A short while after the Normandy Beach landing we were to fly into Orley Field, Paris, France. There was a narrow strip across the English Chanel that was out of the range of anti-aircraft fire. If you strayed either way they would shoot you down. We were the 3rd plane to leave the Azores. Sure enough, as we crossed the channel the shells were bursting harmlessly near the wingtips on either side. We landed at Orley Air Base and were greeted with, "We welcome you as the first cargo plane in." The other planes had both turned back. VE day happened while we were making these flights.
We were fogged in at Paris during the Battle of the Bulge. The day the fog lifted innumerable allied planes came over Paris headed for the front lines and deeper.
When I was home we lived in two rooms of an old, old hotel in Caribou, Maine. Wanda cooked on a one burner hot plate. She would bake pies, cakes and whatever on that hot plate. We had never had a car so I rode a little one car trolley from home to the base. I had settled in with one particular pilot, Chuck Klein. After a flight I went home and stayed until called for the next flight. President Roosevelt died while we were in Maine.
We were transferred to Manchester, New Hampshire. After a few weeks Capt. Klein came to our apartment one Sunday evening. He said don't tell anyone but when you come to the base tomorrow be ready to leave. Sure enough by 10:00 we were on our way to Hamilton Field, California. We decided that this time Wanda and Sandy would ride to Louisville with Capt. Klein's wife and wait there for a call from me. Our assignment was the same except we flew across the Pacific Ocean to Okinawa where the Japanese snipers were still active.
We then flew General McArthur's Airborne Infantry into an air base just out of Tokyo before the peace treaty was signed. We were given only a few seconds to unload the men, jeeps, and guns and take off again. We returned to Hamilton in the fall of 1945. I was advised that I had enough points to be released from active duty. I said start the paper work. Wanda and Sandy had not yet come to California.
I returned home to Louisville Kentucky in late October 1945. a little more than 5 years of service to my country. The war in both Europe and Japan was over. Wanda and I had hoped for 9 months together. The longest time we were separated was 6 weeks. There were many absences and other minor hardships which we handled. I did not fire a shot at an enemy. Looking back, it seems that I was where I was because of the decisions that I made. I volunteered to enter. I decided to apply for Aviation Cadet Training. Washing out of pilot training was not my decision. I decided to continue training instead of taking the furlough, which got me into transport. And I decided to go inactive.
Okinawa
August 28, 1945
Dear Mom and Dad,
I am really a long ways from home. Now I have wanted to make a trip in the Pacific and here it is. There is just a little space of 1500 miles farther and I would have completely encircled this little world. I was in Manilla in the Phillipines the other day and it is only 1500 miles from there to Calcutta, India. This trip will leave only one place that I’d like to go and that is Australia. I can’t tell you what we are doing but if you just listen to the radio you can find out. We expect to be back in the states before very long. What happens then is anybody’s guess.
These people here are really short. Most of the men I see are prisoners of war.
You might say we are picnicing here. We eat out in the open and live in tents. We also wash our own mess-kits and clothing. It isn’t bad for a short time, but is beginning to get tiresome. It rains nearly every day and that’s when we shower. I used to do it when I was a boy but I had forgotten how much fun it is.
I suppose everyone is very happy the fighting is nearly over. Does Gerald think he’ ll have to go overseas anyway? It's sure wonderful to me. I am very very thankful.
So long for now
Your wandering boy,
Lee
Island of Guam
September 13, 1945
Dear Mom and Dad,
We have all the occupation troops moved into Japan at last. We had made 3 trips from Okinawa to Atsuki Airfield in Japan. Of course you've heard all about it on the radio. Several of the planes carried out Prisoners of War but we never did get a load. Japan is a very pretty country. All the part we saw is very hilly and green. We flew real low over Yokohama and there is nothing left to that place. A few houses on the waterfront and a few on the outskirts were not burned, but the rest is just as clean as you please. Tokyo is almost as bad but we didn’t examine it real close.
Gosh! What is happening around there? Gerald will get to stay in the states won’t he? And is Lloyd a civillian yet? What I wouldn’t give for a letter from that part of the woods. All of our mail is being held in California. It has been four weeks since we left there. I don’t even know if Wanda got home alright.
We don’t know yet what is going to happen to us. They are going to do lots of moving by plane in India and China. We may have to go and we may not. We are sweating it out now and should know in a day or two
This is about the rainiest place I have ever been. It rained all the time we were here before and it has rained almost continuously for the last 20 hours. We made a trip to Manilla the other day. We saw about all there was to be seen on the Island of Luzganm. We flew over Corregidor at about 1000 feet, It sure is a small place. Manilla is very hot. I wouldn"t want to be stationed there or here either.
I guess I lack about 2 points having enough but then we may get 10 for this deal.
The Atlantic run was so much better than this one is. Of course I’ve seen nearly all my classmates out here. We could almost have a reunion.
I’m writing this laying down. This is the first mattress I’ve had in three weeks and it feels mighty nice. I got a hair-cut yesterday and found I still have ears. There was no barbers at all at Okinawa.
This time is a screwy set-up. It is 8:00 AM here the13th it is 6:00 PM. there on the 12th. It is midnite there now last night. When I g to bed tonight, you will just be getting up this morning. We have a flight coming up tonight so I think I’ll take a nap.
I’ll be seeing you one of these days.
Your lost boy
With love,
Lee
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