TRANSCRIPT
V-MAIL (FULL SIZE) DATED 6-9-44
Dear Mary E. –
Greetings tonight my beautiful big sister. Hope this finds you doing super swell and having a good time in college these days. I’m still somewhere in England and I’m still ok! (as usual) I recd. a letter from you dated May 26th and was really glad to hear from you again. Did you have a good time while the fleet was in on furlough. I’ll bet you two had quite a time doing the town. Who’s your latest “big inspiration” these days? Guess all the people are excited about the invasion aren’t they? That guy Hitler doesn’t realize what he’s in for. Are any of your old classmates with you this year. What ever happened to Peggy Harrison. She was really a swell kid wasn’t she? I sent you a money order for $100 so if you need any just cash it in. It’s ok by me. I wrote mom a letter today. How’s she like her new hair do now? I bet it’s cute isn’t it? Gee you could have a swell time if you didn’t have to study so much this summer couldn’t you sweets? I wish I had been a teacher now. (or do I?) Yup – guess so. Well I’ll close for now. Be real sweet & write me real soon & often.
Your Loving brother
Toots Jr.
[REVERSE SIDE INCLUDES V-MAIL INSTRUCTIONS]
[This is the final letter Earl ever sent. The day after sending this, on June 10th, 1944, Earl would go on to fly a bombing mission over occupied France where his plane would be shot down and, after surviving for four days, he would be killed by German soldiers on June 14th. His family was not notified until early July, and continued to receive letters from him in the mail until shortly after Earl’s death was confirmed.]