Military History 5: Navigation Training

 

The middle of September found us back in Texas, Houston this time. I wrote, "I now live in tar paper shacks. When it rains the mud gets very, very deep and with just a little improvement would make a good substitute for rubber." We were told that the navigation pre-flight school could not handle all of us. Any who wanted could have a 21 day furlough. I told Mom and Dad in a letter "I turned the furlough down just so I could start classes. I sure can't win a war by staying out on a furlough all the time." Wanda was very, very unhappy with me. We had shared a berth in the Pullman on the way to Houston and now she thought that I didn't love her anymore.

We graduated from navigation pre-flight the end of November 1942 but again had to wait a month to be assigned to navigation flight training. In the meantime, we were given a graduation ball in the Rice Hotel. Wanda sent home for her formal which I had never seen. She fixed her hair till it was almost as becoming as a halo. I gave her a corsage of yellowish pink rose buds. We climbed into the 1942 Packard and left for the ball. The Packard belonged to my Jewish friend.

We decorated for Christmas in Houston but were transferred to Hondo, Texas before the 25th. The tree was easy to move since it was about eight inches tall. In Uvalde, Texas where Wanda got living quarters, we broke a branch off a pine tree to help decorate.

 

 Rice Hotel, Houston, TX

1942 Packard

Houston, Texas

September 14, 1942

 Dear Mother and Dad;

 I hope this finds you, mother kinda bewaring of hay wagons. Your letters say you're awful busy but you'd just better take things kind of easy. It's raining here tonite. It rains about every day--only it missed a couple this week. Lee was home this week end he left about two hours ago and my room reminds me of a home without a mother. I think I'm quite fortunate in having him around even for the short time. LaVerne is at Buechel and I guess she's awful lonesome. Everything that happens to Lee and myself happens to them. Three months ago I was at home waiting to be called to the air corp too. I hope Lloyd doesn't wash out for his sake. It almost took the wind out of our sails mom, but like you, I can't say I'm too sorry. I was set back for a minute but I rallied like a soldier cause I knew that was my job, and before Lee even saw my expression I wiped it off and acted like I wasn't disappointed at all, and down deep I wasn't only it had been a job getting used to the idea of him flying--and just when I had mastered it--we hang our "wash out". He'll make a good navigator though. I'm sure and another selfish way to look at it but I can't help but be glad that he'll be over here a month or so longer. We went out to the mission the first day down here and met the President and a few elders. They were very nice to us. We planned to go to church this morning but didn't wake up in time to make it. So I had Lee read to me out of a book he has "The Way to Perfection" and we had a discussion of our own. We probably got more out of it than we would have other wise. I haven't looked for work here. It's such a big and busy city I'm afraid to tackle it. So far I've been crocheting and reading the book I mentioned above--and waiting for seven o'clock to come around. Lee always calls me at that time. I have been quite lonesome this week, Mother or none of my family have written to me since I left.

Love from,

Lee and Personal Secretary Wanda

Ellington Field

Houston, Texas

November 26, 1942

Dear Folks:

Happy Thanksgiving Day to you! Not to me! I am now again a graduate from pre flight school. I am also again in cold storage. No one knows for how long. Maybe until the first of the year. We are taking 2 or 3 studies that may help us later just to keep us out of meaness. Yes sire I think I'm going to like this thing called navigation just fine. As usual there is rumors of furloughs, advanced schools and 3 day passes but right at present we can't even get out for Thanksgiving. And when I say you can't get out I mean just that. The answer is NO. But then life is just full of little disappointments.

How's things in Yankee country. Gee but I'd like to spend about thirty days in that neck of the woods. I'd probably freeze but I could wear my long handles. I would enjoy very much helping Dad eat the scraps of that fat hog he's going to kill. Gee how my mouth waters even when I have the thoughts of a big Thanksgiving dinner tomorrow.

Um!Um! did we strut our stuff the other week-end. They gave a graduation dance for our class in the Swankiest Hotel in Houston. Eats, drinks and admission all free. Wanda sent home for her evening gown which I had never seen her wear and which is lavendar and also which is the purtiest gown I have ever seen the fairer sex wear. She fixed her hair till it was almost as becoming as a 'halo' and I got her a corsage of yellowish pink rose buds. We climbed into the 42 Packard and left for the ball. (The Packard belongs to my friend.) And an innocent by stander would have guessed our worth at several thousand at least. Gosh my heart quickens just to think about it even now. We danced some and then we'd watch the crowd. Oh yes I do dance after a fashion! That was my first offense since I had left Chickasha. We didn't get home until 2 o'clock and I had to get back to camp at 12:30 for a parade. I had such a swell time, I'm even thinking of trying it again when my friend graduates.

Love,

Lee