Serviceman Diary: 1946 US Navy, San Diego, California. San Diego, CA: 1946.
Small diary of military service. The diary measures 4.5 x 6” (18mo), and is bound in maroon leather over flexible boards, stamped in gilt, with full gilt edge. The cover reads “My Life in the Service” with patriotic decoration. This souvenir military diary was published by Consolidated Book Publishers, Inc. in Chicago, IL circa 1939-45. There is a page reading “presented by ___ as a token of appreciation for your service to our country,” that is unmarked, suggesting this may have been some sort of gift. The diary has decorated navy blue and white end papers with Naval (front endpaper) and Army (rear endpaper) insignia, and a black and white frontispiece of President Franklin D. Roosevelt. There are several pages of records or information for the diarist to complete, that have been left unfilled by the previous owner: a title page to be filled in with the diarist's name; a page for a photo of the diarist; identification information; service record; physical record; citations, awards, and decorations; “My Buddies in the Service;” “Officers I Have Met;” “Civilians I Have Met;” “The Folks Back Home;” important dates; gifts; “Places I Have Been;” autographs; first aid; and “My Discharge from the Service.” The book is illustrated throughout in black and red, and many of the diary pages are decorated with small military-themed illustrations or patriotic quotes. The largest section, and the only one completed by the diarist is “Diary of My Life in the Service.” The diarist has completed 28 pages of notes, which end abruptly, but has not provided his name. The diarist enlisted “a few days before [his] 18th birthday” and began his service on January 8th, 1946, with the Navy in Miami, FL. He then had his swearing in at Jacksonville, FL, then went to San Diego, CA for training. He then describes training and his return trip home, arriving back in Miami on March 18th. He is called back for duty shortly thereafter, and returns to Port Hueneme, near San Diego, CA and is assigned to telephone lineman’s school. From there, he largely tells anecdotes about his time living on the port, with girls, pranks, and reckless drivers. Account ends with him still in California, describing his “liberty” or time off base visiting different parts of the state, particularly LA. Identifying information is very scarce. The diarist never gives his name, and he only gives the full name of two of the people he met in the Navy. The book is in overall very good condition. The front free endpaper has many holes in it, but otherwise the pages are in great condition. The diarist’s handwriting varies in legibility, and the ink bleeds often, making it more challenging to read.
Price: $150.00