LSMs 85, 86, 87, 88, and 89 formed Task Unit 06-12.6. In early January of 1945, this unit received its orders to depart San Francisco on January 11, 1945 as a part of the force that would invade Japan. LSM-87 began final preparations for cast-off, including fueling and provisioning, on January 9.
On Wednesday, January 10 1945, during what must have been his last liberty, my father visited the Old St. Mary’s Service Center, presumably at Old St. Mary’s Cathedral on California St., where he composed a letter home on the service center’s stationary.
Instead of sending the letter by military mail, which would have required an FPO return address and would have only cost the concessionary rate of 6 cents, my dad chose to use regular air mail at a cost of 8 cents with no return address. He clearly wanted the letter to get home as quickly as possible; using civilian mail avoided any delay that might be caused by the Navy censor.
I recently found this letter in my dad’s papers, and I treasure it dearly. I’ve transcribed it below. When reading, keep in mind that only the night before, President Roosevelt declared in his 1945 State of the Union Address that “We have no question of the ultimate victory. We have no question of the cost. Our losses will be heavy.”
January 10, 1945
Dear Mother and Daddy,
I am going to try to call you in just a few minutes. Thought I would write a note just in case I don’t get it through. I am writing this in the basement of a church. They have a nice service men’s center here. There’s pool, ping pong, a sandwich bar with everything free and dancing. It’s one of the nicest service centers I’ve seen in San Francisco.
We are still at Treasure Island but are planning to move out very soon. I can’t hardly write when it will be. It will be on the day of the week that I got back on my leave – (this week). Maybe you can make it out by that. No one knows how long we will be gone. As to the place, well, Daddy, you remember what I told you about where I thought it would be that’s correct.
Its been a nice stay here. Haven’t done much work, had liberty every other nite. Frisco is a big town and there’s a lot to do and see and I haven’t come close to doing everything that I would like to have done. I saw “Thirty Seconds Over Tokyo” night before last. It was a mighty good picture but I doubt if you would like seeing it.
One of my buddies surprised all of us by getting married while he was home. He had never mentioned the subject of marriage but spoke sometimes about a girl that lived in New Jersey. His home is in Penna. None of us believed it at first and some of the fellows still doubt him. He can’t completely convince the whole crew. He is the other signalman. Only nineteen too. [Editor’s note – this refers to SM3c Kenneth E. Rinehart]
I received a fruit cake and also a letter today from Aunt Ruby. Received Nedra’s box several days ago. That candy is certainly good.
There is one thing I want to you promise me and that is that you won’t worry about me. I’ll be alright and I’ll get back. We may be gone a little while but just think each day draws closer the day when we’ll all get back for good.
You may not hear from me for about three weeks but I’ll write all along.
Hope all of you are well. I’m feeling fine.
Lots of love,
Richard