End of August/Beginning of September 1944 (Maggie)

And we're back! Thanks for your patience!

 

 Aug 27 1944

Dear Maggie

Well now don't fall over dead but the army finally said they would give us a 10 day furlogh. It is suppose to start the 1st of the month but I am trying to swing a deal to get out the eve of the 31. If I can get off I'll be able to make connections & will come to Albuquerque. I should as the scheduled runs get in there around 10 Sat night. If I can't get off early I don't know if I'll get down right off the bat or not I may go home first. If you aren't doing any thing & are around the buss depot around that time drop in.

I am trying to talk one of the crew to go with me. He said he wasn't going home so I am trying to get him to so see? New Mexico. The last time I said anything to him he said he was so all I can do now is drag him along. 

Well it turned off cool the last night & day. It was cool enough last night to sleep with a blanket. I sure hope it stays that way until I leave here. 

We are scheduled to leave here --that is ship to another base, the 16 of next month. I sure will be glad to leave here I have gotten very disgusted with it here. We don't have much time off now & what little we do they mess up for us. The chow has gotten terrible & then you have stand in line to get it. I stood in line for 40 minents this noon & only had a hour off. Well one thing about it we won't have to put up with it too long.

Well I better close so if I come busting in Sat don't be surprised.

Love 

Bill

Sept 8 1944

Dear Margaret.

Well here goes on a letter I should have written befor this, but better late than never.

I have been rather busy for the last few days, doing evey thing from K.P. to going to school. A the other place I did 2 days Kp out of 4 days there. I guess they really had my number. The last day on K.P. I know the Sgt had my number because he never let me out of his sight for a minet as long as there was work to be done. I hope my days for K.P. are over for a while now.

They tell me we sure were lucky to get here, they said it really is a a swell outfit. I like it here all right & the food is darn good. The one and only thing I don't like is the weather, its always cold  & damp & I can't seem to take it. The weather reminds me a while lot of the weather in Wash.

At the other camp I ran in to a fellow I use to know in Kans. it sure surprised me to see him. I didn't recognize him but he remembered me, so we had quite a talk. I also ran into a Couple of fellow I went through basic & gunnery school with. 

I have quite the time trying to write, I try to write & talk at the same time and it just doesn't work. You see they put us in a barracks with a lot of fellows who are & have been flying. Well we try to get all the dope they tell us so we will 1/2 way know what the score is. They really give us the straight dope & dont try to feed us a line like they did in the States. It really is interesting to talk to them & hear some of the things they have gone through.

It sure is hard to realize that a month ago we were still in Alb. Not only that I would like to be there now. Well may be I ought to close & get some sleep so write soon. As near as I know I'll have the same address for a while. 

Bill

P.S. I don't care too much for the English girls, can't understand them. 

Notes:

If you recall back when I transcribed Jack's letters to his Ma around this time, I surmised that he had an assignment to write a letter as part of the censorship training. Here is the post with letters from around the same time.

September, 1944: A quick trip across the pond?

and the letters at the end of August: 

End of August, 1944. A Special Guest! Gram!

I suspect this September 8 letter was actually written while he was in NM for his "furlogh." I betcha this one was just a test specimen!

August 1944 (Maggie)

It's been a long hiatus! 

My mother Margaret, the Maggie to whom these letters are addressed, died days after I scanned and transcribed this first letter.  I was grateful that I got to read some of Jack's letters to her before she passed. I doubt that she had looked at them in the last 75 years!

And so now we begin again, sharing Jack's history during WWII. To remind you, I had started off transcribing Jack's letters to his mother. Later, I found the cache of letters to his sweetheart and eventual wife, my mother. I now focus on these letters to Maggie, posting them here and catching up to the letters he wrote to his mother that I had already shared. When I've caught up, I will dovetail the letters together. 

We left off with his letters to Maggie written in July, 1944. Now, we are in August. In the bigger picture, the Battle of Normandy is winding down; the Allies were advancing further into France, and there was an important win for Russia and Poland against Germany in Poland. The Allies are definitely getting the upper hand, but the war has a long way to go. 

He writes in pencil today.

 Aug 11 1944

 

Dear Maggie

 

I guess I'll set down long enough to write you a letter. I don't exactly owe you one but you know me I'll write any way.

 

I had to get up this AM at 3 to fly, I got down to the ship all right but the pilot needed a oxygen mask so I gave him mine. I came back to the barracks & slept a few hours & then had to get up because I was expecting a inspection officer in & he is liable to ask why I am not on detail. (I hate work.)

 

I haven't been doing much – as usual except fly & drink beer. We have been going to a little place 60 miles N.E. of here to roping [?] up beer, well we found the town almost out of beer so I don't think I'll be going back. 

Around here you can actually drink all the beer in town, providing you get there befor some one else doesn't beat you too it. They just don't seem to be able to get any beer. Oh yes I don't drink whiskey it brings $7.50 a pint & about $13 a qt. They really belive in sticking the prices to us. 

 

The other night I was up at this little town & decided to come back early well I started around 10 P.M. The cars didn't seem to want to stop to pick us up so about 3 AM a coal truck stoped & we road about 45 miles on the top of the coal. We looked like a couple of ni**ers when we got off & felt worse than 2. I got back in to camp & got a hour & a half sleep befor I had to get up to fly. Boy I have to stop that or I'll be cutting off my bottom dog tag. 

 

Well we have rumors to the effect we will get a 7 day furlogh when we leave here. Thats almost enough time to go some place. I don't know how I will get out of this place but will probable have to go to Okla. City or Dallas. I may come through Alb. so next time you write send address & phone no if any. 

I would say for sure but I think Ma wrote & said our dear friend Bergie up & married some girl from Santa Fe. I guess he is stationed up here in Mo. At least thats the way I got it from her letter. I really didn't expect Bergie to do such a thing but may be she could run faster than he could. 

 

Its still 10º hotter than hell around here infact I heard it was so hot the devil himself moved out. Its too hot for me & I guess every one else. I swear its 10 times hotter than in Vegas, although Ma writes its been plenty hot there. The only time we get cool is when we fly high alititude & then we about freeze. When we get down it's like stepping in to a oven, you just roast. 

Well I hope you had a nice time while home. I imagine things have changed though since you were last there. How bout that. 

Well I have to close now so please write soon

Love Bill.  

Notes:
The whiskey would cost $115 for a pint and $200 a quart today! They really were sticking it to the soldiers!

Read here for what he means about "cut off my bottom dog tag." 

Aug 18 1944

Dear Maggie

I recived you letter at last so well while I have the time will try to answer it. 

Say you must really be waking up late. You ought to know better than that, where does it get you in the end but old. Wow take me oh well we will skip that. No kidding though they must keep you busy.

Me I haven't been doing anything out of the way. We have just been flying, more or less putting in time. It seems they don't know what we want, you know I said I might get a furlogh well that seems to be shot. the rumor is now we won't get any time at all off. Some of the boys decided to go over & raise the roof about it, I doubt if it will do any good. I sure should like to get a little time off & if possible come & see you. 

We were flying formations the other day & it scared me so bad I couldn't look out & when I would I had to put on my chute. It really had me worried for a while I guess I am a baby or something. I personally don't like to fly & on top of that I don't like to fly formations. 

We went up yesterday & had a nice big watermelon, it must have weighted about 40 lbs. We were bombing the whole county side with watermelon rine & seeds. I'll bet the people wondered were it was comming from. We really had a time eating it. It took about 10 of us to eat it & no one would stop until full. 

I had to go up this morning to have a filling put in. Boy that dentist like to take the top off my head. I thought he was trying to make another Grand canyon. He kept telling me he wasn't hurting me it was just the noise (I didn't have the heart to tell him different). From what he said he was just out of school but I could have told him that by the way he worked. 

Well Ill close for now & go eat. 

Sat

I guess I better get busy & finish this. If I don't make sense its because I have been up since 3 this morning & put in 6 hours of flying. 

A fellow just came in & said we had a formation tomorrow, which is our legal day off, to discuss about furloghs. I doubt if we get them but I am still hoping. 

We had quite a flight to day -- went in a round about way to Kansas City then to Little Rock Ark & back here. We didn't fly high altitude so I caught about a hours sleep. We had a fight going on back in the waist about all the time. I got down in the fall & the current went off so I had to crank my way out, I decided to stay out of it. The pilot didn't know about it so he go in it & we had a time getting him out. He didn't know any thing about it but finally he got out, I doubt if he ever goes back in it.

Say how is your [____] making out by now. You never said in your last letter so I am wondering. I hope he gets a break & gets to come back to the states. 

I don't know if I told you or not but Wayne got another strip not long ago. He is now [1/] Sgt & says theres a chanch he can get Master. I sure hope he does even if I'd never be able to get 1/2 that high. Well I better close so write soon.

Love Bill

 

 

 

I want to say he was asking about her brother (hoping he gets to come back to the states).  But I can't read it. Any help? 

Wayne's rank: Also hard to decipher. Sergeant First Class is just before Master Sergeant, so I'm assuming that's what he meant.

 

Here are the letters to his mother around the same time. 

August, 1944: Quietly achieving the rank of Corporal

Mid-August 1944. The pond is beginning to stare us in the face.

Mid-August, 1944: Finally got the camera

July, 1944 (Maggie)

We have just two letters from Jack to Maggie in July, 1944.

 July 2 1944

 

Dear Maggie

 

I guess I better try to write & mail this befor I pull a stunt like you did. I almost thought you had forogtten to answer but I guess you have a good reason. 

 

I was going to write you yesterday while we were flying but we only stayed up 3 hours so I didn't get a chanch. I was trying to read maps but I didn't do so good, the co pilot finally looked up where were were – we were right near Dallas. We were forced down on bad weather – it started to rain & it got awfully bumpy. I belive if I had stayed up a hour or so longer I would have gotten sick. I havent been sick yet that is from flying.

It is still plenty warm around here almost like Kansas. Lat night it cooled off enough to sleep so I took full advantage of it. I didn't get up this morning untill around 8. We had to get up & do P.T. this morning & belive it or not I was playing games so hard I turned my ankle. I have been hobbling around on it all day & it seems to get worse. On top of that I had 2 shots that didn't help matters much. That makes 5 shots I have had since I got here & am due to get another one next Sun. 

I would have gone into town to night but my leg & arms don't feel too good so I'll stay here & sleep.

The town here is a bout 20,000 but theres not too much doing. Too many G.I.'s running around. I guess it would be a good town to be a civy in but who's a civy any more. I did go on a little hitch hiking exp. to a few of the towns around here & they seemed pretty nice but too far. Oh well I wont have to put up with it too much longer we should only be here 9 weeks longer. 

So you liked the picture, that makes me happy, but they way you talked about it it must be some body else. I still havent seen them so I wouldn't say what I looked like. I think it would be a good Idea if you had yours taken & would send it.

Well I guess I'll close so write soon

Bill

 

 

July 30 1944

 

Dear Maggie. 

 

I guess I better get busy & write you a letter that I owe you. You mentioned you were going home for a few days so I thought I would wait untill you get back, I guess I have given you more than enough time. I do hope you had a nice time while you were home.

You made several cracks in your last letter about not being able to read mine, well keep up your hopes some day I'll print a book on how to read other peoples writing. The only trouble I have been having is after I write a page I can't read it my self so it will be some time yet. 

You ask what type of code that one thing was supose to be well it was nine (9) but now it's down to about 5 weeks left here. that is if they don't decide to change it on us. They did tell us we would get a 7 day furlogh when we get through here but I have also heard rumors that we dont get that now. I guess all we can do is wait & find out. If I do get any time off I may come to Alb. & see you, that is if I go to N. Mex. I have been sort of planing on going to Kansas. 

We haven't been doing to much flying the last few days. It seems like every time we are suppose to some thing happens to the plane. Infact we only have about 6 hours in, in the last week. Oh well I dont ike to fly any way. We are suppose to fly this after noon but if the rain doesn't let up I don't think we weill.

You know they have a bunch of old N.Y.A. cloths here & evey time I see them I think of you & the times we use to have. They have a great big N.Y.A. a cross the back. It seems odd to see them because they are blue, the guy in the guard house even wear them. No I haven't been in the guard house.

Well I have to go now so will try to write a longer letter later on. Write soon

Love 

Bill. 

"You made several cracks in your last letter about not being able to read mine..."  Tell me about it, Maggie! In fact, that number "9" he mentioned? When I was transcribing it myself, I had to look and look at it, and had to back to his previous letter to get a reference for what it must be! 

 

 

June, 1944: Victory Girls and Pricey Whiskey (Maggie)

 

 

June 10 1944

Dear Maggie

Now don't fall over in a dead faint from getting this letter. I am just setting around talking to myself & getting tired of it so I decided to write. Theres no one in the barracks – I'll take that back a fellow just came in. 

This is Sat night and belive it or not but I turn a pass down. I guess I am getting to be a old drip or some thing but I don't get much kick out of going in to town any more. Oh theres not much to do – unless you have more money than I do. I'll wait until this crazy wars over then I'll cut loose. Most of the kids who go in want to stand on street corner & whistle at these Victory girls. 

It's still raining around here. I don't think it will ever stop. When we get off the walks we sink up to our knees in mud. I don't think it will ever top raining around here. Its been cold enough to wear OD in the mornings.

I caught K.P. last night & belive it or not the Cooks were good fellows They helped us G.I. the floor & all in all helped out like all good cooks should. Even the mess Sgt helped us, he worked more than any mess sgt I ever saw. I really didn't mind that night of K.P. at all.

You see evey other night I get some kind of detail & then I sleep the next day. It makes it pretty hard to stay a wake at night but if you keep busy it's not too bad. We should get off one of thee days soon because there a new bunch here & they will probable take over for us. 

You know I got up enough strength this evening to wash some cloths. I don't know how I did it but I did. I guess one reason is no one would wash them for me & I had to do something to get clean ones. Maybe some day I'll get to a camp where they have a laundry & I won't have to do them. It hasn't killed me yet – but I am expecting to pass out any minent.

Well maybe I ought to close now & get some more sleep. I only slept all day but I need it. 

Love 

Bill

 

Victory girls, also called khacki-wackies, good-time Charlottes, or patriotutes, came around bases to, ...ahem, raise soldier's spirits.  ...I'll let encyclopedia.com tell you more. 

 

 

June 12 1944

 

Dear Margaret

 

Am sending you a picture Jack ask me to send you. They were not finished before he left. 

 

I suppose he is still in Lincoln. I did not hear from him today but when he last wrote they were waiting to be assigned. Some of the group were shipping to Clovis – wouldn't it be nice if he did?

 

We are looking for Margaret and Son Peter Jeffery Friday morning on No 3. And are all excited as you would expect us to be.

Will enclose Jack address.

 

Love Neva M. Eutsler. 

 

 

 June 26 1944

Dear Maggie

Well here I am again, moved in to the hot old state of Okla. It's so hot here they don't have to dehidrate any of the food it's that way when they harvest it. It's so hot you can't even sleep at nights.

We arrived here Sat night around 5 but had a dislike for the place right from the start. From what they tell us we are in for a lot of hard work & not much play. Of course evey thing is work for me. They told us what was expected of us & etc. We are suppose to be here for about 10 weeks & then we are to pick up our plane. 

We have all of our crew here except the bombardier & the Navigator. We are supposed to get the bombede soon but don't know exactly when. The fellows seem like a good bunch & I guess I'll be able to get along with them. The radio man reminds me of Bailey & sort of get under my hide. he tries to take over evrey thing including the pilot. The pilot is just 20 & the co pilot is 23. The radio & armor are around 29, the engineer around 23 & 2 gunners like my self are only 18 & 19. I guess all in all they are as good of a bunch as can be expected.

We are supposed to start flying the 29th but I wouldn't swear to it because the army is always changing my mind so Ill just wait and see.

They gave us a class A pass right off the bat & I just about took off for town, a few minets ago when I heard we had another formation. I was going to take off & get a early start but when I heard about the formation I thought I better stay here.

We were in town last night but didn't do any thing. They want too much for whiskey around here, 6.50 a pt. & 11.50 a qt. They didn't have any beer in town last night all sold out, so we just walked around to see what the place looked like. They have some very pretty homes here & it looks like theres quite a bit of money in town.

Well I guess I'll close now & get some sleep

 

Love

Bill.

 

Jack had just had his 21st birthday a month prior. 

Whiskey at $6.50 a pint and $11.50 a quart? That would be $98.63 and $174.50 today! 

 

 

From Gram's cache:

• Mid June 1944: Going My Way  
• June, 1944: last days at Lincoln and V-Mail from a buddy
• Late June, 1944: Ardmore, OK

 

 

 

Early June, 1944 (Maggie)

June 2 1944  

 

Dear Maggie

 

Don't be too surprised at getting a _^ ^nother letter from me, because I am in that certain mood to try to write letters. I guess it's because I was home & I get to thinking of different things that have happend. Gee I sure wish we could go out like we use to but I guess those times are gone – at least for some time to come. I don't think I ever had so much fun as we use to have when we would go out. From what I take Wayne is having a lot of fun too but he still looks back. 

I haven't heard from Wayne in some time but that guy is too busy running around with his wemen to write I guess. He always writes & asks why I haven't written sooner but I write one letter answering his & then another asking him to answer mine. It seems like evey time he writes he tells me about some new girl he met in some town. It wouldn't surprise me if he spends his furlough there in the east but he may fool me. As I have said befor they are going to be his down fall. 

We went up to listen to a few lectures this morning, it was all about combat. I guess they want to get us use to the idea we will be going into combat soon. I don't think much of the idea but the war wasn't my idea either. They tell us what we should do if this happens & that happens. They showed us what we would use if we were forsed down over certain areas & such. 

We went from the lectures to chow & then right off the bat had a formation to get payed. I didn't have a chanch to even get back to the barracks. I did get off about 3 oclock though so it was bout evened things up. I don't know how they figure it but it seems to me they payed me too much money but I ain't one to tell them about it. It seems like I am running out of ink so if I have to start writing in a different color all of a sudden don't think it's too funny.

We have been having wonderful weather – hot. I sure seems a lot hotter than it is – because of the moisture. Its so damp here it reminds me of the coast – when you get up in the morning your cloths are all damp. Thats one thing I don't like is cold damp cloths.

Here it is I mean the different color ink. it looks like theres too much ink on the point. 

I heard to day that Clovis was made into a B29 school – I thought maybe I would go there but if it has been changed I won't go there. We did find out we will be stationed for our training in this neck of the woods. Most of the camps are right through this part, in Nebraska & Kansas & then a few are in all the surrounding states. There are 2 in Colo I would like to go to but they are for B24.

 

Everyone in the Barracks are worried of bout furloughs. they haven't gotten them yet & are afraid they won't get them. In fact they are almost certain they won't. I guess thats one worry I don't have . There is a hot rumor that we are going to get another one here but I almost don't belive it. That's almost what you would call wishful thinking. 

Well have you moved yet & are you planning another move. You move all most as much as I do. I often wondered why you had a P.O. box but it finally sunk in, you don't like the mail following you all over. That reminds me one of the fellows got a couple of letters that just caught up with him only 2 months old.

 

III

 

I told you I was in the mood to write tonight. If you just write one as long in answer I'll be more than satisfied. I guess I should kick though you really write a longer letter than I do.

Louie is still out in Wash – that is the last I heard from him. He writes me almost as often as Wayne does. The only trouble is Louie never writes a darn thing. He did write and tell me he was back in IA. I told him to stay out of it if possible but he will probable jump at the chanch to get in. He'll be sorry if he does get in though. There I go again pounding the army down again. I guess I shouldn't talk that way about my Uncle Sam, but I'll still settle down to civilian life again.

Say do your 2 girl friends till live with you or have they moved out.

Well I am all through now so Ill stop 

Write soon

Love Bill

It makes sense that the training camps were in the middle of the country. Less chance of being attacked by the enemy. 

 

 

 

 

 

 June 7 1944

Dear Maggie

I recived your letter this moon so while I am waiting to fall out I'll try to answer it. It's raining now so we are hoping against hope we won't have to fall out. 

I was suppose it have some kind of detail this morning & while we were marching to get there I got sidetracked. I dont know what they did but they never had my name so they don't know what I did.

I had guard duty the other night & like to have froze to death. I had my feild jacket & overcoat on & was still cold. I had to guard the bunk, which is a little, or was, one room school house. I would walk around it in about 30 sec & then sat down wondering what I could do to keep awake. A couple of times I went to sleep standing up & when I woke up I would be scared enough to stay awake for a few minents. 

Well I have to fall out so will continue latter

We had to go out & stand in the rain & listen to the news. We get 5 minents a day of news rain snow or shine. When we got through we fell out & came back to the barracks. Now all I have to do is set around till 5:30 & then go on a nother night detail – all night – then sleep all day tomorrow. 

I don't know if ma has gotten the pictures or not but Ill write to her & ask her about them

II 

I just bought my self a pipe, a kid had a good one he had never smoked & needed some money so me I drove a hard bargain & got it cheep.

So your Bro. got demoted from a First Sarg, to buck private – that's rough. I don't like Sgt but I personally think he got a darn dirty deal. I know if it was me I would be a very poor solder from then on. Some one probable had it in for him was the reason. 

So you finally heard from dear ol Malc. thats quite a surprise. I have kept writing Wayne for her address but he never has sent it to me yet. Don't you belive that about me not writing Wayne either because its like I said. He just dosn't got it in him to write much. I usually get him to write by telling him how easy he has it that makes him blow up & maybe gets around to writing. 

You ask what kind of a plane I fly in well – I should fly in a B17 but will probable stuck in one of those flying box cars (B24): I haven't been assigned to a crew yet thats that I am writing on here. We will make up our crew here & then go to some other field for our training. From what I hear we will be in training for about 9 weeks & then across the pond we go. We were expected to go England but from the looks of things we will probable go to the S. Pac. Me I would like to go to Panama – it's nothing but patrol down there & you get your flying pay plus your over seas pay. Another thing you don't have to worry about being shot at. I don't suppose I could be so lucky to get any thing like that though. I am so lucky you know. 

III

I notice its still raining out by the water running under the walks on to the floor. Every time it rains the beds darn near float out. Oh well if we are still here around harvest we will wish we had some of this rain. I don't belive I ever saw such cold weather this time of the year in all the time I lived around this neck of the woods. I don't know if I told but Concordia is only about 150 miles from here so the country & weather is about the same.

Well what do you think of the invasion personally I think it's the big turning point in the war. At least we can see where we are starting to get some place. Some of the fellows think the war in Europe will be over in 3 months I hope so. Those infantry are the ones who should get the credit. They are the ones who really win a war – the air corp just helps. Don't get me wrong I still would rather fly than walk. You know how I like to walk, it's alright when you dont have to go any place & have plenty of time to get there.

Well I guess I better close now so write soon

Love 

Bill

P.S. I noticed you addressed my letter as Pvt didn't I tell you I was promoted or demoted to a Pfc. I haven't sewed the strip on yet so you can see what I think of it. It's a laugh. 

 

Finally! We get Jack's thoughts about the war. He didn't say anything about Normandy to his mother. Here are his letters to her during early June, 1944. 

 

June, 1944: More sewing woes

 

May, 1944; OK, now who is Joe?? (Maggie)

Special Guest Writer today! Lt. Joe!

 

 

 

May 1, 1944

Dear Marge,

Guess you never expected to hear from me again, did you? Well this will be short and sweet because I have only a few items that I want to convey to you.

First, I happened to have an extra print of the enclosed picture and rather than destroy it I figured that Mary or Gwen or you might like to have it. Am I right?

Second, you told me I was getting cruel and ruthless when I got my bars. Well, maybe you are right but I am in a combat crew now and my brother officers are all about the same way. Each man thinks he is the best damn pilot or navigator or bombardier or copilot as the case may be. Our enlisted men respect us and feel it a privilege to work with us and this competitive spirit shows results in coordinated teamwork results. So I am conceited and power mad but so are my fellow workers on this B-24.

Say hello to LaRue and to her mother as well as the others that I met. 

I should leave this country in a couple months. 

Your arrogant lieutenant

Joe

 

and in Marge's handwriting:

 
Lt. J.S. Laski 0768862

302nd Bomb. Group - Processing Unit

Chatham Field, Georgia

 

It's been a few weeks since Jack has written....

 

May 19, 1944

Dear Maggie

Well belive it or not but I got a furlough & am home. We shipped out of Vegas a week a go last Monday for Lincoln Nebr, we got there on Thurs. morning & they told us we would get furloughs. We left there Sun & I got here Mon at midnight. We don't know how long we will be there but probable only 3 to 5 days.

 

I haven't been doing anything since I got here just lay around & take it easy. There isn't any one around here any more to go out with. The old town is just as dead as evere if not more so. I guess the reason I think is dead becaus of the way we use to go out. 

 

The folks got a letter from Wayne today but as usal he is just running around with wild women in the big city. I got him half mad at me so making fun of Sgt & instructors. He wrote & informed me that his life wasn't easy.

 

It sure was good to get out of Nev & it's heat, in Neb it's hot but there are some green things around not desert. I got so tired of that place I was ready to call off the whole war. (as if I wouldn't any way!

 

We are in Lincoln to get our combat crew, we will get them & train for about 2 or 3 months & then go over the big pond. I guess this will probable be the last time I get home. 

They were really layin it on hot & heavy at Vegas befor we left, we were getting up at 4 AM & getting to bed around 9-10.

We would fly about 4 hours a day & when we get through we would be so worn out we were ready to go to bed. Me I don't care much about flying, I would rather take a trip in a car. Don't get me wrong though I just love to fly – when it comes to walking or marching. I guess maybe it is better when you are doing some thing besides flying over the desert. We did fly over Bolder Dam & the Grand Canyon & that broke the monety for a while. 

Say is there any chance of you comming up here if there is I sure would like to see you. I'll be here until about the 28. I have to be back the 30. Zorn said some thing about going to Alb. but you know how he is but if I get a chanck Ill come down.

Love 

Bill

May 31 1944

Dear Maggie

I guess you see I didn't get to Albuquerque. Gee I am sorry I didn't come down but I decided when it was to late, maybe I'll get another furlough befor I go over the pond & if I do I'll come down. 

I got back here yesterday after noon & since then they have run us around so fast we still haven't caught up with our selfs. They put us to work just after we got in camp & then today we processed. We did as much here today as you will do in most camps in 3 or 4 days. We had a clothing show down, a physical, a interview, a reissue of clothing & etc. The physical was suppose to be a 64 but they ran us through so fast it was like the one we were inducted with. They stamped on our papers we were re o.k. for combat service, that made me happy. We were also issued or tin hats so the war is getting a little more realistic.

I didn't do much while home, no one to do any thing with. There just isn't any one home to do any thing with. Belive it or not but I never get got drunk while home, I started to once but never finished the job. 

I spent a little time in Denver on the way back. I ran into some of the boys & we started to rip the town open but hardly got started when we had to leave. All in all I was a good boy while home. 

It is so hot here we don't know if we will live or not. We sweat all the time & the way they run us around doesn't help us any. It is so damp that it seems hotter than it really is. Every thing is so green there though it makes it a little nicer. It is quite a change from Nevada. 

If you get a picture of "little me" don't blame me I haven't seen them. I told Ma to send it to you, but dont hold your breath till they get there. They made me have them taken while I was home, it wasn't my idea.

Well I have some shoes to shine & cloths to hang up so maybe I better close. You see I don't have a maid or any one to do it & have to do all the work my self.

Write soon

Love 

Bill

P.S. They tell us we will be here for about 12 days – me I am ready to ship now.

 

 

Here are Jack's letters home during May, 1944:

 

May 1, 1944: about to get wings.

May, 1944. Graduation from the school to learn to kill.

Mid-May 1944: Lincoln Army Air Field

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

March, 1944: Las Vegas Army Gunnery School (Maggie)

 

March 14, 1944

Dear Maggie

Well here I is. I don't quite know how I got here but.I am. We got notice Friday we are shipping Mon then Sat they told us to get ready we were shipping Sun morning. Well we rushed around getting stuff together & then stood around to wait. We left Denver around 1 oclock Sun after noon & got here Tues (this morning) around 3 oclock. We had a very dull trip we only had 1 one chanch to get off the train & that was at Salt Lake City we had the whole sum of 15 min to be off. It snows on us all the way here so that made things that much nicer. I also got K.P. the 2nd meal & my O.D's could be boiled & made soup out of. 

We found out we are going to be gunners & that we won't go to a teck school. When we get through here in about 8 or 9 weeks we will be through have our wings -- if we make it, and get a 15 day delay in route. We will then get with the rest of the crew & get ready to go over. When we get though here they say they give us the whole sum of 1 strip. Personally I say they they can jam it all I want is the money.

The Camp here is a whole lot nicer than Buckley at least thats that I say now. The barracks a 2 story job and are constructed a little nicer than the.others. Also the chow seems to be a while lot nicer not so much slop. It does look like it could get darn hot her & it also looks like the dust blows quite a bit. 

We never went through the town of Las Vegas but from what the fellows say "Little Bill" better not go in. He's liable to get drunk & they say its a rough town. I guess we don't get too many passes so I won't worry about it too much. We didn't do any thing to day except carry our barracks bags about a ½  mile to let them check our cloths. I had every thing so it made me made to have to do it. Thats all I can do is to carry that thing any way & thats all I have been doing since we heard we were shipping. 

We don't know how long we are going to stay in this student pool but we probable won't be here over a week or 2 at the most – I hope. I want to start to school and get it over with as soon as possible. The way they are closing every thing down they may close this down befor we get a chance to get through. 

Oh yes I told you I might ship across well the bunch I should have been with are at the P.O.E. now so I guess I was rather lucky not to have shipped out with them. 

Well I guess its about time for the lights to out so so I'll close for now. 

Bill.

March 20

We May be I ought to get on the ball & mail this. I got side tracks on I.P. for 2 ½ days & on top of that I think I caught the flue. I sure have been feeling miserable evey since I went on K.P. I guess they think I like K.P. or some thing because it seems like evey time they put up a list my name is on it. 

We start to school some time today so in 7 weeks we should be getting all packed & ready to go home. (I hope) 

Well we have to fall out in a few minents so I better close

Bill

March 29 1944

Dear Maggie

I got a letter you wrote & was sent to Buckley so I guess you didn't have my address when you wrote you. I guess you recived a letter from me since I arrived here haven't you. If I rember correctly I wrote one. 

I have started to school, infact I have gone 3 days now & had one test. The time goes rather fast while we are in class but the days sure do drag. It seems like we have gone for at least 3 weeks by now. We are studying the 50 cal machine guns in craft reconition and sighting. It sure makes my head swim the way they go over that stuff. They go over it so fast & expect you to get it all but me most of it drifts right on over my head. Oh well I guess may be I'll make the grade.

Eveyone is in a very good mood to night we were just informed that we didn't get 15 day delay enroute. That made eveyone feel very unhappy then on top of that we got eat out about the barracks being dirty. We also had a hard day including exercise period. Infact you can't talk to any one with out them start griping about something – including me. 

You ask me to get Mal. address for you, I imagine Wayne has it so I will write him & ask him for it. You might have to wait a while because He writes me on the avg. of once in 2 months. I don't know if I told you or not but Mal. was back to see him not too long ago. I guess the folks were scared he was going to marry her – but he didn't. From what I hear he is having quite a time the last few months. 

Well belive it or not but I went into town on my first pass in 6 weeks & didn't even attempt to get drunk. This town is quite a town, all gambling houses & drinking joints. I spent the whole sum of $1 while in there, but I only stayed about 2 hours. 

We didn't have time to do much & we had to get up at 4:45 the next morning so I was a good boy. They Tell us we will get only one more pass while here so I guess I won't have to worry too much about doing in. 

I never saw so much silver money in all my life as I didn't while I am there. Every thing is silver, and I don't like it.

Well Ill close for tonight & try to finish this tomorrow morning. 

Well we got up at 4:30 this morning & I am sleepy. I have done gone & eaten & made up my bed – swept the floor mopped & shined my shoes, & its only 6:00. I think I have done a good days work befor I have even started the day. This is about all the time we will have to our selfs now untill we get off tonight. 

The weather up to yesterday has been rather chilly. Yesterday turned up like 

III

Well this will probable look funny but over look it the time.

The weather was warm about 2 weeks a go then it turned off cold. I was even tempted to put on on my long underwear. If it had been clean I probable would have. 

Well we will be able to start wearing out suntans Sat but if it doesn't warm up I dont think too many fellows will. I don't think I will like to wear them from what I have seen of them. They get all messed up too easy & don't look very nice after you have used them once. 

You ask about that sailor, no I haven't found out who it was. Infact very little of that stuff he told me has been the truth or should I say has come out right. The fellow who told me all that stuff is here in the hospital & will be there 3 months. Me I think the is bucking for a discharge – not that I blame him much. 

Well we have to fall out in a few minents so I better close. 

Love 

Bill