Frank’s twentieth birthday is coming up on May 14th, and his family wants to know what gift he would like. He’s practical, and asks for “sun tans,” the light-weight uniform cadets wore in warm weather. Again, it appears each cadet had to pay not only for toilet paper, but his own uniform!

Letter

Letterhead for this letter

19 April 1944

Dear Mom and Dad,

Another hot day comes to a partial stand still. We have been working hard in the class room these past 3 days since school started and have had evening classes every night from 8:00 till 9:30. I’ve learned more these 3 days than I have in the past months in Pre Flight.

I wrote an immediate answer to Lill’s question about a birthday present. My need for more sun tan suits is becoming more and more obvious as the days go on but I want to point out to you that what would cost me $6.60 here in camp would cost you perhaps $9 or $10.00 outside. Also I’m not allowed to wear gabardine. Well enough said about that.

There are many roaches in the barracks and I’m going nuts trying to get rid of them. I won’t be able to go to town for a few weeks as yet and wonder if you would send me some roach powder to get rid of them. Do what you can in this respect.

Enclosed you will find a photograph of myself taken in Los Angeles at the girl’s house. [He’s referring to Majorie, the girl he’d written about in a couple of previous letters,]. It’s a pretty good picture don’t you think? As you can see my face is pretty full and I’m in good health. I’ve been cutting down on my meals here and have lost 4 lbs., but I have about 10 more lbs. to lose before I’ll be in shape. The heat here will do that for me.

I’m going to like the course here no matter how hard it will prove to be. My instructor is a Lt. from Chicago and we have hit it off pretty good already. As I said before, the work is hard but these officers have a way of putting it over that you can’t help but like it. Well take good care of yourselves and tell Will to write me a long letter as soon as he gets a chance. I know he is busy but perhaps he will find a break in his work to drop me a line or two.

Till I write again it’s Love to All and many good wishes for health.

Your Loving son,
Frank
XXXXX

Next Sheet – Extra Read the other first

I just reread your letter and found some questions I didn’t answer. The food here is swell and the rooms are good. I have a swell boy in my room who comes from Texas and his is a good fellow. This is not gunnery school. I will not go to gunnery school but will pick that up after I graduate from this Advanced Navigation school. This deals with traveling from one point to another by instruments only without looking at the ground.

I received your package yesterday and it was very good. My roommate also says to thank you for the cakes. He too likes them.

I’m sorry but I was on the train all day Easter but we had a good big dinner in an air conditioned liner so it wasn’t too bad.

Ask Will if on that flight he is going to make in May if he could head down Texas way if he can. I’ll be able to see him if he comes this way. Good bye again.

Love,
Frank

Original Letter