March 18, 1944
New Guinea
Dearest Mother, Dad, and Velma;
Hello again! How are you today? I hope you are in a better mood than I am. We have been sitting ground alert all day and haven’t flown a time. Surely does get tiresome, too. They just brought us some sandwiches and peach jam down to settle our appetite and keep us in a good mood. We lost a lot of sleep last night because the Nips wanted to play soldier, so this afternoon I have been doing what the Army calls sacking or sleeping. I wish the Nips would realize that the daytime is the only time to fight this war.
Well, it won’t be too long before I will be going on leave again to Sydney. I am saving my money again so I will have enough to have fun on. They really charge us for staying down there. I pay eight pounds a week for an apartment, which is equivalent to about thirty dollars, but of course everything is furnished. Always have to buy new clothes, too. We take in all the picture shows, stage shows, nightclubs, etc. that are available and of course our money goes like wild fire. But, when you have been away from civilization a long time money doesn’t mean much.
The Red Cross has done a marvelous job over here and I am sorry I haven’t given more to it than I did. They are the ones that will look after you and fix you up more than anyone else. After this war that is one organization I intend to pay back some way or other.
I wonder how ol’ Sweetwater is getting along. Gosh, I’d give anything to get back there and see everyone.
From the sound of the news everyone back there is being drafted. Dad, you had better watch out or you will be in this Army too. I hate to see some of the papas go in but still if we are going to win this business everyone has to do his share. From what I hear lots of people in the States seem to think it is all over but the shouting. Well, my guess is that it is a long way from that stage. In fact, we haven’t begun to fight, yet. That is my own personal opinion and I don’t think I am pessimistic, either. If I get to go home any time in the next few months it will only be for two or three months and I would have to go back again. So you see, it isn’t over yet. I am very tired of everything now and a good leave back to the States would put me back in shape again. If I am given the opportunity of going home for a leave I am going to take it.
I guess I have rattled off enough now so I will stop and write again tomorrow if I have the chance. Our mail situation so far is very bad. I haven’t had any mail since I have been at our new base and believe me, I want some mail.
I just found out that the packages I sent you were never mailed as they had to be censored in front of the base censor so I have it all to do over.
Did you ever receive the package I sent you from Australia? If you did tell what you thought about it. By the way, Mom, you haven’t told me how much I have in the Postal Savings. I wish you would let me know so I can tell how the situation is standing.
‘Bye for now, and here’s hoping that I have some mail waiting for me when I get back to my tent. God Bless you all and write often.
Love,
Son