Navy Section Base
Woods Hole, Mass.
29 July 1942

Chairman, Bryant Service Club
Bryant College
Providence, R.I.

Dear Sir:

I received your package of cigarettes yesterday, and was the most surprised and happiest fellow on the Base. It’s nice to know that they haven’t forgotten you--that the place that holds so many memories for you still holds memories of the boys and girls.

You ask about my work--one subject that I cannot talk about. I can say that I’m a Yeoman in the office of a Lieut. Commander, his “private” until he enlarges his staff and has several “privates.” So far the work has been interesting and exciting. Here’s hoping I never get put on routine, dry stuff and nonsense! The hours are 24½ hours per day--on call. Actually work only about 12 hours daily with the exception that maybe three times during a week we may go for 19 or 20 hours straight. Being at a Base is much different than being in a big city.

But with all of that, if any of the boys are wondering whether to join this or that branch of the service, give them my advice and tell them to join the Navy. They’ll never meet a better bunch of fellows, not ever meet better and more interesting officers, nor will they enjoy themselves as much. Tell them not to worry about hours--there are only a few offices that have to stay open and have enough work for 24 hours a day. I happen to be in one of them.

Thanks again for the cigs. I’ll use them and think of the “good old days--when ----.”

Harry I. Golub, Y3/c [Transcription ends]

Naval Training School
(Communications)
Harvard University
Lionel A-11
Cambridge, Mass.
July 4, 1943

Bryant Service Club
Bryant College
Providence, R.I.

Howdy!

It’s been back to school now for the last month and still about 5 more months to go. I thought that Bryant had a stiff schedule, but I think differently now. It’s interesting, completely baffling, but necessary; supposedly a 6-year course in 6 months. Classes usually from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. (6 days per week) plus classes twice a week until 9 p.m. Liberty is from 5 p.m. Saturday until 10 p.m. Sunday. Nice, eh!

I sure would appreciate a “Bulletin” as I have lost track of some of the boys.

If I started writing about classes, etc., I’d still be writing at midnight, but with an exam each day, you can understand my situation.

Best regards to all,
Harry I. Golub
Ensign, D-V(S), USMR [Transcription ends]

May 19, 1943

Servicemen’s Club
Bryant College
Providence, R.I.

Howdy:

Just to let you know of a change in address. No longer Woods Hole. For the next two weeks I cannot give the address, but starting June 1, it will be in Cambridge while I am at the Communications School at Harvard.

Regards to all,
Harry I. Golub
Ensign, D-V(S), USNR [Transcription ends]

March 18, 1943

Bryant Service Club
Bryant College
Providence, R.I.

Hi Pals -

I sure wish I had the opportunity to visit the alma mater and render my thanks for everything in person, but -- maybe soon we’ll all be able to gather there and make merry. Let’s hope.

Your swell gift arrived and I must say that “we” all enjoyed receiving the package. The boys say that if they had only known, they, too, would have chosen Bryant.

Now that it’s Lt. Shors, Lt. Hammond, and Major Lee, the boys in the Quartermaster’s Corps had better keep on their toes! But, as all Bryant will swear--are there better qualified men than these? Hell, no!!!

I’m back with the Port Director’s Office and glad of it. Interesting work and I can truly say that I’m doing “my bit.”

Best regards to all,
Harry I. Golub [Transcription ends]

WOODS HOLE SECTION BASE
NAVAL LOCAL DEFENSE FORCE
WOODS HOLE, MASS.

February 13, 1943

Bryant Service Club
Bryant College
Providence, R.I.

Dear PALS:

I’m sorry that the gift you so thoughtfully sent me was not acknowledged sooner, but, what with one thing and another on what I call my mind, this letter has been postponed until now--the common “quiet before the storm.”

Only two things of interest since I wrote last: First, I am no longer attached to the Port Director’s Office. Temporarily, I am at the Section Base. Secondly, I was fortunate enough to be eligible to take the examination for advancement in rating, and through some strange manner, was lucky enough to pass it. Effective the first of February, I was able to call myself “Y2c.”

Thanks again for the swell gift--those cigarettes were very much enjoyed.

Regards to all.

From the “BULLETIN,” I notice that more and more of the boys are doing their bit, but so far have not met any about. I sure hope to meet one soon so that we can talk about the “good ole days at Bryant.”

Sincerely,
Harry I. Golub, Y2c [Transcription ends]

USS SAKATONCHEE (AOG 19)
FPO, FRISCO, CAL.
APRIL 1, 1945.

BRYANT COLLEGE SERVICE CLUB
BRYANT COLLEGE
PROVIDENCE, R.I.

HOWDY-

JUST RECEIVED YOUR NICE LETTER AND I WANT TO SEND MY THANKS FOR THE THOUGHTS THAT WENT WITH IT.

THIS SHIP IS IN A FUNNY CATEGORY – WE’RE STRICTLY NAVY, BUT WORK FOR THE ARMY AIR CORPS 90% OF THE TIME – AND THIS RESULTS IN OUR BEING IN THE FORWARD AREAS ALL THE TIME. UNDER THESE CONDITIONS, WE ARE FORTUNATE ENOUGH IN BEING ABLE TO GET ENOUGH OF ABOUT EVERYTHING WE NEED – EXCEPTING FRESH FOODS. IF YOU CAN FIGURE OUT HOW TO SEND ME A REAL APPLE OR ORANGE, I’LL SHOW YOU HOW TO MAKE A MILLION DOLLARS. ALL KIDDING ASIDE, WE’VE NEVER LACKED FOR SMOKES. GOOD CANDY IS A PROBLEM – DUE TO THE DELAYS IN SHIPPING PACKAGES AND THE HEAT ENROUTE TO US. THE CLIMATE IN THE SOUTHERN PHILLPINES IS REALLY WARM – ESPECIALLY TO CANDY. IF, HOWEVER, YOU CAN FIND SOME CANDY THAT WOULD STAND UP IN THIS HEAT, I SURE WOULD APPRECIATE A COUPLE OF PIECES. THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR THE OFFER.

AS FOR THE LIFE I LEAD – I CAN’T COMPLAIN AT ALL. WE ALL PUT IN A FULL DAYS WORK, BUT WHO EVER HEARD OF ANYONE IN THE NAVY OVER-WORKING? I CAN’T SHOUT MY EXPLOITS TO THE STARS, FOR THE LITTLE ACTION WE’VE SEEN WAS SO LITTLE (THANK GOD) THAT THERE’S REALLY NOTHING TO IT. WE HAVE BEEN IN ON ONE INVASION, BUT EVEN THAT WAS ONLY A FARCE – FOR THE JAPS FLED DURING THE SHORE BOMBARDMENT AND NOT A SHOT WAS FIRED UNTIL AFTER THE BEACHHEAD WAS OURS. BUT I WILL TELL YOU A STORY THAT WILL MAKE YOUR BLOOD BOIL. I HOPE IT DOES, FOR MAYBE THEN SOME MORE OF YOU WILL REALIZE WHAT TYPE OF AN ENEMY WE ARE FIGHTING OUT HERE IN THE SOUTHWEST PACIFIC. (IF IT’S A GIRL THAT’S READING THIS, MAYBE YOU BETTER PUT THIS LETTER DOWN NOW). ON THIS INVASION WE WERE ON – THE JAPS WERE TAKEN COMPLETELY BY SURPRISE AND HAD TO MOVE OUT IN A HURRY. THE HILLS THEY HAD TO HIDE IN WAS NO PLACE TO TAKE THE 250 AMERICAN PRISONERS THAT WERE BEING HELD HERE. I BELIEVE SOME OF THOSE AMERICANS WERE SURVIVORS OF BATAAN. THE JAPS DID THE NATURAL THING – CONSIDERING THEIR CRACKED MINDS – AND FORCED ALL THE PRISONERS INTO A FOXHOLE (ONLY LARGE ENOUGH FOR 10 MEN ORDINARILY), FILLED THE PALCE [sic] WITH GASOLINE, AND SET IT AFIRE. NO, THAT IS NOT PROPAGANDA, FOR I SAW THE CHARRED REMAINS MYSELF THE DAY AFTER IT HAPPENED, AND IT WAS CHILD’S PLAY TO SEE WHAT HAD HAPPENED.

I’D BETTER SIGN OFF NOW – IT’S 2:30 A.M. WHERE YOU ARE, BUT I STILL HAVE MY QUARTERLY REPORTS TO GET OUT.

THANKS AGAIN FOR THE SWELL LETTER AND THE THOUGHTS,

HARRY I. GOLUB
LT (JG) , CD, USNR

[Transcription ends]