March 31, 1944

Dear Ronnie,

Today was much like yesterday -- -- waiting for something to happen. We refueled today and so did most of the other ships, so it looks as though the time for leaving is drawing pretty close. Most of the fellows feel that as long will we are in the invasion the sooner we get started the better, because then it will be over the sooner. I feel that way about it myself.

I didn't do very much all day except turn into a tin smith and make a sheet-metal cover for my storeroom's inventory list. We hung the list on the storeroom bulkhead so everyone would have access to it. The engineering officer wanted to know where we had gotten the hinge for the Cover because there wasn't supposed to be any such hinges left aboard. I told him we just found it.

I had the 12 to 4 watch and had to light off and secured the plant for fueling purposes. I started lighting off and a half hour later we were on their way. That's the best time we've ever made in getting the engine room ready for steaming. Someone was at fault though, because we are supposed to have at least an hour to warm up the plant. About two hours later we were finished fueling and received the order to secure. I got the plant secured fast because by that time we were off watch and doing it on our own time.

All my love,

Clyde