Oct. 18, 1943
Mon. nite 8:15
Dearest Mother,
Just a few lines to let you know that I'm feeling fine and hope that you are the same.
Mother, I received both a letter and the telegram yesterday that you had sent me. Thanks a lot
for the money mother. I went to town last nite and had a swell time. My buddy and I went in
together. While I was in town I bought you a nice pillow cover. I hope you like it mother.
Write and let me know if you do.
I also got a pkg. from Rosie yesterday. She sent me a nice box of waffles and two pks of
cigarettes and also 2 sticks of dried sausage. I told her not to send me anything, but I guess
it didn't do any good to tell her. Since I sent her a K Ration she thinks that's all I eat and
that I'm starving. Ha ha
I have to admit mother that the meals in this camp are a lot better than in Camp Howze. Since
I've come here I've gained 3 lbs.
I'll answer your most welcomed letter now mother.
Mother I'm terribly sorry to hear that Joe went across so soon, but mother dear, please don't
worry because I talked to my sgt. about going across and how long you're there before you see action,
and he told me that troops that leave now don't see action for at lease 4 or 5 months after they're
there. They have a lot of special training overseas before they are ready for active duty and within
4 or 5 months this war will be practically over and all that Joe's division will do is just act as
guards in conquered lands after he is there for 5 months. So mother, please don't worry because
I'm sure that he'll be O.K. and safe.
I'm glad that you liked the folder of cards that I sent you. This camp and San Antonio is really
beautiful. There's a river that runs right through the heart of San Antonio and it's really nice.
It's called the "dreamy river" and I think that it's in one of the cards in the folder that I sent
you. You can rent boats and ride in this river and along the banks there's beautiful flowers and
trees. It's really nice. Before I leave this camp I want to see the "Alamo." I think payday I'll
go to town again with my buddy and try and go see it. I heard that it's really a nice place to see.
This camp was named after Sam Houston, the Texan who fought at the Alamo against the Mexicans.
Mother, what did Joe from Philly get a discharge for? Is his brother Phil in the army mother?
I guess he and Uncle Bruno are happy to get out of the army, but I guess anyone would be, even me
who wanted to come so bad, but I'm here now and no way of getting out, so I guess I'll have to
like it. If my leg hurts the least little bit mother I'd tell them about it, but the damn thing
feels better on hikes than the other one. ha ha ha
I'm glad that Tony was home for 2 wks mother. I hope that he kept you happy while he was there.
You asked me if there was any more 86th division. Yes mother, there is and it's still in Camp Howze.
It's only about 1/4 as big as it was before. I guess that it will only be an infantry school at
Camp Howze now, and then they may get enough men in it to make a full strength division and maybe
go to combat as the 86th. All I know is that the 88 division was short of men so they took men
from the 86th and also the 38th divisions to fill it up.
Well mother, there isn't much more to say now so I'll close with lots of love to you mother dear,
daddy and the kids.
Your loving Son,
"Jimmy"
P.S.
God bless you mother, and keep you safe. Tell daddy not to worry about me because I'll be O.K.
and don't worry about Joe, mother because I'm sure that he'll be safe.
