July 29, 1945
Darling,
Today has been a downright discouraging day. Got up at 0200 this morning, briefed at 0300 and had to wait till 0800 to get a ship. We flew for seven hours and I got back to barracks at 1600. Everything seemed to go wrong on the mission. We got off late, the ship was an old one and all the equipment was different and didn't work right. I rode further back than usual and it was so rough that I nearly got thrown out of the ship. The heating units went wrong and couldn't be shut off. Did you ever see a blast furnace with wings? To top things off our mutual friend "Ptomaine" had to put his two cents in. All in all it was a horrible mission.
I just heard about the B25 that crashed into the Empire state building. Of all the ungodly things to happen, that was tops. In spite of the fog it was still the pilots fault. He shouldn't have come in so low over the city. The same thing happened out here only it was a B29 and a mountain. The B29 lost.
Things are beginning to brighten up now. I took a double shower, had some coffee and donuts and put on clean clothes. That sort of peps anyone up. Then there was ypour letter. I wish I could explain how much more of a pleasure living has been these last ten days since getting all of these letters from you. Wonderful would be a weak word for it.
I hope you are all over the feud with Wee Willie. Shucks, you've got to let out some steam once in awhile. You two work so close that it's only natural that you let off some steam once in a whilst.
Me and mosquitos are mortal enemies as of last night. The so and so's are using bayonets.
Think I'll take in the Russian U.S.O show tonight. In Tuscon that's considered a big deal. Might even have a ginger ale.
Gotta gota chow.
Well, what the hell'
After supper last night I lay my weary bone on me bed to rest for seven minutes. I closed my eyes for a second--I opened them--and it's seven o'clock in the morning. Must have been a little tired!
Happy Sunday Morning Darling,
Crew 1091 left Topeka this morning for overseas. I wish I was with them.
Act III of the Great American Play has me stumped. Gotta do some fancy thinking. However, you can be sure that it will be unsurpassable.
In about ten days I might be able to get some more cigarettes -- good ones-- I can get all the Raleighs I want - Do you want raleighs? Let me know if you do and I'll send you some practically immediately.
Oh Hell, Tell Eddie I apologize for any remarks about his spelling.
Don't know if it's because of the war, but it'll take a month to get the pictures.
On August 27th I'll have my first hash mark. I'll also get a 5% raise in pay. Let's see 5% of 150 is 7.50 and half that for flying - 3.75 - $11.25 a month raise. Not too bad.
Those Lansing banks are shrewd operators. For 2.60 they'd probably insult J. P. Morgan. I once had an account with the American State. They chiseled me out of 17 cents interest once. The scoundrels!
How's the home life lately? Ed on his good behavior? How's your mom coming along? Give her a cheery hello for me.
Pause to pour coffee.
Hardy's wife was supposed to arrive here yesterday but she was put off the plane in New York so she went back home again. He's not at all happy. Even my guitar playing doesn't cheer him up.
Is there such a thing as a Green Hornet?
Hmmmm - damn good coffee.
Been trying to locate Tombstone Arizona. If I can find it and if it's close I'd like to take a look at it. I think that's where some bar tender set himself up as a judge. They've also got a "boot hill". there.
There are a couple of P80 jet planes here. It's amazing to see how fast they travel. Most planes take off like this ---- the jets go like ---|. Very confusing. Instead of roaring, they hum. It takes them seven minutes to get from Phoienix to here. almost 70 miles. Nearly 10 miles a minutes. At that rate it's take a little over two hours to get to Chicago. Gosh!
See if you can dig up some dope on used portable typewriters.
Say, speaking of Birthdays, let me know when your mom's and Eddie's is willyah? Gotta go borrow the Sunday paper from someone. Ask Bill if he'd like a pint bottle of pure Arizona sand.
All my Love
Ray