August 2, 1944
Dear Ma,
Got some bad news in away tonight but still nothing so bad. We got our shipping orders today an are suppose to move out Sunday. The nice thing about it is that we all get to go together. We don’t know where we will go, but probably to another place like here. You probably remember me telling you about a fellow in our barracks by the name of Peterson. He has been here seven months an he got his orders to move out Saturday. A person sure melts some nice people an hates to leave them.
I got two letters an the Benton Advocate today. Got something at every mail call. Saw in the Benton paper where Duncans son got killed. Finally got word that their son got killed in the Phillipines. He is some relation to Sammy Andrews an he use to tell me all about him, but don’t know for sure. Sure was quite a strain for his folks to be under. Wendell got a letter from George McRae last night an he said that shooting Japs was like hunting rabbits. Said he had had several close calls. One shell exploded close to his ear an he was kind of deaf in it. Can just picture Bob when Junior came home. But him and Jim had a big time together. Bob must of had a wild time up to the swimming pool. Don’t think much of there choice of a name, but I won’t say nothing about it. I guess I will have to raise girls for they will have all the boys names taken up.
Hope Dilly got to go to Carole party for she always has a good time. Must be awful on Dilly, Oggie and Willie not to get to ride when they want. I know just how Buddy would be. I am glad you are getting Bob out an showing him off. I bet he is pretty sweet. He would do a pretty good business at picking things up. Sure do feel sorry for Francis H. for he thinks about home and his little boy. He sure is a swell fellow.
I am going to start putting my service number on my letters so now an when you write use it. It will help get the letters forwarded sooner. Don’t know any more news so I will close for now.
Love Howard
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