My pride and joy

12 December 1958
"Gosh the children are growing like weeds aren't they. I won't know them when I get home. I just can't wait till I get home to see my family. I think that I have missed you more than ever this time. Well one thing for sure, I won't be gone again from you...Say about Sandra's foot. Is it really bad or is it just a bit crooked? I am deeply worried about it. I have been talking with some of the other Chiefs aboard ship and they tell me that most children have a tendency to walk a bit that way. I am certainly sure that we will be able to have it corrected while she is still young. After all she is my pride and joy, not that Timmy isn't."

 

"Just hold on a little longer..."

7 December 1958
"Dear I just received a letter from you that was written on the first of the Month and you seemed very depressed...I don't imagine that shouting at him will have any effect on him so I'll have to talk to him when I get there...We are here in Nagasaki. I went ashore the other day and seen what I wanted to see. If anyone is short of money, I am and I am trying to get by on what I have so I don't want you to feel bad about it...Yesterday and today we are having Open house for the Japanese people and they are roaming all over this ship. Yesterday I was told that over 4,000 people came to visit the ship...I'll really be looking forward to seeing you and the children in the movies [filmed at the Christmas Party for the dependents of the sailors out at sea]. Now don't be afraid and really say what you want to. Remember it's you talking to me, not to anyone else...I promise to write more often to you as I know you are suffering back there. Just hold on a little longer, please dear."

Nagasaki

4 December 1958
"We are down in Nagasaki where the 2nd atomic bomb fell during the war. I went ashore with three other chiefs today and walked my legs off. I took my movie camera ashore with me and took a few feet of pictures. You can't see where the bomb fell anymore. We got on a street car at one end of the line and rode it till it came to the other end of the line. All four of us rode for 50 yen (14 cents). This town is much larger than Sasebo and it has many new stores in it. I paid for the street car ride and some of the other Chiefs paid for some peanut brittle so I did not spend too much...I am certainly glad that we have our little house. It's so nice and comfy for us. I really have to hand it to you for living in those trailers like you did without crying about it. I lot of women would not have lived in it one nite. So let me tell you again, I really appreciate it very much...So be brave till I get back, will you dear. I know that it's hard on you there with the two children. But Dear, I'll make up for it someway."

 

 

One of 'those trailers' about which Buss wrote.

"our little house...nice and comfy for us."

 

29 November 1958
"I went over to the CPO Club the other nite as Comfort, the Chief Storekeeper with the Reg Jaguar reenlisted with the Regular Navy and he was throwing a party. He had several of the Chiefs over there and we had steak and all the trimmings that when with it. I was drinking Coke but I think that someone was spiking it with some stronger stuff. He had me sitting at the head of the table with him so I guess he thinks very highly of me...I just wish that we could go out more often than we used to. Maybe when I get back there, we can find a dependable person to baby sit for us and then we can go out and see the town. You can wear your Sunday Best. I guess I'll have to get myself a new suit some day. I would like to take you to some ritsey place and really have a big meal and then set through it and watch every one look at us...I must go now so take care of yourself and Darling, I love you for what you are and I mean it."

Buss in his new suit with Timmy and Sandra-1959

 

"...the latest dope..."

22 November 1958
"I will attempt to give you all the latest dope that I have...How did you enjoy your visit with your mother? What did she think of our children now. I guess they have grown up a bit since she last seen them. Did she like our little house. It's not a mansion but it's ours...I have not been off of the ship for almost three weeks but I may go over this coming week. In fact I only have one dollar and ten cents to spend so I can't buy much with it. I am going to stay on here as long as I possibly can before I go completely nuts. I was reading  in a paper today that a man that thinks about his work as much as I do and is over forty is apt to have a heart attack more so than anyone else...Well Darling I love you very much and I really mean it so Brace up till I get back there. This is the last time I'll be away from home."

 

"exemplary moral habits"

16 November 1958
"I know you must be suffering with the children on your nerves all the time. I want off here more than you can imagine...Today is Sunday and I just finished writing some papers up here in the office.  It seems as though that I can't get anything done during the day as too many people are coming in here all the time and asking me questions. But I don't mind as I want to help people out all I possibly can...Tell me dear, do you want me to get anything for yourself out here. I don't want to do anything that you don't want me to do. I know that you have your heart set on a different car. We will get one just as soon as I can scrape up enough money to pay for one...I would tell you what I dreamed about last nite, but I'm afraid that your mother may read this letter and she would be shocked to hear such things. I'll tell you sometime. Your Loving Husband 'Grandpa' Buss"

This was written on the same date as Buss' letter.

"How about a Station Wagon?"

9 November 1958
"I am glad to hear that your mother is coming out to see you and the children. That will be nice for you. You can get yourself all fixed up while she is there. I only wish that I was there to have the place "ship-shape" for her...I got off a package the other day for Xmas to you folks. I had to get my children's mother something so I got her something that is in the same package...I'll stay aboard so that I won't spend any more money foolishly over here. Like you say, we will save our money for the car. Have you made up your mind on what type of car you want to get. How about a Station Wagon?...I have a notion to call you up on the phone today. I think the cost is around $12.00 for three minutes. I guess it would be nice to hear your voice again after such a long time...

Envelope which Ruth addressed to her mother.

Carved ivory necklace and earring set Buss bought for Ruth.

Ruth's mother, Lillian Wark.

31 October 1958
"If I don't come back till February the 11th, I sure do wish that you and the children could make it to the pier and watch us come in the for the last time...I won't be able to send $250.00 home this month as I had to take some of it for the presents that I am going to get...I will probably send about 200.00 back to the bank. Anyway that is more than a lot of the Chiefs are doing...You can tell Clay that I really appreciate things that he is doing for you there. I think that I'll bring them a couple of little trinkets back with me...I don't have to spend so much, just so it's something...I keep getting letters from Mom and she tells me that you are very lucky to have a nice home like that."

 

"I miss you terribly"

26 October 1958
"First of all before I forget it. Thanks a million for the letter the other day. It was nice and long and I enjoyed every bit of it...I wish that you would not open it till Xmas morning. Are you going to get a tree this year? Get one if you possibly can. Maybe Clait will get you a little one just so the children see it. I know it won't seem like Xmas to you. But do it for the children. They will remember it, I am sure...I guess you have not received the money from you know who as yet, have you. In your last letter you said that you never heard from her again since 4 September. Well don't worry about it, I'll take care of it when I get back there...I miss you terribly."

Timmy on the backyard swingset-1959

Ruth dressed up for church-1959

 

Costume jewelry necklace worn by Ruth in the above picture.

"Your Loving Buss"

22 October 1958
"I think that I'll get the children a few toys to play with. Sandy a doll and Timmy somesort of a truck. Then I have to get that lady that lives at 769 Del Mar something nice for taking care of my things back there while I am out here...I bought a couple of big flower pots down town the other nite. They call them "hibachi" pots out here...You know this being away from your family makes me appreciate them more and more. I know that I have not been one of the best husbands and fathers, but I try my best for you and the children. I know that I am a better father than some of these people out here on this ship. You can keep this to yourself, but I don't see how they can come home to their family...Dear, is there anything, just anything that you want from out here...Just name it and I'll get it for you...Well Darling, I must sign off for this time so take it easy and don't work too hard. I'll be home just as soon as I can get there. Please be patient with me. Say "Hello" to the children for me. Your Loving Buss"

Notice the two "hibachi" pots to either side of the walkway.

 

"...burn this letter..."

18 October 1958
"Here we are back in Sasebo, Japan again after a few weeks in the harbor of Okinawa...I do want to go ashore and do some Xmas shopping before too long as I have to get it in the mail as soon as possible. I'll be here till Xmas anyway and I don't like it one bit better than you do so I have to take it as it comes. Its really going to be tough on me to be away from my family this year. Sometimes, I just feel like setting down and crying. At least this is the last year that I'll be away from you...Do you have any more pictures that I have not seen there at home?...Dear, I know how you must feel about me being over here, but I just can't help it. I would do anything to be back there with my family. I know that you must have a hard time of it there by yourself...I just wish that you would drive and that way you could go where you wanted to...I sure do wish that I could set on the sofa with you and watch TV. XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX. I want you to burn this letter when you get through reading it. Now don't forget."

Note: It was not this writer who crossed out the portion of this letter. I am guessing that it was Ruth.

Sandy with her doll-Christmas 1959

 

 

Babysitting thoughts

12 October 1958
"I really enjoyed that letter more than any that I can recall receiving. I have it under my pillow and I will read it again tonite when I go to bed...Well how is little Sandy? I bet she is getting cute as a doll. I just can't wait till I get a hold of her and squeeze her in my arms...I want you to go to the movies when I get back there as much as you want to and I'll take care of the children. You don't mind if I baby set for you, do you. I don't blame you for not wanting other people setting with your children as I feel the same way about it as you do. I don't think I could enjoy myself if someone else was setting there with my children...Take good care of the children and I miss you very much. It won't be long and I'll be home every nite from now on and no more of this West Pacific for me."

Sandy and Timmy 1959

Little Sandy 1959

 

Letter from Buss' Mom [with video]

"Minonk Ill Oct-9/58
Thursday 10-till Eleven oclock

Hello there Ruth and children- and how are you coming? Sure was nice to hear from you. You will make it. Just let some things go, it will all come in time, take care of the children. I am sure glad you have not no baby, but I guess they need watching and that takes time. Yes, Ruth, we have had some good times. How I looked for you at nite around 10 oclock. It was surely worth while getting "up for". After you  made that 100 mile trip; my those were the days, but you will be here again, and make it home for awhile. Buss says he is going to go East and then you will stop here, it will all come again. He expects to get a different car. It can not be too soon to suit me. I think the way the paper reads, and radio the war news is slacking a little. Hope so. We have been having rains off and on, very nice. Had only one frost and that was not bad. Been doing cleaning, have to wash windows, have cookies to bake. I still can taste your lemon pie. Best "I ever had", and you sure do good cooking. I am old fashioned cook- get by. Best wishes. I wrote to Buss yesterday and may the Good protect and keep you and your family. As ever Mom"

Katie, Tim, Martin, and Ruth Gerdes-1958

"I am not a fighter, but a lover"

9 October 1958
"I received a letter from mom the other day and she asked me what was wrong with me that she had not received a letter for almost a month. So I made up my mind that I would write tonite no matter what happened...I had boat officer last nite. You see sometimes the ship puts a chief in the boats to ride back and forth so that the drunks don't get into trouble on the way back to the ship. I only had one fight in the boat last nite so I guess I can consider myself lucky. Sometimes the sailors fight all the time. I always tell them that I am not a fighter but a lover...By the way, how are the trees and other plants in the yard? Do they need rain or watering. I don't mean any harm, I am just concerned about my yard. I want it to look nice...I got my certificate for Permanent Appointment to Chief today. The Captain himself presented it to me...Well Darling, I love you very much and I will try my very best to make life worth living for you and the children."

Ruth, in front of the bushes in their yard.

Buss, in front of the bushes in their yard.

 

Pontiac

4 October 1958
"I don't want you to think that I forgot to remember your birthday. I would rather wait till I get back there to give you something...I try every nite [to write] but then I get so sleepy. The other nite I fell asleep in one of the big couches in the chief's quarters...I hope that the children do not give you too much trouble. I know Timmy can be a lot of trouble some of the time but then I guess we were all young at one time or another...Say I was talking about a car the other day. And one of the fellows said that a Pontiac was a pretty good car to have...Say how is everything running around there. I mean the washing machine, stove, and other things. I am certainly glad that I got you that mixer when I did. Believe it or not I still have not gotten that motor fixed by the sparktricians...I guess I told you that we have in the bank now about 600.00. So that old pile is growing up again. We sure did tear it down when we bought the house didn't we? But it was certainly worth it wasn't it?"

Ruth with her 'cowboy'.

769 Del Mar Avenue- 1959

769 Del Mar Avenue-1959

The new Pontiac and house.

Timmy with his bow tie. 1959

Buss, asleep on the couch in the chief's quarters. 1958

Sandra and Timmy with the new Pontiac--1959

 

28 September 1958
"First of all I have received the pictures back from Mom and I have them in my locker...I would like to keep them to look at ever so often...Maybe I should not tell you about this, but I will anyway. One of the fellows aboard ship got a message from the Red Cross yesterday telling him that his little daughter had passed away. She was just three months old. So they sent him back to the States on emergency leave...The Chiefs had a picnic the other day, but I never went as I am not a drinking man. A lot of the chiefs are laughing at me by staying on board as much as I do. Well I respect my family more than they do and that is the reason that I don't go ashore and do the things that they do. I'll have all of that when I get home, won't I?...Anderson has paid all of the money back for the TV that we bought them. I guess his wife is getting big as a barn by now. Aren't you glad that is all over with for you. I hate to see a woman in that condition. As I know what they must go through to have a baby."

Ruth, when she was getting 'big as a barn'. November 1956

 

"Love and Kisses Buss"

20 September 1958
"Received your letter the other day where you had underlined something about an operation on me. Well don't worry Dear, I won't do anything like that if you don't want me to. After all you come first on something like that...Well Mr. Duncan has left the ship and a new man by the name of Barron has taken over...I had tears in my eyes when I bid Duncan goodbye. I guess I am just a sentimental old man. I just can't help it. I hate to see anyone leave the ship and not see them again...I hear by the grapevine that there is a Chief Storekeeper coming to the Ajax from the Naval Training Center there in San Diego. I certainly hope that he is my relief...Maybe I still have a chance. I know how you must feel about it, but honestly dear, I can't do anything about it...How are the children coming along. I sure do miss them. I guess you have them out in the yard most of the time...Love and Kisses Buss."

Sandra with her trike.

Timmy with his bicycle.