Nov. 7, 1943

Dear Mom, Pop, Pete, Linda, and Crellie,

How are you all? My address is:

Pvt. Linus Pauling Jr.

A.S.N. 39711550

Bks. 295, Trg Sg. 32

Group 308 [crossed out in ink, letter written in pencil]

Sheppard Field,

Texas

This place is pretty foul. The water is almost unbearable. It has a high salt content. Sheppard Field is tremendous about 125,000 men. I think, and water had to be piped from a lake that had been polluted by salt water from oil wells. A strong cold wind blows continually, and dust is everywhere.

We got our uniforms on Saturday. Life is very confused, and hanging over everyone is the ever present fear of washing out. Apparently a good half of the cadets will wash out, because they need gunners, as we all have to remain in the air crew. I am worried about my eyes.

I am down to the last orange food that Mom fixed for me. It was really good. The army food here is rather good. The horrible water spoils everything it touches. The coffee is bad, but tea covers up the water taste well. As a result I drink tea at all meals.

I have no pen, so please excuse the pencil.

I'll be around this place a month; perhaps longer. There is a shortage of noncoms that know anything. Our C.O. is a private that has been here seven weeks. Everything shifts around so much that one can be sure of nothing.

I think I will not be able to get home for a long time; probably a year or more. One is allowed to go only 150 miles on a three day pass, and these are very uncommon. After two weeks we will start getting Saturday night passes. Meanwhile I try to get adjusted to this army life.

The PX helps to make life easier. The have reading matter, and soft drinks, and ice cream. Even the coke tastes of salt.

Give my regards to Sadie and Jerry.

I shall be glad to hear from you.

Love,

Linus