January 17, 1943
Dear Pop,
Today, as I was driving into the Hospital in the misty early gray light, a flock of 
mallards sailed in through the snow-flaked sky with wings set and dropped into 
the Few about 30 yards from the bridge.  The one on the right was the drake!  I 
guess this Hitler guy is going to post-pone for a year or two our already too-long 
overdue duck shoot.  However, it made me think that maybe now when people are thinking of other things might be a time to put a  corner on a place where we can go and shoot as we want and when we want
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as in the old days at the 70.  And that brought to mind a question I've meant to 
ask before.  Do you know who owns the place on the right on the road 1/2 way 
between Barr and the Mile High?
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If a fellow built a dam at X and made a little 2 or 3 acre lake with a slew 
above and below wouldn't all the ducks shot at in Barr or at Mile High like to drop in on a nice stool of decoys?  Only 35 minutes from [ town?]?  What do you think of that?
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Just before he left for active duty, I talked with Dr. Churchill, who was exceedingly 
kind and gracious to me.  I learned from him more concerning the auxiliary 
surgical units of which I wrote you.  The service sounds very promising as he 
describes it.  Each army has an auxiliary service, the internal set-up of which is 
less fixed then fluid (i.e. opportunity for advancement in rank, unlike general in 
Base Hosp. Units).  In the general surgical part of the auxiliary service, the men 
are divided into teams -- a major or captain as surgeon -- a captain or lieutenant 
as asst. surgeon -- an anesthetist, nurse and 2 or 3 orderlies (educated men).  
There is no
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hospital affiliation.  The idea is to send the teams where they are most needed.  
When the casualties mount in one sector -- there you go to do the surgery.  Then, 
when the pressure is on somewhere else, off you go to do the surgery -- etc.  The 
most appealing aspect of this service (if Dr. Churchill's dope is accurate) is that it is 
limited to young men.  The fellows throughout the country who have finished 
surgical residencies, etc. In short -- a good portion of the cream of the present 
generation of surgeons is being enrolled, a stimulating and enjoyable group with 
which to be associated.
There may be a catch in all that -- if your army doesn't get hurt, you sit and 
twiddle for the
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duration.  But all in all, it sounds good, if true: 1. almost sure foreign service in 
more places than one. 2. good chance of getting some surgery. 3. chance of 
advancement. 4. desirable and stimulating companions.
Dr. Churchill has written a letter to Lt. Col. Nolan B. Carter, Surgeon General's 
office, who apparently is in charge of recruiting for the auxiliary surgical group, 
recommending me for the job.  Apparently, whomsoever Dr. Churchill recommends 
gets the job.  He suggested I write Dr. Carter at the time I take out my papers, 
which I intend to do an about three weeks.
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What would be your reaction, in evaluating this assignment in comparison with a 
detail through your friend's friends, Cols. George and Hall?  I suspect there is a 
chance of a captaincy in the auxiliary group, tho' perhaps not.
Do you feel the Col. Hall's note indicates that he can and will get an assignment at 
Walter Reed or other large general hospital. If so, do you think such assignment 
preferable from a surgical and personal and service to Uncle Sam point of view?
Two other items: 1. I have your book by Paucoast(?), I read 1/2 of it on the train 
coming back and the other 1/2 during the Christmas holidays. Will send it under 
separate cover. 2. Tell Mom Fletch is wangling(?) with Bests'(?) to get a bigger size 
over shoe(?) and will communicate  re: same.
Love,
H.