Tom dated Wilma for a while when he was in Phoenix. He also wrote her some letters. During Tom’s graduation from pilot training, she accompanied him to the dance and met Tom’s parents. Dr. Cartmell wrote to her and she responded with her own letter to him that said:

May I say Doctor that I was only to happy to go with someone as genuinely fine as Tom. It is a treat believe me. That, as you already know, is a boy you can be proud off.^[1]Letter of May 18, 1944

Wilma was born in Saint Johns, Apache County, Arizona, 250 miles northeast of Phoenix.

In 1953, she married John Henry Bozung. He died in 1985 and Wilma died in 2013.

The full text of her letter read:

Phoenix, Arizona

May 18, 1944

Doctor Cartmell – I can’t tell you how pleased I was to received your letter. – I have intended to write sooner but some thing is always coming up. My folks have been here for a week and I have really enjoyed being with them.

We are having the most unusual weather for May. I really don’t believe that is as warm and at least not any warmer than it was when you were here in April. – It is still quite early in the morning and I’m really cold.

Monday night about 1:30 the phone rang – I hurriedly answered it – and it was a very pleasant surprise – it was Sacramento. -Tom was in town and called me – said he had the day off. They certainly have a tough grind over there. I think they would almost welcome cadet life again.

Frances my roommate left – has gone home for the summer. – I certainly miss her. The other girls are still here.

I haven’t seen the Perks’ – called them the other night – to give them a message from Ernie. –

My letters from Ernie and Tom were all about the other – so I finally sent them each others address – Now I don’t ever hear.

May I say Doctor that I was only to happy to go with someone so genuinely fine as Tom. It is a treat believe me. That, as you already heard, is a boy you can be proud of.

I hope you are all settled – Has Cleda moved yet: Did you ever get the dog question settled.

I hope that if you ever get back to Arizona I will get to see you. I’m going to take you up on your invitation to look you up if I get to Chicago.

It is time for a working girl to be out of bed and on her way so I’ll say – Best of everything.

Sincerely,

Wilma