MAIL BAG - PAGE 47

September 4, 1944 Dear (Bill),

Recieved your letter and was very happy to hear you're getting a leave soon. I'll have my eye open for you so don't disappoint me.
(page 2 - right hand side) You asked for my number - it's Ta 5636. Did you get any thing for me on your last trip? A yo-yo? Honest Check, that's me picture, I wouldn't kid you. Here I am in soem more poses. This one was telen when I was begging for hamburgers.

(page 3 - left hand side) I'll try and be good till I see you. Maybe get another fella to come up with you and then maby Annie could come too, huh? Then Joe would only be absent.

Till I see you then - take care of yourself - have a couple hamburgers on me O.K.? Send me the bill.

Love,

Ginny

LEARNING THE REST OF THE STORY - PAGE 45

After the fray, the Pride and the Campbell headed for Algiers having on board all of the German prisoners. Coming in to dock they found admirals, generals, and panjandrum from Algiers ready to greet them and congratulate them on their bravery and prowess. It turns out the U-boat that they sunk was not just any U-boat, but U-371, the “Mediterranean Ace” who, with their 26 year-old captain, had been responsible for sinking 70,000 tons of Allied shipping.

Here is part of the story from the German perspective unknown until after the returned to Algiers. The first attack by the Pride had badly damaged the U-boat and put it out of commission. They had hit bottom, not cleverly hid out there. There they remained wedged at the bottom of the sea. The had to free themselves by working the one remaining engine and having the crew run from bow to stern. It was then that they were able to surface and set off their torpedoes before surrendering.

The picture is of William Valencheck commemorating the sinking of a sub by painting it on the side of the ship. Later generations of Coast Guardsmen would do much the same thing in their war on drugs. Pictures of snowflakes representing cocaine or marijuana leaves are painted on the side of the ship to mark significant drug busts.

NO REST FOR THE WEARY - PAGE 38

The way to Bizerte was littered with sunken ships. A week was spen there but there was not much sight seeing in this war torn town and the crew was charged having met with its first real taste of war. It would not be its last or its worst.

At the end of the week they were to head back west in a convoy of 107 merchant ships, 12 DEs, a Coast Guard cutter, and the British AA cruiser Delphi. Below is a picture of William in Bizerte.

WHAT TO DO WHEN YOU ARE SAFE - PAGE 37

The USS Pride made it through this first contact with the enemy, a bit shaken up but ready as ever. The rest of the trip to Bizerte was without incident.

We tried asking Dad what they did when not sleeping, eating, or on duty and all he said was, "Not much." Cards seems to have been a large pasttime. But different endevors arise. Apparently William took to drawing. Here are some of the pictures that survive.This is the woman, Frances, that he eventually married.

A LETTER FROM BROTHER STAN - PAGE 19

TO: Wm. Valencheck
c/o Fleet Post Office
N.Y., N.Y.
U.S.S. Pride (DE 323)

FROM: Sgt. Stan Valencheck
Hdq. 6 11th Tank Bn.
10th A.D. A.P.O. 260
Camp Gordon, GA

Hi “Mate”:

You got me waiting Chuck. What’s up, they got you in jail again or what? If you’ve been out Bill, give ‘em lots a hell for me and you both. I only wish I was there with you. Lots a luck fella.

Well, I’m still here at Gordon Bill and things are going same as usual. Taking things easy lately. Playing quite a bit of ball lately but not running around much due to lack of funds. I don’t know why but for some reason about the last three months I’ve always been broke. Before that I had money all the time. But I’ll straighten that (*) out this pay day. Ain’t it?

I just got a letter from “Oh”, you know, one of those long, long ones. Is that the kind you get? I sure enjoy reading them but I don’t know how the hell they can think of so much to write. Makes me and you look sad, aint it? "Oh" said that they haven’t heard from you in a long time either. Bet Mom worries like hell. You know how she is. I got a swell package from Nell too. Remember how we used to argue with them? Especially you! Now I miss them, don’t you? I even miss you, you (*). Aint it?

One of my buddies was telling me today that they’re now selling old G. I. Motorcycles from 30 to 50 bucks. We don’t have them in our division anymore so they’re selling them. The M.P.’s are the only ones that have them now. If I get a chance I’m gonna get one. Some of them are still in pretty good shape. I used to ride the (*) out of them before. If I get one I’ll take it home and on furlough with me. Make good time that way. I’m not sure yet but I think I’ll get a leave next month. Or in May. I’ll let you know for sure. Hope you can get home at the same time. Think there’s any chance?

Boy the weather down here has really been swell for the past four weeks or so. Up until Sunday anyhow. The sun’s still out. The company went out into the field Mon, but I got a break. I’m staying in garrison as Sgt. of the Guard till they get back which will be about Weds. Boy, we sure spend a lot a time in the field since we've been here at Gordon. We were out for three days last weeks on a big problem. Our platoon fired real H.E. and smoke ammunition over attacking troops. It’s pretty much fun firing the mortar. You ever seen it fired? In the past two weeks I fired 14 rds. of smoke and 10 rds. of H.E. at about 18 bucks a piece. Boy I wish I had all that money.

Well Chuck, guess I’ll be saying so long for now. Hope to hear from you soon. Take it easy.

Your brother,

Stan

FROM VALVES TO VALVES - PAGE 18

This is a press release to the Barberton Herald, the hometown of William Valencheck. The photo credit is U.S. Coast Guard. During his time aboard ship William ran the evaporators mentioned in the last post supplying the ship with salt free water.

From Valves to Valves

Coastguardsman William Valencheck, fireman first class of 393 3rd Street, Barberton, home of Pitcairn Valves is shown operating a valve aboard a destroyer escort convoying supply ships across the Atlantic for the battle of Germany.

THE PRAIRIE SCHOONER - PAGE 7

“The Prairie Schooner” was “An Occasional Log of United States Naval Training School Operating at North Dakota State School of Science, Wahpeton”. It was mailed home to “B-town” with a circle around the paragraph that mentioned Valencheck’s name.

In Volume one, number 24 dated 15 May 1943 it is reported that, “Cooper’s Band Jives for Formal Dance in Gym.”

Our newest company, the 13th, was welcomed aboard at a formal dance held in the gym on Wednesday, May 5. The local gals donned their finest long dresses to come out and jump with this newest group of hep-cats (and some of the old ones).

Bunky Cooper’s band of collegiate musicians from Moorhead State Teacher’s College furnished the jive, and jive it was because they left their music in Moorhead and had to jam most of the pieces to cover the parts they forgot. Maybe I shouldn’t have told you that little secret because most of the rug-cutting jitterbugs didn’t seem to know the difference.

Lt. Comdr. Fender and nearly all the other officers attached to the school were present with their wives to help make this a gala occasion. The dance was sponsored by the local USO with the smiling “Mrs. K” right there to greet her boys. Each departing company pays tribute to the fine work she is doing in making their liberty periods more enjoyable. Dances like this are just another contribution of the USO toward the welfare of the armed forces.

OUT OF THE G. I. CAN:

Big Sailor (Paul): “Thay myster, than you tell me the time?
Little Sailor (Carter): (No response.)
Big Sailor: “Thay, I asked you the tyme.”
Little Sailor: (Still no response.)
So as Big Sailor walked away a bystander asked Little Sailor why he hadn’t answered, his reply being – “Thhink I wanted a punth in the moth?”

Joe Yardbird answered the phone in his Norfolk apartment, He said: “I don’t know. Call the weather bureau,” and hung up.
“Who was that?” asked his wife.
“Some sailor, I guess. He wanted to know if the coast was clear.”

THE SCUTTLEBUTT

It has been noted lately that “Chief Chef” Holtz can cook something other than ham or beef.

That little bird who gives out with the correct dope has it that Gil Landis and Simonton are going to take the long trek on the same day come June: Why not make it the same church and have a race down the aisle?

We’re going to miss the Cook and Baker Strikers in the chow hall. So long mates, keep Tex out of trouble and don’t let Ossie get another “heinie.”

SECTION P

The boys from Section “P” and some of the boys from Section “O” wish to thank all those who made it possible for us to have the new head up in the penthouse of Barracks 1. It’s very convenient for all.

We don’t want to seem unreasonable but the tables that were “extracted” from the recreation hall are getting worn pretty well and we would appreciate a few “new” ones. How about it? Very subtle aren’t we?

Well, the boys of Section “P” are getting along fine and are saying that North Dakota has California beat completely for screwy weather except Seaman Volk who is a native “farmer” of N. Dak.

Everyone was certainly surprised to hear that Coastguardsman Valencheck is attending church supper at Wahpeton next Sunday. I wonder what the attraction could be? Maybe a little something called “Corky.”

Congratulations, Mr. Whitehouse and Mr. Davis, on your promotions as we feel that you both deserve them.

LETTER FROM HOME - PAGE 3

The most impenetrable black out of information was during the time of boot camp in Marblehead and the time immediately after. About the only information from this period comes from a long letter sent to him from his sister N. Part of that letter is reproduced for you here.

Post marked 10 October 1942, Marblehead, OH. Addressed to A. S. William Valencheck.

Wednesday

Hi Brother,

What do you suppose we have in our office?? Cuspidors!! Hundreds of them! They perch bold as you please, one at each desk - - grim reminders of the pre-war days when the B & W offices were the daily workhouse of only those humans who wore trousers. Now we women have invaded the joint, and try as we may, we can’t get rid of these “spit-tunes”. I find “Adolph” at my desk every day. Now I’m resigned to the fact that he’s waiting for his old “boss” to come back - - so I’m not trying to get rid of him anymore. Because I want is old owner to come back from the war some day just like I want you and Stan . . . to come home.

(edited paragraph)

Now - - your last letter was swell. Everybody says so - - even “your sister” Mary from 4th street - -she’s still in on all our family happenings. We’re glad that you’re getting along well at school because we all want you to make good. Especially Dad. Man - - that guy is so proud of you and Stan, he wears a smile on his face every time he talks of you just as if it were a badge of honor. You know, Bill, if you and Stan could understand just how much Dad is counting on you, you’d never let him down for even a minute. And Mom too – She “nags” too much at times but under it all, she wouldn’t trade sons for the world.

And talking of Mom - - Gee, did you make her happy on Mother’s Day! She was so pleased because you remembered her - - and the rest of us were please with you because you pleased her. You’re just proving that we’re right when we think that you’re a pretty swell fellow. The only thing was that your card didn’t come till Monday – Mom didn’t say a word but we knew she was disappointed. (edited) Mom had a nice day – Joe got her the most beautiful bouquet of mixed flowers you ever saw. Tee got her a dress, Oh gave her $5 and so did I. She got a permanent and looks snazzy - -she always did, if you’ll remember, when she took time out to dress up. We still have to give her “hell” every time she goes out of the house, in order to get her to dress up. Mothers!!

(edited paragraph)

The Valve is out on a strike again! Recently the government stepped in and it was decided that the whole shop would get a 9-cent raise. They still haven’t gotten it. Now some guys didn’t pay their union dues and the committee wouldn’t let them in to work; so the Valve fired the committee. Now they’re on strike again for that. Darn it, I hope they make it a darned good one this time and get everything they want. That joint is so stinken in its employee policy they ought to lite a match to it - - it’s own smell would be enough to blow it up!!

Thursday

Just about there the bell rang yesterday and my time wasn’t my own anymore. Was going to finish this at home but did my washing and ironing (aren’t you glad you aren’t a woman?) and by the time that little job was finished it was 11 bells and I was too sleepy to write. So there you are.

Bob Johnson is home again. He must have had a 14-day furlough this time because he’s been home for about 10 days now. Johnny was supposed to be home too but won’t be able to make it till tomorrow so the boys will be together for a while anyway. I wonder if the furloughs mean that they’ll be leaving for overseas soon?? With the good news of the war over in Africa (comes the realization) that things will get even worse now with fighting in Europe and then in Asia with the Japs. We’re all praying that it won’t take long now but we’re afraid things will drag out.

Yesterday Mrs. Heimbaugh was here and she gave us the news that both Art and (?) are going to be fathers soon. My goodness, they still seem like kids, don’t they? The one that’s in Calif., now he is going to have to come home soon because he’s gonna have to go into the army. We saw some pictures that his wife sent form Calif. and now I can understand why you liked the place so much. It’s beautiful. I guess everything is pretty (high) now (though), so outside of the beautiful scenery and nice weather, I don’t suppose people there are any better off than we are. And then we don’t have earthquakes! Oh yeah - - - what about our tornadoes? Oh told you about that - - we never get in on the excitement! I slept through the “slight” earthquakes that shook Barberton.

(edited paragraphs)

We saw Galie Sunday and he told us that he’d be leaving for the service in two weeks. He asked about you boys. I guess he feels left out of things at home . . . he’s anxious to go. I guess most of the boys are because things at home just aren’t like they used to be and the sooner the war’s over (the sooner everyone does his part) the sooner things will be O.K. again.

(edited paragraph)

Do you suppose you might be able to come home next time Stan comes? It would really be wonderful if both you boys could be home at the same time - -we’d really have a family reunion!!

(edited paragraph)

Has Oh told you about how well Tee came out at bowling this year? With their league winnings, tournament money and everything, she won over $35. Pretty good, no? Oh and I haven’t done much bowling but I’m gonna join a league next season again - - or sell my ball.

(edited paragraph)

You know, Bill, I’ll just bet you do get a Petty Officer’s rating. That would be swell. I know a girl whose husband is a P.O. in Norfalls and it’s a stationary position. He’s making pretty good money too! It would be swell if you could get into something like that. But you’d be put into something which would include duty at sea, wouldn’t you? We all love to hear of your schooling and what things are like there - - so make your letters longer and tell us all about it.

Gonna have to close in order to mail this on the way home. I know that I’ll think of lots more to tell you but it will have to wait. Until your next letter then, love from the whole family and lots from me.

N

You remember Mary Bruriski - - Her stepmother died so Mary is home now. And Maine Zadel & Joe Nayeste got married. So did Ann Garbor. And Fran Udovich (DeBevec) is gonna have a baby. Time goes on (and life) war or now war doesn’t it??