Dart started this letter so close to lights out that he didn’t take the time to fill his pen with ink – hence the pencil.

He’s happy to report he was not caught up in the huge ammunition explosion the night before. Although it was 35 miles from where Dart was, the noise was loud enough to wake all 1500 men on Treasure Island.

He’s beginning to get into the groove after two days of classes. A Wave instructor teaches them math for three hours every morning. Following that, there’s electricity studies, training films, work details, physical exercise, and airplane recognition classes.

Tonight is liberty night, but laundry is such a huge chore for the guys that they only take liberty when they are so tired of washing clothes that they’re willing to face double work the next day.

Dart’s first local payday is tomorrow. Although the Navy owes him $55, he’ll only accept $15, leaving $40 in his account for when he has a good use for it. He says there’s not much to spend money on except sodas and soap, and he has plenty of both.

Time to sleep and dream of Dottie.