9/1/44
New Guinea (Author's note: Aug. 24 the 348th F.G. moved from Wakde Island to Noemfoor.)
Dearest Mother, Dad, & Velma;
Well, I am back in Guinea after another trip down to Australia. I have another airplane now but I probably will have it about a month. Then I’ll get another as I imagine I will nearly wear this one out training new pilots. I had a pretty nice time down South but I didn’t go down as far as I usually go when I go on leave.
I am a flight leader and it is a real break for me as far as the Army is concerned. My promotion has gone in and it shouldn’t be too long before I am a Captain. I will be making lots of money, too, and I should save quite a bit before I get home. It looks now like I will be here about six months longer if all goes well. I hope I can make it by Xmas, however.
Our new squadron should be one of the best over here. They took the best pilots out of the original outfit to make this new one. I feel pretty good about being one to make it up. My new C.O. is Captain Dunham and I have nothing but praise for him. He is one of the nicest fellows I have ever met. He is just one of the boys and friendly all the time! Not at all like Wiecks – thank goodness!
My assistant is Lt. Russo who hails from New York City and is a mighty fine kid. He is a superb musician so we have a lot in common. He can really play an accordian and piano. His father-in-law manages the Radio City Music Hall Theater. I haven’t met the pilots in my flight but I will start that in the morning.
I haven’t received any mail from you for a long time because they haven’t sent my mail down from up the line. However, one of the pilots is going up tomorrow to pick up all our old mail. I know I will have a lot. I surely hope so.
I am getting along fine so don’t worry about me. I will be here about a month I think, and I will write as often as I possibly can.
Please write as often as you can.
All my love,
Son