A loving daughter remembers . . .

 

Envelope Cartoons

By Suesan Alayne Arth

My Dad often decorated his mail home with these cartoons. I have a boatload of neat stuff he kept, including but not limited to letters he wrote home to his mom (my grandma). Many of the drawings portray life on the ship (including getting sick over the side!)

Envelope Cartoons Donald Heiduck humor Kilroy Was Here  WWII War World War Legends info Donald and close friend
Donald Heiduck and a close friend, Rocco, in U.S. Navy, 1944.

Click cartoon image to see a full size view of the envelope

Envelope Cartoons Donald Heiduck humor Kilroy Was Here  WWII War World War Legends info 9 Days in Cleveland
9 Days in Cleveland

From Dad after he had leave back home (apparently did some good partying) and is back at Great Lakes before shipping out, 1945

On a letter to a brother in the Army, with a closing regard to "see him in Tokyo", most probably for a beer! USS Gleaves, 1945
Envelope Cartoons Donald Heiduck humor Kilroy Was Here  WWII War World War Legends info Beer Buddies
Beer Buddies
Envelope Cartoons Donald Heiduck humor Kilroy Was Here  WWII War World War Legends info Cleveland Rail Road
Cleveland Rail Road
With less than a year left, Dad wrote that his new ship would be going to Europe. He had not seen the paymaster and was really unhappy with not much to say. His mom so loved his envelope art that he noted he couldn't mail the letter until he thought of something to draw, hence the Cleveland rail road. USS Sigsbee, 1947
 
Envelope Cartoons Donald Heiduck humor Kilroy Was Here  WWII War World War Legends info drunk
Envelope Cartoons Donald Heiduck humor Kilroy Was Here  WWII War World War Legends info
This cartoon speaks to the lot of a seaman on ship

The plight of the Navy recruit who is seasick, as captioned "making my first by rail !!!." The Navy censors seemed not to have a problem with that military observation!

Envelope Cartoons Donald Heiduck humor Kilroy Was Here  WWII War World War Legends info Over the Rail
Over the Rail
Envelope Cartoons Donald Heiduck humor Kilroy Was Here  WWII War World War Legends info Victory Special
I find it interesting that the notation on the envelope is not only "free" (as it was for all military) but Dad also adds "Fast Air Mail," I wonder if it helped back then!
 
Envelope Cartoons Donald Heiduck humor Kilroy Was Here  WWII War World War Legends infoAt Sea
Envelope Cartoons Donald Heiduck humor Kilroy Was Here  WWII War World War Legends info Going to the Tropics
The enthusiasm for going to the tropics via the U.S. Navy. 1945, Great Lakes, IL
This one was sent while aboard the USS Gyatt in Malta, 1947
Envelope Cartoons Donald Heiduck humor Kilroy Was Here  WWII War World War Legends info New York Bar in Malta
New York Bar in Malta
Envelope Cartoons Donald Heiduck humor Kilroy Was Here  WWII War World War Legends info Pie dreams
Pie Dreams
This cartoon says it all when it comes to how a fella felt on ship when he would really rather be enjoying something else. Dad was in the boiler room as a fireman and didn't enjoy it one bit. USS Gleaves, 1945
Water's for ducks! hic! USS Gyatt, 1947
Envelope Cartoons Donald Heiduck humor Kilroy Was Here  WWII War World War Legends info A sailor's still
A Sailors Still
Envelope Cartoons Donald Heiduck humor Kilroy Was Here  WWII War World War Legends info Valentine
A Valentine for Mom
A Valentine for Mom, from the USS Gyatt, in Taranto, Italy, 1948
A letter from my Navy Dad to his Army brother, who was contemplating leaving the Army. Dad refers to himself as "Regular Navy" until 1948. In his letter he is disgusted with the way the navy treats its enlisted men on the USS Gleaves
Envelope Cartoons Donald Heiduck humor Kilroy Was Here  WWII War World War Legends info Till the taps run dry
Till the Taps Run Dry
Envelope Cartoons Donald Heiduck humor Kilroy Was Here  WWII War World War Legends info Eight Ball
Behind the Eight Ball
In a letter to his Mom, Dad explains that he is awaiting a Captains Mast after having been "AOL" for 23 hours on liberty. He was a bit ahead of his time, eh? USS Gleaves, 1946

Envelope Cartoons Donald Heiduck humor Kilroy Was Here  WWII War World War Legends info


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