October 9,1943

Dear Mom, Pop, Jerry , Mary and Mat,
   Received letters from Mom, Mary, Mom and Jerry this week. Sure glad to hear "hometown" new.
   Well Jerry I don't think I can get that sailor's hat for you out here but I suggest you go ahead and buy it now. Mother can give you the money and I will pay her. I didn't send you anything so that can be a present. For Christmas I can buy you a good pen. By the way Jerry what does " civiliyon" mean. You wrote " Your favorite civiliyon" in your last letter.
   Mary- Evelyn never did send me those cookies. I imagine it was because I never wrote to her. glad to hear that you are doing so much in that salvage drive.
   It was good to hear that Mat & Mom enjoyed that supper so much. I only hope I can send more money home for more suppers. I am sorry to hear that Jerry couldn't find the Ramblers. By the way, maybe it was a good thing he didn't see them because they lost. Next time.
   Jerry doesn't know where they are playing eh ought to call up Spellman. He would certainly help him out.
   Lately I have been practicing landings in spots. That's about the past part of flying I guess. Probably because it's quick thinking have to keep you on your toes. It's comical to watch the instructors stand near the runway and signal their students in for a landing. They are more nervous than any of the cadets. I wouldn't be surprised to see one of them die from heart failure some day.
   I haven't heard a word from Gene yet. I imagined he is on the double all the time. Poor guy was a nervous wreck when he left here Saturday night.
   Received five demerits yesterday at a room inspection. The son of a gun pulled my bed out, climbed under the desk, dragged out the bureaus and couldn't find any dust. Boy, I thought I had the C.O. right where I wanted him but..... along comes a little breeze from the hall. Out from under one of the legs of the desk comes scuttling a little piece of dust. Right before the C.O.'s eyes. There's no justice. This is the sad ending to my letter.
                                               The Navy,
                                                            Jim