Sept. 1, 1943
Dearest Mother and Dad,
I just received your letter of Aug. 21st and since I have a little time I am answering it.
Today has been rather eventful for me. In all my flying I had my first forced landing and I made it O.K. I landed in the edge of a jungle on a cleared out place and didn’t get a scratch. My oil line broke completely in to at only 1,500 ft. I was too low to bail-out or I would have jumped. I knew I had to stay with the ship at that altitude so I rode it in. I was extremely lucky. I stayed there about five hours and since my radio was O.K. I called into the base to send a ship out and pick me up. It so happened that an Aussie camp was nearby and I got a mechanic to fix my ship, the oil line, and I flew out of that place. I imagine since you have read all this that you are scared. Well, please don’t worry because I have been pretty lucky and you can be sure my hasty prayer in those few moments was answered. Everyone in the squadron has been congratulating me on the nice job of getting down in one piece and too of saving the airplane. I’ll admit I was plenty scared but the main thing is I got out O.K.
I guess you see by the reports we are still pretty busy over here. Sure will be glad when it all gets over. I am really tired of this place.
You asked about my pistol holster. Well, I don’t use it because I am afraid I would lose my gun if I ever had to jump. I need to revise the holster. I wear a regular side holster. I have some films in Australia now being developed so when I receive them I’ll send you some. You asked about the food. Well, I haven’t seen any milk since I left Australia and we have bully beef twice a day and pan cakes every morning for breakfast. We have Australian coffee which is worse than terrible and I haven’t seen ice since I got off the boat. Our food is clean but it is very poor.
I haven’t gotten the paper yet. I don’t see why because other fellows get their paper.
Well, Mom, this is all the news today. I will write again tomorrow.
All my love,
Son