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 26 August 1944 at 4 a.m.]

August 14 – 44.

Dear Ralph –

Yes, the mail service is really lousy.  Your letter of July 27th just arrived today, which still isn’t good time for a V-mail.  I can’t understand it either as we have our own F.P.O. here now, and that should speed up the service somewhat.  So you were just about all washed up over there at the yards, huh?  I should think so, by the looks of all the many varieties of ships out this way.  There’s no end to ‘em!  Over here things are rolling merrily along, in fact we ought to be on the move again in a few weeks.  The job here is almost completed and I guess [CENSORED].  From there it’s a toss up as to whether [CENSORED].  Thanks for the tip on the Model A Ford Ralph, I think I’ll try to pick up a staff car from Uncle Sam if we have first priority.  That Port Chicago mess was terrible, wasn’t it?  Well, so long for now, write again.

As ever –
Bud.