Dearest Mother,

I guess you, like the rest of us, are quite excited and slated over the recent naval-air strike of Japan! Alas the fall of Bataan Carregeder and most of Ohila! We are really going places over here now and it looks now they may hit Japan before China. Still, we aren’t over-optimistic and have lots to do yet, before it’s finished. The news still sounds good on the European front too so maybe we will get them all cleaned out before the year is over. Still there will have to be occupation armies left on all of the places and that will be a job.

I’m still in the same hospital and feeling fine and improving every day. They’ve just about decided that my trouble is COCCIDIOMICOSIS and the rest is the only treatment for it. I don’t know if they will send me to another hospital or not. Had a big chicken dinner tonite with ice-cream, so I am full. Have had mail only once, so still look for some soon. Feels funny not going to church on Sunday, but I’m not allowed out of my room! It has been pretty cool the past few nites – good sleeping nites! My chest must be clearing for I rarely cough now. Hope I can gain some weight while I’m here –

Love to all - Russell