9-13-44
New Guinea
Dearest Mother, Dad, & Velma;
I am enclosing a picture that a factory representative made for me. It turned out to be a nice picture so here it is. I’ll have him make some more tomorrow with my mug in it. Hope you like this picture.
Enjoyed your last letter very much and was glad to hear from Dad. He seems very thrilled about the prospective trap shoot. I don’t blame him a bit – just wish I were there to shoot with him. My one big desire is to beat him at the traps. We have a trap set up here but we are always too busy flying – besides we shoot skeet only. That’s more fun. Tell Dad to start shooting skeet.
Mom, I am just about out of this air mail stationery so how about some more?
We are having another squadron party tonight and it is raining hard now so it will be a rather muddy affair. But, anyway, we will have lots of fun. I think we will be going up the line sooner than we figured but the Army always changes its mind so one never knows. My flight seems to be as good as and in some respects better than the others and I hope it will continue that way. The sooner they get in shape the sooner I get home – I hope! There is definitely no shortage of pilots so maybe I’ll get home by Valentine. Pray that I do.
I am having trouble with my eyes getting inflamed from flying. The Doc doesn’t know what the trouble is so he is taking me to Col. Mayo of the Mayo Clinic. He should know if anyone does. No alarm, tho.
Write often and as for Xmas – anything will do. We can get nearly everything over here. How about a nice picture of you & Dad.
Love,
Son
