Thursday night –

February 8, 1945

Hi darlin’,

How’s my Valentine tonight? – Only six days you know. I received your sweet Valentine card today and it made me feel so good inside. To know that there is such a sweet and beautiful girl at home who cares is enough to lighten any man’s heart. I long so for the day when our love won’t have to be so long distanced.

Well, I have finally gotten that thirteenth mission in. It took me three tries, but I never was superstitious so when I finally went on it, it wasn’t a bad mission at all. However, it was to one of our most heavily defended targets, insofar as flak is concerned – Vienna. I don’t think there will be much beauty at Vienna after this war. – Have been trying to smoke a cigar while writing but I guess I’d better give it up. John has a long cigar, about twelve inches, which he received Christmas. He is saving it until he finishes his 35 missions. I want to be around when he smokes it so I can pick him up – he doesn’t smoke.

Say, I just noted that the Valentine card was mailed in Washington. Hope you had a wonderful week of relaxation there. You should have had a big stack of letters when you returned, as I have been writing very regularly and profusely.

Mother sent me the clipping which I am enclosing for your scrapbook. It was in the Richmond Times Dispatch. However, it is news to me, for I haven’t received it yet. We are supposed to be presented with them after completing five missions, but they never have taken time out to do this yet. Am almost due two clusters now, as you get a cluster for each five additional missions. John also had a clipping from his home paper about his – receiving the Air Medal, but so far none of us have gotten it.

Must say good night and dash down to the bulletin board and see if I’m up for flying tomorrow. Got my monthly ration of American whiskey tonight – a quart of Schenley’s for $1.00.

Be good, stay sweet, and be my Valentine – huh?

All me love forever,

Jimmy