February 9, 1919

Feb 10 1919

Newport News, VA

Miss Rose Kraynik,

1336 Mich; Ave;

Manitowoc,

Wisconsin

(Art Rankin)

Feb-9-1919

U-S-S- New Jersey,

Dear Rose-

I suppose you thought I haven’t got back. I have ben back for a week but was so buisy all the time. when I didn’t have any thing to do I was so discouraged I couldn’t sit down and write.

I sure had a fine trip. after we left here, the weather got warmer just like summer there wasn’t a roughle on the water. About two day’s befoure we got in France it got rough. Tables up set broke dishes we couldn’t eat off the tables for two day’s.

We got in Brest France on the 12^th of Jan, stayed there for three days. left with 986 soldiers. we had to stop off at the Azor Islands for coal and engine repairs. That sure was a pretty place all white houses big hills back from the ocean and wind mills all over them. The grass was green there and it was very hot. The people of the Island sold us pineapples, oranges, and other fruit.

After we left there, there was Two soldiers died with pneumonia. There was fifty one sick at one time. There sure was a jolly bunch of soldiers when we got back. They were over in France a year and a half.

Our ship is ancored about five miles from shore. We have taken on stores, which took us nearly a week. We started to coal Friday after noon at one-o-clock. We worked until one that night, we couldn’t sleep in our hammocks because we were to dirty and couldn’t get any water to wash with. so had to sleep on the deck. I nearly froze, and in the morning my bones were sore. and stiff. we went to work a 5-30 and got done at ten in the morning. Half of the men got Liberty. we could go a shore for 40 hours I was one of the lucky ones. I am now in the Y-M-C-A at New Port News, Va.

Well Rose I am going too church this morning the first time sence I left home. it soon will be time, so will have to mak this letter a short one. I had some pictures taken. if they are any good I will put one in this letter.

There was one hundred twenty seven new men came on our ship Friday And there will be as many discharges. I was not lucky enough for that so will have to wait my turn.

There was 94 bags of mail for our ship when we got back from France but there wasn’t any from you. Now there wont be any until I get back from the second trip. But hope you haven’t forgotten me and will write so I will get it when I get back. Am leaving Tuesday the 11^th won’t be back till April the 10^th

Good-Bye

With Best Love.

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

c/o Postmaster

Fortress Monroe.

Va.

On back of envelope: “From- D. Martin. U-S-S- New Jersey, 4^th Div, c/o Postmaster,- Fortress Monroe, Va.”