Mineola, L.I. N.Y.
Jan. 9, 1918. 12 o’clock.

Dear Mother,

This may be another surprise but I think that I will be on my way to France within two days, possibly tomorrow. Today I had charge of some trucks hauling the equipment of my squadron to the port of embarkation. I understand that we leave tomorrow.

I am enclosing a witnessed copy of my application for insurance and you should keep this until you receive the policy. Two copies of this have been sent to Washington, and they will send you the policy. The premiums will be deducted from my salary. The insurance is in force as soon as I mailed the application and it is good no matter what the cause of my death might be.

Jan. 9 1918

I am having an allotment made you from my pay. They should send you seventy five dollars of my salary each month. I want you to keep this for me, and pay my insurance premiums in the Capital Life. Also I have two debts that I want you to pay. There is no hurry about either as they both know my condition. One is for uniforms and clothes at Sanger Bros., Dallas, Texas, amounting to $55.85 (Fifty five dollars and eighty five cents). Send them a check sometime before March 1, enclosing the statement I am sending in this letter.

The other bill is a last payment on my Liberty Loan Bonds. I have two hundred dollars worth at the City National Bank, Dallas, Texas but at present I owe them Seventy. Please pay them this amount and hold the receipts I am enclosing. Also keep the receipt they will give you. I have not had my bank book balanced but I think I have drawn about all of my money from the bank.

I do not owe anyone else any money as I have not received any from Mr. Miller at Natchez, and could not get in touch with Mr. Pool at Dallas. So I do not owe either of them any money. I do not see why Mr. Miller did not wire me the one hundred, but he did not. I have managed to get along fine without it as I received my December pay OK.

I have brought lots of heavy clothes, another quilt, and am pretty well supplied for service abroad. You should not worry about me as I will not be fighting, but will have charge of some trucks in shipping supplies for the Aviation Service. Possibly I will have an office and will see to the loading of the trucks. I am greatly pleased with my assignment.

You cannot expect to hear from me very often at first as it will take about one month for a letter to reach you after I have written from there. The censors will read all of your letters to me and all of mine to you. I will write every week after I arrive and you should hear from me once each week. I have arranged to telegraph you when I arrive abroad so that you will know that I landed safely. My telegram will be sent through Washington so do not be frightened when you find out that I have telegraphed. I may telegraph you every now and then just to let you know that I am all right.

I have been assigned to a new squadron for service abroad and your letters should now be addressed very plainly to me as I write it:

Lieut. W. E. Dove,
121st Aero Squadron,
A.E.F.
New York, New York.

The postmaster at New York City will know where the mail goes and will send it OK. In case anything happens to me you will be notified by the government. Unless you receive a telegram from them you may know that I am getting along all right.

It is getting late and I must close. With lots of love and regards to all, I am, always your,

Walter.

P.S. I have not received any packages from you to Leon Springs but think they will be forwarded to me.

The $75.00 will be deposited with the City National Bank, Dallas, Texas in your name (Mrs. T. W. Dove). It will be there by the 5th of each month beginning Feb. 5 and continuing until one year expires.

Walter.