February 29, 1944

Hello Mom,

Will answer your letter received this morning.

It was pretty windy today, but the sun is awful hot.

The sergeant told us we wouldn't be able to go to the dentist this evening, but I told him my tooth was hurting awful bad. So, I went up and let the dentist look at the boil on my gums. He said he couldn't freeze it or put a needle in it because it was abscessed. He asked me do I think I can stand it, and I told him that I would sure try. Boy, he had a time pulling it. While he was trying to get it out, sweat started popping out on me, and everything went black in front of me. The dentist said I fainted. He said he didn't blame me for fainting and that he would have done the same thing if he had went through that. My jaw is still swollen a good bit. After I came back, the sargent told me not to go out of the barrack the rest of the day, but he made the other boys go out and drill a while.

We got paid today. I drew 64 bucks instead of 69 bucks. I paid 5 bucks for a magazine to be sent home. The name of it is The Leather Neck. Tom only drew 35 bucks. He has been winning a little money, so I think he's got about 45 bucks.

Mom, we should be home the 11th or 12th, if they don't change their minds again. There is no use in you writing any more letters after you get this one because I leave here Monday. We don't have to stay in New River but about 2 days.

I will close for now. Hope to see you all about the 11th or 12th.

Your son,

Pedue