It’s another long letter from Dart and a shorter one from Dot as they pass the time before seeing each other again.

Dart begins with the big news that the Haggard’s fate has been decided. She will be decommissioned with all the other unseaworthy ships of the US fleet. “The decommissioning of a ship often takes several months, as there is much work to be done to preserve the ship from the ravages of weather and saltwater.”

He continues to say that after the ship has been squared away, the crew will be broken up and transferred to further duty. Dart says he may be assigned to another ship for more months of sea duty, but the Navy is rapidly reducing its force, so his future remains unclear. He believes (and strongly hopes) that he’ll be out of the Navy within the 18 months they have set for reduction to skeletal strength. He remains positive in saying that since they’ve known each other for more than two years, and that seems like such a short time, 18 months shouldn’t be too bad.

There’s a complicated bit about the points he’s accumulated – points apparently the determining factor of when he’ll be released from duty. His points are very low, but there’s talk of adding extra ones for months at sea, plus some more for each battle star earned. That would help some, but not enough. He wishes they would add points for all the time he’s been under Navy control, which would include his time at Case and the months spent in a naval hospital, but for now, only active duty time is counted.

He writes a loving tribute to his ship.”The news that our ship will be decommissioned is met with the proverbial ‘mixed feelings’. …We know now that we will lose her, but where, when and how long it will take, we don’t know. …For the news we are grateful, for it removes some of the worry from our minds. However, we feel as if we are losing a friend. Regardless of the uncomplimentary epithets we hurl at her, the unflattering remarks we make as we chip rust from her lean sides, the unkind wishes we express for her desctruction in a fiery place, we feel attached to the gallant little ship which we fought on and with, and which we nursed and prodded and goaded for twelve thousand long miles home.”

He discusses specific plans for his leave, which is now definitely scheduled to begin on September 11. He and Hal are still unsure whether they’ll drive or take the train, but in either case, they hope to be in Greenwich by that evening. His parents, having not seen their eldest son for 10 months, want him home in Cleveland as soon as possible. If he stays in Connecticut until the evening of the 17th, is that enough time for all they hope to do while he’s there? Then he and Dot could take the night train to Ohio, arriving on the 18th.

He’s still unsure about the ring. Maybe he could buy it in Greenwich. He’s determined to give it to her to wear at the engagement party.

Last night, Hal, “Sack”, Oliver and Dart had a great time on liberty. Oliver had just returned to Norfolk to collect his transfer papers. He’s been assigned to shore duty in New York City where his wife is hospitalized after a 79-story fall in an Empire State Building elevator!

During their liberty, they checked Ollie’s bag at the railroad station and grabbed an early dinner. Then they saw a worthless movie called “Don Juan Quilligan.” The best part of the movie night was watching again the news reel of the Japanese surrender. All of the Japanese “brass” were quite small in stature, while the Americans on the podium were selected for their height and massive build. Our sailors really got a kick out of that visual!

After the film, the guys bowled two games, and Dart was shocked to score the highest on both games! (Maybe he’s inspired by Dot’s success as a bowler.) He says it was great to spend time with his good buddies, especially so for Ollie. That was the first fun he’d had since he left the ship in Panama to rush to his wife’s bedside. How I wish I knew more about what happened to her!

He’s delighted that he and Dot will be together again so soon. “I hope I don’t talk as much as I did about the awful things that have happened.” I’m sure Dot would agree that he has every right to talk it all out.

Dot writes that the mail call today rendered three letters from Dart, totaling 23 pages! She wishes she could write that many pages in response, but says “I just ain’t built that way!

She’s quite eager to see him in civvies. The only time she’s seen him dressed in regular clothes was when she dreamed of him that way. “If you look the way you did in the dream –Brother!!”

How grateful she is that Hal’s being so generous with the use of his car for liberties. Her only wish is that she were down there with them, cruising around and having fun.

She hopes he doesn’t get shipped overseas again. Her brother writes that he’ll be shipping out to parts unknown between September 15 and 20. He vows, however, that come hell or high water, he’ll be out of the Navy for good in six months.

Now she understands why Dart likes to park the car to talk. She was wondering about that strange behavior. Now she knows not to talk to him when he’s behind the wheel. “I won’t say anything important, like ‘I love you.’ What’s the point, if it doesn’t register?”

She asks a very good question about house design. “What would be the point of having a garage separate from the house? Off hand, I would think it would make the whole appearance less attractive and less convenient in bad weather. But you’re the boss, so you go ahead and plan what you want, saving the explanations for later.” (He’s the boss? Hmmmm. When did that become the case?)

She likes the improvements he’s made in the house plans, but wonders if Mrs. Miller scared him when she said she thought his previously designed house was too little. Does he think they’ll be able to fill four bedrooms?

Now, how about he just forget about that ice cube? After all, they don’t want to hold grudges, do they? Still, if he feels he must put one down her back, she gives him permission…if he can catch her. If it’s any consolation, her whole family is on his side.

Before closing, she must tell him something shocking. Her little brother Doug got his head shaved yesterday. The family is livid! He did it as a joke, but he looks like a Nazi and no one is laughing. He must take his meals alone until his hair grows back, and he’s already been told he cannot attend the engagement party. Apparently, Arthur told him one too many times to get a haircut, and he really did! She hopes Dart won’t have to look at him much when he’s at the Chamberlain home. “Yes, we’re a crazy bunch, but I think Douglas is the nuttiest. I hope you don’t discover you’re crazy for loving me, ‘cuz I’ll always love you, my Darling.”