Dear Ila,

I beg your pardon, fair damsel. Must have misinterpreted along the line somewhere. I certainly didn’t have the big idea you wanted to write to a soldier, I just thought you might enjoy cheering up a lonesome soldier. If you would, I must admit you are off to a flying stop. Only meant, that while these 2 other boys are single and not free, that they are rather seriously attached to young ladies back home. Poor buggers are really suffering from the pangs of woeful love. Fortunately I’m carefree, but nonetheless lonesome. Will do my best to get off a photo to you in the near future but at present am out, I think. I’ll take a peek around tonite and try to scrounge up something, but I don’t believe I have any around. Did have one with 3 weeks growth of beard showing but fortunately both are gone now. Had a slight resemblance to a Junior Bluebeard. Suppose I’d be telling a white lie to say I just thought up a name and address and it happened to be you, so I’ll admit the truth. Got it from Harold Schoch, one of my cohorts in arms. He informs me you go around with his wife’s younger sister or something to that effect. Still poking along towards a commission and have completed a good part of the training now. Spent all last week on the “hill” with the Infantry learning the principles of adjusting Artillery fire on the enemy. Had a good instructor so feel fairly adept in the art. Caught a bunch of gooks eating chow in a bunker late one afternoon and hit both on and around it with 6 rounds of high explosive. The only comment I had for them was “cyanada”. (Korean for “so long.”) Pulled the wool over some clowns’ eyes this past week because I came down from the hill to find I had made corporal. Can’t ever tell what’s going to happen with this strong right arm of the nation. Did find a picture, which is enclosed but must be paid for. Price will be one in return. If I can scout well enough I’ll send along a better one soon.

Love, Frank

P.S. Don’t know Kenneth Thai.