Last night was not as cold as the previous night, but Tom wore his full winter flight gear to bed. He and Andy watched a movie at the Officers’ Club. Tom has advice for Stanley to try to stay out of the war altogether.
Evening
16 March 45.
“In Italy”
March 16, 1945, In Italy, Page 1
Dear Dad,
Received your letter today and it was certainly swell to hear from you. There isn’t much more to tell you aside from what I wrote in the family letter yesterday. However, I didn’t freeze as much last night as I had, mainly because I wore all my heavy winter flying equipment, including fur lined pants, jacket and heavy wool socks. They are having a movie here in the officers’ club tonight so Andy and I are taking that in. We have alittle while to wait and thought this would be a good time to answer your letter.
I was glad to hear that Dr. Mark was satisfied with Zoe. I was hoping she would get over there soon as she hadn’t had a check up since our trip across the states. I’ll finish this after the show.
It was a pretty good show, alot better than you would expect to see out here.
I was sorry to hear of Martha Shutt dying. Wasn’t she the daughter that played the piano? Let me know alittle more about it before I write.
Andy is OK, we are both trying to steer clear of colds as it seems everyone has one and we are on the verge. He said to tell you hello.
March 16, 1945, In Italy, Page 2
I hope Stan can hold out alittle longer and at least finish his semester. I really hope that he can stay out all together. There are probably alot of fellows that have it worse but I still hate to think of Elaine being alone with the kids. With alittle luck he could probably be stationed in the states for a good while and maybe for good. It seems that as far as I was concerned there were always opportunities for that. That is up until I got so far along in training. Tell Elaine that she and Zoe will have to get together as we had talked about and take care of one another. Also Dad you have quite a job to do yourself, you will have a bigger family than you ever did have to look out for pretty soon. Over here we don’t have too many decisions to make and you have to help make alot over there.
Hope everything was OK at home and that you didn’t have too much trouble in getting everything straightened out. I guess I sort of let you down on not being there to help.
Thanks for offering me any extra money if I needed it but there isn’t anything to spend it on over here. I am even going to try and save my own and enjoy it in the states. I never really realized what a war could do to a country before.
Tom is still aboard his ship, traveling to Europe. In his group of 6 officers sharing the same stateroom, four have pregnant wives.
Tues. night.
March 6th.
“at sea”.
March 6, 1945, At Sea, Page 1
Dear Dad,
I thought you might appreciate a personal letter not that there is much to relate but time hangs pretty heavy on board ship and letter writing puts it to some good. I imagine by the time you receive this letter and the one I wrote to the whole family it will have been some time since you have heard from me.
The novelty of this boat ride wore off a good many mile back and now about all you can see to it is alot of water. However, it is a great experience and one that I should never forget. Not that I wouldn’t rather be home, because I think just about everyone is thinking of the day he can come back even before he gets on the boat to leave. If he’s not then I’d say he’s damn fool.
The food is still exceptionally good in fact we’ve even had ice cream several times.
March 6, 1945, At Sea, Page 2
I still can’t get use to these salt water showers. You might as well try to lather with a block of wood as a piece of regular soap. We have to use regular salt water soap. The lavatories have fresh water.
Has Zoe been up to visit again. I guess train riding tires her out pretty much. We have four babies underway in our bunch which is a pretty good average.
Well Dad I have to go on duty from 10 to 12 tonight and it’s almost 10 now so will sign off. There isn’t any more that I can tell you and I’ll let you know as soon as we get to where we are going.
Tom thinks he may be able to get more leave after finishing his training and before he goes overseas. He asks his dad for advice on finding a doctor to look after Zoe, who is planning on returning to Illinois for the duration of her pregnancy after Tom leaves for the war. Zoe and Tom wrestle with domestic disagreements.
Jan. 8, 1944 (Dr. Cartmell corrects this to 1945)
January 8, 1945, Fresno, California, Page 1
Dear Dad.
We got your letter today and it was really swell to hear from you. Things are going good here in fact better than we had planned on. The weather has held us up so along with that set back and then my sick spell a few days ago I am going to be here another month and the way things look I might even get a leave in a couple of weeks. If it does work out the way we sort of had it planned was to go direct to St. Louis where the Forans could meet us and then if you could drive down we could go back to Chicago with you, and then we could spend the rest of my leave there. However, we can work that out later when things are alittle more definite.
January 8, 1945, Fresno, California, Page 2
I still have about 39 hrs. to get in the P61 and the way things look they are going to send about 10 of us over to Salinas or Palmdale for about 3 or 4 days so we can finish up our time. I think we will go this Wed. All the Widows are over at Salinas now so they will have to ferry us over there so we can bring them back. We have had about a 300 foot ceiling here for the last 2 weeks which isn’t quite high enough to come in safely.
Mort B. is home on leave now and he will also be in my bunch, I’ll be able to tell you more about my future as I can’t say much in a letter. The 61 is really a sweet ship and a pleasure to fly.
January 8, 1945, Fresno, California, Page 3
What do you think about a Doctor for Zoe when she gets home? I thought of Van and Dr. Mark but it is pretty far. She thought that Dr. Schyler at Litchfield would be more current for them in driving, but can’t they get gas for that sort of thing? Do you have any ideas or suggestions? Zoe has been fine, however, she has been sick at her stomach but from what I understand you can expect as much. She has been going out to the base to the Dr.
It really sounds as if you are having typical Chicago weather up there. I hope it isn’t too cold that it is uncomfortable.
Tom and Zoe January 1945January 8, 1945, Fresno, California, Page 4
I am enclosing some snap shots that we took here at our place. Thought you might like to see them. Show them to E+S+Cleda.
Don’t work too hard and here’s hoping that we get to see you ion a few weeks.
With love,
Tom
Dear Dad,
January 8, 1945, Fresno, California, Page 5
We certainly enjoyed your letter. Tom said he told you about getting a leave. If he does, you needn’t drive down home to meet us unless you really want to make the trip – I know what a long drive it is by yourself of course maybe Stanley and Elaine would like to come along. If not we can take the train from Hillsboro. I know this is one of your busiest times at the hospital as you do whatever is the most convenient for you.
Most of my clothes are just a little tight – I tried to get Tom to go shopping with me for one of those dresses which allow you to expand more gracefully but Tom really put his foot down and won’t even go near on of those shops. Maybe I can change his mind in the future. (But I doubt it, Tom)
Tom is responding to a letter he received from his dad discouraging him from marrying Zoe. He doesn’t want to go against his dad, but still wants to marry Zoe. Tom asks his father to reconsider his opposition to Zoe.
Sun. night.
October 10, 1944, Salinas, California, Page 1
Dear Dad,
After receiving your letter this morning I have decided that my last letter must have been more of a shock to you than I thought it would bel. However, it still stands as I wrote it. I know you haven’t cared for Zoe or any of the girls that I have gone with, as for that matter you didn’t care so much for Stanley, and if my marriage works out as well as that one I’ll be more than satisfied. Dad, I don’t know if Zoe will fit in to the family or not but I think that will depend more or less upon the family. I do know that Zoe is the girl I want to marry and all the things you had against her seemed awfully petty under the circumstances. I don’t want to do anything against you, but Dad, I wish you would look at things in alittle different way. Zoe is going to get a leave of absence and come out here before so very long. I think I told you in my last letter that I am staying here another month so will be leaving the states around the middle of Jan. instead of Dec. We get 38 hrs. more of gunnery which will be good experience. I have always thought over all the advice you have given me and I have been thinking your letter over all day but Dad I never would have given Zoe the ring if I didn’t want it to mean everything it should.
October 10, 1944, Salinas, California, Page 2
It is almost mid-night and they are getting ready to close the club so will have to cut this short. We start our new schedule Tues. but don’t know if I’ll be able to fly then or not. I have been in all weekend with a touch of the flu. The flt. surgeon didn’t give me any sulfa but he did take me off flying. He thought I’d be able to fly Tues. The weather here is really good for colds. The fog still hangs around and now the fronts are starting to move in. We had the first rain this morning that I have seen here. From about Nov. 1st till March this state is pretty bad for weather. Alot of cold fronts moving through that make up a string of thunderstorms. One of your biggest worries is ice, there is very little warning and not much to do about it when it once forms.
Tom has completed the first part of his night fighter training and there has been a delay before the second part trainers have space to take them, so he and his training squadron were given 8 days of leave, plus travel to and from Chicago. His telegram notifies his dad that he’s coming, the time and date of his arrival, and the name of the train, “The Southern Pacific Challenger.” Dr. Cartmell has written on the telegram, “Northwestern, Madison and Canal” indicating the name of the arriving train station (Northwestern Station) and the address (corner of Madison and Canal Streets in Chicago).
ARRIVING CHICAGO THURSDAY 920 AM SP CHALLENGER WILL STAY ONE WEEK SEE YOU THURSDAY MORNING=
TOM.
September 19, 1944, Salinas, CaliforniaSeptember 18, 1944, Salinas, California, FrontSeptember 18, 1944, Salinas, California, Back
Tom has returned from his “combat” flying in Estrella. While there were no major mishaps, there were several close calls, which he describes.
Mon. noon.
9-4-44
September 5, 1944, Salinas, California, Page 1
Dear Folks,
Received all your letters today, so I couldn’t do anything less than write back.
We returned from Estrella yesterday and we really did set a new record down there. We all finished with 40 hrs. of flying time in six days (and nights) without a major or minor accident. No one even blew out a tire or scraped a wing tip. Considering the shape that the planes were in that was pretty good. It seemed like every flight that you went something came up that made you sweat alittle. It was so hot down there that the engines vapor locked a great deal and it is quite a sensation to be flying along and have one engine cut out on you, (however that’s a good argument for having two engines).
September 5, 1944, Salinas, California, Page 2
Another time I had a cross country at night over to Bakersfield up to Sacramento and back to Estrella. I got about 30 min. out of Bakersfield and decided to use the gas out of my bomb bay. I switched over to bomb bay tank and was surprised to find that the ground crew had forgot to fill it. Under ordinary cruising conditions these use about 100 gal./hr. When I got back we figured that I had averaged about 50 gal./hr. after leaning out the mixture and cutting down my other settings. I landed with about 20 gal. Mort B. got lost the same night but finally found the field. He landed, taxied up to the line and both engines stopped, all his tanks were dry, that’s playing it alittle too close. The weather was in our favor all the time which helped alot.
September 5, 1944, Salinas, California, Page 3
We have had another shake up. Things got tied up in Fresno where we were suppose to go next so anyway I am staying here this month. However the way it use to stand was that you went to Fresno and then came back here for gunnery but they needed 5 more in this gunnery class that is going through starting the tenth of this month and anyway I and 4 others are starting gunnery the 10th. The rest of my class will be here 2 more mos. getting some more instrument time. Mort is staying so that is going to break that up.In a way I am glad to be going on because I wouldn’t care just to lay around here. Our gunnery course is suppose to be pretty good. We get it in P70’s and all of it is over the ocean firing at targets on the H2) and then aerial town targets. I don’t see how we can miss with 4 – 50’s and two cannons. It won’t be like our gunnery in the AT-6‘s at Gila Bend because the P70’s don’t handle like the 6. These weigh as much as the B25 so it is a good deal harder to put them where you want them.
September 5, 1944, Salinas, California, Page 4
Say Dad it really sounds like you have a pretty nice apt. lined up. You might as well get a large place and $80.00 doesn’t sound at all bad for the place you described. Hope I get to try out one of those three bedrooms. I am sending you a few pictures of the P70. It looks alot like the A20 and there are alot of different modifications of it, we had just about all of them at Estrella.
September 5, 1944, Salinas, California, Clipping 2
Elaine and Stan I received your letter today and Karens note also. She is really getting to be quite a artist. You asked about flying 15′ above the ground. You are suppose to know where the houses and any other obstructions were by studying your maps, however, the Col. who was telling this was on convoy patrol over the _________, up and with a radar altimeter you can read your altitude within inches above the ground or water. When everything’s working right. I received the pictures and they _______ are good, Karen really looks like Mama’s little helper especially sitting there in the chair holding Tommy, (Tom). If you don’t mind Uncle Tom is going to call him Tom, he’s big enough.
I think we are getting 5 days off so I’ll go to B. with Mort. I’ll let you know about it. That covers just about everything. Stan, hope the weather has cleared up for golf. Maybe you can get Dad and Cleda to continue their golf up there.
With love,
Tom.
(over)
Dad, I am sending $150.00 to Mrs. McCane to deposit. Do you get the monthly statements? If so check on it.
September 5, 1944, Salinas, California, Clipping 1September 5, 1944, Salinas, California
Inexplicably, there is an unidentified note paper that has writing unrelated to the Uncle Tom letters. I’m including it below, but believe it was accidentally included in the envelope at some time.
Tom is doing more night flying and working with radar. He had an incident in which one of his two main landing gear struts wouldn’t drop into the normal position for landing. After 30 minutes of working emergency procedures, he got it to drop and lock into place, with an otherwise uneventful landing.
11:00 P.M.
8-30-44.
September 2, 1944, Salinas, California, Page 1
Dear Folks,
I have to fly at 12:00 but did want to write in case anyone was going with the mail in the morning.
This is perhaps the closest thing to combat as you could ever find without being in it. We have been flying anywhere from 6 to 9 hrs. a day. I have finished my day flying, finished it this afternoon with 3 hrs. of high altitude navigation. I flew 4 hrs. last night shooting landings here at the home field. This afternoon I did land at Bakersfield just to see what it was like because everyone in awhile during night flying here the fog rolls in pretty fast and catches you in the air which means head over in the valley and land at Bakersfield or Fresno. One nice thing about our night flying here is that there is a large moon up now which makes it alot more like day flying and not so much instrument work. It’s probably spoiling us in that respect. The climate here is hot and dry, just about like Arizona. We are just a few miles too far from the ocean to get any cool weather. This afternoon I had quite a time, when I got back to Estrella and started to land I found out that only my nose wheel and my right main landing gear would come down. I had to spend about an other half hour in the air going through the emergency procedures in getting the left wheel down. It was quite a relief to finally see it drop into place, however a belly landing would probably have been good experience but alittle hard on the airplane supply.
https://youtu.be/_sRoer4gMVc
September 2, 1944, Salinas, California, Page 2
Tonight I’ll be on night navigation and will more than likely fly to Bakersfield, Stockton and back to Estrella and then another one down in the southern part of the state. Suppose to fly till 6:00 unless the weather closes in.
The latest rumor has it that we will get our gunnery at Salinas in P70s before going to Fresno. If that’s the case we will be here another month. I flew a mission yesterday being controlled by a ground radar unit, they can maneuver you around into close firing range of another plane with out any trouble at all. When we got to Fresno that’s all we’ll be doing but they wanted to give us a taste of it here.
Tom is being introduced to the P-70 night fighter, and his first flight is wedging into the tiny space behind and above the single pilot. He describes the bailing out procedure which is difficult.
Sat. night.
8-26-44
August 27, 1944, Salinas, California, Page 1
Hello Folks,
Wanted to drop you a line tonight before leaving for Estrella. We go down there in the morning and I think we’ll fly the P70’s down from here. I think perhaps I had one of my biggest thrills today when I flew the P70. We got a piggy back ride yesterday which doesn’t teach you much other than the fact that when a person is cramped into a place a sardine would complain of he generally gets stiff. Anyway Today I certainly did sweat through a flying suit.
P-70 Clipping Tom enclosed in his letter
They are a nice plane but an awful lot for one \fellow to handle but it did feel good being up there alone doing things the way you wanted to do them without someone sitting beside you thinking they should of done some other way. They are a pretty heavy ship that tires you out pretty quick if you rack it around very much. They also have all their guns in the nose right in front of the pilot which makes them alittle nose heavy in landing, but still alot better than the B25 in that respect. I flew for 2 hrs. and shot two landings and it landed nice, which was a relief to me, however they do land pretty fast. The one I had today was a heavy model and I had to bring it in at 150 and hit the ground at about 120. There are a few things that you have to watch out for in the air and one is not to let the thing go into a spin because they just won’t come out. Most combat planes you are suppose to try and recover them from a spin but they say in these to get out. Getting out of one of them involves quite a problem because of the high rudder and the engines back of the pilot. They have a rope that you hold on to and crawl back over the backside of the wing and try to dive under the tail. It is worse than the 25 in this way.
August 27, 1944, Salinas, California, Page 2
Dad I got yours and Cleda’s letter today and also Stan and Elaine’s package of Advocates. I am going back and read them now. I am enclosing a copy of the will which they wanted us to make out. The government has one and I have a copy in my personal 201 file. The public affairs officer seemed to think that was the way to make it out, to E. first as her being the younger. I think everything else is in order and it is all in my 201. We’ll probably send it home before going across unless they file them for us here in the states.
This covers about everything and I am glad you finally got the house deal settled. I’ll let you know all about Estrella. Goodnight –
With love,
Tom
These two blank checks were included in the envelope. Since they were from a Chicago bank, and Dr. Cartmell’s handwriting, it’s unclear why these were here.August 27, 1944, Salinas, California
