Gramps was a Navy Officer

[Ciceri]

My grandfather was a Navy officer during WWll and after. He died 20 years ago and I just got around to reading his journal. He was stationed in the Philippines and had his own accommodations onshore along with a few other ranking officers. The notes mention Roberto at least 100 times. Roberto was a local young man and Gramp's personal assistant and also lived with him. It's obvious Roberto was more than an assistant based on the affectionate words Gramps used to describe this effeminate man. Roberto was likely a Benny Boy - a sissified young man who pleasured servicemen stationed in Manila and other ports. There's no mention of Roberto beyond Gramp's time in the Philippines so I have no idea what became of him. I'm almost certain he was a surrogate wife for my grandfather's emotional and sexual needs. After the war my grandparents had three kids and rarely spoke of the war. It's doubtful he'd ever admit to having a same-sex relation had I asked him. He was a private guy.

 

[BillyWalrus]

Sometimes what happens in Manila stays in Manila. Not my style but everyone has to walk their own path.

 

[ramoredrake]

sounds like the premise for a reboot of "South Pacific"

 

[mtdan]

great story !

 

[Ciceri]

sounds like the premise for a reboot of "South Pacific"

Brings out the gay in Mitzi Gaynor

 

[Ciceri]

great story !

So many unanswered questions. I wonder if my grandma knew.

 

[liqueur]

So many unanswered questions. I wonder if my grandma knew.

Unless they had a very unusual relationship for the time, I'd bet she didn't.

 

[Ciceri]

Unless they had a very unusual relationship for the time, I'd bet she didn't.

I agree. I doubt she looked at his pics/journals more than once back in the day. I can look at these pics and the frequent mention of Roberto and know there was more to the story but back in the 40s she probably took everything at face value. I'm almost certain that young man was also a sex toy for my gramps