France

November 24, 1944

Dear Mom,

They say everything comes to him who waits and tomorrow I am going to Paris for a week of school. It has to do with the Army educational program to be conducted after the war and is part of our G-3 work.

The school runs most of the week but I am going a day early so perhaps I can take in a few of the sights before it starts.

My period of probation is ended apparently and I receive my orders the other day appointing me Asst. G-3. As such I am now in the General Staff Corps and wear a silver star insignia surmounted by a gold eagle with red, white and blue shield instead of the crossed rifles of the infantryman. I had to borrow the one I'm wearing but I am going to see if I can buy any more in Paris. If not, I may have to have you get some for me.

One of the Christmas packages came the other day. The one with the crackers, peanut butter and jelly. The peanut butter was smashed and full of glass but the crackers and jelly were OK and had good welcome.

We've had such a steady diet of orange marmalade (which I still like) that everyone is pretty tired of it. Real jelly is somewhat scarce. Once in a while the Army puts out a cherry jelly that is really fine. I wish you might taste it.

Yesterday we had our turkey and it was wonderfully cooked. I don't need say much about it for I am enclosing the menu.

Had a letter from Al Willing recently. He's running an officers club at some Air Force base. The place escapes me for the moment. But anyway it's good for 6 months or so.

I really enjoy my present work but it definitely is a 16-18 hr a day job and sometimes 24. But with all that it's not difficult work and with nothing else to do I don't mind the time spent at all.

Hope you have a Happy Birthday on the 5th of next month. I've got two wall crucifixes which I've been trying to send you but with all the changing around I've been unable to get them off. Hope I can mail them on my return. Our chaplain down at Regt. got them for me. They are of two types. Thought you might take your choice and give the other one to Aunt Grace or someone.

I had a terrific cold not long ago. With loss of sleep and all it got pretty bad. Col. Stilwell finally put me to bed for a day and as a result it took off. He had the Doc come over and give me some cough medicine which worked fine.

The mail continues to be bad. I've had only one letter from you since I came here, and that a fairly old one.

Well, I must get to bed.

Love,

Bob