Dear Folks,
Believe it or not I have finished my homework and there is still two hours before taps. What a life.
Say. Mom, do I get a dollar for everytime I receive a 100 in a subject? Better not or I will break your allowance. In a daily quiz yesterday, I knocked off a 100 in Navigation.
I isn't the proper thing to say but Mrs. Malone is all we as far as my pay is concern. I receive $75 a month, nothing is taken out and I only pay for my personal laundry.
How's Bourke making out with the softball. I hope he hasn't heaved to many over the first baseman's head.
Too bad, I can't get home this weekend, then maybe I could see my loving cousin, Geof.
My gosh is is hot. I am sitting in my "draws" and slippers writing the wonderful letter to you lucky people. The Navy has the wackiest rules. We we suffocating in class today but still we had to keep our collars buttoned and sleeves rolled down. What comfort these shorts are. Plenty of air to blow the stink off me.
This is a swell chance to catch up on my letters so I will close now.
Your loving son,
Jim
P.S. I am still coming home on the 12th.
Saturday, May 1, 2010
June 2, 1943
U. S. Navy Flight Prepatory School
Dear Folks,I received letters from Mom and Mat. Please excuse me, but I am racing against time to write this letter.
Boy they have had me hustling lately. I haven't had a moment to myself in the last few days. Anybody that thinks this is an easy life is nuts. If I don't go to the toilet before 7 o'clock, I can't go until 1700. Some wait isn't it.
Listen will you please send me up my cuff links. They are up in my top drawer. Will you please try and have them up here before I go home. My gosh, I didn't tell you. I was notified last night that I could go home on June 12. So if everything runs snoothly you will see me in a week and a half.
I hope you can understand this writing.
Mat, I think there was a little mix-up in who sent me what. Thanks a lot for the shoe shine kit. I sure did need it.
I had better close now because there is only a few minutes left. Will probably write again tomorrow, if I get a chance.
Everything is hustle, hustle, hustle, hustle, and then when you are tired you hustle twice as much.
Your loving son,
Jim
P.S. Sent a letter to Bob tonight.
May 30, 1943 2030
Dear Jerry
Thank you for your letter describing Pappy's bunco. I bet you had a good time up there with all those girls around..
Say, how are the 84 St wolfs?
Just wait until I get home. Maybe I will be able to give you a few pointers on distinguishing planes. Now, I am able to pick the right plane in 1/5 of a second. We had a test the other day and I had 14 out of 15 right. The only one I missed was the P.B.M. Mariner. I mistook it for the P.B.Y.S. Catalina.
They haven't paid us yet but when they do I will send you a Naval Air Corp pennant that you can hang in the parlor.
Two cadets just came up the dorm street driving a horse and buggy. I have no idea where they got it but they are running the horse all over the place. What jerks.
Someone is running down to the mail box so I had better close if I want to save some shoe leather. Lazy cuss ain't I?
Your loving brother,
Jim
P.S. Nothing can stop the Naval Air Corp.
Thank you for your letter describing Pappy's bunco. I bet you had a good time up there with all those girls around..
Say, how are the 84 St wolfs?
Just wait until I get home. Maybe I will be able to give you a few pointers on distinguishing planes. Now, I am able to pick the right plane in 1/5 of a second. We had a test the other day and I had 14 out of 15 right. The only one I missed was the P.B.M. Mariner. I mistook it for the P.B.Y.S. Catalina.
They haven't paid us yet but when they do I will send you a Naval Air Corp pennant that you can hang in the parlor.
Two cadets just came up the dorm street driving a horse and buggy. I have no idea where they got it but they are running the horse all over the place. What jerks.
Someone is running down to the mail box so I had better close if I want to save some shoe leather. Lazy cuss ain't I?
Your loving brother,
Jim
P.S. Nothing can stop the Naval Air Corp.
Tuesday, April 27, 2010
May 28, 1943 1830
Dear Mom,
I just came back from classes and found your very welcome letter. The boys have gone wild over the radio. All the fellows from the other rooms are coming in, now. It's two and a half weeks since anyone has heard a radio. Everyone says to thank you. I had the package on the tavle, full with the crackers, candy and everything else that you sent me. They stood in amazment at the number of pieces they saw. Now the problem is how we are going to eat all of it. I must thank you again or did I thank you before. Well anyway I thank you very much.
Not much happening up here. Now that we are getting into the routine everything work out more easily.
Yesterday I received my fifth needle and that's the last one for another six weeks. My arm feels swell today. Usually, my are was as stiff as a board the day after the injection.
I almost forgot to that Jerry for the writing paper.
I received Pop's and your letter yesterday. There's nothing like a letter from home.
Some fellow just came in the room and said, " Our connection with civilization", and pointed to the radio.
There is a chorus on the radio now singing," There's No Place Like Home". All the boys are quiet as a mouse.
I took a Math today and I think I made out OK in it. We'll know my mark tomorrow. This course doesn't seem to be too tough. You only have to keep studying and there's nothing to worry about.
As soon as you get word from Bobby as to when he is coming home, please let me know. My first chance to come home is on the 19th of June but I needn't accept it. Then I can come home any week end following. If I know when Bobby will be home, everything can be worked out properly.
I was just reading the Leader-Observer. That's too bad about Jimmy Smith. That just about nuns his chances for getting into the V-12 program.
Do you know that Teddy Pwell is to play her at R.P.I. on the Coca-Cola Spotlight at 9:30pm? Don't forget to listen, maybe you will hear me clapping.
I am going to confession tomorrow with a couple of fellows from my room. Most likely, I will get a good night sleep for the first time (here's hoping). There's one thing that every Navy man lacks and that is sleep.
Will say good-bye for now
Your loving son
Jim
I just came back from classes and found your very welcome letter. The boys have gone wild over the radio. All the fellows from the other rooms are coming in, now. It's two and a half weeks since anyone has heard a radio. Everyone says to thank you. I had the package on the tavle, full with the crackers, candy and everything else that you sent me. They stood in amazment at the number of pieces they saw. Now the problem is how we are going to eat all of it. I must thank you again or did I thank you before. Well anyway I thank you very much.
Not much happening up here. Now that we are getting into the routine everything work out more easily.
Yesterday I received my fifth needle and that's the last one for another six weeks. My arm feels swell today. Usually, my are was as stiff as a board the day after the injection.
I almost forgot to that Jerry for the writing paper.
I received Pop's and your letter yesterday. There's nothing like a letter from home.
Some fellow just came in the room and said, " Our connection with civilization", and pointed to the radio.
There is a chorus on the radio now singing," There's No Place Like Home". All the boys are quiet as a mouse.
I took a Math today and I think I made out OK in it. We'll know my mark tomorrow. This course doesn't seem to be too tough. You only have to keep studying and there's nothing to worry about.
As soon as you get word from Bobby as to when he is coming home, please let me know. My first chance to come home is on the 19th of June but I needn't accept it. Then I can come home any week end following. If I know when Bobby will be home, everything can be worked out properly.
I was just reading the Leader-Observer. That's too bad about Jimmy Smith. That just about nuns his chances for getting into the V-12 program.
Do you know that Teddy Pwell is to play her at R.P.I. on the Coca-Cola Spotlight at 9:30pm? Don't forget to listen, maybe you will hear me clapping.
I am going to confession tomorrow with a couple of fellows from my room. Most likely, I will get a good night sleep for the first time (here's hoping). There's one thing that every Navy man lacks and that is sleep.
Will say good-bye for now
Your loving son
Jim
Monday, April 26, 2010
May 24, 1943 2000
US Navy Flight Prepatory School
Dear Folks,
Did you think I forgot you? No I didn't, not for the least. The last few nights I have been trying to catch up on my mail and succeeded, believe it or not.
About the best news I have to report is that I passed all my tests for the first week. The fun is only starting, but I think I can make the course.
Sunday I enjoyed the life of Riley. I was up about 0930, cleaned up the room a little and then went off with a crowd of fellows to the 11 o'clock Mass. They hasve a priest up here that makes Father Lineback look sick as far as talking goes. The only difference is that this priest isn't quite as boring. It seems they are always asking for money for something or anotherand the dollar bills really flood in the basket.
You know I have been thinking. Remember I asked you to have another picture made up. If you haven't sent the order out yet I thought I would have my picture taken up here in Troy and have a couple of prints made up. If you have sent the order in, it doesn't make any difference. I will still have my picture tooken.
Well, as I was saying about Sunday, before I so roudly interrupted myself, Cadet Chellis didn't do a stitchof work. After mass, I came back just in time for chow. What a lunch, soup, roast veal, peas, corn and ice cream. You poor civilians!
After chow, I came back to my barracks and put on some old clothes. I don't think you can see the beautiful grass plot that is out in front of the dorm. The dear little boy (that's me) stretched a blanket out on the grass and gently place his tired body down to rest. There I lied, with the hot sun's rays beating down and a radio playing soothing melodies, to help pass the day.
Finally after my body was full of good old vitamin D, I dragged my body upstairs and wrote a few letters.
Chow was as 1730, so Cadet Chellis again fed his face. Oh! you por civilians.
Sunday night didn't too much but sit around talking over the world situation with the boys.
It would do your heart good to see me dusting, sweeping, and making beds. Everyone prays during inspection that the Officer of the Day doesn't look under the beds and see the dirt we deposited there. You know we were jerks at first. Whenever we made the beds, we always cleared the sheet of all wrinkles. They were like glass. Now, we veterens throw the sheets on any old way and put the blanket on very tight. Boy, everything looks the nuts then. Wouldn't we be up the creek without a paddle if he ever decided to inspect the bed properly? I guess that's the chance you take. Straightening out those sheets is a pain in the neck.
I was just trying to figure out a problem in Navigation. I only hope I never get lost. Then I would really be in trouble. You have to know all of Einsteins theories to fly a plane.
Laundry collection is tommorrow so I think I had better close now.
Your loving son, brother, nephew and cousin,
Jim
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)