FROM:
C. E. TUMIDAJSKI
A. P. C. USN
U.S.S. PINKNEY
Fleet Post Office
San Francisco, Calif.

TO: Bryant College
Bryant Service Club
Providence,
Rhode Island

GREETINGS

It’s nice to pause
a moment
When this season
draws near
To wish you
a Merry Christmas
And a very glad
New Year.

Charles Tumidajski
Gen’l Business ‘40

[Transcription ends]

To
THE BRYANT SERVICE CLUB
c/o BRYANT COLLEGE
PROVIDENCE, R.I.

Dear Members of the Bryant Service Club--

Now that I am somewhat squared away on my new ship the Pinkney, I am able to write you one and all and say thanks for your kind consideration and thoughtfulness in sending me cigarettes which were most appreciated and I might add, just my brand.

Since the last time that I have written you, a few items of not have happened to me in that I was transferred to a Naval Supply Depot in Hawaii after being advanced to Chief Petty Officer, since the authorized compliment [sic] of my former destroyer did not call for the rating. Upon serving at the Supply Depot for about three months, my recommendation for promotion to the rank of Warrant Officer was acted upon favorably in Washington, so here I am back at sea, this vessel being a combined hospital and troopship, minus nurses though, darn it. I finally managed to find the ship after a long interesting though uneventful trip by patrol bomber and might say that the duty is very good. However very much unlike the battleship & destroyer Navy I have been accustomed to.

In conclusion thanks also for the Easter V-Mail letter. Such gestures give us the will and desire to keep punching and thus hasten our eventual goal--Most Sincerely--"Charlie"

Chas. E. Tumidajski
Gen'l. bus. '40
[Transcription ends]

Dear Members of the Bryant Service Club,

I shall have to apologize for my negligence in not writing for the past few months, but an awful lot has happened since, and I have been more or less "snowed under" with one thing or another. As you will notice, I have been transferred from one extreme to another, that is from a battleship to a tin-can or destroyer, which believe me is quite a contrast, for never did I have to brace myself in a chair or attach a rubber band to the carriage of my typewriter, so that it would move with the sway of the ship, on the old COLORADO.

Due to my change of address, I haven't received and [sic] Bryant Service News or "On The Campus" bulletins for some time, so your club activities are somewhat strange to me at present, consequently, I do so hope that you will record my new address in your files. I do wish to thank you one and all for a package of candy that I recently received, which just about went half way around the world and back home again, and from therein forwarded back to me, somewhere in the Pacific, despite all this handling and subjection to various temperatures, the package as well as the candy stood up very well, so someone is to be commended.

As to my new duty, I can truthfully say, that I like it a great deal, since a person has an opportunity to do work with much morediversion, for instance, here we have a little office, though terribly crowded, since warships utilize space for more important reasons than just offices now, however, it serves as a Disbursing Office, Supply Office, and Commissary Office, whereas on the previous ship, why these were all individual. In this respect, one is able to learn every phase of his work, much more readily.

An item of passing interest, may be that I have recently changed uniforms to that of a Chief Petty officer or Chief Storekeeper, which decidedly has it[s] advantages in a good many respects.

If Mr. Handy should see this letter, he would be astonished at the number of errors in grammar, punctuation, etc., however, I shall have to attribute it to the adverse conditions under which I am working, trusting that he will make allowances for this.

There are so many items of interest that I would like to relate to you, but are all to be classed as military secrets, so far be it for me to try to circumvent our censorship regulations, however, I suppose it's permissable to say that you may be quite certain that the LAWS will be in there pitching, doing her utmost to make the foe feel the full fury of our attacking forces, whenever opportunity arises.

In conclusion, thanks again for the package and sincere best wishes to you one and all from the branch of the Navy that "Hits hard and travels fast."

Most sincerely,
"Charlie"
"Charlie"

(for the censor)
Charles E. Tumidajski, CSK, USN.
U.S.S. LAWS (DD558) c/o F.P.O.
San Francisco, Calif.

P. S. I would appreciate having the complete address of the Balfour Co. forwarded to me, so that I may have the stone in my class ring replaced, due to its being chipped against one of the ship's "stanchions."
[Transcription ends]

[Handwritten]:
My new address:
U.S.S. LAWS (DD558)
c/o F. P. O.
San Franscisco

Season’s Cheer
AND A
New Year
FILLED WITH HAPPINESS

[Handwritten]:
Charles E. Tumidajski
(Gen’l Business 1940)
[Transcription ends]

Charlie E. Tumidajski, SKl, USN
U.S.S. COLORADO, Box 26,
c/0 Fleet Post Office,
San Francisco, Calif.

Bryant College Service Club
c/o Bryant College,
Providence, Rhode Island

Dear Students and Faculty of Bryant,

Once again thanks a million for the gift of candy, though somewhat late in arriving, it was most delicious, or as we would say in the Navy it was “right on”. It’s indeed gratifying to know that thousands of miles away, I am remembered by you members of Bryant, that constitute the praiseworthy Bryant Service Club. I might further add, that I also thoroughly enjoyed receiving your editions of “On The Campus” and “The Bryant Alumni Bulletin”, which I always look forward to.

I am still situated on the old COLORADO, feeling somewhat like a permanent fixture at times. My particular job at present is still in the Disbursing Office as Storekeeper in charge of the Officers Payroll. I’m doing quite well for myself, having been advanced to the rate of First Class Petty Officer.

You must be undergoing severe winter weather back there, [?] able Jap Spy reports: “Very old in U.S.A. last night, Coffee, liquor and tires were frozen.”

I can’t say anything of my whereabouts or where I’ve been, but I might add that liberties are few and far between, though very interesting.

I hope that Prof. Handy isn’t too critical about my grammar, punctuation, etc., if so; I’ll have to attribute it to the exigencies of war.

To each and every one of you, that help make the Bryant Service Club possible, this “bluejacket” extends you a hearty thanks.

Oceans of luck to you all
Charlie [Transcription ends]

Chas. Tumidajski SK3c USN
USS Colorado Box 26
c/o Fleet Post Office
San Francisco, Calif.

Chairman of the Bryant Service Club
c/o Bryant College
Providence, Rhode Island

Somewhere : Someplace
- Date ? -
May 25, 1942

Dear Chairman,

Once again this bluejacket is thankful and grateful for the box of candy received.

I am sorry that time doesn’t permit me to express myself in the form of a letter, but I’m sure you understand the circumstances.

Congratulations to the Bryant class of ‘42.

Charles Tumidajski
(Genl. Bus.) ‘40 [Transcription ends]

UNITED STATES FLEET
BATTLESHIPS, BATTLE FORCE
U.S.S. COLORADO

Somewhere; Someplace
July 20, 1942

Dear Chairman,

I wish to take this opportunity to thank you of the Bryant Service Club for the package gift of candy of which I was the happy recipient. Sometimes surrounding conditions are not exactly bright and to be so remembered by the student body of Bryant is indeed most heartening and highly appreciative. I might add that my shipmates here in the Disbursing Office on the U.S.S. COLORADO, and myself certainly enjoyed the chocolates immensely and promise that with the added energy and stamina derived from the candy, we will in turn beat up on so many more Japs.

I would like very much to relate to you some of my experiences, but I don’t believe that the censor would particularly like it and it wouldn’t be quite symbolic of a typical blue jacket. I can say that with our wholehearted civilian support and the ever mounting armed strength and fighting spirit that is at our command we can’t lose. There will be more temporary reverses and setbacks, but they will be coupled with gains and ultimate Victory. There shan’t be a recurrence to the never to be forgotten morning of December 7, 1941. The Navy is on the alert and at their battle stations.

I was also very pleased with the copy of “On the Campus” which enlightened me as to what activities prevail at Bryant. As to be expected, Bryant College students are enjoying all the privileges and advantages of a progressive institution of learning.

I am as previously mentioned in the Disbursing Office on this enormous floating fortress. I can readily say that the advancements which I have enjoyed can be attributed primarily to my training at Bryant. I have successfully passed my examination for Storekeeper Second Class and will be rated as soon as I have the necessary time in my present rate.

In conclusion, to you Bryant students and to The Bryant Service Club, a very worthy organization, the Navy salutes you.

“Gobs” of Success & Happiness,

Charles E. Tumidajski, SK3c, USN
(General Business 1940) [Transcription ends]