18 August 1948

Dear Mom + Pap:

I just got your letter yesterday and was very glad to hear from you so soon.

I’m feeling pretty fair now, except my bowels are still a little fouled up. “Cat” fever is short for a Catarrhal fever which is probably nothing more than a bad cold.

I wouldn’t mind this place so much if it wasn’t for the chow. The chow looks pretty good when they bring it in, but it’s always cold.

I don’t know when I’ll get home next but I will let you know for sure when I find out.

I’m not allowed to call on the ward phone and I’m not supposed to receive any incoming calls either.

Chances are they’ve got my pay records miked-up like they always do in the Navy. Every time you’re transferred your pay record goes right with you even to the hospital, but when you get transferred back they somehow don’t have it, and then you wait a long while before you get paid.

Well Mom and Pap, I guess I’d better close now.

All my love

Alfred