Edgar L. Vincent WWII Letters Home – Part 2

I haven’t much time before I have to take a shower and to bed. Just want you to know I had a good trip and am here in beautiful Texas safe and sound. We had a 4 hour layover in L.A. so I went to Pasadena, saw Grandma for about an hour. Mrs. Spencer and Mary took me back over to the station so I had about an hour with her. We didn’t get our hoped for 3-day pass after we got back but instead about three one-day passes, broken up by a lecture, firing range, etc. every day. Sort of a raw deal but I guess we can’t kick after an 8-day furlough.

I haven’t anything but a first day’s opinion of this place but confidentially it doesn’t look too hot. The facilities such as PX, food, theater, etc are OK but the living quarters aren’t exactly like a country club: about 40 per barracks, outside latrines and coal stoves. Only 9 weeks, so I can give that long. Some of the fellows have already ordered their uniforms and I will probably Monday. Will tell you more later but better sign off pretty soon. This address isn’t complete because I don’t know my Post Office box number. We’ll probably send it in a day or two.

We got in at noon today.

Love,

Leonard

Don’t let anyone tell you it doesn’t get cold in Texas. It is as cold here as it was in Idaho when I was home. They say it is a cold spell and that it does get warmer but right now we have to huddle around the two little stoves in each barracks and then breathe cold smoke when we go outside. Yesterday afternoon for the first time it was comfortable outside without an overcoat. To top it off, there hasn’t been any hot water in our outside latrine, something wrong with the heater I guess. So I have taken only two showers in the three days I have been here in this Marfa, TX and that in ice cold water after which you have to make a dash for the barracks. As soon as it warms up a little and we get some hot water it won’t be bad around here.

There are only five of us from Merced in our barracks of 43. The rest are from Lancaster, Bakersfield and Garner Field [TX]. They seem to be good fellows, however. Today we are going to meet our instructors, so may be flying a day or so.

Yesterday, I ordered my uniform or, at least, part of it. I am having it all tailor made, which takes about 6 weeks. I got all measured up and so it should fit. Before we graduate we have to be inspected by a Major to make sure everything fits and that we have the required minimum of clothing. They drove a deal through the PX whereas we get a blouse, a suit of greens and a suit of pinks for $97.30, which is considerable cheaper than you can buy these from an outside company due to the fact that I am buying it at quartermaster prices. I also bought on credit at the PX a pair of pinks (pants) for $12, about $15 elsewhere, and a Bancroft fighter cap, which is really a hot pilot job. I’ll have to buy a lot more stuff before graduation, more shirts, a trench coat ($40) and, of course, brass, wings, etc. I will probably use most of the $250 allotted to us for clothes before I am done. The stuff all sounds high priced doesn’t it, but in comparison to quality and civilian prices the PX gives us a good deal.

I also finished the rest of my 64 flight physical and made it OK. I have to go back today to show the results of the desert fever shot in my left arm.

I got your letter, Mom, mailed the 3rd to Merced a couple of days ago. I hope you got the note I sent the first day I got here. Please note the correct address on the envelope. We just got our box numbers yesterday.

Last night we had a big bull session with our Commandant of Cadets, a major, and learned what is expected of us. The food here is the best yet, pickles, olives, ice cream every meal – are supposed to get fried chicken once a week and steaks at least twice a week. Well, I better sign off.

Love,

Leonard

Well this is the beginning of another ink at Marfa. Time is really flying and nothing of interest seems to happen for me to write about. I spent another weekend, such as it was, on the post. Last night I went to the show “The Lodge”, really gruesome, lot of murders. We flew this morning until 2:00 this afternoon and I went to the show again this afternoon, saw “Song of Russia”. Seems like there isn’t much of anything in this part of the country to do or see.

The reason we had to fly this morning is because they are trying to finish us up on instruments so I’ll be getting my instrument check right away. I now have 8:40 hours of the 10 hours dual instruments so I’ll be getting my instrument check right away. We fly the “Beam” a lot. In case you don’t know what the beam is it’s a radio signal set up whereas you can maintain a course by radio and with proper timing and let down procedure make an approach to a landing without ever seeing the field. It’s incredible the accuracy with which it can be done. The beam looks like this from above [hand drawing of four narrow beams forming an “X” with the “cone of silence” being at the intersection and the quadrant space between the beam lines alternately labeled “N” and “A”]. When you are on the beam you get a solid steady signal and when you are in the quadrant you hear the code of the letter “N” or “A”. At the “cone of silence” you hear no signal at all, thusly making a definite reference point from which to start your time and let down to the field.

The flying is going on the same as usual and before we know it we will be upperclassmen. The present upper class graduates the 8th. Incidentally that date reminds me that I have a dental appointment at 1930 on the 8th. When we had our examination they found a small cavity.

June wrote and wants me to come see her after I graduate. Since I saw the rest of the family a month ago, I may go to see her and also Ginny on my furlough after graduation. It’s a long way off but I suppose it will come before I know it at the rate time flies.

Did I tell you I ordered a $54 trench coat through the PX. It should be a darn good one but nothing’s too good if you have to spend a lot of money for it and expect to wear it for a long time.

I am really sore tonight because I was so eager on the obstacle course the other day. One of my buddies is going to give me a rub down before I got to bed.

I miss you all and still have memories of my last seeing you. I really had a happy time while I was home. It’s 21:30 and almost time for me to get cleaned up and into bed. So, so long and

Love,

Leonard

Another Sunday rolls around and I find myself with enough time to write my parents a long overdue letter. It seems the only time I have to myself is on Sundays. From now on we may have a little more though because ground school is over.

Mom, I owe you a lot of thanks, one for the box of a new kind of cookie which, incidentally, I finished last night and one for the wonderful box of Valentine cookies and candy I got today. I thought my supply of goodies was about to deplete yesterday but when I go over for mail this noon what should I find but another box from you. I knew right away what it was. Several of the fellows got boxes from home today so we are really eating. Thanks again.

Last night, three of us went to the show “The Miracle of Morgan’s Creek” and this afternoon I just got back from seeing “The Song of the Desert” (nothing extra). That’s about all there is to do around here on weekends.

I’m glad ground school is over, not that it isn’t interesting but that I am getting awfully tired of it and the rest from it will be swell. From now on we will spend most of our time flying. We will be going on a lot of cross countries and will be doing a lot of night flying. I have finished instrument and passed the check OK, so now when I graduate I will have the 50-3 instrument rating which isn’t bad. Previous to a few classes ago not nearly so much stress was laid on instrument flying and as a result a lot of the combat pilots said instruments were more important than their training had included, so we are benefiting from the experience. Also, there is a new breakdown of our time that gives us a lot more formation flying, both day and night. We are getting 12 hours now in place of the previous 7. I like formation very much and I guess that’s why I am doing OK in it. My instructor, who like all instructors hates to pass out many compliments, said I did a very good job of formation flying. I think I do a better job than most of the fellows. Pardon me if I seem to be blowing my horn.

In answer to your inquiry about coming down for graduation, Mother, I wouldn’t advise it because of the lack of accommodations here. There aren’t enough places even for the cadet wives to stay. Of course, I would love to have you here when I graduate but I think you would be disappointed in this place.  Our upper class graduated last Saturday and it so happened the day was almost zero and the sky cloudy. The ceremony isn’t anything too spectacular but there was a fellow who dragged the field several times at about five feet and then would shoot straight up. He certainly gave everyone a thrill.

This week we are going to start doing some skeet shooting. Since I have never done it I am looking forward to it. I guess that explains one reason why shotgun shells are so hard to get for civilians. It should be a lot of fun.

My uniform came the other day. So I rushed over to the tailor shop to see how it fit. Everything fit fine except they had the belt in the blouse sewn a little cockeyed across the back. On my shirt and pants I have never had a better fit in my life. It’s hard to believe that I have spent now $200 and still have a lot of stuff to buy, such as shoes, more shirts, pants. The bad part of it is that in a few months I’ll have to start buying summer clothes. I may have to write for the $100 I sent home, since we don’t get our $250 until the last day. I am debating whether or not to keep my cadet blouse and have belt and braid put on it. By signing a statement of charges it would only cost me $20 and as far as blouses go it is about as nice as an officer blouse.

Yes, we have Kleenex in the PX. Do you want me to send you a package? Due to your trouble in getting cigars, Dad, I have been buying a few at a time and when I get enough I’ll send them to you, that is, if my buddies don’t smoke them up for me. We can only buy three at a time. I have tried a couple myself but can’t quite go there.

It’s about time for chow so I’ll sign off for now. I doubt if I am very hungry because of all the candy I have eaten.

Love,

Leonard

Ps No, I don’t like Texas very well, at least what I’ve seen of it. It’s a desolate place. Right now we are having a sand storm. Some place.

I just crawled out of the sack and got to bed about 12 last night so you see I got plenty of sleep. I was a little tired due to the fact that we flew till 5 am Saturday morning and then due to a mix-up in the schedule had to get up at 10:00 to go to lecture in Safeguarding Military Information. We fly again tonight but I only need 20 minutes so I will be copilot most of the night. Will finish up. Yesterday afternoon we had an inter-squadron competitive formation flight and instrument take offs. I happened to be one of the six picked from Squadron 26 to fly formation. Each formation from the five squadrons made a pass over the field where the judges were, then each of us peeled off at 5 second intervals, came in and landed on a line on the runway beside a jeep where the C.O. was sitting. Haven’t heard yet how we came out. Vining (sleeps next to me) made the instrument take off for our squadron. Those of us who flew formation may get to be in the review on graduation day.

Mother, about your going to Indianapolis during my delay events, I’m not certain about any of my plans for going there due to the uncertainty which I won’t have solved until I find out where I report and the date I will have to report. About the only thing I can do is wire you when I find out. The last class didn’t know until about two days before graduation. I plan to catch the 10:10 pm train out of El Paso Sunday night, which will get me in Des Moines at 6 am. The morning of the 14th (Tuesday). I told Ginny I may go to Indianapolis and asked if she would like to go with me. I think it only takes about a day to make it. June asked to bring her along because she said her apartment was plenty big and could take care of her. At present, I don’t have any idea what I’ll do. I would like to see you in Indianapolis. I’ll give you the lowdown just soon as I find out.

Thanks heaps, Dad, for the big letter. I sure like to hear from you. Maybe it’s because of the rarity, but you do write very interesting letters. Thanks also for the prompt 100 bucks which believe me is going to come in handy on the furlough. I never realized just how much it costs to become an officer. The “Bowel Ration” blank is very clever and I, as well as all the other fellows in the barracks really got a bang out of [it].

Just got back from chow and the PO, which contained another letter from you, Mom. We had pork chops and apple pie today.

Stanley’s fiancée’s name is Mildred. Stan hasn’t said anything to me but I hear, from Granma, that they are about to take the big step. Don’t worry about me getting hitched. Can’t see getting tied down with things about my future as uncertain as they are.

Glad to hear you found a man, Dad. Hope he proves better than you expect. I can imagine that you have to put up with about whatever you can get these days.

About the income tax, Dad, I went down to Legal Section the other day but it was during noon hour so they weren’t open. I will go again in a day or two to file a return because I understand by filing a return we will get what we paid on our “42” tax back as well as the Victory tax we paid in ’43. I don’t understand why but I’m going to get the lowdown on the set up.

It will be a week from today I can pin these wings on. Getting a commission in a year sounds pretty good but I for one feel I have earned it. At least, I’m not a shirttail 90 day wonder.

Love,

Leonard

Dear Dad,

How goes everything on the farm? I expect you are glad to have some good cooking after a couple of weeks of batching. Also imagine you are hard at it again this spring on the farm work. You will probably be more shorthanded than ever this year, which will mean all the more work for you. I bet you are keeping the tractor going every day now get the ground in shape. Hope everything goes smooth as possible.

I want to tell you something about Roswell because I know you are interested in what goes on down here. Stop me please if I let out any military information. We have about 100 B-17s here, most of them model F’s., but a few of the new model G’s with the chin turrets on and two 50 caliber instead of the old one in the bombardier compartment, making a total of eleven 50 caliber machine guns all flexible mounted. Some of these transition planes have the guns still in and some even have the Norden M-9 bombsight installed. The bomb racks are a structured part of the plane so a load of bombs and some ammunition would make them ready to go. Although I haven’t been up in one yet I have been out and crawled all through them. No foolin’ that is the most beautiful piece of human ingenuity I have ever seen. The workmanship, especially in the engines would astound you. All the parts are ground to almost gage finish. The cost of one of these beauties is $350,000, so it ought to be pretty nice. Its weight is 50,000 lbs. or 25 tons. Quite a bit of weight to be throwing around, Eh What? The height is 19 feet, the span of wings 104 feet and the length 74. Total crew without cameraman is 10 men, four of which are commissioned officers: the bombardier, the navigator, pilot and copilot. For flying here, we will use only the pilot, copilot (or instructor) and the flight engineer. We get a minimum of 40 hours dual before we can solo, that is, take it up without our instructors. We will undoubtedly get some very interesting cross countries from here. The last class went to Minneapolis, Denver and such places. They won’t come till a little later, however. All in all, I’m really in love with this ship and will be glad when I have one myself and have a crew of my own to train.

What I want to get in if I can after I finish here is the B-29 with 8,000 HP instead of the 4800 in the B-17 and a span of approximately 150 feet. It has about 19 guns and, of course, a much longer range and bomb load. But if I don’t get in will be happy with the B-17 because that’s what I have always wanted. This first week we have done nothing but gone to school to learn about the cockpit, procedures, etc. before we start flying. We have gone 7 hours a day and even after we start flying we will be going 3 or 4 hours a day. One thing for sure, you never stop learning about flying because it’s humanly impossible to know all there is about it. When a guy does get the idea he knows it all they usually dig him out of a pile of aluminum. I’d just as soon go to ground school.

Tell Mom, I got my crash bracelet, at least it is ready. I think I’ll go in town tonight and pick it up since I had a pair of wings soldered on a couple of extra links in so it would go around my ham of a wrist and also had some engraving put on the back (my name and serial number). Thanks a lot to Mom, June and Roger for the big shell out so I could buy it.

This being an officer is plenty OK. No more formations to make, get up and go to bed when you please. In fact, we are our own bosses. We can take off for town whenever we see fit and, in general, do what we please. Of course, we have to be to classes on time, etc. but they have that up to us. What do you know, I don’t even make my bed or sweep my floor anymore. This is really rough having a colored orderly to take care of such things. Being an officer isn’t as easy as that because we will even more than now have a lot of responsibility placed upon us. Another thing is that we are respected by enlisted men to the extent that they rely on us and look to us for help. It has a lot of privileges but also involves a lot of work and responsibility.

Our base pay as is any 2nd Lieutenant (shavetail) $150 per month. But being flying officers we are given a bonus 50% of base pay making a total of $225. On top of that we get a certain amount for subsistence ($21). I think we are going to run over our subsistence allotment here though because my bill for the week I have been here for food was $7.02. So it will probably run about a dollar a day. Our check for this month will be little smaller since we have no flight pay and get officer’s pay only since the 12th. It is $119 when I get it. Out of that I have a $50 war bond each month I have allotted. Also we pay for our insurance now instead of the old uncle, a lot of dry cleaning, Officer’s Club dues and meals. A 2nd Lieutenant isn’t the richest guy in the world but I think I will be able to save a little beside the war bond allotment. You won’t receive the bonds for a while since the first one doesn’t come out till the month of May.

I had a very swell furlough and got to see darn the whole family. Wish I could have seen you.

Did you get my bag of pinks I sent from Marfa? Also did you get the “Power of Attorney” I sent from there? Well I have to beat it to Link Training now so I better sign off, besides I’m about to run out [of writing space].

Love as ever, your son,

Leonard

Well about this time at home I expect you are popping popcorn and in general taking it easy. I have had a pretty soft time of it myself doing nothing all day but sleeping. Went to the show this afternoon and am now at the Officers Rec Room where I have been playing pool, table tennis and now time for a little letter writing. The show I saw was “Shine on Harvest Moon”, truly a fine picture. I about split in a few places. If the opportunity presents don’t miss it.

Last night being Saturday night I had to go to the marvelous metropolis of Roswell to see the local farmers drift into town. It seems all they do is put on a clean pair of Levis and then best cowboy boots and head for the town where Ma and all the kids wander up and down the streets. Some fun, in fact, it’s almost like Saturday night in Twin Falls. Three of us shavetails went in together and about wore our arms out walking up one side of the street and down the other saluting the G.I.’s in town. After finding nothing to do, not even decent dance in town, we ended up going to the show “Destination Tokyo”, which I also think was a good picture. The main reason I went to town was to get the bracelet I bought last Monday with my graduation money. It was supposed to be ready but the jokers had it all done but forgot to put the extra links in necessary to make it large enough to go around my oversize wrist. They did, however, do a good job of putting the wings around and engraving. I’ll go back to pick it up some time this week, that is, if I find time.

We start flying Tuesday night so, of course, I am anxious to get my feet off the ground and see how the B-17 handles. Now we will be going to school only 3 or 4 hours a day and the rest of the time flying the Link. Yesterday afternoon I played basketball in the gym. So last night I found a lot of sore muscles. It’s surprising how quick you can get out of shape after laying off for a couple of weeks.

I still like this field as good as ever. There are more navigators taking Bombardier training here than there are pilots. We pilots sort of consider them a bunch of chumps, but I guess they figure we are about the same so that makes us even. I’m darn glad I got pilot training because when it comes to flying an airplane and what makes it fly they don’t seem to know beans about it. The aviation training I have and am going to get should be invaluable when I go on to school after this bloody thing is over.

There are also quite a few German prisoners of war here that they put to such jobs as making sidewalks, racking up rocks, etc. They sing German war songs and some of them still wear parts of their uniforms. Wish I could talk German so I could talk to them because I imagine they would prove very interesting. Of course, they keep a gun over them all the time.

I didn’t’ get to see Mrs. Cosgrave after I got back to Des Moines after returning from Indianapolis. I meant to get back to Des Moines a day earlier than I did but when Ginny and I got to Chicago we found out that the next train we could get on would be the following day so we had to stay in Chicago overnight. We had a good time in Chicago but I would rather have gotten back to Des Moines because I wanted to spend a little time out to Drake so I could see the boys who are going through now and talk to the officers. When I called Et up the day of the night I left she said that the road was so muddy it would be impassible to even walk and let alone take a car, so I didn’t get to see them. I’m still dreaming about the wonderful time I had on my delay. It all went so very quickly. No telling you when I can see you all again but I’m thinking of you.

Love,

Leonard

Ps Please send my camera soon.

Looks like I am a bit richer if I can ever get ahold of Keith to collect. You see we made a bet of $5 that the other would get married first. Looks like he lost. No, I haven’t any plans for getting married now. I’d a little rather be single when I go overseas, but I am going to be an engaged man in about 4 or 5 days. Ginny is going to be here the 14th, so I will probably give her the ring soon after she arrives. I forgot to tell you that I bought a ring. “Red” and the “Saint” helped me pick it out last Monday. It’s about a 4 point diamond with some smaller ones on the side, yellow gold with a platinum mount. It cost $244 with the tax. I would like to have gotten a half carat stone but they run about $350-$400, which is a little beyond me. I guess the price of diamonds is sky-high now. I like the ring very much and so do my roomies. It’s still in the jewelers because I don’t want it around anymore than I have to.

About the pictures, I sent mine to Ginny and she sent them on to June, some time ago but I haven’t heard from her for a long time. As soon as I get them back I’ll send them on to you so you can pick out any you want. Don’t know why June hasn’t written for so long, guess she’s busy. June sent me her pictures a long time ago and I sent them back but haven’t received any reprints. I think some of hers a pretty good, don’t you?

Too bad about your cold Mom. Wish you could get rid of it. If and when Idaho ever warms up you will probably get rid of it in a hurry. It has been pretty warm around here. We are wearing summer clothes most of the time and whenever I get a chance I take my shirt off. The officer’s swimming pool is filled now but haven’t had a chance to use it yet. Things have eased up a lot as far as the work is concerned. I have been getting some fine sack time lately. I have 116 hours (over the required minimum) but have to drop some bombs. We fly tonight but since we don’t bomb at night I doubt if I will get up unless they have some extra planes. I won’t mind getting in some time because every hour helps. Yesterday we got to see our final grade sheets and I did better than I thought, quite a little better than the other fellows who fly with my instructor, but he was always having a bad time with something or other. We have been dropping from the bomb trainer (a machine about 20 feet high that moves across the hanger floor simulating a bomb approach) to become accustomed to the flight operation. Those Norden sights are the height of mechanical perfection. Precision that watchmakers never hear of. Everything is finished like a gauge.

Well I haven’t much more news and the time is short till I have to leave for the flight line.

Lots of love,

Leonard

Well I’ve been here 14 days today and still haven’t any news of my departure time. None of the B-29 men have left yet or even been put on the list. I really look for it sometime this week though.

I am laying out on the grass next to my tar paper barracks on a mattress with nothing on except a pair of trunks and am absorbing some of this Nebraska sun while I write you. I am done with the supplementary training as of yesterday so only have to make one formation each day at 8:00 am. The rest of the time is mine and I have a permanent pass. Saturday I asked for a pass to miss Sunday morning formation and got it so went to Greenfield [Iowa] Saturday evening and got back in time for the 8:00 am formation yesterday. I rode to Omaha with some Chemical Warfare officers who gave a lecture and demonstration on this field, then hitched on to Greenfield. Sunday night the Wills [Virginia’s parents] took me to Stuart where I caught a bus to Omaha then I hitched on home. Sunday morning Virginia and I went to church, Sunday afternoon swimming and Sunday evening to a show “Claudia” in Fontanelle. I didn’t have much time there (about 24 hours) but it was worth it. If I get a chance in a few days I’ll try it again

Yesterday afternoon, a friend (1st Lt. Bob Karther) and I went swimming at a place between the base and town called Capital Beach – natural salt water – then went to town, ate dinner and bowled a little. This afternoon I think we will go swimming again. Sounds like I am on a big vacation doesn’t it? From now till I leave, this is just going to be a rest camp as far as I am concerned.

Last night I sent a little package to you, Mother, but please let the rest of the family in on it too. Fact of the matter is they should have it all but I know they won’t.

I got the Filer Record today but haven’t heard from you for some time. I imagine it’s because you didn’t think I would be here this long. Confidentially, I didn’t think I would be either. It’s a soft life so I don’t mind but am anxious to see what the inside of a 29 looks like and too I want to get my flight pay this month. It can lay as long as 3 months before I lose it, so next month I’ll probably make flight pay for both months. After I get paid this month I may have enough to buy an extra bond. If I do buy one, I’ll send it to you to put with the rest of mine.

I am anxious to be hearing from you. Even if I am not here it will be forwarded. That’s all I know now.

Love,

Leonard

Ps I haven’t forgotten your birthday, Roger. Hang on. Maybe I’ll get on the ball soon. How is the trip to K.C. coming? Ginny is going to send the clippings of our announcement.

Don’t tell anyone but I have my hand in the uncle’s pocket again, this time for 2 weeks. Boy Oh Boy, I can’t figure it out but I am sure lucky. The original orders didn’t call for a delay enroute but some of the fellows went to see the big shots and we who came to Lincoln with orders reading “delay enroute in the interest of public service” got this due to the very clear reading we’re still on duty. This, of course, is leave and comes out of my allotted crew leave. My orders read shipment to Grand Island. I never even heard that there was a field there but it suits me fine mainly because I won’t be going back to Texas or New Mexico. Grand Island isn’t a bad size town. I don’t think they have 29’s there yet so imagine we will be getting the first couple of phases in B-24 or B-17’s. That stuff about Gowen [Boise, ID] being made into a 29 field is a lot of malarkey at least at present because they are still sending fellows from Lincoln there for 24’s.

I got this two weeks as a big surprise and when I got it I about fell over. I pondered a lot about what to do with it, so finally decided to come see Ginny. I left the 1st at about midnight, stayed from 3 am in the town of Creston [IA] then Ginny and her Dad came down to get me (22 miles from here). I got here about noon the 2nd. Ginny and I have been having a great time, of course, and they had a real old fashioned celebration here the 4th (a square dance and all). We took that in, of course. I wanted to go to Pasadena but for the available cash I have it is a bit far if Ginny goes with me. I want to go somewhere so Ginny and I are going to Washington DC this afternoon and I am looking forward to seeing a lot of sights. She has been there before since she has relatives there. I’ll tell you all about it but right now I must run. Ginny’s folks are sure a lot of fun.

Love,

Leonard

I imagine June is there by now because she left yesterday. I am anxious to know what kind of a trip she had. Hope she got the last minute reservation.

June, remember you were saying it was too bad I didn’t get to go on the trip the night I didn’t fly and we went to the show? Well, I took it Monday afternoon. We went to Kansas City, Des Moines and home via Omaha, all at 20,000 feet. We did camera bombing on the Philips Oil Refinery in K.C., the railroad marshalling yards in Des Moines and the bridge across the river at Omaha. The later target was obscured by a layer of overcast about 10,000 feet below us so we didn’t even see it. The other two we got pictures of so should see the prints tomorrow.

Mom, I got a nice letter from you yesterday and read most of it before briefing then misplaced it somewhere, so the last part of it still is unread. Hope there was nothing important in the last part and maybe it will show up soon.

I went to town a couple of days ago after having received no answer to the letter I wrote and found a Mason, in fact, the City Attorney. He gave me all the poop and says he is sure I can get a degree. The Secretary, in case Mr. Hammerquist wants to know is Mr. Fred G. Christianson c/o Union Pacific Railroad in Grand Island. The Master is Eldan Gochley c/o Munston Tele. Co. After Ginny comes I can get down to work and get something done on this, Dad.

I was scheduled to fly the 29 again this morning but one engine was out so came back about 6:00 am for some more sack time. Don’t fly now till tomorrow night. I have 4 hours of ground school this afternoon, PT from 7:30 till 8:30 and ground school again in the morning. What a life!!

That’s about all the news for now so till later.

Love to all,

Leonard

Ps Mom, go ahead and send something to Keith and wife from family because no telling where I would get around to sending something.

As you can see by the time it’s late and I’m going to have to make it short and sweet. I reckon you have wondered where I have been keeping myself. Between Ginny and the ever increasing amount of work to be done I have been like the cranberry merchant. As it is, I haven’t been able to see too much of Ginny, so you can bet I have spent all my spare time with her. She is leaving Sunday morning, then will have a week at home before school starts, In addition to that, I have moved all my stuff to another, new barracks (a little nicer) and we have been getting a lot of our stuff ready to go out with the ground echelon by boat.

I have a lot of information I need to fill out, some stuff for a special filed. Here it is. The serial number of the Met Life $10,000 policy, the serial no. of the Business Men’s Assurance Co policy, my social security no., also send my birth certificate (original) and yours (Mother and Dad) so I can have photostatic copies made. I guess that’s it. I would appreciate it if you would get that to me as soon as possible.

I now am in a pretty permanent crew. We are complete except for radar man, a gunner and engineer. My pilot’s name is Bunting, Navigator Presswood, Bombardier Martens, Radio Operator Smiley. I haven’t met the three gunners we do have, but will tomorrow. Tonight I was supposed to fly High Altitude, but didn’t so we practiced emergency bail out and ditching procedures.

The training program is really beginning to shape up now and, of course, we are really busy flying every day taking ground school, PT, etc. I’m about to fall asleep now, but don’t have to get up till about noon tomorrow, flying in the afternoon then have the evening free. Get up at 4 Saturday morning to fly again, thus it goes.

I hope I can write more often hereto. I got your card and letter. Sis, hope you are having a good time, as I know you are.

Love to all,

Leonard

At last I have bit of time where I feel I can sit down and really write you a nice letter. I got yours, Mother, and also June’s the other day. I imagine you wonder why I haven’t written much lately. The answer is that I have been busier than ever and besides spent all the time with Ginny when she was here. The reason I have the afternoon off is that I am flying tonight on a high altitude mission, to where I don’t know. I should be getting a little sack time like the wiser fellows but used the time to a good advantage filling out my estate chart, filling out the will form, etc. Also we are getting a lot of our stuff ready to ship over with the ground echelon.

June, I am so glad that your trip home was so successful and that the last minute reservation came through OK. I haven’t said anything to Ginny about getting you a reservation from Creston, but I imagine I’ll be writing her soon so can tell her to call Creston about it. Anyway, I wouldn’t worry about it. 3:24 in the morning is pretty early to ask them to take you to Creston but I know they would do it for you. The main idea is to get in Chicago by the afternoon on Friday. I bet you are having fun at home and getting a good rest too. Sure wish I could be there with you.

Ginny stayed till Monday morning. She planned at first to go home Saturday or Sunday but I had Saturday afternoon and evening and all day Sunday free so I talked her into staying a little longer. I got a card from her today. We, of course, had a swell time but I didn’t’ get to see as much of her as I would have liked. One or two days I didn’t even get to see her at all. I am surely hoping to see her again before I take off for parts unknown, but if I myself get some time off (very uncertain) I will come home. There has been some talk of our getting a leave before we ship but, of course, nothing for sure.

Mom, the cookies arrived in fine shape but I am sorry to say they are all gone. My roommate (my Navigator) thinks you made good cookies. I agree. If I ever find any chocolate I’ll be sure send it to you, but I don’t know where I would find it.

Did I tell you about the crew set up? My pilot 1st Lt. Bunting, Navigator Presswood, Bombardier Martens, Radio Operator P.C. Smiley (a washed out cadet) also have three gunners and a radar man but haven’t flown much with them yet. The Bombardier and Navigator are newly graduated, but seem to know their stuff. Bunting has over 2,000 hours in the air and really is a swell fellow. He lets me use his car and takes me all over the base. I imagine we are permanently set up unless we find we don’t get along as a crew and there isn’t any chance of that as far as I can see. Don’t know much about the gunners yet, however.

Roger, it sounds like you are practically in the dairy business with 14 milking cows. Sounds like at present rate of expansion you could use a bigger barn. I am glad to hear that the cows are becoming accustomed to the milker.

I finally got word from the Ashton Lodge No. 33 in Grand Island. I am to be there for a meeting this Thursday evening at 7:40 to receive the 1st degree. I don’t have any idea what is coming off but I’ll soon find out and give you the result. It’s call the “Entered Apprentice Degree” if that means anything. I fly that afternoon and may be a little late in getting there for the meeting but I’m going to do my best.

That’s about all the news so I’ll sign off.

Love to all,

“Vince”

Isn’t this a heck of a time to getting up and the sad part of it is I’m not up yet. I flew yesterday afternoon to Kansas City and Des Moines in weather, the overcast really solid all the way and flew part of it over the top and part of it in the soup. We have to get a certain amount of time in the “soup”. I fly again tonight, to where I don’t know.

I got my first degree Thursday night so, of course, am very happy. There is a rule in Nebraska requiring four weeks between each degree, but since Idaho requires only proficiency they will give them to me as fast as I can take it. Monday night I am going in for posting and if I can get enough work before then I will get my second then. They put the work on very beautifully. They seem to be a very nice bunch of fellows. Surely hope I can get the stuff before next Thursday.

It has really turned cool the past week and a lot of rain has fallen. I only have one blanket but think I’ll draw another on soon ‘cause we’ll need it later for sure.

Don’t get too excited about my shipping out, Mom, because I don’t think it will be for at least a few months, but we are getting some of our stuff ready to go overseas by boat so we’ll have it when we get there. Before we go I’ll send all my good wool clothes home because we won’t have any use for them over there.

About the birth certificates, if you don’t have them just forget about it, but I do need the other information. It’s all for an estate chart we are filling out.

I must get up now and get some chow. Did I tell you we have a complete crew now:

Crew 4011

• Pilot – Bunting 1st Lt.
• Copilot – Vincent 2nd Lt.
• Bombardier – Martens 2nd Lt.
• Navigator – Presswood 2nd Lt.
• Engineer – Peelle 2nd Lt.
• R Gunner – Joyce PFC
• L Gunner – Jack S/Sgt
• Top Gunner – Nuttle PFC
• Tail Gunner – Hansen
• Radar – Dipalma PFC
• Radio Op – Smylie PFC

Love,

Leonard

June was here Thursday night. I got in to see here about 7:00 am but came back out to the field about 11:30 because I had to fly Friday morning so had to get up about 4:30 am. She gave me the candy, cookies and apricots. Thanks a lot. The apricots are almost gone, the candy about half gone but the cookies June made haven’t suffered much. Thanks also for the numbers I wanted out of the lock box and the birth certificates. It isn’t necessary that you all send me yours.

June says, and also from your letters I gather, that you are all very busy around home, especially since you canned the Mayonnaise. I can imagine what the situation must be without any help and doing outside combining. I haven’t done any more work with the 2nd degree and, of course, June’s visit made it impossible to get to the meeting. I must get in a few evening this week and get the next degree as soon as I am ready for it. The apricots came through in fine shape and surely were good.

Yesterday we made camera bombing attacks on Kansas City and Tulsa, Oklahoma in the B-29. It was the first time we had ever taken it on a long trip and did we like it. It is really a super plane. We flew at 20,000 feet so had the cabin pressurized, thereby eliminating the use of an oxygen mask, which is in itself a big improvement.

Today I sent home some Hershey bars for you all to munch on. If you have any leftover you can send me some more of those cookies. Also you will find some other stuff. I’m hoping that the 30 calibers can be used in one of the Legions Springfield [rifle] and that Dad can go deer hunting this fall. I’m not sure they will fit but I hope. One of them is a tracer bullet. The large one is a 50 caliber. The compasses I picked up in Kearney the day we were there. The wrist one is pretty accurate.

Lots of love,

Leonard

Man Oh Man, that wheat yield is really something! I remember once we had 85 on a little piece by Doc’s but 83.6 for 19 acres is really something.

That scare you had about Mr. Armes car turned out to be pretty much of a joke except, of course, Mrs. Armes will now be afoot. I can imagine how you at home felt. Did the box of chocolates June brought for me come from Mrs. Armes? You told me to thank her but I was under the impression you sent them.

About the degrees, I am still working on my first, in fact, I went in last night and got about 2 ½ hours of posting and bull slinging. The fellow who has been working with me says that he thinks he can have me ready in a few more nights. This Thursday is busy for them so the plan now is to have me get it a week from this Thursday. I’ll probably be ready for my third in about the later part of October. I told them my Dad want to come and they said you would be welcome and if you dressed you would have every opportunity in the world to give me the work. I’ll be able to give you something definite in the way of a date later after I finish my “Second Degree”. Of course, I can arrange my time somewhat to fit in with yours, Dad, because I imagine there will be times when you will be more busy than others. Let me know some days are your best time.

That’s great that Roger got his first ride. How did you like it? Don’t draw too many conclusions about flying from a Cub because they are a bit wishy-washy. I agree with you about taking lessons. I’ll guess they would cost you about $8 an hour. How far off am I? If things work out so we can get ahold of a plane somewhere I’ll teach you how to fly (the Army way) after the war.

Ginny is coming to see me next weekend. We won’t have a lot of time together but it will be worthwhile, at least from my standpoint.

Thanks a lot for the letter, Roger. I’m glad that everything is working out OK. Doesn’t look like they will put you in the Army now, but, of course, you can never tell. If they don’t, don’t feel badly because there is no doubt that you are doing your share where you are.

I have to fly this afternoon at 3:00 and won’t be back till about midnight. Don’t know yet what I’m scheduled for.

Lots of love,

Leonard

The next time you hear from me I’ll be in Cuba. Four airplanes are leaving bright and early for Batista Field just south of Habana. We are staying for a week during which time we will do a lot of open water navigation. It should be a good experience and a lot of fun. We’ll have to get my money changed when I get into Habana, although some places accept American money I hear.  I didn’t know we were going until yesterday afternoon when I got back from Denver and Cheyenne. Presswood is really going to get a workout on the flight

Ginny got here yesterday morning, but I was flying and didn’t get in to see her until about 4:00 in the afternoon. We came out to the dance at the Club last night. I saw her again this morning and we went to church together. This afternoon I had to be here for the briefing for the Cuba trip so we really didn’t have a lot of time together. It was worth her coming and we did have a good time.

This trip to Cuba is going to throw a wrench in my getting my 2nd Degree because the plans are for me to get it this Thursday.

The cookies came through swell, Mom, and are they good. Thanks a lot.

About sending something to the boys from the church, there isn’t much you can send them but just a card of greeting I imagine would be appreciated. I’m glad you liked “Going My Way”. I thought it was wonderful, in fact, I saw it twice.

I’m sure I should be here the time when Roger goes to Kansas City. And it would be swell if he can come to Grand Island. If he comes it would probably be around the 14th, Eh What? Be sure to let me know the details as soon as possible, Roger.

I’m glad you are enjoying the Hershey Bars, Mom. Maybe I can get around to getting some more someday.

We did some air to ground gunnery from the 29 the other day and it really is swell.

I must go to bed and get some sack time so,

Love,

Leonard

Well, I am now somewhere in Cuba. We got here last night, went to a poop meeting this morning, slept this afternoon and are going on a flight all night tonight.

This place is really beautiful with its palms and a million other types of foliage I have never seen before, beautiful landscaping and flowers. Don’t know yet whether or not we are going to get into Habana. They say we haven’t missed anything if we don’t

The Club is very nice here, in fact, better than the one at Grand Island. All the help is Cuban and you have a heck of a time telling them what you want to eat. Wise I know some Spanish.

We are going to keep fairly busy here with the flights we are going to make. It was a long old haul down here so we were pretty tired. We are supposed to be in the air almost all night tonight. Can’t tell you where we are going.

Love,

Vince

Now to get this long overdue letter off my chest. I am in the sack and will probably hit is as soon as I finish this.

We got back to Grand Island Monday late at night after having a 5 hour layover in Monroe, Louisiana because of engine trouble. The old place didn’t look too bad either. We never did get into Habana while there because of restrictions. Cuba is a very beautiful place, in fact, for beauty it puts most American places to shame. While we were there we flew three navigation missions: one to Gulfport, LA and return and to a little island near Panama (Old Providence) and the third a last mission where we took the navigator out to sea and told him to take us home. We got back too and, as matter of fact, Press really did a good job. He did a good job on all the flights.

What do you know? I may be in the movies. The 6th Bomb Group has been chosen as a model group for pictures of the training of the B-29 combat crews. Crew 4008 was chosen a model crew from the Group, so that’s the story. The pictures are all secret now but after the War Dept. gets done with them they may be released for [the] public. The 1st Motion Picture Unit from Washington is on the field now and are supposed to go to combat with us. We have been excused from flying, ground school, etc. for the past 3 days to work on the picture.

Thanks, Mom, for buying the gift for Keith and Betty. I’m sure whatever you got is fine. Thanks also for the cookies that were waiting for me when I got back.

I haven’t done anything with the Masonic work since I returned. Seems there is always something turning up that holds up the works.

Mom, don’t worry about my Christmas package. By the way things are going now, I may still be here for Christmas. Just let it go for now at least.

Your letter also was waiting when I got back from Cuba, Dad, and, of course, I was very happy to hear from you. As far as your getting back for the 3rd is concerned it looks like it is going to be somewhat delayed also, same as the harvest. I’m sorry I didn’t tell you about my voting. I made application and got my ballot, County and State plus some amendments. I voted everything straight Republican. Hope I did right. Used my own judgement on the amendments. I sent the ballot in about 3 weeks ago.

Well imagine I better hit the sack ‘cause I gotta fly tomorrow.

Love to all,

Leonard

Ps I’ll see you, Roger, about the 16th or 17th, right?

Well your wandering son has been on another trip, this time to Lincoln to see his best gal – and what a gal. Crew 4008 happened to win the flip of a coin last Thursday giving us the weekend off. Ginny and one of her teaching chums had planned to come to Grand Island last weekend, Press dating Hill. Since we got the weekend off and there was a big football game in Lincoln, Press and I took off Friday afternoon for Lincoln. They got in about 10 and we met them. Don’t ask me how we did it, but we got them a hotel room. Things were really filled up in town but I must have got it lucky because I got two double rooms in the first hotel Press and I tried, the nicest in town. The game was Saturday afternoon between the Iowa Seahawks and the Second Air Force “Super Bombers”. Of course, both teams were made up of college stars and pro players. It was really an exhibition of good, fast football. The “Super Bombers’ had been previously scored on only once this season, beating S. Idaho 54-0, Colorado University  33-6, Whittier 78-0 and other such scores. The books had it that they were supposed to win Saturday, but the “Seahawks” won 12-6. The stadium was jammed an hour before the game. We got back last night on the train.

If I’m not mistaken, Roger will be here the later part of this week. I haven’t gotten the mail the past three days so there is probably a letter explaining waiting. Press tells me he went to Kansas City in 1939 on one of the same deals as Roger is taking in.

Thanks heaps for the peaches and pears, Mom. I ate the last of the pears today. You packed them very nicely and I think they were as good as when you packed them.

Press and I are going to the show on the field then hit the sack. Good idea – Eh What? We flew again this morning. This time four members of the movie crew rode along to take some shots from the air. Tomorrow afternoon they are going to shoot some more. I am going to send a picture of the crew soon.

Lots of love,

Leonard

I just finished eating and don’t fly till 3:00 so have some time to myself.

Last night the 40th Squadron had another basketball game so I was a little tired last night. I slept till about 10:00 this morning. Doubt if I fly this afternoon at least with the regular crew, though I may fly copilot for Capt. Frank whose copilot is sick.

I have been looking forward to a letter from Roger letting me know exactly when he’s coming but as yet haven’t heard a thing. I image he’ll write from Indianapolis where he’ll have more definite information. I’m surely going to be glad to see him.

How do you think the election is going to turn out? I don’t know how the civilians feel about it but I can say that a big percentage of the men on this field are for Dewey and most of them are voting. I sure hope Dewey wins.

It has been plenty cold here lately, in fact, we have had a few frosts and when it’s cold we usually have some wind along to make matters worse. I surely hope the weather is holding out in Idaho so you can get the beans in. I bet you are glad you haven’t any potatoes if it is cold there.

I’ll sign off now and go see if I can draw a comforter. Press says to send his regards.

Love,

Guess it’s about time I got another line off to my parents. Hope you don’t mind the pencil because I left my fountain pen over in the dental clinic the other afternoon with one of the dentists who borrowed it. I called him and will go over to pick it up when I find time.

Too bad about the house across from Gibs. It had sort of become a part of the neighborhood and I bet the hill looks funny without it.

Your last letter came the day Roger got here, Mom, so he got to read it. I happened to have about 24 hours off when Roger got here by coming home from the line early and skipping PT. Of course, he has told you what all we did. Was sure glad to see him again. I heard a good rumor. One of the B-29 outfits that was ready to go over about a couple of weeks ago got some time, in fact, a lot of time off. I’m keeping my fingers crossed ‘cause I want to get home once more before I take off.

I went to ground school all day today. So nothing exciting has taken place, except the engine we brought home last night (not running) from service here in Iowa. We would have landed in Omaha but had plenty of altitude (20,000 feet) and Omaha was under a solid overcast.

I have to get up early in the morning and fly, then at 5:00 in the afternoon accept the duty of the Duty Officer until Monday afternoon. Just a boring job of inspecting, etc.

If I haven’t thanked you already, thanks heaps, Mom, for the popcorn. Still have a little.

Love,

Vince

I was glad to get your letter Roger. I guess that’s a pretty rare thing for me to get a letter from you so you can guess how happy I was to get it. Too bad the cows took a beating while you were gone. Probably because they didn’t have a very close schedule. I haven’t gotten the extra decorations for the room yet but I will be expecting them soon. Didn’t get the mail so they may be fine now. I am just guessing as to what it is. Bet I’m right. I’m glad you liked the crew pictures.

There has been a change. We now have a new bombardier (the 3rd) and I believe we at last have a good one. He’s 27 and was a Bombardier instructor, so knows what the score is on bombing. The only disadvantage is that he is coming into the crew pretty late in the game. I think he is going to be OK though.

If you haven’t already sent the small pictures, don’t bother. Thanks a lot for the apples, Mom. They are still as fine as ever and good. I’m glad to hear pheasant season is open. Incidentally, you might save a few of those shells because I may be shooting up some of them soon. Nothing definite yet but they are planning on sending out 4 crews at a time for 10 days. Crew 4008 goes November 10-20th. So if things do work out, I’ll be home about the 11th. There is still some friction between the Base C.O. and our Squadron C.O. as to whether we will get time at all, but, of course, everyone has their fingers crossed. I’ll give you a call as soon as I know anything definite as to when, and if, I’ll be there. I’ll probably come on the train to Shoshone. Of course, I would like to spend the time with Ginny but I have seen quite a bit of her, so if we do get it I’ll be home. You can be sure I’ll be home.

If I do get home, I don’t want you making any plans and going to a lot of trouble for me. Please, I just want to spend my time seeing you all and anyone else around. Don’t tell everyone I may be home or they will all want me to come see them, or am I flattering myself? Don’t count too much on anything just keep your fingers crossed. Wouldn’t it be nice if I could see June and Harold.

Things are going pretty much as usual here. I got up at 1:00 pm today since I didn’t get down in the sack until 5:00 am. Over 24 hours without any sleep and nothing to eat. That’s [how] it goes. Had some bad weather last night.

Hope I’ll be seeing you all,

Love,

Leonard

Dear Folks, Roger, June and Harold,

How do you like the new stationary? They disadvantage I can see is that I’ll have to write more now to look like a letter.

I got your letter yesterday, Mom. I’m certainly glad to hear that June and Harold were coming. I can imagine you are all having a big time now, especially June and Herald. They have been rather unfortunate so far in their married life together. How long are they going to stay in Idaho? I sure hope they come there in November before Harold is sent east or wherever he goes.

Yes, Mom, I am proud of you for not crying when I left. You did an admirable job. I’m also glad you got the beets out. I guess that eliminates the worries for another season.

Ginny left at 3 this afternoon. She came Thanksgiving Day. I have been pretty busy but did get a break on the snow storm we had yesterday, so I didn’t have to fly and had the day with her. We took the big “blow out” at the Club Thanksgiving. They had Frankie Master’s band, a big feed and, of course, it was a big party. We also took in a couple of movies.

I have to get up very early in the morning and Press is in the rack so I better sign off.

Love,

Vince

Haven’t been doing much this afternoon. It is a regular ground school day but we don’t have ground school any more. At 7:30 I am meeting Bob Cook at the Lodge to get a little coaching.

Thursday morning I got up at 4:00 to fly early. We didn’t get off till 12:45 and flew a radar bombing mission on Whale Island off the Yucatan Peninsula. We were in the air 16:30 hours and I didn’t get to bed till 7 am Friday morning so I was 27 hours without sleep and longer than that without anything to eat. We kept awake with sulfa benzedrine tablets, which really do the work. That is really a long flight. I slept till 3 pm Friday, then got 8 hours Friday night so feel OK now. I think we may be going to Puerto Rico for a few days in a couple of weeks.

It has really been cold here that past two weeks, many nights down to 0o and every day freezing. We have about 4” of snow on the ground. This country is at least as cold as maybe more so than Idaho.

Nothing new as to when we are sailing out. I am ready to go out.

I haven’t heard from you since Harold and June were coming home. I imagine you have been pretty busy and having a good time. I am wondering if they are going to get through Nebraska on the way to Indianapolis.

I got the underwear today from M.W. They sent a different pair from what I ordered, but they look OK for me. They didn’t remit any money even though these are a cheaper grade.

Has Roger gotten a new classification yet? How are the cows coming?

Love to all,

Leonard

I got a letter from Mom and one from June today. I bet now you’ve been having a good time with them home. Things aren’t working out as they were supposed to for the 13th and 14th. I have the reservation made but contrary to the former plans I am going to Puerto Rico next week instead of the week after. Also, tonight the fellow has been coaching me on my lodge work says that he planned to have me examined the 16th so it looks like that is going to be a knock in the head too. The coaching has been coming along pretty well and even though he wants it perfected and I have to be examined in open lodge I think I am about ready for it. I have been meeting him in the temple but tomorrow evening I am going to his home. His name is Bob Cook and a very swell man.

I’m not sure about exactly when I’ll be taking off for the South so nothing is really definite yet. I will keep the hotel reservation and give you a call when I am sure whether I’ll be home the 13th or 14th.

Wednesday afternoon we were told we would have Thursday off, so I went to see Ginny and Thursday Press called to say we didn’t have anything to do Friday, so I stayed another day. Ginny had one the other teachers take her classes, so we had plenty of time together. I flew a little this morning, a test flight on a ship that just came into commission. I have tomorrow off Sunday – the first Sunday in a long time. The reason we aren’t doing much is because one squadron has most of the planes in Puerto Rico so we don’t have any to fly.

I’ll be giving 31H10 a call probably before you get this letter.

Love to all,

Leonard

Ps Get in the Navy if you can, Roger.

I guess just Mom and Roger are at home now but I am so used to writing “Dear Folks”. I slipped.

So far we have been awfully busy and this is the first day I have gotten around to writing any letters. At one time we had gone 68 hours with only 6 hours sleep but things have slowed down a little now. This morning I got in a little swimming and will fly this afternoon. I expect we will be heading home in a couple of days.

I suppose by now you know Dad, June and Harold stopped to see me. I think Dad will stay in Des Moines till I get back, then stop in to see me get my third [Mason degree] on his way back to Idaho. Harold certainly looks fine.

This place is very beautiful and the field, itself, is very nice too, in fact, I wouldn’t mind just staying here.

Mom, my Christmas shopping is going to be very limited. There isn’t much I can do and it will be too late when I get back to Grand Island. I have bought something here you may like, but it isn’t what I would like to have [gotten you].

We have eaten some coconuts off the trees, darned good.

Lots of love,

Leonard

Ps I lost my fountain pen so will you please sent that Eversharp pen? It’s in my dresser drawer I think. Thanks.

I guess my letter writing has sort of gone to the weeds lately. You may have begun thinking things about my having G.I. but I don’t imagine it will be for 5 or 6 days at best.

I spent Christmas Day with the Wills family. I left in the afternoon of the 24th and arrived in Greenfield at midnight so we opened our things. Ginny bought me a new hat which she decided I needed and also a very nice brown billfold. Mr. and Mrs. Wills gave me Seaforth talc and shaving lotion, so with yours I now have two bottles of lotion. I love the Seaforth stuff. I had to leave Christmas night planning on saying goodbye to Ginny then she cried a little and said she was coming to Grand Island with me. So at the last moment she threw some stuff in a bag and came along. She left the 28th, so we had quite a visit. Anyway, the job is done now and I don’t imagine I’ll get to see her again till after I come back.

I am using the Eversharp [fountain pen] you mailed me, which arrived today so I trust you got the letter I wrote in Puerto Rico. Thanks a lot. It still works OK as far as I can tell.

This is New Year’s Eve but don’t think I’ll be doing anything exciting. I will probably go to a show on the field, write some letters then hit the sack. I have hit the sack early the past two nights ‘cause I have slight cold. It’s getting much better.

It has really been cold here. It freezes hard every night and the weatherman predicts the coldest yet tonight.

I’ll be sending some stuff home pretty soon and will have a bit more to send later (clothes). You can do what you want to with the stuff. But when I send the clothes, some of them may be dirty. The dirty ones I would like to have cleaned and all of them stored. When we get back, if it’s in the winter, will probably call home saying I want some clothes quick.

Thanks a lot for the eats, Mom. I still have some left. Thanks also for the Seaforth Grandstander and, Dad, for the ring. I got eats from Grandma, Aunty and the Porters. I did have a nice Christmas.

Dad, I got the receipt for my dues from H. Hamerquist, but he didn’t mail any card showing I am a Master Mason. I am supposed to get one, am I not? If I am will you please speak to H.H.?

We are going through processing the 2nd so I will have a lot of new equipment. 4008 has no fly away yet but we will when we get to knowing.

I am going to the show now so will sign off now.

Love,

Vince

Dear Dad,

I am sending you a bank check for the money I owe you. Thanks a lot for the loan. The same odd cent just happened. Don’t worry about it. The other check, please apply on my account at the bank. Please take the birth certificate to the lock box.

Today we processed, a whole day’s job tending a lot of paper work and turning in the flying equipment. I canceled my war bond allowance and made out an allotment of $150 per month to be sent you to take care of. I’ll start the month of February so the first check should come about the first week in March. If it doesn’t let me know.

I got your letter a few days ago and, of course, really appreciate the letter I got from you ‘cause they are sort of few and far between. I’m glad you had a nice trip, or at least, as nice as can be expected. You did have a pretty nice coach.

I went to Lodge meeting last night and Bob Cook gave me a lot of information that is nice to know. The other day down at the dentist, one of the dentists said “I see you have been around”. I not knowing what the score was didn’t have any idea what he meant. He saw my ring and after last night it all cleared up as to what he meant. I should have said I had been” East” last week. Live and learn. I also got the dates I was initiated and raised. They are: initiated Aug 24, 1944, Masters Dec. 21, 1944. I would like to have you get the date I got my 2nd (about the 17th of November I think) and print them in my apron.

I doubt if you will hear from me any more at Grand Island, but from time to time you will be getting stuff I will be sending. Use any of the stuff if you can. If not, pack it away somewhere.

Lotsa Love,

Leonard

Well, here we are still sweating out an airplane. We have prepared and I’m ready to go to the Point of Aerial Embarkation any time. We got a lot of new equipment and the best the Air Force has I guess. No pistol yet but we will get things before we leave here. Have holster, pistol belt, all new type of flying clothes, etc. I will probably be sending all of my winter clothes home soon. I’ll hold out till we are almost ready to take off because it is a bit cold as yet. You should have the stuff I sent home from Grand Island by now but I just remembered that I didn’t send you the key to the suitcase. I am enclosing same. Some of the stuff in the suitcase should not be showed to everyone. Do whatever you think best with the stuff. You’ll be getting the rest in about a week or 10 days. Probably I imagined the stuff should be cleaned and put away. Also am including some gum and cigarettes. You won’t have any trouble getting rid of them.

I’m glad to hear Roger is working on the Naval Air Corp. It’s a good deal and I am quite sure if he can make it he’ll be happier than if he lets the draft catch up with him. Good going Duck and I hope you cut it.

Love all,
Leonard

Got your letter today, Mother, and also the package. Thank you for both. No telling how much longer I’ll be here but I have an idea you could write again after you get this letter safely. When I get an APO address, you will get it very soon because we filled out some blanks which will be sent to you immediately.

I haven’t been doing much but laying around getting equipment ready to go. I’m getting tired of it and would like to get on the move. I’ll try and get some shirts for Dad either at the PX or QM. The QM is about a mile up the line but I’ll try and get up. If I do get them I’ll just send them with the rest of the stuff I’ll be sending home. Thanks for taking care of the stuff I sent home, Mom. I am afraid to send out any laundry so did quite a sizable amount this morning myself. It was quite a job and I realize what you go through on wash days.

No airplane yet but it should be soon. I hope that is all that is holding things up now.

No more news so I’ll sign off.

Love to all,

Leonard

Have been putting off writing a letter the past few days because I thought I’d be gone by now and would have called you. I plan to before I leave but would like to wait until about the day before we pull out. Weather is the big hold up now. For the past 4 or 5 days the visibility has been under ½ mile in a misty fog. The ceiling has been very low too. As soon as we can fly we will be able to accomplish the one required calibration mission and be ready to go to the coast the next day. I could go for a little of the sunshine right now. As a result of this stuff, we have been able to do a lot of work on the plane. The number, incidentally, is 674 but it still has no name. We have been racking our brains and have some good ideas but nothing definite yet.

This waiting around is getting terribly boring but we will have to put up with it as long as the weather is like this plus a couple of days. The weatherman says maybe we can make it tomorrow. I hope so.

About the “Citizen Record”, you needn’t bother about it when I go overseas and the letter from the Daily News usually doesn’t contain any news that I am interested in. It was OK in the states but I don’t think you should increase the weight of your letters when they have to go overseas. I understand air mail is a bit faster and, of course, more satisfactory than V mail. That, however, remains to be seen.

I’m still withholding my clothes till I am sure we are leaving soon but I did send a package today which I think will please all of you, mainly Dad.

The food here is not as good here as it has been at past fields. Despite that, I weigh 200 lbs. (not doing much work). I feel fine but most of the fellows have colds.

Have been receiving your very regular and appreciated letters, Mom. Thanks.

Love all,

Leonard

Ps My fingers are crossed for you to go to the Navy, Roger.

I just finished talking to you, Mom, but there didn’t seem like there was much to say. It was just to let you now that I’m on my way. No telling how much longer I’ll be in the states. I’ll guess about a week or maybe less / more. I doubt if I’ll be able to write you from there but if I can I will.

I flew today so will take off in the morning. We should have taken off yesterday in the morning but had trouble with one engine so had to have an engine change. I think we are all set for in the morning. The plane really flew nicely and it’s OK. It’s very nice to have brand new equipment.

I certainly hope Roger can get in the Navy. Keep me posted on the results. Thanks Dad and Roger for both of your letters.

I’ll be seeing you,

Leonard

There is a lot of water between you and I now. I’ll swear to that. I am now somewhere in the Hawaiian Islands. They are very beautiful, somewhat like Cuba and Puerto Rico, some very high mountains and lots of green foliage. There’s something about all islands that make them beautiful to me. We still have quite a way to go yet. Will be here only for a few days.

I am wondering how Roger made out with the Navy and am wondering if he went to L.A. I certainly hope he make the grade OK. The Navy I think is a better deal for a fellow who doesn’t have anything special in mind but, of course, it all depends on how the breaks go in either branch.

There really isn’t much to write about, or rather there is a lot to write about but there is little I am allowed to say except I feel swell and this sunshine really agrees with me, at least it seems good compared to the Nebraska weather. Probably before long I’ll be bleeding about how hot it is.

I’m thinking of you all. Please write as I know you will. This APO is temporary and I should have my permanent one before long. If you write to the APO I’ll get the letters sooner than if you wait to receive my new one, but as soon as you do get it, it will be the one to use.

I am wondering if you got the box OK. I could only get two shirts and they aren’t exactly the right size but I hope Dad can use them.

Love to all and you’ll be hearing from me again before too long,

Vince, the copilot

Lt. Edgar L. Vincent 0-771589
40th Sqdn, 6th Bomb Gp
APO #247
c/o Postmaster San Francisco, CA

I’m halfway settled in my new home, a large tent in which the officers of 2 crews sleep making nine of us altogether. It’s not so very crowded. The floor is a lot of coral so we can’t run around without shoes. We got here the 2nd of February but I have been so busy I haven’t had time to write. Haven’t done any flying yet but have done some work on the airplane and spent the rest of the time trying to fix the place up to a livable condition. I have made myself a clothing closet out of a packing crate. We haven’t finished our fox holes yet but it’s something we must do because there have been some raids here but not since I came. I am somewhere in the Marianas Island group  on one of the larger islands. Probably not where you think. We have to be careful about going around at night because there are still a lot of Japs on the island but they stay pretty much up in the hills and when they do come down it is at night.

We had a fairly nice trip over with about 3 days in the Hawaiian Islands somewhere. I got to see Honolulu, Waikiki Beach and some other places around there. We stopped at one other place [Kwajalein Atoll] between the Hawaii Islands and here but I can’t say where.

We have had beautiful weather here so far but they say it rains plenty and lots of time sometimes the sun shines almost continuously so I am picking up a little tan. I’m hoping that I can get black before I leave and I think we will be here long enough for that.

Our quarters are temporary, so they say, and as time goes by we should have a better set up. Everything is pretty temporary now. There’s nothing I need, even though there is nothing in the so-called PX. The food is much better than I expected, in fact it’s not half bad.

Love,

Leonard

No, I haven’t been gambling. That is what is left of 2 month’s pay. We didn’t get paid at the end of January and not until the 10th of the month, so I had quite an accumulation. I hope you have received the allotment of $150 for the month of February. You should be getting them around the 10th every month from now on. They ran out of money order request blanks at our P.O. office and I could have sent the rest. I have about $80 more to send and I have the blank now so you should get it ‘ere long. I am keeping $8 to spend lavishly as I desire. This is the plan to save money. Nothing in the world to spend it on except a few things at the PX. Dad, please put everything that comes in my account, as if I had to tell you. I’m sure you will take care of it.

As you have probably guessed, I have been pretty darn busy. Didn’t get much sleep last night so have been sleeping this afternoon. As soon as I write to Ginny, I’m going to crawl in the sack and not move until 09:00 in the morning. We have 3 missions all of them as of late. Of course, I can’t say where or when but you read the papers. I might say things are really beginning to pop. The missions are not too bad but any guy who says he doesn’t get scared once in a while is a damned fool. Excuse the grammar please.

Mom, I got the metal mirror a couple of days ago. Thanks a lot. I got your letter today saying you had sent a glass one. Sounds like you had a nice visit in Pasadena and Roger really made the rounds. Wish I could have been there. I think I would have shown him around a bit. How did you like the Palladium, Roger? It’s bad about the Navy being closed up. Am anxious to know the set up on your military status.

I guess I never told you but they took our plane away from us about 10 days after we got here. Now we have a new one another crew brought over. Its name is “Little Giant”. It’s a darn good airplane. We have become very attached to it the past week. Don’t know how many missions we have to make but we hear rumors of 20. I hope it’s right. No more news. Everything is going OK.

Love,

Leonard

Ps We had corn on the cob tonight.

This is going to be short and sweet because I am in the mess hall eating breakfast. Just want to say I’m OK. Besides you just can’t send a money order in an empty envelope.

I have 5 missions over the empire now. On the way home the other day we were listening to the news broadcast on the radio and they were telling about our raid when we had only dropped the bombs a few hours before. The fires were going good, believe me. Can you imagine the whole sky being lit up from about as far away as you are from Pocatello? I guess the Japs don’t like it to end. We all accuse Harry, the Bombardier, of being a murderer.

The squadron C.O. says we are going to have a rest now before the next one.

Love to all,

Leonard

Ps Send me some cookies

Mom, I got your letter today explaining the two sheets of blank paper in the one I got yesterday. I had thought you were trying to give me a hint to write more. I couldn’t imagine you doing that. Please send cookies.

Tell Roger I’m rooting for the Navy but it probably won’t do any good now for probably at this moment he’s in one or the other. I’m anxiously awaiting the news.

Now to answer some of your questions. We receive mail about every day but some days it doesn’t come in then it bunches up. Haven’t received any package from anyone yet. Our Officer’s Club isn’t as yet but we do have the equipment we paid for in the states. The drinking water is OK.

I’m sending you some pictures I have taken over here and got a friend to develop them for me the other day. I’m also sending with same ones to Ginny so you needn’t send these to her. They are yours. I’m glad to hear Dad has a new man and hope he pans out better than the last summer’s help. It has been raining a lot here the past few days so the weather isn’t so nice as usual but nothing to gripe about.

Love,

Leonard

Ps John McKay and I had a nice chat the other day. Thanks for the address.

I haven’t written in quite some time and feel as though I have slighted you some. We are in the Quonset hut now and it really seems nice to have a floor, door and a good roof. The ventilation is much better also. I’ll try to answer some more question from your last letter. No, I haven’t seen the picture “Fighting Lady” but will remember it and try to see it when and if it comes here. I saw a stinker tonight “Dangerously We Live”. The print must have been made in reverse because I still wear my watch on my right wrist. Yes, there are a lot of radios around, however, no one in this hut happens to have one. One of the fellows in another hut has a record player. I have as yet received only the one package you mailed from Pasadena. Am anxiously awaiting them. I must have quite a few because both you and Ginny have mailed some.

Richard has had a rough time of it. I imagine he will be on his way home before long and should serve the rest of the war in the States I think. Thanks for his new address. Think I’ll write to him soon. Yes, I am getting Reader’s Digest but it is slow getting here. No, I don’t need any other magazines.

We just finished our 9th mission night before last to Kawasaki. Things were going good there but they put on some mighty fine fireworks for us. I’ll tell you all about it after the war. Oh yes, we are getting another Air Medal or rather a cluster for the first one. I think I told you about receiving the first for flying so many of the blitz missions along at the first. The second is for completing a certain number of missions up to March 14.

I imagine Roger has left for somewhere by the time you read this. Be sure and send his address as soon as you get it just in case he forgets to write to me. If he still has his car I would like to have him not sell it because I would like to use it when I get back to the States. Might buy it if he has no use for it. I figure on going on a honeymoon soon after I get back and a car would simplify things a lot. Then if I am going to be stationed somewhere in the States it would be nice to have.

We had a USO show last night. It was fair and, of course, the theater was packed – a chance to see some white women.

I haven’t been working too hard the past few days, in fact, I am never greatly overworked. Tomorrow morning we are going to go down to the line and clean some smoke and soot off the airplane.

Lots of love,

Leonard

Ps Please send some cookies and olives and some shaving lotion.

It has been a lot of time since I have written to my parents. The reason is because in the past week I have flown 4 missions, that means about 60 hours flying time in 7 days. That’s too much in anybody’s language, although it does make the missions add up. I have flown the past four with my new crew and I have 22 now. Most of the crew has from 17-21 so they aren’t green. Thank God for that. I was pretty lucky to get a crew that knows what the score is. The crews that are coming in now as replacements are pretty green and lacking of training.

It’s lunch time so I’ll finish this later. Back again. Chow was pretty good for a change today. Not that it isn’t always sufficient but the same old stuff gets pretty monotonous.

Since I have last written I have received three letters and a package from home. Will try to answer them all now. This afternoon is the first time in quite a while that I haven’t been sleeping or flying. The package came yesterday with the vial of vitamins, chocolate syrup, popcorn (a real good package). Thanks a lot. The little box of vitamins you sent air mail is almost empty and the new ones got here just in time. They are doing me some good I am pretty sure and would like some more later on.

Mom, I’m proud of you losing ten lbs. I hope you can fulfill your dreams of losing 50 lbs. but if you did I’m afraid I wouldn’t know you anymore.

I’m glad to hear that at last things are beginning to warm up at home. Guess you had an awful late spring didn’t you? The mean temperature over here in the summer and winter various only about 4o so there is really not much difference between the seasons. The summer season does get a lot of rain. It has started now and it’s rare when it doesn’t rain sometime or other during the day. Has been doing it pretty regularly the past couple of weeks. The other night we were down to the show and it started raining. We always carry our raincoats when we go to the show, but even at that we got wet. It rained harder and harder until it was coming down by the bucketful. We couldn’t hear the sound and hardly see the screen. About 3 hours later we took off to visit the land of the Rising Sun. It was still pretty putrid weather.

The new crew is pretty swell. I have four missions with them now. The airplane is “Flak Alley Sally”. It has been doing a good job too. The first mission I flew in it I had to stop at Iwo for some more gas, but other than that we have flown four missions without much going wrong

Thanks for informing me about the last money order. There are no more on the way now and I have thrown away all the receipts. Are the allotment checks coming every month? If they have been you should have about $100 by now. I just got a package from June and Harold and found the little book “Tao”. It has a lot of little verses in it and is pretty good. I must write and thank her.

Can’t think of any more news, in fact, I’ve about run out of anything to say.

Love to all,

Leonard

Ps Please send some more vitamins, olives, cookies, etc.

Lt. Edgar L Vincent 0-771589
40th Sqdn 6th Bomb Gp
APO 336
c/o PMstr San Francisco

Dear Mom and Dad,

Just got back last night from a quite enjoyable rest leave in Oahu. When I got back I had a whole stack of letters from Ginny and about 5 or 6 from you. Also some packages. I got two boxes of cookies from you and also the little box of vitamins you air mailed. Thanks a lot. I don’t think you better send any more because I am hoping to leave this rack about the middle of September.

I am going to answer the question in your past letters then I will tell you about the rest leave.

You have really kept me up on all the latest news, Mom. I’m happy to hear that the crops are all coming along OK and that the man has proven more than satisfactory. I feel for Dad and the stiff synthetic. I can’t figure out Earl’s situation either. If I guess right, he won’t have time to finish before the war is nearly done. The Army has decided that it has all the pilots it needs, in fact, has discharged quite a few fighter pilots. Don’t think I have a chance of getting out when I get back with the type of airplane I have been flying. I’m sorry to hear the tires aren’t too good on Roger’s car. I haven’t decided exactly what I will be doing when I get back. I’ll probably go right to Iowa and get married. I am surely counting and hoping that my Mom and Dad can make the wedding. If you can’t because of transportation problems, we will for sure take our honeymoon in the west and spend some time with you. The reason I want to get married first is so that we can have as long as possible for honeymoon in the 30 day furlough. It will take 3 days to get the license in Iowa and then a couple of days extra before we get hitched and on our way. If possible I plan to go west on my honeymoon anyway. Some will depend on where my new station is. I would like to use his car but maybe the tires won’t take it. I suppose to get new tires it I would have to own it. Maybe I better see if I can’t get Roger to change it over to my name.

You wanted to know how we popped the corn. We made a little fireplace a long time ago in our yard. Whenever someone gets popcorn we build a fire and get some butter and salt from the mess hall and pop it in a mess kit with a lid. It works out quite fine and the popcorn is really enjoyed.

I think you must have forgotten to put the letter of Aunt Edith’s letter in one of yours in which you mentioned enclosing because it wasn’t in the envelope.

Nothing much has changed on Tinian in the past two weeks except we are getting in an awful lot of new replacement crews. The huts aren’t large enough to hold crews and what’s more we can crowd in, so some of them are living in tents out back. They aren’t too happy about it but they will be able to live in huts as soon as some more of the crews go home. They are starting now. These ungrateful guys can’t understand how lucky they are. They have an Officer’s Club which we (the old crews) built, a nice area, a PX and countless other things. The missions they will be flying are a lot easier than the big heavily defended juicy targets we had to hit a few months ago.

Am glad to hear you are getting a water softener. It will really be a big help.

They’ve put it out in the radio now so I can tell you what we were doing up near Russia. We mined the shipping ports of Rashin and Seishin, only 20 miles from the Russian border. Of course, it was a night mission. The Russians turned out all their lights and Vladivostok Radio went off the air. Their music wasn’t bad either. The Korean coast remained lighted all the time so they didn’t expect us. We were over the Empire and Japanese Sea about six hours which is a long time to wear a heavy flak suit.

Don’t expect me home in September. Don’t believe I can cut it. I would have if it weren’t for the rest leave but I have 6 more to fly which will take about a month then awhile to get home. I figure around the first of [October].

I’m glad finally that Grandma could come. She is undoubtedly there now and I trust you are all having a good time. I know she must be enjoying herself.

The war can’t last too much longer if the Japs have any sense at all. Of course, if they are so ignorant as they may be and can’t see the light, an invasion will take some time. I only hope Roger doesn’t have to go over.

Now for the rest leave. We left here the 26th of July, took a C47 to Saipan. We couldn’t get a C-54 out of there that night so stayed overnight there until the next night when we got aboard. We got to Oahu early in the morning and went right to the rest camp at Hickam Field. We stayed there 3 days until an invitation for four men came. The officers of the crew went. We flew over to Kauai (the northern most of the Hawaiians) where we were met by the Red Cross and driven to the Alexanders. We really had a wonderful time while there. They showed us around the island and really fed us like kings. We had several beach parties, a steak fry, played a lot of tennis and swam a lot. After 5 days there, the Red Cross took us back to the air field to catch a plane back. The plane was filled that morning so we had to wait till the next day. That day we went to the beach again and had a big time. The next morning we got aboard and went back to the rest camp at Hickam, stayed there a day then went to the ATC and got a plane out that night. We got into Saipan day before yesterday but had to stay an extra day again before we could get a C-46 back to Tinian.

It seemed pretty good to get back and see all the fellows but I’m not hot for flying the rest of the missions. I want to go home. Who doesn’t??”

Love to all,

Leonard

Ps Notice new APO number

Just got back today from another mission to the Empire to deliver supplies to POW camps. This time at Osaka. Everything went OK except that I had to land at Iwo because the weather was bad here. I took off from Iwo this morning and got here this noon. After I’d finished dropping supplies at Osaka I went over to take a look at Nagoya, a city of 3 or 4,000,000 people (that is before we burned them out). You should see those cities, mile after mile of nothing but ashes. Occasionally a building built of fire brick or concrete would be standing but gutted. Other than for a few spare areas, there is practically nothing in any of the cities of over 500,000. I really went down and took a look at things.

There is no news as to when I’ll get home. Things aren’t too rosy. Fellows with 31 missions as of August 14 are going home soon but at that time I had 30. The rest has sorta fixed me (bad). No news is good news they say but I wish they would put out some concrete information.

Love,

Leonard

Ps Please deposit the money orders.