November 20, 1944
Nov 20, 1944
Darling Shirl,
I am now eating an apple. In ten more days I shall have now been in the army 27 months. I decided to celebrate so I am eating an apple.
How can the C. N. B. and T co of C have such creeps in charge of it? All the creeps are in the Army and they are running this outfit. The so and sos have shipped out almost all of our planes now. I have a feeling we'll be transfered to Calsbad New Mexico to finish this course. I can fly without bombs or instructors, but when they take away the ships I'll throw in the towel. With everything mixed up like it is I haven't the slightest idea when I'll graduate. I should know for sure within a month. I'll be satisfied if I just graduate. Right now I'm having trouble with navigation. I'm o.k. when it comes to doing practical things, but when I have to do things on paper I'm sunk. I make silly, foolish mistakes. I copy figures wrong, measure distances a couple miles off and get the wrong headings. I can navigate o.k. in the air but I mess it up in ground school. I have an exam Monday. If I flunk I'm afraid I'm through. Keep your fingers crossed.
Whats wrong at the bank? I sure will listen to you. You see, from the time you get up till the time you go to bed, whatever you do interests me. I'd even like to know what you dream about. I've been staring at your picture. It hasn't changed - you're still beautiful. Someday I'm going to get a furlough and spend millions of spare minutes dreaming of being with you again. I want to stand in the bank lobby and watch all the people get off the elevators. I want to feel my heart flip flop when I see you. I'd like to sneak in a hug and a kiss once in awhile. It's the most wonderful thing I can think of.
You want to know something about my pals and associates - OK here goes.
My arch enemy and close friend Licshke was held back at Tyndall Field. Jimmy Sorver and I split up at Nashville, Doc Udell stayed at Oswego. Knippel stayed at Maxwell. Jimmy Kelly went to Florida from Tomah and I stayed there. Cliff Stout and Lou Marks stayed at Tomah and I left. I liked all these fellows. I'll never see them again. I have three chums here. Buck Knowlton - a cowboy from South Dakota, Bob Layton - a college boy from Oklahoma, and John Klingler - a coal miner from Penn. They are pretty good Joe's and we pal around. But in a couple of months we'll split up again. You just get to like some fellows and up pops old devil shipping orders - The radio is now playing "No Place Like Home" amens.
We fly two missions tomorrow so I'll be a good boy over the weekend. I haven't been off the post in six weeks so I'm expecting my halo by pony express any day now. I don't mind being restricted so much. There's only one person I could really enjoy doing anything with. She's quite a gal. According to her last letter she is getting a bit scrawny. Dog gone it she knows I'm a B-17 boy and don't go for these P 39's much. I guess I'll have to get a furlough and feed her some roast duck. 115 indeed!
Hey, when is Thanksgiving? If it's this Thursday I think maybe the army doesn't know about it. We're scheduled for 20 minutes for noon mess. How about sending me a hunk of mince pie or something. I sure can't eat much in twenty minutes. I hope Franklyn doesn't play around with Christmas Day. I've got a hot and heavy date then and I don't want my plans mixed up. What do you want for Christmas, Honey? Sure can pick up some handsome diamond rings these days. Of course there's a catch to it - I'm thrown in. I've been thinking about getting you a bombsight but I guess it ain't proper. What about a potted wild cactus? Or a genuine prospector? How about a years subscription to "Wild West Weekly"? Those diamond rings are sure handsome! Would you like a ouija board? Or some petrified dominoes? I was going to get you 77000000 sticks of Double mint only it ain no go. What about half a dozen blue and gold sweatshirts? Dog gone it gal, what do you want?
Am I to understand that King sized Goop, "Sorenson", was medically discharged? There ain't no justice!
Hey let's compromise. Let's answer each others letters in three days or sooner. I need your letters. I'll write as soon as I can, no more two weeks!
I've got to go hurtling through space again. I tried to locate LT. Riedel. I haven't seen him yet, but Ive' found out his sections. I'd like to have a talk with him. I'll try to see him this week.
Let me know what cooks with the C.N. B. etc. etc. Sounds like you want to blow off some steam. I'm listening.
Give my love to your mom and sort of take care of yourself.
All my Love,
Ray
P.S. There just ain't no airmail stamps to be had around here. You send em, I'll use em
Two more ounces of love
Ray.
P.S. one more ounce
Ray
P.S. Ain no more
X