Oct. 23, 1944
Dutch East Indies
Dearest Mother, Dad, & Velma;
I have just reread several of your last letters and, believe me, I am certainly homesick. You know, I haven’t been home in such a terribly long time. I wonder how much change has taken place. I also wonder if you will think I have changed very much. This jungle life is bound to have some kind of effect. But, I hope not too much. I am getting to like cold beer, Mom. The water tastes terrible over here and the Gov’t gives us three cans of beer a week. We have an ice box and, believe me, a cold can of beer surely hits the spot after a long hot mission. Don’t get the wrong idea. You can’t get drunk on three cans a week. But, as I say, I am acquiring a taste for it. I’ll bet that ‘cold beer’ reminded you of Florence!
I don’t know how long we will be here but I have an idea it won’t be much longer, if everything goes well.
My promotion hasn’t come thru yet. I am really disgusted. Should have been back a month ago.
From what I hear, I’ll have a very good chance of being stationed at the Abilene Air Base when I get back. Wouldn’t that be nice! That would be too good to be true. But they tell us they station you at the nearest air base to your home that has the same type of aircraft that you fly.
As for Barbara, I’ll make up my mind when I get back. If she is the same as when I left her and if we get along O.K., well, you see, a lot depends – I may want to kick her fanny or I might want to get married. It all depends on how we feel toward each other. Please don’t worry about it. It will work out O.K.
All my love,
Son
P.S. Ship is Sweetwater Swatter!