October 1943

Dearest, sweetest, Terry,

I have an hour before briefing, will take advantage of it and write to my better half. You've received a letter by this time, sent it yesterday. I've been flying every night for the last three nights, and tonight's flight will be the last until Tuesday afternoon. I have a one hour class tomorrow and off all day Monday. That's how it is here - we'll be busy as hell and fly like mad for 3 or 4 days, then we get a break in schedule for a few days. It's a case of a whole lot at one time, and nothing the rest of the time. That accounts for my lapse in writing - sorry, but that's the way it is. So, you won't worry any more, will you? That is, when you don't hear from me for 2 or 3 days, you'll understand.

Terry, sweet, don't feel too badly about it. I understand the circumstances, and please don't have friction between you and your mom and dad.

Darling, I'm crazy about the snap shot. I look at it every chance I get - it sort of relieves the longing - makes you seem closer - not as good as the real thing, but under the circumstances, it'll have to do.

Don't take my last letter too seriously - not all of it. I might have said something that wasn't all together, in the right sense, ethical. However, if everything reads alright, forget it. I was writing under the influence of a sudden change of plans - sort of down hearted as it were - but this letter ought to leave you with the feeling that I still love you!! Terry, when I extended my heart out to you, to keep - to do with what you wanted, I wouldn't let a little thing like an extended engagement make me take it back as I think about it now, I love you more!

I was pretty selfish to ever think about you coming down here to this God foresaken place, where we'd see each other in spurts - what a helleva way that would have been to start our marriage. It would have been very trying, to say the least, and marriage is ticklish enough under ideal conditions. Yes, Terry, darling, I think we're doing the right thing - and I don't think either of us will ever regret it. As you said, in a round about way, anything as fine and wonderful as our love is surely worth waiting for.

Now, sweetheart, please don't get sick from all this worrying - if you keep it up, you'll be in pretty bad shape in no time. I wouldn't want to hear that you were suffering from a nervous breakdown - I don't think there would be anything that would keep me from taking off - I'd be like a confirmed lunatic - until I saw you or heard that you were alright again. You're so lovable. Darling, please don't ever be any different that you are right now. You're so pleasant, so sociable, so lovely - I'd be so proud to have you with me anywhere! Mrs. Terry Ann Brown - how does that sound? To me, it's one of the loveliest sounding names I've ever pictured or imagined.

My luck has always been pretty good, but to be lucky enough to be your future life's partner, that tops everything that has ever happened to me.

Darling, my love for you is indesrcibable, the feeling I have for you can only be expressed in song and poetry - and in another way that can't be put into words.

You're all I ever hoped for, you're all I ever dreamed of, that's it - you're my ideal. Darling, I have to leave now - I have to get ready to earn some of that easy money they're throwing at me. As all good things have their recess - so does this conversation.

Youre loving, adoring, future husband, you and I, forever.

All my love,

Jim