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 21 June 1944 at 10 p.m.]

June 8 – 44.

Dear Ralph –

Got your V-mail some time ago so guess it’s about time I answered it.  You will have to excuse me using a pencil but you see I’ve run out of ink.  We left Australia in the latter part of April and we’re still on our way.  Never thought I’d camp aboard ship so long.  At present we are anchored off New Guinea, in fact I’ve been working ashore for a week or so tending to re-loading our supplies.  Hope we can reach our goal in a few days.  I’m getting a good view of the devastation of war up here, shell holes, bomb craters, wreckage galore, etc.  This is just the start too.  Heard the news of the invasion of France [D-Day, June 6th], night before last by radio.  Sounds great to us and I hope they keep on rolling in-land.  Might see you by the first of next year.  Keep your fingers crossed!  Gotta close for now.  Say “hello” to your mother for me.  Write again soon.

So long.
Bud.