I discovered a little more about Fred Judson: in researching Herb's income from the Case, Pomeroy & Co. I saw that Fred's name is also on the top of the letterhead with that of Case and Pomeroy. A young partner, it would seem.
Makes me wonder when Fred decided to join the Mosquito fleet and what he worked out with the firm.
Looks as though the $30/month that Herb mentions is pretty good. I mean, his salary with Case Pomery doesn't seem to be much different. This letter is from July, so much later than the letter home.
Wednesday – date unknown, perhaps May 1917
Dear Mother,
I applied this morning for the Marine Corps and was turned down on account of my front teeth. I then tried the army and passed the examination but wasn’t sworn in because I wouldn’t agree to go to-morrow. So I am free for the time being but they have my name and the description of my physical condition so they’ll probably send for me anyway. I was in to see Charley. He congratulated me and said he was proud of me. So did Friedman. To-morrow I’m going to Mineola to see if I can get in the Signal Corps as a regular private - $30 a month You see I’m free now to enlist where I want to but I’ll have to enlist or they will make it uncomfortable for me, having gone so far. At any rate I’m sure I’m right.
I think the Signal Corps is a good place. They aren’t under fire much, only by accident, but they do a lot of real work. I’ll write again to-morrow night + let you know all about it. I’ll be home Saturday or Sunday as I’m straightening out my affairs in the office.
Love,
Herbert
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