July 24, 1945

Reims, France
July 24, 1945
 
Dear Dad:
 
Received your very welcome letter of July 15th today and was glad to hear from you. I sure like these air-mail letters a lot better than v-mails. The weather has been hot and dry for the past month and the farmers around here are sure needing a little rain on their pastures now. I don’t mind this kind of weather as hot and dry is the way I like it best. It would take a lot of this kind of weather to kill me. I haven’t been swimming for a couple days but hope to get going again soon. I believe I told you about the nice pool the army has rented for the soldiers. It’s something like Forest Park Highlands pool, except it’s indoors with a glass roof.
 
I guess by the time you get this letter, they will have announced the new critical score for discharge. There are quite a few of us fellows out of the old 17th Quarter-Master Squadron that are sure hoping the score goes to 75, or at least 78. I now have 78 points and here is what they are for. All points were froze May 12, 1945 so this up to that date. Here is how my service adjustment rating card reads.
 
Name (Milton L. Janis) Rank (T/5)
Military Occupational Specification, (Heavy Truck Driver). Base Pay (66.00 per month) Oversea’s Pay (20% of Base Pay = $19.20; Longevity for service over 3 years, 5% of Base Pay $3.30. Total salary per month. $82.50. Physical Classification, (A). Total points towards discharge.
40 months service prior May 12 = 40
1 point extra, each month overseas prior May 12 = 13
Battle of Normandy (Bronze Stars for participation. 5 Campaigns) = 5
Battle of Northern France = 5
Battle of Ardennes Mountains = 5
Battle of Rhineland = 5
Battle of Central Europe = 5
Total Points 78
 
So I guess you can see why I want the points to hit 78. If they do, that means I have a chance to be out in at least ten months. Boy what a day that will be. By God I won’t believe it till I’m actually out. I hear the army is short of clothes and are having the discharged vets send their uniforms back after they get home. Boy here is one chicken they can send home in a barrel and they can have all the G.I. clothes I’ve got. If I get out of the army I don’t want anything laying around to remind me of it. All I want is that little 9x12 piece of paper.
 
I painted the truck last week and hope to take some more pictures of it in a few days. If they turn out ok I’ll be sure to send you some.
 
We are still working steady hauling troops and supplies and I think we will be here for the rest of this year.
 
I am in the best of health at present and hope you all are the same. Give my regards. So long.
 
As ever
Mel
 
New APO is 752.







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