Before I forget-a word of solemn warning. There may be wild rumors around home that the 77th is coming home-well I guess eventually it will. I know we got a million versions a day-tho we’re all pretty agreed on the fact that we’ve a trip to make before we hit stateside. But what I want to clarify is that when the papers finally do read- “77th comes Home” don’t expect me to barge in. There will be a lot of our boys going home-but they are all the high point men and over age guys. Those of us (like me with 26 points) will be the 77th-but we’re the boys that’ll stay. It’ll be the original 77th (or what’s left of it) that
will sail under the Golden Gate. I don’t want you to raise your hopes even a bit-there is absolutely no chance of it! My only chance is next July when I will be eligible under the two year in service clause which will go into effect about Jan. 1st. So now you know my present status as a soldier-and undoubtedly my future status also.
I feel very original and creative tonight-like the same shoe that’s been worn for eleven years.
I did nothing with nothing except an excellent book. And if you ever want to read one of the best stories on the soldier-and I mean
the combat troops-read Ernie Pyle’s “Brave Men”. It’s really a wonderful true story. Ernie by the way was killed while covering the 305ths advance on Ieshinra. Two weeks before I joined outfit.
K.P. again tomorrow-and unless I get a good nite’s sleep I’m going to look and feel like the last race of summer come six o’clock tomorrow morning.
Yup-we’re still in the Harbor-starting out at the palm lined island of Cebu-and wondering if we’ll ever see the place again once we do leave it.
Well I guess I’ll quit for nite-Tho this isn’t a very long or informative letter - So til next time, Love, Bud
