Advanced Navigation in Hondo, Texas
On October 16, 1942, Mike wrote to Andy and Esther. [Written at an upward angle in the top right hand corner is the sentence, "I received your telegram." ] He thanks them very much for sending him the money and apologizes for not making it home. Mike's reason for not being able to make it home was that his orders only granted him 3 days to get to his new station, and he did not feel that was sufficient time to get home and back in. Mike further explains that at the time he asked for the money, he had no idea of how long a "delay en route" he would get.
Mike tells them that [after graduation from Bombardier School in Albuquerque, New Mexico] his old class was finally split up. The top 50 came here [Hondo, Texas]. Just to show what an exceptional class they had, they kept the next 40 as instructors in Albuquerque, and the rest of the class went on to combat [as Bombardiers].
Mike further explains that his class, 42-14, graduated with the honor of having the highest class average of any ever to go through Albuquerque. They had a class average of 86 while Mike's average was 89.
Mike says his class was also the orneriest. They asked way too many questions and their instructors were sore at them all the time. He tells them they have his address:
Lt. M. Halaiko
Navigation School
B. O. Q.
Hondo, Texas
He asks that they share his address with everyone who wants to know about it.
Mike will return the money as soon as he can. He tells them so long and write soon. "Your brother, Michael."
On the 2nd of December, 1942, Mike wrote Mary and Mickey on stationery with the following heading:
Mike tells them it is already December, and that time files so fast. He lets them know how much he likes their letters because they are nice and long and the clippings are enjoyable.
Mike relates that they have started Celestial Navigation the previous Monday, and how interesting he finds this subject. The study takes lots of concentration, and they have "star" classes at night in which they study the stars used in Celestial Navigation.
Mike asks them their thoughts on gas rationing. Mike believes it will be a hardship for many, but good for some. The main purpose, he states, is to save rubber.
And then, "Boy! It is really cold here in the mornings."
Mike says he listens to Phil Spitalny [and his Hour of Charm All Girl Orchestra] almost every Sunday evening, and that it is one of his favorite programs. "The music is very good." Mike says.
It is now 10:50PM, and Mike and his room mate from Massachusetts are listening to Guy Lombardo. Mike tells them that there are fellows from all over here.
Mike relates that there are two chapels on the post, and he goes to church practically every Sunday. He never knew there were so many Catholic fellows in the army. They have two masses: one at 7:00AM and one at 9:00AM. The mass at 9:00AM is a high mass.
Mike asks that they tell Jerome "hello", and to tell him that his Uncle Mike is glad that his nephew is feeling well and happy.
"That's all for tonight. 'Goodnight', Mike"
"P. S. Tell Lawrence when you write that….." [the rest is cut off at the bottom of the letter].
The first letter of 1943 was written to Mary and Mickey on January 6th. Mike thanks them for the letter, the box, and the shirt that all arrived that day.
Then Mike asks about a gift he got for Jerome. He tried to guess at the size of the trousers he sent for Jerome, and Mike wonders that maybe he did not do such a good job [This gift was a boy's replica of an Air Force Officer's outfit.].
Mike says that the weather there has been quite cold, but otherwise not too bad.
He spent Christmas in El Paso and New Year's in Phoenix, Arizona. Mike flew to both places so it did not take too long to get to either place.
Mike says that his work is going along quite nicely, so he has no kick in that direction. He does have a slight head cold.
He asks how Jerome is feeling, and he sure hopes that he is OK and just as lively as ever. Mike asks that they tell Jerome "Hello".
Mike apologizes that he can not write sooner after he receives their letters, but his schedule has been quite busy.
He closes with, "That's all for now. Love, Mike"
On January 17, 1943, Mike wrote Mary and Mickey on stationery with the following Letterhead:
Mike says that the last two weeks they have been all over the country flying in their "cross country" flying. The places included El Paso, Rosewell, Tulsa, and New Orleans. Mike estimates that they covered 2500 miles in the last week.
Mike states that in two weeks his work there will be over. He will once again be a graduate. This time, he will be a graduate of Uncle Sam's Navigation School.
He mentions that Under Secretary of War, Patterson's son graduated from there 3 weeks earlier.
Mike mentions how glad he will be when this school work is over. He feels that it certainly has been a strain. He hopes that maybe he will get some rest after this.
He further adds that his class sure has gone through a lot in a short time. Mike's class will be the first class of Navigator/Bombardiers to graduate. Mike believes that his class has been the pioneers and guinea pigs all along.
Mike asks how Jerome is doing and asks if he will not be starting school in the next year. He asks them to tell Jerome that his Uncle Mike says, "hello".
Mike wants to know how the weather is up in Akron, and wants to know if they have a lot of snow.
He asks if they have seen Mother and Dad lately. Mike hopes that they are feeling well.
He closes with, "That's all now. Your brother, Mike"
On January 29, 1943, Mike sent the following Telegram to Andy:
On the same day, Mike writes Mary and Mickey and tells them that he is on his way now. He graduated the day before (1/28/43) from the U.S. Army's Navigation School as a Navigator.
Mike tells them that his class is going to Carlsbad, New Mexico for about 3 weeks, and then after that he was uncertain.
All was well there with him.
He was leaving for Carlsbad at about 4:00PM that day [a Saturday], and would arrive Sunday morning.
He tells them not to write to Carlsbad until he has an address he can send them.
Mike says that he was walking in downtown San Antonio that day. He saw a little boy with a little major's uniform on.
Mike thought of Jerome and wished that he could see what Jerome looked like at that time. Mike bet that Jerome had really grown up some.
There wasn't much more for him to write, so he told them they would hear from him later.
"Your brother, Mike"
Then on February 4, 1943 Mike sends the following Telegram to Andy:
So, as can be seen in the above Telegram, Mike was given a surprise furlough, and as can be seen from the next Telegram, it lasted about 10 days before he had to be back in Carlsbad, New Mexico. The next Telegram indicates that Mike was immediately sent on to Greenville, South Carolina:
One more Telegram accompanied this group dated February 16, 1943 at 8:39AM which states: " Arrived Greenville. Everything OK. Will write details later. Mike"
On February 18, 1943, Mike writes to Mary and Mickey and Andy and Esther in two separate letters from Greenville, South Carolina.
In the letter to Mary and Mickey, Mike starts out, "Well, how do you like this? I am in Greenville, South Carolina now. I sure do get around , don't I?"
Mike was sent there with four others to get some ideas on opening the school for navigator-bombardiers at Carlsbad. Mike explains further that this is a medium bombardment outfit which calls for a navigator-bombardier. Mike says they are going to train such men at Carlsbad, so the army sent them there to find the best way to do it.
Mike tells them that they will be in Greenville only a short time and have to be back in Carlsbad by March 1st, so please send his mail to Carlsbad.
He relates that the trip from home to Carlsbad was pleasant, but he was in Carlsbad a total of two hours when he received orders to proceed on to Greenville. This totaled five days of travel for Mike on a train.
Mike hopes that all is well with them. Everything is OK where he is at. He sure hated to leave home this time, but it was unavoidable.
He asks them to tell Jerome "hello" for him.
Just as Mike says there isn't much more to write about, he remembers that there were two Russian Officers there on this day looking for new ideas. One was a Colonel, and one was a Captain.
Mike finishes with, "This is quite a large air base here, and is the final training place for medium bombardment crews. That's all now. Goodnite, Mike"
On the same day (2/18/43), Mike's letter to Andy and Esther starts by Mike letting them know that he received the money they sent.
Mike asks them if they are wondering why he has to borrow money when he is getting paid $291 per month. The reason was that Mike had not been paid yet for January and February.
Mike goes on to say that he will pay the money back as soon as he can, and that being an officer costs money especially if you travel.
The Chief Navigator and Bombardier [at Greenville Air Base] are showing Mike around The Post so that he and four others can learn the best way to train Navigator-Bombardiers.
The next day they will take a flight in a B-25 to see what Navigator-Bombardier problems may occur in a plane like the B-25. Mike finds this all very interesting.
After they finish in Greenville the following week, they will make a report to Headquarters back at Carlsbad.
Mike tells them that Greenville is a nice town of about 75,000 people.
"Hey!" Mike says. "They have a Jap Zero here. I saw it fly. It's one they captured in Alaska."
Mike reiterates about the visiting Russian Officers who were there to get ideas for their Air Force.
Mike concludes with, "I really fell into something good in The Air Force here. That's all now. Thank you. Your brother, Mike"
On March 1, 1943, at 7:47 PM, Mike sent a one line Telegram from Carlsbad, New Mexico to Andy that read: "Arrived here safely. All is well."
A letter followed on the same date (3/1/43) to Andy and Esther. Mike tells them again that he arrived in Carlsbad safely on Saturday afternoon, and that everything was OK there with the weather being pleasantly warm.
Mike then tells them about a meeting they were all part of in which they were all given the low-down on the place. They are to be the instructors of this new school. They were told what a wonderful opportunity it was for all of them to get ahead.
Mike's address now is slightly different:
Lt. M. J. Halaiko
Navigation School
A.A.F.A.F.S.
Carlsbad, Mew Mexico
Mike asks, "How did father make out?" And then, "I hope he is all right. Write soon. Your brother, Mike "
Also on March 1, 1943, Mike wrote Mary and Mickey. He tells them that he is back safely in Carlsbad now, and that everything is "Rosy" there with the weather being nice and warm.
On Mike's trip back from Greenville, he came by way of Akron and had about one day at home. He meant to stop and see them before he left and was going to, but on his way in with father to work in the morning, they got stuck by the big hill.
Mike was afraid of being late in catching his 9:00 o'clock AM train, so he did not stop in to see them. Mike hopes they will understand.
Mike relates that they were told today that they would be at Carlsbad for awhile, and they will be the background for this new navigation school. Mike has not started to teach yet.
"Tell Jerome, 'Hello'. Write soon. Your brother, Mike"