This is scanned in color because it is written on the back of a letter from his father1also scanned, see the post for April 14 and is more legible in color.
April 29,45 Hello again (this is Jack Benny) I have often thought of this but never actually did it before. But since this is airmail paper and my supply is just a little short, I hope you won’t mind. I feel sure that you will be writing to me today so since I can, I guess it’s only fair that I should write you. In my last letter I mentioned all the mail from you up to the one I am writing on (April 16): I can’t complain too much when write you on the first of the month and before the month is over hear that you received it. Perhaps I might try answering a few of your questions. Daddy wanted to know if stories about prison camps are true. I have never seen any of these that our boys have been in but from what I have seen of the way the Russian prisoners were treated, there is little doubt in my mind about the truth of the stories. There have been scores of times that we have found American Red Cross packages in German hands. They were intended for our boys but never reached them. About sending me sox once in a while. We are usually pretty fortunate in getting clean sox. We trade our dirty pairs for clean ones and they are sent back to be laundered. We generally get changes about twice a week and I try to keep an extra pair in my pocket so that I can do a little laundering for myself once in a while. However, sometimes things slip and it’s a good while before you get a chance. I won’t say not to send a pair occasionally but just to use your own judgement. Mother mentioned how nice it would be to meet someone I knew and if I’ve told you about either one of these just overlook my forgetfulness. I didn’t know either one of these but I have run onto (in this regiment) a boy from Muncie and one from down around Markleville somewhere. You might even recognize the guy’s name from Muncie; I’m pretty sure I do. It is McKenzie and he played on the Burris basketball team. He also went to Ball State and played basketball there. Guess what was just about the first thing he asked me when he heard the word Orestes. Did I know Muff Davis. The other fellow I met in Cannon Company. His dad is a big farmer and he said that he had been to Alex several times for 4H affairs. He also said that his mother was great for home economics stuff so you might have seen her name in the paper. His name was Whistler, Joe Whistler I believe. If it’s possible to find people from that close to home, one might run into anybody. I’m sure glad to hear that you have made a start toward fixing the back part of the house. I’d like to be helping on that deal but since I can’t, I’m just glad that it is being taken care of. It sounds sort of familiar to hear Richard tell about his class getting ready for Senior week. I guess it’s just about as much fun to plan for an occasion like that as the actual thing is. Well I hope things are running along as well as usual back there. I guess summer vacation has started now. God bless you all Your son & brother, Donald Oh yes I got to go to church this morning