Alfred H. Murphy SK1c
USS DOROTHEA L. DIX
c/o Fleet Post Office
New York, N. Y.
May 17, 1944

BRYANT SERVICE CLUB
1 YOUNG ORCHARD AVENUE
PROVIDENCE, 6, RHODE ISLAND

Ahoy there, Bryant Service Club:

A little late to say Easter Greetings, but due to the war, all the holidays have been delayed a bit, to confuse the enemy. So; here I am, returning your most welcome letter, and also a shipload of thanks for the cigarettes. They arrived, and believe it or not, there were no bullet holes in them!

Is it really true that there are more co-eds at Bryant these days? Well, now that is really a nice meaty bit of news - - something to ponder over. Guess the fellows will really have to go some, to overcome the “edge” the women-folk have over them in the shape of more “book-larnin’ [sic], while the boys are out increasing their physiques. But then, the gals always have a soft spot in their hearts for uniforms (I hope.).

As you can see, I am not exactly at home, right now- - I might even be allowed to say that I’m not even in the States. However, am still afloat and all in one piece, which is rather a pleasure, these days. I have seen many places in passing, stopped in not a few of them, and raised heck in some of them. But I would be cheerfully willing to exchange them all for any place back home. Not that I’m lonesome, but I have come to realize the value of many things formerly thought of as being commonplace- - even an American institution, the dizzy blonde!

I would like to thank all the girls who contribute their time and energy to type the letters such as the one I received at Easter- - they are really helping the war effort in this manner, as mail becomes increasingly important the further from the States one travels.

My rating is that of Storekeeper, 1^st class, and my work is done in the Disbursing Office on board. I must confess that half of the time I hold on with one hand and do what I can with the other, but there is one thankful lack- - there is no telephone to keep answering all day. The only “line” we have to keep open is the nearest exit to the rail, in case the sea gets too rough.

About time I turned this typewriter to Government uses, so I’ll be saying,

So long for the duration,

Alfred H. Murphy

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U.S.S. Dorothea L. Dix
c/o
Fleet Post Office
New York, N. Y.

January 23, 1944

Bryant Service Club
Bryant College
Providence, 6, R.I.

Dear Alma Mater:

Believe me, your message now and then are very cheery, and, I might say, interesting (they sure start the memory wheels turning over). So I would like to thank you for the Bulletin with the Alumni news (now so scarce), for the box of candy at Christmas, and for the V-mail friendly letter.

The box of candy was appreciated by many of the crew- and there was still plenty for me to excite my palate with. (Pogy Bait, the sailors called it.)

Lots of times I wish that I were back at Bryant, studying, instead of the hard way of experience, but that’s life.

I enlisted in the navy in March, 1942, as a Storekeeper, 3rd class. Before many weeks (4) I was assigned to sea duty, and have been rolling around ever since, in one part of the world or another.

Am not a Storekeeper 1st class, and work in the Pay Office of the ship, which gives me much opportunity to use my Bryant training. (Figuring pay, “selling” insurance, registering allotments, and other office work.)

The duty also has its adventurous moments (and how!) and is all the time interesting and instructive (travel broadens everyone.)

Must sign off now, but thanks again!

Sincerely,

Alfred H. Murphy SK1/2
USS Dorothea L. Dix
c/o Fleet Post Office
New York, N. Y. [Transcription ends]

Editor – Bryant College Alumni Bulletin
Providence, R I.

Dear Sir:

I have been reading the November issue of the Bryant Alumni Bulletin, and have found it very interesting. In fact for the last ten years or so I have enjoyed the mail matter sent out from Bryant College and now I want you to know that it is appreciated.

My home address is 200 Ash St. New Bedford, Mass., but at present I am a Storekeeper, second class (2/c) in the Naval Reserve, and my present address is as above.

All I can say about my present situation is that at times we sure have some excitement. (Have to write on one side only in case of censoring).

Before entering the service, I was a clerk in the (New Bedford, Mass.) Post Office for a little over a year. (A civil service appointment after 5 yrs. On the list in 9th place)

Previous to that, I worked in the Boston Navy Yard, starting in 1939 as a typist, and when I resigned to take the above job in my home town, I was a senior fiscal accounting clerk (also a civil service job after being on the list for 3 yrs).

In closing—I hope to continue to receive the “B. A. B” in the future, to keep track of all my old friends.

Alfred Hearn Murphy
(Business Administration)
1932
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