1943 LETTERS
119th Anti-Aircraft Artillery Gun Battalion (Mobile)

Dear Folks;
.....Just a line to let you know that I received your package today. I was sure glad to get it. The cookies are really good.
.....I went down to Riverside yesterday. I had a pretty good time even if the town is kind of sloppily arranged. It sure is a pretty place, palm trees, orange trees, and all kinds of flowers, but it's all sprawled out. There are private home right in the middle of the town and a store here and there. I went roller-skating and through a penny arcade. I left camp about 1:00 p.m. and got back about 10:00 p.m. It sure was good to see some civilians again, something besides soldiers.
.....About the Valley Herald, I sure would like to get it. I don't care how you work it. There's no hurry.
.....I had a picture taken in one of those little booths like they have in the dime stores in town (Spokane), yesterday, and am sending them home. I had my sun tan outfit on, not my regular uniform. The regular uniform is pretty warm to wear around here as it gets around a 100 in the shade or a little better. One thing about this place though, it sure is nice and cool at night. Not much more to say so will close.

Dear Folks;
.....Just a line to let you know I'm okay and received your registered letter and insured package.
.....Today I'm up at Lake Arrowhead - 120 miles from Camp Irwin. This is a man made lake right in the middle of a range of mountains. The elevation is about 5,000 ft and the water is cold. We came up in a convoy of about 6 trucks from Camp Irwin. We arrived here about 7:00 P.M. last night, went to a dance, slept out in our sleeping bags, got up early, ate breakfast and now we're looking the place over. We're going to church at 11:00. I don't know what's going to happen the rest of the day but I guess I'll have fun. It sure is swell to breathe fresh clear air for a change instead of that old sandy desert stuff. I was pretty lucky to get to come as only about 100 men out of the battalion (1000) got to come. The army brought along the mess truck (kitchen truck) so it won't cost us so much, but it's so good to eat good civilian food again that not many eat at the truck.

Taken in Riverside, California. May 9, 1943

.....I want you to be sure and note the change in address. I don't know if I have got all my letters or not, they changed our address real quick on us. I've gotten other guys mail so there's quite a mix up. We've been changed from Coast Artillery to straight Anti-Air-Artillery.
.....The address is as follows.
Pvt. Henry L. Phillips - 39464248
Hq. Btry. - 119th AAA Gun Bn. Mbl.
Camp Haan, California
(Headquarters Battery - 119 Anti-Aircraft-Artillery, Gun Battalion Mobile)
.....I've only received your registered letters since I've been on the desert - 2 of them and a package. I don't know if you have written any others or not. Well, there isn't much more to say. I'll write more when I get back to Camp. Tell everybody hello for me.

Dear Folks:
.....Just received your registered letter containing $5.00 and a clipping with the article about Francis in it. Boy I sure am glad he's getting such a swell break. Today was my lucky mail day, I received 3 letters and your registered one. One letter was from Francis. He has been moved to North Carolina. He must get about $200 a month now. A technician sergeant gets in the regular army about $104 a month, because he is in the air corps he gets $50 extra, they call it flying pay. Now he is at the point of embarkation and receives 20% extra combat pay, so he has a good deal. I also got a letter from Florence Taylor. She didn't have much news, mostly about Millie Clark getting married, and a letter from J.J. Williams. He said he had been to Beaver Creek to the Welsh song festival. He also said he hadn't seen you folks for quite awhile. So you can see I really did okay today as far as mail goes. I have received all of your letters so far including two $5.00 bills. I'm not broke but the money will sure come in handy as it is a long time til payday. I was paid the last day of June. Received about $20.00 after taking out all deductions.
.....I wrote to Will & Mary - they must not have received the letter. Also you said in your other letter about the team and the K.B.U. Circle and my photo. I guess that answers all your questions in this letter.
.....I've got your letter of July 5th now in my hand and will answer what I can in there. Having the packages insured is pretty expensive for you and we have to walk about 1/2 a mile after it, but personally I would rather have it insured because so much mail is lost and messed around that it's really not too safe if there is anything of value in it. Yes I received the prescription for glasses and they won't cost me anthing I don't think. It's getting dark and I'm going to have to hurry.
.....We have moved 14 miles further out in the desert and we are all sleeping in little pup tents, two men to a tent. It's been awfully sultry today, I could hardly stand it. It was a little cloudy and the sun was shining bright and no breeze. All the water we get to drink is warm and so full of chlorine you can hardly swallow it.
.....One fellow right next to my tent has killed 2 scorpions. They aren't fatal but their sting will sure make you sick. I haven't felt very good all day, sort of a heat exhaustion. I was feverish and sick to the stomach. I couldn't eat any chow, all I wanted to do was drink. I feel pretty good tonight, just a little tired and weak.
.....I wrote a line to Mr. Rowlands at West Valley this morning. I have a chance to be sent to specialists school. The battalion personnel officer informed me that he was sending to High School for a transcript of my grades. So I wrote to Rowlands asking him if he would write a personal letter of recommendation for me. Anything I can do to further my chances of being selected for specialists I'm going to do, because it is a pretty good deal. It's getting so dark I can't see so will quit for this time.

Dear Folks:
.....Well I'm up at the lake again. It's really nice here. We're moving camp again Monday. We're moving to Bakersfield, Cal. It's still in the desert but about 150 miles from where we are now. I'll write more later.

Dear Folks:
.....Received your letters written on the 13th and 16th. Sure glad to hear that you're getting along with the harvest alright. I sure was surprised to hear that you drove the car to Dishman alone. You sure are getting good at it. Keep up the good work and you'll be driving in town (Spokane) in a few weeks.
.....So Sis is finally getting married. It sure took her a long time to make up her mind. I got a letter from Mary Monday saying that Sis and Cooper were going to be married.
.....I got a letter from Peggy yesterday, she didn't have much news. She said that they had painted their house and built a new back porch.
.....I haven't got much news this time. I'm on guard again, only this time it's different. I'm prisoner guard. We have 6 prisoners here. We have live ammunition in our guns. Our orders are to shoot and ask questions afterward in case they should try to escape. Most of the prisioners aren't mean at heart. They have all been a few days AWOL (absent without leave) or somethng like that. One of the prisoners though is about half crazy or more. He damn near killed one fellow in his battery, stabbed him or something like that. He's a pretty mean looking fellow. It feels kind of funny sitting with live ammunition in front of the prisoners with orders to shoot if they should try to escape.
.....This morning 10 men from our battery left for specialist school. Keith Odgen was one of them. My name was on the list but I wasn't sent. I was in hopes I would get to go as it is a good deal. I guess the reason I didn't get to go is that I'm assigned to ammunition in charge of our big shells. I also heard that I was being sent to radio school later, so I don't know what the score is, but I sure hope I get sent to school somewhere. I finished my record rifle fire last week and qualified as a sharpshooter which isn't so bad, in fact, it's pretty good.
.....We've moved from Camp Irwin and the West Range to Murock Dry Lake about 50 miles from Bakersfield, California. This is a bombing range out here, we're right next to an airbase. They have a big battleship out in the middle of this dry lake which is the target. The battleship is only a frame structure built in the same size and shape of a large Japanese battleship. We're camped about 3/4 of a mile from the ship and sometimes those bombs come close. This place is still in the desert, but it has one advantage, right where we are camped is an artesian well and there's a little pool we can go swimming in to cool off. I haven't much more to write. I've received all the letters and packages you mentioned in your letter.
.....You asked how many got to go to Lake Arrowhead. There is a convoy every weekend and about 20 guys from our battery get to go. It sure is a nice place, but too expensive for a soldier. Most of the trade there is movie stars and big businessmen who have plenty of money. Although you can have a good time and not spend much money. What kind of people are those new people that moved into Gorreman's place? I guess Don Kaelin didn't get his furlough.
.....I guess I'd better close for this time, as time is getting scarce. Write often as letters are always welcome.

Dear Folks:
.....Received your letters written August 1, this morning. Sure was surprised to read about Billy Jones shooting himself. I never thought he would do a thing like that. Too much money and nothing to do I guess was his trouble. Dishman must sure be a mess, practically the whole east end on the south side of the road burning down.
.....I also got a letter from Isaac this morning. He said he was still at the trade school. He has bought himself a '36 Buick Coupe, really a nice car I guess.
.....So Dick is going to sell his place? It will make a nice place for Raddick's cows and things. I thought probably if Dick drove the Plymouth, he'd find quite a difference from the Model A.
.....We've been working night and day out here this week so far. Today was the first chance I had to go into Camp Irwin for a shower and shave. Boy I was really dirty. We've been firing our big guns nearly every day so far this week. I heard a rumor the other day - I don't know how true it is but here it is. We're supposed to go out 45 miles into Death Valley on a tactical field manuevers. That will mean we'll have to stand an awful lot of guard. I don't know what it is, but the first time we were out here the heat really bothered me. Now it's just as hot, around 130, and it doesn't bother me near as bad. It's a lot windier this time than it was last time, sand blowing in your face nearly all the time. These little cyclones or whatever you call them, will swirl right-through the mess hall as we eat, then we'll finish our meal by eating sand. I said mess hall, I should have said tent. The cooks and KPs work under the tent. We eat right around it.
.....I've been thinking of writing to Roy sometime, but I've lost his address. I also would like to get Yolen Williams address. There are some openings for Air Cadets and I sure would like a chance at them. In the Air Coirp you eat good food, plenty of it. We're on over seas rations now. It's supposed to be a toughening process. You feel alright except for being hungry all the time. Roy is to be congratulated on making a Corporal's rating. It's not much but it's a start. I can't think of much more to write so will close for this time.

P.S. I think I told you all about my watch in the last letter.
.....I'm sitting here at the ammunition dump waiting to go up to chow (supper). It's about 7:00 or 7:30. I'm checking ammunition in and out and trying to write between trucks.
.....Tell everybody hello for me. Tell Zeke if you see him I'll write him soon as I get a chance.

Dear Folks:
.....I have a few minutes to spare this afternoon so I will try to and get a letter written before I get called out. I started a letter to you Saturday morning but before I had time to finish it I was called out for a detail. Sunday I thought I would have lots of time to write but I'm on the volleyball team and we had a series of games with another battery. After that I was too tired to write. Last night I thought I would have time but we're having a sort of a boxing contest in the battery. I was put up against a fellow weighing about 175. I thought he'd probably knock my head off but he didn't. It was a 3 - two minute round affair. He was the heaviest hitter but he didn't hurt me any. They called it a draw. Every spare minute we have it seems is taken up by some game or a convoy to take us in for showers, and I just can't get in the mood to write. I'm writing this in a hurry. I hope you can read it. I have received 3 letters from you in the past week. The one today was registered, it contained 3 dollars. I was sure surprised to hear that Yolen and Eleanor lived so close. I can get to Long Beach on a pass easy. Where Eleanor lived before I couldn't seem to find out how to get there. It sure is too bad about Roy losing his money. That picture of a mortar you sent is something similar to what we have, only ours is a 90 mm rifle. It shoots a 42 lb shell for a distance of about 10 miles. It's dangerous within 20 miles. The gun itself weighs about 9 tons.
.....Roy said their furloughs had been canceled. We're supposed to get some sort of a furlough after we leave the desert. When that will be I don't know. I will write more later. Please exuse the dirt. I'm sweating and haven't had time to wash up, and the writing, well, I'm holding the tablet on my knee and it's pretty hard to write.

P.S.- Yes I have received all the papers you have sent. They are very interesting.

Dear Folks;
.....Received a letter from you this morning. I received your registered letter but I haven't received the package as yet. In the letter I got from you this morning you said you drove up to Mrs. Lewis' place. Boy, you really are getting good.
.....It's noon time and I haven't go much time so I will make this letter brief. I was in San Bernadino over the weekend. I had a good time, went to U.S.O., played tennis there, basketball, went swimming. Sunday afternoon another fellow and I went to a sort of victory show. It was very good, especially the Negro singing. Sometime ago I received a letter from Isaac wanting a souvenir to put in his car. Yesterday I bought a penant and as I couldn't think of his address I sent it to you. It wasn't a very good one anyway. Later on in the afternoon I found something more suitable so I am going to send that to him. You keep the penant.
.....You're right about the bond, they deduct the money from our pay each month. Tell Dick thanks a lot for the bonds.
.....This morning I got a letter from Francis. He is being shipped across. He wants to be remembered to you. I will send his letter to you in a few days, as soon as I can find time to write to him. I also received a letter from Will & Mary this morning. They were wondering why I have not written them for sometime. If you happen to write to them tell them why. It's about all I can do to find time to write home once in a while. Also tell Peggy Bollman I received her letter some time ago and I will answer as soon as I can get to a base where we will have more time and a few more convenicences such as lights and so forth. We've been on the desert 11 weeks now so we're getting used to it.
.....I'll have to quit now, the corporal is standing here telling me to hurry it up. I will write more later.

Dear Folks;
.....Received your letters and package yesterday. The card, one letter and package had been waiting for me since the first part of the week. Last Tuesday we left camp about 4:00 P.M. I was in the party of the advance guard. We established our position about 2 miles east of camp Irwin. I stood guard all night, missing out on supper and breakfast. At noon I got relief and went up to get something to eat. They handed me a can and told me to go cook it. It was sure a disappointment. We moved from that position to a position out in Death Valley, by a dry lake called Leech Lake. It was the same old story all over again, stood guard all night and ate out of cans. The problem lasted until Friday night at 8:00 p.m. I was on guard all the time, except for time off to eat. I got about 6 hours sleep during those 4 days. We ran out of water at noon Friday and by 8:00 P.M. that night guys were going around offering $5.00 for a drink of water. The place we were at was 29 ft. below sea level and really hot. They estimated it to be 150 in the sun there. This lake is at the bottom of an extinct volcano. There is only one road into it - through Granite Pass. It was really quite an experience, very rugged. Lots of the guy were sick all day yesterday and last night, heat exhaustion I guess. One fellow got awfully sick on guard and they came and got me to walk his guard for him. I feel okay, pretty sleepy though. We're moving back to Haan this week I think. At least we're leaving the desert for a while.
.....In you letter you said you sold the steers and dry cows. It sounds like you did pretty well on them. The doc took care of the boar real cheap.
.....So the old Plymouth went dead on you? T.S. It probably is the battery all right. I got a letter from Martha the other day. I also got a letter from Will & Mary. There were just about through with harvest. I don't know of much news to write so will close for this time. I'll write as soon as I get back to Haan.

Dear Folks;
.....I received both the registered letter containing $5.00 and the letter written Tuesday evening - Aug. 24. As I have a little time to spare this morning I thought I would answer them.
.....Everything here this morning is topsy-turvy. We're packing up all our equipment ready to leave for Haan tomorrow. All the boys are sure happy. I'm supposed to go on a detail at 12:30 so I will have to eat early chow.
.....Yesterday after I had written to you, the first sargeant called the battery together and said that there would be a religious service in 15 minutes in the draw by battalion headquarters. Several of us fellows attended. We sang songs and the Chaplain's topic was "Noah." He was a good talker.
.....So you had some trouble finding the trouble with the Plymouth. That's too bad. That knob on the radio could of been turned on by hitting it with your knee.
.....I guess Fracis is over seas alright. The last letter I got from him he was in New York at an embarkation point.
.....You did good on your wheat sale. You got quite a bit more than a dollar a bushel. That watch of mine sure took a beating but I didn't think it was in that bad of shape.
.....Well I can't think of much more too say. Probably the next letter I write will be back to civilization.

Dear Folks;
.....Received your air-mail letter yesterday and also the $50.00 check from Western Union. Glad to hear everything is alright at home.
.....Our furloughs came through alright. Some of the fellows have already left. I'm supposed to leave the ninth, that will be Thursday. I have a ride as far as Klamath Falls, Oregon, with a kid from here. From there I'm going to take a train. It sure is hard to make connections here on a train or anything. Everything seems to be so crowded here. Lots of soldiers and sailors traveling. If everything goes well I should be home sometime Saturday. I haven't much news, the same old routine everyday.
.....I'll close for this time, expecting to see you soon.

Dear Folks;
.....Haven't any special news, everything is going okay. Al Vogrig saved a seat for me. We arrrived in Portland at 7:30 this morning. We changed trains and left at 8:00 so we didn't have much time. We have just passed Eugene, Oregon. Klammath Falls will probably be our next stop.

Dear Folks;
.....I arrived at Camp Haan about 2:00 P.M. Monday afternoon; two hours AWOL.
.....We arrived in Portland, Saturday morning about 7:40 and caught the train at 8:00 for Los Angeles. We arrived in L.A. at 10:00 p.m. Sunday evening. We went up to the victory house and reserved a bed, then we went out to get something to eat. Got into bed about 1:00 A.M. Monday morning. We stayed in bed until about 8:00 A.M., then had breakfast and went to catch the bus. We arrived in Riverside about 12:30 P.M. I called up the 119th Bn and told them we were going to be a couple hours late. Soon as we got back to camp we took a shower then went to bed and slept until supper. After supper I went and played basketball until about 8:00 then went to bed. So far today all we've had is infantry drill. The rest of the time we've been playing ping pong and basketball. It's time for dinner now so will close.

Dear Folks;
.....How is everything up home? I'm in top condition. I haven't received a letter from you as yet, but there may be one in tomorrow's mail. We've moved into real swell barracks now. They are about 100 ft. long and about 20 ft. wide. Forty of us live in one of these. It sure is nice to sleep on a real bed again and have a floor under you. We're also eating off of plates now and the food certainly does taste different. We had a pretty rugged inspection this morning and several of the fellows were gigged (weren't allowed pass privilege this week) because their equipment wasn't as clean as it could have been. I passed alright.
....This morning I was sent down to Haan to the clerical school to take a test. If I pass I may go to clerical school for 3 or 4 weeks here at Haan. I doubt if I did though. There were 280 questions to answer and we had 20 minutes. I answered 110, the fellow sitting next to me answered 164.
....It's a nice cool day today here, a nice breeze blowing. Nearly everyone in our barracks is out on pass. I haven't done anything since noon but lay around and sleep. I think in a few minutes I'll go shower and shave and go to the show here at camp tonight.
....Well I don't know of any news so will close for this time.

Dear Folks:
.....How is everything at home? Hope you are all well and happy. I myself am feeling okay. When I got back off my furlough I weighed here at the Dispensary (Bn hospital). I weighed 158#. This morning I weighed again and I weighed 168#, a 10 lb. gain. My goal is 180 lbs. Don't know if I'll make it or not. If we stay here long enough I will; plenty of good food, just enough work to work up an appetite, plenty of recreation.
.....As I said in one letter they sent me to take an entrance exam for "clerk's and typists" school. I thought I had flunked because I hadn't answered as many questions as some of the others, but those that I answered, I answered correctly. So Tuesday morning I started to school. We go in the morning from 8:00 until 11:45, then in the afternoon from 1:00 until 4:45. We have 4 hrs of typing each day and 4 hrs of book learning, such as "morning reports", military correspondence, orders and stuff like that. It sure is a change to sit in school again. We have a swell instructor, a 1st Lt.
.....I think I'll go clean up for dinner now. It's about 11:30 and dinner is at 12:00. We were excused early from school this morning because we were supposed to be paid at 10:30, but they slipped up somewhere and we don't get paid until 2:30 tomorrow afternoon.
.....As I can't think of much more to say I'll close for this time.

Dear Folks:
.....Received your letter last night, the one written Tuesday evening, September 28. I also received your card written Sunday, September 26. Sure glad to hear that Florine is getting along okay and that Kenny got back to camp alright.
.....I suppose that probably Millie's husband is in the stockade as you say (the Navy word being "brig"). It sort of makes it tough on Millie, her own fault though probably.
.....I sure hope you get to see Paul. I wrote to him a couple of days ago. He probably won't get it until he gets back from his furlough.
.....On the card you said that Dada was helping old Seeman and Cox fix the Nelson's fence. I'll bet they sure had fun out there.
.....I've been going school all week, starting Tuesday morning. We only go to school 5 days a week so you can see it's a pretty good deal. Yesterday I didn't have anything special to do so I went onion picking with a couple fellows from our battery. We left camp about 7:00 A.M. It's about 20 miles to this farmers place. We arrived there about 8:00 A.M. The way they work this onion picking deal is they have 5 men to a team usually; 4 guys picking, one guy dumping the onion baskets into sacks. I got on a good team, a bunch of boys that really could work. We worked until 12:00, then the farmer brought us out dinner, went back to work about 1:00 P.M., quit at 3:30. We picked 255 sacks between the 5 of us. We got paid $.11 a sack, which figured out to $5.60 apiece for our team. We were the high money team. We got back to camp early. I cleaned up, ate supper and went to Riverside to spend the evening. This morning I got up about 8:00 A.M., laid around after breakfast, then played a little baseball. About 11:00 a bunch of us guys decided to go swimming in the new pool here at Haan. Came back in time for dinner. After dinner one fo the K.P.s got me to one side and talked me into taking his K.P. for him the rest of the day. He wanted to go out on pass. He paid me three dollars, so you can see I've had a pretty profitable weekend.
.....A bunch of the boys are sitting here playing blackjack, it sounds as if one guy is winning quite a bit the way everybody is cussing him.
.....I didn't know of much to say so will close for this time.

Dear Folks:
.....Not much going on so I thought I'd drop you a line. I went swimming down at Haan this afternoon, had lots of fun. Last night I went roller skating at Riverside, ate a couple of sandwiches afterwards and came back to camp.
.....When I was home I forgot to mention this before; Martha said that Ruth Wallace (Ruth Berkey) lived in Riverside. I just wondered how true this is. I wonder if you know where she does live?
.....I'm still going to school. I should do a little homework once in a while, but I haven't done much as yet. Last night it rained here, not a Washington rain, just a real light shower. Just enough to settle the dust. It certainly did feel good for a change.
.....I guess I'm as heavy now as I'm going to get. I haven't gained any weight for the last week. It isn't that home doesn't agree with me and makes me lose weight. It's just that when I'm home I tear around too much. I hope you can make heads & tails out of this. I was trying to carry on a conversation with a fellow here and write at the same time. I get kind of mixed up between everything.
.....How did Paul look to you? I bet he's certainly changed. In Annie's letter she talks as if she is pretty sure Hugh couldn't last. Hugh M. was sure one swell guy. It made me feel sort of blue to hear about him.
.....You sure are doing a lot of driving now. Soon as you get a little practice you'll be able to drive in Spokane.
.....About the school, there were about 50 of us who took the test. There are about 30 attending school now. Three guys out of the 119th Bn. No, Al Vogrig wasn't given the test. He's still here back at his same job, he is Bn. switchboard operator. Haven't much more to say and running out of paper anyway, so will close.

Dear Folks;
.....Received your interesting letter tonight, the one written Saturday noon, October 9. Old Seeman sure is trying to start trouble isn't he? Too bad the old devil wouldn't move closer to his work. Too bad about Aiken's wife. When I saw her she didn't look or act the least bit as if something was wrong with her. Dada and I were in their house one night a couple of years ago.
.....No to much going on here. I'm still going to school. We had a required training film tonight. That was over about 8:00 P.M. then another kid and I went down to the gym to workout. We were sure surprised when wegot there to find a Hollywood show going on there. We had missed part of it but what we saw was sure good. There weren't any big actors there, but there were a bunch of Hollywood show people there.
.....So Dick finally took off for Almira. I didn't think he'd get around to it. Glad to hear Florine and baby are getting along alright. I never noticed in the Valley Herald about Ann Lloyd getting married. I still get the Valley Herald every week.I suppose Paul really has changed a lot, but I don't know what more trining he'd have coming.
.....I haven't gotten any letter from Will & Mary yet, but I probably will get one.
.....I can't write tonight, everybody is talking here - lots of noise. Well I guess I'll close this chatter for a while.

Dear Folks;
.....How's everything? I'm fine, still going strong. I sure got a lucky break today. The outfit moved back out to the desert but they left me here at Haan to finish school. It was raining this morning when they left and it's still raining tonight. It's just like a good old Washington rain. They are going to sleep in sleeping bags out under the stars and on the wet ground. It will sure be miserable out there for them as the desert gets pretty cold at night now, and really cold when it rains. Just the opposite of what it was this summer.
.....I have one more week of school left, that is I finish this Friday. After that they'll probably ship me out on the desert with the rest of the fellows. I'd rather be out there with them now than here. It's kind of quiet here, just a few sargents and cooks left here. Although it's much more comfortable here. The old oil stove is about 10 feet away from my bed and it really feels good tonight; the first time one has been lit up since early last spring. I'm all curled up on my bed here trying to write. I sure hope you can read it.
.....Don't worry about my watch! I was telling a kid in school my watch had stopped. He wanted to look at it, so I took it off and handed it to him. He asked me if I cared if he tried to fix it. I told him I didn't, if he knew what was doing. He tinkered around with it a little while, then haded it back to me. He said I had wound it a little too tight and the main spring had slipped. So now the watch is running swell again and no worry or expense. I asked this fellow how come he knew so much about the watch, come to find out he was a watch repairman for some big jewelry store in New York City. That kid (maybe I shouldn't call him that as he's 28 or 30 years old) sure knows his stuff about watches.
.....Sure glad to hear Roy got a furlough. He's lucky to get 15 days from Frisco. I got a letter from Isaac the other day saying he had been accepted as a Naval Air Cadet. Boy he's sure a lucky guy, that is really a swell deal. I don't remember hearing Dorothy Cox getting married, when did it happen? Florine must be getting along okay to be so spry so soon.
.....Don't know of much more to say, hope you are getting along with Seeman a little better now than you were. Also hope you can read this scribble as I'm too lazy to move into a position I can write better from.

Dear Folks:
.....Haven't much news, but a lot of time so I thought I'd drop you a line. Tomorrow I finish school, after that I don't know what I'll do. I may get sent out ot the desert or I may stay here as guard. I hope I get to stay here. Tonight I'm Charge of Quarters here at the battery. All I have to do is answer the phone, hand out the passes and stuff like that. I'm writing this letter on the first sergeant's desk. It sure makes writing easier to have something to write on. Last night I went to Riverside. I went rollerskating and had a pretty good time.
.....The nights have certainly been cold here the past few days. The days have been nice and cool, sort of cloudy with a light breeze blowing. It sure is a change from the hot weather we got this summer.
.....We haven't had any mail services here since the outfit moved to the desert Monday, so I don't know if I have any mail coming from you or not.
.....The last letter I got from you, you said Roy was home. He sure got a good deal on his furlough. You also said you had the stomach flu. I can just imagine how you must have felt. Sure glad Zeke got accepted as a Naval Air Cadet. I got a card from him the other day, saying he and Ted had traded in their cars on a 1940 Chev. He must really fell classy running around in a car like that.
.....It's about 8:15 P.M., I think I'll try and find somebody to watch the phone for me while I slip across the street to the Post Exchange and get something to eat before going to bed. I sure hope I wake up when the phone rings during the night. I think I can as I'm getting so I can sleep pretty light if I have to. Don't know of anything to say so will close for this time.

Dear Folks;
.....Received the registered letter written Oct. 13 and also the letter containing $2.00, written Oct. 16. I also received 2 Valley Heralds and the bundle of Spokesman Reviews you sent. So you can see I did pretty well at "mail call" today. It was the first mail I had received since a week-ago this last Sunday. When the outfit moved to the desert and left me here it kind of screwed the mail up for me because first the mail goes to the desert and is then sent back. So by the time I get it, it is pretty old.
.....Thanks a lot for the money but I really didn't need it now. Since I came back off my furlough I haven't spent much money. I go to town pretty often but usually go to the U.S.O. or roller skating and that doesn't take much money. Sure glad to hear you did so good with your wheat. That's a pretty good price.
.....I haven't much news. I was on guard yesterday. This morning I didn't get up until 10:00 AM. I missed breakfast by about 3 hrs but I only had to wait an hour and 30 minutes until dinner so that wasn't too bad. This afternoon I went to the barber ship and got a haircut, came back and laid down on the bed reading the Spokesman Reviews and Valley Heralds. I'm all showered and shaved up and I think after supper I'll go to Riverside and go skating. After I graduated from school last Friday I only have 8 hours of duty every two days, so you can see I've really got a soft touch. It gets sorta tiresome though, nothing to do but run around, eat an so forth. I'd better not complain though, because next week when the outfit comes back from the desert I suppose they'll work us plenty hard.
.....I read in the paper where they cut the gas coupons to 3 gallons each. That's not good is it. Say, if sometimes you happen to have some gas coupons you aren't going to use send them along because gas is hard to get without them.
.....Someday when I get a three day pass I'm going to Pasadena and look up Ruth Berkley. It is very far from here. I never have gotten back into Los Angeles since I came back from my furlough so I haven't had the chance to look up Morris Williams. It must keep you plenty busy between putting a new floor in the calf-shed and digging spuds and all that. It's a lot easier now though since Dick came back I imagine. He must have had a pretty good trip. Tell him thanks a lot for the money.
.....Well, I've been rambling on for quite a while now. I guess I'd better get ready to eat supper.

Dear Folks;
.....Haven't anything to do this afternoon so I thought I'd drop a line home. We got paid yesterday and now I really feel flush. I'm sending some home, so if something happens I won't lose as much. A lot of pocketbooks have been stolen while guys were taking showers and things. I've been lucky as yet but one can never tell. I've got better than $70.00 and that's too much to lose. I haven't spent a heck of a lot of money the past couple of months.
.....Sunday night I went into Riverside, had a good time. Went to the YMCA. where they have community singing from about 5:00 P.M. until 7:00 P.M. every Sunday afternoon. They sing hymms and old tunes, it's really a lot of fun. I may go into Riverside tonight if everything goes okay. Don't know of anything more to say so will close for this time.

Dear Folks;
.....I'm writing this letter from the Post Office here at Haan. I snuck away from the area and came down here to register this letter.
.....Received your letter yesterday, the one written Saturday, Oct. 30. Sure glad to hear that you've heard something from Francis. I haven't heard from him for quite a while. Also glad to heard that everthing is okay with Dorothy Hoyt.
.....Too bad about Dick's car; that's quite an inconvenience to have to walk from Dishman.
.....Kinman must be quite a school now, it was losing out last spring though, the attendance had gone down quite a bit when I left.
.....I'm sending home $30.00. I still have $40.00 left so I don't think I'll need any for a while.
.....As I haven't any news I'll close for this time.

Dear Folks;
.....I finally go around to writing you. I've been so busy the past week and a half that I haven't been able to do much of anything.
.....Last Saturday I took K.P. for a kid that wanted to go on pass. I went out Saturday night. Sunday about 10:00 A.M. they sound the fire alarm. They took all the fellows that were left here (those that weren't out on pass) about 50 miles up into the San Jacinto Mtns. We fought fire all afternoon and all night. We got back to camp about 12:30 Monday noon. Monday night I went Roller Skating. Tuesday afternoon they called us out to fight fire again. We worked all night Tuesday until about noon Wednesday. We got back to camp about 4:30 P.M. Wednesday afternoon. Went roller skating Thursday night. Saturday I had K.P. Saturday night I went roller skating again, then Sunday I went out again. So you can see I've really been busy. That fire fighting is really a tough job. We worked hard all night backfiring and clearing brush and stuff.
.....This afternoon Joe Louis gave a boxing exhibition here at Camp. Boy is that fellow well built. He boxed with his sparring partner. It was sure worth a lot to me to see him. He boxed three rounds.
.....I have received all your letters and packages and papers. I don't want to hurt your feelings or anything but I'd just as soon if you wouldn't send any more papers for a while. I haven't got around to reading the last bunch yet. Between the Valley Heralds and letters to answer and they're starting to work us pretty hard again now. I just haven't got time to read them.
.....We just got back from an 8 mile hike. It took us 1 and 1/2 hours so you can see we walked pretty fast. First time I have hiked with a rifle. We started at 7:30 and got back at 9:00. I'll close for this time. I'll try and write more and plainer next time.

Dear Folks;
.....I have a little more time this morning so I thought I'd drop you a line. It's rather cool here today. It rained pretty heavy last night and this morning the ground is damp and it's rather cloudy. The weather here is California has certainly changed. The nights here really are cold now and the days are nice and cool. We had a parade last night, we looked pretty good from what I hear. After the parade another kid and I went into Riverside. We went skating, to the penny arcade and fooled around until midnight then we came back.
.....In one of your letters you said you'd sold the boar. You got a pretty good price for him. I don't see why hogs should be getting more plentiful. When I first came in the Army we used to get pork to eat every day. Now we don't get near as much pork as we used to.
.....I got a letter from Martha yesterday, also one from you. Feryn's must have taken in quite a bit of cash on their sale. They sure had a bunch of stuff to sell. Sure glad to hear that Francis is still okay. He's got a mighty dangerous job. I have received several V mail letters from him. Paul sure has got a rugged deal, it must be tough to have to shake the snow off your sleeping bag in the morning. Too bad Richard Bay is homesick, that makes it mighty tough. Old McElroy must be a pretty sick man, he's pretty old now too. I got a letter from Roy the other day. He didn't have much to say.
.....Where does Ann Lloyd live anyway? It must be somewhere close to Riverside. She was sure lucky she wasn't hurt too bad.
.....Zeke's got a pretty good deal. If the war doesn't last too long he may regret signing up for four years, otherwise I don't think he will. It's what he wanted. No, we don't owe Zeke anything for the radio. You can do as you want with it, it doesn't make any difference to me. About the Plymouth, last winter I put in straight alcohol in the radiator. That is, I put alcohol enough to take it to 30 below then filled it with water. I guess I did have a little prestone in it at the beginning of the winter. The guys in the service stations will try to tell you it will boil out and all that old stuff, but last winter I drove the car pretty hard and I never had any trouble with it boiling.
.....Myra Ritz, was that the youngest one, or the next youngest one? There was one of them that was in the same grade I was, it was either Myra or Verna. Yes, I know Virginia Radyck, I went to school with her for 3 years. She was a pretty nice girl. It seems like all the girls up home are getting married.
.....I never did hear what grade I got in school, they never told us. It should have been pretty good though because I had pretty fair grades in all my tests.
.....Well, I've been rambling on for a long time. I guess I'd better close and go to work before I get caught goldbricking (that's what they call it when you sit around during duty hours). Oh yes, I got a lettter from Kenny the other day. He didn't have much to say. He was made PFC now, which is a step in the right direction. It's just about 20 minutes until dinner so I will close and go wash up.

Dear Folks;
.....Received your letters and the swell package, that fruit cake was sure good and so was the jelly roll. Thanks a lot. Sorry I'm so slow in answering, but there's always something coming up about the time I feel like writing.

Dear Folks;
.....Just a line to let you know everything's okay here. I received your package today. It was sure swell. One pair of gloves fit swell (the leather ones). The other pair is a little small. One of the kids in the barracks is going to buy them. Everything else is swell.
.....Saturday night I got my 3 days of prisoner guard finished. We had to get up every morning at 4:30 and go on guard until 5:00 P.M that afternoon. It sure makes a long, tiresome day. They give each one of us four prisoners and send us off to work. All I do is stand with a loaded rifle and see that they work and don't try to escape.
.....Sunday, Riley Smith and I went out to his gal's place for dinner. We had both dinner and supper there. Sure had a good time.
.....There are a lot of rumors flying around here that we're going to move about 150-200 miles North of here, up towards Oakland, California. I don't know how true it is. I don't put much stock in these rumors.
.....I haven't any more news so will close for this time.

Dear Folks;
.....Received your letter from Almira, sure glad you decided to take a little vacation. Maybe you don't rest much, but at least it's a change.
.....It's 2:30 and I just got back from the barbershop. Had a haircut, $.40, and a shampoo, .$75. I don't usually spend that much on my hair, but I have a little touch of dandruff and I thought that might help it.
.....Went into Riverside last night, had a good time, went rollerskating. I've got an easy detail today, barracks guard. All I do is sit around and write, shine my shoes, and so on.
.....It doesn't seem like it's getting close to Christmas, going around with just shirts same as we do in the summer. The days are real warm, even though the nights get rather cool.
.....I haven't any news, hope everything is alright at home. Hope you enjoyed your little trip.

Dear Folks;
.....Waiting for 12:00 noon to roll around so we can leave on weekend passes, that's if I am lucky enough to get a pass.
.....Haven't done much this week, but managed to keep plenty busy. Last night some other fellows and I played black jack for a nickel a game. I won around $1.00. I was pretty lucky last night.
.....Glad to hear you got the Plymouth all read for winter. It's an awful job to drain it every time you use it. Hope you don't have as much trouble with the road this year as we had last year.
.....I guess Francis is getting plenty of excitement. I hear from him quite often. The last letter I got from him was air mail and typewritten. How is McElroy getting along? Hope he's getting better.
.....I wonder what makes baby pigs so damn cheap? $.50 is awful cheap.
.....Glad you met Jean, she probably recognized the Plymouth alright.
.....I'm sitting here on the edge of my bed trying to think of somethng to say and can't, so will close for this time.

Dear Folks;
.....Just a line to let you know everything's okay. We've moved from Camp Haan to Santa Maria, about 300 miles north of Haan. Right now we're on a tactical field problem at Estralla Army Air Field about 5 miles from Paso Robles, and about 20 miles from Camp Roberts. We're supposed to be guarding this air field. We're camped in a farmer's field, our positions are dug in and all we do is guard, day and night. It's raining here and plenty cold, but it's fun. The letters are apt to be a few and far between now as we're in the midst of some large scale maneuvers. If you haven't sent anything in the line of packages as yet, don't send any, because the mail is all screwed up now. We haven't had mail for a week.

Pvt. Henry L. Phillips
Hq. Bty. - 119 AAA Gun Bn. (Mbl)
Santa Maria Army Air Field
Santa Maria, California

Above is the address, for the present at least.
.....Too bad you got sick on your trip, that sure spoils everything.
.....You've been wondering what they were going to do with me after sending me to school. Well they tried to put me in battalion HQ as one of the guys to work on Court Martial Cases, but I got out of that. I'd rather work with the ammunition section then sit in the office. It's kind of hard to write here, dark and awkward.
.....Haven't any news so will close.

Dear Folks;
.....I have lots of time this morning so I thought I'd write you a letter. I'm on guard at the Battalion Supply, guarding valuable and secret equipment. It's certainly a good deal. We're inside a building with a stove and electric lights so everything is nice and comfortable. I'm sitting here by the stove with my rifle and a clip of ammunition. Every 1/2 hour or so I have to make a tour of the buildings and see that no one is prowling around. I went on guard at 12 midnight and I'm on guard until 4:00 in the morning, as we work in 4 hours shifts. Now that I think of it, I should of dated my letter the 13th as this is Monday morning. Yesterday, Sunday, we worked all day, filling sand bags. As this is only a mock war we don't use live ammunition, only on guard, so there isn't any special job for us Amm men. All we've been doing since we've been on this problem is digging and guarding.
....According to all rumors, we're supposed to be finished with our part in the maneuver by the 17th of this month. Then we're supposed to go back to Santa Maria and set up our positions around the airfield as guard over the Santa Maria Air Base. I don't know how true that is or anything, right now we are attached to the Air Corps furnishing guard.
....This problem here at Estralla Army Air Field is only for the duration of this maneuver. Tonight was the first night since we left Haan last Wednesday morning that I've crawled in my sleeping bag without all my clothes on ready to go. One thing on these problems, if you don't learn anything else you sure learn how to do without sleep. About 2 to 4 hours a night is all I've averaged.
....The clock on the box in front of me here say's I still have 3 hours of guard to go so I may as well keep writing. We packed our equipment last Tuesday ready for to move early Wednesday morning. At 2:00 they rolled us out and we were on our way by 4:00 A.M. We went by motor convoy through Los Angeles, Sonta Monica, along the coast for about 50 miles and through Santa Barbara, Ventura, and lots of other little towns that I don't remember the names of.
....We arrived at Santa Maria about 5:00 P.M. Wednesday night. We camped there over night and then Thursday morning about 8:00 A.M. we left for Estralla, coming through Paso Robles and right by Camp Roberts. We arrived here about 2:00 P.M. Thursday and since then we've really been busy digging in our position and so forth. The trip would have been swell if it hadn't been so damn cold and if it hadn't been raining.
....I had everything figured out, so when as we get back to Santa Maria and start gettig passes again I'd hop a bus and slip over to Camp Roberts which is only about 100 miles or so from where we're supposed to set up - but I got a letter from you today saying Roy had been shipped, so now that deal is all screwed up. I sure wish I was back at Haan, I know Stan Siegenthaker and Dale Woodard both. I guess it slipped your mind or maybe you didn't understand, I asked for Zeke's address, I want his home address, I have written him a couple of letters and they've both been returned, stamped "Not in the Directory". On one of the letters I got from Zeke, I copied off his return address, I don't remember what it is off hand now as I threw the returned letters and also his letters away. I have to throw the letters away as soon as I get them and answer them so as to have room for the later ones.
....So old Seeman's son has married a movie actress? That's a good one. I was in Hollywood a couple of times, and from what I could see it was just like any other town. I sort of miss Riverside though, had gotten acquanted with several families, through their daughters. Nearly every Sunday Riley and I could get out of Camp we had some place to go for a good Sunday dinner. There in the afternoon we'd go roller skating, hiking, or sometimes boat riding at the little lake near Riverside. Riley Smith fell in love, head over heels, with one of the girls there. She's a nice gal, 19 years old. I went pretty steady with one gal, but then I used to change off pretty often, more Sunday dinners that way, and it was certainly was good home cooked meals, and away from the town and everything, it was nearly as good as being home.
....Soon as we get settled again I'm going to send my wrist watch home. It's stopped again, it gets pretty rough treatment in the Army. I'm as careful as I can be with it, but then we take judo training and one thing and another it gets pretty well beat up.
....I've been rambling on here now for nearly and hour so I guess it's about time I give this letter the wrist watch treatment and wind it up. I've still got 2 more hours to go on this guard, so I guess I'll answer Kenny Clarke's letter, and then I got a letter from Peggy today that needs answering and as soon as I get Zeke's address, I'll try and answer his letters. I like to get mail, but answering them is the job. Not the writing particulary, but trying to find the time and the place where you won't be disturbed. It isn't every day that you get a guard deal like this, you usually have a post to walk or a foxhole to lay in and freeze. I can hear Riley Smith snoring over in the corner, he relieves me at four o'clock and guards until 8:00 o'clock. Well it's quarter of two, so I'll close for this time. Hope everything is okay at home and that everybody is in the best of health. I've got some money saved up for Christmas but the way it looks I'm not going to get to use it. That picture of Joan Thornton, I remember her alright.

Dear Folks;
.....I didn't think I'd have much time to write while on this maneuver, but all our work comes in streaks. I've got the same guard deal as I had the other night, pretty soft.
....I've been sitting here tonight addressing a few Christmas cards. The way I've been doing is just going down my list of addresses and sending one to everybody. I sent a box of candy home today and also one to Will & Mary, it's about the only thing you can buy at the P.X. The Air Corps is here and we won't be getting any passes until after this maneuver so it was my only choice. I hope it gets there okay. Our mail is really screwed up here. The way we mail packages is we go to the mail orderly and he weighs them and tells us what he thiks they will cost then we pay him. It may be a day or so before he can get out and in the meantime he may misplace them or lose them.
....Some of the boys were teaching me how to play stud poker tonight at a nickel limit on the betting. I did alright for myself, I came out $1.65 to the good. I don't make a habit of playing cards but once in awhile I have nothing else to do so I sit in a game, just to pass away a little time. That's one thing funny about this army life. For a few days while you're digging in and setting up your positions you're lucky if you get any sleep at all. Then after that you have time to kill. I supoose we'll be plenty busy for the next couple of days, we're expecting a big infantry attack from some of the boys at Camp Roberts. They were supposed to attack at midnight last night, but it's 3 o'clock in the morning now and they haven't shown up yet. I'd just as soon they'd stay home, these sham battles are a bunch of nonsense.
....I haven't any special news so will close for this time.

Dear Folks;
.....Just a line from the USO here in Paso Robles. Riley Smith and I came into town last night on a 24 hr. pass. This is the town where Roy used to go I guess as Camp Roberts is only a few miles out of town here. It's a small town, something like Davenport. It has two shows, a bowling alley, a roller skating rink and that's about all. We went roller skating last night and then to the show. Stayed at the Hotel Taylor, in a $2.50 room, pretty swanky for us after sleeping on the ground in our sleeping bags for the past week.
....Our maneuver was over yesterday at noon, so we got passes last night for the first time in a week. We'll probably stay here until after New Year's then move back to Santa Maria.
....I've got a stiff neck today, not used to sleeping on a pillow I guess.
....This is a regular little farming town, they grow wheat and almonds here. From what they say this is one of the greatest almond countries in the world.
....I haven't any news, I just saw the typewriter here and wanted to play around on it so I thought I'd try and bang out a letter.

To Dick, Dada and Mamie,
....Wishing you a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

Dear Folks;
.....Back in camp and at the same old grind again. Got back in camp about 6:30 Friday night after spending a pleasant 24 hr. pass in Paso Robles. It's ony a small town and not much to do there, but the pass was worthwhile just to get to sleep on a good bed. These sleeping bags we have are fine, but the darn ground is mighty rough.
....The time is about 7:00 A.M. Sunday morning. I've been up since 4 o'clock on the Radar guard again. I'm off at 8:00 A.M. then I finish out the rest of the day at K.P. It doesn't make any difference whether you work here or not on Sundays as there aren't any church services or anything else to go to. Town is only 7 miles away but you have to have a pass to get there. It looks like we're going to be staying here for quite awhile. We're getting some six man tents, stoves and stuff like that.
....I received your letter of December 6th yesterday and also the one of Dec. 8th.
....That clipping about Evelyn Womack, she must be the one we know I guess, as I remember when Lyle was in that Ford tractor class, he said they lived at or around Valleyford some place.
....No, I really don't need an army sweater with sleeves on it. It would only mean more to pack around and I wouldn't have too much use for it. Thanks anyways. Those gloves, the larger pair you sent are swell, I use them when I go out on pass.
....Glad to hear that Joe Zweifel is alright. Too bad about Yolen having Malaria Liver, that's not so good I guess.
....That address of Isaac's you sent is different that the one I used, although I used the return address he had on his letter. Roy is sure moving fast now, he gets to see a lot of country anyway.
....West Valley sure set a high goal in the war bond drive. Sure glad you helped them out. In the letter I got from Peggy she said they had a different car.
....As I am running out of time and paper, will close for now.

Dear Folks;
.....How's everything going at home? We're getting pretty well set up here. We have all our tents pitched and little wood stoves installed. Six men to a tent.
....It's pretty nice the way we have our tent fixed, that is the tent the ammunition boy's live in. We have a little kerosene lantern hanging up in the middle of the tent. Our Sarg, we call him "Rush", his name is Rusciolleli, brought a little coffee percolater from home and a couple of lbs. of good coffee. A lot of the boys get cookies and cakes and one thing or another, so on these winter evenings we all gather in that tent and have a pot of coffee cooking all the time. It really makes one feel like he's right at home.
....Maybe I never got any rating in the army, but I sure did get into the best section in the 119th Bn. Also, our section has the highest I.Q. average of any section. Not bragging or anything, but I've got the hight I.Q. in the section, 128. Next comes the sergeant and Corporal with 124. The rest range on down to 110. The average I.Q. for our battery is around 104 so you can see we're well up the line. The reason I tell you this, some other fellows and I were figuring it up yesterday at Batallion Headquarters and it just happened to be fresh on my memory.
....I don't know what the pass deal over Christmas will be. Smitty (Riley Smith) and I have been invited to spend Christmas at Riverside with those girls we went with before we moved to Santa Maria. I don't think we'll accept the invitation though as it would take us about 12 hours traveling time each way and that would only leave 12 hours to fool around in a 36 hour pass.
....I haven't any news in special so will close for this time.

Dear Folks;
.....Received your letter written Monday evening Dec. 13, with clippings and card enclosed. Lewis Picton must of had some fun chasing that horse into town. You mentioned in your letter that you had mailed me a package and a letter the Saturday before. I've gotten the letter, but I haven't gotten the package as of yet. Don't worry though, there is so much mail coming in that our mail orderlies are working nearly day and night sorting out the mail for the different batteries. They can't possibly keep up with the Xmas rush. Today for instance, I got 4 letters, 2 from Washington and 2 from Riverside, California, besides several Xmas cards. If all the fellows get that much mail you can easily see what a job our mail clerks have. I sure enjoy receiving all this mail, but when I'm going to get time to answer all of it I don't know.
....I'm on Radar guard again. It's 2:00 AM Christmas morning and I just finished listening to a delayed rebroadcast of President Roosevelt's speech. Sounds like there is plenty of action to be popping in the near future.
....I don't think you have to worry about my gambling. I'm not lucky enough and I don't care enough for cards to do much playing. And I don't think you have to worry much about "Card Sharps" in the army. If they won all the money we had they still wouldn't have anything. And if any of the boys ever catch one of the fellows cheating, he probably won't cheat anyone again for a hell of a long time. Here is the Army, it's the same as one big family. We all have to live together 24 hours a day and when, (if we do) ever get into a battle zone, I wouldn't want to be one of the boys caught cheating his buddies.
....Smitty and I were in Paso Robles Thursday afternoon and night and Friday morning. I had some alterations on my pants, had an Air Corp insignia sewn on my blouse, bought a belt, went skating, and went to a show and had a good time. In explanation of the insignia, we're attached to the Fourth Air force now as their anti-aircraft protection
....Too bad about Mr. Lauer and Mr. McElroy. I received a Christmas card from Mrs. Fosdick and from Paul Voegeli today. I guess Paul does have a pretty tough time of it. That Ski troops is too rugged for me.
....Gee, that Clark family is really going town, everybody working.
....Well I haven't anymore news so will close for this time.

Dear Folks;
.....Received your swell Christmas package yesterday and also a letter from you. Also received a card from you today and J.J.'s Xmas card. I'll have to have the ring made a little larger, it won't quite go on my second finger. It sure is a swell one though and thanks a million. I guess it must be awful hard to try to buy anything for a fellow in the service, because there's so little he can really use. Also yesterday I received a nice package from Isaac and Martha, a jigsaw puzzle, and some toilet article: razor blades, tooth bursh, and so forth. Boy that jig saw puzzle was the toughest one I have ever tried to put together. A Sgt. and I worked all afternoon and part of the evening on it today and finally conquered it. Today I got an insured package from Peggy Bollman, a swell little knife and leather case and a handkerchief. It sure makes me feel like a heel, everbody sending me nice things and I didn't send anyone anything. It wasn't the money so much but it seems so inconvenient for us someway, no paper or stuff like that to wrap them with.
....I've gotten so many Xmas cards, I don't know if I'll get them all answered or not. Last night, a couple fellows and I went into Paso Robles to a show. It's been a pretty quiet Xmas. We had a swell turkey dinner with all the trimmings yesterday. I wish you could have cooked it then it would really have tasted good. These G.I. cooks do their best, but then it doesn't taste like what mama used to make.
....You mentioned in your letter, something about me passing up the office job. Maybe it wasn't so smart, I don't know. There was a T-5 rating in it for me if I would have taken it; (maybe I should explain that T-5 stuff. It's a technician 5th grade. He draws the same pay as a corporal and has two stripes and a T underneath them.) but I just couldn't see myself working in the office with the rest of the fellows. They are all a bunch of sissified old women. The way they act, us fellows call them the "fairy brigade".
....I'd sure appreciate it if you would notify the Herald office about the change in address. That little paper has a lot of good news in it.
....Say, I wonder if you would, the next time you happen to go to town, drop into Kinman's and get me a fountain pen. An Esterbrook. I haven't lost mine or anything but Smitty lost his pen and after using my pen he wants one just like it. Get as fine a point as possible on it. I'll send you the money for it after payday. Right now I'm saving some for a New Years trip to Riverside, maybe.
....Glad to hear Mr. McElroy had a nice funeral. It always seems like some close friend or relative always passes on just before Xmas. Last year it was Tom, this year Mr. McElroy.
....That clipping you sent about the wind and fire, we had just a touch of it, it blew some tents down for us while we were still at Haan.
....I hope Robert Dell gets over his ailment alright so that he can get into the Air Corps, that's the best branch of the service.
....I received a Xmas card from Florine today. I wish you'd send me Kenny'snew address. I got one letter since he moved but I threw it away without copying the address.
....Well I haven't much more news so will close for this time, thanking you again for the Christmas package and the swell ring.