There were two letters, datelined “Wednesday” and “Thursday” in an airmail envelope from his parents. The “Wednesday” one says “see how fast a letter” gets here, so presumably it is referring to the envelope that he must have included with the letters. The postmark resembles “MAY 27”. The letter references an ear infection that he apparently had in late May (based on letters not yet scanned) and “Radio School” that seems to have been May/June
May 24 and 25, 1944 (probably)
Wed
Dear Folks,
Well we fired our rifles for record today and I qualified as a marksman and would have been a sharpshooter with 2 more points. Several of the fellows made sharpshooter and expert but also several did worse than I did. Considering my experience with guns and my eyesight I am going to be satisfied.
I am sending some money for you to keep or spend for me. If Richard needs any money use it that way. Otherwise spend it on bonds or a watch.
My rifle is to clean so Goodnight
Love,
Donald
See how quick an airmail letter gets there
Thursday Evening
Hello Folks,
I had hoped to have plenty of time to write tonight but as usual by the time I got everything done time slipped away.
I got a package rounded up to send to you this evening. It is mostly stuff that I had been intending to send for a long time. Just like you find it when it comes to moving, anything that I can’t use or don’t need I might as well get rid of it. I’ll try to explain some of the stuff.
The pants are “X” pants that I got when I was working in the supply room. They are getting so strict on extra stuff that I’d better send them home than have them taken away from me. If Richard can wear them go ahead if not I’ll be able to use them sometime. The towels were all right till I got face towels but since I don’t even use the face towels except for inspections you might as well be using them. The handkerchief is one that’s not GI that I got back from the laundry – hope someone can use it.
I have a G.I. razor & shaving brush and so might as well use them. For sentimental reasons maybe you could keep my razor and brush for me.
The books & glasses don’t need any explanation. If someone can use those frames, go right ahead. I kept the pictures I want to keep & you can keep the rest better than I can.
I thought you might be interested in my birthday cards. Dispose of everything in that bunch except Margaret’s announcements.
You can do whatever you wish with the toilet article apron. The apron served fine but the case I had when on furlough serves so much better and so much easier to take care of. The biggest trouble with the apron was that I was always losing things from it.
Today at radio school we learned about panel work. This is signaling to airplanes by stretching cloth panels on the ground.
I thought of something I’d like you to send me. That is 2 or 3 pr of light wool sox. We have to wear them now that our feet sweat in the hot weather. The g.i. Ones are like cotton ones only they are just a little heavier. They can be either (preferred) od., white or gray. If you can’t find anything like this some of those cotton sox (in these colors) like we used to get for work. I believe they were called Rockford Sox and had red heels. I think these would pass for gi if they were the right color. The advantage of having them look like issue sox is that I can salvage them if they do. Don’t forget the cigar box.
I was on KP till about 10:30 last night so I’m really tired now. It’s time for lights out anyway so good nite.
Love,
Donald
I’m sorry this had to be such a poor excuse for a letter. My ear has been behaving so nicely that I’m about out of the mood for fooling with the clinic anymore. I’ll try to do better about a letter on Sunday.