Below are the only found letters to Ruthie Moulon from Gary Moody. These letters have been transcribed from the original handwritten letters. Some spelling and grammatical errors have been corrected.
FROM THE U.S.S. DAVIS DD-937
July 19, 1963
Dear Ruth,
I received your letter and picture two days ago. I haven’t had time to write since the ship left Santo Domingo. I don’t have a picture of myself, but I will try to get one soon. We will arrive in Newport, Rhode Island the 24th of July. I wonder what you do to keep busy everyday. I also would like to know what you do for fun. There isn’t much excitement for me when I am away at sea you know.
Yours Truly,
Gary
July 21, 1963
Dear Ruth,
I was surprised today when I got the portrait of you and the newspaper clipping. I didn’t know you and your duck were so famous. I would like to know how long you have had the duck, and what its name is? I am still out on the ocean, but only for a few more days. It sure seems like I have been away a long time. I wonder who drew the picture of you? It sure is a good one.
Yours truly,
Gary
July 27, 1963
Dear Ruth,
There isn’t much happening on the ship today, so I thought I had a good chance to write you. We have been in Newport, Rhode Island four days. It sure feels good to get off the ocean for awhile.
A lot of men on the ship live here in New England, so they have gone home this weekend. My home is in Minnesota which is much too far for me to go for a weekend. However next weekend I plan to go to New York City. It should be fun touring the skyscrapers and seeing interesting places.
I bought a camera the other day, so maybe I will send you a picture of myself. I am going to take a few pictures in New York also.
I will never forget my visit in New Orleans. We sure had a lot of fun there. It was too bad we didn’t meet sooner, so I could know you better. I would like to know, how old you are, and when your birthday is?
That is all I can think of to write, except I am waiting for your letter, and hope you write often.
Yours Truly,
Gary
Tuesday evening
Dear Ruth,
I got the picture of your duck today. Is he ever cute. I’ll bet he is a lot of fun to be with. I wish I could have some pets here on the ship. At home I have too many pets, because I used to be a dairy farmer.
I spent the week end in Newport Y.M.C.A. I thought I needed to get away from the ship awhile. I did have a pretty good time this weekend but it is nice to be back on the ship.
It is so hard to find something interesting to write.
Everyday is just the same. We get up at 6:00 revielle and eat breakfast. At 8:00 we start work and knock off work at 11:30 for dinner. Then we start work again at 1:00 until 4:30. Then some of the sailors “who live close by,” can go home, while the rest of us eat supper and sleep on the ship. Every night at 8:00 p.m. we have a movie here on the ship. I have just left the movie now, and am writing this letter in my bed before I go to sleep.
I don’t know if this letter is very interesting, but it is a bunch of words. “ha ha”
Yours Truly,
Gary
6 August 1963
tuesday evening
Dear Ruth,
I got a letter from you today. I am sorry I haven’t [written] since last week, but I don’t have much to write.
I have been in the Navy since October 1960, and I will have to be here until October 1964. It doesn’t seem like such a long time to me, I only have 14 months left. I have been on this ship the whole time, and I expect to stay here the rest of the time. I am a 3rd class Petty Officer now and I took a test to be advanced to 2nd class Petty Officer today. When I find out if I passed or not, I will receive quite a bit more money every two weeks.
I am glad to hear that you have been enjoying yourself playing the piano and singing. My sister is 9 years old and is just learning to play the piano.
I wonder if you have any brothers or sisters? I have two brothers and a little sister. You still haven’t told me how old you are and when your birthday is, if you don’t think I am getting too personal.
It is getting quite late tonight so I will go to bed now.
Yours Truly,
Gary
Friday evening
Dear Ruth,
I got a post card from you today. I’m sorry I didn’t write last week, but I have been busy too. You won’t get any mail from me next week, because we are getting underway. The Cruise is only five days though, so we will leave Monday and be back Friday.
I also got your letter saying how old you are. Now we are getting to know each other a little better. If you have any questions you want to ask me, I would be glad to tell you anything you want to know.
Yours Truly,
Gary
(Editor’s note: A letter from Ruthie responding to this letter has been found. Apparently, it was never sent to Gary. It was written by Ruthie’s sister, Mary Louise.)
August 15, 1963
Dear Gary,
How are you feeling right now? I hope just fine right now. As for me, I am getting along just fine right now. I am writing to let you know that I received your letter today and was very glad to hear from you and to say hello. How is the weather down there. I hope just fine right now. The weather down here is just fine, hot hot as can be. My birthday is January 19 and I will be 30. Well, I am at where my sister work and I got her to answer your letter for me. May God bless you always, and keep well and safe. I hope this letter find you in the very best of health. Take good care of yourself so nothing won’t happen to you. I am glad you got my post card I sent to you. Well, in my next letter I will ask questions but not now. I don’t have too much to say right now, not much new at all. Yes, we can get to know each other more better, but not right [now]. We have to talk to each other and we got to know how we feel about each other, you know what I mean, and be [sure] that you understand what I mean. I will close for tonight til I write again.
Yours truly,
Ruth
12 August 1963
Monday evening
Dear Ruth,
I am out at sea now, and I don’t know when you will get this letter. We left this morning, and we are operating with the same ships that were in New Orleans with us.
We have a pretty rough schedule ahead of us tomorrow. We will have a lot of exercises, and general drills with all departments of the ship. Today I took it pretty easy. I was up most of the night last night, and I am pretty tired today.
I can’t think of anything else to write except I think of you very often.
Gary
Tuesday evening
Dear Ruth,
I hope you don’t have to wait to long for this letter. I wasn’t aboard this weekend. I just took it easy over in town.
I still haven’t gotten a picture of myself. I imagine you are getting rather impatient, so I will try to get one soon. I got the picture of you and your duck. I think it is the best one I have of you.
I’m glad the weather is nice in New Orleans. It rains nearly everyday here in Newport.
I watched a movie on the ship today but it was 4 hours long so I didn’t see the whole thing. I wonder if you go to the movies very often, or are you a television fan? My entertainment usually consists of drinking beer and maybe seeing a movie.
I can’t think of anything else to write so I will sign off for now.
Yours Truly,
Gary
P.S. I am 22 years old and my birthday is May 20.
Monday afternoon
Dear Ruth,
I have stayed aboard ship all week. I plan to stay aboard quite a bit from now on so I can save some money.
I received your letter this morning, so I am writing you right away. I imagine you are waiting impatiently for it. I still haven’t gotten a picture of myself, so you will have to wait a little longer.
I didn’t enjoy the cruise very much. The only time I like to go to sea, is when we visit different ports. We were just operating outside of Newport here, and then we came right back here.
I was glad to hear you were cooking. I hope you are eating also, you could stand to put on a few pounds. I hope your duck doesn’t get too big too fast. I wonder how long you plan to keep him?
That’s all I can think of to write. I will try to write more often.
Yours Truly,
Gary
Tuesday evening
10 Sept. 1963
Dear Ruth,
I got your letter this morning. We usually do have very good movies on the ship. Sometimes even the new movies aren’t very interesting though. I am wondering if you got your picture in the paper. It has dropped to 40 degrees here at nights so the weather has been really chilly around here.
I plan to spend next weekend in Hartford, Conneticut with a shipmate of mine, and his family. I’m sure I will have a good time. They live by a lake so maybe I will do some fishing and get some relaxation.
Meanwhile, I only have 13 months left in the Navy. I have almost three years behind me, and it sure makes me feel good to only have one year left.
It is getting quite late tonight so I will sign off. I love to hear from you every week and will write again soon.
Yours Truly,
Gary
Sept. 1963
Friday Morning
Dear Ruth,
I have to try to get a few lines off to you this morning. I have been working nights lately and I just haven’t had a chance.
I got the picture of you and the duck. It sure must be big by now. However I think I like the other picture of you a little better.
The ship is leaving monday morning for Norfolk, Virginia and we will be there for about a week.
Well that is all I have time for now.
Yours truly,
Gary
16 Oct. 1963
Wed. morning
Dear Ruth,
I’m sorry I haven’t written in a long time. We have been out to sea for the past three weeks. We returned to Newport last Friday.
I bought some new uniforms yesterday. I was surprised they cost quite a bit more than before. I get my new pay raise next thursday. I will be getting about $30.00 a month more.
I have been staying aboard quite a bit lately, trying to save some money to go on leave in Dec.
Yours truly,
Gary
Sunday evening
Oct. 27, 1963
Dear Ruth,
Tomorrow morning we are going out to sea for a week. I don’t imagine we will have any mail out there so I am writing now.
The extra money I am getting now sure will come in handy. I am saving to take leave in December for 15 days.
Today, I am going to watch a football game on television. I have been watching professional games every sunday.
We will be underway over Halloween, but I never observe that Holiday anyway.
In your last letter you said you made a blouse and skirt. I wonder if you make a lot of your own clothes, or do you just do it when you have time.
The weather up here is still very nice. It is getting awfully dry though. We haven’t had any rain for some time.
That is all I can think of now. I hope this letter leaves the ship before tomorrow morning.
Yours Truly,
Gary
Sunday evening
Jan. 15, 1964
Dear Ruth,
I am going out to sea tomorrow morning. I heard the weather was going to be very rough while we are out. I hope I don’t get seasick. I almost got sick the last time we were out, but not quite. I hope I will save some money when we are out. I am trying to save $30.00 a payday now.
I have to get to sleep now because I am getting up at 4 o’clock in the morning.
Yours Truly,
Gary
Dear Ruth,
I have been on vacation for a month. I went home to Minnesota November 20th, and I just got back aboard ship. I didn’t do too much at home except work. It was rather disappointing not to be able to be home for Christmas, but I was home for Thanksgiving. It is always nice to see my little sister and brothers. My older brother is out of the Army now. He has a job working for a tree nursery. I was thinking about coming to New Orleans when I was home but I never made it. Maybe I will make it sometime after I am out of the Navy. I only have 10 months left.
You haven’t written me for quite a while. You will have to write and tell me how you celebrated Christmas and New Years. I’m sorry I didn’t even get a card sent to you for Christmas, but like I mentioned before, I just got back to the ship. That isn’t a very good excuse, but it is the only one I have.
I can’t think of anything else to say so I will sign off for now. Thank you for the Christmas card and write again soon.
Yours Truly,
Gary
Friday evening
24 Jan. 1964
Dear Ruth,
I have to wish you a happy birthday a little late. We pulled into port the 16th and I have been trying to get a little rest ever since. I have been studying for my next advancement in rate test. The test will be next month and I don’t have very much time to study. I’m not very good at reading books anyway.
I had the film developed from my camera and they sent it back in slides. I only had one picture of myself and it wasn’t very good so I am not sending it to you. I am going to start taking more pictures now that my camera works good.
I wonder what you did to celebrate your birthday. You must have had fun. It seemed to me that everything was fun in New Orleans. You will have to write me and tell what is going on down there.
Well that is all I can think of to write now. I am waiting to hear from you.
Yours truly,
Gary
tuesday evening
4 Feb. 1964
Dear Ruth,
I’m sorry I’m a little slow in writing but I have been quite busy. I’m sure I did receive all of your letters and pictures. The last one was a little late though, because we were at sea.
We are at sea again now. We have been out here two days and it is just as rough as it was before. It seems as if the same people get seasick everytime.
It was nice to hear you had a good time on your birthday.
Yours Truly,
Gary
Feb.16, 1964
monday eve
Dear Ruth,
I have been quite busy during the last week. The ship is going to Boston next monday.
The weather up here has been quite good lately, but I imagine we will have a storm soon.
Tomorrow is St. Patricks day. They don’t celebrate that day much in New Orleans, but there are a lot of Irish people around here who celebrate it.
In your last card you said you wished I was in New Orleans with you. I hope you don’t wish that too often because I am still in the Navy, and it is impossible for me to leave my ship.
I saw a very good movie today on the ship. I wonder if you have seen any good movies lately.
That is all I have to say now. I expect to hear from you soon.
Yours truly,
Gary
20 Feb. 1964
thursday eve
Dear Ruth,
The Mardi Gras really must have been something to see. I got your letter the other day with your picture and the beads.
Last monday we were supposed to get underway again, but we were unable to because some of the sonar gear didn’t work.
I took the test for advancement in rate. I don’t think I past it because it was a very hard test.
Tomorrow morning I am going to New York City. I have all week end off so I should be able to get quite a bit of rest. I haven’t been to New York City for about a year and a half. I am going to see where the new World’s Fair is going to be.
I can’t think of anything else to say except I’m sorry I take so long to write.
Yours truly,
Gary
March 8. 1964
Sunday afternoon
Dear Ruth,
I received your letter last week. I really enjoy hearing from you. We have been in port now for quite a while. We will stay here for two more weeks, then we will go to Boston Naval Shipyard for three months.
The weather is getting to be much nicer around here now. We sure had a lot of snow storms this winter though. You are lucky you don’t have snow in New Orleans.
I wonder how you are feeling and what you do for excitement.
Yours truly,
22 April 1964
Wed. evening
Dear Ruth,
I had my operation last friday. I will be in the Hospital at least two more weeks for it to heal. They cut out a pretty big piece of my hind end.
I play cards with the other patients and watch television in between taking baths. I have to take three baths a day in real hot water.
The weather is pretty cold and rainy now, so in a way I am glad I don’t have to go outside.
Well I guess that is all I have to say now.
Yours truly,
Gary
tuesday eve
26, May, 1964
I got your letter the other day, and this is the first chance I have had to write.
I am about ready to leave the hospital now. I do not know where I am going though. I don’t think I will go back to my old ship. I don’t want you to write me until I get another address. I will write you as soon as I find out where I am going.
I am glad to hear you are having so much fun with your duck and tell it I said hello.
Yours truly,
Gary
28 Aug 1964
Fri. eve.
Dear Ruth,
I got your letter today. I’m sorry I hadn’t written in a long time. I guess I’m just lazy.
I am in Guantonomo Bay, Cuba now. The weather is very hot and uncomfortable. I was down here before and it hasn’t changed a bit.
I only have 58 more days to do in the Navy. I sure an looking forward to being a civilian again.
We sure don’t get much time off down here. I have stayed aboard for two weeks but I hope to go ashore tomorrow.
I guess I don’t have any thing else to say.
Yours truly,
Gary
Wednesday eve.
9 Sept. 1964
Dear Ruth,
I am still here at Cuba. The ship has about 10 more days down here then we go back to Newport, Rhode Island.
I received your letter yesterday, and the picture of you. I don’t have any pictures of myself, and I probably never will, so I can’t send you one.
Today I have 46 days left to do in the Navy. I am trying to save a little money so I can look for a good job, which might take some time.
The weekend after next we will be in San Juan, Puerto Rico. I am rather looking forward to that because it has been a long time since I was in a foreign port.
Yours truly,
Gary
(Editors note: This is the last found letter during Gary’s stint in the Navy. In his first letter, he mentions trying to get his photograph taken to send to Ruthie. He never manages to take the photo, and in this last letter, he hopelessly gives up on it. During this year, 1964, Gary wrote Ruthie less frequently. He was involved in an accident in which he had surgery on his buttocks, and was uncertain of his future as his military duty was coming to an end. Below, these last three letters pick up over 30 years later.)
May 27, 1995
Dear Miss Ruthie,
I guess I’m just not much of a letter writer. I did get the news clipping of you. Your birthday must have been fun.
We had a mild winter here, but we have had a cold spring. I am playing golf twice a week. I try to go fishing when I have a chance, but have been only once.
Today I am building a dog house. I am tired of having him in the house. The weather is rainy today but I have a lot of inside work to do.
That’s all I can think of to write. I hope I can write more often.
Love,
Gary
July 11, 1996
Dear Ruthy,
Thank you for all the cards you have sent me.
I have been playing golf about 2 months. Our summers are quite short here, so about 2 more months it will start to snow again. I have been playing golf much better this year.
I have a motorcycle now. I ride it to work everyday. The weather looks rainy tomorrow, so I will drive my car.
I have some rasberry bushes in my back yard. I found 2 ripe ones today.
I have only been fishing once this summer. I used to go once a week. I sure would like to have some fresh fish.
Yours truly,
Gary
Oct. 17, 1998
Dear Ruthie,
I heard on the news all about the hurricane, it must have been very wet in N.O. We have had very nice fall weather here. It is going to be colder next week but that is normal.
I haven’t played any golf for quite a while. I suppose I will put my clubs away for the winter tomorrow. Last week my car broke. I had to work on that and my washing machine broke. I am waiting for parts for that.
Today I put my boat away for the winter and tomorrow I will put my motorcycle away.
Yours truly,
Gary