Tuesday, Sept 28, 1943

Dearest Kitten

Your nice long letter of Friday came this noon. As always I was happy to hear from you. Thanks!

The one thing that I look forward to are your letters. They break the monotony of Army life for me and give me a glimpse of home.

This letter is going to be short because we are going to be very busy tonight. In about twenty minutes we have to have a short arm inspection and then we have to pass in our sheets and pillow cases and draw a rifle. I have to wash some clothes as we are allowed six pieces of laundry a week down here. I send a set of sun tans and a set of fatigues and a bath towel in a barracks bag. That makes six pieces. The rest of my clothes I have to wash myself.

Just got back from passing in my sheets and drawing a rifle. The first three grades do not have to stand short arm so that gives me a little more time.

We were told that the infantry outfit that lives across the road from us were a crack outfit before they got here. Now that they are here you should see who is considered the crack outfit. They have been inquiring how they can get in but they do not know whether they can stand it. They can not understand how we can take so much training and remember it all. They have all been in the army three years or more. The man with the shortest length of service has been in 28 months.

They are all scared of the boats and when ever they get funny, all we have to say is, "wait until we get you in the boats." They quiet down immediately.

You should hear some of the stories that the men tell them about whole companies of men getting drowned and boats starting off and never being heard of again.

We have them hanging on the ropes already. As soon as they start their training on the boats, it will be harder to keep them convinced.

They are forever asking questions especially about all the ratings. They can not understand how there can be so many sergeants and corporals in one company.

Gosh! But I love you Sweetheart. In the morning while watching the beautiful sunrises I always think of you and say a prayer that everything will soon be over.

Do not let anything happen to you Beautiful. If anything should ever happen to you, it would be as if I lost both arms. You mean so much to me that I hate to think of what would happen to me if anything ever happened to you.

I love you, Sweetheart.

Give my regards to everyone & kiss the babies for me

Your Loving, Devoted, & Faithful Husband

Bob