Letters Ray To Shirl a WWII Love Story

  Aug. 19, 1945        Dearest Shirl,        Once again miracles have happened.   We were called back from a mission.   Once a plane is air borne, to call it back is unheard of.   We were called back at 1400.   We landed, checked in, and were told that the training program had been discontinued.   There are a lot of reacting to this.   It might mean we’re all through flying, or maybe they’ll revise the program and start over again.   We may get discharged early or we may go over in some other capacity.   A million things might happen.   Ole Debble time is the answer.   If we’re all through flying - no more flight pay - my pay is cut in half.   It’s going to shoot my financial plans to hell and back.   I’ll be damned if I’ll worry about it though.   I’ll do the best I can and that’s got to be it.   We may get some more detailed dope next week.        The ...

  August 17, 1945 Sweet Little Flower, Among my many other amazing accomplishments, I managed to, in my spare time, Sprain my right wrist Tuesday.   I could go into all of the horrible, breathtaking, blood thirsty details, but I won’t.   The whole damned thing was silly.   Yesterday I couldn’t even hold a pen.   I used a massage gadget on it last night and tis practically good as new now.   No scars or nothing so this fine morning I said to myself, “Why not write Sweet Pee?”.   Myself said , “Why Not” too and that’s how come this letter was writ.   Have a cup of coffee?   I love you.      We were flying all day Tuesday.   We kept one of our radio channels tuned to the Tuscon station and I stayed on that for most of the time.   At 1600 Tuscon time a guy said “World War No. 2 has ended”.   I gave a screech that was heard all the way up in the nose (of the ship, not mine).       Hardy called me on ...

  Aug. 14, 1945 My Darling,   What a rat race this radio business has developed into. There was supposed to be an important announcement at six tonight, but it never came. I personally am a nervous wreck. I wish the war would either be on or off so I could save a couple of tons of wishful thinking.   We are scheduled to fly again tomorrow so I'll start this tonight and finish it up before I fly.   Some so and so swiped all my flying equipment. Comes now the battle of who is goin g to pay for it. I'll find out tomorrow. From a turnip, one can't get blood.   How yah doin so far Kiddo? Only three or four more days to go and you can relax a little. Have you heard from Bill since his vacation? Are you and Rambleshaw agreeing on things? Try kicking him in the shins. I'll betcha he'd give in then. Dats da trouble everybody wants to get into da act. When everything seems to be a little bit organized same big wheel starts changing everything around. Ta hell wit bosses! I...

  Aug. 13, 1945 My Darling,   I went to town yesterday afternoon and had my ring made smaller. I was pretty lucky and got it fixed while I waited. The jeweler said it was a very fine ring and that the initials were hand carved. He fixed it in less than an hour. It's a size 8 now. We allowed for a two way stretch.   Valley of Deciscions was at one of the shows so I went in. It was a good picture but not as complete as the book. There were some changes but they fit in well. I guess Hollywood has to have a happy ending so at the end they got together. The 2nd Future was as good as V. of D. I'd never even heard a rumour about it. "The Southerner". with Zachary Scotts and Betty Field. It was darned good. After the show I meandered over to the Salvation army and hooked four donuts and two cups of coffee. I was back in the field by ten and then lost a dime in a red hopt running game. My whole weekend was spoiled. I've got to go to briefing in an hour and a half. Chow now...

  Aug. 11, 1945 wed.   Ahoy Petunia,   Say, ya know, last night I went to the show and saw "Over 21". It was a swell picture and all that. There were a couple of shots with Alexander Knox that made me sit with my mouth open. Holy Huckleberries, he looked so darned much like your Pop. I was actually amazed. He is a little bit thinner but outside of that there is great similarity. Make sure you see it. Fri.   Flew all day yesterday and just got time now to finish this. I checked with the photo depart. and found out I got six hits on those radar runs. Goodie goodie. Aside from that there is nothing of a technical interest that I can think of.     I suppose I should say something about all of the news floating around. I will! Let's wait untill it's all over and then we can get excited. There are still guys getting killed.   If by some chance it is all over in a couple of weeks, you can start collecting some of my trouseur size 11 stockings - bobby sox styl...

  Sept. 7, 1945 Darlingest You All,   Did you ever get an idea that was 100% strictly original? Whilst playing hop scotch amidst cactuses something twanged in my head. Twas this - "Saur krout flavored lip stick" ! Can you realize the gigantic emotional upsets involved. Betcha two shoe laces no one else but us, in the whole world has ever said the magic words, Saur krout flavored lipstick. It frightens me.   Be leaving for your vacation in a couple of days huh darling? Gee that's swell. Ain'tcha really gonna do nothin but drink milk and read "The Robe"? Can't have no fun that way. I hope you have the swellest doggone time. You sure got it comming.   Say, people who expect you to spend half your vacation writing letters are horrid! Me too! Just sort of drop me a postal card once in awhile to let me know what's cooking. Of course if it rains one day and you have nothing else to do - well - otherwise ignore your public (that's me !)   Checked on the ...