June 7, 1943, Tempe, Arizona

Tom is happy to be seeing his dad next weekend. He starts flying in the morning. He wants his Dad to bring out Tom’s favorite fountain pen to use in writing letters.
Sun. afternoon

June 7, 1943, Tempe, Arizona, Page 1
June 7, 1943, Tempe, Arizona, Page 1

Dear Dad,

Received your letter just awhile ago when I got back from pass. They had my mail mixed up but seems to be straightened now. It was really good to hear that you would be here next weekend. I sent you a telegram from the Perkins today. I don’t know just what to tell you to wear. Just about all you see are soldiers but I haven’t seen any seersucker worn by civilians yet so I would suggest just light clothes. Don’t forget to get in touch with Mrs. Perkins when you get in because she will know what to do.

As for my self I will have alot to tell you and it is a good thing you are coming now instead of later. I don’t think I will be here much longer than 3 weeks. I start flying at 6:30 tomorrow morning and fly four hours one week and five the next and keep that schedule up till we go to Santa Anna. You can see if we are only to get in 10 hrs. of flying we won’t be here very long. There are alot of bull sessions tonight. Everyone is trying to decide if they are going to like flying. This new bunch of boys I am with are pretty nice all all very athletic. One holds the middle weight championship and all of them would rather box than eat. From the looks of our schedule on the board it seems pretty easy. We only have about 2 periods of calesthenics + drill a week. However, on the days we fly we will be at the field all morning. On a couple of mornings we fly at 5:30 which means getting up at 4:00. If you see Roscoe Taylor you might tell  him that I will write him after I get in a few hours and let him know how it is. Tell him we are training here in “Interstates.” [1]A Roscoe Taylor lived in Greenville, Illinois and was listed in the 1930 Federal Census. I don’t know of his connection with Tom.

June 7, 1943, Tempe, Arizona, Page 2
June 7, 1943, Tempe, Arizona, Page 2

They keep telling us not to say anything about fellows being shipped till after they have gone. Anyway 200 left last night, flights G, H, + I. The next letter to I is J.

There is only one thing I want you to bring and that is my fountain pen, the one Mrs. Oneal gave me. I hope you can read this its my roommates pen.

Thanks alot for the book and N.U. [2]Northwestern Universitymagazine. I have alittle time to read now. I will try to get permission for you to see my room, but I know you can see downstairs.

I am looking forward to next weekend, see you then.

Love, Tom

June 7, 1943, Tempe, Arizona
June 7, 1943, Tempe, Arizona

References

References
1 A Roscoe Taylor lived in Greenville, Illinois and was listed in the 1930 Federal Census. I don’t know of his connection with Tom.
2 Northwestern University

A Young Man Went Off to War