Ft. Sill, Okla.
Mar 6,1943
Dear Mother, Dad, and Grandma
First I shall try to answer your questions, although I suppose by this time you have seen Roscoe Brownell and had him answer a few for you.
Yes survey means honest to goodness measurement of land. It's not as intricate as civilian survey, I imagine, but on a small scale it follows the same principles. You see field artillery fires mostly on targets that cannot be seen from the guns. So observers must either get way up front where the shells land, or up on a hill or in an airplane to be able to see the effect and adjust it on the target; or else fire must be controlled from a map, data accurately figured, targets and guns accurately plotted, etc. That's where survey comes in. It's interesting work, even if it is a bit out of my civilian line. Transits and aiming circles, tape + stadic rods are used just as in civilian survey. I suppose there will be lots questions to answer when I get home.
As I told you in my Wednesday letter, both money orders were received O.K. Thanks a lot. I'm also concerned about the coat from Wanamaker's. Let me know when it arrives. And don't forget the bus schedule. Pittsburg to Lewisburg Better not write after about the 12th, but an air- mail letter Sunday ought to reach me in time.
I get one shoe certificate here -- but I really need two pairs. I don't want to take your shoe coupon Mother, but perhaps Grandma or Alice Groover will let me have one. G-ma doesn't use 3 pr. of shoes a year does she?
I won't have to worry about income tax this year -- but next year will be another story. I'm keeping account of what I earn + what I spend for essentials, etc, so I'll be able to fill out my 1st form a year hence without too much difficulty.
I'd sort of like to have a photo too, so you won't have to get me into Ross's. Thank you, Dad, for the box of candy from Williamsport. I appreciated it and so did the fellows.
Charlie Band writes that he's going to plan to be home the weekend I'm in Lbg., so I'll have at least one old friend in town. Isn't it nice of him to come home while I'm there. I had a letter from Isabelle too. She says she's going to try to get down.
Yes, Mother, I do want a dental appointment while I'm home. Army dentists are all night for emergency work, but I'm not at all sure I trust them to just look for fillings. Make an appointment for me for Tuesday or Wednesday morning after 9:00, will you? Thanks.
Today I am Charge of Quarters in our class day room. It gives me a good chance to write letters, but it means I get cheated out from 1st "free" saturday since I've been here. I had a great deal of shopping to do too.
I guess that's about all, so I'll close until mid-week. Yours, John