January 2, 1943 Mom
Fort Benning, Georgia

Dear Mom,
I got both of your letters today, one postmarked December 18. Boy is our mail service rotten. I got the boxes three days ago, thanks a lot for the presents. I had asked one of the fellows to get me a small knife in town when he went in that night, but when I got that one, I told him not to get one. It sure is a honey and I needed it for cutting cord and thread.
I made 98 on my ‘A’ stage exam and 95 on the ‘B’ stage, I just hope I can keep it up for two more weeks.
Charlie and I went to town with Bob New Year’s Eve to see him off for home. I had to loan him $30 to go home on. He said he intended to go up to see you folks and Charlie’s folks while he was home. Chas goes in the next group.
I got a letter from Jerry tonight, the first since I left the old outfit. He said that Capt. Pat had been transferred to D company and the Lt’s first official act was to break Goodwin, Jessup, McMillan, and some more of the boys. It rather tickled me.
I got a letter from Wanda yesterday, three pages. She writes pretty good letters.
Tell Eileen thanks for the diary. I started writing it yesterday. Tell the rest thanks too, I don’t have time to write to all of them as my homework takes most of my spare time.
I expect to be sent to the “frying pan” when I finish school. I’ll probably be there a month or so before I’m assigned to a permanent station and might get a furlough there. I hope so.
Well, I’ll close this and write a line to dad.
Love, Wayne.