Editor’s Note: Sandboxx News presents a World War II series by Kaitlin Oster on the power of hope, letters, and love in seeing us through the terrors and agony of war. You can read the other installments here and listen to Kaitlin’s radio interview about the series here, or visit her website here.
April 30, 1943,
Army Air Base, Wendover Field, Utah
My Darling Loretta,
Your letter today truly was swell and was enjoyed a lot. You know honey I love you too, only I love you more. I love you all I possibly can.
Today was payday, and I got my regular pay but not my flying pay. I’ll get that some time next month (I hope). I intend to send $50 to my mother so I’ll have some dough for my furlough. Honey when I get home we’ll do the town. Maybe you think I’m silly, but every day and every night I dream of going home. I’m still wondering what I’m going to say when I first see you. Even if I say nothing, I know what I’m going to do. Loretta, you are going to be kissed; and I do mean kissed with a capital (hug too). Gee, I love you. I’m still hoping for that happy day in June. I love you more honey.
Your brother Joe is a good man and he’ll make a darn good sailor. An indication is how well he took it when he left. He is a man, for I could see that when I was home a year ago. I hope he manages to get home when I do. I love to see him in his uniform.
Honey, it’s nice of you to go and see Ed. If you bring him just one percent of the happiness you brought me, he’s very happy. You’re just swell (my swell girl). I love you sweetheart, I love you lots.
I’m glad you liked the box of candy. I hope to fatten you up so I can have more to hug when I see you. Loretta, you are going to be hugged. I love you.
Honey, when you go over to my house again and they have some good cake, ask mom for my piece. Say, “Mrs. Schwerdt, I want Ha’s piece.”
I know how much much Abie wanted to get in the service. I feel sorry for him, please give him my regards. My regards to everybody, OK? Mom, Pop, the family, Johnna, Bena, the girls.
Related: Letters to Loretta: Falling in love with the B-17 Flying Fortress
Honey, remember the pictures I said I had taken? Well, I’m sending them home. I only have one set, so I wish you would show them to my mother. I hope to get some more, but that’s going to take a couple more weeks.
I think the pictures are pretty good, I hope you like them. The one picture that is faded is Jack in a summer flying suit, and me in a winter flying jacket and helmet and goggles. I’ve mentioned the name of “Ned” in my previous letters; he’s Jack’s radio man. He’s in one of these pictures, and you can recognize him cause he’s wearing a summer flying suit. The guy on the other side of me, is the 1st sergeant and a very nice guy. He’s a dummer, and really can beat it out. Yes sir, a nice guy. The close-up picture of me was taken by Jack. He had the camera so I went up to him and said heil Hitler; he took the picture too. I think it came out well, don’t you?
In one of the pictures I look like a tough guy; I had that taken specifically for you. Are you afraid of me? Better do like I say or else I’ll get tough with you (I may even lop you!).
Honey, I wish you could feel my eyes on you and hear me saying, Sweetheart. I love you, more love to you, sweets. I was supposed to leave Wendover Field Sunday, May 2, but orders have been changed, so I’m good here for at least another week. Darn it.
So my doll, your letter made me very happy. I hope these pictures make you happy.
Bye, my sweets, all my love, your honey.
Love,
Ha
I love you darling. I love you.
Feature Image: A retired U.S. Army Air Force B-29 Superfortress sits on the ramp during a B-2 Spirit flyover at Wendover Airfield, Utah, May 10, 2022. Wendover Air Field, also known as Wendover Air Force Base, was the initial training range for the 509th Composite Group. The B-29 was assigned to Wendover Air Force Base during World War II, as the weapon delivery section under the Manhattan Project. (Photo by Airman 1st Class Victoria Hommel/509th Bomb Wing Public Affairs)
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The CIA was one of the Larger reasons that aircraft had been recognized- When they discovered that they found it to be one of the most useful World War II aircraft ever! A lot of the reason was it was just so much different large and horrifying to see – very loud! Army air was recognized heavily at that point for building extremely good aircraft- Later after Vietnam they let the Air Force be there own branch- As I once said the battle of Iwo Jima proves different-When they gave it to the sons of the U.S Navy a.k.a. Marines! —- I’d say they did pretty fantastic!
This is one of the things I would have been accepted to do as a tour guide on this plane! I just never went back for the summer! Too busy wasting my time away on Robotics!