November 10, 1944 (to Marion Sneen)

November 10, 1944

So. Pacific

Hi Marion –

Back at base camp again at last – gee, is it wonderful to take a shower and get all cleaned up again.

Your letter of the 21st was here waiting when I got back. It must have been delayed somehow because I got your 26th a couple of days ago. Gee, Marion, you’re doing just swell on the writing – keep it up. Benny – the Bn. mail Sgt. even noticed & remarked about it.

I see where our president, & my superior officer, has managed to keep his job for another four year stretch. Oh well, seeing as it’s the people’s choice I guess it must be best, even if I did want to see Dewey have a crack at it. Maybe next time the Republicans will come into their own. In the meantime I hope we see “peace” in all its glory settle over the world. A lot of us lonely soldiers have got to get home soon & catch up on a heap of living.

Oh, I almost forgot, this has been a red-letter day for yours truly. The orders came thru today on my promotion. I’m no long a shavetail, but a full fledged First Louiee. “He wears a pair of silver bars.” are you proud of me, Marion? I’ve been giving out big black cigars all day, and even smoked one myself which is quite an event for me in itself.

Was surprised to hear of you’re chance meeting with Joe Schaper. Yeah, he’s an old friend of mine & the rest of the boys, in fact he’s one of the “Kins”. I’ve been wanting to write him for sometime, but haven’t known his address. I have already written mother for his address. I’ll bet he has a lot of hair-raising experiences to tell of didn’t he talk much about “over there.”

Yes – I feel bad about Lloyd too, Marion. I hope you gals can keep Vic from letting it get her down too much. It’s the first casualty I’ve heard of amongst any of our close friends. Lets pray it’s the last. Sure it’s hard to explain things like that, Marion, but just remember that in time of war nothing seems to make good sense. The only thing to do is have a short memory – forget the past and thnk only of the future. That’s the way we try to live over here, except that here only “today” is important. Do I sound like Aristotle or Plato – OK I’ll change the subject.

Eh gads, the bugs are thick around this Coleman lantern tonight, and too many of the damned things are finding their way down my neck.

Thought: how about a squirt of that new perfume you got for your birthday in one of your letters. It’ll be a teaser I know, but let’s see if I can take it.

Well, Marion, I hate to leave you but 5:30 AM is getting just too close for comfort – big inspection tomorrow too. With all my additional responsibilities now, I have to be “on the ball.” If you’ll just put your hand out now & take this key – I’ll say good night.

Love, Dip