No mail for our boy today, and not likely to be any tomorrow, because the ship is due to get under way at 0700 and be gone all day. After loading with ammunition and then going out to sea to calibrate their radar, they’ll pick an anchor spot and stay there until they depart in January. At least, that’s the plan today.

For now, the ship is slated to go to Panama and the San Diego, where they will be assigned to duty. Rumors say the Craig  is heading for the Aleutians, so Dart may have his chance to see Alaska.

If the points needed for discharge continue to drop on the 1st and the 15th of every month, Dart will have enough points for discharge on March 31. Still, there is the regulation that says the Navy may hold any man deemed essential for 90 days past his qualification for discharge. Dart is doing his level best to do a good job for the Navy without becoming indispensable!

How did Dot like his news about his Christmas leave? It still looks good, even though an Ensign tried his best to convince Dart not to take the leave. Now he can’t wait to hear what Dot has to say. If she’s willing to postpone her trip home, they can have four meals, one night and most of a day together. What bliss!