Jack has been shipped to Ardmore, Oklahoma, for his final training on B-17s. Here is an informative wiki on the Air Base. Interestingly, just when Jack arrived in late June, 1944, WACs were also arriving at the base. I'm curious if Jack will mention them!
June 25, 1944
Dear Ma
We got here last night around 5 o clock & first thing we (my crew) got cursed out for some thing we didn't hear. The camp & what they have told us isn't too good. We can't get over cpl if that much & all in all it's no good. Even the waters no good. You can put some in a glass and it looks like tea or weak coffiee. It is actually muddy & I am not kidding. It is so hot here we can't sleep at nights, I lay there last night & just sweat.
They started us off right off the bat no time off for anything. I guess we are suppose to leave here in 10 weeks but I will know more about that 10 weeks from today. I guess they throw stuff at you so fast you hardly know whether you are comming or going.
We go every place as a crew officers & all, from what I have seen from the fellows they seem to be a darn nice bunch. They are all over the country from Boston to Cal.
We are supposed to start flying again about the 29. I hope that will mean that much more money.
The chow isn't too good – too many flys & etc. We get no K.p. or other detail while here, at least that's what I hear. We are supposed to get a class A pass so will be able to see the town.
Well will close for now
Jack.
June 29, 1944
Dear Ma
I'll write you again since I haven't heard from you since I got here – but I'll probable get a letter today
We were issued our flying cloths yesterday so now we have another couple hundred dollars to take care of. We got a winter flying jacket – fur lined flying shoes summer flying suit & a bunch of other stuff. We took a physical yesterday & I have to have to have 2 teeth filled – which surprised me. I still don't believe it but if they say I do I do. I took 3 shots yesterday & have to take 2 more Sun.They dont bother much but they hurt some. One is for yellow fever – coleria – & typhus. They are the shots we get preparatory to going over.
One of the fellows & I took off last night and hitch hiked about 150 miles. We saw part of what the state of Okla is made up of. There are some pretty nice town around here but we hit them too late to do much good. We got back around one oclock & slept believe it or not till 9.
We didn't have to get up this morning because we are suppose to fly 4th period. We have to go to briefing at 1400 & take off at 1600 & land at 2200. I don't know if I'll go up or not but probable will. If I can get my flying time in for this month I'll try my darndest to.
It's still plenty hot around here & they claim it gets even hotter. If it gets much we will all know they are just getting us ready to go to hell.
Did I tell you we are located about 3 miles from Gene Autry's ranch. I guess this is his home town from what I hear. All in all the country around here isn't so bad it's pretty nice.
Well I guess I'll close for now & go eat.
Jack
Note: Not only was Gene Autry's ranch close by, but the town of Gene Autry, Okalahoma, which until 1941 had been named Berwyn. When Gene Autry bought the large ranch nearby, the citizens voted to change the name of the town in his honor. It was a big deal!
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An official-looking envelope from the WAR DEPARTMENT arrived around the same time as that last letter.
Inside: an insurance form.
Jack bought $10,000 worth of life insurance naming his mother as beneficiary. He will pay $6.50/month.
That's about the same as $148,000 now at an equivalent cost of $96 per month. Pretty pricey. Gulp.
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