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Letter from Smith Green to grandma and grandpaShow simple item record

dc.creatorGreen, Smith Lowry
dc.date.accessioned2024-10-22T19:39:36Z
dc.date.available2024-10-22T19:39:36Z
dc.date.issued1939-10-08
dc.identifier.urihttps://repository.tcu.edu/handle/116099117/66461
dc.descriptionLetter from Smith Green to his grandparents, William and Mary Green, giving updates.
dc.format.medium8.5x11 paper
dc.relationSmith Lowry Green Collection (MS 179)
dc.rightsPrior written permission from TCU Special Collections required to use any document or photograph
dc.sourceBox 002, Correspondence to Grandma & Grandpa 1939-41, 1945-46 (not POW) folder, Item 015
dc.subjectGreen, Smith L.
dc.subjectWorld War II
dc.subjectUnited States Army
dc.titleLetter from Smith Green to grandma and grandpa
dc.typeDocument
dc.description.transcriptionAt Sea 10-8-39 Dear Grandma and Grandpa, Well, here I am at last, well on my way to P.I. We pulled out ofrom the U.S. Docks at San Francisco about 12:00 noon on Wednesday, October 4th and have been moving along pretty nicely every since. The sea was a little rough the first day or two, consquently there were some very sea-sick soldiers aboard. I guess I'm lucky or else have no feelings, because I've never been sick in the slightest degree. The weather was cold at first, as is usual around Frisco, so overcoats came in quite handy, especially at night. However, it is very warm now, and no doubt will be more so. The U.S. Grant is 508 feet in length and 55 feet of beam and has a displacement of 15,010 tons. The various decks are divided into small staterooms, holding varying numbers of soldiers. The one I'm in holds 23. The bunks are very close together and are stacked in tiers of three. I am on the lowest deck that is above the water line. We have our port holes open now, but had to close them the first two days because the waves were coming over them. I'm quite at home now, the rolling and pitching doesn't un-balance me (over) 2 as i walk around. There are rour of us form the Tank Co. aboard, so I'm not all alone. one came from New York via the Panama Canal. We have an open air picture show on the after well deck every night at 7:30. Before the show the chaplain announces the program for the next day or two and also gives any of the news of the war that the Radio picks up. We also have amateur entertainment that is qutie good. Some of the boys have organized and orchestra that is fine adn some play solo instruments. There are approximately 900 soldiers on board besides 219 officers and men of the ships crew, and army offices, their wives and children. However, we lose some at Hawaii. Speaking of Hawaii, we are due there Tuesday afternoon. Most of us will get a pass with which to see Honolulu. We can eat, swim, bathe etc. at the Y.M.C.A. and they are going to show us the original hula-hula dance, put on by native girls. Tell Jewel Dean she should be tehre. Monday night the chaplain is going to give a talk on Hawaii and show some slides on the screen so we will know something of how to get around Hawaii before we get there. Tonight, Sunday, we will have a big amateur contect and singing. Also a move, Harold Lloyd in "Professor Beware." Last night was Charles Boyer and Hedy Lamarr in "Algiers." 3 The food on this boat is excellent and I've been eating like a hog, meanwhile feeling sorry for the poor boys that couldn't eat. After we leave Hawaii, we pass by WAke Island, not stopping, and proceed to Guam, where we stop and get another short pass. Then on to Manila where we are due about the 26th of October. About all I've done is sleep and eat and lay around on the deck, swapping lies with my buddies. I havebeen on guard one night. The worst part of the trip is washing and taking baths in salt water. It just won't lather soap at all. To-day we started running into bunches of flying fish. It seems funny to see what seems to be birds leap from the water and sail about 50 to 100 yds and disappear beneath the waves again. You just can't imagine how much water there really is in the Pacific until you sail for four or five days without seeing anything that even remotely resembles land. I haven't even seen another ship. And we have about 16 more days after leaving Hawaii. I was called into the regimental office (over) 4 the other day and was told that I was assigned to Headquarters Co., 31st Infantry. So you can write at once. I hope both of you are feeling as well as I am and continue that way. Tell everyone hello for me and tell them I will appreciate a few letters. I'll try to have a picture made in Hawaii and send it to you. The other three guys are also assigned to Hq. Co., so it will be like old times. WEll, I must close. I'll write more from Manila and tell all about what I saw and did in Honolulu. The address is Hq. Co., 31st Infantry, Manila, P.I. and the postage is three cents. Please write soon. All my love, Smith. P.S. 10-9-39- Still rocking along, the weather is very warm. Haven't sighted land yet and won't until to-morrow. Tell all the folks hello. Love, Smith Mr. W.M. Green Box 426 Broken Bow Oklahoma U.S.A. S. L. Green Hq Co 31st inf. Manila, P.I.


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  • Smith Lowry Green Collection [250]
    Smith L. Green fought in the Pacific Theatre of World War II. He was a prisoner of war from 1942 to 1945. He also fought in the Korean War. Green attended graduate school at Texas Christian University, graduating in 1961.

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