Sept. 3, 1944
New Guinea
Dearest Mother, Dad, & Velma;
I haven’t been able to write the past two days because I have been very busy getting my flight started. Everything is fine so far. I have a very good airplane. My crew chief seems to be a pretty good fellow. He is quite a bit older than most crew chiefs. In fact, he is old enough to be my father. He is only a PFC and I will be able to get him a promotion pretty soon. He tries very hard to have everything the way I want it and that is what I like.
We have a very good squadron. I like much better than my old one because Capt. Dunham is very friendly and that goes a long way. I have a jeep of my own that I use for my flight. Those new pilots coming over think we are the stuff because we have been in combat so long. Of course, it is very early to say very much about our squadron, but it sure looks good at the present. While we were in Townsville last week we bought lots of good food and sent it up here in a bomber so we are eating very good right now. By the way, we have an A-20 in the squadron that we are fixing up to get food stuffs from Australia. I will learn to fly it in a few days. It should be lots of fun.
I don’t know how long we will be here but I think we may be here two months and maybe more. We are going to do lots of flying and I’ll probably be very tired shortly.
As yet, I haven’t received any mail since I came down here so you know I am very anxious about hearing from you. Please write as often as you can.
I know my mail hasn’t been very regular the past two months but maybe Chase can explain it all to you when he calls you. I hope so.
How is everything at home? How is Dad? I hope he isn’t working too hard and I hope he is finding time for a little recreation. When I get back we will all have a little recreation.
Please try not to worry about me because I am O.K. I will do my best to write every other day, so please try to understand my situation. There is a lot I wish I could tell you but, naturally I can’t . It will have to wait ‘til it is all over.
The war in Europe is really coming to a climax and I hope it will be over soon and I think it will.
Goodnight, Mom, and remember I think of you all the time.
All my love,
Son