November 10, 1945

Brooks Field

Nov. 10, 1945

Dear Mother:

Here I am basking in Texas and it isn't all it is cracked up to be.  I got back last night at 7:00 PM with lots of time to spare.  The train ran on schedule all the way from St. Louis.  We got into S.L. 1:15 late but still had 4 hours to spend.

I came all the way with a 1st Lt. named Flaherty from Boston.  He was coming to Ft. Sam Houston to redistribution and rehabilitation.  He had been a victim of concussions over in the Islands.  We did a lot of talking and had a lot of fun together.  He had 104 points and was in for 6 mos or more because of his injury and I am about to get out.  Which brings up the all important subject.

It seems the army wants you to be either in or out.  They don't want anyone in for 6 mos. as I wish but must reenlist for 3 years in the regular Army.  So- that means I will be home for Christmas this year.  Bill Ayers is going home next week to separation and I have to sign up for separation Monday.  Of course I shan't wave my discharge for 3 yrs but will get out immediately.  So you can start looking for good looking civilian clothes and colleges.

It has been a bad day today.  It rained all morning.  I had to run around a little but I had lots of warm clothes and my rain coat was handy.  I have a date tonight with Anne which will be a lot of fun I am sure.

If you can't read this letter it is just because we have to write on the bed for lack of a table.  I can hardly read what I write so you must be having a lot of fun.  I guess you have had a lot of experience reading bad writing.

Everyone was glad to see me back, at least they seemed that way.  Bill and I had a lot to talk over and he kept me awake most of the night and I haven't slept all day.  I lost my pillow somewhere so I have nothing for my head.  The bed is awful hard after mine at home, army life is rather rough.

Now my only problem is, what to do when I get home.  I have little desire to work or to go to school right away.  I also hate to spend all my money and have no income so coming home will be as hard as going away.  I think I would like to get a good hard job which might do me a little good physically or get a job flying or something.  You can't have both but you can see how little I know about what I want to do.  So you had better start reading all those stories on how to treat your returning soldier because I will be out and on my way before you can guess.  Maybe this time I will really surprise you when I walk in.

I was kind of upset to leave last Wed. but I guess I didn't look too disappointed.  It is rather hard to leave after you have had so much fun.  I think I had more fun on this leave than on any before and seeing it is the last I am glad it was so.  I guess we split the time up about right and I spent the right time in the right places.

Well I must go eat and then run.  You know I can't be late.

With love

Austin

"Doc"