Author Archives: John
Read the Headlines
March 18, 20, 22 and 25, 1944: a handful of V-mails from Stanley to Dad. Uncle Stanley is at Deenethorpe, England with the 613th Bomb Squadron of the 401st Bomb Group. While his squadron has been spending the month bombing strategic Nazi targets in Europe, Stanley has been careful to write about regular base life … Continue reading
Nothing is Safe Anymore
March 17 & 20, 1944. Anna writes two letters to her brothers. Mama is finally getting her false teeth made, Easter is on its way, the upstairs renters are moving out, and Anna is facing the prospect that Eddie may be drafted as a result of new laws under consideration. Anna writes that “mama has … Continue reading
A Dignified Party
March 12, 15 & 17, 1944. Dad writes a few letters home to update everyone on what is going on at the HQ Squadron of the 21st Bomb Wing at Topeka Army Air Base. They had a big sendoff party for his boss, Captain Jordan, at the Jayhawk Hotel. He writes in general terms about … Continue reading
Sixteen Months
March 6 and 13, 1944, a few short notes from Stanley to Dad. Stanley has settled back into life on base at Deenethorpe after seeing a bit of the countryside on a 48 hour pass. He’s been given additional help in the office so he is managing to catch upon his work and is taking … Continue reading
The Empty House
March 10 and 13, 1944: Anna writes two letters to Dad. One letter is to both brothers while the other is just to Dad. Anna has already received a few letters from Dad now that he is back in Topeka after his furlough. Things around home in Albany are settling down after Dad’s visit and … Continue reading
Angry Over Small Matters
March 7 and 10, 1944: Dad writes a few letters to the family back in Albany after getting back to Topeka from his furlough. He has been moved to a new barracks, although his duties have not changed. His boss got a promotion and will be moving on soon. His letter also includes apologies for “getting … Continue reading
Her Million Dollar Smile
March 6, 1944: a letter from home to the boys. The baby is a little under the weather, Anna has a few things to say to Stanley about his adventures in England during a 48 hour pass and she reflects on having Anthony home on furlough. Baby Terry has been hit with a cold that … Continue reading
The English Sure Like Their Tea
February 17, 21, 27 and 29, 1944. We get a few V-mails from Stanley to Dad. Given the format they are short letters with a lot of single sentence paragraphs. The information is concise and to the point. Apparently in a recent letter Dad had asked Stanley if he would like a pocket chess game. … Continue reading
Bup
February 15 and 17, 1944: Two letters from home. The boys get a debrief on Valentine’s Day back home, Anna and Eddie take the baby for a visit to relatives in Cohoes, and there is more news about the baby. With the 14th being Valentine’s Day, Anna writes that Eddie “brought home a two pond … Continue reading
Sort of a Salesman
February 12 and 16, 1944: Dad writes two letters home from Topeka Army Air Base while stationed at the HQ Squadron of the 21st Bomb Wing. Dad is looking forward to going home on his furlough and is dealing with it being delayed and its conditions being changed on him. He also writes to explain … Continue reading