December 5, 1942
Fort Benning, GA.

Dear Sis

We got paid $40 today as a partial pay. I’m only sending $20 as I’ll probably need the extra fives, no telling when we’ll get paid again. Every little bit helps though and I’ll send more as soon as I get it. Don’t worry about it as I think I can get things straightened out by next month.

I finished “B” stage today. It wasn’t as tough physically as “A” stage but jumping off 35 foot towers gives you butterflies in your stomach.

I pulled a muscle in my side along my ribs Tuesday, and it has made it rather hard to wrestle, etc. I didn’t go on sick call as I didn’t want to miss classes and maybe be set back a week. I just “sweated it out“ as they say here and tried to ignore it though it hurt like hell sometimes. I’m so sore now that I can hardly breathe, but I’ll finish this training if it kills me.

I got your box (at least it was your return in mom’s handwriting) and thanks a lot. I also got a letter from mom. I got a letter from Alice last night but haven’t heard from Ruth or Peg for quite a while.

I have written to Jessie a couple of times but haven’t heard from him yet. Haven’t heard from Joe Robinson or Bill Urban either.

I got my boots last night. They are 12 inch high tops worn when making a jump to protect the ankles and legs.

I have several letters to write this weekend if I can get around to it.

Bob and Holden went to town tonight and wanted me to go, but I didn’t feel like it. We probably get to drinking and then trouble would start. It’s hard enough for me to keep out of fights without going to town where it’s a war between the troopers and every other outfit. When anyone sees a paratrooper, they figure he’s looking for trouble. The best thing is to get him first as we have such a reputation for getting or finishing trouble.

Out of our company of 200 men 58 have already dropped out. About half of these were injured and will try again when they get healthy, the rest just didn’t have the guts. We call them “fuck-ups“.

Whipple, one of the Wellsboro boys who was a couple of weeks ahead of us qualified today. He was just here and told me about his five jumps. He says it isn’t bad if you can force yourself to jump.

Well, I guess I’ll close and get started on the next letter.

Love,

Wayne