Monday, Sept 11, 1944

Dear Mom:

Just a few lines to let you know that all is well. I hope this letter finds you in the best of health also. The weather down here has been pretty bad lately. A couple of times last week the field was closed because of adverse weather conditions.

Yesterday we flew and the weather was none too good. We had gone out to Tybee Beach which is about 20 miles from Savannah. We went out Saturday night and stayed until Sunday. We started back at about 4:00 PM Sunday afternoon. That is the longest time we’ve had off yet. We were lucky. We flew Saturday morning and had ground school Saturday afternoon. On Sunday there is no ground school. We weren’t scheduled to fly until 7:00 PM Sunday night. That gave us about 24 hours off. We had a pretty good time although the weather was bad.

Sunday morning the weather was still pretty lousy. About 11:30 AM we decided we were going in the water anyway. The bath house hadn’t as yet opened. I guess the woman thought the weather would keep the people out. Well we got in touch with her and changed her mind. There was six of us, our pilot and 5 of the enlisted me. We rented suits and went in. The water wasn’t too cold but oh was it ever rough. When we came out we felt like we had gone about 10 rounds with Joe Lewis we did have a good time though. It rained intermittently. The sky was black and cloudy and it was a bit chilly but that failed to stop us.

Last week Thursday night we stayed in town overnight. We slept at the 4S club. It stands for the Soldiers and Sailors Service of Savannah. Well it has been a habit of mine to sleep with my wallet under my pillow. This was no exception. The only trouble was that I walked out and left it there. I had a $5.00 bill in my pocket so there was no need for me to look for my wallet until I got back to camp and began undressing. Well I called up and asked them to check on it. It was already gone. You see they have dormitories with cots lined up and a whole mess of soldiers stay there. One of them probably saw me put it there and decided to take a look. It was kind of an expensive learn for me though. I had never forgotten it before. I had about $40.00 in it too. My driver’s license, a couple of keys to my locker, my gunnery certificate and a lot of junk. I had a notice posted but it hasn’t done any good. I owe about $25.00 out now so I wish you would send me some money. I had a fellow who used to be a lens grinder buy a pair own glasses, so I owe him $10.00 for them. I owe $10.00 to another fellow which I borrowed for the weekend. I owe another fellow $5.00 which I borrowed to hold me over until I get some money. From now on I only carry what I can use.

I suppose Marie has told you about my buying a pocket book or handbag for Janey. I just couldn’t resist it. It cost $10.50 in the P.X. I didn’t know what to get Janey for her birthday. I didn’t want to buy her something she would never use and I didn’t know what to get Janey for her birthday. I didn’t want to get stationary as Marie suggested because I didn’t like what stationary might imply. It is a well bag and I think it was well worth it.

I received a letter from Janey with yours and she thought it was swell. I sent a card with it that was a jig-saw puzzle. It is all put together when you buy it and there is a place to write. Then you lock it up and out it in an envelope. She said it had her in a quandary for awhile. Finally with the help of her sister she got it together and found out who it was from. She said never to send one to an aged or sick person because they would be sure to get a heart attack till they found out who the package was from. I never thought of that angle.

While we were out at the beach Sunday we found a place that had a big sign up “Singapore Slings” $.70. We had to taste them to see if they were the thing. They were better than the first one’s we had. This guy really made the real Mc Coy. You can drink quite a few of them and still walk straight. None of the crew suffered any ill effect from them. Marie wrote and said that the recipe was in a Life magazine. Tell her to write it down and send it to me. I would like to see if they are the same. They would be a lot better with pre-war liquor in them. None of these war liquors have the kick they are suggested to have. Most of the stuff you get today is watered or just recently made.

You bet I got a big kick out of taking over the controls. I sure am glad I got a little of the fundamentals of flying while at College. The full responsibility of the crew and the ship rest with the Pilot. He can do anything he wants to as long as it does not jeopardize the lives or loyalty of others. It is for his own safety as well as ours that he is showing us the ropes in flying a big bomber. There is no excuse in a ship and its crew being lost in combat because there is no one to fly the plane in the event that both the pilot + copilot are wounded.

I got the package with the T shirt and other stuff today when I got this letter of yours. If the T shirts aren’t too expensive I would like a few more.

I am very sorry to hear about John missing in France. As long as he is just reported missing there is always hope. Many a fellow has come back after being reported missing. It is quite a job keeping track of all those fellows in combat. He may be wounded and in a hospital. The only thing to do is hope and pray.

I am glad to hear Dad is still working and is happy. If it gets to be too much for him, the only thing for him to do is tell the boss he can’t stand the long hours. He is a pretty old fellow and they will understand.

Well, so long until next time. Give my love to Dad, Marie and Bootsie. All of my best regards to all our friends and neighbors.

Your loving son,

Joe

P.S. Don’t be too mad about me losing the money. It taught me a lesson. Send me some by Western Union as soon as possible. Thank You.