Context and Reasoning – Letter Dated Monday Noon (Likely 6 August 1945)
This brief, urgently typed note from Edwin to Melvin is another link in their series of wartime correspondence, specifically focused on coordinating their planned reunion, which we know from earlier letters is expected to take place on Sunday, August 12, 1945.
🧠 Emotional and Situational Reasoning
✈️ 1. Last-Minute Logistics
Edwin is writing under time pressure—he has only 15 minutes before mail pickup—yet still prioritises communication. This reveals:
- The critical importance of their upcoming meeting.
- The deep emotional need to reassure Melvin that he is doing everything possible to prepare.
🏨 2. Accommodation Planning
- Edwin has tried the YMCA, but it was fully booked.
- A woman from the USO recommended the Palace Hotel, which agreed to hold a reservation once Edwin confirms Melvin’s arrival time.
- He plans to make that reservation the next evening when he has liberty (free time).
This shows careful backup planning and how even hotel arrangements during wartime could be tenuous or delayed.
🚫 3. Uncertainty About Sunday Liberty
- Edwin does not yet have liberty for Sunday, but promises to do everything possible to get off duty.
- If not, he’ll leave messages at both the airport and hotel.
- He adds detailed instructions on what Melvin should do if things go wrong, including how to reach him.
This combination of military discipline and romantic urgency characterises so many wartime love stories.
🪖 4. Advice on Uniform and Visibility
- Edwin gently suggests that if Melvin visits him on base, it might be easier for him if Melvin wears his uniform, to avoid awkward questions or delays.
- But, in classic Edwin style, he reassures: “what you wear will not matter, the important thing is seeing you.”
This speaks volumes about the intimacy and vulnerability between them—and also how important discretion may have been, given the social climate of 1945.
🖋️ Full Transcription of Letter – 6 August 1945 (Monday Noon)
In the Office
Monday Noon
Dear Melvin,
Thank you so much for your marvelous letter that I just got before lunch. This is going to be very brief because I have 15 minutes to get it off in before mail pickup.
I went to the Y yesterday and was told that they did not think they would have anything, so I asked a lady in the USO and she recommended the Palace Hotel. Went there and they said they would make a reservation for me as soon as I found out when you were getting in. Have liberty tomorrow night, so will get there then and make a reservation for Sunday.
Do not have liberty this Sunday, but will do everything possible to get off. If I do get off I may not do so in time to meet you at the Airport, so will leave a message for you at the Airport, and another at the hotel.
Be sure to ask at the Airport for any messages, and if anything unexpected occurs and I am not able to leave one, call me at the Office or in the Barracks. If you come to the base, what you wear will not matter, the important thing is seeing you. However, if for any reason I am held on the base your uniform might be better in that it would eliminate the necessity of making explanations, etc.
Thousand and one things (all the same things) that I would like to say but must close right now to get this in the mail.
As always,
Edwin