April 23rd 1943

Letter #26

April 23rd 1943

Mrs. John W. Steele

San Antonio, Texas

Dear "Babe" and Tommy

This place is another example of poorly organized army camps. I have again changed my life to the opposite extreme. This place reminds me of Drew Field - Everyone does what he want if and when he want to. I haven't done anything since I arrived. We are called at 5:20 for breakfast (none of us get up yet) then we sleep or go out and play ball or horse shoes and walk around eat candy etc. until noon and then the same thing until supper then we go to Free movies or pay .15 for a first run movie. You are supposed to be in bed by 10 o'clock.

The meals are absolutely the best I have ever had. We have clean plates with 2 veg, pot, meat salid, bread, butter and milk every meal. They are really knocking themselves out to see that we are in good shape for the Physical thursday.

We went to a lecture this morning. They told us very pleasantly that 1/2 of us would wash out here. They Physical really doesn't sound any different except the eye test. That still has me worried. I have met several fellows that washed because their muscle control was not good enough. That is what the Doctor said about me, remember? The mental and physical test last 8 hrs without a break one of the reasons for this is to see if you will blow-up under continued nervous strain. Then to complete it they give you test with different machines to see if you have steady nerve, proper reflexes, dont blackout too quickly and muscle coordination of eyes and feet. All of this should hake approx 4 days then you wait for the results for another 4 days. Then you (if you arnt washed) sit down on your fanny again and wait. It may be 4 weeks or 4 months. The latest rumor says at least 4 weeks be not more then 8 weeks. You don't have to do anything while you are waiting but I am going to start getting in better shape. One of the things you have to be about to do after 8 weeks is pre-flight is run 7 SEVEN mile. BOY oh boy that nearly bowled me over when I heard that. I havent ever run over a mile. They also (here in classification) have night school I am going to go to that to. I want to learn my radio code. We have to be able to send and receive 15 words a minute sometime or other. I am no sure when. It make you kind of nervous when so many fail. They leave in a couple of days to a regular camp in air corps grand duty. One fellow was washed because he had an auto accident (serious) that was his fault and they found out about it.

I certainly miss Tampa in a way. Everything was run so exact you know what you were doing even if it did deem impossible to get done. I miss the other fellows and girls too. The fellows in this group I did not run around with as much as the ones that are still left back in Tampa. I miss that "Teddy" to she was really full of fun I had a lot more fun with her then with Anne Moore but she wasn't so hot looking. Thats they way it goes lots of times doesn't it?

By the way the pants presser arrived that Ma sent. I enjoyed the gum and read the magazine but the darn presser was broken (the handle). Oh Well! I dont have any pressing to do now anyway. We pay a flat $1.50 (automatic deduction) every week for all the laundry we put in.

We are back on part pay while we are here being classified will you send one of my Bonds or buy one from me or something. I am down to $8 and we dont get paid until the first. Then only $10 at time

Love

Dave

April 20th 1943

Letter #25

April 20th 1943

To Mrs. Carl B. Thomas

Flomaton, Alabama

Hi Mom!

Can you imagine this. For the second time I have hit the luck. The first was to get in section and get out of Tampa in 6 weeks instead of five months - then to hit a pullman and flip for the upper birth and win. So I slept by myself with sheets. The first time I have had sheets since I got in the Army. A porter fixes up beds etc. We eat in diner with good meals and waiter service. Any $1.00 limit on menus. Free I wont mind the long rids so much with this luxurious setup. We are supposed to arrive at boarder of Fla and Ala at 12 noon. We certainly are going a round about way. We went to Jacksonville now we are going west again. I certainly did hate to leave those swell tampa gals and guys. I have never met more more friendly girls and fellows.

Love Dave

April 20th 1943

Letter #24

April 20th 1943

Mrs. Carl B. Thomas

San Antonio, Texas

Dear Mother,

Arrived 4:30 yesterday, huge camp of thousands of fellows - are here from 2 weeks to 2 monthes being classified as bombardier, pilot, or Navigator or gunner, or even Mechanic.

Pilots pre-flight is several mile from here Randolph and Kelley

More later

Love

Dave

April 16th 1943

Letter #23

April 16th 1943

To Mr. Carl B. Thomas

Tampa, Florida

Dear Dad

I think tomorrow is the day, along around 6 o'clock.

To-day we finished 10 hrs. I has an hour "check" flight. The C.A.A. inspection said I was slightly above average but nothing to brag about.

I has some excitement to-day for a change. I didn't pull out of my spin (this was before the check flight) soon enough so the wind and twisting cracked my windshield - It cost the Govt $40 for a new one but they wont have to pay it because the fellow that went up right after I did had the head blow off the motor - all the people (?) came flying back and finished the window, they were only 200ft off the ground and the instructor tried to make a crash landing - He did but the plane caught in a ditch and turned over. It was pretty well cracked up. Insurance will take care of the plane. Neither the instructor nor student were hurt, wasn't that lucky. Another plane had motor die at 2000 feet. He was able to glide into airport and land. (Lucky Day) I am continually glad I wasnt in either one. Those guys were really scared.

April 11th 1943

Letter #22

Aril 11^th 1943

To Mrs. Carl B. Thomas

Tampa, Florida

Dear Mother,

I am working hard but expect to stop studies for several days next week to get in flying time. We will go out to the field all day tomorrow, Monday and Tuesday I think. We wont have any studies except our ground school out there. I’ am certainly glad. It was just impossible to spend much time on the other stuff anyway, with this schedule. I am getting along fine in my flying it is really fun. I was bringing the ship out of spins myself today. You can’t imagine the feeling. Have been concentrating on Physics math and ground school. The rest of the stuff I just get by because I never send any time on them. The teacher asked for a 5 minute prepared speech in English and I didn’t have time to do it but thought she wouldn’t call me that day. But she did – so I just made one on my job up in York . She said it was very interesting but slightly mixed up as if I hadn’t spent much time on it. I am not doing unsatisfactory work or anything.

Sunday Morning- we are about to go out to the field. A new order came through that we wear fatigues instead of Suntans. I am glad of that now we may get some calisteurs again. - Don’t send me any more mail.

Love Dave

P.S. Ill write when

Letter #21

April 6th 1943

To Mrs. Carl B. Thomas

Tampa, Florida

Dear Mother,

It can;t be much tougher!!! We are flying in the moving and studying all afternoon and evening until 8:30. We get 1/2 hr before & 1/2 hr after free to shine shoes, take shower, write letters, get haircuts, laundry, etc. From 8:30 until 10 we are supposed to spend 1 hour on each of our subjects. We have had finals in first aid and military discipline but have added the whole mornings flying make up for it. We don't even have time for Calisthenics we are so busy. I don't know whether I can stand it or not - haven't ever been more disgusted - is it worth it?

Love Dave

We got paid for month of April 43.50 trying to make last until May. I still have guard duty from 2 to 5 AM every week. This seems to be just enough to make me sleepy all day in classes we have to get in 10 hrs. Flying time by 16th.

Here to all I hope you are having a better time then I am. I would like to choke those Dames in Dad's office. I will write when I get a chance.

March 30th 1943

Letter #20

March 30^th 1943

To Mrs. Carl B Thomas

Tampa, Florida

Dear Mother,

I didn’t die. I have just been going full tilt. That platoon Srgt was too much for me I couldn’t do it and keep up with my regular studies etc. The Lt. said I was too easy on the fellows anyway. I just couldn’t go telling them to do some things. I did too much myself the Lt. said. Another thing I didn’t turn enough in for demerits. I think they behaved as well without it but he didn’t think so. ANYWAY, I am now just a cadet private again. I have got no excuses. All I hope is they give me another chance sometime. It makes me kind of mad at myself to think I messed up my first chance to lead a bunch of men. I don’t like people to hate me is one reason. I try to get along with all the fellows but you cant do that here if you are a cadet officer.

Questions Answered:

The teachers are all fair except the math teacher who is excellent and the geography teacher doesn’t know anything. He cant even peak English properly (Spainish-Mexian). We have had two dances here at the school auditorium. They were the bright sports in my stay in Tampa, except for the swim. The girls sororities gave us one we gave the other for them. Your son was in charge of the one we gave. I haven’t herd from the gal from N.Y. after one letter, which I haven’t answered as yet. We live 4 in a room size of yours. I don’t even shine my own shoes now. We were put in hospital because 3 fellows (didn’t know about) had spiral meningitis and died. The college doesn’t mind us at all anymore. In fact the girls are glad we came I believe. We still have cold water and blankets. DO you have a Narrow extra sheet? They aren’t any in the stores here.

Questions Continued:

I got Mac’s letter. He got a swell place. A real college not a broken down one. I got Jeans letter it was really welcome. Don’t get raincoat cleaned. Don’t have any idea about Harlan Slack. Thanks for spelling etc corrections in letters, I really try to remember. We just had a ban put on radios entirely so it’s a good thing you didn’t send it. We got the rest of our $50 for the month of Feb. We are still in pre – pre –flight school (until we leave here). I certainly hope you can send me that pants presser soon I really need it. I sued the $2 to get clothes out of hock. I have borrowed $10 from a fellow across the hall (rich guys has his wife living in Tampa, etc, car, etc). I got the clothes and swell food. It really was good. It was gone in a very short time. Tell N I will write soon. Got magazines also. Used Digest as reference so I could give a talk in English. English all public speaking (scared to death). If any more food is lying around don’t let it spoil. We have to have 75% in everything to pass. I have average of 85% so far but I don’t know how long. I have only gotten 2 demerits which is pretty good considering 3 guys have washed out due to demerits (excess). About 10 though a physical test we had. Minimum 8 pull up 25 pushups 60 sit-ups (from back with hands behind head). And run a certain distance in 55 seconds. My G.I. tugboats have worn through soles and heels. 8 guys passed out in the drill field Saturday morning (that’s the record). It is a common occurrence now. Food is good but monotones. Much better then Miami Beach though. Co-eds still wait on us. We have no K.P. (thank goodness) Weather good but getting warm. I hope we aren’t here this summer. Bumor says our section (40 fellows) is leaving in 6 more weeks instead of five months. I hope so.

Love Dave

P.S. “Red” Cross form York wrote and told me news, see clipping. I went around with “Bud” off and on with Mary Lanasa (Italian Soda –Girl). Barbara just missed dying from a miscarriage last week. She was operated on and is getting along as wel as can be expectec so “Raub” (married fellow that I like a lot) tell me. This would happen to her. She was always different from everyone else in this. She was scared to death that something like this would happen that why she never got along with her husband.

No I am not talking bad memories out of the grace. I just thought you would be interested.

P.S.S. Steve should read the enclosed folder, I think. We are always getting this stuff over and over. I have learned more then I ever knew before. I wish schools would give subjects like this. They really help keep things straight. Perhaps you shoud’nt let this page get around slightly out of place in this group because they are supposed to be the smartest section. (therefore they leave first) by exam we took in Miami. I must have made some lucky guesses. Everyone in our section went to college but 2 other guys and myself. The Lt. says we have a very good chance of being sent to San Antonio Texas. Will you send my pictures that I have in my desk and send a couple that you have of me some dame wants me. I could really use some money if you have any you want to invest. This army is really costing. Just think I haven’t even seen one movie since I have been in this mans army. I haven’t gambled since that loosing streak in Miami either and I haven’t had a drink since that first sat they let us out. I haven’t smoked a cigarette since last summer that I remember. I had my first chewing gum when you sent me some I just gotta stop. This history is too hard to miss too much writing a letter

Love to all, Dave