Sept 27, 1944
I think!
Somewhere
Dearest Mother, Dad, & Velma;
Here I am again way up in the battle zone. We didn’t stay as long as we figured down below but truthfully, I had rather be up here because the time passes so much quicker. The main trouble with war is it is so monotonous. We are on a small island again and it has a terrific jungle. A real steaming jungle. Our camp area is hacked out of the under growth and we use the limbs we cut to build the tent frames. We cover the floor with coral which is very similar to caliche back home. I am living with Frost, Harding, and Turner. All from the 340. They came over with me. Frost is the only one that came overseas with me. We didn’t have a bit of trouble moving and we all got here in one piece.
Lytle, Myers, and Pressby went home yesterday. Back to the States! Nearly all the old boys in the 340 are going home very soon. They are grounded & are waiting for their orders. Hnatio, Wiecke, Bennett, Setzer, and all the old ones, but Allen, Dowsett, Fischer, Barber, & Roberts will stay for about three more months. As for me, I have to stay 3 months after my promotion. I should have it just any day now and it will probably be dated back about a month when I get it, so I figure I should be started on my way around December. I hope! Some of the old boys didn’t get a promotion. I had much rather get a promotion here because after I get home I wouldn’t get one. And, too, if I have to go overseas again, I’ll have a little rank and everything will be better all around. Don’t you agree?
Most of the fellows going home now will have another tour of duty and if I stay a little longer, I may not have to come back. As for the war in the air, it is very mild now and we are able to take care of most any situation. I think if I use my head and play it right, I should see you around Xmas – by the help of God. We may have an exciting time for a short while in the Philippines but I doubt it.
Has Chase called you yet? I hope he has because he can tell you so much.
I had a letter from Carl Anderson yesterday that was one of the nicest I have ever read. Made me blush to read it. Seems like he thinks I am a hero or something but I definitely am not. I am just doing my job like everyone else. It just so happens my job has more glamour than the others.
Please write soon and tell me the latest news. Thanks for the clippings, they really help.
Bye for now and tell Dad to write.
Love,
Son
P.S. I went over Rabaul several days ago – Quite a place! Just sight-seeing.