Transcriptionist Note (T.N.): This transcription represents one reader’s opinion of how to interpret and

reiterate these texts and is meant to be used as an aid only for reading and searching, not as a facsimile

of the texts themselves. Not every page is transcribed nor are texts captured exactly as they are spelled,

standard spellings replace slang frequently and often the transcription took the best guess at a word or

was unable to read the word entirely. Texts that are typed are not transcribed here, only handwritten

documents. The documents are listed in reading order as opposed to numerical order in order to aid in

reading alongside the scanned documents.

00001

Park Field

May 17, 1918

Dear--

Got your last from Swarthmore (Monday) yesterday afternoon. It alleviated the monotony of the last

two hours on the field. They let us make one trip off the field during a morning on afternoon,

appropriately 20 minutes for it.

What do you s'pose my fool knee did last Wed. morning? Something its never quite done before. I was

sitting on the ground with my right leg bent under me partially, and my left stretched out free (the

inside of the left foot and ankle resting flat on the ground) as is my want (to protect the left knee) I

always

00002

sit with the left leg extended or at least bent less than the right, as it is easier on it. Well, while moving

the left knee almost imperceptibly, only enough to facilitate turning my head slightly to the left to watch

an airplane I felt a little click in it and then was conscious of some of its "in-ards" being out of place. I

could hardly believe it for nothing had happened to it--the left was not cramped in the least; there was

no strain on it. I surveyed it philosophically for awhile before moving, thinking it must be my

imagination. But as I started to move it seemed to get worse, so I resolved to try to straighten out

whatever was crooked, or poke back whatever had come out, before moving further. So I rubbed

00003

it and applied general osteopathic treatment and it seemed gradually to be going back to normal. I

slowly got up on the right leg and gently worked the left back and forth. When I stood on it, it felt

somewhat like the old familiar sensation I've experienced a dozen times after straining it by violence,

and yet different in that I could straighten the leg clean out, whereas before always the cartilage or

something seemed to get in the way of the bones and lock the knee at the hinge. Well I kept up the

rubbing process until my turn to go up came. I had no trouble working the rudder or in keeping up with

the bunch coming

00004

back from the field at noon. I haven't missed any classes or drill (fortunately they drill at funeral march

cadence here, reaction from Camp Dick) except this morning I thot I'd go over and see if the camp

surgeon knows anything. So I'm on "sick report" waiting to go over to the hospital at 9 AM. I won't finish

this letter till I get back and can report what the physician has to say.

Last time I strained it, at Princeton, tho great violence was done to Mr. Knee's sense of equanimity and

tho he implicated a like punishment on the perpetrator yet the knee did not swell up or get what is

called water on the knee. It just stayed sore and useless. This time with no excuses whatever the damn

thing worked itself up into a state of anger, so

00005

to speak, and by night was considerably swelled, the typical water on the knee condition, I've had it in

that condition before understand; the 1st, initial injury it was so, and several times since; but there have

also been times when I seem to have hurt it the worst that it did not swell at all.

So now I think it's a floating cartilage. Before I always thot it was either:

1 a strained tendon whose hold on life had once been weakened and who thereafter was forever

manifesting a disposition to throw up the sponge; or

2 a cartilage jerked loose from it's anchorage on the main leg bone,

00006

which, tho never as strong as before none-the-less knit itself to the bone again where it clung until

violently and jerked loose--periodically.

But there was no violence this time, it just floated out of its own volition. That is the disconcerting thing

about it.

I remember two times before when circumstances somewhat resembling these last took place. The

summer of 1915 (following the initial injury in the fall of 1914) I was down on both knees painting a

porch floor. When I got up the knee was on the blick. Later on it that same summer, I was waxing on oak

floor for the wood-finisher Schmolt. This time (remembering the porch floor experience) I was on the

right knee only and carried the left

00007

leg sprawled out in various position, but with no weight on it. While in that position something went

wrong inside of it, and I had considerable inconvenience from it for some time. Those experiences would

seem to be like this last, but on my knees I may have rocked back, flexing the knee too much; and the

2nd experience, about a month or less later may have resulted from the not-yet-recovered 1st injury.

This last time here the knee was perfectly good one when I took it out on the field. The Princeton injury

was over 2 mos. behind; and the strained hint I mentioned

00008

feeling when called on to double-time at C. Dick, never developed into anything.

I guess the medical man here doesn't know anything. He doesn't look it, the 1st Lt. anyway. There is a

major in charge don't know whether I'll get to see him or not. This fellow didn't have much to say. Said

there was an operation for such knees, but didn't know whether mine out to have it. Then sent me in to

have a couple X-rays made of it, and I'm to go back tomorrow morning to see what the photos tell. I

don't expect they'll tell anything, any more than the ones I had taken a couple summers ago told

anything. The man I'd like to have make that

00009

operation is Dr. martin, the S'more foothold fan. Do you know where he is? I understood one that he

had charge of some hospital unit in France.

It might be I could postpone the operation, if operation there should be, until I finish here, and then if

done by private physician, make that the basis of a request for a furlough and have it done in

Washington, mebbe? Army operations as a rule are mostly of an emergency nature; they don't trouble

about the fine touches. I think however that they will permit you to have a private operation performed

at your own expense; a Princeton fellow got such leave

00010

the sickness keeping him out about 2 months (don't know what the thing was about).

Since it is probably that I will go back to Camp Dink when I finish here, at least the offices now being

commad. here are all ordered there, I would consider any time lost from that beloved place as just so

much time saved.

At that I enjoyed myself at C. Dick better than I am doing here. 3 nights a week we could get in contact

with civilization, there they had a YMCA built to be used instead of thot of they had a table to write on

and chairs to sit on; they didn't assininely punish the whole by rules forbidding them to enter the

canteen because two or three cut classes to enter it. If they managed

00011

flying here as asininely as they try to control the cadets and enforce discipline I hate to think what would

happen. Some more brightness, today we were ordered to turn in our overcoats and slickers. I've spent

money on each having it altered to fit me, but assuming the gov't requires winter overcoats to be

cashed in, in summer; by what reason on weath can you explain their wanting rain coats turned in, too?

A nice rain and serge uniform don't agreeably mix. If ever slickers are needed it is in summer, not winter.

I had a civilian rain coat at Princeton, but sent it home when we

00012

were issued slickers. Now if I turn this one in and go to Memphis Fri and it rains, "you're just out of luck

is all" as the expression goes here. So I'm going to lose the slicker I have and make 'em charge it against

me. I lost my barracks bag in the same manner coming away from C. D. had it full of clothes and checked

it along with the locker and it cost me 50 cents! O yes, the gov't issues privates all the clothes they nee 2

supply squadrons here are still wearing hot O.D. clothes, not having been issues [unknown]

Yes I'm going to Memphis this weekend and probably every other damn week end. Its a pretty expensive

trip $100 each way by auto hotel bill Sat. night and meals, but I think I'd go crazy sticking around the

damn place.

00013

Missed out it flying this morning. Went over right after the X-ray but my turn didn't come again till it was

12 o'clock.

Oh joy! The long looked for better came at last! Of course I knew it would take 2 or 3 days for my letter

to get there and 2 or 3 for your reaction to reach here but what a long time since Sunday! Funny, I was

almost certain how you'd take it, and yet was so impatient to really see how you liked it.

"Ain't it a grand and

00014

glorious feelin'?" Gee! And to have "all concerned" (immediately) so enthusiastic. Got a letter from

mother today in which she said, "I hope that whether you go to France or not that you and Isable decide

to marry. I am sure she is a very brilliant and dear girl and I know she would be a wonderful help to you.

I feel confident that we'll be able to help you a whole lot." But it is the reasoned enthusiasm of your

mother that counts most; it's the difference between feeling that you're right and knowing that you're

right.

Incidentally mother wondered if you got here letter of way long ago in reply to your Christmas letter to

here. She is a little afraid of not appearing duly appreciative of your greetings, in case

00015

you failed to receive it.

We've been engaged for quite a considerable time to what? Why to marry of course. That was what we

meant then; that was what was meant when you brought "Chief Myers' fraternity pin to the light of day"

as the Halcyon said. (By the way is it out yet?) Why then, all this unbounded joy that thrills us when we

simply make it a little realer (its still indefinite you know as long as I'm a thousand miles off)? All its

meanings and possibilities and joys come singing home in a way that imagination alone, unaided by this

touch of reality, could not

00016

possibly picture. You seem so much nearer to me already!

Drill in 5 minutes

Good bye my own true love; the thot of you will do much to alleviate my tribulations here.

My only misgivings are for myself. How can one keep a Christian disproportion and attitude, with a knee

hitched on him like this one of mine! There are so many loop holes in my future, military as well as

civilian! How would you like to marry a man with a stiff leg? Suppose I flunk out here, they require you

to get 15 words a minute in radio! etc. etc.

What a time to be down-hearted!

Loving you to distraction,

Your Man.

00017

T.N.: Envelope

00026

Dear Light of My Life:

I did as I threatened and am in a carousal this week-end. Caroused in last night; squandered $8.75 on a

black fibre suitcase (my paper on lost its stamina) dissipated 2 bucks on half-soling my issue shoes (oh

yes 'the gov't furnishes and repairs all the soldiers equipment" if you want to wait six mons for it and

then possibly loose the shoes) got my soft leather helmet fixed up with a new clasp (the issues ones

make your neck tired carrying them around); and the excess on my

00027

putt fastening-straps cut off; and finally staggered in on a [unknown] entertainment at the YMCA even

staying there all night. This morning I yielded again to my appetites, with some hot cakes and real

coffee; and after purchasing some vile literature in the shape of the Commercial Dispatch, reeled out to

Riverside Park and indulged to the full in real grass, real tree, real shade; but one o'clock found me again

in the grip of mercy-less habit, behind the bar of Mr. Thompson's joint; after which I finally handed up

00028

at an immoral show by Mary Garden, "The Splendid Sinner" and now I feel some what avenged on that

sterile desert known as Park Field. Only vengeance is costly! This isn't Dallas, where a [unknown] would

get you down town, and another [unknown] back again.

In fact, I'll have to wait several pay days before I'll have enough money to come and marry you! Talk

about "marrying a penniless young man" your going to do it if anybody ever did! Sometimes I have to

almost gasp at the nerve of me thinking about marrying when I'd have to borrow

00029

money to pay the preacher, Justice of the Peace(?)

If I continue to fly as I did Saturday tho, I won't be here for a full payday. It's really quite serious. I can't

keep the ship level in making turns; I either nose-up or nose-down; and what's worse, I don't seem to

have the slightest conception of the fact that I'm doing either. I wish Smitty wasn't so big an

exaggeration. I'd know then how much to believe when he declares I had the ship pointed down, rushing

toward the ground at 200 miles an hour, with

00030

the power; or when he says I was pointed vertically up, ready to go into a stall and a tail spin. If that's

true I'd better get out of the damn thing before I smash up a 700 machine for the gov't.

There's undoubtedly something in what he says, for he's quite serious about it; brought me down with

20 minutes flying Saturday, because he said he didn't want to run up time on me when I was doing so

rotten. He lays down as a geometric proposition, "Keep the rocker-arms on the horizon." Now as a

matter of 1st consid-

00031

eration, if the ship flew level when the rocker arms were on the horizon for Smitty, the rocker arms

would be below the horizon for me, in as much as I tower considerably above Smitty. For me, on a given

machine, the horizon is bobbing up and down anywhere from the bottom to the top of the rocker arms,

which are about 8 inches in length, and look like this:

I've never yet been able to hit upon any given point of them that, when lined up with the horizon (itself

often hazy and in

00032

discernible and indefinite) suited Smithy for more that a couple of minutes. Always a signal to go up on

down is forthcoming and then unless he shouts "Keep 'er level!" I don't know from the signal whether it

is designed to correct a mistake, or whether he merely wished now to climb to a higher level, or

descend.

Moreover, we've had 4 different machines now, and each flies a little differently than the rest, in regard

to position of rocker arms on horizon. More-

00033

over again, when the plane is banked, making a turn, there very time you most need the rocker-arm, or

any mechanical equivalent, to aid, you rocker arms on the side on which you bank are way below the

horizon, those on the other side way above; so what are you going to do?

The thing to do of course is to get the feel of the ship, thru your parts, as Crissy said, but up to the

present I haven't cultivated that sixth sense. I don't feel at all at home in the thing except in flying

straight away. In that I have control of the beast, quit to Smithy's

00034

satisfaction. But as soon as he signals for a turn I feel that anything I do is wrong. I either get too much

[unknown] or I don't get enough, the same with the rudder. I can never tell whether he's going to

motion down on the high wing , or clap he's hand against his face, meaning skidding. He says to judge by

the rush of air, but all I'm conscious of is a hell of a blast of air in my face all the time the motor is

running. It's like it would be to stand under Niagara Falls and try to notice any changes in the

temperature of the water.

00035

I've had 3 hrs and 17 minutes now. The minimum for training flights is a total of 4 hrs, the maximum 9

hrs, "but no student shall be discharged till has had at least 4 hrs." Each instructor vies with the others in

the speed with which he can "solo" his students, some being able to at the end of 4 hrs. That is one

reason Smithy is exercised, for it's quite obvious he won't establish a record with me. There have been

fellows here before who couldn't learn to fly. They have ended up at balloon schools, or as [unknown]

etc.

Thus, here as at ground school I will be forever uncertain of where I stand,

00036

whether I'm going to get thru, etc. Uncertainty is the keynote in military life, you will have to shore in

this uncertainty, right along with me. So don't set your heart on our marriage coming off, at any

particular time. I can’t marry you if I make a failure of this military avocation. Things are uncertain

enough about me without complicating the situation with more uncertainty. It would be preferable for

me to have my commission first; but at any rate I must be on the way to one, more certainly than I am at

present.

00037

The X-rays didn't throw any light on the knee situation. The cartilage would show, he said, if it had been

out long enough to calcify (turn to bone). He said there was a slight sharpening of one bone that might

hint at (something Latin) but he hardly tho so. He stopped a passing 1st lute who looked dumb and

talked dumb and was dumb. I'm going to make an effort to see Major Mansfield (in charge) if possible,

but it's like trying to get an audience with Pershing.

In the mean time Mr. Knee has stopped sabotaging

00038

and is turning out about normal work now. Thus we can lay down the generalization (as accurate as

most generalizations) that for unprovoked strikes, the knee will not quit entirely, but will merely restrict

output for about 4 days; for provoked strikes it will chuck its job for a week or 10 days. I can "stand"

these interruptions if the knee goes back to duty as strong as before (which it always has); but I dislike

the thot that I may be consuming my capital (to change the figure slightly) instead of just foregoing

income for a period. I

00039

don't know whether I am or not. The dumb doctor said I wasn't; that "it doesn't hurt it any."

They are talking about a new schedule out at the field. Flying from 5 AM (get up at 4) til 10 AM. Bunk

fatigue or classes till 3 PM then more flying from 3 PM till 8 PM , the idea being to avoid the bumpy

period of the day from 10 AM till 3 PM.

My putts looks all right, but they don't feel that-a-way. They're very hot and stiff and un-natural, and

bind at the ankle, and squeak

00040

Your leg sticks out conspicuously, to bump again things (the edge of your sea, or railings, or your other

leg). They scratch easily and in general are quite a change. For the nature of their jobs, officers wear

about the least practicable clothing found this side of Africa.

Miniature Ranger is not going to be difficult, I now think. The range here is much more distinct than was

the Princeton range. Also, thank heaven, "word from Washington" ordered them to drop back to 10

words per minute receiving (and 12 sending but that's easy).

00041

as the radio requirement. That will be stiff enough for me to reach (for 40 per is no snap), but it's not so

helpless as 15.

Don't forget to ask your dad about Resistal goggles, and to send me a snap to send Jensen, if you have

an extra one. When do stenog. duties commence? How has Ryan's accession changed your dad's job?

Perhaps all these are answered in the letter that's probably waiting for me out at the field.

Goodbye dear. At least there's nothing uncertain about you! You will always be before me, encouraging,

sympathizing, or no success.

Clarence

00042

T.N.: Envelope

00018

Sweet-heart,

The Y. at 5 minutes to 9. The reason Y is we had a short lecture after mess at 8.15 and this is

compensatory of that. In the mean time a play is going on that Psycho-Analysis, Sub-Conscious mind

stuff, once given at Swarthmore. Barnes in star role, "Step-hen" etc. Remember?

The Park Field world is undergoing a transition in the direction of Utopia, apparently. First they advance

Retreat Sat. evenings from 7.30 to 5 PM giving us a considerable start toward Memphis. Now they are

going to devote Wed. mornings and Sat afternoons.

00019

to recreation! Chiefly athletics--baseball, basketball, track, etc. Either (1) the authorities have awaked to

the fact that they have a half-doped, lazy [unknown] state lunch of cadets on their hands or (2) the gov't

wants to slow down on the aviator-production to give the aircraft-production a chance to catch up

(Supporting the last is a letter on of the fellows got from Arcadia saying flying there had been cut down

to 2 days a week). And on the end of the order it said "Cadet Mandolin and Glee Clubs would be

encouraged." The lecture tonight was explicative of the change. It is to be a trial voluntary with the cay-

dets but if any considerable no. of them continue bunk fatigue during these recreational hours we go

back to the old sys. The Lute said he noticed

00020

some 98 names signed up for tennis! Whether or not the signers had first carefully ascertained that

there were no tennis courses here, he didn't know, but he wanted to see those names just under some

other athletics before tomorrow! And me! What can I do? Oh Hell!

Haven't been able to see Major Mansfield, the surgeon. Chased after him a dozen times, hospital,

private quarters, officers’ club. He ought to have charge of Camouflage work.

Yes you misunderstood the landing dope, quite. I wasn't 1st in my squadron, we don't have squadrons

here, nor in my section,

00021

(which is split up among several instructors), nor among my fellow-students under Smitty. What I tried

to say was that Smitty attributed a landing to me which i didn't make, and wasn't supposed to make that

early, and that in contrast with his even talking about landings, with me, at that stage of the game, stood

the circumstance of several other pupils (with other instructors) who, up till then, had not been

entrusted with all 3 controls let alone landings or takeoffs.

I've had 4 hours 3 min. of flying now--been up only twice since the rotten trip due to lumpy flying or

rain. From 12 M to 5 PM this aft. We lolled out on the field doing nothing, it being too windy so the

authorities thot. About 6.30 I got in

00022

25 minutes. This and the last previous trip have apparently both satisfied Smitty and restored my own

confidence to some extent. But I will never know till I solo, whether I can really fly the machine; Smitty is

too much of a grandmother (not your kind, but the typical apron-string type). He can't advise with you

calmly and intelligently, on the ground, as to what to do and when to do it. Instead its "God dammit! git

her tail down!" or "For Chri-i-i-st Sake! level off!" to an extent that it will be a relief to get rid of him. He

means all right and is a darn nice fellow,

00023

the trouble being that he's a flyer and not an instructor; just a chubby, frolic-some boy; who probably

put chewing gum in Wally's hair when he was in the grades, and lead all class scraps in high school. The

results is one must experiment with an airplane till he can fly it, fortunately having a human life-saver

abroad during the experiments. If he'd only bet me make a turn all alone and get out of it myself when I

bun too steep. Instead it's (by gesture) "now turn to the right, up a little on the right, up a little on the

right wing, w-ou-p! too much! there. Now go straight till I give you permission (and help you) to do

something else." You can't learn to swim while the instructor hangs on to your hands and I feel; neither

do I like

00024

the sequence of this manner of teaching which is subsequently to throw the patient into deep water and

tell him to swim out.

It's late so I'll mail this and continue tomorrow

Most lovingly,

Chief

00025

T.N.: Envelope

00043

T.N.: Envelope

00044

My own (continued)

The maple sugar it came and already has lost most of its left ear. Thanks yes I think twould greatly

meliorate things to have some antidote cookies. But send them in small packages, because one's

solicitous bunk makes always escort large and suspicious boxes and packages to his cot, in triumphal

procession and the reminders of the barracks come in to assist with the fattened calf. Those round tin

cans like the ones which followed me around the Chautauqua circuit are very good at camouflaging the

contents.

No I don't care what you

00045

do with my flaying vaporings (But I predict you'll have hard work getting an audience for such common-

place experiences, when, everyday, the papers and magazines are full of aerial fights (without the "l")

which are much more thrilling.

I am coming to enjoy flying more and more in spite of my apprehensions of fussy Smithy. I still don't

have time to observe to any extent. All I can do is snatch a hasty glance over the side, or backwards, and

then jerk my head back expecting (and general finding) the machines to be standing on the its nose or

tail. The elevators control is the most sensitive in the machine. But when you can fly by feel like Smithy

does, you can squirm around with the freedom of a cat and like a cat always be right side up. One of the

00046

greatest dangers in taking beginners up for their first rides is that they will lose their head think the

machine is falling and "freeze on the controls." Some weeks ago such a case occurred. The pupil

("squirrels" their instructors call the cadet pupils) got rattled and clung to the wheel and the machines

fell 2000 ft before the instructor could get it loose from him and right the machine. Thereafter that

instructor carried a black-jack up with that pupil, just to help persuade the latter to let, go in another

such contingency.

Smith soloed Hickerson

00047

of the section which entered last before ours--day before yesterday after 5 1/2 hrs. flying. About the

only danger is to the machine for on first solo flights all you do is circle the field about 500 ft up and land

after each circuit. The landings (I believe, the majority of cases) sooner or later result in partially

wrecking the ship. But the "squirrel" isn't injured because he is strapped in, and is only a few feet about

the ground when he doesn't just work things right. The Officer in Charge of Flying said when we first

came here that according to tradition you weren't an aviators till you had smashed up a ship or two. And

then tradition you weren't an aviator till you had smashed up a ship or two. And the tradition is a living

one all right. Yesterday aft. one of the mechanics told me that he had seen that morning, four ships

00048

standing on their noses in different parts of the field. All it does is smash the propeller and a few ribs

and possibly disturb the engines inside somewhat. In starting out yesterday I said to Smithy: When we

are gliding down to land I'll wait till you signal, before levelling off, so I can get an idea of when to do it

next time. No you won't says Smithy you'll take her off yourself and land her yourself. Which illustrates

what I said about the necessity (under him) Of learning to fly yourself. Nor is the above inconsistent with

what I said yesterday about Smithy's not letting you do anything

00049

by yourself. For which he said you'll land it yourself he didn't permit me to. I knew he wouldn’t. He

moved the controls at the critical time without my knowing just when, what, or why. As we were gliding

down, he would motion steeper or less-steep, from time to time. The gliding angle is hard to pick up.

When the motor is throttled down (it is always left at "idling speed" the throttle closed as far as the pilot

can close it, but enough gas is still getting in to turn the propeller over at about 200 RPM [1400 ebbing

the flying speed]) when the motor is throttled you immediately nose 'er down and start your glide. It

seems as if you had lost 7/8 of your former speed for the propeller blast is absent and all you get is the

natural air

00050

resistance against your face the plane in reality is gliding at about its former speed. My, it would be nice

if you could only fly that way all the time! Well pretty soon you see your field more clearly--the other

airplanes lined up at right angles to the "T" the ground is rushing up at you, uncomfortably fast. If it's

moving straight from front to read you're all right; but it its shooting by a little sideways (drifting) you

know you are not landing head into the wind, and must give her the proper rudder correction. If you

have time you glance out at your wings to see

00051

that they are level (for it one's a little low it will touch the ground first, and with about 20 ft. of

beverage, wheel the ship sharply around, resulting in an upset. But long before this, you've probably

decided you ought to "do something" and so you pull back on the wheel. If too far, the ship will decide

you have changed your mind and start climbing again (soon running into a stall unless your instructor

throws forward the wheel, and outward an oath). Yesterday I levelled off to early and Smith pulled back

on the wheel long before I should have had I been alone.

It was very windy yesterday afternoon. Over the trees at the edge of the field the wind caught up and

bobbed us around like a cork. For most of such

00052

choppy gusts you don't do anything, but for decided, dips and drops of one wing or the other, you must

apply corrective movements of the controls. When we flew across wind I saw some of the old Princeton

theory of flight put into practice. It was necessary to lower slightly the wing first hit by the wind "to keep

too much air from getting under it." Also it was necessary to steer the left front corner of the left wing in

the direction we wished to go

00053

It seemed funny, turning part way in your seat and looking out across the left wing in the direction you

wanted to go (and were going) while off to the right the propeller was swimming up stream in order to

cross the air stream straight. A few miles out we saw a machine below us making a forced landing. I

caught one glimpse of it when Smithy pointed it out, but the left wing soon shut off my view and I didn't

dare turn to look over the side. Afterwards we found out the fellow was forced to land in a ploughed

field on account of motor trouble, which he did successfully (just missing a fence), and later took off

successfully from the same field. I don't see how he did it

00054

The sooner I get the feel of it the better I'll be for a few hundred feet up I can scarcely ever see the

horizon at all. All is mist and haze and clouds. I don't think that could be due to poor eye sight and yet I

haven't found any other fledglings remarking about the same thing. I always try to swap observations

and feelings, and difficulties, which other cadets, to discover whether certain ones are peculiar to me

alone. I have found that Green, another of Smithy's "squirrels" (about 4 hrs. flying, entered with me) has

the identical "lost" feeling that I do. "When I leave that field." he remarked in his

00055

ponderous lawyer-like way )he is a lawyer of 5 yrs practice, 39 yrs old, was pulling down $5000 a yr, has

a bro. that's a Lt. Colonel, green got a special dispensation in order to enter the A.S. at his age. His

military pull, due to Bro. Lt. Col. got him out of C. Dick in 2 weeks and sent him here to Memphis to fly

Memphis being his home. Nice fellow for all that) when I leave that field, I never have the slightest idea

where I am until Smithy noses her over to come down, and then I conclude we must be where we

started from.

Well the athletic holiday came off this morning, and I feel much better already. The fellows played

baseball out-door basketball volleyball the track men discussed ways and means; and the poor

00056

tennis volunteers, whom Lt. Rogers thinks are slackers, because there are no courts got 3/4 hr of stiff

calisthenics. I had signed up for track but I joined the calisthenics who stripped off shirts and bent and

swayed and twisted and squatted. I slipped in at the rear, but he left-faced them putting me on the left

front. As a consequence he was quick to see the one exercise can't do--the full squate and rocking on

heels, clear down over there. Can't bend the knee any further Sir. All right but I s'pose he thinks it was

lazyness.

Then I played volley ball afterward. There is very

00057

little running in that, and yet the excitement of a game, as distinguished from just exercise, so I'm glad I

can play it.

There was much grumbling among the cay-dets about all the "darn foolishness" especially the

calisthenics. Since calis. are to be voluntary after this I predict there'll be one squad out next time.

Thanks for the "In lighter vein" collection. I violated flying rules by taking it out on the field yesterday.

Also yours and Brooksy's letter. Brooksy's a nice feller [fellow] don't you think? I knew he'd like you.

Everybody that knows anything does. And everybody that knows enough loves you. And one who knows

most of all about you, adores and worships you,

00058

You had better count on at least 3 months before we can be married. That seems to be the consensus of

opinions as to when we are likely to go thru here, allowing some for bad weather.

As to dress, I too can picture snow-white lily bride, but would much rather handle the little blue or grey

one. And I shrink from there being "many people" there. I wouldn't mind the Pyles and Bairds etc. but to

have all your friends and acquaintances there, would be to make too much of a theatrical performance

out of it. You must consider, too, that they probably wouldn't get as much

00059

pleasure out of it as you attribute to them in your imagination. What's in a ceremony? Speaking radically

I should say that all elaborate and unnecessary ceremonies stand condemned during war, and if we

learn some new ideals from the war they will not be resuscitated afterward. Busy, useful, people in

these days do not have, and should not be asked to take, time away from vital occupations to attend a

pretty little (but relatively unimportant) kids. The substantial thing is the fact of the marriage, not the

process of its consummation. Those that really care will get their pleasure out of knowing about the

marriage. The moment they get an invitation to a marriage ceremony, the abstract

00060

niceness of the thing is dissipated by later, and hours, and addresses, and transportation, and clothes,

and those imposition (when they are coerced rather than allowed to drop "as the gentle drew from

heaven") presents. And a wedding invitation still amounts to a direct requisition of a present of some

kind. On my high school graduation invites I wrote "no presents." I don't suppose that could

conventionally be done in this case.

So I'd much rather have the various parties concerned receive on, say about Aug. 25th a: "Dr. and Mrs.

Lyman J. Briggs announce the marriage of

00061

their daughter, Isabella McKelvey to Lieutenant (?) Clarence Gates Myers, on August the 20th 1918" Etc.

It seems a much squarer thing to do, to me; for while there are people who love you and would want to

give you something really, you can't assume they all do, nor presume to pick out those who do.

Moreover, if anyone felt hurt at not being invited to give us something. I see now reason why such rare

individuals should not be able to give a belated gift--since it was obviously not their fault that it had to

be an after-the-wedding present. On they could be informally acquainted with the intended wedding

beforehand, as most of them no doubt will be anyway.

A wedding is primarily the affair of the two people

00062

immediately concerned; then their respective parents, and only casually their friends. I think the whole

composite of wedding ceremony complications originated out of the craving of the older people for an

excuse to congregate. Sewing bees, and husking bees, and funerals and band concerts didn't furnish

quite enough occasions, or variety of occasions for social intercourses, so some bright clique conceived

the idea of exploiting the occasion when two young people enter into a contract to pull henceforth as a

team. And as a result then originally innocent little affairs became an event like the annual Army-Navy

football

00063

game, or Soph. show with its, rehearsals long preparations, financial outlay and receipts, considerations

of advertisement, notoriety, etc.

Today, thank heaven, men have more worth-while things to occupy their time. They cannot, in

conscience, be asked to devote any of it, on trivialities, and any marriage ceremony is a triviality except

to those immediately concerned, and to social parasites.

Moreover "many people" is apt to mean a reception at the home afterward for the immediate friends

and relatives. More work, preparation, worry, I've seen, out of infant eyes something of the work more

used to do when preparing to feed "thrashers" once a year.

Moreover many people is inconsistent with simplicity with a little blue dress with the indefinite date of

the

00064

ceremony with the whole setting and background of this marriage.

At least so it seems to me. On the other hand it only a few are there, which few? Would you have

difficulty in the inclusions and exclusions? Harry Olins and Kap's marriage was a surprise to me. Where is

"Holy Trinity" and who was there, and if any one, what was done with him or then while "Kap went off

with Harry afterwards."

So the little slate in the kitchen is proclaiming the glad tidings. Well I spose "George" is glad it has left off

telling him what to do for awhile. Speaking of

00065

"George" I see no objection to your telling your dad that I think the chief idea (oath) was to impress the

importance of the matter and forestall any who might be inclined to boast of it around quarters.

Nothing has come of it here. But then it was a mo. late at C Dick before anyone came to life.

It's very unlikely it will amount to anything here. The fellows seem much more congenial than they did

at Camp D. Only 200, and about 30 grouped in each section of each barracks:

They're all kids; even the older members, former attorneys etc.

00066

And they're quite funny, forever impersonating old Col. Steven, It's your dance your time your money or

singing or swearing. The last accomplishment gets splashed generously in everything else. Lots of 'em

have money. At Dick 2 of them even rented a room at the Adolphyus ($70 a month) They managed to

sleep in it some nights by folding up their cots in the barracks hiding them and eradicating all trace of

their existence. When the officer went about after taps, with his flashlight, to see if everyone was in

[unknown] up any vacant space where there were no cots. The absentee cadets could slip in and out of

a hole in the

00067

fence near the rail road track.

Another use to miss all classes as follows:

He'd line up with his class at barracks and answer to the roll call. On the way to class it was necessary for

the section to pass thru [through] a narrow opening in the fence around the field. Lamb would contrive

to be on the tail end of the procession. As the lunch went thru the hole in the fence he would get

brushed off sneak along the fence to the Y, where he was safe till the next formation.

Here, those that have money sport $75 leather coats

00068

and $45 officer’s rain coats and $10 silk khaki-colored shirts, and wear 14.00 Corodvan shows for

everyday except inspection Saturday. Oh yes, they all shoot craps or play poker. A good proportion of

them are open to the He-man's challenge of being slackers, a good proportion of the best-liked ones, I

am sorry to say.

There is rumor that aviation apparel is to be changed now that we're divorced from the Sig. Corps. Some

say its to be blue. Wonder what we'd do with all the O.D. equipment we have.

I commenced this letter early this morning, and have

00069

been writing at it off and on thru various breathing space, subject to several interruptions of unexpected

classes (we never know what class we're going to next anymore we did at C. Dick)

Now I reckon I'll have to quit as I'm at the "Y" once more. 8.17 P.M. and movies are scheduled tonight,

meaning lights out!

I'm going to write the glorious tidings to Paulus (do you suppose he can be there and hand me to you?)

and also to Dr. Brooks. I feel so grateful to both of them when I remember that they were chiefly

responsible (and Alec's scholarship) in returning me to S'more after Soph. year.

Don't consider this as my final opinion on the "many people" proposition.

Oh how I love you!

At least, really

Jimmy

00070

T.N.: Envelope

00071

Dearest Girl:

I know I can only write but a few minutes now for it's 8.25 already, but what better use could I make of

15 or 20 minutes than talking to you? The written sentence portrays its own weakness. Of course, I

could make better use of 15 or 20 minutes than talking to you; I could use them with you, holding you

pressed to my heart, and your sweet little lips against mine! H-h-h (how do you write a sight?)

I've just come from talking with the major domo head of the medical dept. here. At last caught him

home; tho I might be court martialed

00072

for not going thrugth military channels. The poor Y sec. on the platform is straining his voice giving "4

reasons why we should give Bishop Gailor our undivided attention tonight" what are "reasons" when

love is concerned? The major listened attentively to my tale of woe, asking questions now and then, and

threw the usual cold water on the proposal of "opening the knee joint." You see it is rather straining

one's imagination to have a fellow walk in on two legs, without crutches, and ask you to believe him a

cripple. There is no visible evidence before the house, even the X-rays belie me; nothing but the knee's

past history is useful as evidence, and that isn't available in documentary form. How does the august

Maj know but

00073

what this is just another attempt to get a leave of absence? "It's a pretty good knee after all isn't it?" he

asked smiling. "It is for sitting down or creeping about;" I said, "but when we get calisthenics or sports"

"Oh well, we can fix it so you can be excused from that." But I guess I dispelled most of his suspicious

when I told him I didn't want to be excused from what little exercise we do get. "Well we shouldn’t

attempt anything like that here. Our course would be to send you to Fort Oglethorpe (near

Chattanooga). They have the finest surgeons in the world there. They could make an investigation, and

then, if

00074

they saw fit, either operate, or allow you to have your New York surgeon (he got it twisted) do it. But I

would advise you to wear your rubber bandage, and see if keeping the knee uninjured for about 6 mos.

won't knit up that cartilage." I told him there had been such periods before, and the cartilage only

seemed the gladder to get out when an excuse came along. But I saw there was no use trying to rush

things, and said I'd wait awhile and watch developments. If more trouble occurs now, I'll have

something to build on in talking to the physics.

But he said I wasn't using up knee capital, that an operation a year from now would be as good as one

now. Most doctors are such

00075

fools it's hard to know when to believe a doctor.

Got in 55 minutes yesterday in 2 trips making 4 hrs and 58 minutes. Made 4 landings and a half. The half

was "made" when I pulled back a little too far; she started to climb and to stall and Smithy "gave her the

gun" and we went around again. Afterwards he cussed me out royally, not so much for stalling, as for

not giving her the gun. "I waited and you never gave her the gun or nuthin'." Of course I didn't; I had

never been told to give her the gun. And I remember seeing a solo bird "give her the gun" on a poor

landing, and a moment later stand her on her nose. Besides

00076

as usual Smithy had ahold of the wheel and seemed to be resisting most of my movements. But he said

afterwards I was coming along, slowly. Yesterday 3 of my fellow-squirrels were actively retrograding.

Greer made one attempt at landing and Smithy took the controls, circled the field again and brought

him down immediately telling him he had an "off day." He told Horton, who is about ready to solo, that

he had forgotten everything--the little short fatty, who requires metal foot extensions to work the

rudder, Smith took off "landings" and put back on air work.

(Several hours later)

Just came in from a morning of "sitting on my tail" doing nothing. Smithy soloed Horton today; and

nearly

00077

soloed Guston. Gus made 3 good landings, but the 4th zoomed a bit, so according to Smithy's rule of 4

successive good landings before soloing. Gussy doesn't solo yet. Horton did good. The 1st time he tried

to come down he changed his mind and threw on the power again. The next 2 times were good. The

third time he drifted over neutral territory and again gave her the gun after coming within

00078

6 ft. of the ground. But Horton was happy. He declared that with Smithy out of that front seat, he was

getting his first real joy ride. Smithy laughed and sent word out for H. to get that tail down next time or

he'd ring his neck. By the time Greer had taken his trip it was noon and we came in. Horton had had 6

1/2 hours. Guston has had 7 1/2.

They're smashing ships so fast here we're liable to be held up seriously in our course. 6 planes suffered

varying mishaps yesterday. The same instructor who 2 days ago fell 2500 feet in a tail spin because the

pupil froze on the controls had another mishap yesterday and the machine fell 150 feet, according to

what the fellows say. he suffered a fractured by and some other rather

00079

serious injuries, but the pupil (in the much safer read seat) only got a few cuts. I don't know whether it

was the same pupil or not, but think not as the other (who froze on the controls) will probably get 2

weeks of ground work as punishment. They called us (I didn't know about it) in and lectured "us" last

night about freezing on the controls. Instructor and pupil had gone up for "stunts"; advanced work. The

pupil in the above case denies that he did cling to the wheel; but the instructor says that only when he

(the instructor) succeeded in getting the machine over on its back, and to flying in that position, with the

motor throttled, could he get the pupil loose; and he points furthermore to one

00080

bent control "U" (really) to prove his case. I don't believe such a fellow has the right nervous balance to

make a flyer. I may not have myself but I'm quite confident I know enough to let the instructor have

control when something goes wrong. One of the wayward machines (above mentioned) landed on the

hospital (presence of mind at least); nothing in a farmer's meadow and killed a cow. You never can tell

when the plagued engine is going to stop. Unless you were present and saw the accident too, you only

get 2nd and 3rd hand report of it. Smash ups are so frequent they are quickly forgotten and not even

especially noted at the time.

I am not telling you this stuff to frighten you, for in most of the cases the human fright emerges intact.

The safety belt and padded edge

00081

of the cockpit are immediate protections, and in case of a hard smash, the engine being in front cannot

fall on the passengers while the longerons of the fuselage break the force of the fall. But neither am I

withholding the real facts out of defense to your feelings for I feel that would be a misrepresentation

unjustifiable and futile as a policy. So don't let your imagination make things worse than they are.

Considering the native of the occupation, and the difficulty of acquiring wings it is wonderful that there

are not more fatalities.

Just returned from mess. Now I'm where I was at this time last night, the

00082

"Y". Before I forget it at our last class on airplane rigging I asked the officer in charge of repairs what the

average "wreckage" was per day. He didn't give me the average but he pulled out a notebook and

announced the repair dept. had on its list 40 airplanes out of commission today. I s'pose that is a

cumulative figure, covering the wrecks of other days that they haven't been able to keep up with.

This is certainly the most expansive school I've ever attended. If they charged tuition here, only

millionaires could attend. The same officer (above) said it cost the gov't $50,000 for each finished flyer

turned out (includes the average struck after allowing for ground school education, ground school

flunks, smashed machines, etc. etc. etc.)

00083

When I think of that I feel much more important, almost like Rastuns who took out the $10,000

insurance on the theory that they'd never put a $10,000 man in the trenches! At least the gov't will not

be so quick to show us the gate now that we've cost 'em so much.

I see that I will have to cut down this long-winded-ness. We are getting more classes now, filling up most

all our time.

We are experiencing more tightening the screws. An order came out last night saying that henceforth

we were not to wear putts on or off the post, and that khaki was to be the uniform

00084

for enlisted men on and off the post! Gabardine permissible, but not serge! Gosh! The phenomenal

changes that go on in official places! The only way is to get to be an officer and then tell where to go to,

at least in regards to the putts. But even the officers must wear khakis.

Today I met another guy from my home town (Sly at Princeton being the first). Charles Teeter, a soph.

when I finished high school and a general good-for-nothing there always in scrape, bad character. Now

he's a aviator! Cream of the country as old Col. Steever used to throw the bull at C. Dick. In a day or so

he'll get his commission, and I'll salute him. He's had about 60 hours of flying

00085

Didn't finish dual till 13 1/2 hours (now you must finish in 9 or exit). But the fellows say "he's there"

now.

Two letters from you today! Thanks. Tell your mother I'm going to answer her 2 letters over the week

end. But the way if you should send papers (New Repubs, etc.) and package, always tell me in advance,

and I'll look for then. Otherwise the [unknown] horde of newspapers and general packages and bundles

is hopeless to wade thru unless you expect something. And about the 2nd day the uncalled-for ones and

thrown away.

A marriage after I get my commission here would

00086

not be under the cloud of an immediate departure for France. There's a whole lot more to this flying

game than I had supposed. There's a school of night flying at Lack Charles, La. to which many are

ordered. Then all have to go to an advanced school and I guess this is like crepeing side of what you get

there. Then follows a school of aerial gunnery. Maybe I'll drift off to a bombing school afterward, etc.

And besides Camp Dick, or its equivalent is quite likely for some time to come.

My knee is acting normally again. I can even chase ships and escort 'em around the T again (a cadet

must be on either wing as a plan taxies back to position). It is almost assumed that my

00087

knee won’t keep me from flying. Nevertheless I'll be glad to have your mother get some dope from her

uncle James. Are you sure she knows all the symptoms to describe to him?

Dear, I wonder if you ought to let yourself "go" so unrestrainedly, on the certainty of our marriage this

summer? I don't like to throw cold water, unless the shock would be less now than later. But what I said

about uncertainty in that letter is very solemnly true, and I think you should begin now to build up

shock-absorbers in your system. I subscribe to what you and your mother think

00088

about putting it across as soon as possible, as soon as reasonably possible. if the opportunity offers I will

not insist on a commission first; but I don't feel justified in trying to secure leave at this time, to get

married, I doubt if I could. Commissioned officers here have one h of a time manufacturing reasons for a

10 day leave. I was speaking to a just-returned lute yesterday, and he said he was one of three of his

class of 23 men, who got a leave after being commissioned. Each leave goes on your service record and

counts against you when new requests for leave are made.

Moreover, as I see it now, should the war suddenly end, I think our marriage should be deferred one

year till you finished Swarthmore. These are just thinks far from probably (and I don't want

00089

to make you un-Christian in praying for a continuance of war!) contribute to my sense of uncertainty

and the necessity of keeping breaks on one's enthusiasm so far as the latter is apt to bias one's best

judgement.

Hastily, lovingly,

Clarence

Got the picture. Thanks

00090

T.N.: Envelope

00091

Memphis, Tenn.

May 26, 1918

My Sweetie:

They sing the "Sweetie 'eetie 'eetie" song here which tho perhaps silly, has its true aspects none-the-

less. The present hadn't come yet when I left the field last night but your letter about it had. My that's

great! that scholarship stuff. How in the world do you do it? And with a mind distracted (too strong?) by

considerations of a war marriage you took those examinations. Honestly anyone who saw those grades

might be excused for thinking either that you were the

00092

greasiest of grinds, or else that Swarthmore was an especially easy semi-prep school. To average 95, 96,

97, & 98 in courses like French, Pol Sc. & Physics seems incomprehensible. Poor Gladys Richard! I'll bet

she wishes you'd die or get married or sumpin'. Probably like I looked forward to Shrode & Denworth

getting out of college, so I could do something in public speaking. ONly in this case its just one damn

year after another.

By the way, how did (or did?) the Es Phillips game come out?

00093

Fren' Aileen writes a cute letter doesn't she? Perhaps it is for such people that these correspondence

marriage bureaus are established, and often work.

Please save this little poetry verse from Life. I'm going to send you one by Ella Wheeler Wilcox that is

also fine.

Mother says they're working' like the dickens on the farm, what with storms and chickens and pigs.

Haven't had any flying since Thurs aft. Didn't get any Fri. morning & The Sat. aft. recreational period

00094

and the Wed. morning one, cut our section out of a whole day's flying. Chisolm, a S.C. youth with whom

I generally come in Sat. nights, has had 8 hrs. of dual and says he isn't ready to solo yet. Must be they

stretch that minimum hour rule; for it says, 8 hours is the limit of the dual instruction period, unless in

the opinion of the instructor the student merits one more hour of trial, "Failure to fly alone after 9

hours, shall be cause for discharge." Poor Chisolm, he says he gets dizzy on sharp turns, and the earth

wobbles back and forth, to

00095

correct which he is inclined to wobble his ailerons correspondingly. Says he never heard such inspired

cussing as he got Sat.

We set out from the P.F. "Y" at 6.20 by my watch (6.15 by Chisolm's and the Y clock) to get the train

which is a special 6.30 PM from right outside the Y. But the train was already winding the curve a half

mile down the track. Seems they changed the schedule. So we went out to the gate to look for a auto

(usually charge $1 per. to haul you to Memphis). We couldn't

00096

find any bus, but a man and his wife and Willie's in a Ford, told us to hop in and he brung us in for

nothing. Fine ride, thru country roads, nice green trees, and meadows and shade. I pictured you 'n' me

on the bank of every stream we crossed; sitting on everything log we saw; strolling along every shady

path we passed. I pictured just how you'd walk beside me, hug my arm (or if no one was around, my

hand) just where we'd stop and kiss ("Three times"!). And then coming into Memphis we passed as

00097

beautiful little mansion of white, back among great trees and I pictured you beside a tree, waiting for

me to come home. Oh my dear, wouldn't it be nice if only we could run this world according to our

wishes!

Got to stop 'n' eat it being most 2 o'clock. A man asked me out to dinner (they are truly hospitable here)

but I told him this Sunday I had "other plans". I'm going out to Overton Park, where is the zoo like unto

the Cleveland

00098

Park Zoo and its associations. I have a New Republic and an Officer's Manual to be useful with, and the

French "Blue Devils" are to be on exhibition out there this afternoon.

I am really quite attached to you!

Clarence.

I am enclosing a letter to your mother, in here, which of course implies permission for you to read it.

00099

T.N.: Envelope

00100

T.N.: Envelope

00101

Park Field

May 27, 1916

Dear:

"It" came and (as you would say) I love it. Its certainly sleek enough to pass inspection both personal and

property, if the latter should ever be ordered.

Nothing like ordering what you want for a birthday present is there! And I think it will prove very

durable; it will be no trouble to depress the snap in shutting it; and the C.G.M. will be somewhat of an

identification means if I lose my mind on something.

I like your choice of pictures. First and foremost of course, the one that will get looked at oftenest, is the

soft brown

00102

one that was taken for me. How many times have I seen that same sweet "altogether lovely" face!

The one of Miss 11 year old and her mother is also very good of both. What pup is that in the 4 yr.

picture, Bubby? Funny what old effects you can get of yourself in a mirror with a camera, isn't it? I like

them. Remember sleek as it is, it is for from loaded to capacity; so, any others past or future can also be

stowed away over my hear.

Darn the movies!

Goodnight!

Only had 20 minutes today, the 1st trip was a "treetop jazz" as Smithy called it; something wrong with

the motor as we took off; he immediately took the controls and skillfully dodged in and out over three

tops, expecting to fall into them any moment

00103

he said later. There wasn't power enough to climb; only enough to wobble we uncertainly around until

Smithy could get in position to glide back.

The second trip was better, but it had got enough by the time we got another machine, so he had me

land it. If you make a few more landings like that I'll turn you loose; but you know by now I hope to take

what Smithy says with the same pound of salt that I do. Tomorrow morning he's as apt as not to tell me

"As a flyer you'll make a good blacksmith."

He soloed both Guston and Hiller today. Guston did

00104

fine; Hiller was only starting when the cadets marched in, So I don't know how he came out. Guston had

had 8 1/2 hours.

I'll be content to have him tie the white handkerchief to my tail any time he wants to. I don't know how

to fly; but probably know as much as Smithy will let me learn, so long as he's along. All the solo birds

when they come down tell what a relief it is to have the instructor out of the machine. Say they learn for

the first time how much they had really been flying the ship themselves before, without knowing it.

Please return Jensen's letter when you write next want to send it to the folks (Lights are out) Devotedly,

Clarence

Hurrah for $40 per! Will write Paul at 3208 Newark; Little Miss Fix-it.

00105

T.N.: Envelope

00106

T.N.: Envelope

00107

T.N.: Image

00108

T.N.: OCR

00109

T.N.: OCR

00110

Park Field

May 29, 1918

Dear Sweetheart:

This is a smuggled letter, a false pretense, stolen one; written during one of the 7 1/2 hours we for the

most part wrote out here alternate afternoons. I have to keep the paper folded up as I write, that's why

its on the reverse side of the sheets. Cay-dets are not permitted to occupy themselves with anything

while on flying duty; if possible I'll bet they would taboo your thinking of anything, but landings and

take-offs. Needless to say, I think quite considerably of certain other things besides landings and take-

offs.

I think we are agreed that it should be a little "unoffensive" wedding, but don't

00111

feel that you have to deny yourself of anyone you really I want there. I think not only Betty P. but both

the elder Pyles should be invited. And maybe the queer Skeer girl, etc. and Paul and Jane by all means.

Why must they be officially engaged in order both to be present? My idea about the many people

proposition is not that there must be "thus few and no more" but that everyone there must really and

truly want to be there, and we likewise must want them there. I'm still so self-conscious that any

considerable number of people would seem like a crowd that had to be entertained, and I hate

entertaining.

00112

I reckon Dr. Brooks can explain where and how he got his good opinion of you. I get real pleased every

time I think about how I must be something like you, for everything that liked me before they knew you

(Paul, Priscilla, Brooks, etc.) immediately liked you and approved of our "liking" each other; and then I

got to feeling sorry for you, for if it's true that I'm something like you, then of necessity you're

something like me. But at least, and fortunately for you (and me too, since I'm to live with you,

sometime) the similarity does not hold in the matter of dispositions. Between us we ought to be able to

smother the unamiable features of my disposition irritability and baby poutishness.

Sorry I couldn't write

00113

you last night mother reminded me I hadn't written her for over 2 weeks. I wanted to give you the

reaction from Smithy's approval of Monday’s flying which was 20 minutes all told. Tues. morning I had 2

trips of 30 minutes each, and I think Smithy learned some new cuss words in the course of those flights.

"What the hell you tryin' to do?" he shouts as I failed to level off soon enough. The wheels struck the

ground with a bang and we bounced up about 20 ft. "Tryin' to break my neck?" @#$%^ H. you never will

learn how to fly. You're just like Hiller! Not a damn bit of judgement!" (Repetition of these main ideas)

00114

Reckon writing from the field isn't much of a success. I only got three pages written, what with curious

cay-dets and dodging officers. Everytime I got nicely hid under an airplanes that had its canvass hood on,

a mechanic would come along and shout "Contact!" P-r-r-r! and amid clouds of dust such as the Saharah

itself never saw, I'd have to crawl out and seek a new spot.

Movies lights out. I don't care. I'm going to wait till the movies are over. Tomorrow being Memorial Day

we are free tonight and tomorrow. Most of the

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fellows have gone to Memphis. Guess I can stand it till Sat. But it's awful here just now, for they're

having trouble with the water supply and the water is turned off most of the time, always when we

need it most. It's almost impossible to get to sleep without a cold shower at night, but the water is not

only shut off after support, but before! We come in from the flying field all sweaty and covered with dirt

and with faces spattered with oil thrown from the engines, that's at 7.25. We eat in that same condition

at 7.30 or 7.35. We even have an awful time getting water to drink. Most of this is due to

mismanagement. Over at the pumping station they waste it by the barrels. Guess I haven't mentioned

how hot it is

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here; it's awful; especially at night. We lie on those dusty woolen blankets and pitch and toss; the

wooden cots creaking with the movements of the restless would be sleepers. Now 25 new men have

come into our barracks and filled up the center space. The windows can't admit enough air. Yet our wise

and omniscient superiors last night ordered all curtains, for the future on each side of the barracks, to

be down until lights are out, "because officers’ wives are going by at all times." They could just as well

avoid passing close to hot men's barracks.

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But I wasn't [illegible] three with Smithy. That was Tuesday, yesterday. Today is Wednesday and Smithy

got up on the other side of the bed today. He gave me an hour and ten minutes straight, bringing my

time up to 7 hours 28 minutes. On landing the first time, Smithy says, says Smithy: "That was fine. Your

air work is almost perfect. I'm tickled to death about that." But landings are not airwork in fact I don't

know what to compare them to. Altogether we made about 7, of which he said 3 were good.

The air was the roughest

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I've ever flown in; felt like a hurricane, a gust would pick me up and steer us heavenward, to be followed

by an "all-that-goes-up-must-come-down" movement. A gust would strike the tail and why it around

and I'd have to jab on opposite rudder and appropriate aileron. Lots of times the aileron wasn't needed

at all, but I knew Smithy would have 3 fits and swallow in all if I used rudder without aileron so I'd use

both together, turn out of the courses as a result and then straighten out later.

00119

We flew around a short course almost a half mile from the field all the while. Toward the last he had me

cut the engine and nose her down when I thought it about time, much to my surprise. [illegible] Tonight

he says, grinning, "Well, you ready to solo tomorrow." Which I answered but tomorrow being a holiday I

can't very well. Fri. morning he will tell me he is going to solo me. I'll make 3 good landings with him and

try to break his neck on the fourth and he'll throw up his

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hands and till me I've forgotten everything he ever taught me, etc.

Two letters in one day! from my sweetie. The first which I read after Smithy finished with me, says as

how my sweetie doesn't like the idea of making the marriage contingent on a commission. The second

says she has her shock-absorbers all adjusted but won't use 'em unless she has to. Here's hoping she

won't have to!

And girl, I'm beginning to see the furlough idea as you do! To prove that I called around to talk with Lt.

Rogers the Commandant of Cadets, tonight

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but he wasn't in. I'm going to ask him whether there's any chance of getting a furlough to get married.

I'll have a pretty little storm of kidding to face for the next 2 months then, whether it is granted or not.

The sergeant who was present, in his chief's absence, tried his best to find out what the grounds of this

proposed furlough would be. I didn't dare tell him to go to and stay put for non-coms. are all powerful

here. They teach the classes, run the mess repair machine, and in general tyranny over cadets, half out

of jealous of the latter's impending commissions. If I reach first solo intact I'll be fairly confident of

getting thru here. But the time of so doing is very uncertain. To

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hold off this marriage just for a commission (if I believe I am safely progressing at present) would, after

all, be a concession to my vanity which is outweighed by me and my girls' peace of mind in the men

time.

Besides, a soldier gets a furlough (10 days); an officer gets a leave of absence (10 days). The right had

officer knoweth not what the left hand soldier doeth. When he gets his discharge to accept a

commission the soldier is metamorphosed into a different entity in the eyes of military in the eyes of

military red tape. The point of all this is that I might as well get a

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furlough and a leave of absence both! Maybe not from this same post, but a furlough from here and a

leave from Camp Dick night be engineered. I'll have to trust to you to get "dangerously ill" to pull the

leave stuff, but that's a long way off. If Lt. Rogers is half human he'll give me a furlough now and I may

marry you in June still!

How long does it take to get up one of these here weddings? Do you think invitations (formal printed

ones) are appropriate? Wouldn't a little personal note from you to the few friends, be better? Then any

number of after-the-fact announcements could be mailed after it was all over but the shouting (and the

embraces!)

I can't dwell too long

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on the thought of embraces without getting all giddy. Seems too good to be true.

Isn't it funny, most of the talking about that most intimate of all our relations, which your mother says

makes folks "truly married" has been carried on indirectly, with your mother as spokesman. You won't

think we are doing it over your head, will you dear? I've assumed that your mother spoke for both of us,

as she usually does.

It is such a glorious conception, that intercourse is not a "concession" to any thing nor yet only a means

to an end, but

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that it is worth while in itself, even necessary to the happiest married relationship. That we can indulge

in it and still not feel the slightest quaver about self-respect!

You know I had (just between myself) concluded that thought out to be held off till at least one day after

marriage, so you wouldn't maybe think however momentarily, that that was all I married you for. But if

we believe your mother, about it making us man and wife, I reckon I interpret your feelings as well as

my own, in saying that we ought to become "man and wife" the very evening of the day we are married.

What do you think, dear? Unless of course you are very-tired, or would be very embarrassed. Maybe

you'd rather not have too much happiness in a

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bunch, all the first day. Maybe you'd be less excited (and me too) if we had it definitely understood

before hand that we would postpone actual intercourse till the second night. Tell me what you think.

The abolition of the extended honeymoon is a fine idea, only I would hate to drive your family out of its

own home. Remember your daddy isn't a kid, and while we're playing, he is helping with the war.

Besides we will want the family around after the first few days, won't we?

I had thought a little of Onondaga Camp as a

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possible place to spend a honey moon (like your mother said some couple did). Had you thought of it?

Anyway I spose we'll take some canoe trips (so have the old boat fixed up, we'll need it).

Long-winded again I see. I, too, do so love to talk to you about being married!

Your dear!

Clarence