Editor’s note: On November 30, 1939, the Soviet Union attacked Finland by bombing Helsinki. The Finnish population had been divided between Soviet supporting “Red Finns” and those who did not. The invasion by the Soviet Union had the effect of unifying the country. This “Winter War” lasted until the Finns surrendered a significant amount of territory in March of 1940.
12/3/39
Randolph Field, Tx.
Darling:
Hey! Where are you? No letter since ages ago. I hope I get one in the morning.
The week-end is over, and I feel fine, and all set for another week of work. Saturday night, or most of it, was spent in the temporary quarters of the Cadet Club at the Gunther. The set-up there is quite nice, and our new quarters there will be quite fine. Tom and Don and another fellow and I went in in the afternoon to go there and to a show. After finishing a bottle (pint) of Black and White, we decided to eat. 
Then I bumped into several of the upper class from Chicago and their dates and really went to town. Tom and the rest of the gang went slumming, but I was much too comfortable. They picked me up later and we came home. Saw “Disputed Passage” this afternoon on a four couple proposition. ’Sfunny, I can’t seem to have much of a good time with one girl anymore. I have much more fun as an odd man. Darling, I miss you a great deal. One thing that makes it nice is that the news that both Tom and I are engaged has been well spread about, so no one is getting funny ideas.
I seem to be acquiring a double reputation around here. The first is for dressing very conservatively, and the second is for unlimited capacity for scotch without showing it. I approve of both, although I keep careful tab on the scotch and don’t ever try to get very much of it down.
I haven’t soloed yet, but there is no reason to worry. Had an interesting little experience last Friday. I got half way down one of the auxiliary fields on a take-off and the rudder seemed to be partially jammed. It seemed to be all the way to the right or all the way to the left, with no intermediate setting. The same thing occurred flying around the field and was present when I landed. It was hard as hell to keep a straight course at eighty miles per. When I finally got it down, the instructor asked what was wrong, and I told him something was jammed on the rudder controls. We got out and found the tail wheel support bent about 20 degrees, and the aluminum housing jammed against it so that that the wheel wouldn’t turn. By the time I had fixed it, it was time to go back to the field and get to my next class, so no solo. Hope I get off in the morning.
One of the favorite remarks around here when approaching Randolph after a weekend is to spot a plane and say, “Gee, there must be an airport around here!”
Tentatively, I am sending Doc $40 and putting the same into savings. I think that will leave me enough for expenses this month. The present set-up on Xmas is one day for Xmas and two for New Year’s. We are behind on flying, and may lose more time due to bad weather in the future.
If things go as scheduled, I shall take an exam in radio code in the morning and be exempt from further attendance. Also, we start a course in radio communications, which is a simple technical course on the operation of a radio circuit. Gosh, I wonder if I can pass it! From talking with the upper class, the only ground work I shall have here, which isn’t a direct repetition of the work I did in primary or in college, is map making for meteorology and military law. I don’t anticipate much trouble in either.
Gee, Toots, if you could only be here now for me to hold and talk to and make plans with.
Just to keep us out of trouble we have seventy-five questions to answer tonight on cadet regulations. Also three verses of the air corps song to memorize. Also, on my own hook, I have about five pages of notes to type up. I’m being very conscientious about it this time, and shall continue to be so until I get too rushed.
Darling, I shouldn’t weaken so soon, but let’s use air mail again.
Well, time to go to work. I love you oh so much. So far, outside of “nice people,” Texas has nothing to offer of interest. I’m afraid you’re stuck with me, for neither the East, Middle-west or Southwest seemed to shake the idea of mine that marrying you is a swell idea.
Tell Jack Scovel I shall write when I get time. Regards to Bill, Wayne, Spaukin [sp?] etc. Love darling, Cy.