Mar. 20, 1944

Dear Mom and Dad,

Here it is Monday night and I am pretty tired. We went on a ten and a half mile hike today and got lost in the woods and just did get back in time for chow. We went through woods and through swamp and we were muddy and wet up to the knees when we got back. To top that off we have guard duty from 10 P.M. to 2 A.M. with me as acting corporal.

You and Dad should have been here for dinner Sunday. We had great big thick pork chops. After I ate my first helping I went back and got second helpings. After that another boy and I went across the street to another chow hall and stood in line and went in and ate some more pork chops. Boy was I full.

There are 8 boys in here now and they are arguing over the Civil War. You can’t even hear yourself thinking so I’ll stop now.

With Love

Your son

Joe