November 19, 1942

Letter from Vic to younger brother Paul, written on Camp Roberts, California stationary. The photo was taken on November 15th at Camp Roberts, of Vic (on left) with George Kosup and Frank Snyder from Oshkosh, Wisconsin.

Dear Paul,

Thanks for your letter. Very sorry to hear you were laid up. Perhaps you'd better take it easy for a while. That is, lay off running around nites, if that's what it is. I know here we seldom get a "break" and if we stay out late we miss out on sleep and come unprepared for classes. Last two weeks we've been on procedure signs and signals. These are numerous short abbreviations and groups used in code procedure and mean a lot as you probably know. They're absolutely necessary and we're memorizing them. Examples:
__
VA - End of communication
__
IMI - Repeat back
__
IMI - Repeat all after ____

ZMA - I have msg. for ____

ZGQ - I am entering net.

Understand we take the field again next week but it's with all radio equipment. Tuesday nite it poured again and our bedding got soaked. Had calisthenics this morning in another down-pour.

Many fellows are flunking out and others are being transferred. I applied for the newly-formed paratroop artillery unit but was turned down 'cause my eyesight doesn't come up to 20-40 without specs. Would be operator dropped from plane along with 75 mm dissected. Outfit is ready to fire in 8 minutes.

Getting plenty of "home-work". To-nite I have to solve 2 procedure problems which are quite lengthy and complicated.

Made marksman, missing sharpshooter by 2 points in final rifle qualification.

Big USO show featuring Hollywood stars (Betty Grable, Bette Davis, comedians, etc) at Sport Arena to-nite but I'm too damn busy to go.

We're very enthusiastic over war news these days and can't quite keep up with times to suit us. Graduate Xmas and hope to get into tactical out-fit ready for shipment. Never know where you're goin' tho 'til you get there. Everything's a "military secret". This phrase is well known here.

Am enclosing several photos. Unless you wish to keep some, please forward them home to the folks. Kindly send out any recent ones you care to.

There's such a thing as "overworking" yourself so take it easy.

Remember don't concentrate too much on your studies and don't over-exert yourself in recreation.

Only one picture I can say was worth mentioning since I've been here - "Flying Tigers". See it? Last issues of Life have been damn good - notice them? Answer via air-mail!

Your brother,
Vic