April 19, 1919

Apr 23 1919

U.S.S. New Jersey

Mass.

From-

D.D. Martin.

4^th Div. U-S-S. New Jersey.

c/o Boston Navy Yds,

Boston, Mass.

Miss Rose Kraynik,

1336 Mich., Ave;

Manitowoc, Wisc.

April, 19, 1919

Dearest Friend-

I am going to try and write you a few lines. It has ben so long sence I done any writing I almost forgot how.

I mailed a bunch of cards when I was in Brest did you get the one I mailed you?

The weather sure was fine all the way over and as far back as the Azor Islands

We were not going to stop there this time, but the coal burnt faster than they expected. so stopped there to take on coal.

I would much rather stop there. it is a pretty place and nice and warm there. We left France this time with twelve hundred soldiers, two hundred more than usual. We are sailing for Boston this time. Will go in the navy yards there for repairs. We are only going to be there twelve or fifteen days. Than we are going to bring two thousand soldiers back.

There are some sailor prisoners on this time. There are going to NewPort prison Rhode Island. one of them deserted the navy about two years ago. enlisted in Marines saw most of the thick fighting. Now he has to serve a year in the lock up.

The weather is a little rougher sence we left the Azors. have not eaten off the tables for some time. we are still at sea. I believe in having a letter ready as soon as we get in port. hope you are the same. and won’t keep me waiting.

I sure would like to be discharged when at Boston I am lousing all of my ambition. sometimes canot get courage to write a letter. although I have plenty of time. I was going to write my brother a letter. he is with the army of occupations, in Germany. I was going to write him a letter and mail it in France But did not get around to it.

You can just bet I sure would like to get home this trip. Most of my old friends are back now. I have two brothers that are not back home yet. one in France the other was in the army for nearly three years. and hasn’t ben acrost at all.

I hear some about United States going to war with the British. I sure hope it isn’t so. I am tired of this life. a good many others the same.

Dear Rose I am most ancious to get back near you. every time I think of you I have think of the day I left you to enlist in the navy. You sure seemed sorry to see me go. I wouldn’t have left at all if I would have known what I know now. But the war is over now, hope to return soon. Hope you will still be the same little girl when I get back. And that you will still be in Manitowoc.

I hope you will show your love for me and come back when I return if you should leave befour. it sure would be a lonesome place there with out you. I have known you a long time, and always thought a lot of you. it would make me feel bad to have you leave me now.

I hope your girlfriends are still in town, hope so anyway. it sure would be a lonesome place there for you alone. I used to be there alone befour I knew you.

How is the weather back there. was there much snow there this winter. if so I suppose it is about all gone now?

Do you hear from Ida very often? she told me in her last letter she was goin go down to see you. And that you were going back with her. hope you get up there befoure I get home. I know you would never go if I was there.

Well Rose you can mail you letters to same ship in care of Boston Navy Yards Boston Mass. for about a week after you get this letter. This will be about all for this time hopping you have a letter waiting for me when I arrive in Boston.

Good-Bye Best Love.

As ever you friend-

D. D. Martin

4^th div- U-S-S- New Jersey.

c/o Boston Navy Yards,

Boston, Mass.