N. Africa

Feb. 25, 1944

Dearest Mom & Dad,

            Hello, how are you today? Just a short letter to let you know that I am well. Today we had a dress formation. At the formation we were given the good conduct pin. It is the same size as the rest of the service pins. It is red with 3 narrow white bands on each end. We were also given the Mideternin, African Campaign ribbon. It has a blue background with brown, white and green bands on it. It really made me proud to be given them and I will always wear them. The ceremony was interesting. We stood in regular formation in full dress uniform. There were 9 Officers there and as our names were called off we would go out and stand in front of an Officer. There would be 9 boys go up at a time. The Officer would step one pace forward and pin the ribbon on and then shake our hand and then step back one pace. Then we would salute them back and make an about face and go back in the formation. Some of the boys didn’t take the ceremony very serious. In fact some of the boys took the ribbons off and are not going to wear them. I don’t see how they can do that. One of these days I am going in town and have my photo taken in full uniform. I will send one to you and to Myrtle so you can see how I look.

            I am still at the job of running the movie projector. I am not showing any picture tonight. We had one of Orson Wells’s pictures and it was real poor. I showed it for two days and that was all I could stand to look at it.

            We are going to have an inspection of tech supply in a few days so we are busy getting all the records straight with the stock on hand. It is a big job but we are almost through now. There are only a certain amount of boys that are willing to work and help all they can but the rest just lie around and get all the credit. I took on two extra jobs just to keep busy. I understand that they are going to pay me extra for running the projector. It may be $15 or $20 a month.

            There is a B7 that comes over the camp every once in awhile and zooms over. If you think they fly low there you ought to see them do it here. He will get just away from the camp and then head towards us and go real low almost low enough to let his wheels down and touch ground then he will pull up a little and skim over the tents. They sure are a beautiful and when they come towards you, you can’t hear the motors at all. After he zooms the camp he will pull it up in a steep climb. Boy how those boys can fly them. Well this is just a short letter so I will close for this time and so be careful and don’t worry about me. I am well and getting plenty to eat. Give my regards to everyone.

                                                Love from your son

                                                            Howard