December 13, 1966
Dear Lorraine,

Hi! Honey, I hope you are well. I’m enjoying a half-day off so I’m catching up with my letter writing. As usual you’re first. Let me know when the money order and stamps get there. I’ll send more stamps next pay day.

Our flight today isn’t until 12:30 so I spent 2 hours this morning working on the ship. My gunner Jim polished the windshields. It’s a bum job but it makes the pilots feel special, like you did it just for them, instead of doing it before they complain. I guess it’s also a good idea if they can see where were going.

Yesterday we spent most of the day moving troops around to different places. Some of them were RECON patrols so I guess today we will pick them up. I don’t think a night out in the jungle over here would be much fun. Sometimes they go out to set up an ambush, that’s when you hope things stay quiet. Tonight I’m scheduled for guard duty but if I get lucky we will get back late. Maybe I can get Mr. Dobbs to volunteer for an extra flight or two.

I still have to get a letter out to my brother, I have not written him for about a month then if I have enough time one to my mom. I’ll try to write again tonight.

Love
Tom
S.W.A.K.

Hi again! We just got back about ½ hour ago and I don’t have to pull guard duty tonight. I do still have to pull my daily inspection but I’ll finish this first and the get some dinner. Today we flew a Col. And some Majors to Qui Nhon and then brought them back. It was a nice flight and a pleasant change of pace.

I do have to tell you that as each day passes I miss you more and more. I know each day brings me closer to you but that just makes me think about you that much more. Love is great but in this case it brings a happy kind of sadness, we are so far apart and at the same time I feel we are closer than we have ever been. I know you will be there waiting for me when this is over and that keeps me going. Please keep thinking of me and writing letters. I Love You Very Much.

Tom
S.W.A.K.

Tom Gator 851.