Topeka Army Air Base
They Deserve a Salute
November 1st and 5th, 1943. Dad writes two letters home from Topeka Army Air Base. He has received the last few letters from home and has really enjoyed reading about the exploits of his now one year old niece There is a new guy in the office and after a few minutes of talking with … Continue reading
On the Noisy Side
October 23 & 27, 1943. Two letters home from Dad while he is stationed at Topeka Army Air Base. The 21st Bomb Wing celebrated the first anniversary of its formation. Never one for big parties, Dad decided to stay back in the barracks with a few of the guys while the rest of the guys … Continue reading
Indian Summer in Topeka
October 17 and 21, 1943. Two letters home from Dad who is stationed at Topeka Army Air Base with the Headquarters Squadron of the 21st Bomb Wing. Dad reports that he had CQ duty last night and has the day off. This gives him a chance to catch up on his letter writing, He acknowledges … Continue reading
If It Ain’t One Thing It’s Another
October 9-13 1943. Several letters from Dad to home in quick succession. In the first letter of the batch, Dad gives an indication that he has time to write home when he specifies “There isn’t much going around except that the guys who were considered overages left for over-the-pond training…” He even has time to … Continue reading
I’d Like to Match His Experience
October 2nd and 5th 1943: a couple of letters from Dad to family back home in Albany. Dad comments on a few of the items mentioned by Anna in her last note: Regarding the bananas Eddie got from a customer – “We …don’t get bananas so darn often. I think we had them once since … Continue reading
He Will Be a One Man Army
September 15 and 19, 1943. A couple of letters home from Dad while stationed in Topeka. Both letters seem to have been written in the evening while he was relaxing in the barracks with the radio on. The programming that he mentions on the radio includes Nelson Eddy and Susanna Foster in the “Phantom of … Continue reading
A Lot of Time and Typewriters
September 6 and 11, 1943.Two letters from Dad to home. He spends a good bit of the September 6th letter advising Anna on the status of his income tax payments. He essentially tells his sister that she should advise the IRS that he is in the Army. “…it would be a good idea to let … Continue reading
It Feels Fine to Be Sgt.
August 30 & September 1, 1943. A couple of letters home from Dad while he is stationed at Topeka Army Air Base. He starts off with the news of another promotion, this time to Sergeant after being a corporal for only month and a half. He boasts, “How does it feel to have two brothers … Continue reading
Chief Clerk of Everything
August 24 and 27, 1943. A letter home to Albany from Dad while stationed in Topeka. It looks like he is back into the swing of things having been back at camp for a week since his furlough, even though he reminisces “when I was home mama fixed up such eats which I never get … Continue reading
Too Darn Fast Back to Camp
August 18 & 21, 1943. Dad writes two relatively brief letters home after his furlough. He is getting back into the swing of things in the office at Topeka Army Air Base after two weeks off and a visit home. The train ride to Topeka from Albany took 25 ½ hours. In Dad’s estimation, it … Continue reading