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 18 February 1944 at 9:30 p.m.]

Feb. 13 – 44.

Dear Ralph –

How is the welding situation?  Any chance of you being replaced by a woman?  A ninety pound fragile young thing for instance?  I’ll bet it’s rather nice working in the yards now with so many goo-looking girls around to take the eye.  Have you picked out one for yourself yet?  Even way over here I’m not doing so bad.  The gal who came up for her vacation has gone back home but in March I’ll be seeing her again because then I’m getting a seven days leave and intend to spend it in her home town.  Of course it’s pretty obvious what that means as to our chances of coming home in the near future.  I guess you got me wrong Ralph.  I just thought you might want to call Red or Dot up to say “hello.”  I don’t know their phone number (if they have one).  Scotty is married now and expects an addition to the family this summer.  He’s living in Richmond now too and still works for the creamery.  Quite a surprise, huh?  So long for now.

Write again soon.
Bud.