Letter from Norman Smith to Howard and Violet Smith, March 12, 1944

Well yesterday I came in off Bivouac. Boy what a time we had. Two weeks of camping out in the mud boy what fun. Then yesterday we marched 25 miles in.

This army has sure done wonders for me. I came in at 190 lbs and now I'm down to 175 with a 35 inch waist. All my clothes are 40 and 38's so I have to take everything together with safety pins.

Well I felt lucky today so I had $5 I made playing in the orchestra the other night and went into a crap game. I won $25 so that adds quite a bit to my   Page 2 furlough money. I won't know until next Monday or Tuesday whether I get a furlough or not. We graduate next Saturday the 18th. Then we are supposed to be full fledged infantrymen. I figured it up the other day and as near as I can figured we have marched some 1000 miles since the beginning of the increment. It's hard for me to believe that I've been here 16 weeks but I guess it is.

When we out were out on Bivouac we made a speed march. We made 9 miles in 1 hr & 45 minutes. That is what I call going some. Guess I could bore you with alot

with details of my two week camping but I won't. It was just mud, mud, mud. I got the knife and thanks alot.

I heard from Irma. She has heard from Tom and as far as she can find out he is in Australia.

Haven't heard from John since he said he was on the move.

Maybe he has shipped out. Well pardon the hurried scribbling, Skinny smith is going to bed.

P.S. I'll let you know if and when I'm coming if possible.