2/17/43 Pay Day
2:30p.m.
Office

Dear John M.

Your letter about the hotel fire received this morning. Some experience! How did it feel running down with your trousers on your arm? Glad ‘twas nothing more serious.

I was talking to Charlie Dickinson this morning, he told me about a conversation he had today with a Second Lieut. who is home here on his furlough. He had just gotten his commission. Oh, yes, he was from Fort Knox – Tank Corps. Mr. Dickinson gave me a good deal on this commission and I am passing some of it to you for what it is worth.

Much that the young man (21 years old) said tallied very closely with some of your experiences; such as not knowing how you stood until the last minute, the rough experiences etc.

He did say, also, that at one time he was highly nervous, couldn’t eat and if he had he had it to go over again, he’d choose something different from the Tank Corps; but now, that he is finished, he’s glad he’s in the Tank Corps.

He said he’d gotten to the point where he didn’t give a damn for anything and somehow things seemed to become easier after that. His experience was that if a man became confused he was gone, but if he held his head, gave his orders, although they might be wrong orders, and kept alert, he was fairly safe. He got cussed out for giving wrong orders but they didn’t wash him out. He seemed put considerable stress on keeping alert, and quick reaction to the needs of the occasion. (I imagine something like your closing the elevator door at Sunday morning’s fire.)

Well, what Charlie gave me at of the young man’s talk it was very interesting especially since he was from Fort Knox. What I have written, you probably already have in mind, but I think it helps sometimes hear the experiences from a man who has already “been there”.

I am writing this hurriedly but I believe you have the gist of the conversation.

It has been cold as heck here the last few days and I’m wondering if our pier is still right side up.

6:15 – at home –

Your mother says, hello, and to look out for a box about the first of next week.

Well, so long, son,

Love from both us both

Dad