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 28 September 1944 at 2 a.m.]

Sept. 13 – 44.

Dear Ralph –

A couple days ago I got your two letters at once, one of Aug. 22, the other of Aug. 28.  How come?  Did you get two of mine in short time?  Evidently you’re back on the seven day week again, huh?  If so, how goes it?  The overtime dough comes in handy I guess.  Sure wish I could be knocking out good old money, like old times!  By the way, are you still on swing shift?  What do you average per week?  Have the women taken over the chipping racket yet?  Over here there isn’t much news to write about.  I thought we’d be on our way by now but there are no plans yet that are definite.  The work on this base is just about washed up and I imagine about all we are waiting for is further orders.  We are going into our nineteenth month on overseas duty now and I wouldn’t be surprised to be seeing you before too long.  Don’t hold your breath though.  Sort of hate to think of living aboard one of your products again for any length of time.  They weren’t made for long pleasure trips, believe me.  Well Ralph, write again soon.

So long –
Bud.