Follow-up, February 1944: Dee Bibb in New Mexico Magazine

In a letter I posted a few weeks ago, Jack mentioned an article about family friend Dee Bibb, who was quite a character. A beloved New Mexico fixture, Dee was married to my mom's best friend Mabel. 

To refresh your memory, Jack wrote in his February 9, 1944 letter, "I got the N. Mex. mag & that article about Dee was all right."

The investigator in me went to work, and I found a short notice that had been published in the local paper, the Santa Fe New Mexican, about the New Mexico Magazine article. I made a cursory look for the magazine article itself, but when I found the website didn't have archives, I dropped my search. 

In reading Jack's letters to my mom, we discussed the magazine article about Dee, and she wanted to go to the library and try to find it. A trip to the library wasn't in the cards (there's a pandemic, after all), so I decided to contact the folks at the magazine. Luckily, despite the pandemic, they were able to help. They sent me a PDF of the entire February, 1944 issue. You can find it here or click the picture below. The article about Dee Bibb begins on page 13.

Many thanks to the Circulation Department at New Mexico Magazine!

mid-June, 1944. Going My Way

Jack is still in Lincoln, Nebraska at aircraft school. His last letter was dated June 7, 1944. Not sure where he's been in the last nine days. Surely by now Jack and Gram would've heard the news about Operation Overlord, known now as D-Day. There's no mention of the war, though.

Today he foregoes his fountain pen and army stationery. He writes in pencil on a couple of sheets of plain rough paper. 

June 16 1944

Dear Ma

Maybe you have noticed I haven't written for a few days but I was sweating out a shipment. I have been placed on the supernumerary list so I didn't know just what the score was. They finally went off and left me here. From the best L. rumors I heard they went to La. the swamp country. I wasn't mad about not shipping with them even at that. I am hoping I can be sent to Souix City & take my training there. If it so happens I'll be able to live off the post & should get 3 day passes quite often.

It is plenty hot here in fact so damn hot. That's all we have been doing the last few days is sweat blood. The winds whipping it up pretty good now but its still plenty hot. 

I got the watch last night & the hands were sort of messed up but I fixed that so it seems to run fair. I'll send the other one home in a few days I am keeping it to check mine with. 

I guess I'll go on another shipment in the next few days. After we on on the alert we are here 4 days so I'll probable be here for 5 or 6 days more. I don't mind too much as long as I don't catch any detail.

I worked my way on to a sleeping [?] pass today. That means I didn't have any detail today. Some of the fellows don't see how I did it but I did. 

I haven't heard from any one the last few days except you so I can't write about that. That darn Wayne hasn't written me & I have written him about 3 or 4 letters since I got back. 

Well I'll close for now. 

Jack. 

This one is not dated, but it is postmarked June 20, 1944. Sunday would have been June 18.

June - Sun

Dear Ma

I guess I ought to drop you a line & get over this lazy spell. 

I haven't done a thing to day except loaf. believe it or not it's the 2nd day in a row. I found out this morning that it was Sun so I decided I should take it easy. I sort of walked out of a formation & never got back there for I didn't get any detail. 

I went to the show to night & I thought It was a darn good show. Bing in "Going My Way" It really is a good show you out to see it. It made me stop and think. 

It wasn't quite so hot today but it was still plenty hot. I took a sun bath yesterday but couldn't tell it. I didn't get sunburnt or anything. I went out again today but was out for just a few minutes.

I guess I'll sent the little watch home tomorrow. I am darn near tempted to keep it. I like it better than mine but I'll be good to nene & send it back. 

I don't know what's wring with me tonight. I just can't seem to write I guess my brains in a whirl. (what brain)

So Neva is really going to town with her work. May be she will be glad she took the typing after all. Has Nene taken any thing yet or is she planning on getting her's next year. 

Well I guess I'll close for now. 

Jack

Jack wasn't the only one who thought "Going My Way" was a darn good show. It was the highest-grossing movie of 1944 and was nominated for 10 Academy awards. It won seven Oscars, including Best Picture. 

 

June, 1944: more sewing woes

Jack is in Lincoln, Nebraska for further training.

June 4

Dear Ma

Well I recived your letter today & was very happy to hear from you.

We had to go to lectures all day today – Sun, & we were very happy to do it for the army. We had to get up at 6 & got through at 6 the evening which also made us very happy. 

It has rained practically all day & the best part of last night. The water is standing all over the place – in fact under my bed. It rained so hard this after noon it run in the doors & almost floated our beds out. I just went over to shave & it started in while I was over there but stopped before I started back. 

You say Bo's friend is in Sq B -- that's an officers sq about 2 blocks down the street the only thing between us is sq C. He's in here for the same thing I am infact he listens to the same lectures I do & might have been in some of the ones I was. 

We have no Idea when we will ship but every on is hopping against there better thoughts. I sure don't like this place --the guys from over seas say it's better over there than here. I hope I ship soon but it will probable be a few weeks befor I get out of this god forsaken camp.

Say who sewed up these wings. You better give some good excuse because I either want you to do it over of given me my money back. I want you to look at them close & see what's wrong. If you can't tell let me know & I'll write and tell you. If it's not too much work see if you can't do it over & do a little better line. If you have to draw a line on the material & sew it straight. Well enough for that you don't need to rush I ain't in quite that big of a hurry for them. 

The sun is out but the clouds are still in the east so it will probable rain again tonight. 

Well this is a little longer than the last one so I'll close

Jack

We've got new stationary today. The top of the page is adorned with the winged-star logo of the army air corps. Underneath reads: ARMY AIR FORCES

June 6

Dear Ma

Well its cold here – I was on guard duty last night & like to have froze. I had my field jacket & over coat on & was still cold. The wind was blowing a nice breeze & it had rained so it all made it nice. I was on from 12 AM to 630 so I had a nice stretch of it in fact too much.

I slept all day & am still so sleepy I can hardly hold my eyes open. Oh well Ill probably pull through. 

Some of the fellows are shipping in the near future for Clovis to go to B29 school. I guess I won't get it but I don't care much all I care for is the war to end. 

What is Margaret planning by now or is she there by now. I haven't written her because I thought she would probable be getting ready to leave pretty soon now & wouldn't have time to answer any way.

I haven't had any new L. rumors of when we will ship but I am still hoping it's soon. The sooner the better. 

I got a letter form the Goodings but they didn't say a whole lot about Con. I guess that place is dead as ever. I wish I had of stopped there on my way back but I didn't & I can't do it over so there not much us of thinking about tit. 

The wind died down some today & it got a little warmer but I am still cold. I got a nice cold last night. 

Well I better close & take a shower & get some more sleep. 

Jack. 

Note: "Con" = Concordia, Kansas, where Jack was born and where family friends the Goodings live. 

June 7 1944

Dear Ma

I'll try to scribble you a note while I am setting around trying to make up my mind as to when I should shave. I have let it go for 2 days now & the fellows are getting ready to do it for me. 

Well this is Sat so I'll try to finish while the barracks are quiet. 

I had KP. last night so slept all day & am still tired tonight. I had to get up on the pretense of shaving & washing some cloths. I don't want to do either but it looks as though no one will do it for me so I'll have to.The K.P. wasn't bad last night I though it pretty easy. The cooks were darn nice fellows & they never cussed one of us all night. 

It is still raining around here & is still rather cool. It has warmed up a little the last day or 2 but I could still stand to see it a little warmer. 

I got your letter & Nenes letter this evening & I got the wings: They look better thanks. I'll get around to sewing them on some day but I don't know when. It seems like we never get any time to our selfs.

Most of the fellows went to town tonight but me I stayed home. I don't know whats wrong but I don't seem to get much kick out of going to town  Maybe I'll change some day but at the present I stay in my old sack. 

Well I better close and get some work done

[unsigned]

As Jack writes these letters, the beaches of Normandy, France are being stormed by nearly 160,0000 Allied forces. Operation Overlord, or D-Day as it is known now, had been planned since 1943, and finally the day arrived when naval, air, and ground combat forces all descended on the beaches to drive back German forces. Sadly, there were 10,000 casualties that first day of June 6, 1944, with over 4000 allied troops killed. It was a pivotal day for the Allies, however, beginning the liberation of German-occupied France and paving the way for victory across Europe. 

 

Mid-May, 1944: Lincoln Army Air Field

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. 

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

Here we get a little confusing. I'm posting them by postmark, as Gram would've read them such, so bear with me.

Written May 6, 1944 and postmarked May 6, 1944. 

May 6 1944

Dear Ma

While I am setting around trying to think of some thing to do I'll write you a letter.

We got our wings today so that part of its over with now. It wasn't much of a graduation, a short speech & etc. We had to stand retreat to day & I guess the sun got me down, I had nose bleed shortly after we got back. The sun is so hot it just wilts you. We can't even get the barracks cooled off at night when we go to bed & then when we get up every ones cold. 

I got a letter from Tuck today & she said she would come to Lincoln to see me If I can't get away to see her. I am going to see If I can get a 3 day pass when I get there but If I can't I'll have her come down. 

We ship out Mon. & will probable be in there around Wed. I am not sure that's where we are going but thats the best rumor out. They were nice enough not to ship us out on Sun though - probable because the trains aren't running right on Sun or something. They have been shipping most of them (the other Squad out on Sun. 

We got Grounded Sat so I didn't have to fly & was I happy. It gets very boring flying all the time.

I got the kids a pair of earring & will send them to them If they want them. I really think the design on them are nicer than the ones I have. 

Ohyes we had our picture taken today so I will send it to you after we get it It's one taken of about a 1/2 of the fellows who graduated today.

Well I'll close for now -- I'll write you my new address as soon as I get it.

Jack.

This letter is dated May 3rd but postmarked May 9th, 1944.

May 3rd '44

Dear Ma

As usual I'll just try to write you a letter while I have a little time.

We have been flying since we got back from the springs & thats about all. Its a pretty easy life all but for getting up at 4. We don't do a thing until 7:30 so we usually catch a hours sleep after we have roll call.

I don't know if I told you or not but I had my hair cut off. I got rather put off about no delays enroute so I goes down & told the barber to cut it off. It's a lot easyer to keep clean this way & since we never go any place any way I. might as well be comfortable.

We have been having rather warm weather in fact hot weather. I flew high altitude the other day & by rights I should have had a flying jacket on but it was as warm in the plane I had just fatigues on. We flew camera mission yesterday, thats shooting a plane with a camera & seeing how you shoot. Personally I didn't think I did so good but I don't think it counts much any way.

Well we only have 3 more days left & then I graduate so you can tell Nene she won't be the only one who doesI guess this is a little different though, she goes to school to learn to better the world, I go to school to learn to kill. Oh well it can't last for ever. 

Well I can't think of any more to write. Oh yes, I got a letter from Glady & one from Wayne so I did all right. 

Well I'll close 

Jack

 

May 1, 1944: about to get wings

May 1 44

I'll bet you are wondering why your dear little son hasn't written. Well I have been so busy I haven't really had time. I have written you a couple of letters but always misplaced them. We went out to Indian [Springs] flying & they sure kept us going all the time. From 4 o'clock in the morning till around 8 straight. We more or less eat if & when we get time. I flew 3 days in a row last week & I don't think there is any thing more tiring than it. I guess it's just a strain on your nerves. I don't care if you just go up & read you still come down tired.

We were sleeping in tents out there & one night we got a good rain. You talk about catching it in buckets well you wouldn't have enough buckets to catch all of it. It was just like standing above some one & throwing the water down by the bucket full. I was lucky I had a lower bunk so the poor sap above me caught it all

It also was quite a bit colder out there than here but it's almost twice as high. All in all I guess it wasn't so bad out there though. We had better chow there than we have here.

Well it looks like we don't get any delay enrout. We have heard rumors that we go to Lincoln also to Walla Walla - Wash. If I go to Lincoln I am going to see if Margaret won't come down. I'll have to wait & see what the score is though.

If you haven't forgotten, we will graduate in a week even sooner in fact. We will get our wings Sat. I guess it's a pretty sure thing me getting my wings now. I pass that big test I wrote you about with a 83. I thought I should have done better but after all it was based on the class and.  & we have a lot of ex cadets. Personally I think I have done pretty good all in all on all these tests. I have around a 87-90 avg so I guessI can't kick too much.

About all we do this week is fly & mess around picking up on what we left out or missed. I guess we won't have any test to speak this week.

Well I have to fall out now so will write again soon also try to find those other letters.

Jack

Note: He meant Indian Springs there, so I corrected it. During WWII the Indian Springs Army Airfield was located near what is now Creech Air Force Base. The Army Air Corps used Indian Springs to train gunners for work on B-17s and trained pilots in the T-6 Texan training aircraft, according to Wikipedia.  After the war, Jack would return to this area to visit the Nevada Nuclear Test Site as part of his work at Los Alamos National Lab.  

 

And a letter to Bo on the same day:

May 1st

Dear Bo

I'll drop you a little note to let you know I am still alive, how much I don't know. We have a easy life here we don't have to get up until 4 AM & we get to go to bed around 8:30 to 9:30. We were out on the desert for the last week, flying. We lived in tents & such but I guess we will live through it though it rained one night & the tent leaked like a sive.

I personally don't care much about flying, but it's better than walking. It's very tiring & when a guy comes down you are so tired you are ready to sink & go to bed. I rode the tail of the ship for about 2 hours & had a lot of fun. We flew over Bolder Dam, Vegas & a few other places. That was the best trip I have had yet. The officers are pretty nice fellows & the instructors are busy who have come back from over seas. 

2nd

Well I ought to finish this & get it mailed before I run out time. We went up again yesterday and flew for about 2 hours. It was very boring but I lived the ordeal.

You ask about wanting to get me a bracelet, well if you think I just gotta have one, you can send me the money & I'll get it in the P.X. I can get them cheaper than you can, but I still don't care about one. Also please don't start sending any birth day presents because about the time you get this I'll be shipping. We will probable ship to Lincoln & stay there for a week or 2 & then ship out of there again. From there know one knows where we will go but I got a hunch I will to go Texas. 

You talk about the wind blowing just a few minutes ago the wind was blowing so hard, and so much sand in the air you couldn't see the sun.

Your school ought to be out by the time you get this won't it. Gosh it doesn't seem like Nene should be graduating this year does it. It seems like those 2 kids should be in about the 7 or 8 grade. I guess I have been away from home too long & don't realize they have grown up.

We are suppose to get those wings Sat. and ship Sunday, also we are supposed to fly every day this week. You can see we will be on the move all the time. Fellows who have been to cadets say this is worse than cadets. Those guys grades aren't too hot either -- I have kept up pretty well with any & all of them. I have about a 85 or 87 avg. I think that's pretty good for a dumb Eutsler. One other thing against me is I don't care too much about flying & most of the fellows really like it. To me it's just another job.

We I have to get ready to fall out so will close now. 

Jack

 

April, 1944 Closes: Jack's first airplane ride. "The earth takes on a whole different look from up there"

 April 25 1944

Dear Ma

Ill try to write you a letter but don't know how far I'll get with it. 

We flew this morning & it sure got me down. I personally don't care much about flying although its some thing different. It sure isn't what I thought it would be. We flew around 150 and it seemed like we were just standing still. The earth takes on a whole different look from up there but around here the country isn't worth the 2nd look any way. We figured out we went around 700 miles in those few hours but all in all I have driven 700 miles & felt a while lot better than I did when I got down. We got up at 4:00 & made our beds & dressed & was out side by 4:15. We rushed over to chow & stood in line for 30 minutes & then rushed in & ate. We got back out side & went down to the line & there wasn't any more planes. Well we swept out a building & they told us to go load up a plane & get parachutes. We did such & they told us to change to another B17. Well all in all we got started at 8 oclock & then flew till 11:30 & came down hoping we were through. They told us to load up again & take off so we did such. We get up there & waisted a hour for a tow plane & didn't get one so came down & unloaded all the ammunitions that we had just loaded. We took off for lunch ate a quick bite & fell out for classes. Got off at 5:30 & redressed & ate. It's now 7 o'clock so don't ask me what I in my spare time. 

We live in tents out there & it's 50 miles from Vegas, but don't look for it on the map because you won't find it. We came out Sun Mon & tope to go back Sun morning. 

Well Ill close because I have to study for a test & shave & hit the hay. I have KP. for 3 hours tomorrow morning. 

Jack

New stationery! It has the familiar propellor/wings logo and underneath reads: A.A.F. FLEXIBLE GUNNERY SCHOOL L.V.A.A.F. Las Vegas, NEVADA

April 28 1944

Dear Ma

I guess I ought to get busy & write you a letter seening that I haven't for a while. I have a good excuse though. I wrote you one letter and misplaced it & haven't had time to write another. They have kept us rather busy up to this after noon. We have been gettin up at 4 rushing over to eat & then get a plane loaded with ammo & such & then taking off. We fly about 4 hours & by that time / when we get down we have to clean up the plane & go eat again. It's usually around 12:30 or 1 o'clock we then fall out at 130 & go to class till 530 & then go eat again. Well it's 630 to 7 o'clock by the time we get through. We have to shave & such & by the time we get done its time to go to bed & get up & start all over. I have gotten 12 hours in since (the air) we got here & I don't know of any thing you can do, where there is less work, that is more tiring. When we get down we are so tired we don't know which way to go. Most of the guys get sick in the air but little me I just stand around & laff at them, my turn will probable come up yet though. I don't get much sick out of flying but I guess it's all right. We went over the edge of Death Valley one day & another trip we flew over Bolder Dam, Bolder City, the other Field & Las Vegas. I t was the most interesting trip we have had so far. I rode the tail most of the time & got quite a kick out of it. Back there you are all by your self and you get a pretty good sight of every thing you go past. I also have ridden the nose a lot & from there you get a darn good view of every thing.

I didn't like the instructors the first few days but the ones we had last day were swell. The pilots are pretty good fellows too.

You can tell Nene I was on K.P. the other morning but its only for 3 house so it wasn't bad for a change. 

The weather here is cooler than in Vegas & seems like just as windy. We live in tents so we notice it that much more. We also got a nice little shower to day, in fact darn good for Nevada.

We are around 50 miles from The other Field & out in the middle of no where. There's a little filling station up the road & a few houses around a spring. out side of that we can fly for hours at a time & never see a house. 

Well I'll close for now & try to get some sleep. 

Jack 

Here's a part training/part propaganda film about gunnery school and filmed in Nevada. I'll bet dollars to donuts that this movie was one of the ones Jack wrote about in previous letters. Watch Ronald Reagan and Burgess Meredith in "The Rear Gunner" (1943).

 Next: Jack finishes up gunnery school and is about to get his wings.