5/13/44 Italy V-Mail
Hi Toots:
This is quite a business. I use a different typewriter every day. This one has a cartridge which sticks out about the length of a short axe-handle.
Keeping up my record of meeting old acquaintances, I ran into two today. Herb Phillips showed up in the mess hall. He is finally in combat and seems a little bit more of a man now. That will do it to a youngster. Hare France-ass is still in Africa keeping out of combat, as is Biv.
The other one is Gus Clough. He was one of the more popular kids who was washed out in primary in Chi. He walked into the office today, and is a Major and a communications officer. I’ll be damned if I can figure out how all the people who can’t do the job suddenly show up getting along famously. He is the same old Gus, and a damn good egg.
Cassidy has fallen into a swell job, but doesn’t seem to like it. I believe it will involve some more combat, and the om and I figure Chuck is not particularly anxious to get into that side of the show. Maybe we’re wrong, but so what.
The ball game last night was interesting. We were getting hell kicked out of us at the fifth inning, but a rally tied up the score and we finally beat them in the 10th inning. I did a better job of playing than I used to do when I was a kid. I seem to take my time, and the result is a much more accurate job of fielding. That (baseball) will probably be my one accomplishment for the year.
Well, Honey, no more mail today. Write as much as you can. It does help. Frankly, there’s little or nothing for me to say.
All my love, Cy.