Dec. 13, 1944
Philippines (Author's note: On Dec. 12 the 460th F.S. moved from Tacloban to Tanauan, Leyte Island - Philippines)
11:00 A.M.
Dearest Mother & Dad,
Hello! How are you today? I hope you are feeling fine and are in good spirits. I am getting along fine but am still homesick. Major Dunham told me I would definitely be C.O. of this outfit as soon as he leaves. He will probably be out of here in a couple of weeks so that means I will really have a job on my hands and plenty of responsibility. I am sure I can do the job and it will really help to have it on my service record. When I get back I’ll have something other than the run-of-the-mill jobs of the Army. At least, not every pilot overseas has the chance to be C.O. The good thing about it all is the fact that I’ll get home just as soon as I would have ordinarily. What do you think about it?
Frost, who is 22 years old, will be 2nd in command. He is one of my best friends and is a mighty fine fellow.
In the next few days we are changing our camp area to a much nicer place where it will be cleaner and not so much mud. (and close to lots of nurses). We should be much happier and time will go quicker.
How is the weather at home now? Have you had any snow yet? I hope by the time I get home it won’t be so cold. The weather here is very nice if it didn’t rain so much but this is the monsoon season and it surely pours. It would make heavy rains at home seem like dew.
We have the situation pretty well in hand, but the Nips surely use unorthodox methods. I can’t understand them at all.
Well, Mom, I guess this is about all today. I haven’t had any mail in a long time but when I do I’ll get a truck load, I guess. We have had mail once since we have been here. Take good care of yourself and Dad during the winter.
Please write often.
Love,
Son