July 6, 1943

Dear Folks,
 Here's that Navy man again. Are you surprised to be hearing from me so soon? Whether you are or not here I am.
  I arrived at my fraternity house at 2125 so I still had a few minutes to spare. Nest time, the cabby can take it easy and that ought to make the race interesting.
  You know it was a good thing Gene and I left early because there were very few vacant seats on the train. We must have walked all the way uptown before we found seats. Boy- was that train long.
  I had a little surprise when I came back Sunday night. There was a fire in the house and of course it had to be my room. Nothing happens up here unless it happens to Platoon 4. Luckily there was little damage. According to the stories it was suppose to have started from short circuit in one of the wall fixtures. My friend Bob Condon was the hero of this episode. One of the cadets discovered the fire and was about to throw some water on it when Bob stopped him. As you can imagine, to throw water on that kind of fire is probably the worse thing you can do..... So up comes my hero and grabs a pillow and continues to blast the fisture of the wall. Rah Rah Rah... Booo Booo. No one knows whether to congratulate him or beat him for  not letting this poor imitation of a house burn to the ground.
  I don't think I will call up this week. I will take pite on my mama's pocket book.
  My room has been put on report twice so far this week for having a pillow fight. Last night one of the boys aim was'nt too good and he heaved it clear through a window. The senior cadet officer didn't like the idea of having one of our pillows laying out in the middle of the street. Soooo my room is one report #1. A few minutes ago some of the two fisted hard hitting red blooded Americans started to stretch their arms again. Out the window sailed another pillow nearly hitting a lady on the street. Soooo report #2.
   I will close now- Thanking everyone for everything.
                                                             Your loving son
                                                                        Jim

June 30,1943

Dear Pop,
  I received your letter and the coupon today. Thanks, I doubt if I will have any trouble getting the shoes.
  It's pretty definite about me coming home on the 3rd but I doubt if I will be able to stay any later than the 6 o'clock train, Sunday. One of the first thing they explained to us was that the only holiday in the Navy was Christmas.
  What was that crack about getting up a little earlier than usual on Sunday to have our picture taken? Do you realize that I am up at 5:45 every morning. If you wake me up any earlier than that I will have reason to complain, but only then.
  I don't think you should invite anyone over. It is a little late, and I was planning on going out. Thanks, though Pappy I know that you like those parties.
  I am still not sure as to what train I will take. The best way for you to meet me is to plan on being over there at 8:10pm. If I miss that train I will call you and you can meet me at 9:38pm. If classes are shore on Saturday I can make athat 4:50pm out of Troy instead of the 6:30 out of Albany. Try to bring the car over to Grand Central because I have quite a bit of luggage.
   Thanks again for the coupon, I will be looking forward to seeing you on Saturday.
                                                            Your Navy son
                                                                        Jim