Everett Schafer's Letters
Letter #5
Taking Rubber Boat Training
To “Mom & All”
24 November 1943
November 24, 1943
Dearest Mother + all
I do write letters once in a while. Have been receiving yours and the news from home. I had heard I was to be an uncle in the not too far further[sic].[1] My how time fly’s[sic]. Here it is near Christmas again. Last year at this time I was at New River N.C. This year out in Calif. getting sunburned on the beach.
I have been on the beach quite a lot lately. We have been taking rubber boat training, and I believe I’ve drank half the Pacific. It’s something new and plenty exciting. When the surf rolls in eight + ten feet high and seven or ten men in little rubber boats try to buck it, that’s work. I’ve seen the breakers turn a boat over bow to stern and throw the men yards in the drink. We haven’t had any casualty yet so training isn’t all in vain.[2] I believe if the Marine Corps would give us parachutes I will have learned everything. But that isn’t liable to happen.
I have had one letter from Delwin, and he seems satisfied. He really misses Doris, but he’s getting along. I know a little about the place as a couple of the fellows have been there. Can’t say much about it.[3]
As far as Christmas presents go I really don’t need anything, but maybe Gillette razor blades, double edge. Everything is G. I. and I have everything. I’ll be on ship to shore training for a couple of weeks so won’t be able to write. Will close for now and I’ll write when I get back to camp.
Your loving son
Everett
Footnotes
1. Everett’s older half-sister, Roma Fawn (Jones) Kivett, is the pregnant one. Her daughter Donna was born March 27, 1944.
2. Rubber boat training was a specialty of First Battalion, 24th Marines, and was universally hated. Fortunately, they never had to use the boats in combat.
3. Since his last mention, Delwin has joined the Navy. “The place” is Midway Island in the central Pacific.