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Has to go to the mess to see what all the boys were complaining about, and finds the food there to be just fine; Lt. Kennedy’s wife borrows a magazine from Recht that is entirely edited by African-Americans. Cannot get interested enough to try and get a higher rate, up to a Y2c. One of his office mates is itching to get his transfer out, and gets out half a day early because Recht covers for him. Hears that the College is going to put on a swing concert, and thinks about going to that; visits with his friend who is now a lawyer at the Camp, with whom Recht went to law school; Lt. Kennedy sees the first African American officer on the base. Most of the restaurants in Williamsburg are declared off limits for servicemen because of the unsanitary condition of the kitchens. One of Recht’s friends from home is assigned to the Pacific theater; talks about Esther’s father’s business; Recht critiques the OPA price minimums. Gets another African-American into their department, as a driver; gives his impressions of the members of Truman’s cabinet that he has read of. Recht cannot totally dedicate himself to dieting, as he likes the mashed potatoes too much. A man who’s been in the Navy 18 months who gets transferred into Recht’s department has been taught to read and write by the Navy since he was drafted; Lt. Kennedy is forced to transfer some men, and picks the ones who went to a show while on duty.

Tells the story of one of the men who was forced to transfer by Lt. Kennedy. Goes to a chorus production that he somewhat enjoys, with mostly African-American singers and songs. Hears about an African-American author who has written a book about Reconstruction. Mentions that one of his friends, whose father just died, had been a doctor in the court of the Czar. Hears that people who have two years service as of December 31, 1945 will be the next group discharged. Is going to listen on the radio to a program about staying friends with the USSR after the end of the War; hears, from Esther, that the government is cracking down on meat restrictions. Is planning to have Esther down in Williamsburg for four weeks, starting early August and ending after Rosh Hashanah; describes the work that he did that day. Sees the movie “Objective Burma;” seems to be missing on of his jumpers. Calls Marilyn Kaemmerle again, to check up on her; wants to a say personal goodbye to her before she graduates; the commissary begins rationing meat to 4 oz. per person per day. Goes reading at the Williamsburg pool, with a lot of College girls there; sees a lot of parents in town for graduation, with only 125 in the class. Gets a call late at night from another person in his department, asking Recht to cover for him since he is in Richmond; on the phone, Recht can hear much mumbling of female voices.

Goes to the graduation exercises at the College of William and Mary; gets to say good-bye to Marilyn Kaemmerle. Is worried that the hard work in Europe is now upon them, since the war itself is over; hears that the Navy discharge age is lowered to 38. Wonders about the marriage of his friend, Blanche, who is living “a rather complex life these days.” Recht’s friend Lew has to go to Portsmouth to get glasses, provided by the Navy; sees the movie “Conflict.” People in his office try to get a frying pan to have eggs in the office; comments about recent articles in a magazine that he subscribes to, dealing with the state of post-war Europe. Discusses a court-martial that a sailor is under for killing a woman in a car crash. Has to buy another white jumper because the laundry messed his up, discusses prices of military clothes. Talks about the array of maps he has on his desk, including one of where American pilots can hit Japan, maps from newspapers, etc. Is able to iron for the first time in some months; describes his fascination with the smell of coffee, even over the drink itself; sees the movie “Those Endearing Young Charms;” reads a Bureau of Naval Personnel memo that describes, humorously, the kind of life that Recht leads.

Reads about the Virginia State Supreme Court upholding a segregation law, as well as a Federal Circuit Court of Appeals case on the same matter; reads reports about what Congress is going to do about conscription after the war ends. Spends an afternoon in Williamsburg, sitting out near the pool and eating toast and jelly, something he never has in camp. Hears a story about Kirsten Flagstad, who may or may not have sung for the Nazis in Berlin; reads a comparison of amount of food available for servicemen each year, 220 lbs, as opposed to civilians, 70lbs. Gives Esther plans for his leave, hopefully a week earlier than expected. Talks about mailing Jello to their friend Ruthie. Tells a story about how he heard a noise late at night, and thought it could be prisoners escaping or some sort of thing, but it turns out to be just a short. Talks about the pet squirrel that they have captured, for which the German prisoners built a cage.

Liberties are 21 hours and 62 hours.; 98 on a spelling test. Rumor that 7,000 women office workers in the District of Columbia have moved from private rooming houses to government dormitories. Describes how life insurance is paid in the event of his death. The new Caruso album got rave reviews morning sky was particularly Wedgwoodian in its blue. Will subscribe to the “Nation” and the “New Republic.” Reading “Philosopher’s Holiday” by Irwin Edman.

Enjoys a trip home to see Esther, for about a week. Has to get to the barber shop to get his hair cut before inspection. Describes his trip back to the base, on a B&O train, sitting next to a girl who seems prudish, but talks to her about her life as a Cornell student. Gives a description of what inspection entails. Lt. Kennedy is getting angry at a sailor for not caring enough, just floating along and waiting to get transferred; hears the newest rules about rerates, saying that everyone must take a general exam as well as a specialist exam; mentions a story from the Pearyscope about a man who was in the Army, discharged, and enlisted in the Navy, and the hardships he has had. Hears a rumor that Peary is to become the only boot training station east of the Mississippi; notices that a Negro office had been transferred. Gets free glasses from the Navy; wants to go see programs in PBK Hall related to the Literature, Folk Music, Politics, etc., of Latin America. Finds out that he is going to be switching jobs with a man whose work Lt. Kennedy does not like. Sees the movie “Thrill of Romance.”

Talks about the income tax for men in the military. Actually describes his reaction to “Thrill of Romance”; hears that Marilyn Kaemmerle has been taken on as an editorial staff worker for the Freedom House, in New York City. Starts at his new job, which carries more responsibility, such as giving special liberties, and also has to teach the new person that is taking his old job. Goes out to dinner at the Capitol; goes and sees a lecture on Colonial Architecture in Latin America at PBK Hall; the Captain of the Camp, Capt. Perry, visits the camp library and is disturbed to find the magazines “PM” and “The New Republic” on the shelves, and that he also does not like having “niggers” in the camp; talks about how he approves of most of the politics of the Southern liberals, but cannot agree with their support of segregation. Hears that a lot of men are being transferred to Yorktown, and that Peary is receiving “Negro replacements”; hears a talk at William and Mary by Dr. William Schurz, of the Department of State, on the future of Inter-American relations. He leaves the most controversial issues, like Argentina and Brazil, out of his discussion; compares the treatment of “Brazilian Negroes” and those in the United States; talks with Dr. Schurz about his inability to speak freely, being a member of the State Department. Receives the “new Negro men” into the department, and begins training them. Gets a large group of civilians starting boot camp in at Peary; reads a quote by Governor Ellis Arnall of Georgia who says that the people of the South do not agree in “social equality with the Negro.” Sees a picture of the ship the Queen Mary in Life; is interested in the OPA and FEPC proceedings in Congress; reflects on the “anti-Negro matters.”

Lt. Kennedy is thinking about having twice monthly office meetings for the men to voice their concerns, as morale has been low the past month. Gets an electric water fountain in the office; writes a letter drunk. Talks about the different qualities of lives the he and some of his friends have, officers, rated men, and nonrated men. Kennedy talks about why his dad was fired from a steel mill: for trying to act independently and not give favor to other steel millers. Sees a copy of the pamphlet “Guide to Officers or Command of Negro Personnel;” reads an article in PM about the Pittsburgh public schools initiating a policy of teaching interracial and intercultural understanding through adult groups. Relates a story of a recently inducted sailor who is trying to get home to see his supposedly sick wife, although things seem odd in his story. There is no longer the “espirit de corps” that categorized the war effort before, but instead it has been replaced with a mere dull routine.

Sees that a lot of the area around the hut is much nicer looking, with flowers, but is not sure if the men or the German prisoners did. Reads a reporter who disagrees with the official remarks that Germany has 75% of its industrial might left; reads an article from Virginius Dabney’s Paper that talks about the “anti-Negro venom spreaders” such as Theodore Bilbo of Mississippi and James Eastland, also of Mississippi. Is reading Agnes Meyer’s “Journey Thru Chaos,” which he find enlightening. The camp librarian is replaced with a new man who has to report directly to the Captain of the Camp. The branch library near the “Negro Barracks” is closed down suddenly. Few sailors are being assigned to the Atlantic fleet, and the Coast Guard is taking over much of that responsibility. Sees a deal for new Foreign Service Officers with the State Department, but the age requirement is 21-30 years old. Lt. Kennedy, and other section chiefs, are getting disgusted with the amount of men being transferred between sections. Gets Kennedy to help him try to transfer a “young Negro here” who is better trained to work in a different department. Many people like being at Camp Peary as opposed to being shipped out to sea; also gives just a general account of what he sees as the current mindset of the Seebees at Peary.