Dr. Cartmell’s handwriting is difficult to read and sometimes impossible. In other letters he copied, when I could compare his copy to the original, he often would change spelling, syntax and pacing. He would modify punctuation, and sometimes leave out entire sentences. This is not a criticism, it is a warning to those reading this copy.
Tom is deep into his transition training to medium bombing with the B-25 twin-engined bomber.
5-21-44
Dear Dad,
I was going to write you this afternoon but when we got off from the flight line at noon, I laid down for a few minutes and the next thing I knew it was 6:30 pm. We have been flying regularly the last several days which means 5 hrs in the air with out a rest. I really _____ to think of another week starting tomorrow especially when we don’t get a day off. The trouble is now that everyone has been checked out. We don’t get to switch off. Before when the instructor would go with us there would be 2 students; and while one was flying the other could get a little sleep back in the navigator’s compartment. How ever now when 2 students go up to gether – one flies – one is co-pilot for 2½ hours and then you switch and both jobs are pretty tiresome. We have started inst flying and today was the 1st time I have ever been lost. At one time we were over _______ and then a couple of hours earlier when we had about 1½ hrs of __________ our position was what you might call uncertain. We look all over the place and there wasn’t a map to be had.
The only thing we had was a radio _________ chart and luckily our radio compass worked so we turned in on this Sacramento beam and made it back OK. with about 10 min or less of gas left. Come to find out we were about 50 miles south of ______ . There is nothing quite like the sensation of not knowing where you are, everything looks mighty infamiliar.
I recd your letter of last Sat and it was swell to hear from you. Also rec’d the cards from the “Old Hidelberg” and _____ I had been there with you, when I got back to Chi. I want to go there some evening, was glad the Air Corps song made a hit, it is a good song.
I guess Agnes had a very enjoyable time and I am sure if did her alot of good just to get around a little. It sounds like your business is picking up at the hospital, hope you don’t have too much night work.
I guess Aunt Mollie arrived OK, I imagine her trip on the El Capitan was pretty nice. I still remember ours, the only thing bad about our trip was my getting sick in Kansas City. How did you like the _______ concert? Wish I could have heard it with you. Hope the Navy does not need a good man such as Stanley for some time yet. I thought there was something the matter with your car, but _____________ have been the gas you civilians were getting these days. I have something for you that I will send soon, it is having some work done on it. Tell all hello.
Goodnite,
Tom
P.S. I had some pictures taken, will send them as soon as they are ready.
