3/26/40
Brooks Field, Tx.
Hi Darling:
It’s lucky you weren’t with me last night, for you’d be an awfully tired little gal.
I went to Bob Cook’s (P.U. ’39) wedding Saturday out at the Randolph Chapel. Every time I go there, I think more and more that it is the place to be buried in and not married in.
The rest of the week-end was spent with the kids. They have a swell little duplex. Easter service was good. You’d like Dr. Hill. He’s quite a character. Among other things, he’s a Texas Ranger and one of the best shots in the U.S.
We start night flying and probably cross-countries this week. They are usually good for a couple of laughs.
The card is premature but all of the class has gotten them.
Tell Gordon I got caught in the prop wash from 11 ships yesterday. I was flying with full right rudder and left stick to stay in position. This formation business is more fun than a bushel of monkeys.
If you watch the show announcements you may see a newsreel of the graduation Saturday. The 120 ship formation was the nuts (5 groups). The Brooks Field gang had the best formation. You can tell by the numbers, about 054 to 078.
That’s all for now, Darling, Love Cy.
Year: 1940
1940 March 27 “Lonesome and Blue”
3/27/40
Brooks Field, Tx.
Baby Girl:
I might as well admit it, I’m awfully lonesome and blue. Thank God I have such a fine bunch of men for classmates. But every once in a while, all of a sudden I get one of these spells, and it’s no joke. Fortunately they never last.
Today has been particularly trying. We had nothing at all scheduled this morning. It was fogged in until 3 o’clock this afternoon. After waiting all that time, I wasn’t scheduled to fly anyhow.
We have been having open post after duty on Wednesdays, and a few hours spent with the kids has helped break the monotony of the week. For no good reason, that has been discontinued. As usual, Kelly gets the breaks. They now have open post every night!
Well, I’ve talked to you now, so I feel better. I wish I had you here to hold tightly in my arms. You’re such a precious little bundle. Goodnight, angel.
Your own boy, Cy.
1940 March 30 Out for the weekend
3/30/40
Brooks Field, Tx.
Hi Darling:
I’m writing this on my way into town. Boy, it’s good to be out for the week-end!
I flew 50 miles under the hood by radio navigation and hit within ¼ mile of my destination. I’ll probably be the first one lost in cross-country work.
Gee, the roads are bumpy!
It looks like barracks for me for six weeks after we’re married.
I love you dear, Cy.
1940 April 1 “Today I was a hot pilot”
4/1/40
Brooks Field, Tx.
Angel:
I spent another week-end with the folks. Annie Claire and I heard (and saw) the St. Louis Symphony Saturday night. I saw it three times at school and it is really wonderful.
Today I was a hot pilot. It was windy (gusts of 30 mph and better) and rough as a son-of-a-gun. So when everybody else went haywire, I got hot. It’s always been that way with my flying. I flew two hours of observer time and 1:20 under the hood. I found the new beam just installed at Yokum (no bunk), flew it into the S.A. beam, and then flew the latter into the field. Then I went out and worked an orientation problem on the S.A. Beam. It was the best day’s flying I have ever done. Keeping a level keel on instruments in rough air sure is fun, although it takes a lot of good work.
We started skeet shooting this morning. This goes on until we shoot 250 rounds of the stuff. It’s great sport, but so what. A couple of hours of baseball would do more good.
If the overcast hadn’t settled in we would have started night flying tonight. A couple of flights were made before it dropped down. We fly 3 zones and 3 layers here. The new field lights are the nertz.
This town ain’t got nothing! Will you get me:
6 11 ½” x 9” (approx.) brown envelopes (to clear 8 ½ “ x 11” paper)
1 box erasers (per sample—which is worn out)
And have them sent down Air Mail. Officers must buy their supplies from Sears Roebuck or something down here. It’s rather urgent. Would like by Saturday if possible. Incidentally, Special Delivery gets here one day later than without same.
We’re still wearing our wool shirts, which sounds ok up there, but not so good here. It was over 80 today, which was normal. The big event of this day is the shower I’m going to have in a few minutes.
I’m not sure, but I think a lot of this “no marriage allowed” business is fluff. If it isn’t, we may be stuck, but I’m still all in favor of it. Time will tell.
I get a kick out of your discussions with Mammy. Pop would probably bust if he knew. I wonder what he’d do if he knew we’d talked about them two years ago. It has been two years, and long ones, but not nearly as long as the two before that.
Martha says she wishes she’d married me. She says I squeal better than Mickey does when she punches me in the ribs! I wish I was up there so you could get in my hair (and ribs). It’s time for that shower. Goodnight, baby girl.
Lots of love, Cy.
1940 April 4 First cross-country flight
4/4/40
Brooks Field, Tx.
Dear Martha:
Another cloudy day, but it will probably clear up in time for flying this afternoon.
We got two bad jobs out of the way last night and yesterday. I got a break on one of them. The instructors are required to ride with each man on one cross country flight to see his reactions and methods. We had our flight yesterday so I can now do all my cross-country solo whereas the others in the flight have a dual ride looking them in the face. Our first one was to Pawnee, San Marcos, and back to Brooks. Pawnee, is just an airport 10 miles from nowhere and about the size of a dime. You have to fly within 100 yards of it to ever see it, but it isn’t bad. I’ve flown down there on instruments and hit it on the head. Sketch shows approximate route. Since there are beams on two legs and excellent check points on the 80 mile leg, there was no excuse for getting lost if you could find Pawnee.
Last night we put in 2 hours of local night flying. The radio equipment stunk and I flew off about it. I may have the “privilege” of spending next week-end on it, but it will be a feather in my cap if I can improve it.
In addition to the above, we’re also scheduled for our night cross-country tomorrow. Boy, it may not have helped much up to this point, but knowing radio fundamentals sure is the nuts on radio navigation. It makes it possible for concentrate on something else.
Honey, I hope this arrangement is ok. I don’t get into town but Saturdays, and then not soon enough to do any shopping. So I’m sending you a money order for our birthday. Please don’t send me anything—just get something you need—and tell ‘em I sent it to you.
The folks came out night before last to watch the night flying. They hadn’t seen any for some time (about 10 years) and they were quite impressed. A.C.* got a big kick out of the planes. She and Cousin Arthur came out and looked one over.
That’s about all now, Angel. Gee, I wish I could be with you.
Lots of love, Cy.
P.S. Tell Bill I made 1 out of 25 on my skeet shooting! What a man.
*Annie Claire