November 26, 1942 – I Really Have a Lot to Be Thankful For

Thanksgiving Day

Dear Mom + Dad,

The mail is sure terrible around here. Your Sunday evening letter finally arrived today. It took less time when I was in California to get to me then here. I advised you to stop air mail as I can’t see where it saves any time. Here I am the closest to home I’ve been since my army career started and my mail takes the longest. It is a sad situation but there is nothing to be done about it. At least I get it and that’s what counts. It should be coming in regularly now as I’ve been situated for two weeks. I’ve heard from most of my friends now so I’m not really complaining.

Today is Thanksgiving Day. It is rather different that any one I’ve ever spent before. It is the first time in years that I haven’t been home for this day. I’m now waiting for mess call and we have a big turkey dinner scheduled so things aren’t so bad. We have the day off but we can’t go anywhere. We didn’t have to get up until 7A.M. this morning and last night we had lights on until 10, and hour later than usual. I’ve been loafing around most of the morning and writing a few letters. It is at least good to have the time to yourself. Of course I’d like to be able to get off and go to town but no can do. I’ll just have to be content with a day of leisure.

I really have a lot to be thankful for. I’m still in this country. I’m starting on something I want to do very much and I’m spared the actual conflict for awhile. I’m darn lucky when I think of what some of the boys are going through on Guadalcanal, Africa, Port Morseby, etc. Sometimes I think I have it tough but those boys are really putting out under actual fire. When I think of that I have a lot to be thankful for. I’m not really so bad off as I could be. I really have nothing to kick about at the present. Of course I’d like to be home but I can’t and that’s all there is to it. Let’s hope that by the time another Thanksgiving rolls around we can all be home eating our turkey.

I’m still trying to figure how I got a ticket for overtime parking in Peekskill and me deep in the heart of Texas. As long as you straightened out my legal difficulty I don’t mind. I can remember when I got a ticket for the same thing and you balled me out. You had better keep quiet now as I’m sitting in the cat’s bird seat. I’ll spare you the trouble of a little lecture I know you couldn’t help it!!!

Sorry to hear brother isn’t well. I hope he snaps out of it soon. He has a tough job ahead of him if he is going through school. I’m going to write to him and Marion very shortly. Tell him to write to me if he gets time.

I guess that’s it on this Thanksgiving Day. I’ll write tomorrow and tell you all about my dinner. Happy Thanksgiving to you.

Love

Bobby

November 25, 1942 - Pilot Classification Received

Wednesday Evening

Dear Mom + Dad,

I’m beginning to get disgusted with the mail. For if you wrote me Sunday I should have had it by today and yet it isn’t here. This is really worse than my mail was in California, it takes longer.

I received my classification today as I expected I was made a pilot. That was what I really wanted. I choose navigator as I was afraid of my physical. So now I’m classified as a pilot and I know where I stand. My next step is Pre Flight School. I don’t know when I’ll move out of here. I imagine it will be on the next shipment which should come up in a few weeks. I don’t mean by that I’ll move too far. I’m fairly certain I’ll move across the road to Kelly Field Pre Flight. That is where a good percentage of the boys from here go. There are a few shipments to other places but by far the majority is across the road. I guess I can count on being in San Antonio for a few months. After that I don’t know where I’ll go for primary training but I can worry about that when it comes.

I haven’t got much more to tell you. I can’t get in the mood to write letters anymore. I guess it is because I don’t have the time. Write me soon. I’ll write again tomorrow.

Love

Bob

P.S. Happy Thanksgiving! I don’t think we’ll even get a day off but I hope so. We won’t’ be able to go anywhere if we do so it doesn’t make much difference.

November 24, 1942 – Another Uneventful Day

Tuesday Evening

Dear Mom + Dad,

Another uneventful day draws to a close. Routine is getting very much the same now. That is the way things get in the army after awhile. I don’t really mind though as I’m marking time now for something I want to do. At least I have something to look forward to that I didn’t before in the medical corps.

I went to the movies today but it was not of pleasure. It seems they still persist in showing me those darn training films. This one dealt with the articles of war and it wasn’t so bad as I had only seen it twice before. I was very lucky as I’ve seem most of them five or six times. Maybe one of these days I will run across one I haven’t seen and if I do I think I’ll die from the shock.

I still have no news as yet of my classification. It should be out by now but it isn’t. I’ll just have to wait for it. Nothing I can do about it. I’ll let you know as soon as I get it.

How do you like the new stationary? It is the first I’ve bought in months. But then I get tired of using the U.S.O. stationary.

I haven’t heard anything yet about a payday. I still have the $25 I sent for in reserve and $11 besides so I’m not too bad off. I image it will come in on a supplementary just after the first of the month. If we should get an open post and I can go to town I may have to dip into my reserve. It is a good thing to have though and I’m not going to use it unless I have to.

That’s it for now, more tomorrow.

Love

Bob

November 23, 1942 - Save Yourself 3 Cents

Monday Afternoon

Dear Mom + Dad,

When I was just beginning to give up hope of hearing from you your letter arrived. I was very glad to hear from you as it seems quite awhile. At the same time I pulled down 4 other letters. It sure is a shame all at once. While on the subject of mail I’d advise you to save yourself 3 cents and write to me via regular mail. As far as I can figure the time by air mail is only a little short than regular mail. That is, not enough to make very much difference. So I’d use regular mail if I were you. I’ve been getting what mail I have from N.Y. in 3 days and your air mail was almost as long. So save yourself 3 cents.

Brother finally moved. Send me his new address and I’ll try and write to them when I have time. If you see them tell them to write me. I guess Bother will have a tough grind for ten weeks. I think it will probably be worth in the long run though. I’m very much in favor of it.

Thank you for developing the pictures. I didn’t really want that many but I can find use for them. I also will appreciate the cigarettes when they come. I can get to the P.X. now but I can still use them. As far as the money belt is concerned. I don’t want one thank you. One of the boys wanted to give me one and I refused it. As far as the radio I mentioned previously forget it for now. I think I will be able to get into town and pick on up myself this week. If I can’t get one in a few weeks I’ll let you know and you can get me one for Christmas. Thanks for the phone number. I don’t think I’ll get to use it but I have it now in case of an emergency.

My stint of K.P. is now finished and it wasn’t so rough. I had an easy job as a waiter and had it very easy. So I’m not complaining. I feel fine tonight and that is very unusual after a day of K.P. as you’re usually dead tired.

My classification hasn’t come out as yet but it won’t be long now. I expect it in the next few days. At least I’m fairly sure I made it safely.

I’m sending you a little booklet which explains my new life. I think it is very good. It will be forthcoming soon.

Darn it anyway they have just changed our address again. Please note the change on the outside. I hope this time it is correct. We were just notified of it.

I guess that’s all for now as I want to answer the rest of my mail.

Love

Bob

November 22, 1942 – The War News Sounds Very Encouraging To Me

Sunday Afternoon

Dear Mom + Dad,

Another day comes and it is a beautiful day after the rain. Every thing has cleared up and the air is fresh and nice. I was waiting for mail call today but as I just found out there is none on Sunday. So I will have to wait another day before I hear from you. This is the first place I’ve ever been that they don’t have mail on Sunday. But then things are a lot different around here than in the army even though it is part of it.

I go on my old bugaboo of K.P. this afternoon at 3 P.M. Your K.P. here lasts for 24 hours. 3 P.M. one day to 3 the next. At least it splits it up and doesn’t make it a long grind. Of course I don’t like the idea of it but then what can you do about it but take it and grin. I haven’t done any K.P. in an awful long time as before I was a corporal and they don’t usually pull K.P. So I’m off again on the old army routine. This classification center is the only place I will have to do it. When I start out in Pre-flight I won’t have to do it. It won’t be so bad I guess.

I haven’t got much further news to add as my life is getting into a routine now that my tests are all over. I just hang around do a little calisthenics + drills, read a little, write a few letters and sleep. At times it gets a little monotonous but I’ve accustomed to that after my stay in the desert.

The war news sounds very encouraging to me. The tide is beginning to turn now. I feel it will be just a question of time before we finally win. I expect it to be one big push too, and maybe this is the start of it. Let’s hope so.

Not much more now. I’ll write later.

Love

Bob

November 21, 1942 – Are you neglecting me?

Saturday Evening

Dear Mom + Dad,

I can(n’t) understand it; another day passes and still no mail from you. I’ve had one letter from you that came on my preliminary notice of my address (AFCC). I have not received one direct with my complete address on it yet. Something is wrong somewhere as I have received mail from Emily in three days via regular mail. I have written faithfully and I know you must have received my address long ago. I have been here now a good week and one half. It is probably getting mixed up somewhere or else you have neglected me. I suppose the next few days will turn up a few letters but right now it has me puzzled. Do you blame me?

I am now seeing my first day of real rain in many a month. The rain is coming down hard and the unusual sight looks good to me even though the weather is miserable. It has been threatening rain for about a week and it has been hot and muggy. Now that the rain has come it is blowing up cold.

We have had a lazy afternoon as we were off. I spent practically the whole afternoon reading the “New Yorker” and relaxing around the barracks. It is the only feasible thing to do on a day like today. I imagine tomorrow will also be a day of rest as it is Sunday and only rarely do we do anything. There is not much for us to do now. We spend a lot of time taking calisthenics and drilling. Also after we receive our classification we are subjected to the bugaboo’s of the army. K.P. and guard duty. A lot of the boys got their classification today. I don’t expect mine to come through until Monday as my rechecks will delay mine. It’s all right by me as the longer I stay unclassified the longer I postponed those duties.

They have opened a new PX right near our squadron and we are now allowed to go over there. I stocked up on hangers this afternoon. I still have several things I want to get but I can take my time accumulating them.

Well I guess that’s it for today. Hope I hear from you soon but undoubtedly I will.

Love

Bob

November 20, 1942 – Officially an Aviation Cadet

Friday Evening

Dear Mom + Dad,

I finally received a letter from you today, the one that was written Sunday evening. 5 days in the air mail, that is pretty sad. It probably was held up here trying to find me as it didn’t have the full address only my preliminary one. I also received one from Emily so I imagine that things will begin to pop with regularity now.

Well I have good news to report. I am now officially an aviation cadet. Yes I passed my recheck today and I slid through. I still don’t know what my classification will be now but I imagine it will be pilot. It took me 4 trials to pass. The Captain I had the last time was the main reason for my passing. He gave me a break and said if I could read the 20/20 line with both eyes instead of the usual one he would pass me. Well I did and he kept his word. I was just so near passing all the time I guess he figured it was safe to wave me through. I was in perfect shape outside of this minor defect. Now I’m a full fledged cadet. I wait now until they classify me according to the results of the test I took. I imagine the classification will come out around Monday. I’m fairly certain it will be that of pilot as that is what they classify the majority of the boys as.

I still can make bombardier or navigator yet. It is very hard to tell but I’m fairly certain it will be pilot.

I’m very happy about the whole thing as I wanted to make it and I have succeeded barring unforeseen incidents. I now have a tough nine months ahead of me but I don’t mind. I feel that I will like it very much especially after I get started. It will also be something that will be of practical use in the future too. If I like aviation enough I will have the best training possible for in later life. I have everything to gain and nothing to lose. It will also postpone my foreign duty for over a year, much better that I could do otherwise. I don’t mind that but if I can avoid it and still be doing a service to my country I’m happy. You see what I mean!

Incidentally things sure look good as far as the war is concerned. This thing may end a lot sooner than I had hoped for.

Well I guess that’s the dope for now. I’m sending this air mail as I know you want to hear my fate. I sure hope it doesn’t take 5 days.

Love

Bob

November 20, 1942 – Early to Rise, Early to Bed

Friday Morning

Dear Mom + Dad,

I didn’t get around to writing last night and I now have a few minutes, here goes. It is now 6:15 in the morning and I’ve already had my breakfast, made my bed and cleaned up. You get up at 5:15 in this darn place and got to bed at night at 9 P.M. Even though you get up early you go to bed early too so it isn’t so bad.

I take my recheck today on my eyes. All the rest of my exams are over. I can’t tell just what is going to happen to me. This morning may clarify the situation and then again it might not. I may get several checks as I’m so close that they may give me a break. It’s hard to tell just what the score will be but I think this morning should clear it up a little.

I rather expected to hear from you by this time but as yet I’ve had no mail except back DEMY mail. I’m not alone as none of the boys that came in with me have received mail direct either. I suppose it will come in due time. Probably the mail will be worse than in California. Oh well it can’t be helped.

You should hear the loud speaker system here. Every morning and evening it plays records for us. It wouldn’t be bad except for the fact they play the same darn records over + over again. Naturally they get a little tiresome.

I miss not having my radio too. If you could pick up a small second hand one for me, I’d pay for it. I’d buy one out here but I don’t get the chance to get out. I want a small one which will be easy to carry and I don’t want to pay very much for it. You see the radio takes an awful beating as you travel around so much. I’d take mine at home except that it is too clumsy. So if you find one for less than $10 buy it and send it to me. You had better wait until I get straighten out though as I may move out of here.

That’s all for now it is about time to fall out.

Love

Bob

November 18, 1942 – Psychological Exam, Belated B'day Wishes,and Mary

Wednesday Eve.

Dear Mom + Dad,

I’m dead tired tonight as I had a rather tough day. I took my psychological exam today and it is a 7 hour exam and believe me it tires you. You have to be mentally awake all the time and it is a strain on you. As a result I feel a bit tired after it all. Of course you can’t tell how you did but I’m not worrying about that, it is the physical that will knock me out.

I had better start out with something that has been on my mind since I received your letter. You know how forgetful I am about dates. Well I never gave my Dad’s birthday a thought I plumb forgot all about it. You can’t realize Dad how sorry I am. It isn’t often that you get a chance to show how much you mean to me and then I go and forget all about one of the chances. Well it is too late now to do anything now. So Dad let me wish you belated returns on the day and express my regrets at having forgotten. Please forgive me!

So Brother is taking up something new. I’m glad for his sake for I hope he can advance himselves. I know he will have a tough time for awhile but it will probably be worth it. Let me know a little more of the details. If he moved maybe I can drop him a line.

Did you know that my girl friend Mary went and got engaged on me. She has been going with this fellow from L. Island for a long time. He was just commissioned a 2nd “license” and was home on furlough not so long ago. Now Mary is wearing an engagement ring. My girls all seem to have a habit of doing things like that. Oh well I guess I can get another one. Mary is a swell kid so I hope she gets a little happiness out of the deal. Next time you see her give her your best. I have to write to her and congratulate her on it.

Incidentally I don’t remember if I asked you for the phone number of home or not. So if I didn’t please send it to me.

Well in a few days I’ll know what my fate is to be. I’m not worried about it and yet I rather hate to get out now. Well I take whatever comes up with no grumbles. At least I tried.

I’m going to quit now as I’m tired I’ll write tomorrow.

Love

Bob

P.S. I hear Jimmy is overseas, see if you can find out anything.

November 17, 1942 – Physical Good Except for Right Eye

Tuesday Afternoon

Dear Mom + Dad,

I received two of your back letters today which were forwarded to me from D.E.M.Y. Along with them came several other and as a result I’m going to let you suffer for tonight and write just a short note so I can get at answering them.

I took my physical today and everything was O.K except for my right eye. I have to go back on Friday to have it checked again. As I told you I was afraid that would be my bad spot. However, the deviation is so little below normal that the doctor who gave me the test thinks I can pass it. So I still have a few days of grace to wait and see. I know that it won’t be any better Friday but I may be able to skim through.

I requested a chance as navigator as their physical requirements is slightly below that of a pilot. However, they have no room in the schools for them right now. I may make it yet so I’m hoping. If I do make navigator I will probably get a furlough with a slight chance of it being permanent until there is room. So let’s hope against hope that I can make it.

I got all new clothes today and it is pretty nice. I got a better grad of stuff than I had before. The garrison here is really swell. It is an officer’s hat with a big silver wing insignia on it. The rest of the stuff is the best of the G.I. issue. So I feel good, it is just like having a new suit.

I heard from Mrs. Gardern today along with Em, Charlie, Mary, a friend of mine in the fifth Field so you see I have a lot to answer. I haven’t received any mail here direct but it will come in a day or so. Will you please excuse me now while I get to answering my other mail? I’ll write more tomorrow.

Love

Bob

November 16, 1942 – Part 1 of Physical Today

Monday Afternoon

Dear Mom + Dad,

Another day of my life as an aviation (cadet) draws to a close and that makes it time for my evening letter home. I took only part of my “64”. Or physical exam today and tomorrow will tell the story. I took only the blood test, urine analysis, x-ray of the chest and last of all a vaccination. Incidentally that is the second one I’ve had since I’ve been in the army. It doesn’t make any difference if you have one or not they give it to you anyway.

Tomorrow will tell the story as to whether I remain an aviation cadet or not. As then I will complete the rest of the exam. It will be then that I will take my eye exam the part that I’m worried about. I’ll write you air mail tomorrow night to let you know how I make out. I don’t care too much really and if I don’t make it I won’t mind too much. As I told you I came in here with the idea of O.C.S. and getting out of the “medics”. I’ve looked at this whole deal optimistically and I ready for whatever comes up. It is rather infectious and I’ve rather fancied the idea of making it but if I can’t all well and good. I have everything to gain and nothing to lose. So tomorrow I will know what is what. Have you got those fingers crossed?

The war news sure looks more encouraging every day. It is about time the army started fighting this war. I only hope that we keep up the good work we have started. Maybe this thing will end soon. At least I sure hope so. – I’ve been thinking a lot about home lately and for no good reason. It has been four months since I was last home and it seems about four years. At least it is nice to look back with pleasant memories. I know I wouldn’t want to be home as things are now as it is my duty to be here. But you can’t help remembering the good times of before and dreaming a little of the future. It is only natural I suppose. So the sooner it is all over the better it will be for all concerned. Enough of this dreaming!

I caught up more or less on my correspondence and now I just have to sit back and wait for it to come in. I haven’t heard from you in quite awhile. Also more of my back mail has been forwarded to me. I image when it does come in I’ll have a heap of it. I’m ready for it though and I should have it in the next few days.

Well that’s all for now. I’ll write again tomorrow.

Love

Bobby

November 15, 1942 – Eye Worries for Physical

Sunday Afternoon

Dear Mom + Dad,

Today has been a rather peaceful day as it is our day of rest. At least they are leaving us alone. I’ve been trying to catch up on my correspondence a little and get off letters to all my friends. I sent out cards with my address but I’m trying to add a little more personal touch. I know a postcard burns me up as it contains very little so I try to do better. I haven’t had the time to do much else up to now.

Tomorrow morning at a quarter of eight I take my physical. I think that I will be messing around a few days taking it. This is the one that worries me because of my eyes. I know that if I get through this one I’ll make it. This is the rough one and the one I flunked before in civilian life. I’m afraid of my eyes and this is one that will bring that out. So keep those fingers cross again for me.

The part that bothers me most is not being able to go to the Px and get stuff. I did manage to get cigarettes and stuff I needed via one of the boys that can go. But I miss running over for a coke or a bar of candy and things like that. Oh well I guess I can stand it. This is the first place I saw where you can’t go to the Px when you’re on restriction.

I’m afraid to get a haircut here as they give you what they call a Kelly Field clip. It is nothing more than a G.I, Hitler, crew, or whatever you want to call it. I just got my hair back from the last one and if I mess up here I don’t want it. If I have to go to Pre Flight I have to have it, but unless I make it I want to keep my hair intact.

I’m sending 2 negatives that I want developed. One is a friend of mine who is now in England. The other is me. If they are any good have a few of me made and ship them to me.

By the way will you send your phone number. I lost it in the shuffle somewhere. I’d like to have it in case of emergency.

I guess that’s all for now. I’ll write tomorrow.

Love

Bob

November 14, 1942 – This Place is Pretty Swell

Saturday Afternoon

Dear Mom + Dad,

I was so darn busy last night that I didn’t get around to writing you. You know I want to write to you as often as possible so in the future I’ll write as near every day as I can. You understand! It seems like an awful long time since I’ve heard from you. In fact I haven’t had any mail in a week for it was one week ago today that I left dear old Camp Young. I guess that has to be expected. I guess I’ll be getting mail in soon as it shouldn’t take quite so long from here.

I still haven’t taken any of my exams as yet. I’m fairly certain I will start on Monday. I take my first and the most important exam then. The “64” or the physical exam. If I get through that I’m set as far as starting out is concerned. I’m in if I pass that two other exams, one to determine which of the three classifications (pilot bombardier + navigator). I’ll be in. The other is to test your coordination and reactions. I’m only worried about the physical the rest I know I can pass. However, I’m willing to take whatever comes up. If I end up in G.D.O. (Ground Duty Only) I’ll still be fairly satisfied. Although there is something about being here that is infectious and you really want to make good. But I’m willing to take anything that the exam brings forth. I know I’m going to be a lot happier in the air corps than I was in the “medics”. If my eyes don’t hold up I go to Sheppard Field, Texas and am assigned from there. I’m going in for O.C.S. if that should happen. Anyway I’m happy about the whole deal come what may.

The course of an aviation cadet has again been lengthen to nine months. I will be here at least 4 1/2 weeks then, if I pass, I go to Pre Flight Ground School and so on up for nine months.

This place is pretty swell. Of course discipline and so forth is a little rough but I don’t mind it. We don’t do an awful lot except attend a few lectures, drill a little and generally mess around. We won’t do anything until we get classified. I imagine most of next week will be taken up by exams. It sure seems good to live in barracks again. I have nice closets, tables to write on, hot showers, beds, sheets, pillows and all the comforts of home. It sure seems good after spending four months in the desert. The only drawback is that we get up too early in the morning. We get up at 5:15A.M. and that is much earlier than I am accustomed too.

My radio is now extinct. I told you I sent it with my barrack bag. Well it came back completely smashed. It was my own fault as I didn’t want to bother to carry it. It was pretty near shot before I left so that’s why I took the chance. I now will get a new second hand one as soon as I get the chance to go to town. I got my five dollars worth out of it so I have no kick coming. Of course I could have preserved it for a short while yet but then I would have had to spend money on it. So I’m not so bad off. There is one in the barracks thus I’m not worried about it.

I now receive the pay of an aviation cadet which is $75 per month. We actually get $105 but they take out $30 for food. You see we are allowed a $1 a day for food but we never see it as it goes right into the mess fund. Incidentally if I should get G.D.O I get my rating as corporal back again in the air corps. In the last three months I’ve been advanced in salary each time. First Pfc $54, Corporal $66, and now AV/C $75. I’ll be a rich man soon.

Well that’s it for now. I’ll try and write tomorrow. Drop me a line as soon as possible.

Love

Bob

November 12, 1942 – Aviation Cadet

Thursday Evening

Dear Mom + Dad,

Well I’m now in the air corps for real and ready to embark on my new career. My address is as follows:

Av./C. Robert E Haring
San Antonio, Air Cadet Center
Cadet Classification Squadron 104
San Antonio, Texas

Of course the Av/C stands for aviation cadet my new title for the time being anyway. I’m here for the express purpose of being classified. I have to take several exams before they decide my fate. As the tests unfold and they go along they lead to 4 different classifications. 1. Pilot 2. Navigator 3. Bombardier 4. Ground Duty. Of course I can’t tell which one of the four I will end up in as only time and the results of the tests will tell. I rather hope it will be pilot but to tell the truth anyone of the four will be all right by me. I’ve accomplished one of my main purposes of getting out of the medics and into the air corps. I made my own bed so from here in I have to lie in. Thus I have no complaints coming.

I’ll probably be here for at least a month. After you’re classified you have to await your appointment as to whatever they classify you. Then to it is very possible that you may stay here. It is just one of those propositions that you can’t tell from one moment to the next. But you can count on pretty near a month anyway. After that God knows what.

I reported in here this morning around 11A.M. I had a very nice time for the 3 nights in San Antonio. It cost me quite a little money but it will be worth it. I’m now confined to the company area and can’t even go over to the PX to buy anything. It sure is going to be sad but I can’t do anything about it. I can get some of the boys that can go to get stuff for me. I have to have a few things like soap, shaving cream but I guess I’ll be able to get them. Incidentally speaking of that how about shipping me a cartoon of Camels for my consumption. I think I’ll be able to use them.

This place is pretty rough. I’m called “Mr” again instead of Corporal. Here’s a few of the things I have to do: Cut square corners, eat with one hand, absolute silence during meals, marched everywhere I go, sit on the edge of the chair I eat off of, and all sorts of things like that. You’ve heard of the treatment a West Point Cadet gets. Well this place is very similar to that. It is going to be a little rough but I guess I can stand it. I’ve been able to take everything the army has thrown at me so far. I probably won’t like it but I’ve learned to stand things like that. I let them creep out every once in a while but I usually do pretty well. So I’ll probably take it out on you every now and then. I really feel pretty good about the whole thing now. I’ll have it rough but I have a chance to learn something and advance myself a little. In the end I know it will all work out to my advantage.

I have swell barracks to sleep in. Tables to write on. Closets for my clothes, and they are pretty swell. They are the nicest barracks I’ve been in since I’ve been in the army. It seems like heaven after coming out of the desert and what I lived in for the past months.

I haven’t received my barracks bags with all my junk in them. They are messed up as far as getting them but I guess they will turn up. I packed my radio in one of them. I bet it won’t be worth much by the time I get it. But I didn’t want to carry (it) myself. It isn’t worth much and I need a new one so I thought I’d take a chance on packing it away. I have just a bare minimum of clothes and I don’t think I’ll get any here, not until I become classified anyway.

Well I guess I’ve told you all the news. If there is anything that isn’t clear write me and ask about it. Write me soon.

Love

Bob

P.S. I’ll try and write as often as possible but I imagine they’ll keep me pretty busy so _____

PS2. You will receive a letter typewritten from me. It is a form and you have to send it out. Take it for what it’s worth.