Jan 1 1945
Dear Ma
Here it is another year gone by and me I still haven't got much to show for. In fact I haven't even earned enough to file income tax. Well may be next year at this time I'll be in a little better place.
Say if you can take that air medal and have my Name – England – 1944-45 engraved on the back of it. I don't know if you can have it done there or not but am hoping.
I really started the New year off right, was asleep when it came in and got up at 9 to wash cloths. I washed a pair of OD pants and my flying jacket. I also washed some long johns so I did pretty good.
I got paid yesterday, after I got back, so will try to send you some money in the next 2 weeks. I can't decide weather I should send you some now & some the 10 or just wait until the 10 & send it all at once.
I guess thats what you would say having more mony than you know what to do with. I won't let it get me down worring about it.
Well I should be getting another cluster on my air medal that will make 2. At least when they look at it now they won't say rookie.
It is still rather chilly around here but not quite as cold as it was. To tell the truth I don't think it has rained in the last week or so.
I haven't recived any mial for a couple of days but no one has so its just not comming in.
Well I can't think of any more to write so will close
Jack.
Gram did get the Air Medal engraved; here is the back.
According to Wikipedia, the medal was awarded after five missions, and oak leaf clusters signified an additional award:
Air Medal [Army] (1944–1968)The United States Army used the same criteria as the Air Force. Oak leaf clusters were awarded on the Air Medal's ribbon for additional awards – Bronze OLCs for every additional award and Silver OLCs for every five additional awards. Extra ribbons were worn to hold extra OLCs if the recipient had earned more than four OLCs.One award was credited per every 25 hours of combat assault flights (any flight in which the aircraft was directly involved in combat), 50 hours of combat support flights (Visual Reconnaissance or Resupply), or 100 hours of non-combat service flights (Administrative or VIP flights). Flight hours were calculated in six-minute blocks.In 1968 numerals replaced the oak leaf clusters to simplify their display.
Here are Jack's ribbons with the oak leaf clusters.
Let's see.... six clusters plus the original medal equals seven awards. 35 missions? Yup; he actually completed 38. I bet he wasn't too mad he didn't complete enough for another cluster.
Jan 1 1945
Dear Bo,
Here I go writing you a letter but not because I want too. Its just to get this off my chest while I am thinking about tit.
About your income tax, you will have to file this year. If you claim 50%, I think, you can get 100% deduction on Ma & Nene. That way I can claim 50% and still get the allment for them. I am not quite sure I am right about this but think so. If you have to claim over 50% just go a head and will hope they don't catch up with us. If you do as I say it shouldn't cost you any thing.
Say did you ever get that 50 I sent to you. I haven't heard yet but it's still too early for a letter back from you.
I haven't done any thing new of late just the same old routine.
I should be getting a 7 day furlough in an other month or so. I haven't figured out just what I'll do but will probably go to a flak home, in other words a rest home. I would like to go to Scotland but it will probably be too cold up there.
Well I am now 1/2 way through with my tour. At the rate I am going I should be finished up in 2 more months.
Well I'll close for now so write as usual.
Jack.
A flak house is indeed a resting house, for service members to let loose, relax, and get a little respite from the war. Here's a story about a flak house written by member of the Mighty Eighth.
No missions to report on today.
Sorry; his correspondence with Margaret is less frequent than that to his Ma. More coming soon....
