January 10, 1942

10 January

Time 2130

Dear Robert, Libby, Anne, Bobby and Mary Alice:

Well, I suppose by the time you have received this the folks will have shown you my corporal warrant.  Don’t mind telling you I am plenty proud of it and also that I expect to go higher.

My new duties also made me Commander of Tank #5.  Will give you the schedule of schooling I had today and what I have for tomorrow.  Also, please take note I have to instruct the subjects to my tank crew.

10 January 42:

0700-0800 – Driving signals

0800-0900 – Identify enemy planes

0900-1000 – Double clutching

1000-1130 – BMG Caliber 30

1130-1300 – Chow and rest period

1300-1400 – Ammunition safety precautions and etc.

1400-1500 – Identify enemy tanks

1500- 1630 – BMG, TSMG nomenclature

11 January 42:

0700-0800 – Map & compass reading

0800-0900 – Caliber 45 Pistol, safety precautions and nomenclature

0900-1000 – Weapons, cleaning, adjusting, repairing and etc.

1000-1130 – Same as above

1130-1300 – Chow & rest period

1300-1400 – Elementary tank driving

1400-1500 – same as above

1500-1630 – First aid & field sanitation

(As you can see I am quite busy, besides studying for all this I also am breaking a fellow in the Majors & Captains office.)

I will have 30 days of such a schedule (if I last that long physically) but I believe I am built well enough to take it.

Got a letter from the folks this evening and I surely was glad to hear from them.  Dad also sent me some stamps which I always appreciate..

If you will please let all the family read this letter as I know I am going to be darn busy for awhile.

When I get my 48 hour furlough I am going to call on the Whitemans.

Bobby, I wish you were out here so I could take you for a ride in my tank.  You would get a big thrill out of it for sure.  As far as that goes I believe all of you would get quite a thrill out of riding with me.

Golly, I often wonder what is in store for all of us.

Remember I love all of you and think of all of you all the time.

Hope all of you are well.  I am going to crawl in my bunk.

Love to all,

Leo

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