How many of you experienced the following? This was very common during World War II, but sailor's do not care. A girl in every port and any port in a storm.
Every man who has spent six months or more in the service has either heard of, or received a "Dear John" letter. The further away from home you were, the more devastating. After all, what can a man do when he gets a letter from his best girl friend or fiancée when he is thousands of miles away, and she starts, "Dear John" and goes on to say that she is terribly sorry, but, she has fallen in love with another guy? You spend countless hours thinking about what you could do to that dirty slob who moved in and stole the affections of your true love when you were away fighting for your country, and couldn't do anything about it.
However, there was one submarine sailor who did do something about it … and here is his story.
Jim met Cindy in San Diego when his submarine had pulled in for an up-keep period prior to fitting out and going out on war patrol to carry the war to the Japanese. Jim knew better than to go to the joints where the available girls hung out … so he tried another tact … he headed for a roller-rink as he liked to skate and admired the sweet young ladies in their skating costumes (short skirts and lots of leg). There he met and skated with Cindy and they were well suited for each other. When the rink closed they had a snack and agreed to meet again the next evening at the rink. This went on until they committed themselves to each other. Before too long Jim's submarine was again ready for sea and the two parted with many tears flowing.
Jim's next war patrol was in an area off the coast of Honshu, Japan, where much action took place with several sinkings and the always annoying and frequent depth chargings. (They are getting better, those Japs.)
Upon return to Midway and the mail was distributed Jim anxiously tore open a missal of love from Cindy that read, "Dear Jim, I am terribly sorry to have to write you this letter. I know how you are going to take it and you will take it hard. Goodness knows that I don't want to hurt you, but Jim, I am in love with another submarine sailor who is stationed here on the submarine tender and is home every night. I met him on Navy Day when I visited his ship and being so lonely … well Jim, things happened. You have been gone so long now I would like you to return the picture of me that I gave to you when we became engaged. It was my favorite and I want to keep it, so please Jim, send it back. We will always remain just friends. Good luck to you and your shipmates. Regards, Cindy."
Well, needless to say, Jim was a little more than shook-up and revenge then enveloped his entire being. A plan took shape and, being an action man, soon went into effect. Jim went around the boat asking for and collecting pictures from thirty of his shipmates — barmaids, flea bags, prostitutes, some very ugly women. He then slipped Cindy's treasured picture among them, bundled them up and sent them to her, along with this note,
"Dear Cindy, I am sorry that I have not been able to respond to your request sooner. However, six months have passed and I seem to have forgotten what you look like. I have spent quite some time in trying to figure out which one of these is yours, and I have given up! Please go through them, pick out yours and return the rest to me. Thanks, Jim."
