[November 3, 1943]

Dear Wanda,

I can’t figure out whether I should be worried about this mail situation or not. A couple weeks after I landed here I received letters from everyone and now after two months my mail ceases entirely. I write between ten and twenty letters every week and never get an answer. It is beginning to look as though no one loves me anymore. They say that a good deal of our mail was lost on the way so all my letters were probably in that batch.

You know, I wish I could figure out just how I stood with you. Do you treat all service men as you treated me? After I met you I couldn’t figure out whether I was a heel or not but I did find out that you were the swellest person I ever met. Why do you have to be so old or me so young, I haven’t figured out which yet. I sure wish you would put your shoes under my bed when I get back. I haven’t heard from you yet so I don’t know what you think of my idea.

In just a couple more weeks I am going to be all of twenty three years old and I feel forty. No fooling, it seems like I have been over here a life time and I expect grey hairs to pop out any day. If I stay over here another year they might just as well bury the hulk. In a way I like it but it can never beat wine, women, and song. That is what I am waiting for, and it may not be too long so stand by.

I just wrote my mother a letter and told her that one of the prettiest sights I ever saw was one with death involved and I will never forget it. It seems that everything that is so rough and heartless like the jungle or mountains is the prettiest. Pretty sights that can cost the careless his life. Over here fighting Japs is simple compared with the rest of the things you have to contend with. When you see these places and the lives they cost you sometimes wonder what it is all about. It is no wonder we go wild and will not be fit to be taken back to civilization as one person said. They teach you to kill and then when you don’t stop when they want you to you are a merciless killer. How the hell can you kill a person and show mercy? He will leave that for the Army.

Write soon and tell me how much you love me and don’t give all that love to the “swabbies.” Please check the stationary.

Love

Bob