March 6, 1943 - Grounded Because of Rain

 Saturday Morning

 

Dear Mom + Dad,

              

We’ve been grounded now for two days in a row because of a rainy spell.  We are liable to staty down for a few days unless things clear up.  We’re now shooting landings and if the field is muddy you can’t do it because it would tear the field up too much.  I think it will do me good to have a few days lay off.  When it rains or isn’t good flying weather we get a half day off with nothing to do.

Yesterday afternoon they were very good to us and gave us open post from 1 to 7 P.M. and so we went to town.  That means of course that we will fly this Sunday providing the weather is all right.  I don’t know whether we will get out tonight or not but I have hopes that we will.  I imagine if we do it will be from 7 to 11 and not give us much time.  But at least, that is better than nothing.  I didn’t do much of anything in town yesterday except bowl a few games and run around town but it was worth just to get a way for a while.

I received you letter yesterday and today my Readers Digest caught up with me from San Antonio, so I’m all set in that regards.  Yes, when we leave they know our forwarding address and the mail get to you soon or later.

I’m enclosing a check for $5 I just received from Uncle Sam as payment for my traveling expenses down here.  It is a lot of bother to cash it and I don’t need it anyway so I’ll let you dispose of it.  OK?  Do what you want with it, buy yourself a pair of shoes or something, I don’t care.  $5 means nothing with all the money I seem to have lately.

That’s all for now.  I’ll write again tomorrow.

 

                             

All my love

Bobby

 

March 4, 1943 - Reach Proficiency?

     Thursday Evening

 

Dear Mom + Dad,

               Two nights have passed since I last wrote to you so I will take time out tonight and write to you.  I received your Sunday night letter yesterday and all is forgiven on missing the Thursday letter, incidentally I did miss it.  The mail seems to come in on time and I have the scheduled figured out.  It isn’t like San Antonio, thank goodness.

               I’d like to report to you that things are going fine but honestly I can’t.  My flying is not coming up to par as I had mentioned before.  I know darn well I can fly the ship but the question is whether I’m going to absorb it as fast as the army requires.  I’m beginning to show a little lag in my progress.  I now have a total of seven hours, and as you know between 8 and 10 are scheduled solo hours.  I need a few more hours before I’m ready to solo.  There is just nothing I can do about it.  Goodness know I’m trying as hard as I can.  I still have faith that I can make it but the reckoning hour is drawing near.  I know I can fly to but I may require a few more hours to reach proficiency than the army wants to give me.  Don’t feel bad about it as I’m nowhere near washing out and I’m not anywhere near that.  The next week or so will really tell the story so we’ll all wish a little harder this week and I have faith that everything will turn out for the best.

               The weather down here has certainly been cold for a change.  It is hard on me as I’ve been in a warm climate so much in the last year that I’m not accustomed to it.  I wouldn’t be surprised if we had a little snow tomorrow as it is clouding over and it looks like a storm.  That would sure be fun to see for the first time since I left home last year.  However, if we got bad weather we might not get Sunday off as we would have to fly if we get to far back on our time.  So far we are ahead of schedule so I think we’ll get it anyway.

               I’m now shooting landings, the last step before solo.  It is coming slowluy but I still have a little trouble with them.  I’ll get it though.  You mention spins in your letter and I can really do those now, get in them, pull out, etc.  Flying is really a thrill and I still get a kick out of it.

               That’s the news for now.  

 

                             

All my love

Bobby

March 2, 1943 - Having Some Doubts

Tuesday Evening

Dear Mom + Dad,

               Another day dawns to a close and I’m sitting down again to write you.  Today was a cold dreary day with snow in the air and some of the came down.  We are flying mornings this week and we have managed to fly today before the real bad weather sets in.  It was sure cold up there in those open planes but they manage to bundle us up very well.  You should see our flying suits.  They are leather and line with sheepskin and are complete from boots (lined) right up to helmets + includes lined pants and jacket.  They are really warm and you look like an eskimo bundled up in them.

               Things in flying aren’t going the way I would like them.  For some reason it doesn’t seem to be coming the way I’d want it to.  If things don’t pick up soon I’ll find myself going back to the army again.  I’m not kidding and I want you to know how I’m doing.  Goodness knows I’m doing all I can it just seems I’m not catching on fast enough.  Perhaps I’m being a little optimistic about it but that’s how I feel about by progress right now.  I’ve really had no word from my instructor but I can feel it.  It’s not that I can’t fly it that I may need a little more time that the army wants to allot me.  Don’t feel bad about it as I don’t as I’ve had no indications of washing out, this is just my idea on my progress.  Lets forget it now and hope that the future will change my viewpoint.

               We got paid today for the month of February.  I received $65.72 clear and I’m carting around over a $100 in my pocket.  If I can get around to it I may send some home.  However, the future is so uncertain that I may keep it in case anything should happen.  It seems that I’ve had more money than I can spend lately.  It seems now when I get down to $30 that I’m almost broke.  It’s just that I don’t get a chance to spend it.  Yes I do get off now and then but even then I don’t spend much.

               I’ve been waiting to hear from you the last few days and I guess you forgot my usual Thursday letter.  By the way did you notify Readers Digest for my change of address?  I’ve noticed the new one is out and I haven’t received my copy as yet.

               Well that’s the story for tonight.  Keep those fingers crossed for me.

                

              

All my love

Bobby

March 1, 1943 - Weekend Open Post in Pine Bluff

Monday Morning

Dear Mom + Dad,

               I neglected you for the past two days simply because I’ve been busy observing Pine Bluff on my open post.  It was at least an interesting if not too fruitful from the standpoint of women.  I did go out with one on Saturday night but it wasn’t what I was looking for.  Then on Sunday I passed up a blind date that one of my buddies want to fix me up with.  I rean into him and the girl in the afternoon and I’ve been kicking myself ever since for not taking her out.  Now all I have is he phone number and a darn good prospect for a date next Saturday.  I spent a good part of the afternoon with my instructor, Mr Skipper, who is really marvelous, both as and instructor and as a man.  At the Oasis (a night club) Sunday afternoon I got involved in a jam session with a cadet who plays piano.  I played with him on the drums and we had a great time and incidentally collected quite an audience to watch and hear us play.  Didn’t know I was a show off did you?  All in all the weekend was a pretty good time.  The cadets really rate in town and the people treat you wonderfully.  You just can’t ask for more that we have right here.

               We are not flying today because of bad weather.  It rained last night but is is clear now and the sun is shining.  However the haze is very thick and visibility for flying is very poor.  Thus we are grounded.  I just hope we don’t miss too many days in any one week for if you do you have to fly Sunday.  Our flying time is just about on schedule but a few bad days could ruin it completely.

               This is all for now.  If I receive a letter from you today I’ll try and write again tonight.

                

              

All my love

Bobby

February 26, 1943 - Can Take Off & Land / Now Precision Flying

Dear Mom + Dad,

               I suppose that you notice that my writing has thinned down a little.  The reason was that my pen really had a regular groove worn in so I got to filing the point down sharper.  It is about time I did that.  It really writes a lot better now.  My mail finally caught up with me today and I received six letters which means I will be busy answering them for a while.  Your letter also arrived in the batch with the rest along with the one that was sent back.  Thanks for the picture of Mary, it really isn’t a bad a shot of either one.  I’m happy for the kid and I hope she makes out all right, but I’m sure she will.

               My flying time is beginning to creep up slowly but surely.  I passed the four hour mark today.  In another four hours we’re do for solo flying.  I can take it off and land it so I think I may be able to solo.  At least I can get up and come down in one piece.  I’ve been through most of the maneuvers now and it is getting now that you are required to do precision flying.  It is rather hard an it takes time but I think I can make it.

               We are getting open post tomorrow night and Sunday and I will get my first chance to see Pine Bluff.  We will be off from 7 P.M. to 1 A.M. Saturday night and from 7AM to 7AM on Sunday.  All in all a good deal.  I feel that I need the time off to o as the routine gets me down once in a while. 

               I heard from Booky today and he has been accepted for O.C.S. at the armored force school in Fort Knox, Kty.  He is trying to get a furlough while he is waiting (his) turn to go.  I hope he has some good luck.

               I must get on to some of my other correspondence so forgive if I quit here.

                  

All my love

Bobby

February 24, 1943 - Bad Weather - Grounded

Wednesday Evening

Dear Mom + Dad,

              

               Your letter of Sunday night arrived today, the first one that cane here direct.  It was sure good to hear from you.  The mail seems to come in pretty fast around here.  Your Sunday letter left Monday morning and I got it this morning, you couldn’t ask for more.  It will be a pleasure after the poor situation I had in San Antonio.

               I suppose by this time you are pretty well informed of my flying experiences.  Today we have bad weather and were grounded all day.  It wasn’t raining but the clouds hung low and visibility was poor.  As a consequence there wasn’t a P.T. (primary trainer) up all day.  When you have bad weather you have a half day off, the time you would normally be on the flying line.  It was nice to have the time off and to lay around.  However, it just means that we will have to make up the flying time later.

               I guess we are going to get an open port on Saturday night and possibly Sunday, if we don’t have to make up flying time.  I don’t think we will make it up this week though so we’ll probably get off.

               I’m glad to hear Dick Clarke is doing well in primary.  I agree with him it is a tough job but it is thrilling and flying is a lot of fun.  I’m really nuts about the flying part of this.  Will you try again to get Dick’s address?  I think you sent it once and I lost it and never did use it.  I’d really like to drop the kid a line.         

               Well that’s all I have time for now as I must hit the books a little.  

              

All my love

Bobby

February 23, 1943 - ". .the earth comes spinning at you crazily."

Tuesday Evening

Dear Mom + Dad,

               And so another day at primary draws to a close and thus come the time for another letter home.  Today was a good day for me on the flying line and everything seemed to go well.  Yesterday I was rather disgusted as I had a bad day but today I really had the feel of the plane.  It’s funny how your idea changes on it from day to day.  You’re up one day and discouraged the next.

               The old routine is beginning to slow up again.  I’m so darn tired of living under military surveillance that it just gets me down.  I’d sure like to be a free man and be able to do what I wanted again.  I know what it is I’m just getting tired of it all.  I really think I need a furlough but I have to still plug along and keep the old chin up.  I’m not really discouraged, on the contrary, but I guess you know what I mean.

               As I said before my flying seems to be coming along swell and I’m getting a big kick out of it.  Today, my instructor put me in my first spin and that is a terrific sensation.  You climb straight up into nothing and then the plane stalls, you fall off the and the earth comes spinning at you crazily.  It is a wonderful sensation that you just can’t describe.

               I now have a total of 2 ½ hours in the air and though that isn’t very much, I’m beginning to get the hang of it.  In 8-10 hours you are supposed to solo and the time really does seem to mount up.  The next week and half will probably tell the story as then the wash outs will really start.  I’m not worried as I think I’m going to squeeze through.  However, you can never tell just how your are doing for sure, so I still have my fingers crossed.  Regardless of what happens it has been a lot of fun and I really have enjoyed it.  As I said before I think I’m going to make it!  Just keep praying for me.

               This weekend I’m expecting to take in Pine Bluff.  If the weather continues nice and we get our flying time in we will have the weekend off.  From all reports the town is really the stuff.  It seems that the cadets really rate as we are the only military personnel in the vicinity.  From the stories I’ve heard it is really paradise.  Well, we’ll soon find out.

               I guess that’s all for now.  I should be hearing from you direct very soon now as I’ve been here a week.  Mail doesn’t have so far to travel anymore.

              

All my love

Bobby

February 22, 1943 - 1 Hour 45 Minutes In the Air

Monday Evening

Dear Mom + Dad,

               I neglected you last night simply because I had received a few letter and I want to keep caught up on them so please forgive me,  I’m now a fairly experienced pilot and have one hour and 45 minutes in the air.  Of course that is a mere scratch on the 60 I have to have before we leave primary.  I am beginning to see where I’m showing a little progress.  I’m still not at home at all but I can see a slight pick up each day.  It is really great fun and I enjoy the flying part of it immensely.

               The half of a day that we are not on the flying line is spent in ground school.  Compared to pre-flight we have not time at all and I thought that we had no time there.  It sure keeps you on your toes.

               In flying today I took the plane off and managed to wobble it up in the air.  I also made the most of landing too.  You just don’t waste any time in learning the maneuvers.  I have confidence that I can make it but you can’t tell.  It seems that everything comes so fast that you’ll never learn.  I still have my fingers crossed.  However, all in all, it is a lot of fun and I like it immensely.

               Not much else to tell you about except about the flying I’m doing and I’ve told you most of that so I’ll call it quits for tonight.  I’ll write you again tomorrow if I can find the time.

              

All my love

Bobby

Grider Field "Into the Blue" - 2/20/43 Edition

  

February 20, 1943 - First Flight

Saturday Evening

Dear Mom + Dad,

               Your Sunday evening letter caught up with me today and it seemed swell to hear from you.  Will you give my best to Harold and Mariam and tell them I got a kick out of the pictures of Lee and the letter.  That kid sure has grown since I saw him in June.  But then I suppose that’s natural as eight months has gone by since then.  It seems like an awful long time since I was last home and I guess it is.  I will say that I’ve enjoyed my life more since I’ve been in the air corps that I did in the “medics”.  Of course it hasn’t been a happy time but I’ve liked my work much more and I’ve had better treatment all along the line.

               Today it happened!  I went up for the first time.  It was really a big thrill to get up there in the sky and fly around.  We were kept on the ground for 2 hours because of poor visibility and as a consequence we lost a lot of time.  Each instructor has five students under him and as a consequence I got only 21 minutes.  Perhaps the biggest thrill of all was when we climbed to 2000 ft and the instructor says take over.  It sure is a strange feeling being up there at those controls for the first time.  It isn’t as easy as it looks to control that darn thing.  I managed to zigzag it along for a short while.  I can see now why so many wash out.  For if you can’t get the feel of the plane in the time allotted to you, you wash out.  I think I can do it but you can’t tell yet.  I’ve still got my fingers crossed.  Regardless it is a big thrill and I know I’m going to like it.

               We go up again tomorrow for another crack at it to try and catch up a little on the time we lost because of the bad weather. It rained a little afternoon but it looks like it will be clear again.

               There is only one bad feature of our life here.  For some ungodly reason they won’t let us have a radio.  I had to turn mine in the other day to be returned at the time I leave.  I’ve never heard of anything like that before in the army but it is regulations here so I have to abide by them.  I’m sure going to miss that little jute box.  Outside of that everything is fine and I love it.

               If the weather continues good next week, we should have an open post next weekend on Saturday night and all day Sunday.  I will then get my first chance to look the town over.  I hear that it is really swell and that the cadets really rate.

               I’m going to send you a copy of the paper of the school here in a separate envelop.  I imagine it will aid you in understanding my new life.

               I guess that’s the story for tonight.  I’ll try and get another note off tomorrow night.  However, if you don’t hear from me it is because I’m busy.  Incidentally I mailed you on my average in pre flight as an upperclassmen I got my marks.  Just before I left and it was 91% instead of 89% which is just a little better.

              

All my love

Bobby

February 19, 1943 - Flying Tomorrow

Friday Evening

Dear Mom + Dad,

               I have a few minutes so I will drop you a few lines.  I didn’t get up in the air today but I take my first trip up tomorrow, the first thing in the morning.  However today we did start one of the OT’s up, and learn all the procedure.  I’m really taking an interest in it and I’m looking forward to that first flight tomorrow.  I will then get my first crack at flying as they let you do a little straight flying even on your first trip.  I still don’t know anything about it but the sooner I give it a try the better.  I feel I can do it but I still have my fingers crossed.

               I’m really tinkled pink with this whole set up.  We have swell instructors both flying and school.  The school itself is run by civilians and is only supervised by the army.  That makes it nice.  We really live like kings here and I think I’m going to like it.  Flying looks like a lot of fun.  The only drawback is that we have less time here than we did in pre-flight, believe it or not.  That wasn’t much as I guess you know and now it is less so figure it out for yourself.

               That’s the story for tonight.  I’ll try and write again tomorrow.

              

All my love

Bobby

February 18, 1943 - "...Living Conditions Here are Top Notch..."

Thursday Morn

Dear Mom + Dad,

               I have a few minutes to myself so I’m going to start a letter to you and give you a few more details than I did last night.  Let’s start back in San Antonio.

               On Monday night Peg came out to supper and she got a terrific kick out of it.  Previous to her coming that afternoon we had of all things two parades, one at three, the other at four.  That sure was a fine way for us to end up our career in flight.  It made us as mad as the devil at the time but that’s all behind now.

               We had to get up at 2:30AM and I didn’t get to bed until almost 12.  I didn’t get very much sleep.  We ate breakfast and took off for the train.  Naturally the train wasn’t there.  After waiting about an hour it finally got there.  Thus started our trip almost.  The distance from camp to San Antonio is about five miles.  To go those five miles it took just about three hours.  We laid over in San Antonio for all that time be we couldn’t get off the train so it didn’t do us any good.  There wasn’t anything unusual about the rest of the train ride except the length of time it took us to get here.  The darn train seemed to go awful slow, in fact it did.  It took us almost a day and half to travel 600 miles, so figure it out yourself.

               We pulled into Pine Bluff about 2:00PM yesterday and boarded buses to come out to the field.  Then we signed a few papers, ate, assigned to barracks, unpacked, got our books, etc.  In doing those things we spent the rest of the day and evening.  Then a slower, shave, wrote to you and then to bed on my innerspring mattress.  I really slept on that thing last night.  It was swell.  In fact the living conditions here are top notch, good food and good quarters.

               We start out on our schedule of classes today.  I think that tomorrow we will go up for our first flight and possibly even today.  They don’t waste anytime on us here.  I’m ready for it, as I’m anxious to find out whether I can fly of not.  Let’s hope so.

               The field itself is not very large.  The only ones here are the cadets and there are not too many of them.  It will get increasingly smaller as we start flying as almost 50-80 of us are destined to wash out unless we should have an unusual group.  That seems like a high percentage but this is where they begin to take the toll on us as we do actual flying.

               We get weekends off most of the time.  From 7 to 11 on Saturday night and from 7 to 7 on Sunday.  So at least we will have a little time off now and then.  I’m not quite sure just how out time off works but the above is reliable as far as I can determine.

               I guess that’s about all the dope I can give you now.  I’m hoping for the best and I’ll try my darnedest to make it.  Write me soon.

              

All my love

Bobby

February 17, 1947 - arrived at Grider Field, Pine Bluff, Arkansas

Wednesday Evening

Dear Mom + Dad,

               Here I am in primary and all set to go.  We pulled in here about 2:30 this afternoon and have spent the day going through the usual procedures on arrival at a new spot.  I have just finished getting all set up and am all unpacked.  This letter will have to be short as the time in very near for lights out.

               Pine Bluff looks like a good deal.  The place here is really swell and we have the best of everything.  You should see the inner spring mattress’s we have on our beds.  Some of the boys were assigned to rooms but I wasn’t fortunate enough to get one.  However in about a month I will be transferred to one.  Despite not getting a room we sure have fine barracks.

               We start out right on a schedule of school tomorrow.  I imagine the day after that will be on our first flight.  That sure will be a big thrill for me.  I’m enclosing a picture card with the little jobs we fly and some of our surroundings.  It will give you an ideal of it all.  I’m all for it and I hope I can get through it all.  Keep your fingers crossed!

               Our trip down here was rather uneventful as are most of the trips like that.  Not much interesting scenery just sitting around and waiting to arrive.  I did stop off at Forth Worth for supper and that is a nice town.  Before I left Peg came out and saw me on Monday and we had a good time that evening.

               I’ll have to quit for now.  I think I will be pressed for time around here too.  So I’ll try by best on writing to you as much and often as I can.  Wish me luck.

              

              

All my love

Bobby

February 16, 1943 - Forth Worth

Dear Folks,

Stopping off in Ft. Worth on way to primary.  A pretty nice place.  I'll write when I get in.  

Love Bob

February 15, 1943 - All Set to Leave

Monday Evening

Dear Mom + Dad,

               I’m all set to leave now.  All my stuff is gone except for a small bag I brought with my personal belongings in it.  We get up at 2:30AM this morning to take off.  I don’t suppose we’ll leave for a few hours after that but we still have to get up.  I can’t see where I’m going to get a lot of sleep tonight.  I don’t even think I’ll go to bed as there isn’t much point to it.  That remains to be seen.

               We have nothing to do but hang around today.  I don’t have to meet any formations or anything.  I guess I’ll relax a little as I imagine I’ll be rather tired in the next few days.  I’m really looking forward to this trip.  I will be finally starting on my flying career.  I don’t know how I’ll make out but I have confidence in myself so lets hope for the best as primary will tell the story.

               I guess I’ve told you a half a dozen times Peg is coming out tonight but I expect to have a good time so I just have to include it in this letter.

               Well Mom + Dad, I’ll probably get a letter from you in mail call.  So I’ll quit now until I hit primary, then I’ll write to you as soon as possible.

              

              

 All my love

Bob

February 14, 1943 - Packing

Sunday Evening

Dear Mom + Dad,

               Things are in a horrible dither around here.  They just told us that we have to have everything packed and ready by 7 A.M. tomorrow morning.  I have most of my stuff packed but I’m still in an awful mess.  We are leaving for Pine Bluff early Tuesday morning.  The haven’t told us just what exactly what time but we have to be there Wednesday and it is a 700 or 800 mile trip from here.

               Yesterday we had a turnabout day and it was a lot of fun for all of us.  The underclassman really poured it on us but its all in the spirit of fun and I myself got a kick out of it.

               I went to the tea dance this afternoon at our service club.  It wasn’t much of a dance but at least it broke the monotony of hanging around.  Peg is coming out tomorrow night and I will have an interesting session then.

               Please excuse me I have to get on with my packing.  I’ll write you as soon as I hit Pine Bluff by air mail.  So if you don’t hear from me you know I’m in route.

              

All my love

Bobby

February 11, 1943 - Shipping Out Next Week

Thursday Evening

Dear Mom + Dad,

               

       Well our dance has come and gone and a very good time was had by all.  Peg came out and we enjoyed every minute of the dance.  It was fun!  Our own cadet band furnished the music and they were very good. 

          

       The latest dope on our shipping orders are that we are moving out on Tuesday or Wednesday.  As yet our destination is unannounced.  I should know in a day or so just where I’m going as they usually tell you before you leave where you’re going.  I’m really looking forward to primary as I guess you know.  This will be the turning point of the whole deal and I sure hope I can fly the army way.  It won’t be long before I find out.

      

         Remember I told you about the wonderful summer weather we were having; it turned colder then the devil last night and so another cold wave hits Texas.  You can’t predict this weather at all, one day hot the next day freezing.

         It is late now and it is almost time for lights out so I must quit.  I will try to write again tomorrow.

              

All my love

Bobby

February 13, 1943 - One Year in the Army!

Saturday Evening

Dear Mom + Dad,

               I have some choice news for you tonight.  I now know where I’m going for my primary training.  They told us today and our whole group is going to one place.  Our destination is Pine Bluff, Arkansas, near Little Rock.  I don’t know very much about the place but from all reports it is a good deal.    Personally, I’m in favor of it as it will give me incite on a different part of the country.  I don’t know just when we will leave but it will probably be Tuesday or at the latest Wednesday.  Naturally it makes me rather happy.

               Today is my first years anniversary in the army.  I’m starting on my second year now.  It has been a long hard year but then to it has been a worthwhile experience.

               Then today was a turnabout day and the underclassman got back at us.  However it was a lot of fun and I really got a kick out of it.  But that’s all behind now and we have our trip to look forward to now.

               Peg is coming out to see me on Monday night.  In all probability my last night here.  She’s a good kid and I hate to leave but you can’t help it.  Perhaps Pine Bluff may have another connection for me as good as Peg.  Lets hope so.

               I’m going to quit now as it is nearing lights out.  We have open bill and a day off tomorrow so I’ll try to give you more details then. 

All my love

Bobby

February 10, 1943 ...driving a convertible with the roof down, a beautiful day, and a nice girl beside me

Wednesday Evening

Dear Mom + Dad,

               Your letter of Sunday night arrived today and I was glad to hear from you.  Mom!  you had better come down here and stay for awhile.  The last five days have been really marvelous, warm, sunny, and wonderfully clear.  It would sure do you a world of good.  However, the weather down isn’t so wonderful as it is so darn changeable.  Tomorrow it just as liable to snow.  You can’t count on it from one minute to the next.  Regardless the last few days have been really swell.

               I have open post yesterday and had a really wonderful time.  I didn’t do much until 5PM when I had my date with Peg.  Then I did something that was really fun.  We went for a ride all over the country side around here.  Can you picture me driving a convertible with the roof down, a beautiful day, and a nice girl beside me?  Believe me it was really enjoyable.  I drove out all around Randolph Field, “The West Point of the Air”, it is a beautiful place.  I was out there about the time all the basic trainers (BT19’s) were returning home and it was a wonderful sight to see them coming in for a landing.  Peg and I then went to “The Tower” our favorite night spot around here for a little dancing.  All and all a grand time.

               Believe it or not we are off all afternoon as there is no more school for us.  It seems good just to sit around and relax a little and not have any school work to worry about.

               I got paid a little while ago.  I received $50 even.  It isn’t very much as they deducted our food for half of this month out of it.  However, next month we will catch up and balance the books.  It is plenty for me as I still had $25 left from last month’s pay.

               Tonight we have our graduation dance at the service club.  Naturally Peg is coming out to go with me so I expect to have a good time tonight too.

               Speculation is running rampant around here as to our destination.  As yet we haven’t found out a good guess would be Tulsa, Oklahoma, or in that vicinity.  It doesn’t make a awful lot of difference though.  I’d like to go to some part of the country I haven’t seen.  I’ve seen too much of Texas already although San Antonio itself isn’t bad.  I’ll let you know as soon as I hear myself.

               That’s all for now.  I’ll write again tomorrow.

              

All my love

Bobby

February 8, 1943 - Flight School Completed

Monday Evening

Dear Mom + Dad,

Your Thursday night letter arrived today and naturally I was glad to get your Christmas card.  It sure beats me as to how those letters got lost but they did and I guess that’s all that can be said about it.  I suppose by this time you know I received the February issue of Readers Digest, so that’s settled.

I am now through school completely and will do nothing but a lot of baloney until shipping time which is next week.  I took my final physics test today and got an 88.  I made a few simple mistakes and missed two problems.  I never should have made them but I didn’t take my time.  I ended up upperclass with the following averages in the following subjects, physics 84, battleships 88, maps and charts 95.  A grand aggregate of an average of 89.  So you can see I did fairly well.

Tomorrow comes out open post and another day of fun.  The following night we have our dance and another date with Peg for little Bobby.  I suspect I’ll have a good time in the next few days.

Glad to hear things are coming along nicely again, and especially glad to hear Mother and Lee are getting along better.  Please continue the practice of telling me what goes on at home you always have and I’ve tried to do the same with you.  You know how it is.

I’m not in the mood for writing tonight.  I’ll write again Wednesday after open post.

All my love

Bob