Family History;
Mary Verna Robertson Davis;
Letters from her son, Donald Charles Davis,
This, during his time in Military Service, the US Army Air Corps, 1943-1946
Forward:
At the passing of my father, Donald C. Davis; all of his family records and genealogy was passed to me… Rick.
Enclosed with these records was a shoe-box. This box contained a set of letters kept by my grandmother, Grandma Davis, Mary Verna Robertson Davis. These letters were written to her by my father, DCD, during the time he started, and continued his service to the Unites States, in the Army Air Corp, during WWII. This was very exciting to me, as I had also received a writing of letters that were also kept by my Grandma Davis, written from her husband, John Leonard Davis during his military service in WWI. Compiled by my Aunt Carolyn; Grandmother’s youngest child.
I have handled these letters with the greatest of care; for they are priceless, especially so at this day, in which we are more prone to text messaging on cellular phones, e-mail messages on computers; our communications are mere bullet points. The art of communication through well thought-out letters is a thing gone by. I have had a brief opportunity to read bits and pieces of these letters so far; and I find it so endearing to know of my father when he was 20 years old… to know of his dream to fly, to see of his aspirations, his love, his growth; as well as to get some sense of my life in his. I see the way he wrote, I recognize his script, I see in his letters some of my upbringing through his attitudes, desires, and his approach to his life.
I treat these letters, also, with a sense of sacredness; as these are of an intimate loving between a mother and her son. I am ever grateful to this blessing in my life; to know of my family history, and to feel the love of the Gospel of Jesus Christ in it.
I now embark on the process to transcribe these letters….. I will write of my thoughts again at the conclusion of this process.
Sincerely,
Rick A. Davis, 4th son of Donald C. Davis
20 October 2008
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.
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