651 8/15/1945 Jim Erwin to Sadie Erwin

Jim Erwin 497th Service Sqdn. 44th Service Group, APO 487, NY Wednesday, August 15, 1945

Sadie Erwin Box 44, Enumclaw, Washington

Dear Folks, Better start airing the mothball smell from my clothes. Imagine the people in the States went wild last night. We received the news over the radio at 5:45 this morning. Everybody has gone to work this morning but will probably quit this noon. We were supposed to have the whole day off. In regards to a speedy return by us, looks fairly probable. As far as Service Groups are concerned in this India-Burma theatre, the 44th is third in line. That makes us feel happy. There are Groups that have been over longer but their personnel have been rotated. The Special Service officer is going to try and have our band put on special duty with Special Service. That way, we won’t have any details nor anything to do but to practice and play for the fellows. Shouldn’t be hard for him to get it done. We played at the theater Monday night. It was the first time we have played for the entire Group. The fellows were very optimistic and didn’t see how this Group could get a band that would sound any good at all. We set them all straight in a hurry. They loved it. Yelled and hollered all through the program. The Col. came back stage and congratulated us. Wants us to play all the time. We’re very happy about it and are having a lot of fun. We received four saxophones. I hadn’t ever played one but one of the fellows showed me where the keys were and now like it better than my clarinet. What do you intend doing now? Will the shipyard close? What chance is there of Dad keeping his job? My transfer was rejected. I’m glad it was now. The Col. said I was the mainstay of this Dept. and requested Headquarters to reconsider it. Dariotis called and said they had a big argument up there about it but decided it was probably best for me to stay here and help the new Captain. We’re getting along pretty good now so things aren’t as bad as they were. The Group can’t possibly stop functioning altogether. We’re servicing too many outfits. Will more than likely only work a half a day though. This Information and Education Office and Special Service will have the big job now. We will hold classes during the day and S.S. will be having athletics. The biggest moral boost will be to start sending men in this theater immediately if we do return to the States. I only had 40 points as of May 12th. Points are to be accumulated though. Accordingly, I’ll have about 46. The radio said that discharge points will be dropped to less than fifty. Have a chance of getting out then. Just getting back to the States and a furlough will mean plenty right now though. Will let you know of any sudden move. With love, Jim