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 25 October 1944 at 2 p.m.]

October 17 – 44.

Dear Ralph –

My day off over here (imagine that) so guess I’ll answer your letter which arrived yesterday.  Say, what’s the idea of you taking another Army physical?  Don’t you know when you’re well off?  If I were you I’d let them forget all about me.  Look at Harry.  More than 30 months overseas, living like a dog, no raise in pay and no future to look forward to.  I’m a lot better off than he and even I don’t like it.  Nothing new to report from over here but I do sorta expect to see you again around Xmas.  Not a thing definite but we all have our fingers crossed.  I’m afraid conditions after the war will be pretty tough for some of us late arrivals.  You better reserve me a place in the nearest breadline.  Could be I’ll go merchant marine if there are any openings.  Haven’t seen enough of this world yet you know.  How about you signing up?  Well Ralph, so long for now, say hello to your mother for me.

Write again
Bud.

Card is titled: “Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona. 6-18 View of the Canyon, near Bright Angel Camp.”

Publishing information:

Published by Harry Herz, 754 E. Culver St., Phoenix, Arizona.

This study finds that “buying an album digitally reduces carbon dioxide emissions by 40 to 80 percent relative to a “best-case” CD-purchasing scenario.”

*LINKAGE*

[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 10 October 1944 at 6:30 p.m.]

Sept. 29 – 44.

Dear Ralph –

Here I am again like the proverbial bill collector.  Got your Sept. 10th letter today and was glad to hear all the latest dope from the home town.  Really I don’t know what I’ll do Ralph, when it’s all over.  I’d like to be my own boss naturally, but don’t know if it’s worth the gamble.  Then too, not having a trade to follow it will be hard to run the competition.  Oh well, plenty of time for that later.  Old Henry Kaiser’s plans sure sound O.K.  He always will be a go-getter I guess.  No change in things over this way.  Still waiting for orders on our next move.  Most of us think and hope that this time it will be for home.  Can’t be too sure though!  Gen. McArthur may need our assistance in his triumphant return to the Philippines.  Hope he can make it alone!  I’m still feeling fine, hope this finds you folks the same.

Write again
Bud.

Exhibit 5: Nirvana.

[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.

Card is titled: “Beach and Tent City, Coronado, Cal. – 17.”

Publishing information:

Pub. by M. Kashower Co., Los Angeles, Cal.