July 26, 1943

Dear Folks,
  Here is it 0215 and your darling Navy man is up while all the rest sleep (snore) so peacefully. Is it horrible?I hate to think of how I am going to feel when they wake me up at 0530.
  The trip was uneventful except that two M.P. sat right in front of us on the entire ride. My friend, Gene Cole and myself almost swallowed our tongue when they stopped in front of us but these two just sat there and bothered no one.
  As we hit Albany we ran into a terrific thunderstorm. Boy- did it come down. Just our luck that the train pulled in where there was no shed so our rain covers were christened. As usual we enjoyed that fast, wild, cab ride through Albany to Troy. Even in all that rain, we were hitting 60 most of the time.
  My gosh am I tired. I think I could sleep for a year and still not catch up on the sleep that I have lost since I have been in the Navy. "Early to bed, early to rise, makes a man healthy wealthy and wise. I don't know how true that is. There's about 600 men up here who seem to agree that an extra hour sleep in the morning would make everyone more healthy and happy.
  One of the boys from my platoon has been sick for a month and a half and just came back last night. He has been up in Maine, swimming and sailing and just leading a lazy life. The only catch is that he is to be put back two battalions. The is two more months up here.
  It's funny to hear so many snoring at the same time. What variety, it seems as if everyone has developed something different.
  I had better close I want to drop a line to Bobby and a few other fellows before 0400.
                                                Your loving son,
                                                              Jim