March 3, 1954 Vieques, P.R. My Darling Wanda, Sorry I didn't write last nite - no excuse except we didn't get back in until 10P.M. and I wasn't in much of a writing mood - I was beat. I drove an amptrack up to the range for Wiggins again yesterday morning. Then yesterday afternoon we dragged ten more tanks and amp-tracks up to the range. Boy believe me, that dust and exhaust from the tanks really gets with you after awhile. The amp-track I was driving caught fire twice yesterday morning - got kinda warm - more fun than a barrel of monkeys. Lots rather be wrapping arms and legs around you. More Fun! Today we went out and tried to tear the hell out of the target tanks - couldn't quite do it - those old tanks are tough. I got four direct hits on a tank, all I did was set the tank afire. Wish I could have got a shot at some of those amp-tracks - they had about 60 gallons of gas on each of them - that would have made a nice fire. Ya know honey I said I would get a couple of letters that nite? Well I didn't, I found out that we won't have mail call but every other day. I made out last nite - got three of your letters. Wanda the mail service can't be bitched about to much as the letter you mailed the 27th I got the 2nd. When you get back to Lejeune it will be two day service. Wanda if anything happens you can get ahold of me by calling M-Sgt Smith 2nd Tnk bn. He has a radio set-up from Lejeune to Vieques. You can talk to me over the radio. It would take about two hours for you to reach me. See Wanda although we're many miles apart I can talk to you or or come to you within a few hours. Don't fail to call me - in case anything happens. Ryan, Willie and I went over to Warner brothers today and talked to the stage hands. Those guys make pretty good money but don't have any security. They may work 6 weeks then be layed off for 12 weeks. We almost signed him up with the M.C. If my scribbling looks anymore fouled up than usual it's because I'm writing by a lantern and it don't give off so good a light. Wanda I'm realizing now more than ever before how lucky I am - to have you instead of someone else. Wiggins is pissed he hasn't heard from Margaret in four days. He started to write and tell her to go to hell. I told him it was just the mail that was fouled up - Lorie writes Jack and wants to know if she can go home after the baby comes (still isn't born). Boy he is all shook up. Me, I'm all shook up too - but only because I can't hold my darling wife tight in my arms like it should be. I guess that's one of the reasons I love you so - you don't do or act stupid like some of these other women do. You're mine Wanda and nothing could ever replace you. I know we love each other to much honey, I wouldn't want it any other way, lets keep it like that forever. Yep sounds like Brad is on a spree - I don't think Pat has anything to worry about. Tell her to get married and she won't have to worry about having the pip. Ha. Wanda I'd better close as I'm getting crosseyed from trying to write. I'll see you tomorrow nite - till then Wanda and till forever you're mine - I'm yours. I just wish it was so we could be with each other all the time. I need you darling and I know I'll love you until I die. Yours Forever, Dave Brad Tesh - transcribed 2005-01-03