12/12/39
Randolph Field, Tx
Angel:
Jack* is showing the right attitude inviting his “Santa Claus” to dinner. DeVry personnel generally seem to be ok. Heaven knows when I’ll get a chance to write to the kid, but I will.
Well, what’s new? This is hell week. The upperclass are leaving next Monday, and we shall take over. We have already had about 10 wash-outs out of 250, so as usual, security and peace of mind are yet around the corner. The upperclass have so far left me alone.
Military rating drill looks like I may come out of the squabble with some rank, although not much. In the two occasions I’ve commanded the company, I’ve apparently done all right. Grades + flying also count. Grades, as usual, are in the top brackets. Flying is about average.
C Company lost another ball game today. I played 3 innings at catcher and 4 in right field. I’ve played all of every game so far, which is a record for a lowerclassman. My playing was good until today. I have a sty appearing in one eye lid and I couldn’t see worth a damn. If I go to the hospital, it will mean at least a week’s loss of flying time. So if it doesn’t get any worse I’ll forget it. As usual, I picked up a stiff hand when a batter stepped backwards & hit it, and a charlie horse from a collision with 1st baseman.
We start night flying tomorrow night. This is in addition to 2 hours in the morning. I also have a half hour on the jeep at 7:30 P.M.
As I expected, I am assisting the instructor in radio code, it’s a mess, but better than having to take the course as a student. Today, for the first time, I really felt like I was flying the BT-9. If I can keep up my present progress, I think I shall come through ok. These ships are tricky as hell, and although they don’t kill people, they can sure give one a long rest in the hospital if you don’t stay on the ball.
Don Weidhardt, Burt’s room-mate, fainted in ranks Monday and is in the hospital for a week’s observation. I’ve seen dozens of men do it before, but they just aren’t take any chances. We were held at attention for 15 minutes. Add to this, all of us hungry and a temperature of about 85 degrees, and you can see the reason.
Honey, do you realize that in another week I shall be half-way through and shall have passed 90% of the obstacles! Keep pushing me on honey.
Darling, now that the initial excitement has dropped off, I am beginning to miss you with a dull, persistent pain. I miss you so much emotionally, more as a companion, and a great deal physically; the latter no so much from past experiences as from what we could enjoy were I through. Darling, save little bit of you for me, just as you are.
The second page is for Bill & Jo. I haven’t any envelopes and Gerrity only has a few. You might read it before you give it to him if you care to. Say hello to Spaukins and Scovels and Nancy, but don’t give them my love for that’s all for you this letter.
Goodnight, Darling. Cy.
*I believe this is a friend of Cy’s who got a job a DeVry. Cy designed some components for DeVry when he was working for John E. Fast Co.