LETTERS SENT,, 1937-1939 and 1941-1947

Summary: Outgoing letters from Henry Burfeind to his parents document his life and career in the United States Navy. The letters are typewritten in the first three years of correspondence and then mostly handwritten from 1941 on. Burfeind's letters focus on his travels and recreational activities, various personal and financial matters, his political and economic views, and his duties and training activities in each stage of his career. Letters were also sent to his Aunt Maybelle, and an Admiral Pratt. Also included in the papers are two postcards.

In addition to a miscellaneous letter to Mrs. Burfeind, are approximately two dozen letters and telegrams addressed to Henry's parents from January 15, 1942 through May 21, 1942. The correspondence is from family members, friends and local businesses sympathizing with them during Henry's brief missing in action period after the U.S.S. Pillsbury was bombed on December 10, 1941 in Cavite, Philippines. There are also letters that express joy and relief of Henry's return to the United States. A letter from the Asbury Park Press apologized for the over-zealousness of their reporters and expressed hope for Henry's return. An anxious-ridden letter to Mrs. Burfeind from Frances A. Fischer, an attorney, expressed concern about Henry and her missing son, Howard since the sinking of the U.S.S. Pillsbury. She goes on to describe her condition of pleurisy and encourages the Burfeinds to "bear up and keep their strength for Henry's safe return."

Henry described in detail his numerous travels while on and off duty aboard the battleships, U.S.S. California, U.S.S. Pillsbury, and the U.S.S. Mobile. A world map annotated by Henry found in the series BIOGRAPHICAL MATERIAL AND SERVICE RECORD provides the routes taken to various locations including Mexico, the Panama Canal, Guantanamo, Cuba, Hawaii, the Philippine Islands, Hong Kong, Shanghai, China and Japan. He writes of Shanghai "as a city the likes of which cannot be found anywhere." Henry found it most interesting how entire families exist there with a little fish and some rice on small boats. In his September 1945 letters, Henry describes his visit to Nagasaki, which was his first visit to Japan. He states, "I was very disappointed in Japan. I had always imagined Japan to be rather advanced for an oriental country." He goes on to describe the site destroyed by the atomic bomb, providing a sketch of Nagasaki in the letter dated September 29, 1945.

The letters convey the close relationship Henry had with his parents, his interest in their lives, and his dependence on them to manage his financial and personal matters. He often refers to his dad, who was president of the Asbury Park and Ocean Grove Bank as "Chief'. Henry often encouraged him to take a vacation. Throughout the letters Henry makes many financial requests of his dad including the depositing of checks, the replenishment of checks and the purchase of bank stock. Around the holidays he would ask his mother to purchase gifts for family members and friends and send him the bill.

A man ahead of his time, Henry expressed his insightful economic and political views throughout his letters. In a letter dated October 24, 1945, he provides his view on big business versus small business in the United States. He states, "If business gets bigger it must either control the government or the government must devote it energy to running business." In the same letter he expresses his view regarding race relations stating, "For the Constitution to work to its potential we had better get busy practicing racial tolerance."

Henry also kept his parents abreast of his career activities and struggles with decisions as a Naval Officer. Throughout the correspondence Henry often expressed his mental battles with whether or not he should return to civilian life wondering what he would be good at. In his letter on March 18, 1939 from Guantanamo Bay, Cuba Henry describes his failed attempt to represent one of his men as defense counsel. He states ... "that is what makes the profession of Naval Officer so impossible. One must be letter perfect in so many things." Henry's parents were a continual soundboard for him as he struggled to decide what direction he wanted to take after unsuccessful flight training, then restlessness with sea duty and back again to flight duty. Knowing his parents were not happy about him flying added to his indecisiveness.

In 1941 while in San Francisco and on the battleship U.S.S. Pillsbury in the Philippines, Henry forewarns that his letters may be censored and he may only be able to send cards that say "Hello." In a letter dated October 23, 1941 Henry describes a collision between his ship, the U.S.S. Pillsbury and another battleship, the U.S.S. Peary.

In a letter dated March 26, 1943, Henry expresses fondness for his supervisor, Commander Watson after learning that he would be detached to the East Coast stating, " ... there is no better boss." With regard to his inventions, Henry says, "Commander Watson gave very excellent endorsements on all of my ideas." He also credits Watson for recommending that he receive the "Order of the Purple Heart" award for being wounded on the U.S.S. Pillsbury in the bombings of Cavite, Philippines on December 10, 1941. Henry says nothing of the bombings in his own words. The only matter related to the event that he writes of is his need for a bone graft on his injured "small finger."