Topeka Army Air Base
All Set to Be Seeing You
July 31 & August 3 & 4, 1943. A few notes home from Dad as he is preparing for his furlough, his first since being sent to Camp Upton in January. In his letter of the 31st he writes that he signed his furlough papers and will have his furlough from August 5th to the … Continue reading
Time Isn’t Dragging
July 23, 24 and 28, 1943. A few letters from Dad in Topeka, Kansas to the family back home in Albany. Dad is looking forward to his furlough (his first since being inducted at the beginning of the year) and he is starting to make preparations to head home. He is planning to leave either … Continue reading
I Will Try Again Later
July 17 & 20 1943. Letters home from Dad responding to the letter that his sister wrote him on the 14th. As he is writing on the evening of the 17th he is pulling CQ duty and has time to catch up on his correspondence. He was glad to hear about their friend Joe Miller … Continue reading
Articles of War
July 5 & 7, 1943. Dad writes two letters home to Albany from Topeka. The first is relatively short. In it he explains that his rating for Corporal has been held up by the higher ups considering whether his boss (T/Sgt. Ball) gets his promotion at the same time. Apparently both Dad’s and T/Sgt. Ball’s … Continue reading
This World Isn’t Only for Hitler
June 28, 1943. Dad writes home and notes that it is a special day as he opens his letter, “I can think of no better way to spend my 20th birthday then to write you and Stanley a letter.” He says that he still gets “a lot of enjoyment” out of looking at the birthday … Continue reading
The Best Friend I Met
June 25, 1943. A letter home from Dad. He is still waiting to hear from Base HQ about his application for ASTP. He hopes to hear back soon. He assures his family that “trying out for ASTP is not a scheme to try to deprive you of my furlough or to prolong my stay on … Continue reading
The Value of Knowing Something More
June 22, 1943. Dad writes home. He acknowledges receipt of his sister’s letters of the 16th and the 18th. The letter of the 18th is in the “archive” but the letter of the 16th is missing. From Dad’s letter we get an idea of what Anna has been writing. Apparently, Theresa Marie is starting to … Continue reading
I Hope to Learn Some Profession
June 19, 1943. It’s a Saturday, and Dad takes some time on his day off to write home from Topeka. The pictures of his brother Stanley with his niece Theresa-Marie have finally made their way to him. He comments, “He and Theresa-Marie look like relatives indeed. I think those pictures are the best ever taken … Continue reading
I Was a “G” Man
June 8, 1943. A letter home from Dad. He seems to have settled into life at Topeka Army Air Base, reporting “things are going along without any changes.” He is looking forward to spending some time at home soon. He comments, “When I get home on a furlough next month I am sure the weather will agree … Continue reading