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308 Wed 12 Aug. 8 am Post censorship My dearest darling Four letters from you yesterday! Two of them were belated arrivals, had got caught in the shuffle somewhere, but your letters - like a really good book - read just as well to me no matter where I pick them up. We’re getting some EFM forms in soon; so don't be startled (as I was at the first couple of times from you) if you should get one in the next month or so. Just to keep you cheerful, darling, here's a little definite news which affects me indirectly - four men three of whom come in with the assault and one of whom (Arthur Smith) has been out for sometime, on Peleliu, are getting replacements soon. Actually that means about two weeks, and they won't leave for another two weeks. That move by CinCPac suggests that replacements might be sent for those of us who came here in October in another three months, so that we left in four. I guess Christmas is out, Sweetie, and I'll be so disappointed - but it shouldn't be long after that. [pg 2] The men coming out and the men whom they are to replace were named specifically - all MG. The two remaining of the original 5, Tel and Johnny Reifsnider, are not affected. But Tel went to the Captain yesterday and got his permission to write a letter requesting his return to the translation section in Pearl. (Tel was mad, and I don't blame him). There is a chance that I may yet become Education and Religion Officer, in spite of the fact that Arthur's relief is a professional educator and president of some small college - he's being sent to relieve Arthur on the presumption that the latter is Education Officer; that is, the position was not named in the Speedletter telling of orders, but obviously replacements were selected on the basis of experience and a presumption of what the men would be doing here. However, the choice is Captain Dodds'. If he finds it embarrassing to have a 40-odd year old, full lieutenant with professional educational training as his Personnel Officer (a very minor job) he may have to make him Ed. Officer, relieving Tel [pg 3] and retaining me as Asst. Ten enlisted men are leaving very shortly on the basis of points - about 10% of our complement. Included is [S?] - so we’re back to where we started. But Slicer has returned from the hospital and something is better than nothing. And he's really not such a bad guy - just pleasantly inefficient. I'm at the post office listening to scuttlebutt about a new point system on the basis of which I have 66 of a required 60. Bust as I've indicated, I think I'm more likely to get out just on the basis of relief and lack of reassignment than I am under any current system. Gosh, darling, I hope it's soon. Sweetie, I’d like to make this just a token Christmas except for Wendy. There's nothing I can get you without having someone else buy it, and that's no fun. Not counting Wendy, let's limit each other to $10 in personal presents. I'll stick to it if you will. ‘Course it won't be long after that, and we'll want our money to spend together. Meanwhile let's get Father paid and we'll be all in the clear. Till later, darling I love you Warren
