Jan. 9, 1944
Dear Ma,
Ill try to write you a letter but I don't know how far I'll get with it.
We finished some of our test yesterday but have a physical tomorrow. We really taking a beating on this stuff & I do mean a beating. I really don't think I made it but from what they tell us we will know in about a week today- I hope, in some ways that I made it but in other ways it will be the hardest 14 months I'll ever spend or have ever spent.
We went into town last night but didn't do much of anything.
Jan 10
We took a physical, rather a part of one today. It was a blood test, x ray & etc, on the blood test it felt like they took a gal of blood out of my arm & I know I only had 3 qt of blood to start with. It felt like they were taking my arm off. Ask Jim what a 64 physical is.
I got a letter from Margaret K today but she didn't write much. She wrote a little about Pete but that's all she wrote.
I guess I'll have to send my camera home because I was with Louie & he saw some guys taking pictures well he up and took the camera away from them.
Well I'll close now
Jack
Notes:
It took some searching, but I believe when he is referring to a "64 physical," he means the Aviation Cadet Qualifying Examination. This WWII document, Initial Selection of Candidates for Pilot, Bombadier, and Navigator Training mentions the "64" physical examination, on about page 58.
Pete is the son of his sister Margaret (Tuck) (Jack's nephew, my cousin). He would have been 3 months old.
He writes again the next day, after the physical exam was completed:
Jan 11 1944
Dear Ma
Well we finished our physical to day & how do you think I came out. Shall I keep you in suspense or shall I tell you. To tell you the truth I came out on the top meaning your dear son is in perfect health. I was sort of worried about my eyes ears & teeth, my eyes checked 20/20 even my depth perception was O.K. it was one of the best scores made in the barracks. My hearing was OK. & my teeth were all all right not a thing wrong with them. It was a stiff physical in fact the toughest physical I have ever taken.
12
You ask about bonds & etc. I should have another bond or 2 comming & also some from my retirement fund comming. I guess that's about all I have from the dear old P.S.N.Y.
13
I received a letter from you today so will try to finish this & get it mailed.
We went out on the drill field today I should say this morning & the really put us over the ropes. We did calacentics for a bout a hour & 1/2 then went out on the obstatical course which darn near killed me. I guess I ain't as good a man as I though I was but I hope I never get so good I can run that damn course and not be tired.
So they want some more red tape on your allotment. I guess all you can do is give them what they want & when you let them have every thing maybe they'll let up.
So dear Florence has gotten a job at last I'll bet she's one sad girl. Oh well it's about time she went to work after all you started out a whole lot younger than she not taking my self into consideration.
We went into town yesterday afternoon & had quite a time. We went skating in the evening and you should have seen me you talk about you stepping well I was also doing about the same.
Say why don't you go up and have so pictures made of your self not too big but about 3/5 or something on that order. & please don't give any excuses but do it. I mange Tuck & Bo George & Benny would like one so do it.
It sure is nice out today but it was cold last night it was about -3 so it was cold when we got home last night.
Well I guess I'll close now so
Jack
Notes:
- P.S.N.Y. = Puget Sound Naval Yard.
- George is his Uncle, his Dad's brother. I'm not sure who Benny is, possibly a family friend.
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