Oklahoma
O.C.S. Faculty - Materiel
July 10, 1943
Dear Mother Dad + Grandma --
I'm going to start this letter tonight and then finish it sometime tomorrow. Just now the radio is telling of the attack on Sicily. At last it looks as though invasion is under way. I wonder if Sicily is the only target at present -- or if new landings will be made tomorrow or next week.
I hope we attack all along the line in such numbers and with such success that the Germans will be discouraged into a rapid surrender. Then we would be free to turn our full attention to Japan.
But I'm very much afraid that Germany will hang on -- and that we shall have to beat her to her knees step by step! That would take time!
Please don't say anything about what I wrote in my last letter concerning Mr. Ostergren. Charlie told me it was strictly confidential -- and I certainly don't want it to go any farther. But let me know if you hear anything.
Nothing new -- it was a dull week. Study hall one night was my only diversion. I haven't been to town for 2 weeks now -- but I may go tomorrow.
I haven't been over to see Mrs. Bucher yet either but I shall try to get there tomorrow. If I don't she may get home before I see her!
Well, Dad, you needn't worry about my bank balance. I checked within 50¢. The bank says I have 50¢ more than I thought I had. Which isn't at all bad -- for if I remember correctly I was out about 50¢ last year when I came into the army.
Sorry you didn’t have more of a celebration on your anniversary. But there will be other years when we'll be free to hop into the car and go out for dinner.
I see I missed a job -- and I can't say I'm sorry. Mr. Angstadt does a better painting job anyway!
No the Gophers aren't like the moles in Ill. They don’t tunnel so near the surface. They have a big hole like a huge ant hill! And the tunnels are down deep so that you can't see them at all.
Who did Janet McMahan marry? -- and was it Belly's sister or the Janet McMann who was Pres. of the CA my freshman year at B.U.?
My alarm clock has been on the blink. So I spent two free hours this morning cleaning & oiling it. I got all kinds of advice from the men at the office until I told them my Dad is a jeweler -- after that they let me do it my own way. Dad will laugh at the materials I used -- but I had to use what I had.
I took it apart with a knife blade, cleaned it in solvent (probably too greasy itself to do a good job), and then oiled it with Aircraft Instrument and Machine Gun Oil (which is just about the right grade.) It's running like a charm again -- but for how long!
And now I'm going to bed!