27 April, 2018
April 1917
Abb Truett left school at Columbia to join the Navy in April 1917, when the United States entered World War 1.
An excerpt from “The Life Story of a lucky Tennessee Sailor that Lived to Retire” by Abb R. Truett:
After the war in 1919, I was honorably discharged from the Navy in New York City I began to look for a job there. There were thousands and thousands of ex-servicemen walking the street doing the same thing I was doing; looking for a job.
Days went into weeks, no job. I was hungry and disgusted. I was down to my last dime. I bought three bananas and went to a water fountain; that was my lunch. Then I was broke.
Then that afternoon an idea came to me. The Navy at City Park Barracks where I was discharged had about ten thousand sailors waiting to be mustered out. I had in my possession a general pass, signed by the Captain of the barracks, which I received long before I was discharged from the Navy. I had been assistant moving picture operator in the barracks. The Navy had two shows a week, so the chief operator and myself had to go
to Times Square twice a week to pick up these shows. The Captain of the barracks issued a general pass to the chief operator and myself. Now I had it made. I went to the Navy Y.М.С.A. on Sand Street in Brooklyn where I had my suitcase checked, took out my Navy uniform, and exchanged my civilian suit into my old uniform. I picked up my general pass and proceeded down Sand Street to the entrance of the Navy barracks where the officer of the day and a Navy guard were on duty. I saluted the officer on duty and showed my pass to the guard at the gate, passed on through and proceeded to the CHOW LINE. That food looked good to me, surpassing any food I ever sat down to. Some of the sailors located an empty bunk for me. I had a good nights sleep and got in the chow line the next morning for breakfast. After filling my craw with hot cakes, scrambled eggs, bacon, hash brown potatoes, and coffee, I was ready for the day. I went to the gate, showed my general pass and was on my way, looking for a job. I kept my uniform on, for in those days, if you were in uniform the two subway systems, the 1.R.T. and B.M.T., then passed uniform service men through the gates free. I did this for about a week,then I joined the Merchant Marines.
Pauline's Letters:
- April 1917
Click to Keep Reading ...An excerpt from “The Life Story of a lucky Tennessee Sailor that Lived to Retire” by Abb R. Truett:
November, 1940, I was ... - June 3rd, 1940 Dear Mae
Click to Keep Reading ...Dear Mae, Read your letter this morning, sure was glad to hear from you. I am having a good time but not as ...
- November 1940
Click to Keep Reading ...An excerpt from “The Life Story of a lucky Tennessee Sailor that Lived to Retire” by Abb R. Truett:
November, 1940, as we ... - July 5th, 1941 Dear Pauline
Gee jack I wish I had more time off while you are out here, so I could be with you more.
Click to Keep Reading ...- August 12, 1941 Dear Pauline
Click to Keep Reading ...Sam’s Birthday is September 15 that will be the code for the date we will arrive in San Diego or any name ...
- August 15, 1941 Dear Pauline
Click to Keep Reading ...I haven’t heard from you since my last 2 letters. You probable haven’t recovered from the shock. As soon as you get your ...
- August 17, 1941 To my Dear Future Sweet Wife
Click to Keep Reading ...I received your letter today as we will be sailing early in the morning for Honolulu. I will tell you how glad I ...
- September 10, 1941 Dear Pauline
Click to Keep Reading ...I will get some time off for Christmas. I told Lieut Lett confidential about us but it was too good to keep secret ...
- September 18, 1941 Dearest Abb
Click to Keep Reading ...Received your letter yesterday, Honey. I sure was glad to hear from your, I missed your letters so much. Just counting the days ...
- September 21, 1941 Dear Pauline
Click to Keep Reading ...I have 1 sister May Russell at Lyle, Brother Henry “The Navy”, Russell, Woody & Day at Turlock Ca. Mother is at Day’s ...
- September 24, 1941 Hello Darling
Click to Keep Reading ...Honey I will try to make you a good wife so we will be happy. Of course we don’t know each others disposition. ...
- September, 29 1941 Dear Abb
Click to Keep Reading ...I received the package Sat. I was excited as a child on Christmas morning, they were lovely. I like to wear beads. And ...
- September, 29 1941 Dear Pauline
Click to Keep Reading ...It will be just like going to heaven when we come in to home port and I can see you. We will never ...
Mom, wife, computer geek, web designer, musician, board member, ski bum, bicyclist, camper, glamper, fishing woman, treasure hunter, bookkeeper, office wizard, blogger, vlogger, foodie, and Pampered Chef Independent Consultant, trekking through life in Jackson Hole, Wyoming
- August 12, 1941 Dear Pauline
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