Fort Benning, GA

July 22, 1942

 

Dear Mom, Pop & all

            A few lines to let you folks know I am doing very good except for my head. My ear is stopped up, and has been for two or three days, may have to go to the doctor tomorrow. Now there isn’t anything for you to worry about. The Doc has said all my ears needed was washing and cleaned out, that is what he thinks, but let him think so.

            I got the present you all sent, and sure do like it, and thanks a million.  I wanted a pen* anyway.

            Well I heard a little news today. One of the Sergeants said we would be here for about 16 more weeks, so if I stay with this outfit (504th) we will be here for some time yet.  I might get to stay with the next bunch that comes in, can’t tell.

            I don’t know so much about the ratings now, you can’t tell a thing in the world about what the Army is going to do next. They have a Corp here in charge of the trucks, he is one of those D-- Yankies, and is pretty hard to get along with. He hasn’t had his rating so very long and it has gone to his head, thinks he is real important, but we get along very well.

            Boy oh Boy, I sure would like to be up there with all of you, Bent, Lucy and all, it sure gets lonesome here on Sunday. There isn’t but one truck on duty then and all we have to do is sit around and fight the gnats, flies, and hot weather it is really hot down here now hasn’t rained in over a week.

            Got a card from Pillie yesterday. He is in Memphis, Tenn. The way I understand his card he is going to the cooks school, am going to answer it this evening and find out just what he is doing, don’t think Memphis is over 250 or 300 mi. from here if I can get a  3 day pass after pay day think I will go up to see him. Hey wouldn’t that be a treat?

            Well folks these darn flies are about to eat me up so I guess I will close for this time, for it is about time for someone to call for a truck.

                        Love,

                             Marlin

 

Tell Bertie I wrote him a letter just before he left and it might not hurt him to write a few lines once in a while.  This one is for all of you.

 

 

 

*pen. All letters before this one were written in pencil.