1. In your letters you cannot say you have been in or near Sicily, in the Mediterranean, in Africa, in the Atlantic or Pacific, or simply "roaming" around.
2. You cannot say you were in action. In other words you cannot write home to say you took Sicily or Kiska single-handed or even in good company.
3. You cannot mention the weather, any naval or military operations, ship movements or the movements of troops or air forces.
4. You cannot send any foreign picture postcards, filthy or clean, indicating by picture of caption where you have been - and so it goes far into the night.

But....there are things a sailor can say - Oh this ray of hope in the thickening darkness!!

1. You can say who you are. You can say you were born, if you don't say where or why. You can list the people present at the time, like your mother, etc., if you can remember.
2. You can say that you are well.
3. You can ask if your mother and father are well and still married to each other. You can ask if your children have cut their teeth on each other's throats or whether they are smearing wet, soggy zwieback all over the house; are they off their formula.
4. You can mention John L. Lewis, Wendell Willkie and Mrs. Roosevelt.
5. You can tell your wife, mother, and sweetheart - one or all - that you have been here and there.
6. You can say you are growing fat or thin.
7. You can ask if the old gray cat has had kittens.
8. You can mention the fact that you would not mind seeing a girl.
9. You can write your bank and find out how much you are overdrawn.
10. You can write the Treasury Department for Income Tax forms.
11. You can send kisses if you know how to spell the word and don't use XXXX.
12. You can say hail and farewell without fear of court-martial.

In fact, wasn't it foolish, wasting all that time learning to write?
(The Brooklyn Baron-Foreign Correspondent)

All our recent transferring of men and detaching of officers finally worked itself to a climax. During the past week our Executive Officer, Worthington S. Bitler left us to report to the Twelfth naval District for further orders. Commander Bitler served the early part of the war aboard the USS PENSACOLA and came to the SLC thirteen months ago. An untiring and efficient officer, Commander Bitler devoted himself to the endless tasks and details of his office. The welfare of his men and the reputation of his ship were his scrupulous concern and pride. It was to our honor and benefit to have had an officer of his integrity and stature aboard. And it was with a heavy heart that he lowered himself over the side of the SLC. And it was with him there go our respect and appreciation for his services aboard and our confidence that his abilities will soon grace a higher position.

The choice of a successor was a natural. That the Bureau should see eye to eye with every officer and man and should raise Commander James T. Brewer, our Gunnery Officer, to the executive position, met with universal acclaim. Commander Brewer has been aboard this ship thirty four months and certainly has an understanding of her life, her moods and problems. He wouldn't want us to say more - nor is there need to. Yet no man has assumed this office amid the satisfaction that his appointment has created.

Commander Bitler sent this message back: To Captain, Officers and crew: Good luck; au revoir and God bless you.