This is the first letter where Chuck starts talking about his ship assignment. He talks about loading up supplies, the upcoming shakedown and starts wondering what his mission will be. (There is a word I couldn’t discern from the handwriting. If you can tell what it says, please comment.)

A shakedown is a new ship’s initiation, prior to setting into the open sea. A ship is put through stress tests and drills to make sure it is seaworthy. The tests are both for the integrity of the ship itself and its crew, who is often being freshly introduced to the ship and its capabilities.

Also interesting in this letter is Chuck’s “code”. He has come up with a system of passing messages to his family to bypass the censors. I haven’t gotten into the latter letters yet, to see if he ended up using it or not. We’ll see!

The reply at the end of the letter is Frank O. Paul, signed “FO.” I’m not sure when he would have written on the letter, or why, as I am sure he wouldn’t have been mailing the letter itself back to Chuck. Also regarding his note, I think I’ve read it correctly despite the sentence being incoherent. If you are able to read it as something that is more logical, please let me know.

Letter home, page 1; June 29, 1944

Letter home, page 1; June 29, 1944

Letter home, page 2; June 29, 1944

Letter home, page 2; June 29, 1944

Letter home, page 3; June 29, 1944

Letter home, page 3; June 29, 1944

June 29, 1944
Seattle, Wash.

Dear Folks,
How is everything going on home now? I guess things are pretty dead with no one to keep the town alive. It won’t be long until we will all be back and change things.

We have been about about two months now. We have been so just loading supplies and etc.

We will leave in a few days to load ammunition aboard. Then by the tenth of July, we should be back in L.A. for our shakedown, which should last three weeks. After that it is goodbye States.

Our skipper gave us a speed on what’s what. We have an extra strong bow on the ship. It is used for ramming subs. So we will have a little sub duty. Our ship has more guns than most small boats so hat spells plenty of action. The skipper said we are to go right into action as soon as possible, which won’t be any too soon for me. We are not sure, but think we will go Southwest as fleet escort and ___ ship.

This letter is supposed to be censored, but I am having it mailed ashore so I can say something.

Remember every fifth word on the first letter of every fifth word. I guess you will be able to make it out. Some of my letters may not make sense trying to tell you something. Try every fifth word.

How is the shoe shop coming now—fine I hope.

Here is my address.

Charles D. Paul, MoMM 3/c U.S.N.R.
2nd div. U.S.S. Signet (AM-302)
c/o Fleet Post Office
San Francisco, Calif.

p.s. Don’t mention anything in your letter that won’t pass the censor. Say nothing of our code.

Remember when I say “Dear Folks” everything is okay. “Mother & Dad”, there is excitement. “Mother & Dad and Don”, things couldn’t be worse.

Just received this letter. Glad to get it as I know you will be lonesome for you and the captain.

Love, FO.

USO flag illustration detail from stationery

USO flag illustration detail from stationery