February 18, 1944

Friday

     "We took 4 dives today.  My first time out.  I had the wheel watch and the torpedo roam.  It felt good to have the whole control of the ship at my fingertips.  I saw the ocean for the first time.  We eat chow on board and had a good chow.  We went out on the O4.  I motor launch pick us up, and brought us back in.  I sure got wind burn.  It was sure a thrill to see the ocean and ships.  I have a lot of things I want to write.  It was a very interesting experience.
     I got two letters from Sweet today.  She got the Valentine I sent her.  I wrote to her tonight but am going to wait until Sunday to answer those letters.  That way I will have something to do.  I saw "Alla Baba and Twenty Thieves," tonight.  It sure was good.
     That was my first dive today and I will never forget it.  Being submerged is like floating in space.  Subs are tops and I have a long time to be with them, so it's good I like them.  We are in the Long Island Sound."

Dad is really excited about seeing the Ocean for the first time.  And going out on the sub.  It blows my mind that he also had control of the ship.  It is hard to believe.  I did not know he trained in the Long Island sound when I lived in New York.  I do not think he mentioned it when he visited us and went boating in that sound.