but couldn’t contact him.[1] He wasn’t very definite with his plans so I missed him or he missed me. Well anyway I had a swell time and had a little liberty that was just next to Stateside.
Well the Marine Corps was one year older this past Nov. 10 and we had quite an event. The Twenty Fourth Marines had a parade in honor of the men wounded in the Marianas operation, in which five hundred and two men and officers were awarded the Purple Heart. I was among them and received mine from the ex-regimental commanding officer who is now a general.[2] As soon as we get back out of the field I’ll send it to you.
I was well pleased to hear Joan and Ronny are making out so well with their music. Etta Joan seems to be doing especially well.
By your description of the house it must be very nice. You sure have put a lot of work in on it. I’ll be waiting on those pictures. Incidentally mine never developed very well, and I’ll try to get them done over to send you some.
You will probably be getting another insurance policy, as I raised it to $10,000. The Marine Corps seems to think it’s a good policy, and I had intentions of doing it long ago.
Well I can’t think of anything else to write, and I have to write LaFerhn and a few others tonight so I’ll close for now.
As ever
Your loving son
Everett
PS: I received your package which was very nice. Also I received Doris’ package which was also swell. I’ll try to write her soon.
Footnotes
1. Delwin is now a Machinist’s Mate Third Class. Shortly after this letter was written, he transferred to a training camp at Terminal Island, California, and from there joined the crew of USS Buckingham (APA-141).
2. Brigadier General Franklin A. Hart, former commander of the 24th Marines, now assistant commander of the Fourth Marine Division.