February 25, 1942
Dear Robert, Elizabeth, Anne, Bobby and Mary Alice:
Well it is now Sgt McLoskey of the U.S. Devil Dogs. Received notice of my promotion today will send the warrant to the folks in a few days.
Now, for further news I am the First Sergeant or the Top Kick of the newly formed Company “D” of the 2nd Tk Bn, 2d Mar Div and what I mean I intend to have a good company.
My commanding officer is a new boot Lieutenant and he even knocks at my office door and waits until I tell him to come in. He by the way is from La Grange, Illinois and tells me I am to run the entire company schools, inspection, liberty and what have you. Well that is the 1st Sgt’s job. I don’t mind telling you that I am one happy lad. I feel it is quite an honor to even be a Sgt in the devil dogs let alone the 1st Sgt of an entire Company. As a matter of fact I would rather have my job at the present time than that of a 1st Lieutenants. Incidentally my pay is now increased from 54 to 60 per month.
Mother tells me that you and your family and Dad are coming out in April. As it now looks we will still be here then. Now you needn’t worry about all that propaganda about all the invasions, bombings and etc. by the Japs that is mainly newspaper propaganda.
The folks will probably have told you about my recent illness when you receive this.
Just finished making my schedule out for tomorrow. The 2nd platoon will have elementary driving, the 1st the same, the 3rd will have guns, compass, maps, etc. Then tomorrow I’ll have to make out my pay roll, muster roll and my schedule for the next day. Oh! Yes I forgot to tell you I have a motorcycle to run around in from my office to the field to check up on things to see how they are going.
Haven’t seen the Whitemans lately as we have been in Condition Yoke which means that you are not allowed more than twenty miles from the bivouac or camp.
Golly! What I wouldn’t give to see al of you. Am planning on having some more pictures taken soon and I will send some to all the family.
Bobby: I hear you like Tanks – take it from your Uncle Leo it is a pretty rugged life and lets hope we will do away with all of them after we kick the pants off of Japan & Germany.
Anne, how are you getting along at school? Are you still getting all ones on your report card. Well your Uncle Leo got all fives when he was transferred to Company “D” in his service record book and that is perfect. You see we grade 0-1-2-3-4-5.
Am always glad to hear from all of you so drop me a line whenever you have time.
Hope all the colds are much improved in the family. I am feeling much better myself but I still take about 15 pills per day.
It looks to me now as if the war will last a long time. The only reason I can see for the Japs even trying to invade the coast is to draw our navy out of position. I don’t however believe their little plan is going to work.
Wait till the 1st Sgt of CO “D” and his boys get after them.
Love to all,
Leo
PS. Let all the family read this. “Libby” I got a clever valentine from Mary but she can’t discourage me. How is the corn in the crib coming?