Dad’s Letters Home
Transferred in on Special Orders
April 6, 10 & 12, 1944: A few letters home from Dad from Topeka. It is Easter time at Topeka Army Air Base. Dad spends some time thinking back on last year’s Easter and writes about what is going on in the present, including a wedding that he was in for a friend of his. … Continue reading
That’s About All
March 26 & 30 and April 2, 1944: a few letters home from Dad. There does not seem to be much going on at camp, at least that Dad can write home about. The weather is getting warmer day by day. As Dad writes, “The day after I wrote you the last letter I snowed, … Continue reading
Expecting a Little Too Much
March 21 and 24, 1944: Two letters home to Albany from Dad while stationed at Topeka Army Air Base with the 21st Bomb Wing. The weather in Topeka on the first full day of spring is varying widely. Dad gives his impressions of a U.S.O. show that was held on base, and he updates the … 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
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
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
The Pleasant Experience of Army Life
February 5, 6 & 9, 1944: Three relatively short letters home from Dad while he is stationed with the HQ Squadron of the 21st Bomb Wing at Topeka Army Air Base. He is working out the final details of his upcoming furlough and describes some of the routine daily things that happen on base. As … Continue reading
Pin Them Stripes on Mama and Daddy
January 24 and 30, 1944: two letters home from Dad while he is stationed with the 2nd Bomb Wing in Topeka. Dad has a few more things to say about his promotion to Staff Sergeant. He is keeping up with the war news, is planning for an upcoming furlough, and provides some color as to … Continue reading
I Caught up With Stanley
January 12 and 17, 1944. Dad writes two letters home from Topeka Army Air Base. He is back in Topeka after a few days on the road on Army business. Dad acknowledges receiving Ann’s letters dated January 4 and 6, 1944 and eventually gets her letter of January 10th but not before sharing his own … Continue reading
They Asked for It
January 4 and 7, 1944. Dad writes a couple of letters home. The letter of the 4th is from Topeka Army Air Base while in the letter of the 7th he notes that he is “temporarily away from Topeka” where he’s “been quite busy”. He is serving in the Headquarters Squadron of the 21st Bomb … Continue reading