Mispellings left as is.

Envelope Return Address:

Tech. James C. Hamby 14017037

Co. E 540th Engr 2nd Bn (47 Inf)

A. P. O. #9

c/o Postmaster

New York City, N .Y.

Postage: Free U. S. Army

Postmark: A. P. O. U. S. Army Postal Service Dec 14 A.M. 1942

Stamp: Passed by U. S. Army Examiner, Lt. Wagner, 03469

Army letterhead: U. S. [Field Artillery crossed out] 540th Engr. [Fort Bragg, No. Carolina crossed out] Somewhere in Africa

12/1/42

Dearest Mother, Dad, & Martha,

Will write to you after so long a time. Shure hope you all are well & happy. As for myself I'm okay. Came through everything fine only have a little touch of the flu the last few day's.

Wish I could tell you all the thing's I know but uncle Sam say's no new's. Oh well I'll tell you all about it after I come home after the war.

Wish I knew if you are getting the money okay and if you are sending the $50 to Grace. I'm worried more about her than I am about any thing else.

Well Dam I can't think of a thing to write about. I can wish you all a very merry & happy Christmas for I figure it will be that time when you get this letter. If I had some thing to send I would send you all xmas presents but it's impossible to send any thing at the present time.

How is Martha getting along in school. I bet she is lazy as ever. Ha.

Wish you would write to Aunt Effie. Tell her I'm okay. Would write to her if I could.

Tell Pop not to beat Walt to bad playing Dominoes.

My new address is

Tech. Sgt. James C. Hamby 14017037

Co. E. 540th Engr. 2nd Bn 47th Inf.

A. P. O. #9 Post Master N.Y., N.Y.

U. S. Army

Please send the address to Grace for me. I wrote to her about a week ago but the address has changed since then.

Answer soon. Lot's of love, Your son, Jick.

James C Hamby