Posting this letter on the 75th Anniversary of Pearl Harbor seems so appropriate to me. That was such a defining moment for my Dad’s generation and a catalyst for countless who joined the Armed Forces during WWII in the same way that those who joined the service post-9/11. FDR stated that it was a day that will “live in infamy,” yet many today don’t know when Pearl Harbor Day is. It’s understandable as my Dad’s generation passes on that the day will inevitably have a little less meaning with each passing year. That is one of the many reasons I’ve posted these letters. They not only speak of a time long past with fun language as “swell,” “fellows,”and the like, but they are the words of a young man away from home for the first time during wartime writing home to his parents. A young man who was part of the “Greatest Generation” and the letters in this series are his words.
This was quite an interesting letter to read. In his previous letter on July 10, 1944, my Dad mentioned he had already flown 27 missions in just two months and between that July 10th letter and January 29, 1945, my Dad had flown more than forty more missions and had returned home to the States in just over six months. The missions had clearly taken a toll on him.
Also, something most certainly happened between my Mom and Dad since that last letter to his folks! I WISH we had the details on the communication between them.
ARMY AIR FORCES
Flexible Gunnery School
February 9, 1945
Hi Folks,
Just a line to let you know I’m feeling fine and to give you an idea of the kind of work that I’m doing.
I am permanent party here at Tyndall working on the line as an armorer taking care of the guns and turrets on B-24’s for the gunnery school. As far as I know I won’t go overseas again and, oh yes, I am not flying anymore so you can quit worrying about that. When I first came back I thought I might like to fly again but I’ve changed my mind since then to be frank with you I think I’m a little scared to fly again especially in a B-24 or B-26, I might fly in a B-25 but they haven’t any on this field so I guess I won’t fly at all.
I met two old buddies of mine the other day, from the old 379th, one is permanent party here and another has signed up for another tour, the dope. We had quite a time talking of old times and some of the missions. Now that we’re all through flying we can talk about them.
Did I tell you I met Harry Waller, my radio-man at Atlantic City and four or five other fellows from the 310th? One of my best friends that was shot down in Italy was supposed to arrive the day that I left so I didn’t have a chance to see him. I sure would like to see him again we certainly have a lot to talk over.
I suppose by now you have received the card announcing Rosemary and my engagement. Well, what do you think of it?
My ship’s coming in now so I have to get it ready for the morning mission and make any repairs that are needed. I’m writing this letter down on the line and I haven’t very much time, I’m sorry it’s such a short letter but I’ll write a longer one tonight or tomorrow. Be good and take good care of yourselves. Give my love to the rest of the family.
Your loving son,
Fran
P.S. I received the money order okay – thanks a million. I’ll need it till my records get here.
Duke of Dead Air 