Diane my dear, Hq. V1 Bmb.Cmd.

6-19-43

If I don’t stop now and write you a letter I won’t be able to today. I am really getting into this thing now and up to my ears in work. Everything is beginning to take shape in my mind and I am becoming familiar with the situation and the personnel. I am sure a lot of them are cussing that new recruit from the states and saying just wait till he has been here for a while, he’ll slow up. I am afraid they are in for a surprise for there will be no slowing up until this is the best outfit in this department. Tropical rot is hard to get rid of but I have a lot of it to get rid of and have already begun the process. I will be away again most of next week for I am going to have to spend much time with the squadrons until I have gotten a lot of things across. Since Louie Hughes is already much occupied we are now trying for Geo. Dany. I won’t give up till I get what I am after. General Harmon is being grand about it and giving me every backing.

Don’t forget to give me any news of the box I sent as soon as you know about its arrival. I still haven’t been to town for a look see through the store but promise to do so as soon as I possibly can, robes and what not being in mind, little Cheri.

I had a very nice letter from General Brant day before yesterday. He has been sick for the past five weeks he tells me with a virus, pneumonia, and is just back to the office. Said that large portions of eight year old bourbon finally did the trick and put the bugs on the run. That’s one way. Beulah has written and given me word of Dick and Bill. Both are now in another school. Dick is attending a fighter school and bill is attending a University for some kind of special course after passing selection exams. I think that the Army is doing both of them a lot of good. They are both good boys though and deserve it.

There is not much news to give you my dear and there is so much that I could talk with you about but it is impossible by letter due to restrictions. I forwarded the income tax forms back to Baltimore stating that I was Foreign Service and wished to defer until return to the US. I suppose that I will have to pay eventually but will take a chance that they will make some adjustment later which they very likely will when they turn all these votes loose from the Army. I suppose that we had better save it though just in case. I will try to send you a little money this payday. Never mind the twenty two carat stones though, they would make you look vulgar. Imagine. Or maybe you don’t think so my little turnip. And besides this is not Africa tho I will gladly go to Africa after one if you can fix it.

Honey I can’t even go to the movies here. I’ve seen them all at Randolph and I don’t know when I will catch up or rather when they will. What’s Ali OOP doing? And did they get Taffy back from the Japanese. Did Joe Palooka get out of his jam? It’s terrible not getting the most important news here. Also you had better tell me the news about Tommy P. that you mentioned; no one will see or know what or who you are talking about. I sound like and old woman don’t I? Any way give.

Get Irene to give you a couple of big hugs for me dear and I will furnish the rest some time in the future so lots of love till then. Edwin