It's nearly Jack's 21st birthday as he writes his first letter from Lincoln Army Air Field, Lincoln Nebraska. We have new stationery today. A red, white, and blue ribbon adorns the Army Air Forces logo of a propeller and wings. Below reads: U.S. ARMY AIR FORCES
May 11 1944
Dear Ma
I'll try to write you a letter while I am still awake. We got in here this morning around 4 o clock this morning & was up till around 6 then went to bed & slept till around 7 got up & ate & went back to bed & slept till 11 got up & ate & started processing. We had quite a trip on the train a very dirty trip. I never had a dirty trip in any experiences on trains. Yesterday we had the whole sum of 2 meals & they weren't very good.
I called up Margaret about a hour ago but she didn't have a whole lot to say. I did most of the talking so I didn't give her much of a chance. I was going to give her my address & I got cut off. I wrote her a letter. It sure was good to hear her even though I did most.
The have kept us so busy we haven't had time to do a darn thing. This place is sure different to say the least. We had a talk on what the score was here & such then started processing. They tell us we won't be here but about 3 days to 8 days & from the way we started we will only be here 3.
Well I am pretty tired so will close soon.
Oh yes we went through Bellville.
Jack
Please Hold up letters untill I get a more permanent address.
Note: I am not sure of the specific significance of Bellville. I'm sure he means the Bellville in Kansas, as there are Eutsler connections to Kansas. Bellville is 18 miles north of Concordia, where Jack was born. That might be the only significance.
We have a long interval without letters, and I'm not sure why other than to speculate that Jack finally did indeed get his coveted delay enroute and went home for a few days. He mentions traveling on the train south of Denver, which would make sense geographically.
May 30
Dear Ma
Well we got here ok this morning on time. I mean the train was on time as well as myself. We are just setting around waiting. I don't know why but thats the army way of doing things.
We had a nice shower here just a few minutes ago, but the sun is shining now. It's warm & damp here but I guess we will live.
We saw a car that hit a bridge south of Denver. It still had the driver -- a captain in it. We didn't know what was wrong but he was alive. It sure messed up the car.
There is so much noise going on now I can't think to write but boys will be boys.
I went to sleep last night at 5 & woke up at 9 went back to sleep & slept until 4 the next morning -- when they got us up.
We really had a busy day, we processed all day. We started out by having a clothing check, then a physical then a lecture, a interview then we were issued what was missing or what we we didn't have. I thought I would be smart & turn in my blouse & OD shirts--well I got back stuff that wasn't any better if as good, Oh well I'll learn. I was also issued my tin hat--one fellow said all they had to do was start shooting at us.
We were issued the 2nd Air Force patch & almost forgot our P.f.c. stripes.
It has been hot here, we are wringing wet all the time & you don't have to do any thing to work a sweat. The fellows trying to sleep are laying around in just there shorts & are sweating thru.
The physical they gave us didn't amount to much just a quick check but was called a 64. They didn't notice my piles, they were bothering a little yesterday. They just run us through more or less to say we had one. They made us take a shower -- though be for we took the physical they even firnished the towels for it. I personally don't blame because some of the fellows had been on the train for 3 & 4 days so they sort of needed.
They tell us to expect to be around here on a avg of 10 to 12 days but no one knows. I guess some of the fellows go out in 4 & others on up. Me I hope I go out darn soon. We have the next 4 days lined up for us but after that it will probable be K.P. & detail.
Well I guess I'll close
Jack.
The back of this envelope shows Gram's handwriting. It is the address for the Army Air Force's Personal Affairs office. This location is now the location of the World Bank.
June 2 1944
Dear Ma
Well as usual I just try to write you a letter & as usual it will probable be short but sweet.
We went up and listened to lectures in the morning in fact all morning. Then we went to chow & had to hit a formation right after we got out. We had to stand from 12 till 3 to get paid & then we got off. I can't figure out how they pay. I got 17 dollars before I left, that's generally all I get. Today I got what was coming which was $12.63, I guess they gave me my ration money or something I can't figure it out.
It is hot as usual & we are always dry but there's not much we can do about it except sweat. The wind is blowing this evening so it helps out some but it's still warm.
This crazy place the Sun doesn't go down to about 9 so we never know when to go to bed. It seems like about 7 but by rights its around 930 or 10. Then we get up sleepy & are sleepy all day long -- until time to go to bed.
I don't know when we will ship out but there hot rumors out about it -- from 5 days to 2 months.
Well I have to shave so will close now. I said it would be short.
Jack
Note: his mysterious pay of $12.63 would be $187.85 today.
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