Leonard's Story: March 24, 1945

OB would be "Order of Battle". Not sure if CBI is "China-Burma-India" theater.  SWPA is South West Pacific Area. Look alike their cousin Edwin died and Len is concerned about Edwin's mother Laura.

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                                                                                   Philippines

                                                                                   March 24

Dear Arnold,

     I am sorry I have'nt written you for such a long time, mainly

due to plenty of work.  In addition to being Order of Battle Officer,

my main job, I now go out about every/other day on G-2 liaison work.

This means every night that I come in I have to check over OB stuff,

and by the time I am through I am too tired to write anything else.

I guess you have been reading alot about this unit in the papers

upon occasion, its a damn good outfit, and probably the toughest

fighting unit down here, bar none, including the Rangers.  However

a personal situation has arisen between myself and the G-2, and I

think it best that I try to transfer, as I have the feeling that

a knife is constantly ticking me right between the shoulder blades,

and at the first chance it will slip in.  So far I have'nt offered

him that chance.  If I stay here I will probably get a section 8,

as I am fast becoming a nervous wreck.

     The other day I received the wings you sent me, and today I

received the pen and pencil set (the thing I needed most, as I had

lost mine) and the pajamas and slippers, which will also come in

very handy.  Thanks very much, things like that just can't be had

out here.

     We are still at it, with no breaks.  Its a tough life, especially

for the kids in the Infantry Companies.  I have'nt had any close

calls lately, in fact I am starting to become a little less anxious

about rushing right up and looking at things, too many people are

collecting insurance on deals like that.  Its too bad about Edwin,

he was the type that would get right up there and really mix it up.

I hope Aunt Laura won't take it too hard.

     I guess you will be fixing up to come overhere soon now.  If

you are ask to accept another job in the states, take it.  I guarantee

you won't be crazy about being in CBI or SWPA.  Frankly I am ready

to come home now, who isn't, but that is'nt the way it works. I

guess the best way to figure is this; If you go home now the job

won't be really done, so its best to stay out here until it is

done correctly, even if it takes two more years. [ARROW] The only thing     (What

I am worried about is after we do a good job out here of knocking                 am I

off the Japs to the proper proportion and into the proper attutde,                   saying!)

will the boys in the marble buildings at home do a good job on

the peace?

     I am tired tonight, and I think I will go to bed.  I will try

to finish this tomorrow.

[handwritten]

     Well Bud I am going to wind this

up and get it off you you  Inclosed

you will find a description of our landing

Notice it was written 5th Feb I came

across it straightning up my files, and

found that I never had a chance to mail it.

The censoring was done by me, although

actually what I cut out has been

said in the papers (and more too). Write

soon.

                           love

                              Leonard

P.S. Thanks for the card(s)

     Thanks for the TIME SUBSCRIPTION

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Leonard's Story: November 15, 1944

                                             Nov 15th Wed.

                               somewhere in the SWP

Dear Arnold,

     Well Bub, how are you? I expect

its getting pretty cold now where you are

How do you like the east in the autumn?

Do you still go boating on the Charles river?

And how are you coming in your classes, you

never mention that?  What about your

love life, have you met any cute chicks yet,

you old hermit?

     Things are going pretty well with me.

So far I have been given a free rein in my

work, and I hope to make some real progress.

At present I am loafing around, but I expect

to be busier than hell soon. I like this work

I sometimes wonder how I ever got into such a

sweet racket.

     Well Dewey lost the election, I see.

I guess we will have to grin and bear it. I

wish they could get off the dime in Europe,

and clean things up. As you have read by

the news we are going along pretty good down

here, and Bub, we're just getting started.

If I'm lucky I may be home in a year.

[page 2]

     When do you finish your course? Are you

going on to MIT and if so when will you finish

that? Take it easy and don't try to rush out

here. And by all means have a good time while

your in the states, it is nice to look back on. I'm

glad I spent seven months at Ritchie. I had

the time of my life. I spent over $1500 while I

was there, but I don't regret a cent of it. I will

be able to save plenty out here. Starting this

month I intend to sock away $175 per plus a

twenty-five dollar bond. I have been saving $75

plus a bond, and have been paying Dad the money I

owed him. I am now clear of debt and several hundred

dollars ahead. If I can stay with this outfit a

year I can save at least $2000 in that time. Jump

pay is a nice thing.

          I am inclosing some pictures that

were taken on Bougainville. My hair has

grown out now and I don't look quite so

bad.  Write soon.

                     Love

                    Leonard

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