WWII Love Letters: Navy recruiter offers glimpse of WWII life

Publisher's Note:

Images of the letters and envelopes may be seen here.

Navy recruiter offers glimpse into World War II-era life, 9/27/1943

Publisher’s note: As some of you may have heard, The Union received a box of letters written by a World War II Navy seaman named Claude E. Dawson to his wife, Nadine H. Dawson, who was living in San Francisco at the time. The mysterious letters were discovered by Vicki Landucci, an assistant manager at the AnimalSave Thrift Store on East Main Street in Grass Valley. She spotted the box, covered in gold paper, in a trash can. It apparently had come to the store with donated furniture.

“We just couldn’t throw them away,” Landucci told us. The first letter is dated Sept. 23, 1943, two months before U.S. troops took Tarawa in Gilbert Islands; the last in the box of more than 100 letters was dated Aug. 10, 1945, just four days before the unconditional Japanese surrender.

Over the next few weeks, we’ll be sharing some of those letters with you. Why? For one, we hope it will lead to solving the mystery. How did they end up in a box at a thrift store? What became of Claude and Nadine?

The letters belong to them and, if they are gone, to their survivors, and we hope to return them. I also think they provide a glimpse of a huge part of our history that is World War II; not from a reporter’s perspective, but from a husband to his wife waiting a world apart for him to return.

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(envelope dated Sept. 27, 1943)

Fresno

Monday



Dear Honeygirls:

Here we are again! Arrived yesterday about 2:00 and was quite happy to find the weather was considerably cooler than it was on our last trip down.

Jerry and I have a room out on Cambridge st., hardly anyone of the recruiting party stayed at the Fresno Hotel as their rooms are 2.00 a night and for 10 days it would really run into money. I don’t know what the lady were staying with will charge for the room but it won’t be anything like the price of the Fresno.

My cold doesn’t seem to get any better but I have hopes that it will soon as I’ve had it almost a week now. My money is holding out pretty good, I’ve got 10.00 left and payday is Friday. The only thing I will have to do is eat and pay for my room. Jimmy hasn’t sent me my raincoat as yet. He hasn’t been able to get out of the horspistol. But he will probably send it in the next two weeks.

Will you send me Mel’s address I know a chief at Farragust. He’s a swell guy about Mel and my age, he’s some kind of a Specialist; takes groups of sailors all over the country and kind of does S.P. duty. Johny Hendershot told me that Perry and his wife separated. But we surmised that a year ago.

Northridge is sure a changed man he almost bends over backwards to be nice to us. We have it figured that in the old day’s when he was so damn mean the cause was over-work and worry which would cause him to be that way. He is still arrogant, tho. Tell me some more about your raise and the reaction of the bigsh?ts.

We are going to go into blues when we return to Sacto, thank goodnes. I’m so tired of these whites, they look like the devil after two days and you have to continually be running to the laundry. When I come down I will pick up my other set, also remind me to take that extra tie with me I can’t use it as its too long and Horner would like to have it.

I took a pair of shoes to have them half soled and boy what service they give the Navy. I could have had them the following day if I wanted to. They only charge 1.50 for half soles. What difference does it make whether Faye works at the place or anywhere else. It only take her 15 minutes to get there from our house.

Incidentally did Mel sell the car, and for how much? It was sure an easy get-off, $200.00 to his former wife, does he have to continue paying now?

It looks as if they’re going to start drafting fathers, which in my estimation and many other peoples is lousey. They will probably draft a few thousand and in 3 or 4 months discharge them all which will of course wreck their lives temporarily: disrupt their home life, and probably cost them their jobs. Did Arsenaur ever get a ruling on his appeal?

The first group of fellows just arrived so will have to close. I sure miss you honeygirls and wish the hell I were back in S.F. with you.

Write to NAVY RECRUITING STATION

FRESNO, CALIF

Love and kisses,

Claude

Off to Australia: Dawsons separated on anniversary, 07/18/1944

Editor’s Note: This is the next letter The Union presents from Claude E. Dawson to his wife, Nadine H. Dawson, during his time as a Navy seaman during World War II.

In this letter, we learn that Claude is a big man, that he plays piano and that their fourth wedding anniversary is coming up — the first they will celebrate apart.

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(envelope dated July 18, 1944)

My Darling Wife:

It seems like years since I last saw you and I can’t express how I miss you. I’m here in Australia but that’s all I can say. The trip over was interesting the first 5 hours but after that it became tiresome. The sea was very calm most of the trip however we ran into a few squalls. I didn’t get a bit sea sick, but a lot of the fellows did. In fact a couple of them weren’t a bit discreet where they got sick. We were given two meals a day on the ship. And believe it we were never hungry between meals. Of course they served enormous portions. We had plenty of drinking water but only had fresh water twice for bathing and showering. We were not told our destiny until the day before the ship docked. As usual there was a lot of scuttlebutt around the ship. After we debarked we went to the received barracks. And the following day I was stationed along with Joe (I can’t tell you where).

This was my first day of work and it is very interesting. They are going to move me into other quarters.

I ran into Joey McBride (Audrey’s Husband). We talked for awhile. Also I met a fellow I went to school with, had not seen for 15 years, small world, huh.

I’m having my watch fixed costs 2 lbs 17 schillings. Its awfully strange this money. Can’t hardly get used to it. I may get paid this week, my money has lasted very well.

I guess your proud to hear that I still have some left. We were given a carton of cigarettes aboard ship which was swell. Also I got cigarettes for about 6 cents a pack now.

I hope Maudie is with you. And keep her for as long as possible.

By this time you should have some news on Joyce, or maybe you have her already, I hope.

Boy am I dying for those wonderful letters of yours.

It will soon be our anniversary, the first one we’ve be separated. They have been 4 wonderful years, Darling. I’ll try and get a present to you. But If I can’t you know why.

Incidentally I want you to send me a subscription to the Oakland Tribune. I would really enjoy that. Don’t send Time Magazine as we are able to get that (use the address for the paper that I give you at the end of this letter). My weight has considerably, down to 197 now. I haven’t received your letter yet but hope it catches me soon. When you start writing to my present address, it should take over a week, air mail. There are lots of things I like to tell you but can’t, so will have to store them all up to tell when I get home.

I miss you terribly Honey, and hope that this business won’t be too long, and from what is happening in Europe it won’t be as long as is expected. I found a piano to play today. Its a swell break, huh.

Give my love to everyone and tell Fifi and Mel Hello from me. I’ll write soon and on your first letter, make it 20 pages long.

                Your husband,

                I love & miss you

                Claude

My address is:

Claude E. Dawson, Ylc

Com 7th FLT. (Flag)

Navy 134

c/o FLT. Post Office

San Francisco, Calif

Address all mail exactly like this.

Research reveals couple may have had son, 10/19/1943

Editor’s Note: The outpouring of interest in the letters that Navy seaman Claude E. Dawson wrote to his stateside wife, Nadine H. Dawson, has resulted in extensive sleuthing on the part of readers.

Amateur and professional researchers have found a few scant facts regarding the couple, gleaned from public records available online. Patricia Drennan, of Nevada City, and others found them in the Death Index of California: Claude was born March 15, 1910, in Missouri, and Nadine was born Nov. 7, 1913, in Washington.

In census documents, Gladys Joost, of Alta Sierra, found Claude living with his maternal uncle, Warren Carlton (or Carleton) in Alameda in 1920 and in 1930.

The Death Index shows the husband and wife died within a month of each other in San Francisco in 1994: Nadine on March 20 and Claude on May 1.

Drennan found a man who appears to be a son of the couple: Robert B. Dawson, born Jan. 17, 1947, in Marin County. The National Social Security Death Index shows this man died in on May 22, also in Marin County.

If Robert is their son, it could explain how the letters arrived in a box at the AnimalSave thrift store in Grass Valley, apparently stashed in a large donation of furniture that came to the nonprofit in the spring of this year, according to Vicki Landucci, the employee who rescued the box from the trash.

In this next letter, Claude hears scuttlebutt that could affect his future.

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(envelope dated October 19, 1943)



Tuesday

Dear Babygirl:

Received your sweet letter this morning. I got home about 9:15 Sunday night, it took four rides to make it; the last ride into Sacto was with the Fire Chief of San Mateo, he was on his way to a convention in Sacto that opened today.

I was sure tired yesterday but we were lucky and only inducted 11 sailors and we got off about 2:45. I rushed home and got about 1 1/2 hours sleep. When I was on the bus going home, I saw Milton standing on the corner apparently waiting for Dorothy, I was almost tempted to get off and say hello but I knew I’d lose about 1/2 hour if I did so didn’t.

One of the men I rode with Sunday lived in Oakland. He told me Dr. Hamlin dies last week and had what was probably the largest funeral ever held in Oakland. Every one of note in Calif. was there including the Governor, who was one of the pall bearers. I’ll bet the Mullen’s, Malley’s were there en masse, well they thought he was wonderful and that’s there right.

I wonder what Marie will do now? Will you give Auntie a ring and get the news and dirt?

Started another week at the cannnnnnderrrrry last night. Felt swell after the little sleep. Also, have lost all the soreness in my body with the exception of my wrists, which will have to work out gradually.

Were still working on tomato juice and the foreman “Carl” thinks that tomatoes will last about two weeks more which if true, will carry us up to the time we go to Fresno.

I ask him yesterday (happened to run into him downtown at lunch time) what would happen when tomatoes were thu and he said they would probably have spinach. I implied in my conversation that I would like to work as long as possible and he was a little optimistic.

He said when we come back from Fresno to call in and find if they were still running a night shift. I sure hope so because I don’t think were allowed to work at S.P.

Yesterday on the 4:00 phone call we got some hot news: All men who have been on shore duty for two years will be replaced by men at sea. In other words about 11 men will go to sea 1-1-44, they have to be gone by that date. I don’t think you know any of the men but I will name a few: Horner, up here; Carrieres, Cuthbertson, Alt, O’Brien, Sales, Finnegan.

I hope its not scuttlebutt because its sure good news, however there seems to be a general opinion that we will be out before our 2 years elapse, replaced by waves and special assignment men (men who are not physically qualified for sea duty).

Well honey the first cases just arrived so will close and male this letter.

     All my love, Claude

Claude's days in Australia, 7/21/1944

Editor’s Note: In this letter from Claude E. Dawson to his stateside wife, Nadine, he describes his off-hours activities in Australia. Turns out he was an avid reader of the Oakland Tribune, and deeply concerned about his wife’s personal safety in his absence.

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(envelope dated July 21, 1944)

My Darling:

This is our 4th wedding anniversary, we usually celebrated in some way. But our celebration this year (and I hope & believe the last) is to be made individually. I think of you many times a day, and even talk to you when I’m alone.

The weather here is nice during the day but cold as the devil in the morning and nighttime. Right now I’m lying in bed while I write as it is to cold to sit up. I went to the Red Cross last night and heard a wonderful Navy band. They really played hot music, also had a sandwich and cake. I weighed myself twice and both times the scale said 193, pretty good, huh. I’m hope I’m even lighter when I get home, then I can eat all I want without you giving me the eye. We heard today that the Japanese Cabinet resigned, which looks darn good for us. Maybe the damn fools will finally choke on what they hit off. I’m sure dying to get your first letter. It seems to me I’ve been gone for 6 mo. and have all the news during that time to catch up on.

The fellows I work with are really swell. The work is entirely different to what I had been doing before, but there’s not the slightest bit of criticizm because (we, the new fellows have to be taught. The hours aren’t bad, 8 to 4:15, hour for lunch; 8 to 12 midnight on day a week; every other week end off. When I arrived I had an awful mess of dirty clothes, as we couldn’t wash on board due to salt water. I sent them out and got them back today. The charges was only ? lb. (20 schillings) or approximately $1.60 in our money. A schilling is 16 (cent symbol), a pound (pound symbol) $3.20.

I haven’t seen any kangaroos yet and guess I won’t see any until we go to Fleischaker Zoo when I get home. I read where Barnum & Bailey burned down, what a terrible loss that was. Did I tell you in my last letter that traffic (vehicle & pedestrian) go down the left hand side of the street. Can you imagine what would happen in the city if this law were invoked? Catastrophe! I told you before that I’m able to get to a piano occasionally and it sure seems swell. At least I can keep on what I already know.

The chief where I’m quartered with is from Portland. His name is Larry Supone. He said he knew some Henry’s but not your family. Small word isn’t it. There are two fellows I work with named Britain, one HB & the other BH. They never met before coming here.

I see Joe once in a while he’s the same “ old Joe” but thank goodness I’m not bothered with him, he’s still “ scheweling” .

Be sure and keep me posted on everything from Oakland to Portland to Chicago to S.F. and don’t forget the Tribune.

I will close now, hoping constantly that our next Wedding Anniversary will be spent together.

                      Your husband

                             I love you

                                 Claude

P.S. Don’t forget to:

Send the insurance;

Draw the water off the heater (have Mrs. Meehan show you how);

Oil the refrigerator

Turn off the oven in the mornings;

Put the night latch on at night;

Not to open the door without the night latch being on.

Give my love to all

Ashore somewhere in New Guinea, 10/18/1944

Editor’s Note: Claude Dawson has arrived in New Guinea, and describes the jungle to his wife, Nadine, who lives in San Francisco. We learn his letters must pass through a censor before being mailed.

The letter is reproduced here as Claude wrote it, including an ethnic term common at the time that would be considered offensive today.

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“Ashore somewhere in New Guinea”

October 18, 1944



Dearest Little Wife:

Well here we are settled again, I guess you kind of wondered what happened to me, but its one of the many things I'll have to save and tell you when I get home. One nice thing happend as soon as I got here I had one of your letters waiting for me. And it sure was a swell long one. It was swell to hear you got a nice new rug.

This is a most beautiful country, its the kind you read about and see in cinemas, like in Africa. We are surrounded by mountains that are full of insects, wild boars, various and numerous kinds of snakes including pythons, however I havent had time to do any exploring as yet as we’ve been so busy. If I ever do get a chance to go into the jungles and I do happen to run across a python, you can bet I'll break the 100 yard dash record, rather meet a Jap than a python.

Naturally were back in navy barracks and on Navy chow. It is sure swell to be eating civilized food again. After eating in Aussie restaurants anything tastes good, even the chicken we had of lunch today (the cook must have been in a hurry as he left the pin feathers and long gangling hairs on the chicken before frying it) was better than anything I had in australia.

As you have probably already noticed I am enclosing a little BIRTHDAY GIFT for you. HAPPY BIRTHDAY DARLING, and buy yourself something perty.

I hope it arrives in time, under ordinary circumstances it would but in case it does’nt it will be a belated gift as was your anniversary present.

Incidentally the mail must have been delayed as the letter I received upon arriving acknowledged the bracelet and I have’nt received a letter about the MO. Please let me know if you received it OK.

I’m writing this on my lunch hour and it is almost time to go back so instead of holding it and adding to it I will get it to the censor so it will get to you that much sooner. I’ll write again in a couple of days. Noel Cowards “I’ll See You Again” takes on new importance each day for me. It implies everything in words and music in regards to coming home to you.

Your husband, Love and a thousand kisses.

Claude

Elections, malaria on Claude’s mind, 11/10/1944

Editor’s Note: In this letter from navy man Claude Dawson to his wife Nadine in San Francisco, he reveals his political leanings in the 1944 presidential election. Like other service men and women in the South Pacific, he was taking Atabrine, an anti-malaria medication.

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New Guinea

10 Nov. 1944



Dearest Little Wife:

Have only received two letters this week so will speed one along by writing to you Darling.

We received the finals of the election last night, I wasn't a bit surprised to see Roosevelt over-whelmingly go in again. I was surprised to see Dewey carry so many states, tho. I don’t mind seeing Roosevelt go in again but there is naturally one drawback and that is Harry Truman. He in my estimation is the Al Smith type of politician, no background and no future for lack of proper education and that necessary polish. All we can hope for now is Roosevelts health. Christ it would be catastrophic to have HT for President. Quite a bit of money was won & lost here on the election. the odds were 5 to 2 naturally on Roosevelt. You can in the very near future look for some Presidential Decree which will be very gratifying to the public at large. I've had a sneaking suspicion all the time that the European war could be speeded up.

Summer is drawing closer & closer all the time, today was terribly hot. We don't have many mosquitoes as yet, and I hope it stays that way. Were still taking Atabrine, however.

Glad you heard from Mrs. Thornsbury that certainly was a strange way for Beorne to act. But he's a strange guy.

My hands are healing up fine now. But I got the athletes foot on my middle toe on my left foot, but thats nothing up here. Its popular to have it.

Studied every night this week and will continue for a while. Getting the SH & typing swell. The SH comes back pretty easy when you actually concentrate on it. Has your Mamma arrived yet? Its good you got that car so Ann can stay too. I don't know how my weight is now as we don't have scale. But I know I weigh less than in Australia. I can tell by my stomach.

Haven't had a copy of the Trib. for a long time but they came in spells.

Played a little poker up until the time I started studying and broke even.

There goes the bugle for supper so will close no honey.

You write wonderful letters

Your husband

Claude

Love & Kisses

Every day that goes by moves you and home that much closer. Say hello to all.

Claude tells Nadine to ‘take it easy’ at her restaurant, 03/17/1945

Editor’s Note: In this letter, Claude Dawson has been transferred to the Philippines, promoted to chief and worries that his wife, Nadine, would work too hard if she were to buy a restaurant she’s interested in.

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Philippines

3-17-45



Dearest Honeygirls:

What a surprise you gave me today about buying the little restaurant. I know you’ve wanted to do something of that type for a long time and so long as you’ve already taken the initial there’s nothing to do but to give you all my moral support. I hope it won’t be too hard, you’ll have to get up awfully early and work all day. But you try it out and if you find you don’t like you can quit. I really don’t like to see you work so hard when you could actually be at home. But Darling if you’ll be happy there its OK with me. Now you will have to get me employers numbers and also be sure to get any numbers of people who work for you and your partner.

I was certainly surprised to hear that Virginia was in the restaurant business. Too bad they didn’t do something like that years ago.

I guess Maudie will be going home soon and be sure to tell her to hurry back, as I think she will as she indicated that in one of her letters.

With you and Louise both leaving they will really be hard up for help. You two have the experience that can’t be passed on to new help. I imagine Mory will eventually have to take the job.

You didn’t say whether Don enjoyed the records or not. And did he get there for dinner?

I had a nice letter from Auntie telling me all about Clara’s funeral.

Also telling all the Lakeshore gossip. By her handwriting you would judge she is about 50 years old. Will enclose the letter for you.

I certainly hope that fellow sends me that bracelet for Fifi. If he doesn’t send it soon I’ll write to him.

Getting a little more used to it around here now. In a way weather is about the same so far as the heat is concerned, but it rains about 10 times more. I’m using a mosquito netting to sleep under now as the mosquitoes are terrible here. The food is still holding up. Today we had chicken & ice cream for lunch.

The natives have cock fights on Sunday. I can’t go tomorrow as I have to work but will try to go the first Sunday I’m off.

There showing “Girl Crazy” at the show tonight, don’t know whether I will go or not. Much rather go over to the Mess Hall and sit around. Which I will probably do.

Sure hope that “Time” gets on the ball. I get tired borrowing someone else’s copy.

Well Darling on April 1 ten months will have elapsed of my 18 months. Which means that I’m on the “home stretch.” Maybe something unforeseen will occur and lots of us will get to come home before the 18 months is up.

Woolfson is supposed to go up for chief soon, its scuttlebut but I’m inclined to believe it is true as he was due the same time as me. Its incredible that I will have been chief 4 months at the end of this month.

Well precious thats about all the news for now, and please don’t work too hard. I’ll promis you that I’m fully in accord with your buying the restaurant if you’ll promise to take it easy as possible and if you don’t like it, quit.

I wish you would do what I said about seeing Miss Moriarty of the State Agency.

You didn’t comment on that from my last letter.

I love you

Claude

P.S. Give my love to Maudie

Claude confesses he’s happy Nadine didn’t buy restaurant, 04/01/1945

In this letter, Claude Dawson expresses his relief that his wife, Nadine, has dropped her idea of buying a restaurant. It appears Nadine may have quit her job and may be headed to Portland, Ore., with a relative. Some readers have found documents linking the Dawsons to Oregon, but the relationship is unclear.

We also learn that Claude enjoys classical music, but not Mae West, and he refers to problems experienced by “Warren,” perhaps the maternal uncle who raised him.

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Philippine Islands

21 March 1945



Dearest Little Wife:

Today I received your letter saying that you weren’t going to buy the place and there are no words to express how happy it made me. I didn’t want to hurt your little feelings before cause I knew your heart was set on something like that.

And then to hear that you were going North with your Mamamama made it all the better. That will be the best thing in the world for you. I certainly wish we were going up there together. I know you will have a wonderful time. You have nothing in the world to worry about, and to top that you have all the money you want and need to spend. You had better draw out the money in Bank Drafts and just cash them as you need them. Be sure to send me the white Salmon address when you leave Sissies. I have Sissies address. I, too, had a feeling of relief, just like you, when you explained how it felt to be out. I had an awful foolish idea about wanting you to stay there until I got home.

But we learn things every day. I can’t tell you Darling how perfectly glad I am with your plans. Have a wonderful time. Glad you liked your little present and it couldn't have arrived at a more appropriate, fortunate time, could it?

There showing that May West picture, “the Heats On”, tonight, I walked out on it down in N.G. therefore I’m here in the Mess Hall tonight.

Just got thru taking a shower and shave so feel pretty cleaned up. Tomorrow is Easter and it was just 6 years ago that we had such a wonderful Sunday: Remember church, and dinner and then Pat’s wedding party.

Altogether I received 3 letters from you today, one real old one dated 3-4, the others were dated 3-21 and 3-22. Glad you gave Don those clothes as he will probably be able to get some use out of them. Did he enjoy the records? You should have had him check over the radio while he was there and make recommendations in case the tubes go out. We've certainly been lucky with that radio, haven't we. That was too bad about Mildred, she seems to have a very unlucky streak, but I bet she will never become sour.

Before I forget: Don’t you forget to detach all the plugs in the house before you leave, mainly the Frigerator and radio.

Sure glad you got the 6th of Shortachmitch. Someday I would like to have a nice big record cabinet. If you want to give me a real treat get me the “Arch Duke” trio of Beethoven on Victor. I believe its in Bb. Keep your eyes open for that Sauis – Soeus 4th (Piano) in Cm. I guess Louisseee is as happy to be out as you are and I'm glad for her. Isn't she taking an awful chance going north without a place to stay and a little baby in arms?

Isabel's condition doesn't sound very good does it? I'm glad Dell put herself out to stay with Warren, at least until they find out what will be done about Isabel. Poor Warren he seems to get the worst of everything. Weill close now Darling.

Let me know when to change to Sissie’s address. Also make arrangements to have any letters that might come after you leave forwarded to Portland. Again let me say how wonderful it is that your not going to buy that place and instead going North with your Mamamama.

I love you

Claude

04/05/1945 (9)