The second letter home is also not dated, as later letters all are. The evening of May 8th is the postal stamp, so the letter was likely written earlier in the same day.

In this letter, Chuck mentions Maydean. Maydean is his sister (again, taking into consideration he was adopted, so not a sister by blood…but by family). Also, he asks his adoptive father, Frank, about his current job. Taking note of the way the letter is addressed, Frank was likely doing contracting work of some kind with the railroad. An “Extra Gang” was the term used for seasonal rail workers, from months April to November. Frank was a businessman, with a knack for telecommunications. He would not have been working as a laborer, as the address may imply. This is the only letter addressed in this way.

Letter home, envelope; May 8, 1944

Letter home, envelope; May 8, 1944

Charles D. Paul MoMM 3/c
SCTC Terminal Isle.
Roosevelt Base
San Pedro, California

Mr. Frank O. Paul
Extra Gang 546
c/o Roadmaster, Ringo
Salt Lake City, Utah

U.S. NAVY
MAY 8
6 PM
1944

Letter home, page 1; May 8, 1944

Letter home, page 1; May 8, 1944

Letter home, page 2; May 8, 1944

Letter home, page 2; May 8, 1944

Dear Dad,
I just received your letter, so will answer it. It must have got held up some place.

I finally got out of the hospital. I am quite weak yet. I lost fifteen pounds and that’s quite a lot of weight. I don’t have to do any thing strenuous for awhile, so I get along okay.

The last I heard from St. Paul, Maydean had grew sick again. I feel sorry for the kid, she has always got something. I also got a letter from her today.

I am through with school and training. Right now I am in transfer unit waiting to be shipped out. I have no idea when or where I will be leaving. There is only three of the gang left now. They may even let us stay here for some time.

The weather here lately has grew cloudy and chilly. Calif. is funny that way. For days you may never see the sun, yet it is hot.

James Goff came to see me while I was in sick bay. It was good to see him. He stayed for a couple of hours, and left.

I heard Grandmother and Don are going to Salt Lake for a few days. I sure wish I could see the little fellow. Every time I see him, I notice a great change. He was saying two or three words last I saw him.

How long do you think you will keep the job you have now? Do you expect to go into business again after the war or what? I wonder what I will be able to do.

I’ll be waiting to hear from you.

Love,
Charles