28/2/53 3:15 A.M.

Hi Doll,

Although it is still slightly early in the morn, this is the best day of the month. Payday! The one only, good day of any month that the Army has to offer. Funny you should ask, but the outfit no longer resides in the Punchbowl. We moved west another 24 miles 6 days ago into the Mundung-Ni Valley and are now in direct support of Heartbreak Ridge. Must admit I’m getting sick of all the unnecessary moving, though. It’s a mess everytime we do and it seems to me that each position is just a little worse than the last. As far as the FDC is concerned each move is just a total loss to my men and myself. We’ve had to set up a complete firing system every time and of course with the usual good Army equipment it’s a hopeless task. We really took a busting in this position, and our latest firing chart is made from a Japanese grid sheet. If you know anything at all about Japanese stuff you’ll know it’s very poor and runs anywhere from 10 to 70 yards off in range and 2 to 8 miles off in deflection. As I said, the usual good Army stuff. As far as I can tell now I should be over here about another 6 months barring misfortunes or moves to Japan. There is talk of the division heading for Japan, and if that happens I’ll be over here for yet another year. Big deal. Sorry to hear you are suffering from a cold, but I’m quite sure you’ll pull thru O.K. Being a gallant young lad, I gladly offer my shoulder for you to cry on, except the Army has other ideas for it. Worse luck!? If you’ll now excuse me I must see what I can do about scraping off a few whickers. It always ends up in a battle with the razor always winning out. If the razor was getting paid for drawing blood it probably could have retired on a pension 6 months ago. I remain, as ever, your servant, madam.

Love, Frankie