Dear folks:

Two letters from the home front today—one from each of you so that deserves a letter from me.

I see Mom tried to figure points and I knew you would.  Yes, I have more than the required 85 and I hope it means something.

Reading a newspaper clipping today it says that over three hundred thousand are to be released from the Pacific this year.  We heard a lot of stuff but it’s a little early to see how it will work, but I can’t help but feel that eventually something good will come of it. Dick gets 5 points for his Purple Heart.  A few fellows left from the battalion this morning for a furlough in the states and they came around and shook hands and said goodbye.  It’s quite an occasion. They had their choice of taking a furlough or waiting for rotation and decided on the former.

I just took a bath in that shower I described to you last night and right now I feel good.  The Jap artillery has considerably slackened off and that helps my nerves very much.

Last night the Japanese pulled another of their fanatical bonzai attacks for an hour and a half. Our artillery and naval ships laid down an unending hail of shells.  There was a constant distant rumble.  Often the ships sitting offshore use tracers, and you can easily follow their trajectory as they go high in the air and lob into Jap territory.  At the same time they attempted another landing, and you could see our ship’s lights and flares showing up the beach like daylight.  Jap barges were barely discernible from where I was, and I understand not a one of them got to shore.  The fighting on the south end of the island must be a classic example of the fury, the slaughter and devastation that erupts from war.  They say Noba is completely leveled and the stench of the dead is nauseating.  With some two hundred thousand civilians cramped in the little area you can imagine the suffering and death that must be everywhere.

But my own situation continues favorable and less dangerous.  I am fortunate to be behind the lines.  Once in a while some infantrymen come over to listen to our radio and I notice a surprising number have graying hair.

The last few nights I have found something to do.  I’ve been working crossword puzzles.  I go over to the aid station where they have lights, and the evening goes very fast that way.  As a matter of fact time seems to slip by very fast.  It seems like I no more than get started in the day, before it’s over.

The rain hasn’t been bad lately as a matter of fact the weather has been good, although tonight the sky looks like a storm may be brewing.

I’m sure you don’t reread my letters any more than I do yours.  Every time I get a free moment I pull one out and read over and over the letter and reread some parts I like.  But I know how anxious you are and I worry sometimes that you may worry too much, but I’m sure if we can all stick it out for 6 or 9 months longer, all will come out alright.  I keep your mail and save it for Dick.

I know last Sunday was Mother’s Day and I hope very much that you received my V-mail card.

Well it’s beginning to get dusk and I better make up my bed and get this letter off.  I have to make my bed a special way so that cold won’t leak in.

So much for this time.

Love,