At sea July 3

Dear Ripper:

I just heard some guys talking about detains long
flat rumers) and I remembered the time we got yours out at home. I reckon
I never did apologize for taking you so fast behind the car. It's a good
thing youre tough. I reckon that would very nearly have killed the ordinary

fellow.

How is everything goint? Fine I hope. Is Ed Yall still with
youd

Our group is “ the fast carrier task force. We've been in
on everything since the Kyushu raids middle of March. Ive been over the Japan
mainland three or four times now. The A.A. gets a little thick but so far no
fighter opposition. I reckon that will come though. We supported the Okinawa
campaign. During that time we got 67 Jap planes. I have two :
I sat in the water for about three hours one day after chasing a Jap. I burned

up my engine and it finally quit. Another fellow finally got the Jap. It

. HATAIOY
pe ete ‘ TO ee Ne

was very a tae ole & os me. ly boys knew where I was and
so I didn't have a thing to worry about. A Durtbo picked me up later. They
treated me very nicely. ve eae:

Both the Franklin and Bunker Hill were in our group when they
were hit... saw the Franklin but not the B.H. The latter one was the day I went
Swimming. (2), a (EL hen fog # cpmice* [Ty Cos fF umep go00ueL Ti, «071, JT

There, roally, isnt, much to. write,about.. Wer hope to» be ables to, cone home* after
one more..operation, but there's no telling how long that will bee We were out longer
this. lest. one then anyone else, has, exer; heens.roj nc mone sone" Om
We had: quite : rest just recently It was too hot to really be a rest though. It

was very difficult to sleep. The islands were very winteresting to me. I think