Aug 19, 1943 (Should be Aug 29)
Sun. 5:30 P.M.
Dear Folks:
Well this will be my last full day at this place. I will be really glad to leave here too. Say I got a letter from Ma yesterday. I also got my shaver. Thanks a lot.
You were telling about this Dunneback kid. You may think they were sort of rough on him. Well I don’t doubt but what that’s true. But this old army gets pretty rough sometimes. Going to sleep on guard duty is a pretty serious offense. Sometimes they seem pretty unfair too. I can sympathize with him. Because I remember very clearly when I was on guard duty back in Classification Center and in Pre-flight. I also remember when they forgot to relieve me and I had to keep on walking most of the next tour of duty. I almost froze to death as that was from 2 A.M. until about 6 A.M. with a cold biting north wind blowing.
Yes that’s right. They figure it takes about $27,000 to train a pilot. That includes the planes he cracks up and wears out. It includes everything. So you see Uncle Sam has probably got $20,000 invested in me already. So don’t worry any about me. You can just bet that Uncle Sam is going to take good care of anybody who has that much invested in him.
There was a Major back from combat here yesterday. He told us all about his experiences. This is really a fast-moving game I’m in now. The fighter pilot is right in the fastest part of it.
My flight commander told my bunk mate he didn’t think we would get a leave when we finish training. So please don’t plan too much on me getting home. There just is no telling when I’ll get home. You can bet I’ll take advantage of the first chance I get.
Well folks I hope you are all well and happy.
Yours truly,
Alva
P.S. It is really hot here again. And we are going South. tsk tsk tsk. AB
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