January 21, 1943

Dear Mother,
          I received your letter today. So I
will answer it now, because I have an
opportunity to do so. So much is happening at
camp lately I can hardly keep up with it myself
by being in school or at work at Duncan. We
have been issued our gas masks and helmets.
The fellow that are working in the shops here
at Stinson go on hikes every day. They have
been practicing comando drills lately. I miss
all this by my work. Tonight there is
a notice to get rid of all cameras, so I will
be sending mine home. I guess the Capt. of
the guards caught somebody taking pictures
around the camp so we all must get rid of
them now. They are getting very strict in every
thing lately. There is a rumor that we are


going to move, either to Kelly Field Texas or some
field in West Virginia. Nothing official as yet, but
I guess this field is going to be used for cadets.
          I also got a letter from Luella today. I have
written quite a few letters this week. I am all
alone on the top floor in the barracks tonight. All
the rest are in shop. Gosh it seems funny. Saturday
it was so warm here. 87 degrees and Monday morning
it was 15 above. Boy what a change. Everybody has
a cold. So you can see our weather isn't all
sunshine here.
          Well I must write to Irene yet tonight
and get to bed. I guess I have told you all the
rest of the news. So long for now.
                                               Love
                                                        Ralph.

The next letter will be posted on Jan. 26th.

Background Information (and comments):

• Luella was Ralph's only sister.
• Here is a website for more information about gas masks used during World War II:

http://www.wood.army.mil/ccmuseum/ccmuseum/Library/Masks_History.pdf

M2 Series Mask In 1939, the Army developed a lightweight training mask with a fully molded rubber facepiece. This proved so popular and effective that the mask was standardized as the M2 Mask in 1941. This was the first mask to eliminate stockinet coverings due to improved age-resistant rubber. It came in three sizes: small, universal, and large. Improvements to the outlet valve resulted in the M2A1 in 1941, the M2A2 in 1942, and the M2A3 in 1944. Over 8 million of the masks were produced during World War II. The masks were obsoleted in 1949.

M3 Series Lightweight Mask The bulky weight of the M2 series masks resulted in the demand for a lightweight mask. In 1942, the M3 Lightweight Mask was standardized. The overall weight was three-and-one-half pounds and used a fully molded rubber facepiece. To prevent lens fogging, the mask added an interior nosecup. An improved lightweight canister provided better protection. An improved outlet valve resulted in the M3A1 Mask in 1944. Over 13 million of the masks were produced during World War II. The masks were obsoleted in 1949.

M4 Series Lightweight Mask The continuing demand for a lightweight mask for assault troops led to modifications to the existing M2A2 facepiece to speed up production. In 1942, the result was the M4 Lightweight Mask which added a nosecup, a new outlet valve and a new lighter canister. The Army ordered 250,000 of the masks. A modification to the outlet valve resulted in the M4A1 Lightweight Mask in 1945. The mask was obsoleted in 1949.