My Darling,

I hope you can read this – but my hands are pretty cold which makes writing alittle difficult. Honey, I received alot of your letters, everything from your valentine up to your letter of March 2nd. Needless to say I was about the happiest fellow around here. They were all swell and whether you know it or not they took me right back to the states. In fact I was even with you for about an hour while reading them, then grim reality. I can’t tell you yet of what we have seen, but I am certainly glad Willie is being born in the U.S. I’ll be able to tell you more at a later date.

Our living quarters are tents with wooden floors, (the difference between ours and the enlisted men is that they haven’t any floors) at night it’s colder than hell and I just about froze my fanny last night. Had a canvas cot with two blankets on the bottom, two sleeping bags (one inside the other), and two more doubled blankets on top. I wore my p.j.’s and socks. They say you are not to get your face in the sleeping bag but after freezing for about 3 hrs. I went clear down in the center of the thing and closed the top. I still froze but it wasn’t so drafty. At 7:00 A.M. I decided I couldn’t stand it anymore and if was going to freeze to death I’d just as soon do it walking around as in my sack. There isn’t any stoves, but if it isn’t any warmer tonight I think I’ll rip up the floor and build a fire anyway. I hear it’s been done. Also tonight I’m putting on my flying boots and heavy winter flying gear. I wish I could come home with you and get what is called “dual sack time.” I think I’ll take you up on that two weeks in bed deal, however, about both of us getting up to feed junior, there isn’t any sense in that, we’ll just flip to see who goes.

Now we’ll discuss your letters:

Feb. 15th: There isn’t any reason why you should feel like a poor wife for not doing my washing, there was only alittle bit to do and it didn’t hurt me in the least. About girls names; Honey, it doesn’t make an awfully lot of difference to me. I don’t care too much for the name Sara but it is still up to you. Need I say more?

Feb. 17th: Still about the laundry; the next time I am around you are not going to wash everything – and anything you choose. Enough said. So you came across some of my old letters, do you mean ones I had written to you or someone else? Honey, my life is an open book to you.

Your Wed. night letter: I wrote Bill and Ann a letter on the way over. About where we went that Sat. night (Andy and I), it wasn’t the Gold Nugget it is closed. The first one was the Hideaway, and the rest I’m not sure of.

Skipping the 18th

Your 19th letter: I’m certainly glad you got tot the doctors, and that everything is OK. I won’t mention the calcium, but see that you keep taking them. About staying in the hospital only 6 days, I think you should stay longer than that. Darling when he told you he had heard that you were the only girl I had ever loved he knew what he was saying. Maybe I didn’t realize it at some times but I’ve been sure of it for a long time now. How can I convince you?

Feb. 21st. The lipstick looks OK, but wish I could get alittle more benefit out of it. Glad John was able to write even if it was so short. You might write him R. H. I. P. ^[1]RHIP is a military acronym for “Rank Has Its Privileges. but that would be dirty, in fact if anyone wrote that I guess I should. Your cooking sounds pretty good, I doubt if you hear any complaints from me after all this. I am glad you have about gotten your teeth all fixed. Hope he was still as gentle as the first time. I’ll take good care of myself.

Fri. evening: Believe me honey, I would like to see you in my plaid shirt, even without your p.j. pants. You always did look sharp to me, even in the morning; dressed or not. Tell Julius, the special delivery man, that someday I’d like to do something for him. I haven’t received the calendar but maybe it will show up someday, but must send some pictures of yourself and to hell with the pin-ups.

Feb. 26th. Honey, I’m glad you think of me and darling no matter how busy I am I still won’t be able to stop thinking of you let alone forget your. I was telling Andy about your reading in the family doctor book, he says he’s a sure bet at having a girl. You mentioned methods of “running down” the woman but never said what they were. I’m waiting. We sold the apt. dishes for $10.00 and the rent was $47.50, we split them both.

Feb. 27th. About sending request slips, when I get my regular APO# I’ll send it to you on several cards or V-mail forms and you can use one of these for each package. I’ll send one to you, Mother & Dad, Ruthie, and each one of the chickens, if the ducks are still there let me know and I’ll send one to each of them because you can use them all. Thanks to the folks for sending the Advocate. I’ll be looking forward to it.

Feb. 28th Glad to hear you about quit of the habit.

This just about covers everything Darling, tell Mother, Dad, and Ruthie all hello. Sending you alittle of the money we use over here. One lire (pro-lear) is equal to 1 cent.

I love you very much Darling; and really it won’t be so very long until I can tell you just how very much. Until then –

All my love,

Tom