January 20, 1944 

Dearest Marge,

            I’ll try and write you a few lines tonight.  I didn’t write last night cause I didn’t have time.  We had another inspection today and one tomorrow.  What a week so far.  Work and more work.  Most of the fellows are really tired.  I know I am.

            I didn’t get any mail today.  It’s just the time of week I never get any.  Honey I can’t think of much to say tonight.  At least I can tell you we haven’t left here.  The way things look here now is that we will be here for some time.  Maybe I’m wrong.  I don’t know.  I guess everybody is all mixed up.

            Boy Honey I would like to see you.  Maybe those furloughs will still come through, you never know.  If I was you I wouldn’t plan too much on coming here Feb 5.  If we are still here I’d love to have you.  A lot can happen in the next two week here.  We may pull out anytime.

            Out of the 50,000 fellows here I think I could find a couple fellows to fix up dates for your friends.  There are all colors here.

            Honey I think I’ll go to the PX.  Maybe I can write something really sweet then.  LATER.

            Well Marge I just reread your last letter to see if I’d missed anything.  You told me to answer all your questions.  I think I have now though.  I’m just laying here trying to write and thinking about the sweetest little wife in the world.  Now that everything OK again maybe you will get to feel better.  I think I know what you need more than vitamin pills.  Just a little loving.  Isn’t that right?  Boy if I was home I’d really squeeze you.  I wouldn’t squeeze you quite as hard as you said.  That would make a mess. Ha Ha.  It seems like years since I was home last time.  I think I’m lonesome tonight because I’m so darned tired.  As long as I keep busy I never get this way.  I’m just lonesome for you.  Honey I miss you more every day.  You may not believe this but I do.  I’m being just as true to you as I can and I always will.  Honey I think I’ll close this before long.  Don’t worry about the letter you got dated 43.  You may get more that way.  I’ve done that before but you know what I meant.

            Marge don’t get to enthused or make too many definite plans about coming down.  You should have some idea after a whole year how this army works.  The guys in it don’t know from day to day what’s coming.

            Honey here’s a real sweet kiss for the sweetest wife in the world.

X X X X X X

 Yours forever,

        Ralph