March 18th 1943

Letter #19

March 18^th 1943

To Mrs. Carl B. Thomas

Tampa, Florida

 P.S.  Don't send the Radio it will only distract me when I should be doing a million and one things.

Dear Mother

            This is an emergency.  I gotta have some knida of an iron.  The one I gave Steve will do. The iron that Marge got for wedding present (portable) would be wonderful.  She told me it didn’t work well for her, that the one that you have her is much better.  If she doesn’t want it, it would be a lifesaver to me.  Also send my sox, (tan) and undershorts as soon as possible.  Please send me my pajamas, 2 good pair (if I have them). 

            This situation is really getting desperate.  This army is really costing me money.  I have to buy 2 pr of Suntan tomorrow at $8 per.  I was figuring out today what I had spent for toilet articles, clothes, drugs, etc it amounted to $17 as neat as I could remember.  I was talking to the LT and he said that this is only the beginning.  When I actually get going here and then on into preflight school I will have to buy enough Suntans so I can change 1 every 2 days.  The laundry takes 4 days to clean and press.

            A few more articles that are piling up are laundry (I don’t have time to write let alone wash my clothes now).  That averages $1 per week.  I have to get a haircut ever 7 days whether I need it or not. 

            We change form O.D.’s that is why I am suddenly in trouble.  You cant keep the wrinkles out of this darn material with out continually starching and pressing. 

            This demerit system is really tough.  I haven’t gotten any in “military manners” ( this covers everything except studies) but I have gotten two in studies (they are really getting hard).  I am really enjoying this though.  We got another $15 pay today which was a lifesaver.

            I was selected as platoon Sergeant for the new class when it comes in.  I am practicing by drilling the fellows in my own platoon during drill period.  I am a little  rough but give me a little time and ill be as good as anyone.  Whatta you think of that me, David Thomas, The Quaker, a cadet drill Sargent, Whatta Laugh!!!  This give me about two as much to do as everyone else (except the other cadet officers of course.  So I am really going to be rushed.  I hope I can keep up my studies and everything.  The biggest trouble is there aren’t enough hours in the day and they watch you like a hawk so you wont study after lights (10 dermerits)

Love Dave

Note the humor with the demerit listed on the envelope!

March 11th 1943

Letter #18

March 11^th 1943

Miss Jean H. Thomas

Tampa, Forida

 

Dear Jean

            I came back from the hospital this morning.  This afternoon I will start school here at the University.  The rest of the kids started Monday.  We march from class to class.  My schedule run as follow:  8 o’clock drilling, 9 military rules etc, 10 first aid etc, 11 study (not in rooms though) 12 lunch, 1 geography, 2 math, 3 history, 4 English, 5 I forget (calisthenics I believe), 6 chow again 7 to 8 free, 8-10 study in rooms, 10 to 5:45 sleep.  I don’t know what this will be like but I will soon know.  We are furnished new books.  We supply own paper etc.  I am certainly glad to get out of that “Goldbrickers” paradise it was beginning to get on my nerves.    

            I got a package of cookies and candy from Hazel, box of Whitmens from Marge and Havey and 5 letters today.  Whatta time, I had.  That’s the best I have yet.  The letters were from Betty Taton, Nancy, Hazel, and two from mother dated March 2^nd and 6^th.  I was really glad to get them.  They were the first I had gotten since befr I left Miami.

            Nancy says she doesn’t like the looks of the Dame I picked in Miami Beach.  What do you think of her?  Nancy didn’t go into details. 

            Tell M. I would love to have all Newsweeks, Reader Digests or anything you got from peanuts to Daily Local News. 

What is Betty T. address?

How do you spell her last name?

            The eng,, hist, and geography were very dry with poor conditions and teachers.  This is a first day impression I sincerely hope it improves. 

            I was very glad to get my income total from mother.  I was getting worried how I would gill out my income tax.  I am not going to pay it but I still have to send in a report.  By the way Jean, mother said you sent me a letter with “ 5 skins” in it – I never received it.  Are you sure you mailed it?  I can’t imagine what happened to it.  It would really home in handy.  We got another $10 last week which was a big help but with notebooks etc, to buy it is disappearing fast. 

            How is your love life coming along?  Are you giving those soldiers a break up at college?  I hope so because they sure need it, if they are like this soldier.  Even a smile will help.  I am sure it wont be anything like it was before.  You will never find a stickup soldier, if he is a real one.  Most of them are shy (including me).  You don’t believe me I know but its true.  You get a terrific mental knockdown in a very shot time.  The face we are all dressed alike has a lot to do with it to.  Tonight I asked a girl to dace (not bad at al) and I felt really scared at first.  Remember how you felt before some of those Malvern dances

Love to all

How are the Measles coming along?

March 10th, 1943

Letter #17

March 10^th, 1943

To Mrs. Carl B. Thomas

Tampa, Florida

 

Dear Mother

            You could never guess where I am.  Whatta crazy world this is!!  I am in the Drew Field Hospital.  It is located about 5 miles from Tampa.  Its in the middle of a swamp with barracks (called wards) for 1700 patients.  I am one of them.  I am here with 40 other fellows from the university.  Isn’t that crazy!  We Aren’t Sick!  We all had slight stuffiness or slight sore throats left over from Miami and Sunday afternoon with no reason at all we are sent here.  We stayed in bed all day today eating like pigs and kidding with the Doctors and nurses, (a commission doesn’t make a darn bit of difference in this “wackie” place).  The doctor examine us and say “there isn’t anything wrong with you is there” we say “ not a thing Doc” and then he leave us for the day.  I don’t know how long this is going to go on.  The novelty will wear off in another day.  So far I don’t mind it al all just so the rest of the fellows back at the Univ. don’t start classes.  We see and hear plenty of planes for a change. 

            I told you about the Miami set up didn’t I, as far as going on sick call was concerned?  How we had to go on sick call for half a day just to get an aspirin.  Everyday had to be made up by drilling on Sunday.  I luckily didn’t have to go until Sunday.  You had to be unconscious before they would take you to the hospital.  You must be nearly dead then they might look at you. 

BUT HERE

All it took was – the Doctor says “All people who have sore throat or colds fall-out.”  So we fell out.  We thought that we were going to get a break and get our throats painted or nose drops but they didn’t stop there.  Within an house we are in this huge heated hospital.  (The war has been hellish).  We don’t even have to scrub the floor or anything.  I wonder how long this will go on???  The nurses and Docs say we will be here a couple of weeks.  I hope they are kidding.  You cant imagine what its like to sleep between two sheets (Crisp, and white and clean) with regular hospital beds.  Eat good meals with butter and milk.  The rooms are all dry and heated. 

            I haven’t received any mail since Marges birthday card mailed 27^th.  You have my new address, don’t you?

 

Pvt. David L. Thomas

18^th College Training Detachment (Aircrew)

University of Tampa

Tampa, Florida

 

Love to all

Dave

March 3rd 1943

Letter #16

March 3^rd, 1943

To Mrs. Carl B. Thomas

Tampa, Florida

 

Dear Mother

            I don’t know what’s up but the set up looks good so far.  I am going to college for nothing, Military school really.  We will get 1 weeks exams (physical and mental) then start classes.  We were told that we will take phyics, math (through trig), English and history.  This I will know more about later.  We are not allowed to even talk to the civilian girls and boys here except on official business.  I know we will get around this, though.  We are 200 strong.  We are invading this university of 200 girls and 100 boys and they resent it very much.  I can’t blame them though, because we pushed them right out of the dorms.  They are all living down town, in private homes.  I hope they get over it.  This is a creaking old college that was on the rocks so they army is helping it out. I don’t care how bad it is, it is really wonderful to be going to school.  This is really my chance.  I hope to God it keeps on looking as good.  Its going to be awful tough for me but that’s what I want after that picnic in Miami Beach.  I wish I was in as good mental shape as I was physical.  I am really excited I cant event sit still.  I am ready to start out today, but I know by now the army wont hurry.  It is always slower than an individual, or at least me.  Maybe it will be waiting for me sometimes.

            I think the inspection is going to be very strict.  From what they told us in our pep talk it will be just as tough as West Point as far as discipline and inspections etc are concerned.  200 more are coming as soon as the dorms are straight.  We still do now have any hot water.  The temp is a lot cooler in winter and a lot hotter in summer here then in Miami. 

            Our trip down was terrific.  We got called at 12 noon yesterday.  We got out stuff inspected in the hot sun with out winter woolens on.  It took until 6:15 last night.  Truck took us to Miami.  We carried our own equipment.  (You have seen them in the railroad station)  We got on Wooden Coaches that were used as “Jim Crow Cars” and rode until 6:15 this morning.  That was nearly as bad as the two nights we spent coming down.  We were under strict discipline, no widow up (woolens still on) aprox 80 degrees, in shade, couldn’t even take off coat, didn’t know when, where, how long, we were going had’nt eaten since 11:15 in morning.  No Sleep.

            I will write as soon as something new starts poppin.  Tell some people my new address- will ya!

 

Love, Dave

P.S.  I am not completely classified yet.  I am not in pre-flight yet.  I have had all my “shots”.

March 3rd 1943

Letter #15

March 3^rd, 1943

To Mrs. Carl B. Thomas

Tampa, Florida

 

Dear Mother

            I don’t know what’s up but the set up looks good so far.  I am going to college for nothing, Military school really.  We will get 1 weeks exams (physical and mental) then start classes.  We were told that we will take phyics, math (through trig), English and history.  This I will know more about later.  We are not allowed to even talk to the civilian girls and boys here except on official business.  I know we will get around this, though.  We are 200 strong.  We are invading this university of 200 girls and 100 boys and they resent it very much.  I can’t blame them though, because we pushed them right out of the dorms.  They are all living down town, in private homes.  I hope they get over it.  This is a creaking old college that was on the rocks so they army is helping it out. I don’t care how bad it is, it is really wonderful to be going to school.  This is really my chance.  I hope to God it keeps on looking as good.  Its going to be awful tough for me but that’s what I want after that picnic in Miami Beach.  I wish I was in as good mental shape as I was physical.  I am really excited I cant event sit still.  I am ready to start out today, but I know by now the army wont hurry.  It is always slower than an individual, or at least me.  Maybe it will be waiting for me sometimes.

            I think the inspection is going to be very strict.  From what they told us in our pep talk it will be just as tough as West Point as far as discipline and inspections etc are concerned.  200 more are coming as soon as the dorms are straight.  We still do now have any hot water.  The temp is a lot cooler in winter and a lot hotter in summer here then in Miami. 

            Our trip down was terrific.  We got called at 12 noon yesterday.  We got out stuff inspected in the hot sun with out winter woolens on.  It took until 6:15 last night.  Truck took us to Miami.  We carried our own equipment.  (You have seen them in the railroad station)  We got on Wooden Coaches that were used as “Jim Crow Cars” and rode until 6:15 this morning.  That was nearly as bad as the two nights we spent coming down.  We were under strict discipline, no widow up (woolens still on) aprox 80 degrees, in shade, couldn’t even take off coat, didn’t know when, where, how long, we were going had’nt eaten since 11:15 in morning.  No Sleep.

            I will write as soon as something new starts poppin.  Tell some people my new address- will ya!

Love, Dave

P.S.  I am not completely classified yet.  I am not in pre-flight yet.  I have had all my “shots”.

March 1st 1943

Letter # 15

March 1^st 1943

Mrs. Carl B. Thomas

Miami, Florida

 

Dear Mother,

            Tomorrow will be my birthday!  I want be about to celebrate it I guess.  About ¾ of my friends have left.  Mac Bain is still with me.  We are going together.  Please do not write any more.  I will let you know when to write again.

            I haven’t done anything except sit around for the last few days.  I couldn’t get a pass to go to the beach yesterday.   I did get a chance to go down to the tailors and get my O.D. uniform fixed up so it fits.  Mac Bain is going though what I went through.  It seems that everyone has the same thing some time.  Most aren’t as bad as ours though.  I wonder just what it is.  It certainly isn’t a common cold.  Some smart doctor should investigate.  We went to a play a couple of weeks ago and you couldn’t even hear the actors talk because of the coughing, sneezing and blow of noses.  

            Johnnie Wayner got the least notice of anyone.  He was drilling (not on shipment even).  He was told he had to be ready to leave in 10 min .  Didn’t even have time to wash the layer of dst off from “Open  order drill”/  (where you run and fall on your face).  He didn’t have any uniforms except for summer that we got when we first came.  He made it but what a wild scramble.  Ill bet he is cold now.  Everyone with him took overcoats etc. 

 

Love Dave

 

February 28th 1943

Letter #14

February 28^th 1943

To Mr. Carl B. Thomas

Miami, Florida

 

Dear Dad,

            I am still on “shipment”.  Over half of the flight has been shipped to goodness knows where.  All we know is that some of them left with just there “suntans” but most of them had there O.D.s.  I have mine.  This does not necessarily mean I am coming north.  We did not get issued long flannel underwear which is G.I.  for up north (Penna etc.)  This waiting around is certainly nerve racking.  You cant unpack your stuff and send your dirty stuff to the laundry or anything we sit or get lectures that kill time, nothing else, all day.  This morning a lot of guys left at 3:30AM and 4:30AM.  They got everyone up there yelling.  We still have to get up at5:15 even if we don’t do anything.  We aren’t supposed to read or write letters or anything during the day – just sit.  In the evenings, when we are usually allowed out, we are free to do what we want, but we are restricted to our own room.  This is sure getting tiresome.  The latest rumor is that we are leaving tomorrow morning at 4AM.  I hope we do either one thing or the other.  If we were taken off “Shipment” maybe we could go to the beach tomorrow.  Maybe I will be able to think up a good one to get out again like last Sunday. 

            How is Mother? (Really)  She said she had a slight  cold in her last letter.  Every time she gets something wrong it worries me.  I certainly hope that blood pressure is getting under control.  Ever since Aunt Alice’s funeral I have been thinking how awful I would feel if I was in Christine or Howard or Mary’s place.  That would be the worst thing that could happen to me I believe

Tell M. thanks for getting my clothes fixed and keeping  them together.  I am enclosing $4 which should cover all the bills.  If not tell her to let me know.  My winning streak has stopped in gambling.  So I have quit entirely.  The ten we got for the month of Feb. is about gone so my fiancés are getting low.  I don’t know when I will be paid again.  I have taken up washing sox for 5cents pr and shinning shoes for 25 cent pr.  I am making 50 ro 75 cents a day on the average.  

            I certainly hope Jean isn’t getting serious over that Jewish boy.  He seems quite nice for a Jew but still he does not appeal to me as much some Jews I have run around with. 

            John Steele sure has this army organized.  Boy oh Boy I hope the day comes when I have things like he does  One thing- before I left I wondered where all of the privates were.  We said everyone (even Howard Okie) was a corporal or better.  I guess the answer to that is that only these can get furloughs or leave.  Down here just in out hotel there are 2 Captains, 8 Lt. aprox 50 non com’s and 2500 buck privates.  I think this is a fairly good percentage all over the beach.  So now we know where the privates are.  Tell Kathy that there are some privates down here. 

            I hope Marge gets her furniture in time.  She sure had had to wait long enough.  It looks like Babe isn’t going back to housekeeping, doesn’t it?  Are you all having “Peggy Trouble” again?  I hope not.  I don’t think she or her $6 per month, (or what ever it is ) is worth it. 

            Boy of boy!  Steve sure has had the tough breaks.  I hope it doesn’t continue.  Is he going to have to have glasses?  Do you think measles really cause other things?  How are you and your business?  Everything is running smoothly, I hope.  Do you have the secretary problem straightened out? 

            Probably by the time you get this I will be far away from here

 

You Son, Dave