Category Archives: From Tom Cartmell to Doctor and Cleda Cartmell

From Tom Cartmell to Doctor and Cleda Cartmell, From Tom Cartmell to Elaine and Stanley Hughey

March 2, 1945, At Sea

Tom is aboard his ship, headed for Europe. He shares a stateroom with 5 other officers. There’s little to do while they are at sea and Tom prefers flying to ship riding.
Friday night.
March 2nd.
“at sea”.

March 2, 1945, At Sea, Page 1
March 2, 1945, At Sea, Page 1

Dear Folks,

This letter will be for everyone because there really isn’t much sense in writing duplicate letters. lTo tell you what has been going on that’s all they would be. First of all I’d much rather be flying than rolling along in a boat, and I do mean rolling. I haven’t been sick yet and I doubt very much if I do, but I am sorry to say that there are many less fortunate than my self. Andy didn’t feel to sharp tonight before dinner but after eating he was OI. I think the best thing to do is keep active, don’t miss any meals and don’t lay in the bunk all the time. The food is good and we have pretty nice quarters. Alittle crowded but not too bad. There are six of us in one stateroom and I think we have the best deal of anyone on the ship. We have three decker beds with nice built up sides to keep you rom rolling off but they are comfortable. All the sailors on the ship say that we have had it smooth so far, however, I think they are just trying to scare us. The weather has been nice in fact I even got in alittle sun bathing this afternoon. There isn’t an awfully lot to do. They try to give each officer some sort of detail to take charge of which takes about 2 hrs. a day. The rest of the time we spend in playing cards and laying around. Bridge seems to be the main game and just about everyone knows how to play. The ships store is suppose to open tomorrow but so far there hasn’t been a chance to spend any money. I got on the boat with 43 cents in change in my pocket and still have 43 cents. At least I’m saving money.

March 2, 1945, At Sea, Page 2
March 2, 1945, At Sea, Page 2

Cleda, I’ve thought about you and your seasickness alot and I must say that you had what it took to make it down to the Canal Zone when you and Dad went down there.

Dad, how is everything at the hospital? I guess your busy season will soon be over. When do you plan on taking your vacation and are you going down to Greenville?

I guess Karen and Tom are both OK. and Elaine told Tom to hurry up and grow up so that the younger side of the Cartmell household will be able to have access to a playpen, etc.

I haven’t received any mail for sometime. I’ll probably get a nice big stack of it someday. What a day that will be, I can hardly wait.

Well there isn’t much more that I can tell you so I guess I’ll crawl back to bed, and the way this rooms rocking I do mean crawl.

Hasta La Vista –

With love,

Tom

March 2, 1945, At Sea
March 2, 1945, At Sea
From Tom Cartmell to Doctor and Cleda Cartmell, From Tom Cartmell to Elaine and Stanley Hughey

February 27, 1945, APO New York City

Tom has arrived on the east coast, awaiting transportation to Europe. Zoe has moved back with her parents in Sorento, Illinois and has just had her first doctor’s appointment with Dr. Greer. Tom’s mail must now pass military censors.
Tues. night.

March 1, 1945, APO New York City, Page 1
February 27, 1945, APO New York City, Page 1

Dear Folks, (including everyone)

I am really sorry that I haven’t written so much. I’ve tried to keep Zoe informed alittle of what was happening to me. Hope she’s been letting you know of my proceedings. As soon as we get alittle more settled down and I get alittle more times for letter writing I’ll do better by you.

There isn’t much that I can tell you other than I am in the country on the east coast anything else that I could say on the subject would be censored so I’ll save the censor the trouble of hacking up the letter by just not saying any more on that subject.

March 1, 1945, APO New York City, Page 2
February 27, 1945, APO New York City, Page 2

It is sort of rough in knowing just what to say. I called Zoe last night and she said she was writing to you so guess you have already been informed.

How are Karen and Tom making it? Has Tom started crawling yet? I imagine Karen is still Mothers helper.

Dad, have you been down to Greenville since I was there. If could find out what my battle jacket cost tell Zoe to pay for it.

Have you written or heard from Dr. Greer? Zoe told me she had been over and seen him and she’s to go back in 2 mo’s. I guess everything is OK.

Well I’ll close and will write again as soon as possible.

With Love,

Tom

March 1, 1945, APO New York City
February 27, 1945, APO New York City
From Tom Cartmell to Doctor and Cleda Cartmell

February 21, 1945, Lubbock, Texas

Tom is riding the train to the east coast, and sent this postcard along the way.
Dear Folks,

February 21, 1945, Lubbock, Texas
February 21, 1945, Lubbock, Texas

Got this in Clovis, N. Mex. but I don’t know where I’ll be able to mail it. Everything’s OK, but tired of riding.

Will write again along the way.

Love,

Tom

February 21, 1945, Lubbock, Texas, Front
February 21, 1945, Lubbock, Texas, Front
From Tom Cartmell to Doctor and Cleda Cartmell, From Tom Cartmell to Elaine and Stanley Hughey

February 19, 1945, Needles, California

Tom has boarded his train, heading to the east coast for transportation to the war. He’s not supposed to reveal any details about where he’s going, but he hints he’s going to France. (“I might even be able to use some of the language I had so much trouble with in high school.”)
Mon. night.

February 20, 1945, Needles, California, Page 1
February 19, 1945, Needles, California, Page 1

Dear Folks, (including 828)

As you can tell by the post mark I have not been wasting much time since I last wrote. We were the first to leave. Don’t say too much about getting any letters from me because once we left Hammer our where abouts isn’t suppose to be common knowledge. You can probably tell I am writing this on a train and I don’t know yet where I’ll be able to mail it. For awhile I thought we would come through Chicago but from what I hear that’s out. Our land and overseas destination is still a long ways off. I might even be able to use some of the language I had so much trouble with in high school.[1]Tom studied French when he was in high school. This sentence was to tell his family that he was going to France, without compromising any secrecy, or so he thought. When you receive my address you might send me Warren’t address as I might like to drop him a line.

We got all new equipment and it is really swell stuff, alot better than we have had. I called Zoe the other night from Mort’s you might ask her about it.

February 20, 1945, Needles, California, Page 2
February 19, 1945, Needles, California, Page 2

This thing is certainly bouncing around alot and it’s making writing very difficult. There really isn’t much more that I can say, but I did want to let you know that everything is OK and hope that everything is going fine for all of you.

Elaine, Zoe is getting you your birthday present from us. I didn’t tell her till about the 14th. I wasn’t able to get anything but thought of you on the 16th. Many happy returns.

Goodnight –

With love,

Tom.

February 20, 1945, Needles, California
February 19, 1945, Needles, California

References

References
↑1 Tom studied French when he was in high school. This sentence was to tell his family that he was going to France, without compromising any secrecy, or so he thought.
From Tom Cartmell to Doctor and Cleda Cartmell

February 15, 1945, Fresno, California

Tom is leaving in a few hours to go overseas. He describes his packing routine.
Thurs. noon.

Dear Dad and Cleda,

February 15, 1945, Fresno, California, Page 1
February 15, 1945, Fresno, California, Page 1

Well this is it – and I did want to drop you a line before leaving.

I have been pretty busy the last few days, however Andy, Mort and I did go up to Merced Mon. We were trying to find Allen Carter, you remember the boy Mort and I graduated with at Luke. He had left Merced last Oct. to go into the troop carrier command so we didn’t have much luck. We did get to see Ted Lewis and his band which helped out on the trip.

I have been having quite a time packing. Everytime I thought I am about through I’d find something else. All our baggage was sent out this morning and I think I got everything in. I had my B4 bag, that one Mort and I got in Phoenix, and big parachute bag, and the new leather bag Zoe gave me. All of them are jammed.

February 15, 1945, Fresno, California, Page 2
February 15, 1945, Fresno, California, Page 2

My battle jacket came and it is really swell. They are alot more comfortable than a blouse. Uncle Leslie didn’t my bill so when you write you might ask about it. Tell him to let me know and I’ll send the money.

Well I want to drop Elaines’ a letter so will sign off. There might be a period of a couple of weeks when you won’t get any letters but don’t think anything of it as that is alot of times the case. I’ll write as much as possible.

With love,

Tom

February 15, 1945, Fresno, California
February 15, 1945, Fresno, California
From Tom Cartmell to Doctor and Cleda Cartmell

February 10, 1945, Fresno, California

Tom has completed his transition training to the P-61 Black Widow night fighter aircraft and is preparing to go overseas to join his operational unit. He is growing weary of saying goodbye to everyone and is anxious to get going.
Sat. night.

Dear Folks,

February 11, 1945, Fresno, California, Page 1
February 10, 1945, Fresno, California, Page 1

Well only one more thing to do and we are ready to leave. We take our overseas physical Mon. morning and leave Thurs. It might be that I’ll get a delay enroute maybe through St. Louis. If I do I probably won’t know but just a short time ahead and even then I don’t know if we’ll be able to telephone or telegraph.

I think I have just about had my fill of farewells at least they are getting harder to take and harder to get rid of as time goes by. However, I am not the only one as just about everyone was feeling mighty low when they returned from their leaves. It would been better if they had really put us to work digging ditches or something. Anyway we’re all in the same boat and things could be worse.

February 11, 1945, Fresno, California, Page 2
February 10, 1945, Fresno, California, Page 2

I got my typhoid booster shot this morning and it has really been working on me. Had a few chills this afternoon and haven’t felt any too sharp all day, but I always did have trouble with those typhoid shots.

We had graduation this afternoon which was good for a laugh. Gen. Parker, C.O. of the 4th AF, came out with an order that all training schools had to hold graduation exercises. Something about it helping morale.

Oh yes, tell Elaine and Stan that the Reader’s Digest have started coming. Jan. and Feb. came today. I received all your folk letter Thurs. and it was really swell to get it and I know that it did alot more toward building up my morale than our graduation did.

February 11, 1945, Fresno, California, Page 3
February 10, 1945, Fresno, California, Page 3

Hope the kids are all fine and tell E. + S. and everyone hello. I want to thank all of you for a swell leave, and I hope the next one isn’t too far away.

Goodnight –

Love, Tom.

February 11, 1945, Fresno, California
February 10, 1945, Fresno, California
From Tom Cartmell to Doctor and Cleda Cartmell

December 28, 1944, Fresno, California

Tom and Zoe are expecting a baby. They had a wonderful Christmas together.
December 26, 1944.

Dear Folks,

December 28, 1944, Fresno, California, Page 1
December 28, 1944, Fresno, California, Page 1

This is your bearer of glad things again, this time with the latest and most interesting news. Dad you and Cleda are going to have someone calling you “po pa” + “mo ma”. Anyway we are going to have an addition to our family. We hadn’t exactly planned on it this soon but with things as they are I’m satisfied and Zoe seems to be. Now we’d like to know what Grandpa, Grandma, Auntie E. and Uncle S. think about it?

We had a swell Christmas considering we were way out here in Calif. at least it was about 130% better than last years. We didn’t have to fly Christmas Day, were suppose to fly Sun. afternoon but the fog got too bad. We went to the show Sun evening “Winged Victory”, it was pretty good and was alot like our cadet training in fact alot of the scenes were taken at Santa Ana. See it if you can.

December 28, 1944, Fresno, California, Page 2
December 28, 1944, Fresno, California, Page 2

We tried to call you yesterday. but were informed that there was a 12 to 14 hr. delay and as you know we weren’t able to reach you. We really had a swell dinner and alot of the fellows were here, but I’ll let Zoe tell you more about that. Dad, before I forget it I received the checks and thanks alot. I am writing to Mr. McCune tonight to start a joint account with Zoe. We’ll send him those checks, Zoe has one to send and then I’ll have her allotment made out to the bank. They advise this in the finance office.

We really want to thank you for the birthday and Christmas presents and certainly hope you were as well satisfied with yours as we are with ours. The box with Zoe’s case and my powder and the cookies came today the pants haven’t come yet but that takes time. I got the gloves and they are just the thing, rabbit lined.

It is about 11:00 PM. now and I have to be out at the field to fly at 1:30. We are suppose to be down by 5:00 AM. but they expect the weather to close in after we leave and will probably have to land at Bakersfield. The fog usually clears here by noon so we can get in then. We have been going since this 7:00 this morning and the way things look now will be going till 12:30 tomorrow night. That’s what we get for taking Christmas off.

Zoe will add some more tomorrow and I’ll sign off for now and try to get a few winks.

Tell everyone at 828 hello and give them my love.

With love,

Tom

December 28, 1944, Fresno, California, Page 3
December 28, 1944, Fresno, California, Page 3

Dear Folks –

Hope you enjoyed Christmas as much as we did – of course it would have been better if we could have been home. Andy (Tom’s R.O.) and his wife were here besides quite a few fellows. We had a 25 lb. turkey which just barely fit into our oven. He was so heavy after we stuffed him with dressing that Jean and I could scarcely lift him. For dessert we had mince meat and cherry pie – in fact Jean, Marg, and I worked for two days preparing the dinner. It was worth it because the fellows seem to enjoy the dinner very much.

I want to thank you so much for the make-up bag and my birth day present – they were really lovely gifts. The make up bag matches the trimming of my other suitcase so you couldn’t have picked a more appropriate color. And the cookies were so good – as soon as Tom opened them, he made a dive for those butter-ball cookies – said you hadn’t forgotten his favorite.

December 28, 1944, Fresno, California, Page 4
December 28, 1944, Fresno, California, Page 4

About the wedding presents – we have received some mostly money. I think it would be all right to have them send to Sorento since I’ll probably be staying there for quite some time.

I don’t know if Tom told you or not but Bill Van Meter was up to see us last week. He stayed over=night – it was really quite a reunion. He’s planning on being married some time in January and wants us to stand up with them if we can. Although I rather doubt if Tom will be able to make it. since he has so little free time. We wanted him to come back for Christmas but he had already planned to spend the day with Karl.

Bill Van Meter, 1939
Bill Van Meter, 1939

I never received the __________. Guess it was lost in the mad Christmas rush – but I want you to know I certainly appreciate your thoughtfulness anyway.

December 28, 1944, Fresno, California, Page 5
December 28, 1944, Fresno, California, Page 5

I wish you could have seen the centerpiece for our table – Andy bought it at a florist’s shop and it was really beautiful – holly, pine cones and red candles. We ate our dinner by candle light.

Love,

Zoe

December 28, 1944, Fresno, California
December 28, 1944, Fresno, California
From Tom Cartmell to Doctor and Cleda Cartmell

December 18, 1944, Fresno, California

Tom is flying his P61 nearly every day. There have been a number of aircraft accidents that he describes. Zoe adds her letter at the end.
Sun evening.

Dec. 17, 1944.

December 18, 1944, Fresno, California, Page 1
December 18, 1944, Fresno, California, Page 1

Dear Folks,

I wanted to write you at least before the 19th. We received your card, letter and box, and enjoyed all of them. I started out by having one piece of cake tonight and ended up by polishing off three of them. Zoe began getting tired having to run back and forth between the dining room and kitchen getting them. The card was real nice and Dad I certainly appreciated your letter. As in your case I doubt if I can feel much change after reaching 21. These last two years have been mighty full ones and from all appearances these next two will be just about the same. Our chances of getting another leave are pretty slim but you never can tell.

December 18, 1944, Fresno, California, Page 2
December 18, 1944, Fresno, California, Page 2

I had to fly this afternoon and was suppose to have flown tonight but they didn’t have enough planes and I am still suppose to get another hour of day flying before taking it up at night. It is really a sweet plane but even though it handles nice it still tires you out racking it around. I took Any along this afternoon and let him fly it for about an hour. It was about the only chance he would be able to get up in front. He did a pretty good job, he had washed out of advanced pilot training so knew a good bit about it. They have automatic pilots in them so we let it do the flying while we changed seats. We will be flying about every night from now on. They will be mostly navigational trips over the ocean which are mainly to give the R.O.’s some navigation experience.

December 18, 1944, Fresno, California, Page 3
December 18, 1944, Fresno, California, Page 3

Salinas has closed up and they moved everyone over here. We got out of there just in time, for after we left 3 boys were killed. One spun in on a gunnery mission, another peeled off and dove ion the ground they the other they never heard from they think he went down in the ocean. Two others had a mid air collision but were able to land. All this happened at Salinas. All were in my class. Last night Harper and his R.O. spun in from 10,000′, Fletcher was behind him and saw it. The plane flipped over on its back and went into a spin. All these happened in 70’s. Last Sun an instructor and R.O. had engine trouble in a P61 and made a belly landing beside the field. The plane caught fire, the R.O. got out but the pilot had his feet pinned in and couldn’t get out. That makes it pretty tough all around. It seems like these accidents run in spurts because up until about a month ago we hadn’t lost anyone since we were at Mather.

I imagine your snowy season has really started by now, so Karen is probably in her glory. I can’t say as I blame her, I’d like to see some of the stuff my self. That is walk in it, there’s plenty on the mountains around here.

Oh yes, let me know where all you folks will be Xmas day and the telephone numbers. We are getting our telephone installed tomorrow so we might be able to call you.

Tell the folks at 828 hello.

Signing off –

With love,

Tom

Sunday

Dear Folks

December 18,1944, Fresno, California, Page 4
December 18,1944, Fresno, California, Page 4

Tom and I are writing at the same time – hope we don’t repeat each other. We were going to the Presbyterian church tonight to hear the “Messiah” but Andy and his wife were here for dinner and we sat around gossiping at the table too long – we called the church and they had standing room only (which is rather unusual) and none of us exactly wanted to stand all through it.

December 18, 1944, Fresno, California, Page 5
December 18, 1944, Fresno, California, Page 5

We have really been enjoying the food you sent – Tom is especially fond of the cake – we’ve eaten part of the popcorn but decided to stringing part of it for our Xmas tree. Wish you could see our liviong room. We have an enormous wreath of evergreen around our mirror over the fireplace – in parts we’re decorating the entire mantle with evergreen and red ribbon. It looks like xmas inside our home even though it doesn’t seem to have much Xmas spirit – maybe it’s because of the weather.

Love,

Zoe

December 18, 1944, Fresno, California
December 18, 1944, Fresno, California