August 8, 1942 - Scheming To Get Out of This Medicine Show

Saturday Evening

Dear Mom + Dad,

This is the first chance I’ve had to write you today, believe it or not. My usual loafing routine was all shot today. I was down at a small town Thermal, unloading some of our supplies from a freight train. It wasn’t very hard work but I was there most of the day. Tomorrow my turn has rolled around for K.P. Thus you can see I have a busy weekend. After that I’ll probably go back to loafing again.

I just received my application blanks for the flying cadets and I want to get underway on that. It states very clearly that those who do not make the pilot, bombardier + navigator get a chance for O.C.S the part I’m looking for. It will be a lot easier from this angle I think. I sure am going to give it a try anyway, no harm can come from it.

I hate to ask you to do this but it has to be done. I need first of all letters of recommendations. If you can get them for me I’d sure appreciate it. I know it will be embarrassing but if you would do it I’d appreciate it. I’ll write for a few from New Paltz but I can’t be sure of where those people are now as it is vacation time. I don’t think I can use the ones that I had from O.C.S., read them over and if any of them apply send them back to me.

I also need my birth certificate to prove that I was born. Also among my papers somewhere you will find a transcript of my college work. Look that up and send it along. It is a green sheet if I remember correctly with all my subjects in New Paltz and there are marks on it. It should be in my junk somewhere in my desk drawer.

I guess that takes care of my needs on that subject. I will feel awful indebted to you if you take care of these things for me.

I’m fairly certain I can get in as the requirements have been lowered. If I pass the exam I’m going to try a transfer to air corps. It takes quite a time for your entrance to be effected in the flying cadets so I hope to work a transfer on the strength of being in eventually.

I sure have taken to scheming to get out of this medicine show. I don’t feel that this is the place for me and I’m dissatisfied with the whole set up so I’m doing my best to get out of it. Do you blame me?

I get paid on Monday (I hope). I expect to send some home but I’d don’t know how much as I’m not sure of how much I’m receiving. Keep it and put away so I can tap it for future needs without digging into your pockets.

I guess that is all for now. I’ll write tomorrow night. I’m going to try and send this out airmail if I can dig up some stamps. If not it goes regular.

Love
Bob