656 9/25/1945 Jim Erwin to Helen Carlson

Jim Erwin 497th Service Sqdn. 44th Service Group, APO 487, NY Tuesday, September 25, 1945

Helen Carlson 382 Robertsville Road, Oak Ridge, Tennessee

Dear Helen, Don’t know anything definite yet but the outlook isn’t bad. A week or so ago, everybody in the 44th was to return in the Group regardless of points. A bunch of high point men were transferred to Burma into the 52nd Service Group. They have been over a long time and were to be the first to leave. Now they’re stuck and this Group will be the first out. All men with less than 52 points are to be transferred into outfits staying in India for a few months longer to clean up. I have just 51 points. Things looked pretty sad. You know that I’m working here in the Information and Education Office. The War Department has really been pushing this program. Our office has established one of the best records for any Group in the Theater. Captain Dibala, who is new. and myself work here alone. He is from Texas and can out talk anybody. He talked to my squadron CO and then to the Group CO who is a Colonel. Told them both that he was fairly new and that I knew more about the program than he did. It was most imperative that I was classed as essential and be retained with the Group. Both the commanding officers said okay so if nothing is changed, I’m safe. The Special Service Officer has been talking with the Group Adjutant and was assured that the band would stay together and play aboard ship so that makes one more thing holding me. Gladys was right when she said that I’ve always been lucky. The Group is supposed to board trains here at Dinjan the 15th of October and go to Karachi, India which will take approximately seven days. The boat is to be there and will leave in a few more days. If things go right, they said that we would be in the States even by Thanksgiving. We’re to go through the Mediterranean Sea and hit the States either at New York or Newport News, Virginia. Men returning from China, Burma and India are given 45 day furloughs instead of the usual 30. We will stop taking atabrine tablets and in that time should know whether or not we have malaria. We are almost positive of being put into category four which means that all men will be discharged immediately after their forty-five day furlough. That sure would be tough. I’m not worried about anything regardless of what happens. The construction business sounds okay. I’m sure it will work out for the best. Nashville is supposed to be very nice and you should like it. We have obtained many high school diplomas for fellows that didn’t complete school. Many more will receive them as soon as they complete a course or so they’re studying on. They will be able to go right into college. Bob should have consulted his I & E officer and could have made up his algebra credit. Now he has to get it on his own time. Everybody has been working hard turning in clothing, equipment, property, etc. Crating and boxing up stuff we’ll need. Made some boxes for the instruments and stands. As far as we know, can keep the instruments we’re using. I just got a new alta sax and sure would love to keep it. Our band leader wants to play a game of ping pong so guess I’ll go over and beat him. He makes me play left-handed. I’ll write more later. Next day Didn’t have a chance to finish so will now. The Col. talked to us last night. There won’t be many men with less than 52 staying with the Group. Doesn’t make any difference to me. Figured on staying in India two years when we came over and now won’t stay here that long even if the Group moves out and leaves us here. I haven’t been in the Army very long compared with most fellows anyway. Anything can happen and is hard to tell ahead of time what is or isn’t going to be a good deal. I’ll let you know soon what the deal is. With love, Jim