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April 19, 1943
Fort Knox
Dear Mom,
Well I’ll be dad burned. If that just shows you that even the best have to let down once in a while. I got a letter Sunday from my aunt that my mother was sick and in the hospital. To day I got a telegram that she was out and improving. This afternoon I got a card from the same person saying she would probably be out soon.
I got a letter from Edna and one from Peggy. They seem to be on the outs but are still friends. They were caught during one of their hookey plays. Edna wants to join the wacks and Peggy wants her to come Alberkirk.
Well my platoon really messed things up to the sky. Friday, we were to clean rifles and being tired and in a hurry we did not do a good job. Now we are restricted to the post for this week. Next week we won’t be here so that makes two weeks straight away from town. This week we go to night school from 8 to 9:30. This restriction includes all officers of whom some lived in town. The school is cleaning rifles.
It's too bad you cannot make your trip but I don’t believe we could get together.
Adios Lyle H.

April 21st 1943
Fort Knox
Dear Mom,
Tonite I am in the Guard house again. I was on last Sunday all afternoon and that night. There is a Bn. dance at Club 2 and all the boys that didn’t go could volunteer for guard duty and I did.
I imagine this will be the last letter you will be getting from me for the next two weeks or more.
Why don’t you just stay home, if you are too sick to leave, and rest for I will probably be in sometime in June but suit yourself. Go to Louisville and get a hotel room and try to reach me at my address. I wish you luck cause I am not sitting still.
Let me know if you understand.
Yours Truly,
Lyle
P.S. Am sending picture.

May 3, 1943
Fort Knox
Dear Mom,
I just got out of our first O.C.S. class. We had the different faces and drilling movements. My voice is kinda weak bit it will improve. I want to go and the thing that is going to keep me out is doing the wrong thing.

Boy, oh, boy what an argument. These guys in here get to banning words back and forth over religion and every one thinks he is right. Every one can curse as loud and long as any sailor.
Got to go to Bed.
Lyle
P.S. Send me some more candy, if it pleases your highness and an Amarillo paper.
----------------------------------------
To save paper
May 4, 1943
(On the back of May 3 letter)
Dear Mom,
I am on guard duty again to night. I go to walk from 10 to 12. I have been on once every week for the past three weeks and that ain't hay.

I got a real nice letter from Peggy yesterday and she seems off the beam. I will give you her address and I would like for you to write her a friendly letter telling her what a sorry son you have, please if you do not mind. Send me a copy of it.
Yours
Lyle

May 6, 1943
Fort Knox
Dear Mom,
Pay day was yesterday. I received $35.75. I have $6.25 bonds, $1.50 laundry, and $6.50 insurance. By the time I had collected all the money owing me I had $57.
I aim to send Boots his $20 and next month yours.
I got a hair cut tonite and the barber parted my hair for the first time since I’ve been in.
Don’t feel bad bout not recieving any letters from me because the officers are tightning down on us and everthing has to be so so. I have to go to prep school about every other night and study the other nights.
Your truly,
Lyle.

May 10, 1943
Fort Knox
Dear Mom,
I have been pretty busy the last few days but now they are letting us off at five. We have to run from one building to another during duty hours.

Went on parade last Saturday and was on the front rank. I believe I told you about the change in the squad rooms. Our room has four tank crews in it. I had to move across the room.

Today we went out in the field and built tank obstacles. Made them from trees. Cut them down, bury, and stack.

Yours Truly,
Lyle
740th tank battalion

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