Capt. T.G. Leske
633 T.D. BN.
APO304
Fort Lewis, Wash.
9-27-43 (Postmarked Sept. 29 1943, Bend, Oregon. No stamp, just "Free" written where the stamp would be.)
Miss Jane Axtell
538 S. Normandie
Los Angeles, #5 California
(Note: Letter was written in pencil. I had to scan it and adjust brightness and contrast to get to where I could read it.)
Hello Jane!
Conditions being not too good at the present youll have to excuse the sloppiness – more than ususal.
Just before I went to bed (bedding roll) last night (7:15 and you brag about going to bed at 8:30) our mail came in and, of all things, a totally unexpected letter from you. Talk about a welcome surprise!
Whoever originated the motto "Keep Oregon Green" shuld be out here with us. Sure as hell his picture of Oregon would change. Its so damn dirty that some of the fellows even have sagebrush sprouting out the dust collected in ther ears. That may soulnd like an exaggeration yet, knowing me, you know that it couldn’t be anything but true.
Really the lava ash dust is terrific. When riding through it the dust sprays out from under teh weheels as if it were water.
My saying that we probably wouldn’t have the chance of seeing each other again was due to rumors – i.e. "T.D. Btn are to lose their dental officers (with which I heartly agree because out here it is [unreadable] a high-price loaf) and in this case I don’t know what the hell would happen to me; " T.D. Btn are to be transfered after the manuovers to Camp McCoy, Wisconsin or Indiana. See? [Note: Camp McCoy was in Wisconsin and in 1973 was designated Fort McCoy]
Tell Casey to get after you and your health. Your letters sound as if you are trying to exist on nothing at all.
Thats all for now and still holding my breath for the morale builiding letter.
Good Luck
Teddy