August 10, 1943

Dear Father, Mother, Aunt, Brother and Sister,

   No doubt you are a little astonished to receive three letters from me in one week. Stanger things than that have happened, so don't worry.
  I received a letter from my dear younges brother today.
  Bobby Ludwig certainly had a tough break. I guess that just about kills his chances of going into the Air Corp for a little while. What hospital is he in?
  So Frischman and Kelly were home. Too bad I didn't go home but gosh darn it that ride is horrible. As I wrote before I will not be coming home until I get my leave.
   Everyone is counting the days until we move out. The date should be about the 27th, I hope .
   This hold period is a real racket. No homework at all and the work in school is all review. Abouth the only work I have is making up a recognition notebook. Cutting plane pictues out of magazines and the like.
   We just had our first fire drill in the house a few minutes ago. Was that comical. Half of the fellows had pajamas on. What a sight seeing all the fellows trying to pull thie pants on. Everything turned out O.K.
   Believe it or not I received a letter from Al Walsh yesterday. He expects to be a proud father in October. From his letter, the Navy seems to be keeping him busy. The Waves have taken over most of the jobs down there so he expects to be moved soon. Do you know we still haven't given him that mirror as a wedding present? Someday, we will.
                 I will close now dear folks
                                             Your loving Navy man
                                                             Jim
P.S. Please excuse the writing. I am scribbling on a magazine balance on my knee.