<p><span class="deck">Two letters from a Navy lieutenant to his wife tell the story of the last hours of World War II.</span></p>
<p><span class="body">“Shut up!” I blurted out at the voice behind me while I was trying to hear a critical weather report on the <em>U.S.S. Missouri.</em></span></p>
<p>I asked one of the guests to take the helm while I went to check the engine.</p>
<p>Even admirals can swear like old salts.</p>
