March 25, 1945

                                                            Chanute Field, Ill.
Dear Folks:                                                25 Mar. 45
            Having thundershowers this morning but it was nice all last week. Had the weekly quizz yesterday morning. Worked on my radio in the afternoon. Went to the show on the post last nite with Erickson. He is from the old outfit but I don’t see much of him because he is on the afternoon shift.
            Went to Champaign Fri. afternoon with two other fellows. I bought a few radio parts. Do you have any extra gas coupons? Randall, the fellow I go to Champaign with, has trouble getting gas. It’s not important, could go on the bus.
            Saw Nevins again yesterday. He left last nite for Eglin Field, Fla. He doesn’t know what the deal is but I know the field is an experimental base for the Air Corp. Might be a good job. He said Reta was married recently to a 1st Lt. in the Engineers — I think — who just got back from Guam. Just after I left Nevins I ran into Wayne Weller, who stayed at Lunds with us. He is in the Sanitary Corp but thinks their outfit will be transferred to the Combat Engineers.
            Also ran into Sgt. Kromm from the old outfit. He is going to engine school here. He left the Group Dec 20 so was in France with them. He gave me the low-down on everybody. Most of original pilots that survived were back in the States, including Hollis and Watkinson. Seems the squadron (574) furnished 12 planes one day and 2 came back. Except for Col. Brandon, the Sq C.O., the crews were replacements but the planes were the old ones we flew over. Among the ones that went down were the “Dragon Wagon” No. 1 and “Sky Hag” which had 120 missions on it.
            Didn’t get your letter this week. Imagine between Cora and the chicks your somewhat busy. Why don’t you write one letter to Arlan & have him send it to me? If he can get off next week we’ll go to Milwaukee. News sounds good.
                                                            John