November 18, 1942 – Psychological Exam, Belated B'day Wishes,and Mary

Wednesday Eve.

Dear Mom + Dad,

I’m dead tired tonight as I had a rather tough day. I took my psychological exam today and it is a 7 hour exam and believe me it tires you. You have to be mentally awake all the time and it is a strain on you. As a result I feel a bit tired after it all. Of course you can’t tell how you did but I’m not worrying about that, it is the physical that will knock me out.

I had better start out with something that has been on my mind since I received your letter. You know how forgetful I am about dates. Well I never gave my Dad’s birthday a thought I plumb forgot all about it. You can’t realize Dad how sorry I am. It isn’t often that you get a chance to show how much you mean to me and then I go and forget all about one of the chances. Well it is too late now to do anything now. So Dad let me wish you belated returns on the day and express my regrets at having forgotten. Please forgive me!

So Brother is taking up something new. I’m glad for his sake for I hope he can advance himselves. I know he will have a tough time for awhile but it will probably be worth it. Let me know a little more of the details. If he moved maybe I can drop him a line.

Did you know that my girl friend Mary went and got engaged on me. She has been going with this fellow from L. Island for a long time. He was just commissioned a 2nd “license” and was home on furlough not so long ago. Now Mary is wearing an engagement ring. My girls all seem to have a habit of doing things like that. Oh well I guess I can get another one. Mary is a swell kid so I hope she gets a little happiness out of the deal. Next time you see her give her your best. I have to write to her and congratulate her on it.

Incidentally I don’t remember if I asked you for the phone number of home or not. So if I didn’t please send it to me.

Well in a few days I’ll know what my fate is to be. I’m not worried about it and yet I rather hate to get out now. Well I take whatever comes up with no grumbles. At least I tried.

I’m going to quit now as I’m tired I’ll write tomorrow.

Love

Bob

P.S. I hear Jimmy is overseas, see if you can find out anything.

November 17, 1942 – Physical Good Except for Right Eye

Tuesday Afternoon

Dear Mom + Dad,

I received two of your back letters today which were forwarded to me from D.E.M.Y. Along with them came several other and as a result I’m going to let you suffer for tonight and write just a short note so I can get at answering them.

I took my physical today and everything was O.K except for my right eye. I have to go back on Friday to have it checked again. As I told you I was afraid that would be my bad spot. However, the deviation is so little below normal that the doctor who gave me the test thinks I can pass it. So I still have a few days of grace to wait and see. I know that it won’t be any better Friday but I may be able to skim through.

I requested a chance as navigator as their physical requirements is slightly below that of a pilot. However, they have no room in the schools for them right now. I may make it yet so I’m hoping. If I do make navigator I will probably get a furlough with a slight chance of it being permanent until there is room. So let’s hope against hope that I can make it.

I got all new clothes today and it is pretty nice. I got a better grad of stuff than I had before. The garrison here is really swell. It is an officer’s hat with a big silver wing insignia on it. The rest of the stuff is the best of the G.I. issue. So I feel good, it is just like having a new suit.

I heard from Mrs. Gardern today along with Em, Charlie, Mary, a friend of mine in the fifth Field so you see I have a lot to answer. I haven’t received any mail here direct but it will come in a day or so. Will you please excuse me now while I get to answering my other mail? I’ll write more tomorrow.

Love

Bob

November 16, 1942 – Part 1 of Physical Today

Monday Afternoon

Dear Mom + Dad,

Another day of my life as an aviation (cadet) draws to a close and that makes it time for my evening letter home. I took only part of my “64”. Or physical exam today and tomorrow will tell the story. I took only the blood test, urine analysis, x-ray of the chest and last of all a vaccination. Incidentally that is the second one I’ve had since I’ve been in the army. It doesn’t make any difference if you have one or not they give it to you anyway.

Tomorrow will tell the story as to whether I remain an aviation cadet or not. As then I will complete the rest of the exam. It will be then that I will take my eye exam the part that I’m worried about. I’ll write you air mail tomorrow night to let you know how I make out. I don’t care too much really and if I don’t make it I won’t mind too much. As I told you I came in here with the idea of O.C.S. and getting out of the “medics”. I’ve looked at this whole deal optimistically and I ready for whatever comes up. It is rather infectious and I’ve rather fancied the idea of making it but if I can’t all well and good. I have everything to gain and nothing to lose. So tomorrow I will know what is what. Have you got those fingers crossed?

The war news sure looks more encouraging every day. It is about time the army started fighting this war. I only hope that we keep up the good work we have started. Maybe this thing will end soon. At least I sure hope so. – I’ve been thinking a lot about home lately and for no good reason. It has been four months since I was last home and it seems about four years. At least it is nice to look back with pleasant memories. I know I wouldn’t want to be home as things are now as it is my duty to be here. But you can’t help remembering the good times of before and dreaming a little of the future. It is only natural I suppose. So the sooner it is all over the better it will be for all concerned. Enough of this dreaming!

I caught up more or less on my correspondence and now I just have to sit back and wait for it to come in. I haven’t heard from you in quite awhile. Also more of my back mail has been forwarded to me. I image when it does come in I’ll have a heap of it. I’m ready for it though and I should have it in the next few days.

Well that’s all for now. I’ll write again tomorrow.

Love

Bobby

November 15, 1942 – Eye Worries for Physical

Sunday Afternoon

Dear Mom + Dad,

Today has been a rather peaceful day as it is our day of rest. At least they are leaving us alone. I’ve been trying to catch up on my correspondence a little and get off letters to all my friends. I sent out cards with my address but I’m trying to add a little more personal touch. I know a postcard burns me up as it contains very little so I try to do better. I haven’t had the time to do much else up to now.

Tomorrow morning at a quarter of eight I take my physical. I think that I will be messing around a few days taking it. This is the one that worries me because of my eyes. I know that if I get through this one I’ll make it. This is the rough one and the one I flunked before in civilian life. I’m afraid of my eyes and this is one that will bring that out. So keep those fingers cross again for me.

The part that bothers me most is not being able to go to the Px and get stuff. I did manage to get cigarettes and stuff I needed via one of the boys that can go. But I miss running over for a coke or a bar of candy and things like that. Oh well I guess I can stand it. This is the first place I saw where you can’t go to the Px when you’re on restriction.

I’m afraid to get a haircut here as they give you what they call a Kelly Field clip. It is nothing more than a G.I, Hitler, crew, or whatever you want to call it. I just got my hair back from the last one and if I mess up here I don’t want it. If I have to go to Pre Flight I have to have it, but unless I make it I want to keep my hair intact.

I’m sending 2 negatives that I want developed. One is a friend of mine who is now in England. The other is me. If they are any good have a few of me made and ship them to me.

By the way will you send your phone number. I lost it in the shuffle somewhere. I’d like to have it in case of emergency.

I guess that’s all for now. I’ll write tomorrow.

Love

Bob

November 14, 1942 – This Place is Pretty Swell

Saturday Afternoon

Dear Mom + Dad,

I was so darn busy last night that I didn’t get around to writing you. You know I want to write to you as often as possible so in the future I’ll write as near every day as I can. You understand! It seems like an awful long time since I’ve heard from you. In fact I haven’t had any mail in a week for it was one week ago today that I left dear old Camp Young. I guess that has to be expected. I guess I’ll be getting mail in soon as it shouldn’t take quite so long from here.

I still haven’t taken any of my exams as yet. I’m fairly certain I will start on Monday. I take my first and the most important exam then. The “64” or the physical exam. If I get through that I’m set as far as starting out is concerned. I’m in if I pass that two other exams, one to determine which of the three classifications (pilot bombardier + navigator). I’ll be in. The other is to test your coordination and reactions. I’m only worried about the physical the rest I know I can pass. However, I’m willing to take whatever comes up. If I end up in G.D.O. (Ground Duty Only) I’ll still be fairly satisfied. Although there is something about being here that is infectious and you really want to make good. But I’m willing to take anything that the exam brings forth. I know I’m going to be a lot happier in the air corps than I was in the “medics”. If my eyes don’t hold up I go to Sheppard Field, Texas and am assigned from there. I’m going in for O.C.S. if that should happen. Anyway I’m happy about the whole deal come what may.

The course of an aviation cadet has again been lengthen to nine months. I will be here at least 4 1/2 weeks then, if I pass, I go to Pre Flight Ground School and so on up for nine months.

This place is pretty swell. Of course discipline and so forth is a little rough but I don’t mind it. We don’t do an awful lot except attend a few lectures, drill a little and generally mess around. We won’t do anything until we get classified. I imagine most of next week will be taken up by exams. It sure seems good to live in barracks again. I have nice closets, tables to write on, hot showers, beds, sheets, pillows and all the comforts of home. It sure seems good after spending four months in the desert. The only drawback is that we get up too early in the morning. We get up at 5:15A.M. and that is much earlier than I am accustomed too.

My radio is now extinct. I told you I sent it with my barrack bag. Well it came back completely smashed. It was my own fault as I didn’t want to bother to carry it. It was pretty near shot before I left so that’s why I took the chance. I now will get a new second hand one as soon as I get the chance to go to town. I got my five dollars worth out of it so I have no kick coming. Of course I could have preserved it for a short while yet but then I would have had to spend money on it. So I’m not so bad off. There is one in the barracks thus I’m not worried about it.

I now receive the pay of an aviation cadet which is $75 per month. We actually get $105 but they take out $30 for food. You see we are allowed a $1 a day for food but we never see it as it goes right into the mess fund. Incidentally if I should get G.D.O I get my rating as corporal back again in the air corps. In the last three months I’ve been advanced in salary each time. First Pfc $54, Corporal $66, and now AV/C $75. I’ll be a rich man soon.

Well that’s it for now. I’ll try and write tomorrow. Drop me a line as soon as possible.

Love

Bob