October 31, 1943

                                                            Oct. 31
Dear Marvel Lee:
            Got back here Wed. morning and more of less settled again. Didn’t do much flying until to-day when I put in 3.5 hours in practice bombing. The boys in 573 sqd. got back to day from manuevers which was what I missed when I went to MacDill for the week. Jenson is in 573 and had a pretty good time on maneuvers. It included camping out in the pup tent and sleeping in a sleeping bag. He says the bags are really warm.
            For ground school we take code and “aircraft recognition”. Got paid last week but hadn’t done any flying before 20th so didn’t get flight pay — $75. Will get it next week as extra $75.
            Had a visiting squadron of P-47s (“Life” cover this week) for a few days and they surely bat the breeze when they go past. The B-26 has the same engine but twice as many.
            Had a shown down inspection Sat. The supply officer had a long list of equipment that we had to have and the inspection was to see that we got it. Some of it I had to buy such as leggings, extra pair of G.I. shoes, and 3 pair of long winter under wear.
            My room mate is 2nd Lt. Lee, an armament officer. He has put in his application for flight training. Our “house boy”, a private, is thinking about joining the cadets.
            This place is heated by soft coal and everything is black with soot. The private has to fire the furnace so barracks is cold when we get up. Hard Luck! Mess hall, orderly room, flight building, etc. are heated by Round Oak stoves and fired by any one concerned. Have hot water in barracks once a day usually at nite and when it rains we slog around in the mud. Just like living on a farm! Better than “white collar” inspections and no-body checks for dust around here.
            Closest town is Louisville — 30 mi. We are right beside Fort Knox. B-26 has 2 engines. No, I don’t need any more nail polish or handkerchiefs.
                                    Yours truly,
                                                John