Nov. 18, 1943

I am well and fine and getting along OK in my flying.  I have only another week or so and I will be moving on to advanced.  There I will work for two months after which I will be commissioned.  I am planning on having you and Bonnie come down to see me graduate.  I am going to pay the expenses if they aren’t too much.

I have been having the time of my life for about a month.  I have been very busy but I have enjoyed every moment of it.  I have been flying at night, flying in formation and aerobatics.

I really enjoy flying.

I have flown two cross-country trips and I have one more to fly.  One that takes two hours at night.  One fellow got lost on the flight and they used up 28000 gals of gas in searching for him.  They found his plane setting in a field down in Mexico with his parachute still in the seat and the brakes set… But no pilot.  He has been gone for three weeks now, and they still haven’t found him.

I have been off the post but I could not get to church; as I have been flying every Sunday.  I get a six-hour pass on Saturday and that’s all.  I don’t mind because I want to fly and so I’m getting it.  I have 120 hrs of flying time in now, all told.

I sure would like to see the family and all the kids.  The weather here is always the same; very cold at night and very hot at noon.  I wear a sweat shirt under my flight suit; and by noon I have to take it off.  I’ve only seen 2 cloudy days here so far; and even then I was up where the sun was shining so I wasn’t bothered by it.

Speaking of Bonnie; I think something might come of it soon.  I’ve been thinking more and more about her for some time; I think I’ve been caught… almost.  It wouldn’t take much to persuade me one way or the other.  Think it over.   You know she has been baptized into The Church, and I’ve never known anyone I like better.  I think she feels the same.  (Is possible)

I was given the chance to choose what I wanted to fly the other day.  I put down as Air Transport Command.  I may be flying Red-Cross ships, or food supply and such at the front.  Or, I may stay over here and fly __ ferry planes around.  I am doing my best to keep out of the fighter groups such as pursuit ships.  I will take anything they give me, but I would enjoy flying two or four engine planes such as big cargo ship better.

I will write again in a few days as now I get more free time.  Excuse me for everyone for I am just able to squeeze a letter to you and Bonnie.

Love, Don.

Nov 26

Dear Mom;

First of all; I want to thank you and everyone else who had a hand in the putting of that box together.  I was sure surprised.

I didn’t have too good a Thanksgiving.  I went into Tucson and ate dinner in Walgreen’s and went to a show.  I got off at 9:15 in the morning after a stand by inspection and had until 8:00 PM.  I didn’t have any time to get into any mischief.  But, receiving the box of cookies and candy squared everything.

I have got only one or two days flying more to do; and my final tests in ground school too.  Then I will be on the move once again; to advanced and then to… God only knows.

I wish you were able to experience some of the things I have been able to.  If I get to come home I will let you in on some of them.

How is Russell.  I haven’t had time until now to write anyone but I am starting in now to recind that fault.  I am spending my last spare moments to writing.  Bonnie tells me you were in to see her the other day.  I would like to have been there too.

I sure miss Autumn and the mountains.  The weather very seldom changes.  The desert is the same every day. The only thing that’s exciting is flying… that’s enough though.

Give my love to all the kids.  Tell them I’ll be home in the middle of February.  Give Carolyn a birthday kiss for me.  I have to get some sleep now so I close.

Love, Don.

PS, I am just barely getting along on what I make, but I will be sending some home in a couple months.  Don’t worry and don’t send any money.  I have to make it go around.  I’m not asking for money, I’m just excusing myself for not sending any home.

Love, Don.

Nov 26

Dear mother;

Well, I completed my flying here today.  I have 135 hrs of flying now.  I am being shipped out by next Sunday.  I will have some spare time this week so I will write often.  I have so much to tell I don’t know where to begin.

I sure did get a surprise when I saw what was in the box.  I am still munching in between meals. I sure enjoy the things in it; especially the caramels!

My Thanksgiving was a little disappointing;  but you made up for it in the letter of yours.  When you tell of turkey & pumpkin pies, and especially Parker House rolls; you make me very home sick.  I kind of miss the Autumn weather too.  We have the same kind [of weather] here every day, no grass to grow brown, no leaves to fall and turn colors, no frost in the morning.  I am hoping I will get up north for a little while soon.  I kind of think it will be eastern Colorado.  Just a rumor though.

I flew this morning for my last flight.  If you had been around to witness some of the paces I put my ship through, you would have been thrilled or frightened to death.  Dives at 200 mph, loops, slow rolls, snap rolls, vertical rolls, immellmans, inverted flight.  I told you about the things I did the last hour with my instructor in primary.  Well, I was doing all the same and more myself, and all alone. HP, that’s me.  I am all through though.

Tell all the kids hello for me and give my love to you know who.

I hate to think of Clarence going into the Army.  I thought Russ and I be enough.  It will be hard for him because he dislikes the army anyhow.

Keep your hopes up as I will be home in a little over two months.

I have to go to bed now, so…

Love, Don

Pecos, Texas

Hospital

Dec 21

Dear Mother;

Merry Christmas to all of you.

I got your letter today and I’m sending my best Christmas present to you and the family.

I’m writing lying down because I just got a good cussing for sitting up.  I’ve been in bed 8 days and I expect 6 more.  I’m thankful I’m able to write though.  I have had a chance to think and I realize there are a lot of fellows that are in my fix and there are a lot that are worse off than I am.  I’m glad I have someone looking over me as no one human can do.  I am recovering very fast and I give all the credit to Him and the way I was taught to live.

I hope you all have a lot of fun on Christmas Day.

I will be there on Christmas Eve and on the morning.  I will be just as sleepless as I was every time before.  I will be up plenty early that morning with all the kids.  I will be there in spirit with all of you.  I wish you all a happy day.

Love, Don.