Ask the Scholar
Document scope · 1 page
Scholar
Ask about this object, its catalog metadata, its source description, or the page inventory.
For page-specific OCR and visual context, open one of the page chats.
Source Description
This file contains correspondence from President George H.W. Bush at the time of his service in the United States Navy during World War II.
Scholar Source Context
Document identity
localId
400240241
label
September 1944
core
doc
dtoType
document
citationUrl
pageCount
1
Source metadata
id
400240241
contentType
document
title
September 1944
description
This file contains correspondence from President George H.W. Bush at the time of his service in the United States Navy during World War II.
citationUrl
identifierLocal
25833-003
collections
George H. W. Bush Papers
World War II Correspondence
imageCount
1
hasImages
yes
source
import
hasTranscription
no
Source extras
naId
400240241
levelOfDescription
fileUnit
recordType
description
ocrSource
nara-archive
Single page context
seq
1
pageIndex
0
type
document
mediaId
0b689fb8a55a5aca
ocrText
Originally Processed With FOIA(s):
FOIA Number:
S
2011-2184-F
FOIA
MARKER
This is not a textual record. This is used as an
administrative marker by the George Bush Presidential
Library Staff.
Record Group/Collection:
Donated Historical Materials
Collection/Office of Origin: Bush, George H.W., Collection
Series:
Personal Papers
Subseries:
World War II Correspondence
OA/ID Number:
25833
Folder ID Number:
25833-003
Folder Title:
September 1944
Stack:
Row:
Section:
Shelf:
Position:
G
35
1
1
2
September 3,1944
Dear Mother and Dad,
This will be the first letter you have gotten
from me in a good long while. I wish I could tell you that as I
write this I an feeling well and Happy. Physically I am C.K., but
I am troubled inside and with good cause. Bere is the whole story
at least as much of it as I am allowed to relate right now.
Yesterday was a day which will long stand in
my memory. I was on a bombing hop with Dlaney ES my radioman and
It. (j.6. ) Ted White as my sunner. He cid not usaully fly, but I asked
him if he would like to TO with me and he wanted to. we had the
usual joking around in the readyroom about having to bail out etc
at that time it all seened èo friendly and innocent but now it seems
awful and sinister.
I will have to skip all the details of the EX
attack as they would not pass the censership, but the fact remains
that we got hit. The cockpit filled with smoke end I told the boys
in back to get their parachutes on. They didn't answer at all, but
I looked around and couldn't see Ted in the turret so I assumed he
had gone below to get his chute fastened on. I headed the plane out
to sea and put on the throttle so as we could get away from the
land as much as possible. I am not too clear about the next parts.
Ixka I told them to bail out, and then I called up the skipper and
told him I was bailing out. My crewmen never acknowledged either
transmission, and yet the radio gear was working-at least mine
was and unless they had been hit back there theirs should have
been, asince me had talked not long before. I heard the skipper say
something but things were happening so fast that I don't quite
remember what it was. I turned the plane up in an attitude so as
to take pressure off the back hatch so the boys could get out. fter
that I straightenend un andstarted to get out myself. At that time
I felt certain that they had bailed out. The cockpit was full of
smoke and I was choking from it I glanced at the wings and noticed
that they were on fire. I still do not know where we got hit and
never will. I am now beginning to think that perhass some of the
fragments may have wither killed the two in back, or possibly
knocked out their comunications.
Fortunately 1 had fastened all my XXXXXL straps
before the dive and also I had left my hatch open, something I
hadn't been doing before. Just the day before I had asked the skipper
and he advised leaving it open in a dive. The jump itself wasn't
too bad. I stuck my head out first and the old wind really blew me
the rest of the way out. I do remember tugging at my radio cord
which I had forgotten to unplug. As I left the plane my head struck
the tail. I now have a cut head and bruised eye but it is far from
serious. After jumping, I must have nulled the rincord too soon for
when I was floating down, looked up at the canopy and several of
the panels were all ripped out. Just as I got floating down, I saw the
xxxxxxxxxxxx
,1y. There was
plane strike the water
In the meantime, I noticed ** 1
Bush Library Photocopy
Preservation
liferaft down in the water. Not until later did I discover I that it
a myne that was supposed to be attached to my lifejacket. had
was forgotten to hook it on, and when I left the plane it had come losse
and had fallen into the water. Fortunately, the wind didn't carry
too far away from the raft. The entrance into the water was It not too
me bad. I had unloosened several of my chute straps so that when
to came undo under that the water. I went farily deep under when hit, but
to getting out of the harness I wouldn't have too many I buckles
not deep enough to notice any pressure or anything. I shook the harness
and the wind carried the chute away on the water. The wind was blowing
towards shore, so I made every effort to head the other way. The skipper it
and he saw my XX raft, so he made a pass over it to point XII
out saw me to me. I had inflated my mae west and then started swimming towards
the raft. Fortunately, the fall hadn't injured the boat, so it inflated
easily and i struggled inot it I then realized that I 1 had overexerted afraid
myself swimming, because suddenly 1 felt quite tired. was still
that the wind would take me in closer so I began paddling. It was a hell it
of a job to keep the water out of the raft. In fact I never did get would
bailed out completely. At first I was scared that perhaps a boat
put made them think twice about that A few fighter planes stayed nearby
out from the shore hich was very close by, but I guess our planes t
that was. One of them came right over me and dropped me some medical
the whole time until I was rescued and you can imagine how come fortable S
supplies which were most welcome, since I had no idea how badly cut
I was. It turned out to be slight, but did use the iodine anyway.
up I had some dye marker attached to my life jacket and also there was
in the raft SO I sprinkled a bit of that on the water SO the
planes some could see me easily. I took inventory iof my supplies and
discovered that I had no water. The water had broken open when the
raft fell from the plane I imagine. I had a mirroor and some other
equipment, and also was wearing my own gun and knife.
There was no sign of Del or Ted anywhere around. I looked
as I floated down and afterwards kept my eye open from the raft, but
to no avail. The fact that our planes didn't seem to be searching
showed me that pretty clearly that they had not gotten out.
anymore I'm afraid I was pretty much of a sissy about it cause I sat in my
raft and sobbed for awhile. It bothers me SO very much. I did tell them
and when I bailed out I felt that they must have gone, and yet now
I feel so terribly responsible for their fate. Oh
so much right now. Perhaps as the days go by it will al change axx
and I will be able to look upon it in a different light.
I floated around for a couple of hours during which time
I was violently sick to my stomach, and then the planes
started zooming me, pointing out my position to my rescuers. You can
They pulled me out of the raft and took me below where they fixed
imagine how happy I was when I saw this submarine hove into view.
me up in grand style.4 1 write this I am aboard the sub -don't know
how long twill he here, or when - will get hack C the squadron.
ns - said physically - am O.K. The ford aboard here is
unequalled anywhere I ahve ever seen. I am getting plenty of bleep
and am even standing watches SO that I will get the air occaissionally.
My back ached as did my leg last nite, and also my seat was a bit
ore from the chute strans, but the pharmacist mate rubbed me down and
today I feel much better. Last nite I rolled and tossed. I kept reli ving
the whole experience. My heart aches for the families of those two
boys with me. Delaney had always been a fine loyal crewman. is
devotion to duty was at all times. highly commendable and his
personality XX most pleasing. I shall most certainly write to
his family after I am sure thay have been notified by the Bureau.
As for Ted White, I have spoked of him several times in
my letters before. e was the feldw from Yale, one class ahead of Stu
Clemat. He comes from St. Paul Minn, White Bear Lake to be exact. Perhaps
Dad, you know the family. If so do not write them until you get the word
from me or elswhere that the family has been officially notified.
There is a possibliltly that they parachuted and 0 didN8t see them, bu
I am afraid ** it is quite remote as we received a message aboard
here last nite saying that only one chute opeened. all in all it is
terribly discouraging and frankly it bothers me a good deal.
-1S time goes by, I shall add bits to this letter and will
mail it at my earliest possible convenience I shall do the same by
Bar, but shall not go into detail like this over my experience so NIXE
please read her the parts of this letter which might interest her.
It's a funny thing how much I thought about Bar during the whole
experience. What I wouldn't give to be with her right now. Just to
see that lovely face and those beautiful eyes and to know she was
by side. fRight now/I long to be with you so much. To be with you t
both my XXXXXX and to be with Bar is my main desire-at least it won't
be too long, the time is going by quite rapidly. I
Please excuse all my misspellings-they are caused not from
ignorance but from carelessness in operating this machine.
much much love to you all,
your ever devoted and loving My son,
Bush Library Photocopy
Preservation
Sept5th
Dear Mvm and ad,
I have just finished writing Bar a long Letter
so Iwill add a bit more to this one for you. I did tell Bar all
about what xx happened iso disregard the part I wrote in the
first part of this concerning tha.
I XW am now standing Junior officer of the
Deck watches and I really love them. I am not in any way a
qualified submariner as you can well imagine, but armed with
a pair of binouculars and dark glasses if I need them I can
sweep the sea an d skies pretty well. Afte my griping about
the security watches aboard the ship it my seem funny my
enjoying any watches, but here it is different. hese watches
afford me a good chance to get up topside and grab some of that
fresh air when we are submerged, I am utterly useless to them
but when on the surface I stand two watches a day-6-8PM and
4-6AM just a nic length.
The foodicontinues to be excellent with steaks
ice cream, chicken etc in abundance. You actually can t believe
how good the chow is. Of course thay have a much smaller
complement of officers to prepare for, but still the food is
SO much better that there is no comparison As for sleep I have
been claiming more than my fair share" I usually sleep all
morning and also all nite until my watch comes uo The sacks
are comfortable and SO darn inviting. I'd love to see The
Big One trying to get in and out of some of them Dad you
just couldn't do it. #11 the beds are fine once you get in-
that is until you have to get out I sort of get half way in
and hen have to pull the rest of me in like a worm. The
boat is now over crowded havinf three extra officers aboard.
But since two men are on watch all the time there is always a
bed for evryone. The fellow coming off watch just crawls into
the bed which his relief had been sleeping in That continues on
till morning Oh yes, theyeven have movies aboard evry other day.
The show them in the crews messing compartment which is the
largest but still tiny) gathering place. heyc have a miniature
screen and it is just as good. All the people love this duty.
It is a very happy boat to say the least.
One of the officers showed me all around and
tried to explian the equipment to me I'm afraid I must have
seemed like an egg-head, but I did get the general idea ofthe
operations. So far diving and submerging haven't hurt my ears
at all, and evrything about this life agrees with me I think
I would still prefer flying, since you ar e out in the open SO
much more, but this would be my second choice.
All the officers, and crew too, are just as nice
as they can be The Captain is ap each. He eats his meals with
us in the wardroom and is just as good a, guy as you di want to
meet. Yesterday I got a hunk OF liferaft and stamped the name
of the ship and the date on it and thenall the officers
signed it they also took some picture the day they brought me
aboard which - will try to get hold of to bring home will quitnow
much love,
Pop
September 8th
Dear Mum and Dad
Back once agian I have just come off my early
morning watch and breakfeast won t be ready for a while so
I shall write a little more I have taken to eeping even more
than when I first came aboard. I now sleep for three hours in the
Am and then try to sleep at least twok in the the afternoon.
I don' t usaally get in the sack at nite before 10 or 11 SO I have
to make up for it all in all.I try to get about 8 or 9 hours of sleep
a day.
Haven tibeen doing a great deal out of the
ordinary- just daydream the time away It is such fun to think about
getting home, the wedding and all that. I find myself bussting forth
into song un on the bridge I am not sure the others up there
appreciate my efforss too much but if they ever complain I am
going to tell them that my mother feels I am potentially a second
Caruso- and I don mean Frank Caruso either.
My eye has completely healed, save for a tiny scar
and the worst part, one chunk of eyebrow is missing It is sort
of a laugh, but I do hope it grows back in There is just skin
where there should be eyebrow
One thing - do miss aboard here+is my daily
shower which 1 loved aboard the ship ater cannot be produced
as abundantly aboard this boat SO naturally we have to con
serve whenever and wherevere possible. One shower per week is
the ration Tomorrow I can take mine WOW do I need it unattractive)
The shower is in a tiny little room but by being very cagey
about it you can manage to get well cleaned up. The clothes
situation is far from serious since all we wear is sandals,
undies and pants no shirts, just undershirts for meals.
hope you have not been worrying up till the time
you eceived these letters. This may be the first you have heard
of my experience I don't know I try to think about it as little
as possiblr, yet I eannot get the thought of those two boys out
of my mind It is SO different, reading about people getting killed
etc Even when Jim and Dick Houle were lost, though I did feel
it deeply it did not affect me IX as this has Oh.I am O.K. -I do
want to fly again and I shall not be scared of it but I knww
I shall never be able to shake the memory of this incident,
and I don't believe I want to mpletely They were both such fine
people.
Well I smell the breakfeast cooking SO I will
secure this for now xxMuch love to you all,
M
Bush Library Photocopy
Preservation
Saturday Sept 16th
Dear Mum and Dad,
Several days have slipped by since I last
sat down before this machine- days not without excitement,
but unfortunately the details will have to remain unrelated for
the present.
S"9
S
Gradually I am becomingmore used to this life.
At first I missed my daily bath but now I am used to my weekly
one. I will say that acertainly do look forward to the day
when my bath is due. Today was: the big day Water is precious. but
soap is plentiful, so I soap and soan and finally rinse. It is
amazing how much better I feel after this weekly pleasure. With
my bath comes a clean set of clothes. I hate to have to borrow
other peoples things, but unfortunately I came equipped only with
pants, drawers and flying jacket. They have a laundryman aboard
which helps some.
I have been on the mid watch for the last few
days. That puts me on watch from 12-2 at nite and from 12-3 during
the day. This way I get a little sun once in awhile. If we are
submerged I don't stand a watchfor obvious reasons.
There is a fellow aboard here named Jerry
Redmon. He graduated from Harvard in '42. They live right next
door practically to the Lovetts on Long Island-Glen Cove I
believe.
The food continues to be excellent. I have not beeen
sleeping as ell lately, and I am sure it is because I never
get any excercise. I could take calisthenics I suppose. I better
start soon because I really do feel sluggish and rotten without
at least & trot down the old flight deck.
I am certainly eager to get back to the squadron
now. It seems like ages since I have been back. I can just picture
the letters on my desk and i long to be able to tear into them.
I haven't heard from Bar in almost a month now. Did I tell you
about my gotee. It started off beautifully, but gradu. llly developed
into a joke-sort of like Gruff's moustache, so today off it came.
If worse came to worse X, however, I am now convinced that
I could grow XXX a fairly presentable gotee, given plenty of time.
Most of the enlisted men aboard heer have big full faced beards
It is indeeed uite a sight
I have been doing quite a bit f reading lately.
Retreat From Rostov; and Dos Passo's "Number One" plus "Captain
from Connecticut" and now "The Robe" The latter appeals to me
a great deal. So far I have only read a hundred pages or SO but
it has been deeply absorbing.
I wonder if you have seen Bar since you have been
back from Maine. I imagine SO if she didn't go back to college.
By now "ance is undoubtedly back at college and Buck and John
Bush Library Photocopy
Preservation
almost rady for school now. heere is Buck going to go?In one
of your letters you said that Pres was coming North for a week or
sp to see about his eyes. I wonder if he made it. I feel so darn
out of touch with you and I hat the feeling. This great distance
seems SO much closer when I have your letters to "all back on.
My eye has completely heeled now-there is no scar and the
only visible sign of XX the accident is a big bare spot where
eye brow should be growing. They were all kidding me because
1 have no scar or evidence of my wound now by which I can
claim. the PURPLE Heart
I still think about the accident a good deal. So many
thing that could have done come to my mind XXD and bother me.
It was terible thing alright.
Getting on to another subject. Did you ever see that
Oakes girl with the funny XXXEX nick-name, I can't remember it
for the life of me. She was my downfall. hope your last letters
have. included bits of news about Ed, Vinny, Red Dog, etc. Perhaps
some day will run inot them out here. I hope, however, that it i
will not be out here, but at the field Club or some such spot.
which
Well, 1 have rambled on long enough, and shall secure for
now. he steaks are on the table. Much much love to all the
afmily and to yourselves,
P
Bush Library Photocopy
Preservation
PHOTOCOPY
GB HANDWRITING
September 24th
Dear Mum and Dad,
Another week has slinned by since my last
letter. Not a great deal has he opened, and we are still at sea.
I am more anxious than ever to get back to the squadron, and
am hoping that it will not be too nuch longer. You should be
getting this letter before too long.
Today is quite rough and I find that this type
vesself can really bounce around. So far I have not been seasick-
I hope this continues. I am now back on the 4-6 watch, after a week
or so on themidnite job.
The type-minter has been taken
so I will continue by hand.
The would news continue to gets
better, and I wonder just how long
the Axis can last. seems to ne the
armans should be there by Xmas, but
Those I know may little about the
situation over then
I loved the Robe : it really was
maintons. since then I have read a
couple of more novels.
Hale been deeping agood deal,
too.
and cand on the bridge. We caught
The other day a bind came up
him and tooh him below. I gueso he
PHOTOCOPY
GB HANDWRITING
was 20 tired he couldrit excape.
He was a baby reagull I think-
After a buit not in the wardroom,
we twiced him looze. Also one of
the numbers flying Fials in these
water came a board. They are
pretty and gractful and though I have
seen them continually for the last 6
wonths I never The of looking at
Them. That's all the news!
From the news broadcasto it
news that Jinuy's boys have been
having quite an et whing letters trie.
sad
Tin is a all my mich and
Con I handly wis you waits to get your letter.
Much love to all,
10p
Sept 27th
Dear ""um and Dad,
This will be the last insta llment before
mailing - I shall continue to write while we are at sea,
but we will get an oppurtunity to get this off soon SO
I shall seal it up and get it ready.
Today was really rough- excellent Tomboy
weather to say the least. I am afraid the poor Tomboy would
never have been able to weather the waves We had today though.
Theywould break over the bridge and we would immediately
duck hoping to let them pass over us My stomach has not
bothered me today thank heavens. Remainer the Bermuda trip when
we were sick. I think perhaps I could weather it a little better
now, having been at sea more; however, 1 still get that horrible
feeling evry so often.
I am most anxious to know what the bosses
will do with us when we hit port. I am hoping that I will get
back to the squadron. If not I may get st uck in another outfit
which would be terrible, but then too I may get sent home
which would be perfect, even though I would have to travel
in a barrel and wihltout a sign of a record or a paper with me.
Actually I do not have any idea what they will do with me, so
it is not worthwhile speculating. I am hoping to get either
back to the squadron or to get home of course, but for love
nor money could I day what the outcome of th/is little
adventment will be.
I shall look up Pressy's father in law in
few days, may not see him but will get in touch with him if at
allpossible.
I think you had etter not mention the fact
that TeD White was with me to anyone who could possibly let it
get to the Whites unless fo r some reason you know that they
have definitely been notified by the government. A soon as I find
out that they have been notified I shall write to them. They
will probably receive the word that he is "missing in action"
so there too we will have to be tactful.
W
,
shall ston for now. I hope this letter
does not worry you. Y u have told me that you want to know
evrything that happeñs, and I too think it is by far better than
just getting "
is fine" letters. I am now fine and am
in all repsects the ready an to finish up with the squadron. I have
not forgotten what has happened, but then I never shall completely
forget about the it; however, no longer as troubled by
the tragic mishap as 1 was at first.
Much much love to you all. 1 shall write you
soon again. With much love to all the family and to my
Barbara girl,
your over levoted
Pop
Lot 5.7. GNW G Bish
OCT
=PO
a
-
2
AIR
6
MAILE
AIR 6 MAIL
San Francisco, Cale
1944
UNITED STATES OFAMERICA O
CENTS
UNITED
STATES OFAMERICA
MAYY
Mr. Mrs. Prescott S. BUSH
AIR
6
MAIL
CENTS
UNITED STATES OFAMER
Grove Lane
PASSED By
Greenwich, Conn.
JSL
KAVAL GENSON
GB HANDWRITING
PHOTOCOPY