August 27, 1944

Dear Mom:

Just a few lines to let you know that all is well. Nothing of any account has happened since yesterday so I am at a loss for words.

The weather down here yesterday and today hasn’t been any too good. There were intermittent showers yesterday but they seemed to clear early in the afternoon. This was just a hoax as we later found out. It was just the lull before the real storm.

We went to town last night and tried to have a little fun. It didn’t turn out very well. When we first got to town we had supper at the best or second best place in Savannah. It cost us $1.50 each. After this we went to the barber shop in the basement of the Hotel Savannah and got a haircut. I just got a trim because I want that whirligig on the best side of my head to grow out. It is beginning to look a little better.

We then went to the Hotel DeSoto for a few drinks and perhaps a few dances. It was packed. After standing at the bar for about ¾ of [an] hour we finally got a couple of drinks. There was no sense in us going out in the dining room and trying to dance because there wasn’t an inch of available space in the place. After finishing our drinks we wandered across the street to the National Catholic Community Center and the same situation prevailed. It was jammed. Practically every branch of the male and female services was represented. The males had the females well outnumbered. There was a soldier orchestra playing and they took an intermission after each set of three numbers. It was a good-sized place but hopelessly overcrowded. When we got ready to leave it was pouring pitchforks. We got an unwanted shower bath. We had about two blocks to the bus. We had to wait for it for about 15 minutes and that didn’t help matters any.

The planes were all grounded this morning on account of a very low ceiling. The clouds were down around a couple of hundred feet. We were scheduled to fly this afternoon. By the time we were ready to fly the ceiling had raised to about 700 feet. This is still plenty low. Only three planes were sent up and they were accompanied by instructor pilots and engineers. None of our crew went up. Perhaps we will get our chance in the morning. We fly early tomorrow. That means 3:30 A.M. for arising. It has been pretty well overcast today. The sun hasn’t showed itself at all.

This afternoon after briefing was over we went to the movies. “The Great Moment” with Joel McCrea was playing. It wasn’t such a bad show. Not the type of picture I usually like to see but fair just the same.

After the movies I went back to the barracks and read a few stories out of a detective magazine. I then went to supper. We had a cold supper with ham and cheese and celery and cake and iced tea. It was pretty good.

I am now at the Service Club writing this letter. I guess that is about all I have to say for now. When I start flying I may find more to say. The Service Club sits right off the edge of the ramp. We can look right out the window of the writing room and see all the planes parked on the ramp a couple of hundred feet away.

So-long until next time. Write soon and let me know how things are. How is dad doing on his job? Give my love to Dad, Marie, and Bootsie, and by best regards to the others.

Your loving son,

Joe