7-23-44.

Hello, –

I guess you had thought this state of California had swallowed me up. Anyway here I am back here at Lemoore but I certainly wouldn’t know that it is the same place I left last Jan. The 4th Air Force took it over about two monthes ago and are now using it as a replacement center for air crews, making up heavy bombardment crews, giving overseas’ physicals and shots. My group has had its overseas shots and physical, however, we are still due for about 11 wks. more night fighter training. Our crews, that is our flight engineer and gunner are just starting their operational training now and we won’t pick them up till about a month yet. I have been running into alot of fellows here that I went through cadet training with, they went into another type work and most of them are all set to go across. Jim Brewer from Greenville is here, he broke his foot acouple days ago so will be laid up for several weeks yet. He’s a bombardier so when he is well he will be assigned to his crew. We didn’t think we would be here this long as there is only a few of us. Will probably leave the first of the month, but you can’t depend on the army. Most of us would be willing and ready to leave inside of 10 min. if they said the word, as this isn’t too enjoyable a place to be at this time of year. Early in the morning it gets pretty cool, which helps alot in getting in our sleep.

Zoe said that you folks were in Chicago awhile back. How did you find everything? I have hopes of getting a leave and hope to get to Chicago but with all the time I would need in travel it would have to be several days in length. I would like to get back once more even if it would be for just a short time.

I feel alittle breeze coming through the window, I don’t know if it enough to get to sleep on but think I’ll try anyway. Hoping to hear from you –

Love,

Tom