Wednesday, August 9, 1944

My Darling Elizabeth,

Had just about decided you were not going to write anymore when I received you letter yesterday. It had been over a week since I had heard from you. I hadn’t had much time lately to write, but when you didn’t, I just decided I wouldn’t try too hard. However, our new schedule for the next week and a half takes up all of our time from P.T. at 6:00 A.M., until 6:00 or 8:00 at night. Then about every 4^th or 5^th night we fly at night. Please try to write more often, and I will do the same.

Thanks for the snapshots, but I would have much rather had more of you. I don’t think this one of you is very good either. [I] Do enjoy the portrait you gave me though. [I’m] Glad mine turned out all right-will have to get home someday and pass on them. Though, I hadn’t got a camera here, but as soon as we can find one, am going to get a picture of the crew. They all agree that it was a good idea you had.

I think I wrote you about meeting the colonel who C.O. of the base was at the officers’ club, didn’t I?- along with several other majors and colonels. Well, some girl’s club in Tampa sponsored what they called a Spinster’s Dance out here every Saturday and last Sat. I was attending one. This colonel from 3^rd A.J. Hdqts, whom I had met was there and invited me over to his table for a drink. There were a couple more Cols. and Capts. There, so there I was surrounded by brass again. This colonel is only about 28, and lives next door to these people I know in Tampa. That’s how I met him. He is the right hand man to General Farsem, and flies all around the country. Gen. Farsem is the C.O. of the 3^rd A.J.-the one I’m in now, so I might be able to do myself some good here. There’s just one thing I’d like to talk myself into, and that is to leave to be with you again. I don’t like the way you talk about not coming to Florida, and am beginning to lose faith in you. You know, you told me once before that if I went to Florida, you would come to see me: add to this fact that I only have about a month more here, and with no prospect of a furlough in view-this is pretty discouraging to say the least.

I am proud of you getting this chief clerk’s position, but it was only a promotion long overdue. [I] Am sure you will prove just as efficient at it, as you are in everything you do. Don’t let your work rule you, though.

You don’t have to tell me about the heat, as it is hot as Hades here, and the mosquitoes are ferocious.

Please write soon and often-will be looking for you soon-Tampa is no more than dreaming without you. Be good, stay sweet and lonely, missing you more than ever.

All my love,

As ever,

Jimmy