wwiilettershome

[wwiilettershome]

2. Sept 43

Dear Mom,

Hope you get this letter before I get home.  I think you should have it anyway.

I don’t know what you have planned already, but I hope it isn’t too much.  I don’t have much time to spend at home, and I really had hope to spend it quietly either cutting grass or working in the garden.(1)

If you want to go out to dinner Sunday it’s O.K. with me, but I thought I’d catch the train in Manchester Monday morning. Leaves Manchester at 4:52 (2) and I thought we could combine trips and see Granny just before I left.

Also, I’d sort of like to go to church at New Rye Sunday afternoon.  For some reason I like that little church (3) better than any I’ve been to. Including all the ones Miss Adams (4) took me to.

I don’t know what you’ve written to Bertie - if anything. She said she was going to write to you as soon as she got back to Conway.(5) But I was sort of figuring she could stay with us too.  If it makes too much work for you, why make up a bed for her and just give ma a blanket or two. I’m not fussy and after sleeping everywhere and anywhere in the army, I could sleep on our front porch and find it comfortable. If she stays at Alene’s, it means I’ll have to see more of Alene than I’d care to.

Steve called up last nite. He’s not sure whether he can get this weekend off or not, but we’re going to meet in Penn Station anyway. I’m taking the 3:00 from Grand Central (6). It’ll arrive in Concord at 10:40 P.M. (7)

See you at Concord Sat. Nite then.

Love, Henry

(1) Uncle Henry was an introvert!  Only probably didn’t have words for it.  Also, I sincerely doubt my great grandmother was going to let her soldier son come home for the first time in over a year and NOT throw a fuss.  Just guessing. I haven’t read that far ahead yet. (2) AM?? Ick!! (3) I looked up current churches in New Rye and sort of get the sense that that church may not be there anymore. (4) No idea who she is or why she’d be taking my great uncle to church. (5) It’s still hard for me to imagine arranging things via long hand letter instead of an email or a phone call . . . the delays and everything. And this was less than a century ago!! (6) Then why are you going to Penn Station? (7) I just googled and it still takes about the same time (at a minimum) to get from NYC to Concord, NH via train.  Amazing.

[wwiilettershome]

August 31

Dear Ma,

Well, to-morrow at this time I’ll be out marching.  We’re going on a night hike.  I’d rather march all night than 1 hour in the afternoon here. It’s nice & cool at night but during the day sometimes it’s wicked. As long as it doesn’t go much over a hundred you don’t feel it.  But when it gets over a hundred & fifteen or so it really gets so you feel it.

One piece of Henry’s advice I don’t follow is in regards to drinking.  Heck if you didn’t drink a lot here you’d fry up to a frazzle. (1) The only thing is you have to be careful.  If you drink cold water when you’re real hot it will knock you right flat. But the officers here teach you how & when to drink. We can’t drink much in the field when we’re real hot. When we do we drink water from our canteens which is lukewarm & has a couple of salt tablets dissolved in it. (2) The officers always carry these and they are on the table for us when we eat. Then at night when I’m free and cool there’s no harm in drinking your fill & I do. Last night I was really thirsty. I drank 2 chocolate milk shakes (3). And 2 of those equal about a quart. We are fortunate in getting a lot of milk here. All the guys here have a big capacity. None of us think anything of eating a pint of ice cream & a package of cookies or drinking down a quart of milk.(4)

Even my army clothes are beginning to get tight. I’ll probably have to have the blouse (coat to you) of my O.D.s loosened up. I positively can’t take a deep breath in it.  It’s a skin fit. It looks good on me thought.

Well, I have to close now. I didn’t get any mail yet but I have it all answered now so that’s a relief. I’ve almost finished 1 pad of paper already.

Oh yes I think I have athlete’s foot. I have a little cracking between 1 of my toes. It may not be that but I got some powder for that anyway. I thought I had it last summer at came but the nurse said no. Well, so long!

Love, Bobbie

P.S. They just came for a detail but I wasn’t bothered because I’m writing. (1) I’m glad my grampa didn’t listen frankly. (2) Prototypical Gatorade (3) Not very hydrating, Grampa!!!  (4) Cuz most of them were doing without for much of the depression and now finally have access to food.  Plus they’re probably burning about a bajillion calories in basic.

[wwiilettershome]

Equipment of a 101st Airborne 502nd PIR infantry officer jumping into Normandy

[wwiilettershome]

August 30

Dear Pop,

Well, I’m enclosing a letter from Ma’s fortune telling friend.  Ma said for you to keep it till she gets there. (1)

I received your box of nuts to-day & thanks very much. They are very good.  I give some of the guys right around my bunk some but I don’t pass them all around because they wouldn’t go far.

I guess I got some oil on this paper.(2) They guys gave been setting oil cans on this desk because we’ve been cleaning our rifles. The army has a few different ideas about cleaning rifles than you taught me but most everything is the same. For one thing we use hot soap (G.I.) and water for bore cleaner. Then I dry patch an oily patch & a dry patch. It really does clean the bore well. This G.I. soap is about 90% lye if you ask me. It will soften shellac out of paint brushes.  

I use P&G (3) laundry soap for my clothes and Ivory for washing myself. I have finally decided that is the best soap for out here. The water is so hard that it is difficult to get suds & Ivory seems to work best.

To-night I was coming back from getting a haircut & I met Lieutenant Stevens. He’s our platoon leader. I grinned at him & he grinned at me. I saluted him & he said “good evening.” Gos, that’s the first time an officer has said anything to me like that. He sure is a swell guy. Some of the officers are sort of huffy you know but not Lieutenant Stevens. He’s just a good egg. He’ll kid you & tell jokes & everything just as if he was one of you. All the guys like him. Of course, he’s strict & works us as hard as anybody. Still you don’t mind working for a good guy. (4)

Well, I’ve got about a million letters to answer so I guess I better close. Thanks again for the nuts.

Love,

Bobbie (1) See previous day’s entry. I posted it separately.

(2) Yes, yes, you did.

(3)Proctor & Gamble - there are a number of laundry soap brands though. Interestingly - P&G was the first sponsor of “soap operas.” (4) Leadership skills we all could learn.

[wwiilettershome]

[wwiilettershome]

This. Is. Amazing.   I’d known based on previous letters that my great grandmother employed the use of a medium/fortune teller (and her ouija board) to prognosticate how my great uncle and grandfather would fare in the war.  This is one of her readings.  As it’s typed, I am not planning to transcribe, but if anyone’s using a screen reader and needs it transcribed please message or comment. 

It also begs so many questions, that I don’t (currently) have the answer for.  How did my great grandmother (whom I’d always seen as a sensible, New England sort) find her and when?   How did this woman advertise her services?  Did anything actually come true in this forecast (Spoiler alert: a lot did not, but did SOME?)

[wwiilettershome]

August 30

Dear Ma,

Well, there isn’t much news. I received your letter dated August 27 to-day. That’s only 3 days.

We received a speech from a major general to-day. In which he said we were fortunate to be in the finest camp in the U.S.A.(1). Also, after basic some of us would go to college & become officers but our ultimate goal was combat & that we might be among those chosen to clean out Japan & invade the Philippines. But as your fortune teller said maybe by the time I’m ready to go over there war will be ended. I’ll have to go to college though if I don’t go over. If I get a furlough after basic I’ll be going to combat if not I’ll be going to college fellows furloughs. (2)

Well it’s lights out now. I’m still feeling fine & really getting tough.

Love,

Bobbie

(1) I don’t know why, but I find it spelled out that way with the periods, adorably quaint and archaic.

(2) This certainly held for my great uncle, who was rather bitter about that fact.

[wwiilettershome]

Sunday Nite

Dear Pop,

Wrote small section of the “community letter” this afternoon. (1)

Cont. Monday

Last nite, as I just got started on this, word came through the grapevine that the O.D. (2) was really inspecting and being quite nasty. So was all ducked our letters and got studying. Ordinarily, they don’t say anything if you are writing letters, but this guy was a new 2nd L. And I guess he was a little scared.  

Had an interesting trip to State Police H.Q. at Trenton this afternoon. We just got back. Had quite a talk with the ballistics expert. (3) That’s dog gone interesting work. They had quite an arsenal of pistols there. Everything from toy guns to a Germ. Mauser (4), which really looks like a weapon.

The trip to Newark was very nice in some respects and sort of boring in others. (Better not repeat to Mom.)

Sat. Morning at Radio City was the only chance I had to talk to Bertie alone, and you can’t very well talk in a theatre. (5) On Sunday, Hedwig (6) had Millie & Carrie (7) and Eleanor Koenig (8) over for dinner. Everything resolved itself to M & C & H. Talking about their trips and Bertie and me not getting a chance to even yawn. But the folks were all swell to us in their own way. Bertie got a lot of swell presents from everyone as you can imagine.

Some silly jerk just decided that we should have gas mask drill on our own time tonight. It makes me sore. We have little enough time as it is and why the hell they don’t let us alone is beyond me. Any dumb jerk that can’t get his mask on in 15 seconds deserves to be gassed anyway.

The grind here is tough, but I think it is the uncertainty of everything plus the futility of it that gets most of us.

As I have said before, the guys here fall into about three rough groupings. 1) This is one bunch that is scared silly to be sent to combat and will do most anything to keep out. [redacted] 2) A bunch of guys who for various reasons would never be any good in combat anyway (I-B’s older fellows) 3) Another bunch of us who are young, active and physically fit who are itchy and want to see some chance for advancing or at least a goal somewhere. So far, we have been offered nothing as a reward for grinding like hell around here. There are some who say “You should be happy to have the opportunity to just study” But I don’t go for that. The only reason I ever studied or ever wanted to study was so I could advance along some lines, then I lose interest. And that is just what is happening to a lot of guys around here.

In spite of the WCTU (9), I agree with you as to drinking as a means of relaxation (10). And as long as it does not interfere with other duties, I think it is O.K. In fact, the army says that a man over 20 who says he never drinks is a misfit. (11) That was one of the questions asked of the O.C.S. (12) group from Croft. Do you drink? Those who hesitated were thrown out immediately. Those who said “Yes” were not quizzed further. Those who said “No” were asked “Why not?”

Once in a while, a few of us go over to the Nassau Tavern (13) for a beer or a high ball. But as is the general case in the army (with privates anyway) the cost is too great. So the drinking is limited.

Thanks very much for the [unclear](14). At the rate I’m going it isn’t going to take too long to finish these up. I like that variety.

As far as money is concerned, I’m O.K. Costs a great deal more here than in camp. About $2.00 (15) weekly for uniforms and laundry. Won’t be able to save quite as much (16).

Well, have to fall out with gas masks now.

Love, Henry

Whatever this was, was neither explained further nor enclosed

I think this means Officer on Duty.

Great Niece who falls asleep listening to true crime podcasts is sitting here like - https://images.app.goo.gl/dXVTJ4Cqbr8U8qUTA

Even pre 1945 there were 16 different kinds of Mauser, more specificity please - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mauser

If only that were still true!! **sigh**

AKA, “Cousin Hattie”

Not 100% sure who they are and they’re not showing up on my extensive family tree, but I kinda recognize the names.

Ugh, again Koenig is a family name but not showing up on my tree. Sigh…

Contextually, I’m going to go with Women’s Christian Temperance Union - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Woman%27s_Christian_Temperance_Union

 “Cheers” says his great niece, lifting her evening glass of Shiraz. (Bear in mind, however, that prohibition was only repealed about 10 years prior, so this was all a bit more debatable at the time.)

I didn’t even try to verify the authenticity of that statement - instead have this fascinating summary of the attitude toward drinking in WWII - https://warontherocks.com/2015/06/a-farewell-to-sobriety-part-two-drinking-during-world-war-ii/

 Officers Candidate School

 I think, this might possibly still exist, maybe? https://www.nassauinn.com/dining/

 I have stared at this for 5 minutes and can’t even figure it out contextually.

$29.75 - according to Business Insider, the average yearly dry cleaning bill is $500, which boils down to $9.62 a week - quite a difference.  But, when you’re stuck in a dorm in 1943, with limited laundry options . . .

Sadly, one thing I did not inherit is the New England parsimony.  I could learn a bit here.

[wwiilettershome]

August 29

Dear Ma,

Well, to-day is Sunday again. I didn’t go to church because I had just started my washing when they called us out to police the company area. Then I didn’t have time to finish my washing before going to church. Any way I have my washing finished now.

We have a new lieutenant for this platoon. Lieutenant Hopper is a 1st Lieutenant now & is taking over the company. Stevens is a much better sort of fellow he may not be quite so much of a soldier but he’s a regular fellow.

Last night I saw “Du Barry Was a Lady” (1).

You know I hate to keep bothering you to send me things but we are allowed to have camera’s here, so if you could send me a camera like that one that’s painted red you know or else that little vest pocket camera of mine (2). I could take some pictures of the place & of myself (3) & send them to you. If you do send me one of these cameras be sure to send me a film in it or with it because it’s awful hard to get them here. It’s easy enough to get them developed but hard to get them. A lot of guys here have cameras and I sure would like one, not a good one, just one I could take some pictures with (4). I could take one of the barracks and maybe some of the scenery.

Boy, I sure do get a lot of mail. I like that part ok. But it takes a lot of time to answer it that’s all. I don’t know if I told you or not but I had a letter from Ralph Towle (5). I also got one from Janet, Compton French (6), Joyce Domlette (7) & some other classmates at P.A. (8) I haven’t heard from Fred Mindt (9) directly yet but that’s because I didn’t write to him till just a little while ago. Can you imagine Joyce wrote & asked me if I knew where Freddie was & she lives only a few houses from him. That’s some-thing. She said Eddie Atwood (10) (he’s in the Marines) was at Oceanside, California. I don’t know where that is though (11). He was in that tumbling with me at P.A. Also he belonged to the ski club (12). My vaccinations took o.k. but it took long enough. I guess the 1st one I had was a good one. Some guys got wicked scabs & sore arms. Mine is just about as big around as a lead pencil and the most trouble it gave me was to itch.

I hear Grace Garrison is going to live at Marblehead. George Johnson’s folks are going to move there too. Maybe George will be able to get a date with her at last. That poor guy he was always trying to go out with her but either he was away or she was away.

It’s quite cool here to-day and most of the guys are going around with field jackets on. Not me though. I feel just comfortable. This army life certainly does make me feel good. The infantry is the branch boy. I really feel sorry for those poor guys who get into some soft place because they don’t gain much from it

Well I can’t think of much else now. I suppose pretty soon you’ll be moving out to Pop. Gee the time just flys here. It seems that one weekend comes & before I know it another one is here.

Love, Bobbie

(1) Musical starring Lucy Ball and Gene Kelly - see other letter. (2) Probably worth noting that my great grandfather - pre-war - was in the photography business and so, yes, my family had a vast assortment of cameras. Interestingly, one of my cousins and I seem to have since picked up the photography bug and both regularly fool around with DSLRs (3) Selfie - 1943 style! (4) I still have two bankers boxes to go through - hope I find some contemporaneous pictures in them. (5) Pretty sure this is him - https://www.taskerfh.com/obituary/4582471 (6) Found him listed on the Minutes of the town of Dunbarton, NH, maybe? https://dunbartonnh.org/offices/Selectmen/Minutes/1998/1998-04-23.html (7) No luck and not sure I transcribed the name right (8) Pembrook Academy - where my Grampa finished high school (9) Nothing (10) no luck even with the Marines hint! :-( (11) It’s near Camp Pendleton, but I have the advantage of the internet (12) Of course there was a ski club, OF COURSE THERE WAS!

[wwiilettershome]

August 28, 1943

Dear Pop,

Well, I can answer your letter now since I have some free time weekends.  We just had rifle inspection & the officer was coming down the line towards me all I heard was “Dirty rifle, what’s your name?”

“Dirty rifle, what’s your name?” I was getting worried. But when he looked at my rifle he said “This rifle’s in good shape.” Also my bayonet passed. The other guys who didn’t pass get T.S. details over the weekend.

Yesterday we took a long hike with full field packs. The temperature was about 114° in the sun. Usually out here it’s so dry your sweat dries right up & you don’t feel wet. But yesterday I was soaked right through my fatigues (1). I could feel the salt baked on my hips in fact. It’s a good thing we eat salt pills (2). Then we pitched our pup tents (3) & marched back (4). One thing I like about these hikes is we usually go along the highway for aways & it seems good to see all the civilian cars.(5) It’s hard to pitch tents here because you hit one of 3 types of ground. Rock, mud baked like brick, or soft fine sand. We had the hard mud to pitch our tent (Dallas & I). The only way you can do it is to make a hole with your pick first then drive the peg in with the side of it. I saw a good picture last night “So proudly we hail” (6) It was all about Bat[aan] and the messes there. Aviation cadets only need 20/30 (7) uncorrected now & if they are corrected to 20/20 with glasses. I just read it in the Camp Roberts dispatch. I just had dinner a little while ago now I’m waiting for mail call. I guess I’ll write letters all the rest of the day. To-night I think I’ll see Du Barry was a lady (8) It’s supposed to be good. You know some of the things they teach us to use? These aren’t a secret or anything. Trench knives, brass knuckles, black jacks (9), and bludgeons. The last named is a short thick club with short spikes all over it & hangs from your wrist by a leather thong. Its’ a wicked weapon for close in fighting. If anyone ever gets touch with you hit him (from a crouched position) with your hand cupped right under the chin. This will probably snap his neck. If not, at the same time you reach out your fingers poke them in his eyes pull him toward you with your fingers in his eye sockets and while your pulling him toward you bring your knee up sharply. After this sequence very few people are alive. Do you wonder I say we learn dirty fighting. That’s only a mild trick. Gosh, I wish the mailman would hurry up. I suppose it would mean that many more letters to answer but I like to get them any way. I answer all my mail.

Well, you say your life is monotonous. Well mine probably will be after so much of this. Well, I just got 5 letters I usually get around that. I got one from Henry giving me heck for worrying ma. Gosh I don’t mean to worry anyone. I’m only telling what I’m doing.

Oh yes, I also got your air-mail envelopes & thanks very much. Love, Bobbie

(1) Here’s a link to what WWII fatigues looked like - https://www.monkeydepot.com/Fatigues_Dragon_US_WWII_USMC_M1941_HBT_p/d3856.htm (2) I’ve put in a footnote before, but it bears repeating, the science behind this has since changed. (3) I know what this is - but just in case - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shelter-half#:~:targetText=Small%20tents%20like%20these%20are,erect%20a%20two%2Dman%20tent. (4) I’m going to assume after breaking down and repacking said tents . . . (5) Unclear whether this construction (which I’ve also noticed in my great uncle’s letters) instead of “it’s good” is a New Hampshire thing or a 1940s thing, but it’s linguistically interesting, regardless. (6) 1943 movie starring Claudette Colbert - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/So_Proudly_We_Hail! And apparently the copyright must’ve expired cuz you can see the full thing here - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KH1gfDOSdhU (7) meaning they can see from 20 feet what a “normal” person can see from 30 feet. (8) 1943 musical with Gene Kelly and Lucille Ball (why haven’t I seen it??!) - Trailer here - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YhgRHQqLSWY (9) A weapon similar to a billy club -  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Baton_(law_enforcement)#Blackjacks_and_saps

[wwiilettershome]

Spoiler Alert!! (Or not - I mean obviously if the men in the letters didn’t survive there wouldn’t be family members now to scan and transcribe the letters) This is who the “Bobbie” in the letters grew to be.  My beloved grandfather, Dr. Robert J. Dowst and his Great Dane, Weaver (something or other something or other ch. Dreamweaver being his full pedigreed name).  I’ve got adult photos of Henry as well - just need to finish going through all the boxes - there are even a bunch of newspaper clippings that my great grandmother meticulously saved (during her life) that chronicle their postwar life.  

So, yes, there’s a good chance that after the war ends, this blog and “project” will continue so show what these men of the “greatest generation” became.  There’s more to the story. 

[wwiilettershome]

August 29 Dear Ma,  Well, I’ve already written you a letter to-day so I’ll send this as free. I haven’t much time so this will be hasty.  I received 6 letters to-night I now owe 9 letters. I just start getting caught up & I get another pile. I get 5 or 6 letters almost every day. It seems good though. To-day I did up a package with that brown shirt & two pairs of socks. that will be so much less stuff I’ll have to take care of. it may be a while before I get a chance to send it.  I received 2 letters from you & 1 from Henry 1 from C.E. French (1) 1 from Harriet Williamson 1 from Jerry. Yours had the clipping about Sherb(?) & also the letter from Emma D. (3) I hope she’s right. But I don’t know.  For gosh sakes don’t worry about that range. The guys don’t necessarily get billed and every man only goes through the village once or twice. There are other ranges here probably 30 or 40 of them. This French village is the only bad one but heck don’t worry about it. It’s certainly no more dangerous than deer hunting or driving a car at winter or half as dangerous as working in a defense factory.  I’ll also try to put some stamps in this letter. I’ve been forgetting them.  Love,  Bobbie (1) Not getting any hits (except for what “ce” means in French.) (2) I FOUND HER!! https://www.newspapers.com/clip/6742161/james_michael_dennen_and_miss_harriet/ (3) I’m not even going to get into how confusing this is as he’s writing to another Emma D.  Also, alas, the other letter doesn’t exist. 

[wwiilettershome]

WACS celebrating thanksgiving https://www.instagram.com/p/B5bPDu7hXjc/?igshid=1c7ubmai83bd0

[wwiilettershome]

The Roosevelt House 28 East 20th Street New York The Bedroom North view “The Woman’s Roosevelt Memorial Association invites you to visit the restored birthplace of Theodore Roosevelt and the museum at 28 East 20th Street, New York City.” (1) Dear Mom Having a swell time today. Wish you could be with us today. Haven’t got my own pen--hence the writing.  Love,  Henry (1) Still exists, but now is run by the National Park Service - https://www.nps.gov/thrb/index.htm

[wwiilettershome]

8/27/43

Dear Mom,

Received your letter today enclosing Micro Delementin’s (1) letter. Sounds pretty encouraging I think. It will be very interesting to see how things turn out.

I rather had a feeling that Kal and Dean Alex would help me. I also had a feeling that the Dean took quite an interest in me. Furthermore I have a hunch that both Kal and the Dean would like to have me working for them. Kal certainly must or he wouldn’t have spoken to me about that job last winter. The Dean used to ask me quite a bit about reorganizing the gov’t dept, what courses should be added, etc.

I know the Colonel has quite an interest in me, but I don;’t think he is in as much of a position to help me directly, except in the army, as are Kal & the Dean.(2)

Once when he was showing me his medals down in Washington he said, “When I started collecting these gadgets, I thought I might have a son of my own to show them to, but that’s out of the question now.” He strikes me as being a very lonely person.

Would you please sent me two or three photos showing especially Mt. Washington (3) and Mount Chocorua (4)? I think there were several around the place. One of the French profs down here likes to climb mountains, and I’ve been trying to sell him N.H. He has never been up there, and I think a few visual aids would help. I’m always boosting N.H. Sort of a one man Chamber of Commerce. Think I’ll start charging the State Planning and Development Commission. I have one fellow (from Oregon) who is going to spend his week’s vacation up that way. He can’t get home and doesn’t feel like staying here all the time.

Things are going along pretty much the same. We are getting used to the grind now and just drag around.

The weeks go by pretty fast. One reason is because we are busy and only have the weekends to ourself. So instead of living from day to day we live from week to week.

Have planned to have lunch with Bertie tomorrow at Renwick’s. Then after we are free in the afternoon, we are going straight to New York. Cousin Hattie is going to meet us in Penn Station. Then we go to Radio City after dinner. The Sat. evening is on me. It’s Bertie’s birthday, so I’m insisting upon footing the bill.

No more news, so I’ll close now.

Love, Henry

P.S. Has anyone heard from Phil Kennett? Does Margie have his address? One of the fellows here said all the guys from Croft who went to the 29th were overseas now. (1) Not finding any hits and not 100% certain I got the name right. (2) Assuming this is the Dean at UNH, but no idea who Kal is. (3) Mountain in New Hampshire - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mount_Washington_(New_Hampshire) (4) Another mountain in New Hampshire - wasn’t familiar with this one (but I could tell you anything you want to know about Mount Monadnock) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mount_Chocorua

[wwiilettershome]

[wwiilettershome]

August 26, 1943 Dear Ma, 

Well, I haven’t had much time to write lately. We’ve been going a pretty good clip lately. 

I got a letter from Ralph Towle(1) yesterday. I answered it and then I had no more time to write. Also, I got a letter from Henry yesterday. I answered that to-day. 

He said if I got sent to combat instead of college to let him know & he’d be with me right away because he is still an infantryman. Now what do you think of that? Boy that’s what I call a darn swell brother.

Oh yes, I got a letter from Pop with a dollar to-day. I’m going to try to answer him too. 

I also got a letter from George Johnson. 

I was going to the movies but I decided to get some ice cream and answer letters instead. They’re piling up. The other night just because we weren’t 1st in inspection that day we had to stay in the barracks & scrub the walls, floor window & everything. We’re getting plenty of competition in this company by the other platoons but our lieutenant is bound we’re going to be the best if we stay up all night & day to do it. To-day we were 1st so we’re free to-night. 

Well, I guess I’ll write to Pop now. There isn’t much of any news. Same old thing. I like it thought. We’re using our bayonets now.  Love,  Bobbie

P.S. Be sure & put my serial number on my letters or I might not get them. That’s just another rule here.  (1) No relevant hits--unless the Ralph Towle in question was in his 40s when my grampa was born.