November 22, 1942
Ft Benning, Georgia

Dear Mom,
I thought I’d better write today as I probably won’t feel like it next week even if I do get time.

Charlie, Sietz, and Baker were called a couple of days ahead of Bob and I so they are in a different company (K), and have the first week completed before we start.

Bob and I have buddied up with three Texans. One is (was) a professional boxer and the other two are pretty tough, but they’re all good fellows and full of the devil.

Bob and I were about the only ones with any money left. We drew our pay up-to-date when we left the 28th, so we have made a lot of friends.

The Texans names are Carpenter, Holden, and Bowers. They told us that when we got our partial pay, in two weeks, ($40) that they would see that we sent it home, the next month would be on them.

We get four weeks of training here,one stage of calisthenics, one ‘B’ stage of chute folding, wrestling and other technical stuff, one stage of jumping practice from towers and the fourth of regular jumping from a plane (five jumps). If you get through OK, you are qualified and get your diploma and wings.

You are then transferred to some airborne outfit and get the rest of your training. Drill and rifle practice, etc.

I got your letter night before last. It had been forwarded from Livingston. I still haven’t heard from Ruth, been about two months I guess.

Thanks for sending the addresses. I’m going to write a card to each of them this afternoon if I get time.

P. M.

I don’t recon I’ll send any cards. I went up to the PX and they haven’t any.

I’ve been downstairs with the boys, I sleep upstairs and they are having a heckuva time. Carp set Bob’s shoelaces of fire and before an hour was up none of them had a whole lace. I was lucky, I had my driver shoes with a strap and buckle, instead of GI on.

Well, I reckon this is about all for the time being. Don’t worry if you don’t hear from me. Unless I am hurt and put out of commission, I won’t have time to write.

Love to all,

Wayne.

PS. Excuse writing as much of this was written while lying on my stomach on my bed. Tell Eileen thanks for the box she sent while I was on maneuvers. I took it over to the game I was playing and everybody went for that popcorn. They also took $10 off me that day.

Say, don’t try to ridea train until after the war. Bob and I had Pullman tickets and a special government order but we had to stand in the aisle of a coach from 7 PM to 7 AM while coming here. It gets awful tiresome, especially if you’ve been out the night before.