New Guinea
April 17, 1944
Dearest Mom & Dad,
I guess you think your only son is quite a heel about writing and I can’t blame you; but it is terribly hard to write when one is tired, hot and hungry. I have neglected you the last few days and I have started three letters I didn’t finish because I was so tired. I have been flying two missions a day and believe me, I am ready to hit the hay when that is over. I have now about 120 missions and just about three hundred hours but I don’t see a chance on getting home before Xmas. Please don’t get your hopes built too high on one getting back very soon. Since we have so much time they say they need experienced combat pilots. So if they don’t get you one way, they do it another. All the bomber boys do 50 missions and go home and here we are with over twice that much and not a thing in sight. I guess they think we are on a vacation. Oh well, every day that passes is a day closer home. Guess it won’t be long before we are in the thick of it again. That helps the morale but it’s rough on the person. We have been doing lots of dive-bombing and strafing lately and it is lots of fun. Breaks the monotony of regular missions.
Dr. Peters has gone to a malaria school and will be away about three weeks so I doubt if I will see him for a long time.
I had a letter from Thelma yesterday and I was glad to hear from her. She writes very interesting letters. I guess Sarah Lee will be “quite a gal” by the time I get back. As yet, I haven’t received the chain you sent but I am sure I will get it soon. Our mail is very erratic.
I also had a very sweet letter from Lillian Harkins yesterday. I think she may have designs. Sounds like it.
Mom, I didn’t send Dad’s rifle, as it was too much trouble to pack and get thru the censor. I will send him something else when I can.
As for my horse, do whatever you think is best. I do wish you could get my saddle cleaned up so it won’t mold too badly. It is a very comfortable saddle and I like it very much.
Morrison and I flew down to Moresby yesterday to try to find a jacket of mine but no luck. I guess some one latched on to it when I went on leave. Did you know he was a papa? He has a little boy. His wife lives in St. Louis.
By the way, Mom, I know Major Bong, the ace from over here. I knew him when he had only nine Nips. He has been in our alert shack lots and vice versa. He is a swell fellow. I knew all the aces from over here, Craig, Lynch, etc.
Well, Mom, I am out of news for the present so maybe I had better stop.
Give my regards to everyone and don’t fail to write as you always do. You are very faithful to me. Don’t worry about me and I love you very much.
Love,
Son