September 18, 1942 - Working in Different Hospital Ward

Friday Evening

Dear Mom + Dad,

I’m in again! Tonight I’m writing you from a different ward. I’ve been transferred to one of the wards that have convalescent patients and is housed in a tent. This letter is being written by the light of a flashlight as we have no lights down here. It is getting cold around here and I’ll have to put my jacket on soon to keep warm. This is really a fine mess.

I almost got out of being up here if it wasn’t for one boy who had to butt in. Came roll call tonight and my name wasn’t called out. I could have then gone back to my outfit as I wasn’t assigned to any duty. One of the boys popped up what about Haring so I had to go up and talk to the sergeant. There was one man out on a 3 day pass so I’m taking his place here. Maybe when he comes back I can get relieved. I sure hope so. I’ll just have to wait and see what develops.

I have just heard that our outfit is scheduled to go on maneuvers the first of October. I think we are going to move out to the real heart of the desert, Freida. If that happens I’ll be really sad. The 64 Medical Battalion is moving out tomorrow and from all reports we are going to take their place. From the looks of things it will be quite awhile before we move out of here.

I’m going to work on a transfer to the ground force of the air corps. You see here is the set up. I’m now passed the cadet exam and am awaiting call. In this status they put on what they call detached service. This is you do work where you stay in this country. I will then probably be transferred to some other outfit that is not a field unit as we are liable for duty at any time. Thus I’m going to try and swing a deal to get into the ground force of the air corps. At least that will help me on my training for the cadets. I don’t know whether I can swing it or not, but I’m going to give it a try. I have to write a letter to my colonel telling why I want the transfer. I’ll get to work on it in the next few days. I really want to get out of this medical corps and the sooner the better. So heres hoping.

I had a nice trip yesterday. I rode through the San Berdardino National Forest just back of Palm Springs. It is really beautiful. You climb from sea level to about 5000 ft. You go from desert into this beautiful green forest with lakes pastures and green trees. It just doesn’t seem possible a few miles could make so much difference - I hitched back from Hemet and had no trouble at all catching rides. I came back to Indio about 9 P.M. and hung around there awhile and then came back to camp.

I’m rather happy that I passed and that the future will get me out of this medical corps. However, I’m more than ever discussed with my outfit. I suppose that is just an aftermath. I’m going to have to quit as this light is going dead. I guess I’ll have to review my writing schedule. See you in tomorrow letter.

Love

Bob

PS. Received your usual Tues. letter today.