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

6 April, 44

ARMY AIR FORCES

 Dear Mother;

Well, I have good news.  I passed my final flying check with flying colors.  I went up today and flew all my instruments; Boy, it was rough.  I will try to explain when I get home.

I got a letter from Aunt Grace today.  She tells me Barbara is getting along fine; they are going to have her tonsils taken out soon.  How is Grandmother getting along.  I sure hope and pray she doesn’t have much trouble.

Spring passed us by and Summer is here now in its full glory.  We go into our sun-tan uniforms Monday.  We turn our clothing in Monday and start wearing our officers clothing then.

I am going to graduate a week from in the morning.  I am very excited about it.  I sure look back over a lot of wonderful experiences in the last year.  I wish sometimes I had kept a diary.  I’ll bet I could find it all in the letters I have written to Bonnie.

I hope by this time you have heard from Russell.  I keep wondering how he is working out.  He sure is going to make someone a good wife. [Russell becomes a Navy Cook] How is Paul coming with his music lessons?  Has he been checked out for his first solo yet?  Or, is he a wash out?

By the way; I didn’t want to worry you before, or I would have told you about it before.  I’m all thru with my training now so I will.  We have had several fellows killed in this last class.  One, an officer, was killed in a mid-air collision when flying formation.  Two cadets were killed when night flying.  They peeled off from a formation and right into the ground at about 160 mph.  Nothing left of them after the ship burned.  Just because these fellows were killed is no sign about me.  I didn’t have any other news so I thought I would tell you.

Is the car giving you any trouble?

I have to go to bed now, the guys are hollering at me to get the lights out, so…

Love, Donald,  (soon an officer)

Easter Sunday, noon.

ARMY AIR FORCES

Dear Mother;

Today is sure a beautiful day.  The sun is shinning and the day is warm.  I sure could take in one of those picnics where you roll Easter Eggs down the sand dunes; and take a drive in the car with all the kids in the back seat.  Boy, what memories.

I went to church a little while ago.  I liked it as it was; but when you know you are missing one so much better, I felt un-easy.  Whenever anything was done in church, all I could think about was what we would be doing in our Sunday School then.

I am going to be here just another week, so you needn’t answer any more letters.  I am sure anxious to leave.  I will let you know where I am going to be so as you can meet me.  It will probably be the Bamberger Station.

I hope you are happy and in good health at home.

We had the most wonderful moon out last night.  There was not a cloud in the sky and all the stars and the moon mad it like day.  I sat here sewing patches on my shirts and no one else around.  They had all gone out to spend the night in town.  I was sure thinking over some pleasant memories.  I was doing a lot of date dreaming too.

How is Grandmother getting along?

If you see any of my friends, let them know I will be home next week.  And tell them to look me up.

I am praying for your good health and happiness.

Love, Don.

Next:

The Big Day—GRADUATION:

Lt. Donald C. Davis 0-775287
805 AAF Base Unit; Sec G, AAB
Alliance, Nebraska

April 29 44

Dear Mom;

I first want you to take one pair of those G.I. shoes I left at home and send to me. Then you can send me a shoe stamp. I have to do a lot of hiking before I get to fly.
I’m going to fly DC3’s; like the transport that fly over home high up.
The storm that Ogden had last week, went over here today. It rained all day; a steady drizzle. The day before, the wind blew so much I thought it would blow us away.
The town of Alliance is about the size of Blackfoot. It seems there is a lot doing here. The streets are all paved with bricks and they have quite a RR Junction too.
I am going to go to church in the morning. They have a Sunday school here in the basement of the Times Herald building.
I had a very nice trip down. It cost me $7.00 to travel. We stopped off in Scottsbluff, which is about 60 miles from here, for the night. We had very nice lodging accommodations. Scottsbluff is about like Idaho Falls.
I hope you have sent my other bags by now. I need them bad.
I get paid Tuesday. Your allotment starts with the first of May, so you will not get anything until after the first of June. I think I will be able to get along. I will be able to send back what I borrowed, but that’s all.
Have you heard from Russ yet? I hope you hear soon if you haven’t already.
If there is anything you need, let me know. I may be able to get it for you; I am able to get quite a few things you can’t.
I hope the family is well and I will write a better letter when I don’t have to lay over the bed to write. The writing facilities are terrible.
I am remembering you in my prayers.
Love, Don

Editor’s note, At this time:

Donald is 21 yrs old
Russell, his younger brother is 19 yrs old and serving in the US Navy.
Paul, his next younger brother is 16 yrs old.