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 7 September 1944 at 12 p.m.]

August 24 – 44.

Dear Ralph –

Have a day off today so will answer your letter of the 14th that I got last night.  Still fairly busy over here but the work is tapering off.  Wouldn’t be surprised to find myself on the high seas again pretty soon.  So you’ve been asking about the Merchant Marine.  That appears to be a good deal!  Wish I could have made it.  The chances for work after the war sounds good too but what about Yard #2.  Do you think they will continue to operate after it’s over?  Don’t think I’d want to get back into that game anyhow, unless forced to.  Would like to open a business of some kind if the money is available.  I understand us vets will be eligible to make government loans at a low interest rate.  Say Ralph, do you have any news about conditions out at Camp Parks?  If so, pass them along, uh?  That might be our home after while.  Well, write again soon.  Best regards to you and your mother.

So long now –
Bud