September, 1944: Back to Lincoln and getting ready to ship overseas

It looks like Gram or one of the runts was so excited to finally get a letter from Jack from Lincoln that they ripped the whole end of the envelope off and ripped off the side of the letter. The torn bit -- including the torn bit of the envelope -- was carefully tucked inside the letter, but I'm not going to feed it through the scanner.

Sept 20 1944

Dear Ma

Well here I am back at Lincoln but I guess not for long. We got here this A.M. about 6 but didn't get out to camp & off the train until 8:30. 

We had a pretty nice trip all but for last night. We woke up at one end of the bunk and the next minent the other end, that kept up for about 30 minents. Some one said a brake was froze or some thing. Any way they woke us all up over there smart tricks, its just lucky it was a troop train. 

We have been rather lucky we havent had much to do today had one lecture this after noon & another on this evening. They are just telling us what to expect & ect. It seems they aren't trying to kid us but put the straight truth at us. The nearer we get the better we all want to have the war end – but fast. They tell us we are to fly across & will get our ship here. I don't know where we are going or when but I'll tell you for sure no grass is going to grow under our feet. They tell us we get up tomorrow & start processing. I doubt if we will be here much if any over 4 or 5 days so they must be planning big things for us. 

Well I can't think of any more to write so will write later. 

Jack. 

Sept 21 1944

Dear Ma

Ill try to write you a short note tonight so don't be surprised at it if its real short. 

We have had a rather busy today going through processing. We had all the paper work this AM & when I got through I didn't know if I were comming or going. I got going around so much I didn't even know how to write my name. I did take 7.50 bond out a month so in the next 3 months you ought to start getting some bonds. Out side of that I was just the same old army routine. This afternoon we had a clothing check & I mean a clothing check. In fact to night I don't know what I have & what I haven't got. They threw things this way & that so I started in throwing also. In the end I didn't know what had happened. They put part of the cloths in one bag & part in another, I brought one down to the barracks & they kept the other one up there. I just hope what I don't have is in my other barracks bag. 

We were issued all our flying cloths, parchute, harness & etc. It is all nice equipment & all new. We thought we would get a idea what direction we were going from the clothes but it beats me. 

All in all they have been running us a round good and proper today. 

I guess we get our plane tomorrow so we will start pulling guard duty. We will have our stuff in it & its up to us to watch it well I'll probable get the blunt end of the deal but don't blame me if you hear about your son sleeping on guard duty. 

Well I getter close & get to bed

Jack. 

His $7.50 bonds would be about $112 in today's dollars. 

Sept 25

Dear Ma

I haven't heard from you since I got here but I guess it's just the mail going through here is slow. I thought sure I would get one from you today though I'll try again this P.M.

Well we were to take off this AM but a compass didn't check out so we didn't go. I suppose though that we will take off tonight. We have been laying around here just more or less waiting to leave in fact we could leave upon a bout a 2 hours notice. They have all our cloths again so we can't stay much longer with out getting more cloths. I hope this gets through but we are going East from here & will end up in Maine. It looks like we will be going to the European theater. 

Say I sent 2 rolls of film home today, one has to be sent in to the Kodack company – it's color film. It's the one in the metal container the other one is one I took – in Alb. and Ard. Say did you ever get the other one developed. If you did I would like to have some of the pictures. 

Its been cold here in fact I like to froze last night doing guard duty. We have had a fire in the barracks the last 2 days. I guess we can't kick too bad we griped enough about the heat. 

Well I can't think of any more to write so will close now & don't worry. 

Jack. 

He also sent a change of address card:

Around the time Jack was writing these letters, Operation Market Garden was happening around the town of Arnhem in the Netherlands. Operation Market was a massive airborne and glider mission, the largest in history, with 5000 British aircraft. Unfortunately, due to a failure in intelligence, the coordinating Allied ground operation (Operation Garden) met fierce German resistance, and the ground troops were not able to support the 10,000 tenacious, brave paratroopers who landed in the area. Sadly, 1400 of the paratroopers were killed and 6000 were captured in this disastrous campaign. Read more here from History.com or a more detailed description on Wikipedia. If you've read the book or seen the movie "A Bridge Too Far," you are familiar with Operation Market Garden.

By my eyeball, it looks like we are about halfway through Jack's cache of letters. Jack has been fully trained and is ready to ship. The shit's about to get real now.

Heck, I know the end of the story, but I'm still worried....

Mid-September 1944. Running afield, beer party, and leaving Ardmore

Sept 13 1944

Dear Ma

I'll write you a little note now & here while I am setting around doing nothing. 

We had our clothing check yesterday & I came out o.k. The fellow ask me about socks so I turned in 2 pair & he gave me 6 back so I did all right there . I also got some other stuff I had lost through the ages & didn't have to sign for them. They took away our gas mask & tin hat so there's that much less to carry. We still have plenty & will probable get more at the next place. 

It seems like the hottest rumor says back to Lincoln. If we do go back there I hope Margaret will be able to come down & spend a day at least. They tell us to be ready to ship the 16th for sure. 

Well I had to fly today & it looks like I'll have to fly again tomorrow. We had quite a time I made 2 landings & 2 take offs. The one take off was so bad I was about ready to bail out. I left the run way all together & took off a cross a field. When the pilot looked up he was sure a cussing & laughing. It was a good thing the field wasn't wet or they would probable still be digging us out. To top it off I almost took a couple of trees with me. I'll still let the pilot have it & Ill run the ball turret.

I has been sort of cool here of late so its not so bad here. We even get cold at nights with a blanket on.

Well I'll close for now

Jack

Sept 15 1944

Dear Ma

Well I'll write you a little note – for the last time from dear old Ardmore. I guess it's certain that we are shipping tomorrow if we don't I'll be mad because they have all my cloths. We are going too have a stand by inspection in a bout 30 minets to see if we are going to leave the barracks clean

It turned off rather warm to day but it is still nice & cool at nights. I hope it isn't too hot in Lincoln. I don't know how long we are suppose to be there but it probably won't be too long. 

We had to fly again yesterday & were going to fly over Vegas but it started to rain so we only got 2 hours in. I have my flying time in for this month so I don't have to worrie about that. I thought for awhile I wouldn't get it in but now I have the whole sum of 6 hours in for Sept. 

You  see we have to have 6 hours I mean 4 hours a month to draw flying pay.

We ar e going to have a big beer party tonight so I suppose every one will feel like shiping tomorrow. I think they said they had about 250 case of beer so it ought to be enough to drownd the sorrows of all those who dare. 

Perez went to the hospital this AM so we don't know if he is to ship with us tomorrow. He said he would if he had to go a.w.o.l. from the hospital but I don't know. He has been sick evey since he came back from furlogh.

Well I guess I'll close for now & will write when I get there. 

Jack. 

Did he finally learn to spell probably correctly? Or is it just an odd pen mark? We will probable find out soon.....

Sept 16 1944

 Dea Ma

I recived your letter this AM so I'll set still a few minints and answer it. 

I have another letter I wrote you yesterday & this one will conterdict (?) the other one some what. We aren't shipping today – no cattle cars to get us out on so we have to wait until Mon now to ship. I only kept one suit of sun tans out & by now they are dirty what will they look like when I get there. I did put on my fatigues on so I'll save them that much. 

We had the beer party last night & it went over big. There were broken bottles all over the place & in general it was a mess. They had a band & about 30 girls for about 180-200 guys. I never saw the like of it befor – if they had had some whiskey it would have been worse yet. I went to bed a little bit a head of the rest of the bunch & every one who came in had to wake me up or pull by blanket off me. Webster drank a little too much so he kept pestering me – he wanted to smoke in bed and was afraid he would to to sleep smoking so he wanted me to stay awake to make sure he didn't set the bed afire. 

Its been a little warmer here the last 2 days & it almost looks like summer is comming back. I do wish it would stay cool or at least until we get out of here. 

Well the rumor about going to Lincoln is strong enough that we can bank on it by now. I still haven't heard how long we are suppose to stay there, you see we are the first bunch from Ardmore to go back there. 

I suppose you wonder why we didn't go up to Moultons Sat AM but we din't get up till 1030 or 11 & were to meet Maggie at 12:30 so we really didn't have time. 

Well I think I'll close for now & get Margaret K a letter so maybe I'll be able to see her in Lincoln

Jack. 

 

Sept. 17, 1944

Dear Ma

Well it looks like we are to ship for sure tomorrow but you know the army funny things are liable to happen. They told us this AM that we were to fall out at 8.30 & have all our stuff with us but I heard another rumor that the train doesn't leave until 1400.

We haven't had a thing to do the last day or so just lay around & get sack time. We will have to check our bedding tomorrow morning befor 830 so I suppose I'd have to get up a little early.

I have taken in a couple movies but they weren't much. It was more or less just to kill time. We have had so much of it that we have to do some thing. I suppose when we get to Lincoln they will probable keep us so busy we won't know if we are coming or going. 

Its still warm here but I don't belive it's quite as bad as yesterday. Oh well to night should be our last night here. 

Well I'll close for now & write as soon as I get time in Lincoln. 

Jack. 

Here's our answer. He probable will never spell that word differently, nor minet, befor and belive.  😉

September, 1944: A quick trip across the pond?

Now it gets confusing! I suddenly have a V-Mail from Jack in my hands. What?! 

Look over this post's artifacts and see if you come to the same conclusion I did. Come on! Where my forensic detectives at?

There was no envelope, but this V-Mail is dated Sept 4, 1944. 

Sept 4 1944

Dear Ma

Well here goes a gain with another letter. As usual all we have been doing is detail but we keep hopeing we will ship out soon.

I went in to town the other night, or did I write & tell you are about it. Any way the English people drink in a different way than we do. They drink, but don't make any noise about it the places are all very quiet. It seems odd not to have some one making a noise, or possibly a juke box beating it out. Oh yes while I was on K. P. I ran into Chas, Mayfield from Con. Write the kids & tell them. We had quite a talk.

I suppose you wonder whose Parker 51 pen was sent to you – it's Jimmys & when we get located I write and have you send it.

Well I have to get up at 4.45 in the morning to go on K. P. again so will close for now. I'll write you a big long letter as soon as I Have more time

Jack.

"Con" is Concordia, Kansas, where Jack and his family lived before moving to New Mexico. I found a Charles Mayfield from Concordia who was a gas inspector there in the 1960s! I can't find an obituary; perhaps he is still alive. 

The following letter came in an envelope with a censor's stamp on it, along with the New York, NY APO return address and generic "U.S. ARMY POSTAL SERVICE" postmark. 

Sept 9 1944

Dear Ma

Well here goes on another letter, but as usual I don't know how it will end up.

We are doing the same as usual, just going to lecturs & such. Some are interesting and some so dull it's hard to set through them. We haven't been too busy to day though, only had a bout a hour & a half this AM & about the same this P.M. Thats the way I like it but it probable not be that way much.

The boys had quite a time last night, about 11 oclock some one said lets get a keg of beer Well they got the beer & me I didn't get too much sleep. They are still drinking the beer today. Its like a mad house around here most of the time, all in all though its not bad. 

You know it was just a month a go I was home, a lot of things have happened in that time. I have been quite a few places in that time, also done quite a little.

Say any time those smart guys go to gripping about the way it is there just inform them they have it nice. I know & when it comes down to that we have it like a king here compared to some of the places. Tell them to go to a place like Iceland or such. 

Say while I am thinking about it would you send Wayne my address & tell him I would like to hear from him. Also drop the Goodwins a line & tell them I'll write as soon as I have more time. 

Well I did my self a little good this PM, I washed out a pair of OD pants. I still don't like to wash cloths but will probable get pretty good at it. 

Say did I tell you I got another watch befor I left the states. It's a pretty good on its a Elgin wrist watch. I don't know what happened to my other one I haven't seen it for the last few days  I guess may be I lost it oh well it wasn't worth much.

Well I guess I'll close now & hope I get a letter from you soon. From the Postmark on some of the letters in the barracks I guess it takes some Time to get letters here. 

Jack.

...And just like that, he's back stateside! The letter below is postmarked Ardmore, OK, Sept 12 1944.

Sept 11 1944

Dear Ma

We got back OK and on time all right but was plenty tired. We got in camp around 9 or so we did get a little sleep last night. The fellows kept coming in all night long so I didn't sleep too good – woke up several times. Some of the boys aren't back yet but maybe nothing will happen. We had to go to ground school all day today & also tomorrow. I guess we are suppose to fly a couple of days & then ship. The hottest rumor is we will go back to Lincoln to get our plane. It just rumors though.

That knife Wayne made is really a honey. He sure put a lot of work on it. I really didn't expect one that nice. I guess he's the same old Wayne though he does a job the first time. 

We had quite a time in Alb. although we didn't do a whole lot. I went up to Mrs Moultens twice one morning & she wasn't in so we didn't get to see her. We saw Maggie & was with her all the time she wasn't working so she showed us around some. She's the same old Maggie. I sure wish I could have stayed there longer but thats the army for you.

We made good bus connections out of there, infact a whole lot better that I thought we could or ever expected. We left there around 7:30 or 8 Sat evening & got in Oka City 3:30 & stayed there about a hour & caught a buss here. We were lucky on the bus down here the rest of the fellows had to ride a school bus & were about dead when they finally got here.

We had a formation this AM at 7:30 & no one woke us up until 7:30 so we really had to bust our self to get out there. Oh well It all came out O.K so were are happy.

Jack.

Here is a clipping from the Las Vegas (New Mexico) Optic, September 12, 1944:

I wonder if this James is the same Jimmy who owns the Parker 51 pen. I looked and looked but couldn't find anything about Sgt. James W. Davis from Virginia anywhere. I found an airman by the same name who flew in missions over the Pacific (including the Hiroshima mission), but nothing about this James W. Davis. 

And here is a photo of Jack with my mom Maggie while he visited her in Albuquerque:

Anyone else confused about all this? Any theories as to this sequence of letters? Think about it.... My theory is below.

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It's hard to believe that he was in England on September 4, made a trip to New Mexico, and got back to Ardmore, Oklahoma by September 11. I thought at first that they did a training dry run to England, but the timeline just didn't add up, especially with the news clipping and Jack's last letter dated August 29.

Here's my theory: The airmen were required to practice writing letters to train them in the censorship process. Or, perhaps they were training letters for censors-to-be. I bet they were instructed to mention a few places to see if the censor would redact the content. Thus, a joke about  the way they drink in England and the mention of "Iceland." 

The newspaper blurb dated September 12 mentioned a 10 day furlough. His last letter home was August 29, so the timing makes sense that he would have been home the first 10 days of September or so. 

My guess: the letters with censor stamps were just practice! 

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

Aug 26 1944

Dear Ma

I guess I better get busy & write you a letter I am suppose to be in ground school but something happened & we got off 2 hours. It makes me very happy to get out of it. If theres any thing I hate worse than ground school I haven't found it yet.

Well belive it or not but we have had a couple of nice showers he last 2 days. It has cooled things off some but its still plenty warm. It rained enough to make every thing muddy last night but I'll take mud to heat. 

We had a new bunch come in here so things are rather messed up. It seems the boys are starved because theres always a line at the chow house. Theres always a mob every place you go. Oh well we will be shipping out in a couple of weeks so I can probable stand it that long.

We were flying yesterday but it was the same old routine. I did take some pictures while we were up. The navigator got some color film so I was taking those for him. I also got 5 rolls in the PX the other day I was only suppose to get one but I had every brother & his uncle getting film for me. I still figure on taking my camer across with me. 

I got another letter from Chas or did I tell you. He said he only weights 151 now. That kid must have lost a lot of weight. 

Well I have to get back to classes so will close. 

[no signature]

There were a few various photos in the box, mostly poor quality, unlabeled photos of people and scenes. There was only one that looked like it was taken from the air, this one of an engine and another shadowy B-17 in the formation. Here it is, for what it's worth.

Aug 29 1944

Dear Ma

Well I got your long letter today so will answer it now. 

Those clippings sure get me, all those kids getting married. I guess its a good thing we moved out of there, hard telling what might have happened. Oh well may be they they will be happy but as for me I'll stay single for a while to come. I like what little freedom I have & I don't want to get tied down quite yet. I just can't get over it. 

It looks like Bob C has done all right for him self now hasn't he. He sure has a nice job & I hope he can keep it up. Those P38 like he flys are really fast in fact faster than that. More

Well we have been having rainie weather of late, it was so over cast we didn't fly this morning but had to get up at 4 just the same. We have to fly in the morning at 6 so we'll have to get up at 3. I sure hate those early missions but theres nothing I can do about it. All we have been doing is putting in time we have finished all the required stuff so we go up & just fly around. 

We haven't heard any thing about any change in schedual, we are still suppose to leave here the 16. That day won't come quite soon enough for me. I'll sure be glad to get off this field & out of the 2nd Air Force. It's really no good, thy are so dirty about every thing. It looks as though some of the boys are going A.W.O.L. unless they do something about leaves. They just keep putting us off & theres nothing left here to do. The chow is getting worse the lines are longer & all in all no good. I had to write wait in line 40 min the other day for chow & only had a hour off so you see I had a lot of spare time to do nothing in. They also have gotten to the place where they want us to salute the officers, that's all right in it's own place but thats not here or any other place in the air corp.

Well nothing unusual has happened the last few days so I guess I'll close for now

Jack

This letter crossed in the mail with that last one from Jack. It's a rarity: a letter to Jack from his mother, my Gram!

The postmark is Aug 29 1944. She just dated the letter "Monday" which would've been August 28, 1944.

Monday.

Dear Sugar

Talked with Bo yesterday she seemed to think things at Roy would be O.K. and she had a good place to stay Told her to get on the ball and write you – she forgot to take your address so I sent it last night.

See by the evening paper Purvis who is director of the A.T.C touring Band in India is sick, seriously with spinal meningitis so we are all in a worry about Jim. And poor Jim is so home sick and hungry for ice cream.

Then yesterday Gooie wasn't feeling too well so decided to call Crail so went to the phone and was looking for his No. when she fainted. He came and told her it was her apendix again. Wants her to stay in bed for a few days and may have to have it out this time. Nans is feeling pretty good her blood pressure is down to 200 now.

The little snip insisted I go to the show with her Sat afternoon to see Broadway Rhythm and The Cross of Lorraine. They were pretty good and the show was from 2 – 6 - and I said when the little one said "lets go"  , "But I havent seen Donald Duck," then she ask me how much more I wanted for my cash.

Sarah decided she wasn't going to Des Moines to teach but Katie went to Springer. Should hear from Bo tomorrow giving me all the details. 

Love and more love 

from your Family

Notes:

Jack called me "Sugar" too. ☺️

Looks like Gram went to the same School of Awkward Punctuation that Jack did.

Gooie is Gladie, my grandmother's sister. Nans is her mother, I think? Olive Morel Kruse (1871-1951)

I'm assuming "the little snip" is Nene. 

Broadway Rhythm was a musical comedy. The Cross of Lorraine is a WWII propaganda film. 

Here are pictures of family members (not from Jack's cache; from my own collection):

Glady Idela Kruse, Jack's aunt aka Gooie

Olive Morel Kruse, Jack's grandmother

Mid-August, 1944: Finally got the camera

We have yet another type of stationery today! Gold embossed symbols of the Army Air Forces, including an encircled star and wings, a B-17, and a shield and wings, all surrounded by clouds. "U.S. ARMY AIR FORCES" is embossed below. 

Aug 17 1944

Dear Ma

Well don't fall over but we are having a nice shower. I decided to sleep out last night & woke up a bout 6 the wind blowing like mad & the sky was cloudy. I decided it would rain so I came In. A bout 15 min. later it cut loose so the other fellows woke up. When they woke up this morning they sure cussed me for not waking them up when I came in. 

I took my watch in last night to get it fixed & from what the jewler told me our dear friend Martin really fixed it. It will be sad day when I take any thing back to him. I also mailed some stuff home yesterday so if you get a box don't be surprised. 

The film in there is some I took in connection to ground school & the next time Wayne gets home have him show it to you.

Ill probable get some more befor I leave here. You see we are going to have a clothing show down again tomorrow so I have to get rid of a few things because they will take them a way if I don't. 

You have started planning a little too much about me getting a furlogh. It looks as though we won't get it now. We don't know what's happening around here. They tell us we are to ship the 24, 29 – 7 – 14 so when we ship God only knows. 

I haven't done any thing of late except lay around & sleep. Thats about the best thing we have to do any way.

Well I'll close for now

Jack. 

The letter below is postmarked Aug 20 1944. The Saturday he wrote this would've been August 19.

Sat

Dear Ma 

Well I have a minet so will drop you a shot note.

I got the camer yesterday & was happy to get it. Say how many pictures do you want to get on a roll. I started to take one & tried to turn it & it wouldn't turn so I decided it was jammed. I rewound it & count 41 frames. You know it only takes 36. Next time keep count a little better. I'll send the film home first chance I get. 

Well we flew a good mission to day up to Wichita then to K.C. & over to Springfield Mo & to Little Rock Ark & back here. K.C. is a pretty good town but I expected it would look bigger than it did. They sure have a big air field there the one I saw when I went there.

Its back nice & hot again this after noon I would be sleeping but its too hot. You see we got up at 3 this morning & didn't get to sleep until after 11 last night

I am staying in a gain I don't know any good reasons except am so tired & my finance is getting low so I'll just rest.

So the Kids all have to start back to school, well thats too bad. I sure wish I could start back but, I even grip when I have to go to ground school, Its not like the way it use to, this is to save your neck & that was to make some thing of your self. 

Well Ill close & get some sleep.

Jack.

I had to go to town to get the camera. 

Here is the route the crew took that day. According to Google Maps, it's about 1000 miles. At the B-17 cruising speed of 150 mph (top speed 287), the mission would have taken them about 6.66 hours. 

Aug 22 1944

Dear Ma

I got a letter from you to day & you were very hopeful of me comming home well I suppose you better just for get about it. The latest rumors are no time off so I suppose we will be here until about the 16 of next month.

You ask about that big black thing I sent home. Thats a knife a jungle knife. I got it in Lincoln and just never sent it home.

Its still warm here & we havent been getting any sleep. We didn't land until 12,20 last night so I didn't get to bed until 2 & had to get up at 8. We go to ground school until 7 tonight & have bed check at 10 then get up at 3 in the morning.

I got another letter from Chas this morning & he said he only weighed 151 now. I guess he really must have lost some weight.

Well we have to go to school pretty soon so maybe I better close for now.

Stay when Florence gets settled have her send me her address.

Jack.

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

 

Aug 12 1944

Dear Ma

Well here goes again. Belive it or not but this is Sat night I am staying in camp. I don't have to get up early in the morning or any thing  – it's like I said I was going to stop running around. I took in a movie this evening but that's all.

It cooled off this evening some, but is still warm. We had a little shower so that did help a little. 

Oh yes the changed the schedule on us again. From now on for ground school starts at 10-1300 then we get off from 13-1400 for chow then we go back till 1900. It makes us a nice day. Then when we fly 4th period we don't take off until 6 PM and land at midnight that also makes it nice. All we have to hope is we won't be stationed here too much longer. The only trouble about that the pond is also beginning to stare us in the face. 

Did I tell you how I got myself to start staying in. I sent all but one suit of suntans to the laundry, well I got these I  have on dirty & that's all. I guess I am pretty smart or am I.

Tell that Nene its about time she wrote me again also to stay on the ball & write "our" good friend James B.

Well I guess this is enough for to night so will close for now. 

Jack.

Note. Remember James B. O'Connor, who wrote a V-Mail to the family? Hmmmm.... there seems to be a special correspondence going. Nene was about 16 ½ years old at this time. 

Aug 15 1944

Dear Ma

Well this is another one of those nights I could be out but am not. I was just too tired to go out tonight. We had to fly 1st period that means getting up at 3 & by the time I got back to the barracks it was bout 4. 

I was so tired I lay down & went to sleep & didn't wake up until 630 I am still so sleepy I can hardly hold my keys open. We flew high altitude so I was worn out from the flying as well as from getting up early.

Belive it or not but I got a letter from dear old Chas. He didn't say too much – just griped about the army. I guess he's in the Medic's but wouldn't swear to it – I took that from his address.

It's still nice & warm around here. I sure wish you could have a few of these hot days you would realize what we are up against. 

I haven't been doing much just being a good little boy & staying in camp. I did get my ankle hurt last night fighting but I can walk pretty good on in it tonight. It was so sore I could hardly stand on it this morning. 

Say about that camera – if you can't get it here in the next few days forget it because theres rumors we are to ship the 29 or befor & I don't want that thing following me around in the mail.

Well Ill close & get ready to get some sleep.

Jack. 

This also came in the mail. Making sure the service members have their affairs in order before heading out over the pond.

August, 1944: Quietly achieving the rank of Corporal

 
This is the first envelope that indicates Jack's new rank as Corporal. He doesn't mention his promotion in his letter, which is surprising to me. 

Aug 3 1944

Dear Ma

Well don't fall over dead from getting another letter from me today, it seems as I don't want to go out to night so will try to write you a short note

We had to get up at 3AM this morning & flew till noon. I was so tired while flying I went to sleep in the ball turret while operating it. I finally decided tat wasn't such a good idea so got out and went to sleep in the waist. I had on my electric heated suit & it & it got too warm. I was laying there very peacefully & the copilot came back & pluged it back in & turned it up full blast. When I finally woke up I was just about cooked. It really set me a fire. We flew up to Wichita Kans then to Amarillo & back here. It was quite a trip but I didn't see much of it. We had some P47's come at us & they sure were fast. It surprised me & woke me up to what I will be up against. They are faster than greased litinging

Its still plenty warm around here in fact I didn't get to sleep until 12 last night because it was so hot. It seems to have a breeze now so maybe we will be able to sleep tonight. I sure hope we ge a little cooler weather soon. It's just too hot to live & I am to tired to die. 

Well I am writ out for now

Jack. 

The P-47 was indeed a formidable machine. This fighter escorted bombers to their targets and engaged in air-to-air as well as air-to-ground combat. Stout yet agile, it was an important tool for the Allies. And yes, it was fast. Its top speed was 426 mph, compared to the lumbering 287 of Jack's B-17. Read more at Smithsonian Magazine. 

P-47 Fighter

Aug 10 1944

Dear Ma

I guess I better say in to night and write you a little short letter & clean myself up

I went up to Ada again but didn't do a whole lot, Theres too many GI's going up there now. They said there were more up there that night than there were when the cadets were stationed there. Another thing that made me mad was I started back about 10 PM & couldn't cath a ride until around 3:30 AM. To top that off we rode about 45 miles up on top of a load of coal. I don't mean maybe, but we looked like a couple of ni**ers. We were really black but Jimmy was slightly worser than me. We both had to take a good shower when we got back 

We flew back up around Kansas yesterday but I didn't look out enough to know where we were. I was so sleepy I was asleep befor the plane left the ground. We also have flown over the Gulf since I last wrote you. I hate those trips down over Galveston because they are so long, and always at altitude (I can't get my sleep)

I guess I'll stop running around so much, its too hard on me I can't get my sleep. The pilots getting a little peved at us about it, not that I blame him. About every time we fly 1/2 of us all just about dead. We don't have too much time off now anyway so Ill start being a good little boy & stay home & get some sleep.

It seems like I might have to sign a statement of charges for a parchute harness. Since we [?] decided they wanted mine wores than I did so borrowed it, and also 4 others of the crew. It seems they only cost $35 a piece. 

Its still too hot around here to live but may be I'll be able to take it for a few more weeks. It seems we are suppose to leave here around the 29 but I wouldn't say for sure. They claime they are moving the field to Ohio but I suppose we will finish up before they move it. 

Say when are they going to send my camera to me I have been looking for it for a week now but it doesn't seem to come. Please get on the ball & send it to me. 

You can tell Bo I have been getting her letters, also I recived one from Neva today.

Well I 'll close now

Jack.

I'm embarrassed by the racial epithet he used, and I apologize. 

$35 for the parachute harness would set him back $517 today. 

The next letter is written in pencil. 

Aug 11 1944

Dear Ma

Don't faint I fell all right, well almost all right. I suppose you wonder what got me to write, well here goes. I got up at 3 this morning to fly went down to the plane & was all ready. The pilot came up & ask me for my oxygen mask so I handed it to him & he said take off. It seem as though he has lost his so me I didn't fly. I came back to the barracks & lay down & slept until a few minuets a go & decided to get out befor the inspectoning officer came in & decided I shouldn't be there. 

You say K.K. finally made Pfc. well that's fine, you can tell him if he needs any strips to let me know & Ill send him mine, I never did sew them on & wouldn't sew my Cpls on but they put out a order saying we had to. I'll get around to seeing them on one of these days. Most of the fellows started sewing them on the day the order came out, but they aren't proud or something 

So you say Bergy got married well now aint that some thing. I sure would hate to be the woman that got stuck with him. I guess he is all right but I still can't see it .

I am over in our new Day Room it really is pretty nice. Its about as nice as any thing we have in the army. 

Well they have started more hot L. rumors about furloughs & delay en routs. They say we are going to get 7 days & if you live over a 1000 miles 4 days travel time, Well if that the case I'lll put down I am going back out to the good old state of Wash. That only about 22000 miles from here so I'll be able to get those 4 extra days. 

They won't be able to doubt my word much because after all I was inducted out there.

I got my self a new pair of sun glasses – so if you or the kids want the old ones Ill send them home one of these days. I have some suff I am going to send any way I have a extra shirt that they will take away from me if I don't get rid of it. 

Its still plenty warm here in fact it was warm at 3 this morning. I was running around with my shirt off so you see it was plenty warm.

Well I think I can go back so will close now. 

Jack

P.S. lost my pen so have to write with what I can find. 

Here's our answer to why he didn't mention his promotion. He's not proud or something. 

He got carried away with his zeros... Washington is about 2000 miles from Oklahoma.

I don't know who K.K and Bergy are.

Here's a picture of Ardmore Air Force Base from 1945.