July 12, 1919

July 14, 1919

Miss Rose Kraynik

1336 Michigan, Ave.

Manitowoc, Wisconsin.

(from New Jersey)

typewritten

July 12, 1919

U.S.S. New Jersey,

Boston, Mass.

Dearest Rose,-

I am just going to write you a few lines again incase you did not get my other letter.

I am well and getting along fine, and hope you are the same.I am having a good time, hope you are too .I go ashore most every night. there isn’t any place to go but just to get off the ship, it sure is good that we don’t have to go acrost any more. but I think we are going to Mare Island, California, by the way of the Panama Canal, they say as soon aswe get out there they will discharge most of us.we will come back by the Rocky Mountains. That sure will be a fine trip, and am ancious to get started so I can get back. I would like to stay here for a whileif I thought I would get out any sooner I don’t think I would get out any sooner by staying, so may as well go as the time goes much sooner when we are at sea. And will see a little more.

Well Rose, just think it has ben eight months sence I saw you and only two or three times than. Still you remember me and dont for get to write me, I cant help to think of you every day. you are my best and only girlfriend, I hope with all my heart that you shall always be. I would give a good bit if I could only be with you three hundred and sixty days a year I know we could get along as good as any one. better than a lot of others, dont you think so?

Rose I hope the other girls are still there, as they will make company for you, any thing to keep you there in Manitowoc I sure would be glad to see you there when I come.

I just wrote a letter home to night, there isnt much to write but you know I have to let they know that I am still alive. I don’t hear from them very often but I have to write anyway. I dont remember when I heard from Ida last. But it was a long time. I guess they must be buisy farming now, most every one is this time of year.

I am learning this town pretty well now, I guess I have ben here long enough. remember when I get got I wont louse much time getting home, or to Manitowoc after I get out. I am coming to Manitowoc first of corse you, know what for.

We have had some hot weather here lately it rained the XXX other night, and cooled off a little but is getting a little warmer again, but not near as hot as it was a few days ago.

There is several ships going to the west coast, the U.S.S.Georgia, Nebraska, Virginia, New Jersey, and the Rhode Island, all those ships are just a link, there will also be some Distroyers go along, there will be some fleet.

You may think I am not ancious to get out. but you jst bet I am more than ever befoure, I sure am glad that I am a reserve man they can’t keep me any longer than six months after peace was signed I sure was glad than, because I knew the wouldnt keep us duration men any longer than six months.

To-day is Saturday I was not out to day or am not going out in the morning, may not go until next Saturday, all the trouble is we dont get enough pay. after buying our clothes, paying for our liberty bond and our insurance there isnt much left to our pay, I had my insurance cut down to$2000 which will only cost $1.30 a month my liberty bond is all paid for now, so I will draw almost full pay after this.

Dear Rose it is near eleven-o-clock now, there isnt any more to write just now so guess I will close for this time.

Wish you the best of luck, and many happy days. will close now.

SO GOOD-BYE GOOD LUCK.

WITH THE BEST OF LOVE AND MANY KISSES.

I HOPE TO REMAIN YOUR BEST

FRIEND FOR EVER.

I AM YOURS---

DANIEL MARTIN

June 24, 1919

Jun 26 1919

U.S.S. New Jersey

Boston, Mass.

(on side of envelope; “D.D. Martin 4^th div; U-S-S New Jersey, c/o Charlestown Navy yd; Boston, Mass.”)

Miss Rose Kraynik,

1336 Mich, Ave;

Manitowoc, Wisconsin

(c/o Art Rankin)

U-S-S New Jersey.

Boston Navy yds;

June-24-1919.

Dearest Friend Rose,-

I am going to answer your most kind an welcome letter, I just received it yesterday. was a long time sence I heard from you, And sure was glad to hear that you were still well. I would like to hear from you real often but if you are to buisy, and don’t get time to write day times, please do not sit up at night just to write too me. I have not ben getting very much mail lately, but the only ones that interest me any is you, and my mother.

There was a circus here too. But I did not go. As you know that I do not care for them. because I got a little spunky once and wouldn’t take you.

I suppose you have ben home, and had a good time? Hope so any way. I would like a visit myself, but there is no use. I haven’t ben home sence last November. Winter had just begun. just seven months. and maybe November again befour I get home. But think I will be out by August.

you asked me in you last letter if it rained here very much. no it does not. The only time I remember of it raining was two weeks ago. I was ashore. bought me a new suit. on the way back to the ship it started to rain. I got good and wet. The stripes on my jumper turned yellow. And could not wash them white again. that’s all I know about rain. Am most always in side when I work. so don’t see much weather, unless I go ashore.

I heard from Ida about a month ago. have written to her twice sence and no answer. the last letter I got from her she said she was holding the boy so don’t amagine he allows her to write many letters. I don’t care so long as I hear from you once in a while.

Well Rose you can not amagine how much better I feel when you told me that you were not going to Milwaukee. you may have a uncle there. But he cannot be with you all the time. you don’t know that place like I do. it sure is a bad place for a girl who is not acquainted.

To have my little girl go there I would not like it at all. But you can suit your self. Green Bay is much better place. But is not to good for you. Rose I don’t wan’t to get to bossy, if I do you will be telling me farewell, so I will let you do as you please.

I think this will be all for now,

will close, with the Best of Love.

And many kisses,

Answer when you can.

Hoping to remain your best Friend for ever.

Dan M (surrounded by little x’s)

(“U-S-S, New Jersey. Charlestown Navy yds. Boston-Mass.”)

June 18, 1919

Jun 19 1919

Boston, Mass

Miss Rose Kraynik,

1336 Mich. Ave;

Manitowoc, Wisconsin.

(c/o Art Rankin)

(On side of envelope:) D.D. Martin 4^th Dive U-S-S New Jersey, Charlestown Navy Yds; Boston, Mass.

U-S-S. New Jersey,

Boston, Mass;

June-18, 1919

Dearest Friend Rose,-

I am just going to write a few lines, this time to let you know that I am well and getting along fine. hope this letter finds you the same.

I havn’t heard from you for a few day’s and didn’t know if you were sick, or two buisy to write. or the letter may have ben lost as most of my mail. This is a good place to have a good time, but when one hasn’t very much money it is hard luck.

Sunday I and a few other fellows were out too Revere Beach. went in swiming. stayed for about two hours. one fellow got sun burnt, his back was all blisters the next morning. I go to a show once in a while here.

I hope the girls are still in Manitowoc. I would hate to have you stay there alone. it sure would be lonesome for you alone.

You don’t need to worry about me making another trip because I think this old ship will stay in here for about six months. Do not plan on me comming back soon. I can not tell just when I will get out bu think about the first of August.

I don’t suppose you hear from Ida very often? they must be busiy farming now. My brother is home from France now I still have one in the Army at Charleston South Carolina. I suppose most of the Boy’s are home now?

I sure am ancious to get back. not so much only am ancious to see you again. You said in your last letter, that you would like to know how far from each other we would be next year. just watch and see. if ever I get back with you again, there I will stay. I know you are staying in Manitowoc just to see me when I some. you bet I sure will be glad to see you.

I think this will be about all for now. will try and write again in a few day’s.

Will Close with Best of Love And Many kisses,

I remain as ever your best Friend,-

Dan (spelled out in little x’s)

June 12, 1919

Jun 13 1919

U.S.S. New Jersey

Boston, Mass.

Miss Rose Kraynik,

1336 Michigan Ave;

Manitowoc, Wisconsin

c/o (Art Rankin)

Boson, Mass.

June-12-1919

Dearest Friend Rose,-

I just received your most kind and welcome letter day befour yesterday. And am going to answer it now.

I am much supprised of you wanting to go to Milwaukee it most nocked me over when I read your letter. And would not like it a bit. of course you are your own boss. but you do not know what kind of a place Milwaukee is. even if you are going with other girls you know. They are not acquainted there and would be the same as you going alone. if you go you will be sorry. Please- Please, Dear Rose Obey your father and either stay in Manitowoc or at home. I expect I will be home by August and hope I will see you there then.

Well Rose I got a letter from Mother yesterda. she told me my brother and some old friends were back from France. so every time I think of it I get homesick. I sure would like to get home now.

Rose, it sure makes me feel good to have you say, that you dream of me. it makes me think that you still have a little Love for me. I can not explain my love for you in this letter. I am more than pleased to think that you enjoy your self writing to me. I will try and do better. see if I can write oftiner.

Well Rose I am getting sleepy, it i after eleven. there is nothing more to write, so think I will knock off for this time. I will write as often as I possible can.

I am well and getting along fine. Hope this letter finds you the same. You can address my mail to (Charlestown Navy Yards, Boston Mass. U-S-S New Jersey.)

This will be all for this time. Good-Night

With Oceans of Love

And Best Wishes.

Hope to remain Your

best Friend for Ever.

Dan (spelled out in little x’s)

June 8, 1919

June 9 1919

D.D. Martin

U-S-S New Jersey

Boston, Mass.

Miss Rose Kraynik,

1336 Michigan Ave.,

Manitowoc, Wisconsin.

Boston, Mass.

June-8-1919.

Dearest Friend Rose,-

I am going to answer your most kind, and welcome letter. I just received it yesterday, But you wrote it the 26^th of May. You should have waited another day and wrote it on my birthday.

I wrote you a letter when in France, I don’t suppose you have got it yet?

We sure had a rough trip, most all the way over it was wild. Comming back it wasn’t nearly so bad. We had a little hard luck for this sip, but good luck for the crew because we had to come back to Boston Navy yds for repairs. A cylinder head of starboard engine blowed up. No one was hurt we had to run on one engine all the way back to the Azores. There the fixed it a little so we could get back o-k. We coaled ship there but they would not let us go ashore.

We are going to stay in yard for about a month, and maybe longer, after that I don’t know where we will go. if we make another trip to France they are going to give us ten day Liberty so we can go too Paris. I would much rather not make the trip.

There is going to be seventy men discharged this time, I may be lucky enough to be one of them. I sure would like to be home by the 4^th of July I do not expect it befour August.

Well people are beginning to forget me I only got five letters this time After being gone for a month. I have got as many as twenty. Well there is only two in the hole world I realy care to hear from, You surly can guess who they are. My Mother, And who else do you suppose? I suppose if you do go home for awhile you will be back? When Rankins come home. If I come back when you are not there I will not stop at Manitowoc. I will go hom first than come back after words.

I heard this morning that all reserves were to get out by the first of August. But if we make another trip I will not get out until about the last of August. Yesterday I got a big box of candy from my Aunt the one that lives in Chicago the other two trips I got a box from my Mother. But best of all I would much rather get a letter from you. Well Rose I haven’t much to write, but will have a lot to tell you when I get back. I sure would like to be back there by the fourth of July. if I do not get our I will stay here in Boston for at lest a month. so you can address my letters to Boston. And write as often as you get time. As I will be here to get the mail.

This is all the time I have so will close for now will write again in a few days.

Good-Bye

With the Best Love and many kisses.

As ever your

Friend-

Daniel (spelled out in little x’s)

May 11, 1919

May 18 1919

U.S.S. New Jersey

Miss Rose Kraynik,

1336 Michigan Ave;

Manitowoc,

Wisc.

(On side of envelope: “D-Martin. 4^th Div. U.S.S. New Jersey, c/o Post M. Fortress Monroe, Va.”)

May-11-1919

At Sea.

Dearest Rose,

I am just going to write you a few lines. I would like to write too you all the time but there isn’t any news. And don’t think you are much interested in what little I do write.

Today is Mother’s day we sure had a fine time. chicken dinner, oranges, and candy. you should have seen the shape the dinner was in and how we ate it.

The sea sure was rough all day, The water was washing over the top decks. lots of it was comming through the ports and hatches. all the decks were wet, muddy, most places was a couple inches deep. The ship rolled so much we could not hardly walk, one thing sure we had to eat off the deck, hold our plates in our one hand and hang on with the other hand. some fellows sat there, plates down of course they stayed there a long time. They slid across the deck, smashed all to pieces and good-bye chicken dinner. Easter Sunday was a nice day the sea was fine, I went to church, had a good dinner, but was many miles from land.

We left Boston on May the 6^th eight-o-clock at night, it is now ten-thirty night on 11^th and are one thousand seventy four miles from Boston.

They sure keep us buisy most all the time. the time goes much faster when we are keep buisy than when we have nothing to do.

The in side of this ship is all painted white. it has to be keep white it would cost to much to paint it every time it gets dirty so we have to wash every think with soap and a rag. That’s all I done for the last few day’s is scrub paint work, and stand about four hours watch every other night.

I sure am proud of that picture you sent me if it was small. every time I get the blues. I just look at that picture, it reminds me of the old place. and the nights we used to be together. I sure would give most anything is I were back there this evening.

Here I am in the navy can’t get out, don’t know when I will. I suppose I will be the last one back. do not expect to be home until the soldiers are all out of France, we are only going to make two more trips, than will go back to Boston for nearly a year. I expect I will be discharged than or sent on some other ship. I do not expect to come home until I am discharged unless they keep me for a long time. One good think they send us back to the same place we enlisted, pay our fair for our meals on the way there, and give us sixty dollars. I am only getting small wages now. thirty-five a month. I used to get that much in a week. one good thing I subsribed for a hundred dollar bond last October, with have the last payment made July 20^th. Did you take a bond this time? Have you made up your mind to stay in Manitowoc yet? I’ll bet you sure were supprised to hear from Ida? She seems to be getting along fine, although I havn’t gotten a letter from her for a long time. she must be lazy or is keep to buisy.

I got a nice big box of candy from home just befour I’ve left. you bet it was fine it tastes all the better when one is at sea so much.

I got a big box of candy from my Aunt in Chicago about three months ago. But I havn’t heard from her for so long I have almost forgoten I have an Aunt. Most every one has stopped writing to me lately. My mother writes real often. My sister writes once in a while. but you and my mother are the only ones I can append (?) on (?). I sure like to get letters from you. hope you don’t forget as I would miss yours more than any of the rest.

The sea is much smother than it was a few hours ago. but is still rolling some. so please excuse my mistakes and extra scratches. I only have a pencil, I lost my fountain pen some time ago. And a straight pen is hard to get. so this is going to be a charm (?) letter. you are lucky if you can make it out.

I suppose the frogs are croaking and the robbins are singing, a lots of the other birds must be back by now?

We are a long way from France but this letter will be mailed as soon as we get there. you may get it a little sooner than if I did not mail it until we got back to the states.

Well dear Rose this is about all I can think of for now, so will close, I hope that you will write as often as possible.

We expect to be back in Newport News, Va. About June 6^th so you can send the mail same old way c/o Post master Fortress, Monroe.

Wishing you good luck and happyness

Will close for now with the best of love, hopping that you are getting along fine.

Hoping to remain you,

Friend forever,

Dan.

May 6, 1919

May 7 1919

U.S. Navy

Miss Rose Kraynik,

1336 Michigan Ave;

Manitowoc, Wisconsin.

May-6-1919

Dearest Friend,-

Just a line to let you know that we are leaving tonight For France.

I don’t care much about leaving here because it is a fine place. We do not have much work to do when we are in yards. Most of the shipyard men do the work.

We get Liberty nearly every night. Boston is a big city, there is lots of shows here. Dances and lots of parks, there sure is lots of sailors here. Most half of the people are soldiers and sailors. so one doesn’t see much of any one else. Maybe I won’t be glad when I get home for good. so I can keep out sight of this uniform. All I saw for a year was Gobs-Gobs and some more Gobs. once in a while a soldier. how I see thousands of soldiers a month. one sure gets tired of the same old thing.

There was a big oil ship caught fire here the other night. our crew was the first over there to the rescue. The fire burnt nearly all night in the morning was nearly tipped over. A few day’s befour a destroyer had two boilers blow up. hurt two men and were taken too the hospital.

We sure had some good luck sence I was on here. until we began transport duty. Than two soldiers died on the first trip, and two sailors on this last trip. But no one has ben hurt very bad sence I can remember.

We have ben coaling ship sence yesterday morning at 5-oclock. Are still working. in two day’s they took on two thousand tons. And when we get in Brest there wasn’t hardly enough to cook supper with. We take on about as much in Brest on our way back we always stop off in the Azores there we take on about eight hundred tons. you can just immagine how much work that is for some of u.

This is all for now we are leaving. Good-Bye. With Best of Love.

As Ever yours.

Friend Dan.

c/o Fortress Monroe Va.