This letter was written on 20 June 1951 and postmarked on the 21st.

It’s a little more understandable in this letter why my father has a hard time thinking of something interesting to say, when the loss of another pilot is on his mind, the third “in the last ten days.” The concept of uncontrollable chance or “luck” is a worry.

Still, he wants to hurry to finish his missions, while readers might be wishing he would slow down and not be in such a hurry. It’s like that movie you watch over and over, thinking each time that maybe the unfortunate character will make a different choice. He never does.

A transcript follows the images.

Transcript:

20 June 51

Hi Sweetheart

Up at Seoul again. Will write just a few lines to let you know I’m still around.—

Saw Shimp today for the first time in about 15 days or so. He is way ahead of me in missions now—I may be able to catch up—I hope so.

We lost John Coleman today—Too bad he was one very nice guy—I really thought a lot of him.

I hope that ends our streak of bad luck for awhile at least a while—That’s three guys we’ve lost in the last ten days. We had been quite lucky for awhile.

I want to thank you again for the pictures—I think they are really nice.

I forgot to tell you—I sent a money order to the bank to cover the checks I wrote $40.00

If the money wasn’t there I hope it gets there in time to cover the checks—Yi!

The weather was pretty nice today—Hope it stays that way so I can get my missions in a hurry.

I brought the camera up with me this time—maybe I can get some more pictures to send you—I hope better ones at any rate.

I’m having a hard time trying to think of something interesting to say—So I’ll just say

Love to the kiddies

and

I Love You

x Walt x

x xxxx xxx