Sharpshooter Badge and the Peeping Gal

Continuing in the letter of April 25, Ralph writes, “They gave us our rifle badges this week, too. I sure am proud of my sharpshooter badge. It is sterling silver and looks something like this – (drawing) – only bigger. The marksman badge is just like it, except it doesn’t have the target in the center. The expert badge is just like the sharpshooter, except it has a wreath around it.”

He goes from this moment of pride, to one of the most comical scenes described in his letters. “Tues. evening we had a physical exam, syphilis, crabs, athletes foot, etc. We lined up outside the building with nothing on but shoes and a raincoat. Some of the boys were lifting their coats and doing fancy dances, and performing in general, when we happened to look up between some buildings, and there stood a girl behind a tree peeking around, and taking in the show. I’ll bet she got an eyeful. She must have stood there at least 15 minutes.”

Ralph closes this letter with a mention of little Freddie, his nephew, and the dogs, Zippy and Tim. “How are Freddie and Zippy and Tim getting along? The little rascal. I’ll bet he’s a corker about now. I wish I could see him and all the rest of you too.”