November 27, 1943
Dearest Mother and Dad and Velma,
Gosh, I’ll bet you folks are really angry with me for not writing but I have just returned from leave. I had a wonderful time and it seemed just too good to get back to civilization once more. Chase, Lytle and myself were together and between the three of us we painted the town red. We took in everything available, from Comic Opera to Burlesque. We went to all the pictures in town and did everything one could do in ten days. We shopped around for souvenirs and presents and did pretty well. You have a Xmas present on the way and I hope it is something that you will like. I will not tell you what it is because I want it to be a surprise. Be sure and let me know when you get it.
Our squadron has an apartment that we keep rented all the time. It is a very nice place in the best part of Sydney on Bondi beach. It is a beautiful place with the beach just outside our window. We wanted to go swimming but the weather was such that it changed our minds. I have never eaten so much in my life as I did down there. About three quarts of milk a day, steak, scrambled eggs, ice cream, and everything else that I could think of that I wanted. I bought a new summer uniform, worsted wool. It looks very nice but then after my leave was over I had to store it as it would ruin if I brought it up here with me.
We met some American nurses that had just arrived from the States and we took them all over the town, night clubs, etc. and believe me, it was really nice to see someone from home. Of course, they thought Australia was a very peculiar place compared to the States but they never had been where we have. Any kind of civilian population looks good to us.
Upon returning to my base, I had received about fifteen letters from you and Barbara and, naturally, that was what I was looking forward to. I had not heard if Barbara had made her trip to Texas until I returned and I was afraid that she might not have come. I was certainly relieved to find that she had been down there. From all her letters she evidently had a wonderful time and I want to thank you for doing all you did. I know you must be havin a pretty hard time trying to keep your ration points straight and getting enough to eat. I’ll bet is is plenty hard. Sometimes I think you all must be having a harder time than we are. Sure be glad when I get back to help you and get in your way. Maybe it won’t be too long. Anyway, let’s hope so!
I have so much I want to tell you about my trip and there is so much that I can’t until I get home, I guess I will just have to wait.
By the way, I have had my thrills too since I have come back. On my first trip into Nip country since my leave I had to crash land on my return. I didn’t get a scratch and everyone has been congratulating on my good job. Of course, the airplane was practically demolished but I didn’t get hurt and that is what counts. I had quite an audience for the scene. Everyone from Generals to privates watched the episode. I was wringing wet from sweating and when I climbed out of the cockpit unhurt several hundred people whooped and hollered so loud that you would have thought it was a football game. I felt tickled to death. I had to fly around quite a while using up my gasoline so it wouldn’t catch on fire and you can imagine what I was thinking. It was quite thrilling. Please don’t worry about it because I didn’t get a scratch.
I was really shocked to hear about Ed Wilkins getting killed. Be sure and send me the details about it. I would like to hear all about it. I am getting the papers, stationery, and everything else so don’t worry about that.
By the way, we are getting decorated by General Kenny in person of which I am included, this afternoon at five so we have something to look forward to.
Tell Dorothy Cooke they call me “Crash Carter” now.
Well, this is about all for today. I am going to wire you this afternoon since I haven’t written in quite a while because it will be a good while before you get this.
Be sure to tell me all about Barbara’s visit and what you think about her etc.
I will write again tomorrow,
All my love,
Son
P.S. I didn’t crack up my plane as it was being worked on. It was Lt. Allen’s.
Excerpt from "Wings, WASP, & Warriors" by Travis Monday