Spitball Army

[V-mail addressed to Ralph N., Richmond, California.  Return addressed to E.R.G., C.M. 3/C, 55th Battalion, Company D, Platoon 4, c/o FPO San Francisco, California. Envelope postmarked 11 February 1944 at 2:30 p.m.]

Feb. 4 – 44.

Dear Ralph –

Thanks for your letter of all the gory details of the new set-up back there.  Boy, oh, Boy!  Even with all the good money I’m sorta glad I’m not still there.  Yes we had heard that there was no more of that “cost plus” business.  I guess it’s about time someone got wise to that old racket.  I guess the old place isn’t the same anymore.  Things over here are no different, still busy, but not for too long it seems.  We all got a seven days leave now and I’m taking mine the first part of March.  Going back where I spent my five day leave.  Expect to have a good time too.  We are breaking in our relief now so things ought to be happening for us before very long.  By the papers, it seems like this area is going to be quite a busy place in the future.  Don’t you kinda wish you were in on some of the fireworks?  Speaking of Admirals, one stopped me for not saluting him the other day.  Fine sailor I am, huh?  Too busy looking at the girls in town I was.  Well write again when you can.

So long now.
Bud.