1938 HEADLINES IN AFRICA

Here are two of the four seaplanes from the U.S.S Boise flying over Cape Town Africa.
After the Boise passed their final sea trials in January 1939, she operated with the U.S. Pacific Fleet. The ship had a brief visit in Long Beach, California in September, and then returned to Pearl Harbor in October 1941. The Boise then resumed operations with the Fleet. During WWII two of the four planes from the Boise were missing in action.

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Letter To Mom February, 1939

“Dear Mother and all, I received your letter in Boston and was glad to hear from you all. We were delayed on day on account of bad weather. It snowed and the wind blew so hard. We just set out in the harbor and let her snow. We had nothing to wear. But of course we had plenty to eat and a nice warm place to sleep and a radio to listen to until ten O'clock. It was so bad we didn’t get to go ashore. We made a test run Wednesday and started at six in the morning and finished at five in the afternoon and the ship really took a beating. We made all kind of run’s and tests and it stood up, so I guess the government has accepted it”.
“It is nice and warm here in Portsmouth and I hope it stay’s that way”

Letter from Ed to his mom from Guantanomo Bay Cuba March 20, 1939

“Saved fifty dollars so far”
“I don’t spend much money and don’t
go to shore that often.”

Ed always lets his mom know he goes to mass every Sunday!

In 1939 Dad reports being in Boston. Portsmouth and Cuba

Signed, “Oceans of Love” Edw.

Isn't it great how he signed this letter? That's a lot of love to be sending to his mom. It was clear that he didn't want his mother to worry about him. It was also very clear that Ed wanted his mother to know that he was continuing to go to church every Sunday. Ed really loved his mom!

I highlighted the above quote about Ed saving his money because it contradicts what I was always told by my sister. I was always told that Gladys Hayes decided not to marry Edward Gilkey because he wasn't saving his money. Gladys Hayes married a man named Albert Weber from Louisville while Ed was out to sea. He was notified by a friend that Gladys was going to have a baby. SNAP!