I just received the letter which you wrote yesterday in the noon mail call. That made the fourth or fifth letter which I have gotten from you since I have been here. I have also received one letter from Louis, but none as yet from Dad.
I did not get off the post Saturday night as I thought I would because I knew that Sunday on K.P. would be no picnic. I wish now that I had gone on into town because no telling when we will get out of here now.
I had a small box from Gave last night, containing cookies, gum, bandaids, and mentholatum. The cookies and chocolate with nuts and plenty good; the rest of the stuff coming in very handy too. It was very nice getting that box -- my first. I know that you are very busy, Mom, and I don't want you to bother about fixing up a box to send as I asked you in yesterday's letter. I can get along O.K. withoug it, so please don't send it.
I was glad to get news of Joyce, fro I have been hoping that she would soon be back in W'ford to stay with Gavs.
Tell Louie I am pleased with the improvement in his grades, but I know that he can do better if he would only try. I con't know whether or not I'll be out of this quarantine in time to get him anything for his birthday, but I am going to try to steal a Thompson sub-machine gun out of supply to send to him. If I can't get a machine gun, maybe he will be satisfied with a regular .45 or a Garand rifle. I don't know what I'll get him if I can't get any of the aforementioned articles, but I will try the PX if I can even legally get out of barracks.
Please don't work so hard, Mom, and write often. Lots of love for both you and Louie from
Your Son
Ben
P.S. Please send me Melvin Easley's address; and when you write Dad, urge him to write me.