The War Letters

February 17, 1944

"Second day at Greensboro." Still not processed, but heard more about the classification tests. Apparently they just don't need pilots anymore, and so the "casualty" rate for cadets is 85-90%. It appears that, due to the excess of men, the tests, which previously were only given to men after Primary flying was completed, now they are given before so many never even get a crack at flying school. While he's taking the tests, time will be limited to write, so don't be too "sore." Yesterday he received his gas mask, which he has to carry with him all day on Wednesday...it's been rainy and everyone is griping...no news, no nothing...

The War Letters

February 16, 1944

"Well here I am at Basic as you wished in your last letter." He is now located in Greensboro, N.C. They shipped out at 5 PM Tuesday and arrived around 6:30 AM Wednesday morning. It was not a good trip. Very crowded. He's been kept busy since arriving, and drew night guard duty from 3:30-6:30 AM, so sleep will continue to evade him. So far, no news about the classification test they will be taking - and it's truly not Basic but P.A.C (Pre Aviation Cadet) training they will be receiving. The camp is more crude than Ft. Dix, "a thousand times worse." Most of his group are transfers from A.S.T.P., so the competition will be steep as they have already studied what all of them will be quizzed on soon, not to mention their experience and "fine physical shape." Most of these men have been treated badly thus far, therefore they're highly motivated. Ann has requested a picture..(no comment made).

The War Letters

February 14, 1944

"This is the second letter from me today." That's because he has finally made the shipping list. He received a few valentines of a sentimental nature that made him kind of "weepy." Several items are being shipped home at this point as they cannot be brought with him to basic training - too bulky. Also a list of several items to prepare for sending to him at basic, awaiting his mailing address.

The War Letters

February 14, 1944

"Well here I am back at Ft. Dix again." Getting back at around 12:20 in the morning. Being Valentine's Day, he was surprised with a bunch of mail. Here is where he fills his family in on the rest of his NYC trip. After mailing the letter, he checked out and went down to Penn Station and checked his bag. From there he walked to Times Square and took the subway back to Fellman's. As mentioned in the previous letter, he'd had dinner with Mrs. Fellman, Elizabeth and Agnes. After dinner, Elizabeth had some sort of engagement, so she suggested Frank and Agnes go over to Radio City. This was fine with him as Agnes was "soft and sweet smellin", so they headed to Radio City to see Jane Eyre with a stage show. On their way he saw both Rockefeller Center and St. Patrick's Cathedral, which impressed him very much. It was an hour wait to get into Radio City, deemed the largest movie house in the world. The show was pretty good, but long and he almost fell asleep, but they knew they had to meet Elizabeth at the Savoy, though they did not have a definite time, so after the show they went to the Savoy. Apparently Elizabeth had been there a while, and blamed "poor Agnes" for the miscommunication. The "tirade was terrific", not what he expected from a sophisticated woman of the world. Since they were too late to get cocktails, they grabbed a bite and then headed to Penn Station. He was invited back the following week, but he doesn't think he'll make it again, though he had a great time and he gained a lot of confidence in knowing he could get himself around the city, unless it's something special he doesn't thing he'll return to NYC as a Private again.

The War Letters

February 13, 1944

"Well here I am in the Big City." Roughly a third of the barracks came to NYC. Frank's one friend, Abraham Aaroni, offered to let him stay with him and his family, but he declined. Abe did take his fatigues for him though, for which he is thankful. He stood on the train the whole way from Trenton to NYC, other than that the trip was uneventful. After trying to get a room at several places, he returned to Penn Station to the U.S.O. Travelers Aid. There he found there were also no single rooms available. While inquiring, he met a Southern sailor, Carey Higdon, who was well acquainted with NYC and since the only room available was a double at the Rex Hotel, they headed there together. After getting washed up, they went to eat at the Service Man's Center run by Pepsi-Cola in Times Square, he was able to get in touch with the Fellman's and got directions to E 78th. Carey got him as far as the subway where some people from Syracuse "took care of the Army", and saw that he was headed in the right direction. Upon arrival, he got to the apartment, rang the buzzer, but no answer. He was told by the clerk that they'd gone out a short time ago, which seemed strange, so he went to a bar, and had a Rupert beer on draught to wait it out. After the third "slow" beer, he called the apartment again - seems the clerk thought he was looking for the Feltmann apartment and they'd been there the entire time, playing bridge, so he headed back. They were all glad to see him..."such kissing, and me not having seen a woman for 17 days". After their visit he returned to the hotel. Church was planned for 8:00 the next morning at Actors Chapel on 49th Street...

The War Letters

February 11, 1944

"Well it looks like I'm going to get a pass this weekend." Not going to make it home though, not enough time. Planning to head to N.Y.C. on the cheap, look up some friends, the Y.M.C.A is recommended at .50¢ per night. May not even make that if he's on the evening's shipping list. His shoes have begun to cause problems with his hips, so he tried inserting about 5 envelopes in the heel of his shoe, and that did the trick. Going to get some heel lifts next visit into town to "eliminate the expenditure of envelopes." Still waiting to get shipped and it couldn't come too soon.

The War Letters

February 10, 1944

"I am considering going to New York for the weekend - it seems a shame to miss going there when I'm so near but I may decide not to go after all - I hate to spend my capital reserve." He still has about $45 "stibokes" on hand, but is spending some everyday on cigarettes, milk, a few beers. Each shipping list is taking some of the firemen, so it's never certain what shift he will have. Today he got his first haircut - not G.I. and if he'd seen the whole business in a move he'd have "laughed himself silly." In the barbershop today there were six barbers working, three side of a large room is outfitted for the barbers with about 4 on each side. The fourth side of the room has two long rows of benches and seats for "those that would be mangled." men move up a seat each time one of the shearers calls "next." His turn, he was only relieved of a small part of his right ear - they waste no time - about 12-14 minutes per man. Today he got his 4th and final shot.  "The stock joke to all newcomers here is when they march in everyone yells 'Look out for the hook?' This is a reference to the shots, two of them; you get almost as soon as you arrive. We then get them aside and glibly describe that the first shot is called the Torpedo and the second one the Umbrella and that both are administered up the rectum." Off to mail this one in the 3:30 outgoing mail...