Wilfred Elzie Hunter

September 7, 1944

WILFRED HUNTER, fourth son of Mr. and Mrs. Elzie Hunter to enter the armed services, enlisted in the Navy at Jacksonville a few days ago and is awaiting call.

October 19, 1944

WILFRED HUNTER, recently going into the Navy, has been sent to the training center at Great Lakes, Illinois. (Here we were hoping Wilfred would train in Florida.)

December 7, 1944

A letter from Seaman WILFRED HUNTER up at Great Lakes, Illinois. Wilfred said “I am receiving the paper and really do enjoy it as it keeps me up to date on the good old hometown.”

He added “A person does not know how much Florida means to him until he gets in a cold place like this. When the sun shines I can look straight into and it won't hurt your eyes, and there isn't any heat from it at all. The wind, blows all the time. The temperature has been down to 12 below yesterday and a boy from Florida will freeze, as I have almost done a time or two.

I hope to be home about the middle of this month for a few days.” (Yeah, we know Wilfred, Chicago isn't called the "Windy City" for nothing. We'll be looking for you).

December 21, 1944

WILFRED HUNTER, in boot training at Great Lakes, Illinois, has returned to duty after a few days leave here with his parents, Mr. and Mrs. E. A. Hunter at Espanola.

February 15, 1945

And a short letter from WILFRED HUNTER who is now at Norfolk, Va. Wilfred said:

"I received the paper today and surely was glad to get it. Many thanks for sending it. It may be a small paper but there is some mighty important reading in it.

I regret to hear that about the fellows from home. I just got out of the hospital last Tuesday. I had the mumps. I was in for 14 days and glad to get out. There is a slight change in my address." (Thanks, for the compliment on the paper. The encouraging remarks made by you fellows inflates our ego no end.)

March 1, 1945

A letter from WILFRED HUNTER, S/2c, written just before he shoved off to sea. Wilfred writes as follows:

"Well, I am back in snow now and wishing I was in that good old sunshine down there. Are there any of our Bunnell boys around me here? If there are, please send me their address and perhaps I can get to see them when I have a weekend off. I certainly would like to talk to someone from Bunnell.

I am up waiting for a ship now. I think will pick up my ship this afternoon as I am in a standby crew now.

Don't forget to send me the address of anyone I know that is near here.

I just got my ship, so will close for now."

(Well, Wilfred, we don't know of any Bunnell fellows stationed around New York, nor of any sailors making that port, therefore we have no address for you. Sorry. Hope you like your ship and always will have good sailing.)

May 10, 1945

WILFRED HUNTER, member of a naval armed guard crew aboard ship, spent a few days here last weekend with his parents at Espanola. Wilfred just recently shipped out and will return to the same duty.

May 17, 1945

A short note from WILFRED HUNTER, member of a Navy "armed guard" said:

"Well, I can't think of much to say, but I thought I would write to let you know that I certainly appreciate the paper.

I am sorry that I didn't get to see and talk to you while I was at home recently, but time was very short.

From the way thing are going, it may not be long before all of the boys get back and that will be that will be THE day.

As you know, I am not much of a writer so I will only say again many thanks for the paper."

(Wilfred, this column isn't run for writers. It's strictly for any and all guys and gals in service. Keep on sending letters so the other fellows can keep up with you).

November 1, 1945

But here's a letter to us from an Espanola sailor:

“Annapolis, Md.
October 25, 1945.

Dear Mr. Fuller:

I would like for you to send me the paper again, and to the following address: WILFRED E. HUNTER /1c, 557-45-62 (1st Div.), USS Furse, (DD 882), FPO, New York City, this time.

We are up here at Annapolis and for Navy Day. When we leave here, we are supposed to go to China for two years duty, and that I don't like at all.

As you can see, I am aboard a ship again - it is a "tin can.” She is a new ship and was built at Orange, Texas, being commissioned July 10, 1945. I came aboard right after her shakedown cruise.

You can see, of course, she is a new job.
Wilfred Hunter.

December 27, 1945

We extend our thanks to, the following for their nice Christmas greetings: Roland Wilson, USS Wasp at Naples, Italy; Ralph Novak, USS Caratret, in the Pacific; Lee Drazba, with a USA unit in the Philippines; WILFRED HUNTER, USS Furse, in the Atlantic. Also a card from Dell Bradbury in California who did not state whether he is yet in the army or not, but who did say "I am coming to Florida soon."

From Cpl. Vera McCraney in Germany; Pfc. Carroll Leggett, then in White Sulphur Springs, W. Va., in Ashburn General Hospital; and Coast Guardsman Russell Thompson at Atlantic City, N. J. Thanks a million for remembering us.

February 14, 1946

Also a letter from WILFRED HUNTER, who was in Wakayama, Japan, on January 30. Wilfred said that he had received two copies of The Tribune recently, dated Nov. 8 and Nov. 15.

Wilfred adds that "We are south of Tokyo, and arrived here on December 22. It was all right for about a week but the newness has worn off wow and I would like to move on and see the rest of the world."