September 14, 1942 (Monday)

Ford Island, Pearl Harbor

Confidential dope got around last night that all hell is breaking loose in the Solomons. Four battleships and seven carriers were sighted (along with their supporting forces) headed toward the southern Solomons yesterday forenoon. This Jap force will severely strain, if not break, our foothold there. The boys down at Espiritu Santo must be catching hell — wish I were there, dammit!

Got another letter today from Diane Brodie in New Zealand mailed on April 17! Five months to get here! Must have come by canoe!

Finished Oscar Levant’s “A Smattering of Ignorance.” Very good.