Feb. 22, 1945

Hello Hick:-

I guess you will get a big surprise when you get this letter. How is every thing with you and the boys? I heard the old outfit went into Leyte on D-day, did you see much action? I sure think of the old outfit, and sometimes wish I was with the old gang again, but I guess all the old guys are gone now. I didn’t meet up with any of the old guys at all, but I sure looked wherever I went. How is the Philappines? I guess by now you should be up in the ranks?

Just think of the [explicative deleted] I got, stationed at the present at Dover, Delaware in the 1^st A.F. just about a two hour ride from Philadelphia. Boy the chow is lousy, fresh eggs in the morning, fresh meats every day. Boy this life is getting me down, just like you said it would.

The field itself is lousy, I don’t like the set-up here, but when anything goes wrong I think of New Guinea. I guess you boys are getting beer pretty regular or is that a lie?

I sure was surprised when I got home to see all the guys out of uniform, boy they sure look to be in better shape than I ever was. I hope you write and tell me all about the outfit, how it is and who turned out to be the B.T.O.’s. I never realized how good the outfit was until I got back here. The only thing I think holding me back here is because I’m close to home and can get home on a three-day pass when we get them. Well I hope you tell all the old guys that are left that I’m sending my regards. I hope to hear from you as soon as possible.

So long

Slim