1/21/40
Randolph Field, Tx
Hi Toots:
You were almost in the doghouse, but your two sweet letters took you out this morning. I’ll try to answer them before I take off on the wild doings here.
Glad you liked the pictures. They are most representative of cadet life. I thought Gordon would like the inside view of the BT-9. Now for the funny part. Very few of the ships have the instruments in the same place, so each time you fly, you have to memorize the panel all over. Jack’s address is:
Miss E. Stafford
C/o American Red Cross
Court House
Baton Rouge, La.
Tell Bill I wish I was there to play with Jimmy. He’s a grand little guy.
So you still remember the mezzanine of the Palmer House. If there were ever two homeless, strayed, lost little brats, we sure qualified that day. I haven’t seen Marge yet, although I did talk to her on the phone for a few minutes. Okey doke on the permanent, sweet. Wish I could be there to get my fingers in it.
Here’s the hard part. They’ve got me guessing. I want very much to get married in June, but I want to be able to guarantee you a home forever when I do. Right now I don’t know enough of the situation to make a decision. As nearly as I can determine, if we do, it will have to be before August. The uncertainty is rather trying, but there’s nothing we can do. We mustn’t lose sight of the fact that I yet have a chance of washing out. Another discouraging point is that Reserve Officers, under a new ruling, can only be given 1 year (instead of 3) of active duty at a time. Apparently this is only a technicality and the 2nd and 3rd years (up to 7) will be dished out each year. Darling, let’s just hold tight for a while and we’ll do everything we can. Yours is the only body I could every enjoy and the companionship that really fills out my life. I’m awfully fond of my angel. I feel more and more like a cad every day that passes, but I’m not going to put you into a nerve-racking position like we just got you out of.
Oh, goody! So Andy has scrammed. It’s mean, but it’s the best news I’ve heard in years.
Take care of yourself. You’re not a big enough little girl to go through a cold like I just finished. “Gone with the Wind” will arrive in S.A. in three weeks. I hope the “wind’s” gone by then! Toots, it’s been cold here. Just try drilling in 15 degrees when you’re used to 70 degrees! Time out for a bull-session.
Hold tight, angel! Now, listen. I want you to get this straight. First don’t count on anything. Secondly, this “ain’t” official, but it’s hot and probably accurate. Third, keep calm. I’ll just list what I heard.
- We are allowed to get married before July 1.
- Marriage during this interval won’t affect permanent commission.
- Foreign duty—no gov’t subsidy for wife transportation. If you can afford it yourself and can find quarters, there’s no official objection.
It doesn’t seem possible, darling, but we can hope. Late in June would probably 21work out best. Honey, it shocks me! Imagine me married! That certainly will upset the dope sheets. I guess I’ll just have to make the grade now. If all goes well I shall be ordering my regular Army uniform in six weeks. That’s going to cost $250 approximately so you can see how many cars we’ll by the first couple of years, hi.
Yesterday I served confinements until 10 P.M. At 3 P.M., when everyone had left on open post for the week-end, a parade was ordered for 8:30 A.M. today. I don’t see how they did it, but all but about 1% were present. There were only 20 men here when it started.
The parade was for the Chief of Staff* of the U.S. Army and General Arnold, Chief of the Air Corps. They are the #1 soldiers in the U.S. Army and the Air Corps respectively. I got in at 6:30, slept an hour, cleaned the room for inspection, and then got out and paraded for 45 minutes. If you would like to stand still in 15 degrees for half an hour and slowly freeze to death, you should become a cadet. General Marshall, Chief of Staff, is a hell of a good stick and on the ball every minute. Next to the Secretary of State, he has the most important job in the U.S. right now.
Incidentally, upon graduation, my class will apparently be temporarily assigned to duty in the U.S. for the duration of the spring maneuvers. The old Aces gave us a damn good talk.
Well, Honey, in spite of the above, it’s almost lunch time and I’m getting awfully hungry. I only had three bottles of beer since supper last night.
Stay just like you are, precious, and I’ll sure try to send you that railroad ticket when the time comes.
Your li’l boy, Cy.
*George C. Marshall