Wednesday, December 6, 1967
Mike picked up his airline tickets and decided to wait at the airport for Bill's flight.
They spent the evening together at the USO before Bill caught the 9:00 bus back to Camp Pendleton. Mike bought Bill a wallet for his birthday — *"He had been using an old one of mine that I let him have when I saw how ragged and beat-up his was."*
Bill owed Mike $45. They stored their civilian clothes together in a locker on the ship.
The Jouett participated in "Blue Lotus," the largest fleet exercise in three years, with 44 ships and Royal Canadian Navy units. The ship celebrated her first birthday on December 3 at sea. [Familygram, 10 Dec 1967]
A Dependents' Cruise was held December 19, with over 100 wives and teenage children aboard. A Christmas party followed — Santa Claus and over 1,000 cookies baked by Jouett's cooks. A 60-foot tree of lights was erected on the foremast. [Familygram, 19 Jan 1968]
Mike flew home to Decatur on American Airlines for two weeks of Christmas leave. He returned to San Diego around January 2, 1968.
"Sure enough, his plane got in at 4:20 and I met him there." [Letter]
Letters
Mike Ducy to HomeMike to Home
Dec. 6, 1967
Wed. 9:15 PM
[Written on USO "A Home Away from Home" stationery]
Dear Mother & Dad,
I got the letter that mother wrote on the 28th, today. I kind of rushed the letter I wrote last night so will try to say a little more here.
I got early liberty today at noon. I went out to the airport about 3:30 to pick up my tickets. While I was on the way there I decided that I'd wait around for Bill and see if he came in. Sure enough, his plane got in at 4:20 and I met him there. He just caught the 9:00 bus back to Camp Pendleton a few minutes ago. From what you wrote and from what he told me, I guess he really had a high time. He is lucky he didn't get into serious trouble over that car wreck. He should be keeping out of trouble for a while now that he's back in the care of the USMC.
I didn't mention the money he owes me yet, but will if I see him this weekend. In case you're wondering how much it is it's $45. I have to give him a lot of credit though for going out and working those three days.
I'm starting to get things done and taken care of that have to be done before I go on leave. It seems as if there is always something you need to do or buy and have to run over to the exchange to take care of it. By this time next week, I should have just about everything ready to come home.
Bill has put his civilian clothes in the locker here with mine. He had to pay $2.50 for the rent and .15¢ for the key. We got out of our uniforms as soon as we got back from the airport and put on our civvies.
I bought him a wallet for his birthday and gave it to him today. He had been using an old one of mine that I let him have when I saw how ragged and beat-up his was. I figured this would be something he could use and would like.
Tell David that I'll try to gather up enough energy to take him hunting at least once. Maybe we can have some better luck.
Oh yes, I got your cookies and candy about 10 days ago. It was pretty shook up and crumbly. One of the guys in my division said that if you had put more popcorn in it it wouldn't have got so shook up. A couple of days later I got the candy from the Marine League. I shared both yours and theirs with the rest of the guys in the division. They thought it was pretty good and so did I.
Thats about all there is left to say for now. Its about time for this place to close so I had better get going. Bye for now.
Your son,
Mike
Original Scans
Photos
- Mike in front of Christmas tree; Mike with unknown woman, San Diego; unknown people in front of Christmas tree; unknown woman in front of tree. (4 photos)