January 23, 1944

Hello Mom and all,

Thought I would try to write a few lines since I wasn't doing anything. I haven't done nothing but play ball and sit on my ass all day long. I went over to the PX and got myself a pint of ice cream. I could have gone to church today, but I was just too sleepy. I just got about 4-1/2 hours sleep last night. I had to get up at 1:00 this morning and go on guard duty until 3:00. After I came back, I couldn't hardly go back to sleep, and I had to get up again at 5:30.

Guess I will have to go to the dentist again tonight. I went last night and had a tooth filled. I think I got about 8 or 9 more to be filled and 3 to be pulled.

I hate to see tomorrow come. We have to march out to a beach about 3 miles out and 3 miles back. There will be about 140 of us boys going and we're going to practice some actual fighting. Half of us boys are going to be on the beach, and the other half is going to try to take the beach. The captain is going to go out and watch it. I wouldn't care if my left foot felt good, but it is still taped up and still swollen.

Louise has got so she writes just about every day now.

Mom, I am getting pretty old. haha I'll be 18 pretty soon. I was just about to forget my birthday. I can't even tell what day it is. All the days seem the same.

I finally sent my clothes home yesterday. They told us we could send them COD if we wanted to, but I thought I would pay while I had the money.

I will close for now.

Your son,

Pedue