April 16, 1944
New Guinea
Dearest Mother and Dad,
Just received your letter of March 16, saying you still hadn’t heard from me, however, I had a later letter from you saying you had received four letters from me. You will notice it took exactly one month for that letter to get here. Surely wish it wouldn’t take so long. But I guess it is a long way over here. Much further than I realize at times.
Today has really been wet. I have never seen such rain in my life. Glad, too, that we didn’t have to fly today. Boy, this weather is rough.
(Author's note: THIS DAY WAS KNOWN TO THE 5TH AIR FORCE
AS BLACK SUNDAY. THERE WERE MANY AIRPLANES
AND AIRMEN LOST THAT DAY DUE TO BAD WEATHER.)
You mentioned about Col Kearby. Yes, it is too bad it happened. Was very similar to Leighton if you remember. I was in the air at the same time but I was not at the same place. If we had been there I think the story would have been different. A person can’t win this war single-handed. That is a statement the Col. told us very often but looks like he forgot it momentarily.
Major Carpenter left yesterday to go home. Lucky dog! Can hardly wait til I get to go home. We had a ‘goodbye’ party for him and it was very drunk out but everyone had a good time. Capt. Wiecks is now squadron C.O. & Lytle is operations officer. I am glad for Lytle for he is one of the most deserving fellows I have ever known. He should get a captaincy out of that. Major Carpenter said he would call you and I told him to call “collect”, so if you receive a collect call for a long distance be sure and don’t forget it.
Please write soon and remember-
I love you,
Son