September 20, 1943

Dearest,

I'm not going to wait to receive your letter. I haven't gone up to the Post Office, as yet, to see if I had any mail - How's the little girl of my dreams? I do dream of you, and it's all good, believe me!

I can't begin to tell you how much I miss you - I've just got to see you again. What am I talking about? I've got to see you a long time - say, forever?

I'm saving the bad news to the last, but in the meantime - I've met the members of my crew, and have flown with them once; that was this morning. Got in a little machine gunning and formation flying. There isn't much use for a navigator here. They stay within 50 miles of the field and hell, they can't get lost. I'm getting the feel of the plane, and I guess I'll be getting better acquainted with my crew as time goes on. (I wish you were my crew).

Here's the bad news. I'm sorry I told you I was coming home for 8 days. I should have known better to be so sure. That's the Army for you - and let me tell you, when I found out that everyone except the navigator would be entitled to the 8 day delayed enroute, my chin must have dropped down to my heels. I was so happy thinking that I could spend more time with you once again. There was a lot of things I wanted to straighten up between us two. I wanted to tell you how much I loved you. How nice you'd be to come home to, how long it will seem until I can hold you close to my heart. That was my reason for being so happy - I'll always love you, Terry, I know it, I knew it as soon as I saw you for the first time. I hope you love me half as much as I do you -

My next station is, in all indications, somewhere in Texas. At least I'll be nearer home and we'll be closer to each other. I'll be there a few months more or less.

Met John Touler, a bombardier cadet, said he knew you. Thought you were tops!

Hate to leave, but here's a hug and a kiss and my love,

Jim