January 17, 1942

January 17, 1942

Time – 7:15 pm

Quarters – Barracks

Dear Folks:

Received the paper this morning with the notice in it and I was proud to have it in the paper.  As a matter of fact I was quite proud to receive the promotion.  

This week John Key and I had our 48 hour liberty so we went to Long Beach.  I saw the Whitemans and he visited his friends.  His friend is Vice President of the chain of banks that Bob works in so it surely makes it nice for me as I can ride to Long Beach and back with him.  We left Camp Elliott at 11:30 pm Wednesday evening, arrived in Long Beach at 2:30.  Spent the night in a hotel and went to see our friends the next day.  We left Long Beach then Friday afternoon at 1 pm and got back to Camp Elliott at 4 pm.  We were due back at 5 pm.  As we have school Wednesday evening until 10 pm we couldn’t leave until late that evening.  You see on Mondays, Wednesday & Fridays we go to school at the base.  We are studying airplane motors.  You see the tanks are equipped with airplane motors.  The Whitemans were just fine and said for me to give all of you their regards.

Golly, the time surely does go fast with all this school.  Today we had a field problem.  We drove the tanks out in the mountains through the woods orienting ourselves by compass and map.  Then we also had target practice with the 45 caliber pistol and classes in preventative maintenance, map reading, starting, warming and stopping of the engine, and demolition.  Demolition is the use of TNT in blowing up obstacles and in laying field mines.  

I wrote down Wilda’s address and the next time I am in Long Beach I’ll be sure to look them up.

Golly I do hope that the children are soon over their colds.

I received a nice letter from Mrs. Hayes.  You tell her hello and I’ll try and drop her a line in between classes on of these days.

Tomorrow we arise at 5 am to go out tank driving.  This time in convoy.

When you see news reels of tanks your son is the man who rides in the turret of the tank and gives the commands.  Would like to take all of you for a spin.   

Mother, I don’t want you and Dad to worry as I think it will be a long time before I am sent anywhere.  And tanks are safe as anything else and we are learning more every day how to defend ourselves.

Dad, it seems as if every time I read the paper you have been appointed on some committee.  I believe they are taking advantage of your good nature.

I see by the papers where the State of Illinois pays the National Guard men better than Uncle Sam pays his boys.  Well we must all unite together and put an end to this war business once and for all.

Hope this finds all of you in the best of health.  I am feeling just fine.

Love to all,

Leo

Ps I think of all of you all the time.  I am now going to keep on working hard for another promotion.

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