Dearest Betty

Letter # 81
April 16, 1951
Dearest Betty

Well the “Old Man” is in a much better mood tonight. Everything is going smooth so I am going smooth. I sort of worked off part of my nerves. Last night Scheckler slapped Kim after teasing him for a long time. Kim got the best of him as usual and Scheclker got all peed off & slapped him. Well it flew all over me so I sort of pushed him & broke his nose. We are on speaking terms again after he apologized to Kim and me to him. Was good for me he was getting me damn well.

We are digging in for a few weeks stay here. We are straddling the 38th and doing lots of work on the guns. I hear there are a lot of replacements leaving the States today. Hope my replacement is aboard. Hardly expect to leave before Tate does. He sure hangs on to what he wants and we are what he wants.

It makes me so mad thinking of all the Marines that still have a home to stay in & they seem never to have to leave. Has Rogers ever been transferred or did he “break another leg”?

Jimmy sure is taking this life hard, takes long walks keeps to himself a lot, seems sort of lost. Wants to revert back and go out but can’t. Feel sorry for him at times.

Well Lots of love to you Sweetheart

Bill