3/14/44 Italy V-mail
Hi Honey:
I’m sorry this isn’t a very nice letter, because I just can’t help it. Today is about the bitterest pill I have ever had to take. With all the blowing the OM does about promotion, Chuck Cassidy became eligible Mar. 6 and got his Lt Colonel yesterday. Mine has been in 6 months, I’ve been eligible 9, and I still don’t have it. It’s not that I begrudge Chuck the promotion, but it is god damn hard to see a kid who was a 2nd Lt. when I was a Capt. rank me.
The cock I work for now is no better than Van. I’ve tried to see the better side of the man, but he is a drunk, completely spineless, and afraid to fly. He has 5 missions in a year of combat.
Damnit, Honey, I’m so mad I could cry. Maybe the flak has gotten me, but I just have never been so upset. The place is over-run with kids with ½ the total service, ½ the overseas duty, and ½ the ability I have—all ranking me. That’s a hell of a reward for fighting my way overseas and into combat. Darling, I love you and need you. Me.