April 2, 1954 Vieques, P.R. My Dearest Wanda, The mail finally got in at noon today and I got two of your letters. Was really glad to hear from you - but honey you sound blue - please don't baby - it isn't good for you. We didn't do hardly a durn thing today. I went down to the ammo dump and went by red beach and saw the helicopter that crashed a couple weeks ago - it washed ashore yesterday - it was really torn up - looked like barnacles had been chewing on it some. That was the one that boy was on - he washed ashore 1 week after it crashed. We saw a combined arms demonstration this afternoon - it was pretty good - except for the sun it was to hot. They had everything from pistols, rifles, machine guns, rocket launchers, recoilless rifles, tanks, mortars and even Navy gun fire all firing at the same time - made a lot of noise. Guess I'll take it easy this weekend. Ryan and Watson took off for San Juan again and all the officers took off except for Lt Ayland. I'm still planning on going swimming and gigging Sunday - chasing those lobsters is a lot of fun. Guess Long will tag along - he is my shadow now. He really can spook you always wanting advice, he's just a big kid, guess I'd better shut up and get your letters answered. Baby you'd better just keep on wondering how it would be to have someone to hold you until I get back, then you'll get all the holding and loving you want. That's not a threat, it's a promise. I don't care if we ruin my khaki as I have plenty of them. Wanda running a platoon and trying to please you are two different ducks although sure is a lot more fun being with you. Wanda I'm glad you try not to feel sorry for yourself, as it will just make you feel bad all the time.. I guess your legs do hurt some, remember two people are using them. Pretty soon three people will be using them. I know I'd sure like to have your legs locked around me now - wow! Honey I am getting as horny as a honey-bug. You're sure taking a chance wanting me to rub them, you know what would happen, don't you. Wanda about those red streaks you have on your hips and stomach. You'd better keep them doused down with oil or they might leave lines. I'll do it for you when I get back. The last few days is when the lines will come. Shame on you for letting an old man hit you - why it might have given him a heart attack, then you'd had to bury him. Just don't let anything happen to you Wanda as you're all I have and want. Wanda I know you love me but I want you to keep on writing and telling me, as it's all I have to go on now. Believe me I'll never get tired of hearing you say that. Say you've quit writing the tenth - might as well as I wouldn't get it until after we land. Write one anyway as we may get mail while we're in the boonies at Lejeune. I'd better shut up for now - gotta pitch a couple games of horseshoes before the movie goes. Wanda I love you and want you forever. Yours Forever, Dave Brad Tesh - transcribed 2005-01-13