Friday Oct. 6, 1944

Dearest Kitten:

By the time that you receive this letter, you should have received the much promised package. I am going to tell you what it contained so that you will not have thrown anything away that might have been wrapped up. There is three rings - one for you, Bobby & Barby. If they are too small, have Roland ream out the centers. There is three bracelets. The plain one is for Mother. Tell her to have it engraved for me as it takes so d---- long to have it done over here.

Anytime that you want to polish the rings or bracelets, take some dry tooth powder on a dry rag and rub briskly. It is surprising the things that we find that we can use for different things over here. I hope that you like the bracelets.

Yesterday I received your mother’s package and last night I enjoyed a big bowl of mushroom soup. Was it good tasting too. While eating last night my thoughts were of you and all the little things that you used to do for me. This separation has made me appreciate you more than ever. I miss all the little favors that you used to do for me and that I used to take for granted. Maybe the time will come again when I will start to take things for granted. When I do get that way, just let me know and I may keep from getting that way.

Hmm - teasing me huh? You should be careful not to arouse my sex urge or your husband is liable to jump a plane and go home to his Darling wife. How would you like that? Some of my sergeants have made copies of your little item and are having a good time with it.

One of my men wrote and told his girlfriend back home all about his love affair with an Aussie. She wrote back asking what the Aussie girl had that she didn’t. The answer was very simple - Nothing only she has it over here. Not a bad joke huh?

A nice brunette like you is more appealing to me than any blonde that I have seen so far, and I have seen a lot of blondes. You have nothing to worry about.

You certainly are doing O.K. with your diet. What do you mean that you will not [care?] how much you weigh when or after I return? Don’t you want to hang onto me?

What do you insinuate, that Bobby is like me because I can not take it and neither can he? If he can not understand women, then I can agree that he is like me. I hope that Bobby & Barby always do get along well together. Naturally they are bound to have their little spats. It is only a human trait to find fault in someone else.

Sweetheart I stopped my bond allotment for the next month as I want to buy some gifts and prices over here are so bad that it is impossible for me to do so on my pay. These Aussies over here see the Americans coming and what a bunch of robbers.

Getting your Xmas shopping done early aren’t you? It is the best thing for you to do anyway. The rush this year will be worse than anything that anyone has seen.

Herman is rather fortunate to be able to stay in the states. Being overseas is no fun in any sense of the word.

As soon as my flowers start blooming, I will send you a picture of myself in front of my garden. Yep, I got some flowers planted out in front of my orderly room.

So you enjoy playing poker now. Did you say that it does not cost much to play. Maybe not for you but as far as I am concerned, it always costs me dough.

Andrew had plenty of opportunities, huh? Too bad that I had not been there - woo-woo what a time I would have had, learning my french I mean.

Wednesday afternoon I went and played eighteen holes of golf all by my lonesome. The sun was nice and warm and the air was nice and clear except when I would miss a shot. Then the air would not be fit to breath. My game was pretty lousy.

Every chance I get, which isn’t too often, I get out in the sun stripped to the waist. It is beginning to show a little. Most of the men in the company are a beautiful brown. Can’t let them get ahead of me too far.

I have not been feeling well for some time and I think that it is serious, in fact I know that it is serious. My heart is missing and I will not feel better until it is returned to me. Without you Sweetheart, I am about as useless as a man without a heart. So take good care of it Beautiful.

Well Sweetheart I have to close. Give my regards to everyone & kiss the babies for me.

I love you my Darling Wife.

Your Loving Devoted & Faithful Husband,

Bob