U.S.S. Ajax AR-6

24 April 1956
"I have written to several other persons already while up here in Long Beach. I called up a man by the name of Diller, he used to be on the Halsey Powell with me...I talked with his wife first, but they are getting a divorce in May...How is the boy making out without his old man? I suppose he doesn't think anything of it...Have a good time there by yourselves..."

U.S.S. Ajax AR-6 Vulcan-Class repair ship

 

"Be Good"

27 February 1956
"First of all I went on down home on Sat. Afternoon...Pop was down town and I just walked in and there sat Mom sewing on Timothy's bed spread. She has it all cut out and the top sewed, but she has to put in the padding yet. Pop has been feeling a little tough again. He has these fainting spells...I still have no more word on my leaving here...I went down to the Chicago Motor Club and asked them for a map and route to take when we go to San Diego...I guess everybody was glad to see you and the boy...If you need more money, just drop me a line and I'll see if I can dig up some more...You can stay there for as long as you so desire. Take in everything that you want to while you can...Get your hair fixed up too."

Timothy and a neighbor girl. Circa 1955.

Timothy circa 1956

 

"U.S. Navy Recruiting Station, Chicago, Illinois"

24 February 1956
"Well I reckon you made the trip OK...I washed the remaining dishes and picked up a few things...I washed the rugs and the bed spread and the remaining diapers that were left in the container...Tonite I expect to iron the shirts and straighten out a few other things...You stay there as long as you want to or until I send for you. Remember you won't be back there for a long time to come. That is if you and the baby are not too much bother for your mother or sister...Did Timothy quit crying when you got settled down on the train? I think he was more scared than anything else...I will keep you informed of any news. That is if I can get some time in between all the Gals that keep running in on me when I am at home."

Note: Buss and Ruth got their long-awaited wish with the birth of Timothy Martin (named after Buss' father Martin) on November 27, 1954. They had been married just over 8 years. 
 

Buss, Ruth, and Timothy--circa 1955

"Honor Student"

4 September 1953
"Well I passed my first test today. There were 40 that took the test and 12 failed it. So I guess all the studying was not in vain...I said a little prayer before I took the test. I believe that is what actually helped me to pass...I guess you are really looking for your old man to come home, aren't you..."

Note: This is the last letter Buss will write to Ruth for 2 1/2 years. It will be 24 February 1956 when we hear from him again when Ruth and their baby boy, Timothy, are on a trip to Baldwin, New York to visit Ruth's mother and sister.

 

2 September 1953
"Boy is it hot here today. But I guess you are hot too. I bet the trailer would be hotter if we had it out in the sun...I sure hope I pass the exam that we are going to have Friday. I have 5 more days of school left here. Boy I can't wait till I get home again...The instructors told us today that we would probably be on Recruiting Duty for three years. That means we should save about $7,000.00 in those three years..."

Buss made mention of a Bendix in his last letter.

 

Graduation Picture

31 August 1953
"Well tomorrow is payday for us. I have $302.00 on the books...I am going to have my picture taken tomorrow. That is the whole class together. It is our graduation picture. I really have been studying here lately. But I don't mind as I am learning something every day...I have my clothes in the Bendix now (10:00 at nite)...Then I will get up at 6:00 in the morning and iron them...I was over to the nite school till about 9:00 tonite. I was typing up a talk that I am going to give over the radio..."

Buss is in the middle, back row.

30 August 1953
"I am listening to Billy Graham at the present time. I am the only one in the barracks this afternoon. I still have to iron my white uniforms...I really have been studying this last week. I can't see going out like the other fellows...I still have to give three (3) speeches before I graduate. I have the title of one of them as, Marine Corps Navy Publicity Bureau (NRB)...So your going to Great Lakes, you want to watch yourself as there are a lot of sailors up there...Are you eating enough? Don't say yes as I know that you aren't. You better eat some potatoes..."

Buss and Ruth circa 1946