Monday I return to Paris and Tuesday back to the Front, my eight days _permission_ expiring on that day. I was fortunate enough to run across a German the other day who didn’t see me approaching. If you read the _communiqué aérien_ of the 23d or 24th you will find mention of my Boche,—“_un avion désemparé est tombé dans la forêt de Spencourt_.” Undoubtedly they will give me this time the Médaille Militaire,—the chicest decoration in France. The chief pleasure of having it will be the satisfaction of having earned it many times and that my receiving it may please the governor and you. _A bientôt_, dear Mamma. Thanks for the socks and the handkerchiefs. Most affectionately, NORMAN. * * * * * _Escadrille Américaine, par Luxeuil-les-Bains, Haute-Saône, September 24, 1916._ _Dear little Mamma_,—I am so afraid you will worry more than ever when you hear of poor Kiffen Rockwell’s death. I know how anxious you must be with the two of us over here. Keep very busy, ride a lot, go out to dinners and get as many other distractions as possible so that you will not have too much time to think of us. As far as danger to us goes, we are trying to take as few chances as possibly consistent with playing the game. Everybody tells me that Freddy is showing himself to be an excellent pilot. Unfortunately he has not yet fully decided to come with our Escadrille. He would prefer to go to another which is commanded by St.-Saveur. I dare say he might be happier if he did not come with us, but _à point de vue_ of safety it seems to me he would be better off with us. I could be a lot of assistance to him, telling him all I have learned this spring hunting Germans, and he would have an excellent mechanic in Michel, who by the way, has been Rockwell’s mechanic while waiting for Freddy’s arrival; and further, he could have my machine to ride, which is the _dernier cri_ in _appareils de chasse_, with two machine guns. He would otherwise get one as safe, but not so good for knocking down Boches. He would have only one gun. Did I write you that I had knocked down another Boche two days before leaving the Verdun district? I enclose a clipping giving the _communiqué officiel_, with mention also of my Boche who fell at Dieppe. Dear Mamma, I must stop writing now. We are going out to try to avenge Rockwell. Don’t worry! I am doing my duty as safely as I know how. With much love to you both, Most affectionately, NORMAN. * * * * * _To his Mécanicien_