December 5, 1943

                                                            5 Dec.
Dear Folks:
            Weather here has been nice last week except for 3 days of smoke fog. At 2000 ft. we couldn’t see the field after 2 mile away. Our crew will be doing quite a lot of flying for a few weeks now since we are behind some of the other crews in time. The squadron is getting new ships in and each crew will have their own ship. Ours hasn’t come in yet. Lt. Horridge, our first-pilot, is 6′-4″ tall, dark hair and eyes. He is married and has a baby. He is very quiet and only talks when necessary which is O.K. by me. He is a good pilot and has been in the Army for 9 years, including West Point.
            Ballard, my roommate is married also but his wife is in Louisiana. He got an 8 day leave and went home yesterday. He has his car, ’41 Ford coupe, up here with him.
            Got the radio from Arlan last Monday and am using it every evening. I hear the ceiling on corn has been raised 9¢. How will that effect the price of corn out there?
            We have had an epidemic of stomach flu so they called PT off for awhile. I got more shots last week, 3 in one arm and 2 in the other. The only trouble I had was returning salutes.
            Did Wright put a motor on an old meat grinder or buy a new one? I think the tractor lites would be worth the price. Might use them only 3 or 4 times a year but really need them when you want them. Can’t you get rubber put on the front so you could run on highway? Sounds like Chris’ new place is pretty nice. You don’t need to put a number on the bracelet.
            Got paid last week. Got extra $75 for flight pay for Oct. Use it if you want or buy bonds. Can you get me about 10 boxes of “Pal” razor blades? May have to buy them one at a time. Also would like a “Vick’s” inhaler. Don’t get any other kind if they’re out. Just got a letter from Jo and a card from Fred & Margerite.
                                    Yours truly,
                                                John