November 24, 1944

Air Mail From Dip

So. Pacific

Nov. 24, 1944

Dear Mom & Dad -
It’s a hot sultry day & the wind is blowing something fierce. The air is thick with dust like some of those storms we used to have in Mpls. during a dry spell. I’ve been trying to get a little shut-eye this afternoon, but just as soon as I get really relaxed some joker blowing up duds on the Bn range lets go with a stick of T.N.T. Very disturbing – so I guess I’ll get out a letter or two.

I know it’s been a couple of weeks since I wrote last. I’m sorry it couldn’t have been sooner and all I can tell you is that we’ve all been very busy lately. Hate to be so stingy about explanations, but ‘tis necessary.

Well first of all – I got the Christmas presents you sent – the soap, socks, hankies, etc. It was a swell gift to get right now, cuz I can use all the contents. Thanks for everything. Some of the boys (I should say almost everyone) are getting packages of candy – I guess the folks back there just don’t realize the P.X.s over here supply all our wants along that line. I’m sweating-out the fruit cake because that’s something I like. You asked me to send a request for another if I like them. Consider it requested.

Elaine sent me a book called “A Tree Grows in Brooklyn” – you know I was glad to get that. Funny thing – another fellow who had read it was telling me all about it the night before it came in the mail. I also received the package of cookies that you, Elaine & Dot shipped up while in N.Y. Always happy to get any homemade stuffs so thanks again. Dot & Arlo sent six rolls of film – I was hoping they would, my supply was low. By the way I’ll pick out a few pictures that I developed & printed one night last week, & send them along with this letter.

Yesterday was Thanksgiving and army or no army – overseas or not – we really had a wonderful turkey dinner. I’m enclosing a menu so you can see for yourself. Yup, I was proud to sign such a good looking menu.

This year I feel especially thankful that I’m still in such good health and unscratched. Next year I hope to give thanks that it’s all over & we’re on our way home. A lot of men have grown hard & cynical after so long in the army & overseas, away from their home ties & influences. It’s a rough sort of life where a lot of the courtesies & niceties of civilization are forgotten. Maybe it’s toughed me some, but as far as Ic an tell I’m the same joker that left Ft. Snelling so many many years ago. Thinking it all over, I can’t think of anything but “good” that I’ve gotten out of my army career. I don’t believe four years of college could have taught my half as much about life in general. Guess I’d be pretty thoughtless not to be thankful for all that.

While I think of it – I’m enclosing a money order for fifty ($50.00). Would appreciate your putting it in my slowly increasing college fund bank account. Say at this rate I oughta be one of the Mpls. “money bags” when I get back. Gosh, it sure is great to see it pass the “two grand” mark. Never dreamed I’d ever own a sum like that.

We’ve been getting some very wonderful movies lately. The best recently was a Greer Garson & Walter Pidgeon production called “Mrs. Parkington.” Another good one was Bridge of San Luis Rey. Tonight we have Laura with Gene Tierney.

Here’s a funny one – today Marco Armani came running up to me with two letters from home. He said he was a little late in delivering them, so I look at the date and find the postmark dated July 5th and 8th. The darn things had been slipped under a fold in the canvas on our table to keep ‘em from blowing away. When he tipped the table over to clean it off out came the letters. All the news was pretty antiquated, but you did tell all about the 4th of July & how quiet it was. There was nothing in there that needed answering, so guess I’ll check a more recent letter.

Dorothy wrote me all about her meeting with Lyle & his new wife. That surely was a coincidence. I’m pleased to hear that he married a nice girl. He was a pretty good guy even if Daddy couldn’t quite stand to have him around.

No I haven’t flown now for a couple of months even tho the planes are still around. We went thru a regular training schedule learning to do aerial observation, and now that it’s thru we just don’t get a chance to fly anymore. It was fun while it lasted.

You asked me how these woods look here – well that’s one thing that is strictly censorable. Let it suffice to say they’re not unlike our own Minn. woods. Lots of mosquitoes & bugs, but no snakes or bears.

Thanks for the addresses & the latest G-2 on all the boys. Sure wish I’d hear from Coll. Just heard from Rolie – nothing new from him except that he’s anticipating but not planning too heavily on a trip home in the near future.

Yes I’m enjoying my new silver bars all right. I’ve been pulling my rank like mad around here especially on all the 2nd Lts. You know me – all that sudden power went right to my head.

The weather has been hot now for a couple of weeks, so I have up & cut my locks real short again. Nothing like being comfortable.

We still play bridge around here on our spare (rare) moments.

Gosh, you certainly are getting a jackpot in this letter. It’s been a month of Wednesdays since I’ve written one this long. I’d better quit while I can still get it in an envelope.

With a prayer that your all well & happy.

Your son, Dorance

PS. Now I can go to the PX & get a new writing tablet.