December 22, 1942 – 9 Minute Miles!

Tuesday Evening

Dear Mom + Dad,

Your letter arrived and I was very glad to hear from you. I have a mess of letters to answer tonight and I’m on guard duty until 7PM tomorrow night. We walk our posts for 2 hours and are off four hours for 24 hours. It is going to be rough. I don’t go on until 9 tonight for my first 2 hours so I’m trying to get a few letters written today before that time.

I don’t like the idea that Mr. Hopkins expressed in his article. However, I think the teacher that answered him had the right slant on the angle. I don’t believe in militarism and the less we have in the country the better it is going to be.

I received a very nice present from Emily and her mother today for Xmas. Em sent me a nice wallet and Mom sent me some very nice writing paper. Another good feeling steals over me on occasions when I get things like that. It makes me feel that they appreciate your friendship. That brings a warm glow to know your friendship is esteemed. I guess you know what I mean.

I’m not really in the mood to write tonight, I guess this guard has got me down and I haven’t even started as yet.

I ran the cross country course today of 2 miles in 18 minutes. That is as required. I can pass all the 10 physical requirements they have right now, but I’m still not in tip top shape.

Also I was picked to try out for the pre-flight school team. I was one of the eight from our squadron picked to represent us. I’d sure like to make the team but I rather doubt I will. They play in very fast company the team. They have scheduled all the southern colleges here. It is similar to the pre-flight football teams. I’m going to try my best and pray. I may be lucky.

I think that is it for now. I’ll write tomorrow.

Love
Bob

December 21, 1942 – I’ve Put In My First Week (Flight School)

Monday Morning

Dear Mom + Dad,

Today is my day off and it sure seems good to have a little time to myself even though I can’t go anywhere. It is a miserable day so it is just as well.

I’m going to enclose a money order for $40 and send it sometime today when I can get down to the post office. I see no sense in my carrying around $75 in my pocket when I have no place to spend it. So it might just as well go in the bank and draw a little interest for me. I signed the payroll the other day so I should get paid again around the first of the month. I’m leaving myself about $35 and that should be plenty. While on the subject of finance, how does my bank account stand now? I’ve lost track and would like to know. The Christmas presents will deplete it a little so I’d like to know its state.

Here it is only four days away from Christmas and I can’t really believe it. The weather is like summer and there is no Christmas spirit in the air. It will be a sad day I’m afraid this year. We get the day off but it won’t be like the ones I used to know. I know you feel the same way and there are millions like us. It is really too bad but the war has to be won so that in the future perhaps we can have future Christmas’s in peace. I’m going to telegraph you on Christmas to express my wishes. I’d like to phone but I’m afraid it would take too long. However on that day I really will be with you if only in spirit.

I’ll be glad when I get out of pre-flight school and start in actual flying. This isn’t really bad but I’d like to learn how to fly and get this work behind me. Then my life will be more interesting. I’m going through the hardest part as far as discipline is concerned and I will be glad when it is over. You can understand that! It won’t be long now. I’ve put in my first week.

Yesterday I sent you a copy of a paper they put out around here. It is rather good and if you read it you will find a fairly good description of the life I lead.

Our physical training program is really doing me good. Yesterday I ran almost 2 miles and didn’t feel it at all. In a few more weeks I’ll be in wonderful condition. I was really surprised at the condition I was in. I did a lot more than I thought I could do. I guess it must be because I’ve been living a regular life.

What is matter with Sweetheart, is it getting too cold for her? I figured you would shelf her but not until the license ran out. I can remember the trouble I had with the battery last winter. I guess she has seen better days. She will have to do for me after the war as I want to go to school and I won’t be able to afford a new car. Whenever that will be I don’t know but I’m looking forward to it.

I received your letter of Tuesday and enjoyed it very much. You people seem much happier since you’ve been there and I can understand why. You deserve it and I’m glad for your sake.

That’s all for now. I’ll write when I can get a chance again.

Love
Bob

December 19, 1942 – Congo

 Saturday Evening

Dear Mom + Dad,

I neglected to write last night simply because I didn’t have the time.  I had to study and I couldn’t find time at all.  Tonight I have a little extra time as I’m all caught up on my studies.  There is a lot of fun going on around here now as it is the time for the hazing.  This part of it is fun as it takes quite a few humorous twists.  Tonight, I played drums on the footlocker with a congo beat while the rest of the underclassmen form a congo line.  Things like that are fun and you enjoy it.  However there are parts of this that are a lot of baloney and get on your nerves.  However, I’m holding up under it pretty well.

On my table sits my new radio and my old friend Martin Block is on the hit parade.  It sure makes me homesick.  Every time I hear the radio I think of you and how nice a present it was even though I don’t get much chance to listen to it now.  I will though in the future.

Speaking of presents I received a very nice one today from the Service men’s Auxiliary.  They sent me a very nice wallet and believe me it will come in handy as I needed one.  I haven’t had a new one in about 3 years and naturally the old one was rather beaten up.  My main problem will be to find time to write a letter of thanks.

On Monday we get open bill.  That is our one day off during the week.  The upper classmen have open post and we have the day off but can’t go out.  Also we are going to get Xmas day off so that will be 2 days off next week.  I guess Xmas will be sad but it can’t be helped.  I’d love to be home for the holiday but I have a job to do here so here I must be.  Maybe next Xmas will be different.

If you can find an old athletic supporter around the house send it to me.  I need one for Physical trg – and you can’t buy them anymore.  They are getting me in good shape in a hurry.  I signed up to play on our squadron basketball team so maybe I’ll see some action in that a little later on.  I played a little today and it felt good.

That’s all for now.

Love
Bob

December 17, 1942 – First Day of Class

Thursday Evening

Dear Mom + Dad,

I shouldn’t be writing this letter but I am. It is now our study period and we are supposed to study. However so far the work is based on everything I’ve had before and is very easy so I’m taking the time out.

We started our first day of classes today and it was rather easy. Our morning is taken up by drill and physical education. In the afternoon we attend classes. I’m taking three courses, Math, Ground Forces, and Code. They are all very easy so far. I’ll take more as time progresses.

The upper classmen don’t bother us quite so much now but they are still on our tails quite a lot. I don’t mind it as yet. However I’m afraid it will get on my nerves after awhile as lesser things than that have before. So if I gripe a little later on you will know why. I know it is all for my good and after it is all over I’ll have something so take it with a grain of salt.

I got a letter from Mr. Campbell today my coach at N.P. It was very nice as it pictured days that I used to know and brought back memories.

Well I must study a little so I’ll close now. Lets hear from you.

Love
Bobby

December 16, 1942 – My Day Today

  

Wednesday Evening

Dear Mom + Dad,

Another day has passed in my new life.  We have an hour and a half off every night for studying when we can’t be bothered by upper-classmen.  Of course starting tomorrow we will have classes and then I will have to study but tonight I have time to myself.  I’ll try and give you a brief picture of my day today.

We were awakened at 6 AM, at five minutes after we fell out completely dressed for reveille.  After that we had to clean up the barracks and clean up ourselves.  At 7 A.M. we ate chow and when we eat we eat at strict attention on 3 inches of our stool, eyes straight ahead, eat square means, that is life up our food and do everything at right angles like this (see drawing on image of letter).  We have to answer all sorts of questions which require long answers, prescribed beforehand.  Then at any time during the day we are subject to a brace.  A brace is exaggerated attention and when you’re in it you can even talk as you’re so strained.  Any time during the day we can be put in one by any upperclassmen.  We then had a series of orientation lectures which tell us what goes on around here.  At various times during the day we go through a series of hazing and believe me we do everything foolish.  However, it really isn’t so bad as I take it all with a grin and a grain of salt.  I imagine though after 4 ½ weeks of taking all this it will get tiresome.  However I believe I can take it even though it will be plenty tough for awhile.

I was picked as honor guard today to carry our flight flag.  The flag itself is more or less a joke but the boys try to make it serious.  It is a lot of baloney but I take it in the spirit of fun.  Just keep hoping that I make out all right.  I know when I get through here I can say I went through two of the toughest places in the army.  Pre-flight school and desert maneuvers.  Maybe I’ll be a soldier yet.

Well I must close now as I have a few more letters to write.  I’ll try and write again as soon as I can.  Lets hear from you soon.  I’m doing fine even though I have it pretty rough.

Love
Bobby

December 15, 1942 – A Lowly Underclassman

Tuesday Evening

Dear Mom + Dad,

I just went through one of the roughest days of my life and I’m afraid I have quite a few more ahead of me. I am now an underclassman and believe me, at least, to the upper classmen they are lower and lower. I’ve suffered all sorts of belittlement at their hands and I will until I become an upperclassmen in 4 ½ weeks from now. You see our 9 week pre-flight course is to be divided into 2 periods, one as a lower and the other as an upper classman. The system itself is based on the plebe system at West Point and is pretty rough. You do all sorts of silly things. It is very similar to a fraternity initiation. I went through initiation and have seen a few and this is a lot tougher. For 4 ½ weeks I’m going to have to take all sorts of baloney until I make upper class. I can stand it though even though I know I’m not going to like it. They claim it will make a soldier out of you. How I don’t know but that is what they say.

From here in I won’t have but very little time to myself and won’t get much chance to write. However whenever I can I will but if my letters are far and few between you will know I haven’t forgotten you but just don’t have the time. I know you’ll understand. Every minute of my day is rationed now.

It is going to be awfully rough but I can take it I hope. At least I’m going to do my best at the deal. I asked for this so I’m going to take it. Probably when I get through it will be worth it. Well I must close now. I’ll write again as soon as humanly possible. Maybe tomorrow I can squeeze in a little more time. My address is on the outside.

Love
Bob

December 14, 1942 – Pre-flight School, Radio, and a Writing Secretary

Monday Evening

Dear Mom + Dad,

If I ever get this letter written it will be a miracle as things are sure in a dither. The boys are all packing up getting ready to move over to the pre-flight school. Yes little Bobby is on the list to move to Kelly Field for pre-flight too. We move over across the road to really start my training as an aviation cadet. I have my bags all packed an am ready to move over at 7:30AM tomorrow morning.

Sitting on the table before me is something that I really think is wonderful. Yes my radio arrived today and believe me I think it is really swell. It is a marvelous little set and I know it will bring me many hours of entertainment. I hope you don’t mind my using my Christmas present ahead of time. Thank you very much, it is one of the nicest presents I’ve ever had. I just can’t get over it. It sure is a nice set. It is just the right size and everything. I’m tickled pink with it. Thank you again!

Also this noon I received another thing that pleased me very much to(sic). I got a letter and a present from Mr + Mrs Keefe, Russ’s parents. They sent me a very nice writing secretary. It sure is nice to receive things like that as I feel that it shows they think something of you. I appreciate it tremendously. Russ has moved from Hawaii to, Mrs Keefe thinks, Australia. They haven’t heard from him since Nov. 6 but he hinted that he was moving there but she isn’t sure just where he is.

All in all it has been a busy and exciting day, several nice things have happened all at once. I now go into the tough part of my training the breaking in part. I know I’m going in for some rough days but when it is all over it will probably be worth it. So tomorrow morning I have to start being on the ball. I don’t really mind as I want to go through with this if I can. I don’t know if I will be able to write often as they claim once you get over there you don’t have time for anything. So if letters are few and far between you’ll understand why. I’m going to write as often as I possibly can. As soon as I find out what my address is I’ll mail it to you. My mail, of course will be forwarded to me as I’m only moving two or 3 hundred yards away from here. It will be the shortest jump I’ve ever made in the army.

I was going to send you money home when I was in town but I just didn’t get around to it. I don’t think I’ll be able to find time to send it now so I’ll hang on to it for awhile. I really hate to carry it around but I guess it will be all right. It’s always better to have a little to spare in case of an emergency so everything will be all right I guess.

I’m enclosing some pictures I took a week ago. There are pretty good. I’ll have more at various times so hang on to these for me.

Well that’s it for now! I’m listening to the telephone hour on my new radio and they just said not to call on Xmas day. I don’t think I’ll be off to do it anyway so I’ll telegraph. Thank you again for the radio. I’ll write tomorrow.

Love
Bob

December 13, 1942 – Christmas Cards

Sunday Afternoon

Dear Mom + Dad,

I’ve neglected you something awful in the last few days. I just couldn’t find time to write and when I did have the time I just didn’t have the inclination so I finally am getting down to it. This afternoon I’m going to get out all of my Christmas card too. I have a list of some thirty odd I want to send and they’ll have to go out very shortly now. So you can see I have much work cut out for me.

I finally did get out on open post on Friday and had a pretty good time. I tried to buy some things for Christmas but couldn’t find a darn thing so I gave up in disgust. I ended up buying only Christmas cards. I ran into a nice girl and went out with her and had a wonderful time. The only trouble was that we had to be in by 10 P.M. so I had to leave early. Believe it or not but I received a letter from her so you can see I made a hit (oh yeah!) I really did have a lot of fun and I’d like to get out a little more often. Once a month isn’t quite enough to please me.

This morning we went over to pre-flight school to hear a talk by General Arnold, head of the Air Force. 20,000 cadets turned out for it and it sure was an impressive sight. Of course it wasn’t very much fun being part of 20,000 standing around to listen to him. We stood almost two hours. He made a very short and rather interesting speech so it really wasn’t too bad. I’ve told you about the baloney I have gone through for these big shots and this wasn’t bad as it could have been. The only bad feature was that it had to come on my day off and ruin a half a day for us.

I think that I will go over to pre-flight school around Tuesday. It is fairly certain that all of us will move out sometime this week to pre-flight. I’d like to make this shipment but I’m inclined to doubt that I will. However, I’ll know soon enough so I’m hoping for the best.

I received your letter of Tuesday night on Friday when I came back from open post. I was very interested in your letter. You mentioned G.I. I thought you knew what that meant as I explained it when I was home. But for your edification it means “Government Issue”. It can apply in several ways a soldier is a G.I., for the issues is G.I. but I guess you can figure it out from there.

I received a nice Christmas card from Mrs. Dever. I still hadn’t written to her but I will sometime soon. Leona’s husband is going in the army this week. Bobby goes in March. So after that the mother + daughter will be all alone. I still puzzled as to Jimmy’s whereabouts.

Another one of my friends is in Africa. I don’t know if you knew him or not. Mario Tucci. He lives below us on Washington St. and I’ve gone around with him on + off for the last year. I also use to ride the trains with him. Dad probably remembers him as the fat boy that used to ride up from the station with me. The boys I know are beginning to really get in the fight now.

I haven’t received my radio as yet but I will soon now. It will probably take longer than usual because of the Christmas rush. I’m waiting for it quite anxiously. I hope it comes soon.

Well I must start my cards. I’ll write tomorrow.

Love
Bobby

December 10, 1942 – My Open Post Delayed a Day

Thursday Evening

Dear Mom + Dad,

It happened, here it is open post and little Bobby is a home writing his usual letter. They stuck me on K.P. and I finished up this afternoon. Naturally with open post from 10 to 10 I didn’t go. However, because of the fact that I was on K.P. today I get to go from 10 to 10 tomorrow so I’m going to get my open post anyway. The only thing I dislike about it is that all my buddies went today and tomorrow I’ll have to go alone. I don’t really mind though as I’ve gone to town alone before and had wonderful times. I can do it again.

I got paid today; my first pay as an aviation cadet. I received a grand total of $76.84. I’m going to send a money order home to you when I get into town tomorrow. I have over $90 in my pocket now and I don’t want to carry that much around with me; then to I don’t get much chance to spend it. Imagine I’ll send home around $30 as there is no telling when I will get paid next. I owe you $20 from back a bit. Use the rest as part of the money needed to buy my Christmas present. Will you please use these things as I want you to do it. Don’t go buying Christmas presents for me out of your own money. For as you know I have all I need plus a little extra to send home once in awhile and I want the Christmas presents to come from me even though I don’t buy them.

I am going to a U.S.O musical show tonight called Flying Colors. It is supposed to be pretty good so I imagine I will enjoy myself very much.

Well that’s all for now. I’ll write Saturday as tomorrow I will be in town.

Love
Bobby