Thursday, 03 May 2012 18:32

Ben Hartley Letter 007 - 1943-03-09

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Postage Stamp:  FREE
Postage Date:  Mar 9 5:30PM 1943

Pvt. Ben R. Hartley
A.S.N. 18,232,843
Barracks 293, Service Squadron 32
308th Training Group
B.T.C #3
Sheppard Field, Texas

Envelope Reverse:
ARMY AIR FORCES TECHNICAL SCHOOL
SHEPPARD FIELD, TEXAS

To:  Mrs. Louis D. Hartley
The Mart Herald
Mart, Texas

Monday Evening

Dear Mom,

We just stood retreat and I thgouht that I would fall flat on my face standing there at attention.  We got in from another road run about five minutes 'till four and had to fall out for retreat ast four on-the-dot.

I was within the first five ranks today no far behind the little lieutenant leading us.  We went a little farther today -- about 11 miles (the other run was about 8 miles.).  He did not run us quite so much, but he did not give us a break of any kind.  We did not stop once during the hour and a half trip.  Benjaman did not once falter or drop out of ranks, and he was right in there at the finish.  I feel much better after this one than I did after the other one; but my feet are very sane, and my legs are very tired.

We did nothing but drill this morning for nearly four hours.  Tonight at seven we fall out for classification, and we probably shan't be back in barraacks until then or later.  I hardly know what to expec in this classification deal except an interview.  As I told you previously, we took a rough test the other night which consumed three hours.  Not but one out of a hundred of us were expected to pass it (for some of it was advanced physics and engineering problems), but we took it to determine what our status will be when we are sent back  to school.

Must close for now because it is about time to fall out for chow.

Tell all the folks hello and all my love for you and Louie.

Ben

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