September 12, 1938

Dear Jean:
     How did you make out on your exam at Jamestown? I sure hope you get in O.K. Did you get my letter with the money in all right? I really should send money but I just didn't seem to get to the post office in time.      I was over to see Doug Mamol a couple of days ago but he wasn't home. I think I'll probably go to San Diego next week and look up Van Olst. I still haven't seen Twisty Carelton yet.
     I suppose Earl Kiger was down and will be and living my suit out? He should be back hear the 15th.
     I finally got some more fancy envelopes so I figured I had better send you and Jeanette both one.
How are Paul & Dot? I am still worrying about what to do with old Scotty?
     Is the river very low this year?
     Has Douglas been home lately? I suppose he is kept to busy out this time of  the year. I never have heard from him since I was home last. Maybe after I have been gone for a while I won't write so often either. Do you ever hear from Aunt Mimi on the Hawkins?
     Is La Verne still working at Patterson's? What is Kimmy doing now?
     I was ashore about three times last week and just walked around the "Pike." That's a place just like a carnival. That's about all there is to do if a fellow hasn't got a car to get around in. I heard from Shorty. He said he is still going to come out but don't know just when.
     Well I guess I will close for now.
     Love,
     Donald

Letters to Jean

Hello,
     Welcome to the War Letters to Jean blog. This is dedicated to our grandmother, Jean Stelter (Campbell), a US Navy nurse from Jamestown, North Dakota who very proudly served during World War II.
     When Jean passed away she left a large collection of letters to her grandsons Brent and Dustin. The letters were written during the war by her brothers Donald and Malcolm Campbell, who also served in the Navy. The collection consists of over 800 pages that span 11 years. This year just happens to be the 75th anniversary of the writing of the first letter in the collection. Our intention is to "live blog" each letter as they were written, 75 years in the future. We hope to have the scanned images uploaded for viewing in addition to the transcriptions, and corrections in the comments are welcomed. 
     Please enjoy!
-Dustin